A great family day doesn't have to start with a ticket booth. Around Jacksonville and across Onslow, Pender and Carteret counties there are playgrounds with room to run, weekly library storytimes, museums with free admission and a farm where the kids can see the animals for nothing. When you do want to spend a little, several indoor spots keep admission under $10.
We sorted this guide by cost, from free to $10 and under, with Jacksonville and Onslow County first. Hours and prices can change, so tap through to each listing before you head out.
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Free: Parks and Playgrounds
None of these public parks lists an admission fee, so they're easy go-to spots. Pack snacks and a ball, and you're set for the afternoon.
Richard Ray All-America Park, Jacksonville
Where: 1200 Commons Drive North, Jacksonville
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM–9:00 PM
The playground is shaped like North Carolina, so it's a fun one to explore on foot. Beyond the play area are the Gardens of the States, a meditation labyrinth, nature trails and an amphitheater, plus two picnic shelters and restrooms.
Onslow Pines Park, Jacksonville
Where: 1250 Onslow Pines Road, Jacksonville
Hours: Apr–Sep 8:00 AM–10:00 PM; Oct & Mar 8:00 AM–7:00 PM; Nov–Feb 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Little ones get a tot lot, and the accessible playground has a Trillium Liberty Swing for wheelchair users. Bigger kids can walk the 4/10-mile nature trail, which has 20 interpretive stops. There are also courts, ball fields and two covered pavilions.
Northeast Creek Park, Jacksonville
Where: 910 Corbin Road, Jacksonville
Hours: Dawn to dusk
An inclusive playground sits next to a wooded disc golf course with beginner and advanced tees, and there are fishing areas along the water. The free splash pad here is seasonal and has closed for 2026.
See Northeast Creek Park details
Wilson Bay Park, Jacksonville
Where: 5 W Bayshore Blvd, Jacksonville
This waterfront park is right downtown. It has a playground, a picnic shelter, a gazebo, restrooms and a boardwalk that runs out toward the water, so you can pair swings with a walk by the bay.
Rev. E.W. Wooten Park, Jacksonville
Where: 411 Wooten Park Drive, Jacksonville
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM–9:00 PM
The playground has a climbing tower and slides for older kids and smaller structures for little ones. There's a basketball court, covered picnic tables, accessible restrooms and a Little Free Library, so bring a book to swap.
See Rev. E.W. Wooten Park details
Pirates Den Park, Swansboro
Where: 640 Shore Dr, Swansboro
Hours: All day, 7 days a week
A small pirate-themed neighborhood park with a playground built with younger children in mind, plus picnic space and restrooms. It's a nice quick stop on a Swansboro day.
Richard C. Peters Park, North Topsail Beach
Where: 465 New River Inlet Rd, North Topsail Beach
Hours: 8:00 AM to dusk daily
Good to know: Paid parking from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
North Topsail Beach's larger town park has a pirate-ship playground, a nature trail, a soundside pier, a kayak launch and courts. It's across from Onslow County Beach Access #4, and a multipurpose path runs here from Surf City if your family likes to bike.
See Richard C. Peters Park details
Topsail Beach Town Center, Topsail Beach
Where: 624 S. Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
A playground and open lawn sit in the middle of town. Parking is free, and so are the two first-come pickleball courts. Older kids can shoot hoops on the half-court.
See Topsail Beach Town Center details
Rotary Park, Morehead City
Where: 2200 Mayberry Loop Road, Morehead City
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Part of the Morehead City Sports Complex, with a playground, basketball and pickleball courts, soccer fields and a 0.89-mile exercise trail. Picnic shelters, grills and restrooms make it easy to stay for a cookout.
Free: Library Storytimes and Programs
The library may be the best free deal in town. Each of these weekly programs is listed as free.
Onslow County Public Library, Main Branch, Jacksonville
Where: 58 Doris Avenue East, Jacksonville
Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–9:00 PM; Fri–Sat 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sun 1:00–5:00 PM
The children's section is full of picture books, early readers and chapter books, and there are regular story times, craft sessions and family programs. You'll also find free public computers and educational toys you can check out.
See Onslow County Public Library details
Sneads Ferry Branch Library, Sneads Ferry
Where: 1330 NC Highway 210, Sneads Ferry
Free weekly programs: Music and Movement (ages 2–4, 9:30–10:00 AM) and Preschool Storytime (ages 4–5, 11:00–11:30 AM)
Music and Movement is all songs, instruments and dancing, which suits toddlers who can't sit still. Preschool Storytime follows on the same morning, so siblings close in age can do both in one trip.
See Sneads Ferry Branch Library details
Richlands and Swansboro Branch Libraries
Richlands: Book Buddies for ages 4–5, 10:30–11:30 AM. It's a reading-readiness hour with letter and sound games, with no registration needed.
Swansboro: Baby Steps for babies up to 18 months, 9:30–10:15 AM, with no registration needed. Novel Encounters is a book club for grades 1–5, 4:00–5:00 PM.
See Richlands Branch Library details · See Swansboro Branch Library details
Newport Library, Newport
Where: 210 Howard Blvd, Newport
A no-cost indoor stop for families in western Carteret County, with children's and youth programs, books to borrow, public computers and free Wi-Fi.
