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Wet and Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park Featuring more than 34 rides, “North Carolina’s largest
water park” is open weekends through September 1. Attractions
at the attractively landscaped park include a 1.9 million-gallon
Tsunami wave pool, relaxing Lazee River, and thrilling Dare Devil
Drop water slide, reportedly the tallest slide between New York
and Atlanta. For small Wet and Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park |
Denton Farm Park This unique historical park, open three times yearly, showcases steam, gas and antique farm equipment. The site includes a 15,000-square-foot exhibit building, a covered pavilion music hall, country store, church, plantation buildings, 19th century trampling barn, granary, blacksmith shop, slave house and smokehouse. Demonstrations include tractor, lawnmower and horse pulls. Families can pitch tents at the on-site campgrounds or visit for the day. Denton Farm Park |
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Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine “You Find ‘Em ... You Keep ‘Em” is the motto at Gem Mountain. This family-friendly mining operation includes modern gem-washing facilities, a new go-cart speedway with 600 feet of banked track, and the Pit Stop Collectible Shop where you can purchase NASCAR models. The Sands of Time Museum tells the story of man and the tools used over time, and showcases artifacts and ceremonial masks. Gemstones to discover include local stones such as Crabtree Emerald and Brushy Creek aquamarine, as well as moonstones, garnets, citrines, rubies, sapphires and amethysts brought in daily. Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine |
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Natural Science Center This hands-on museum combines the love of learning with fun. Kids can view the sun in the solar observatory, take a trip in the deep-sea adventure maze and gawk at a 36-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex model in the dinosaur gallery. Other features include a gem and mineral gallery and a petting zoo. The planetarium offers shows throughout the day, where you can “journey” through space and time to explore black holes, enjoy a introduction to backyard astronomy or watch an imaginative cartoon presentation about a cat who takes a trip to the moon. Public shows performed weekends include The “Wrong Brothers Airshow,” showing the ways another two brothers just can’t fly, and “Animal Idol,” where a prairie dog, alligator, tropical bird and wallaby sing songs. The museum is adjacent to Country Park, which offers outdoor picnic facilities, a modern playground, two small lakes and nature trails. Natural
Science Center |