Author Archives: Daddy Weekly

The Beach Is Right Here: Raleigh’s Lake Spots for the late summer

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It’s the end of August, you are coming back from the beach, from Florida, the Caribbean, or wherever you may have been. Speaking of the beach: You can catch a nice sunset while sitting on a sandy shore right here, close to Raleigh: While not as pristine as the Maldives and less trendy than Ibiza, Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are a quick ½-hour-ish drive away, for a relaxing Saturday afternoon or even a quick dash after work / school.

We have six options for lake beaches near Raleigh: Jordan lake has three beaches open for swimming, and so does Falls Lake. You prefer a short hike instead of a splash? I’m planning to write about both Lake Johnson and Shelley Lake, which have nice hiking trails that are mostly in the shade and have lake access (not for swimming though).

Jordan Lake: Seaforth (nicest view) – Ebenezer Church (smaller) – Parkers Creek (largest)

Falls Lake: Beaverdam (no motorboats) – Sandling Beach (largest) – Rolling View (also nice)

Hours and Fees

Note: The NC State Parks website is nice and full of information, but it can be hard to navigate, and it is difficult to determine when and where swimming is permitted. For example, it may say “during summer season” (but not the exact dates), and more importantly, all parks are one big website, so it’s easy to look at a specific park in Raleigh, click on an activity, and suddenly see the opening hours of a Charlotte location – so pay close attention. They also often jsut recommend calling, so do that, and hope they have the time to answer the phone.

Swimming in Jordan Lake

“Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (2)” by Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0

First, a warning to level your expectation: Jordan Lake is neither a blue lagoon, nor a crystal clear mountain lake. The water is brown with sediment and sometimes infested with algae – but the kids won’t mind. Also, the water is not “dirty”, it just contains a lot of suspended clay that gives it the brownish color. You do have to take the algae seriously though – and they will issue advisories if the algaes are bad. Be especially careful if you have a dog, they can get really sick from the toxins. (Also, they are not allowed on most beach areas.) If you’re still reading, Jordan Lake is right for you. There are three locations where day visitors can swim, 

Note that most campgrounds don’t allow day visitors for swimming, and swimming near boat ramps is forbidden for obvious reasons. If you go, call ahead and be flexible; note that the three Jordan Lake sites are all close together, if Seaforth is too busy or closed, head over to Ebenezer Church Rd.

The following information should be correct as of summer 2026; Vista Point may be open for day use swimming (website is not clear), and White Oak theoretically too, but is often closed for private groups. These three areas are the best bet for day use.

Jordan Lake – Seaforth

Address: Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, nice playground near beach, beach volleyball, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills, some shade near beac/playground

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Seaforth access (see NC Parks website note above)

Jordan Lake – Ebenezer Church

Address: 920 Beaver Creek Rd, Apex, NC 27502

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, playground, restrooms

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Ebenezer Church (see NC Parks website note above)

Jordan Lake – Parkers Creek

Address: Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, playground, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills

Hours: Nov-Feb: Closed Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Parkers Creek (see NC Parks website note above)

Swimming in Falls Lake

“Falls Lake” by VirtKitty, CC BY-SA 2.0

Falls Lake, like Jordan Lake, has to deal with development pressure on its shores, and is no clear mountain lake. But nothing beats swimming in a lake, and I know that since I grew up on a lake. There are three areas that allow swimming, and when you go, call ahead and be flexible; note that the three Falls Lake sites are also close together, if Beaverdam is too busy or closed, head over to Sandling Beach.

The following information should be correct as of summer 2026. 

Falls Lake – Beaverdam

Beaverdam is a nice area for hiking, mountain biking and boating (no motor boats), and also has a nice swim beach. There are restrooms, but I’m not sure if there are changing facilities and showers. While the boat ramp is right next to the beach, there are no motorboats allowed on this section of the lake.