Free: Museums and Waterfront
Onslow County Museum, Richlands
Where: 301 S. Wilmington Street, Richlands
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Exhibits trace Onslow County from prehistoric times to today. The "Discover Onslow" exhibit covers local ecology, geography and natural history.
See Onslow County Museum details
Jacksonville Landing, Jacksonville
Where: 135 S Marine Blvd, Jacksonville
Cost: Free
A free public access point on the New River with a boardwalk, docks, a canoe and kayak launch, restrooms and green space. Walk the boardwalk, watch the boats or fish from the shore.
See Jacksonville Landing details
Pender County Museum, Burgaw
Where: 200 W Bridgers Street, Burgaw
Hours: Thu–Fri 1:00–4:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM–2:00 PM; also by appointment
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
Kids tend to linger longest in the barn, with its antique farm tools, and there are blacksmithing demonstrations on Saturdays.
See Pender County Museum details
North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort
Where: 315 Front Street, Beaufort
Hours: Tue–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Cost: Free
See Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge exhibits, a shell room with more than 1,000 specimens and hands-on displays throughout.
See NC Maritime Museum details
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, Harkers Island
Where: 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island
Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun 2:00–5:00 PM
Cost: Free for children and students; $5 suggested donation for general admission
The children's learning center has a hand-built reading skiff to climb into. An elevator goes up to a lookout tower with views of Core Sound.
See Core Sound Waterfowl Museum details
Rec Centers
Jack Amyette Recreation Center & Park, Jacksonville
Where: 1825 South Drive, Jacksonville
Hours: Call 910-938-5312 for current hours
There's a gym inside and a playground, outdoor basketball courts and a multipurpose field outside. This is also where you'll find Jacksonville's first splash pad, which is free in season and closed for 2026.
See Jack Amyette Recreation Center & Park details
Northwoods Recreation Center, Jacksonville
Where: 621 Henderson Drive, Jacksonville
A neighborhood rec center next to Northwoods Elementary, with an outdoor basketball court and a big open field out back. It also hosts group fitness classes Monday through Thursday evenings and community events through the year.
See Northwoods Recreation Center details
Morehead City Recreation Center, Morehead City
Where: 1600 Fisher Street, Morehead City
Hours: Mon–Fri 6:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
The indoor gym is open for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, and the center provides the balls. Outside are a playground, a walking loop and a fishing pier. Day-use and membership options are available.
See Morehead City Recreation Center details
Almost Free: Farm Day
Pogies at the Farm, Maysville
Where: 117 Williams Farm Rd, Maysville
When: Weekends, March–December. Saturday sunrise to sunset; Sunday noon to sunset
Cost: Free to see the animals from outside and to walk the 1.5-mile loop trail; animal treat cups $2; going in with the goats $10 per group
You can spend a whole afternoon here without paying a cent. There are heritage farm animals, a forested trail and a kids' area with a mud kitchen, chalk zone, build zone and swings. Bring a picnic, or budget a little for the food trucks and ice cream.
See Pogies at the Farm details
$10 and Under
Zing Zumm Children's Museum, Jacksonville
Cost: $8 plus tax for the full day, with same-day reentry; babies 12 months and under free; SNAP/EBT cardholders $4 plus tax for up to four people
Hours: Jun–Jan Tue–Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sun noon–5:00 PM. From Feb to May, Tuesday hours are noon–5:00 PM.
A hands-on museum for ages 0–10 at 625 New Bridge Street, downtown. Your ticket covers the whole day, so you can break for lunch and come back.
Roller City of Jacksonville
Cost: Thursday 6:00–9:00 PM session $8; Fri–Sun sessions $12; skate rental included; non-skating adult chaperones free
This indoor rink is at 120 Bridget Lane. The Thursday session is the cheapest skate of the week.
J-Vegas Retro Arcade, Jacksonville
Cost: $9.99 for two hours of free play; kids under 36 inches free; prize machines extra
More than 100 games at 415 Western Blvd, including classics like Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga, air hockey and a pool table. You won't need quarters or cards. Kids under 16 need an adult with them.
See J-Vegas Retro Arcade details
The Skate Barn, Hampstead
Cost: $8 all-day drop-in; homeschool sessions $5 per person
An indoor Skatelite area plus an outdoor concrete section at 155 Pansy Lane. Skaters need a signed waiver, which you can fill out online ahead of time.
Topsail Aquarium, Surf City
Cost: $10; children 2 and under free
Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Almost 100 species at 106 N Topsail Dr, plus animal encounters and an upstairs Kid Zone. Most visits run 30 minutes to just over an hour.
Atlantic Beach Town Park Mini Golf (summer)
Cost: $6 per person; children 6 and under free
Come summer, an 18-hole mini golf course opens at 915 West Fort Macon Road. The park also has a skate park and a Gaga ball pit.
See Atlantic Beach Town Park details
Tips for a Low-Cost Family Day
- Pair a free stop with a cheap one. A morning storytime and an afternoon at a playground makes a full day for very little money.
- Pack lunch. Many of the parks above have picnic shelters or tables, and some have grills.
- Ask about discounts. Zing Zumm's $4 SNAP/EBT rate and the free entry for little ones at J-Vegas, the Topsail Aquarium and Atlantic Beach mini golf make it worth checking every listing.
- Check before you go. Seasonal hours and closures change, so open each listing first.
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Looking for more? Browse the PlayventureGuide events calendar or explore family attractions across Onslow, Pender and Carteret counties.