Free and low-cost family activities in North Carolina

34 entries for North Carolina (1 programs and places, 33 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in North Carolina

North Carolina state parks: free entry at most parks

FreeOutdoorsNorth Carolina

Most North Carolina state parks are free to access year-round. Entrance fees are charged at the Chimney Rock attraction (set by Chimney Rock Park, LLC) and during peak season at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state recreation areas ($10 per vehicle on weekends and holidays in April, May and September and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day; $5 with a senior, military member or veteran in the vehicle). Fees are charged for camping, facility reservations, swim passes, rentals and permits.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: No pass needed at most parks. NC State Parks says it offers no discounted entrance passes other than the senior and military/veteran discount.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in North Carolina (33)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Airlie Gardens Wilmington, NC
Asheville Museum of Science Asheville, NC
Aurora Fossil Museum Aurora, NC
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Blowing Rock, NC
Cameron Art Museum Wilmington, NC
Cape Fear Botanical Garden Fayetteville, NC
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science Wilmington, NC
Carolina Raptor Center Huntersville, NC
Charlotte Museum of History Charlotte, NC
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington Wilmington, NC
Children’s Playhouse Boone, NC
Cognition Mocksville, NC
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC
Fascinate-U Children’s Museum Fayetteville, NC
Imagination Station Science & History Museum Wilson, NC
Ingram Planetarium Sunset Beach, NC
Kaleideum Downtown Winston-Salem, NC
Kaleideum North Winston-Salem, NC
Mint Museum Randolph Charlotte, NC
Mint Museum Uptown Charlotte, NC
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center Chapel Hill, NC
Museum of Coastal Carolina Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum High Point, NC
North Carolina Botanical Garden Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina Children’s Museum – The Makery Durham, NC
North Carolina Children’s Museum – The Nest Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures Spencer, NC
Old Salem Museums & Gardens Winston-Salem, NC
Reynolda House Museum of American Art Winston-Salem, NC
Robeson Planetarium and Science Center Lumberton, NC
Sullenberger Aviation Museum Charlotte, NC
Wing Haven Charlotte, NC
Zing Zumm, Children’s Museum of Jacksonville Jacksonville, NC

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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