Address: 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Note that this address is both the entrance to Beaverdam (to the East) and Sandling Beach (to the West)

Distance: about 30 min from downtown Raleigh, 20 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, grassy area with some shade, small playground, restrooms, picnic tables/shelters (but not all close to the beach)

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Beaverdam access  (see NC Parks website note above)

Falls Lake – Sandling Beach

Sandling Beach has no boat ramp, but it is not the part of the lake that has motorboats; however, not too many come down this sidearm. Sandling Beach has a small playground and showers, with picnic tables close to the beach and further away.

Address: 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Note that this address is both the entrance to Beaverdam (to the East) and Sandling Beach (to the West)

Distance: about 30 min from downtown Raleigh, 20 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, some grass, plenty of shade (trees), small playground, restrooms, showers, picnic tables.

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Sandling Beach (see NC Parks website note above)

Falls Lake – Rolling View

Rollingview is on the opposite shore, and while Sandling Beach and Beaverdam get full sun exposure well into the evening, Rollingview provides welcome shade on hot afternoons as soon as the sun goes down just a little bit.

Address: 4201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27703

Distance: about 40 min from downtown Raleigh, 30 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, some shade from trees, playground right on the shore, restrooms, showers, picnic tables.

Hours: Oct-Mar: closed, Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car per day (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Rolling View (see NC Parks website note above)

Before you head out

While I have extensively kayaked on both lakes, I’ve only been to Beaverdam, Sandling Beach and Parker’s Creek myself, all other information is from the online research. I also tried to determine which is the most crowded, but there is contradictory information; from what I can tell, Ebenezer Church and Sandling Beach are likely the most crowded, but it varies and is also a very subjective impression. And if someone tells you “this place is crowded”, take it with a grain of salt, it always compares what you compare it to.

Parker’s Creek and Rolling View are closed in the winter, all others are open year round. (However, it does not say anywhere if swimming is allowed in the off-season. I’ll have to find out.)

New Playgrounds in Raleigh

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Hint: There’s more than Gipson Plaza.

Are you tired of going to the same old playground in the same old neighborhood of Raleigh? Good news: There are several new playgrounds in Raleigh that are worth checking out. Have you already been to Gipson Plaza in Dix Park? That is still the flagship, and worth a visit. The others below are options when Gipson is getting old or is too crowded. That said, let’s start with the flagship anyway:

Gipson Plaza

I’m sure you have visited Gipson Plaza since it opened last summer. What, you haven’t? Well, then it is just about time that you finally do – and the crowds have also died down a bit by now. Gipson Plaza is by far the best playground in Raleigh, in the Triangle, possibly even in the state, if not the entire Southeast.

And here is why I think that: Back in 2021, on a family roadtrip, we visited the Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK. “If only every child in America could have such a playground.” Fast forward four years: when I first visited Gipson Plaza, something felt eerily familiar. And sure enough, both the overall plan and the custom playground equipment are from the same companies as those in Tulsa. So yes, the next comparable playground (that I know) to Gipson Plaza is a thousand miles away. (The links to the two companies give you a good impression of this beautiful space.)

Address: 715 Biggs Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 (if you arrive by car, follow signs to parking, or plan using the map at Dix Park – Gipson Plaza)

Hours (Dix Park): technically, sunrise-sunset (but not strict)
Hours (Gipson Play Plaza): 8a-9p (water features start at 10a)
Surface: rubber surface, stone, wood
Shade: some, but limited if crowded
Age Range: 0-15 (my opinion 🙂)
Website: Gipson Play Plaza in Dix Park 

Even newer: Caraleigh playground

If you’ve pushed a stroller on Walnut Creek greenway, you’ve probably found Eliza Pool park as a welcome spot for a break. Just two blocks up is the brand new playground called Caraleigh park. It’s small, it’s cute, it’s good for younger kids (officially 2-12). From downtown, it’s a nice 30-40 minute walk on Rocky Branch greenway, turning this new playground into a nice destination – that’s what I did when I checked this place out today. You can also very conveniently take the bus: The 21 runs on a loop, stops right in front of the park, and comes every 15 minutes. (See my upcoming article on “Taking the Bus” or check out the 21 Line on GoRaleigh.org.)

