A good field trip is the perfect way to break up the monotony of a school year! North Carolina is home to many historic sites, science museums, and art exhibitions. Whether you reside in the mountains, on the Coastal Plain, or in the Piedmont, there are many fun places to explore.
Mountains
Horn in the West in Boone is an outdoor drama that has been performed every summer since 1952. Horn in the West tells the story of Daniel Boone, a pioneer who fought in the Revolutionary War, and his fellow mountain settlers. The play covers the period between the Battle of Alamance (1771) and the Battle of King’s Mountain (1780). Bring a light jacket or a sweater if you go. Even in the summer, mountain evenings can be chilly!
Grandfather Mountain is a classic High Country experience located in Linville. Walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, which is not nearly as terrifying as it sounds. (It’s a mile above sea level, not a mile above the ground.) The hiking at Grandfather Mountain is beautiful. You can also visit the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, which is indoors, before you head outdoors to the wildlife exhibits.
Piedmont
The North Carolina Museum of Art is located in Raleigh and is completely free! The museum features pieces from ancient times up to the modern era. I take my kids there about once a year to look at pieces of art that correspond to our history studies.
The North Carolina Symphony, also in Raleigh, typically offers two or three concerts per year, which are designed specifically for children, as well as many traditional performances. The best ticket prices are available during their annual Black Friday sale. I highly recommend signing up for their email list if you live in the Triangle. Every once in a while, they will send out an email about a free concert during the day on a weekday—those are perfect opportunities for homeschoolers.
The Museum of the Alphabet in Waxhaw is a free museum about the Bible translation work of JAARS. The museum also explores the history of writing, how alphabets have been made in the past, and how alphabets are made today.
One of my favorite field trips as a young child was Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies in Clemmons. People have enjoyed Moravian cookies for centuries. The tour discusses how cooks used to use wood stoves. Your student can also visit the warehouse and the boxing and shipping area. The mixing room and the baking areas, however, are the most exciting. Visitors also get to sample the cookies. The tour guides emphasize the importance of a good work ethic to students.
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is fun for all ages. Did you know that our zoo is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world? The North Carolina Zoo was also ranked the best zoo in the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024.
The North Carolina Legislative Building, the North Carolina State Capitol, and the North Carolina Justice Building are all located in downtown Raleigh. Every other year, NCHE hosts Capital Fest, an event for homeschooled students to learn about the functions of our state government. Capital Fest includes workshops on the state government, meetings with legislators, and tours of government buildings.
Coastal Plain
If you’re studying World War II in your homeschool, you don’t want to miss the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington! The Battleship brought history to life for my boys. Note that many of the below deck areas are not stroller accessible. There are nine levels to explore. Children ages five and under are free.
As you’ve seen on your license plate, North Carolina is first in flight, and you can learn the story of how it happened at the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Tour the visitor center and museum first, then head outside to see exactly how far the Wright Brothers flew on their first flights. Children ages fifteen and younger are free.
Any study of North Carolina history is incomplete without diving into The Lost Colony in Manteo. In the summer, there is an outdoor drama based on the true story of The Lost Colony. However, Roanoke Island Festival Park is open from March through December. The Festival Park covers the years 1585-1590. I visited it with my family and still remember it vividly twenty years later. The Festival Park is more interactive than your typical museum. Kids can try on late 1500s costumes and even board a replica sailing vessel. The interpreters on the Elizabeth II wear historically accurate garb and will answer your kids’ questions in character.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach is my favorite of the NC aquariums. The otters are adorable, the fish are mesmerizing, and you can even find unexpected creatures there. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is nearby and features a beach with free parking, public bathrooms, and changing rooms.
I hope this list sparked some ideas for your next field trip!
Laura McKinney Adams is a wife and mother of three. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University. While at Liberty, she met her husband, who is a fellow homeschool graduate. She writes about classical education, lifelong learning for moms, and homeschooling the early years at lauramckinneyadams.com.
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