10 Amazing Field Trips Every North Carolinian Took As A Kid (And Should Retake Now)
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OnlyInYourState Staff
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There are small ways we can all rekindle our inner child, including a visit to some of our favorite childhood destinations or places that bring back those memories. With so much natural and manmade beauty and so many interesting sights in North Carolina, it’s safe to say we all took some pretty interesting field trips as a child. These 10 are totally awesome and even more acceptable to take again…maybe even with our own kids!
I still remember my visit to Town Creek Indian Mound. It was a trip with my grandparents and not a field trip, but I would totally go back today. Six hundred years ago, Native Americans settled in this very spot. Today, you can find reconstructions including an authentic earthen mound with ancient temple on top that recreates the Pee Dee Culture.
A mile high swinging bridge, animal exhibits including brown bears, easy hiking trails, and beautiful views all around? For visitors of any age, Grandfather Mountain is a beloved destination!
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Cape Hatteras is a beautiful landmark and such an icon for North Carolina. There's nothing like climbing to the top to take in the view - also, at an older age you might find yourself a bit more interested in all of the history than you did when younger.
Almost every child's rite of North Carolina passage is a visit to the Capitol City of Raleigh (unless you live there). I remember my trip...but know I would appreciate the history and stories on a whole other level at an older age. Plus, Raleigh and surrounding areas like Durham have grown into much larger and more culturally interesting cities.
From the Imax theater to the crazy, interactive exhibits, Discovery Place was by far one of my favorite field trips in North Carolina. Now, it seems as if they almost want you to come back and visit with themed 'Science on the Rocks' nights that involve exploring Discovery Place and, well, drinking.
Making wax candles, people dressed in period-piece attire, Moravian cookies, cobblestone streets - Old Salem is enchanting as a child and as an adult you appreciate such a unique slice of culture right next to the city.
As a child, you probably just thought you were witnessing a really awesome play, but as an adult you understand that this is all a hypothetical reasoning for America's first missing persons case. The Lost Colony has also received more media attention over the past few years, making your visit even more fascinating.
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When you were a child at Biltmore Estate, more than likely you received a few dirty looks from tour guides because, lets be honest...children are unruly and this isn't the best place for a field trip. But Biltmore is stunningly beautiful and now that we have our own mortgages or rent payments, we can be like, wow, how does anyone actually afford this?
I don't care how old you are, the zoo always leaves you in awe. Especially because the North Carolina Zoo is a natural habitat zoo, meaning it gets you as close as possible to envisioning seeing these animals in the wild.
As I got older, my interest in history - and specifically North Carolina history - grew. We all visit battlefields as children in school, but usually we just see them for what they are: a field. When you're older, you can experience the palpable history and even tell your younger attendees a story or two.
All of these trips bring back childhood memories in a whole new light. Are there any you’d add to the list?
For recreating all the thrills and fun of childhood as an adult, visit this adventure park in the middle of the woods.
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