Address: 110 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Surface: rubber surface, grass, and a small area with wood chips
Amenities: play structure, sensory activities, nest swing, benches, picnic tables, basketball
Shade: some over the play structure, plus more from surrounding trees
Age Range: 2-12y (officially, plus basketball court)
Website: Caraleigh Park

Not that new, but still in good shape: Optimist playground

Another little gem that is worth a short trip is Optimist playground, located by the community center and pool with the same name. Pro tip: park on the tennis court side, and add a very short (300ft) walk through the forest that will allow for some exciting exploring in nature.

There’s a cool thing here for toddlers that I haven’t seen anywhere else: It’s a tandem swing, where parents sit and face their toddlers. For older and more adventurous kids, there is a big nest swing

For older kids (or athletic stroller pushers), this playground can also be reached from the greenway (Mine Creek greenway / Shelley Lake).

Address: 5900 Whittier Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609
Hours: dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Surface: rubber surface, forest
Shade: almost none over the play structure, but surrounded by high trees
Age Range: 2-5, 5-12
Website: Optimist Park Playground

And if it’s hot: Chavis playground with splashpad

I was disappointed when they closed Chavis pool, and it took half a childhood until the new playground and splashpad reopened. But it was worth the wait, the playground is pretty cool, and the splashpad is refreshing during the summer months. Your kids will also spot the carousel – it runs from 11-6 (Sun 2-6), and costs $2 per ride.

Address: 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours (Park): dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Hours (Splash Pad): 9a-9p every day
Surface: concrete (splash pad), rubberized and grass (playground)
Shade: none of the splashpad, very limited on the playground
Age Range: 2-5, 5-12y
Website: Chavis Park Splash Pad

And if you need more: the playground finder

The City of Raleigh has a park and playground finder that can be a bit finicky to use, but overall is a nice tool to have.

Mud Day at Walnut Creek Wetland Center – TOMORROW 8/15

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Let’s get muddy…

This just popped up on my calendar, and I wouldn’t want you to miss it! Tomorrow Saturday is Mud Fest, a great opportunity to get wet and muddy at my favorite wetland center.

About Walnut Creek Wetland Center

Walnut Creek Wetland Center is one of my favorite park spaces in Raleigh. It is educational and practical, but also just a beautiful place to be: Grab one of the rocking chairs on the large platform out back, and enjoy the views of the Walnut Creek floodplain, a natural area with a rich ecosystem.

About Mud Fest

I’m surprised to see that Mud Fest is already in its 8th year, and the photos sure look like a lot of fun. There are not a lot of details available for what will be new this year, but you can expect food trucks, info booths from local environmental groups, table activities like crafts, and of course, most importantly, a lot of mud. (Let’s hope the fire departments is back this year as well to hose off all that mud at the end.)
Also, even though the website does not have much detail, I feel comfortable recommending to just go. Even if the event itself is not what you expect, the permanent exhibits as well as the nature path will be a worthwhile visit anyway. (And it is centrally located, walkable from downtown and around 10 minutes from most central Raleigh neighborhoods.)

For older kids: Volunteering opportunity

Feeling to old to roll around in the mud? They are still looking for volunteers (16+) to help with the event – get a headstart on volunteering hours for school. Details here.

Details

When: Saturday, August-15, 2026, 10am-1pm
Where: Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh NC 27610
Cost: FREE
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/events/mud-day

Rainy Days and Heat Waves – Indoor Outings for Kids in Raleigh

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Five indoor locations for kids in Raleigh for rainy or scorching days – a science museum, a play barn at a farm, the library, and more.

Ugh – the weather seems to have two modes right now: too wet to go outside or too hot to go outside. And while I’m a firm believer in “no bad weather, just bad clothing”, everything has its limits. So what to do when home sweet home doesn’t do it anymore? There is no shortage of options, but I selected a handful that I can personally recommend.

Here are the five best options for indoor activities with kids for those days where the great outdoors don’t cut it: the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), The Barnyard at Willow Oak Farms in Fuquay-Varina ($6/child), Greystone Indoor Playground (free), story time at Oberlin Regional Library (free), and Marbles Kids Museum ($9.50–$12.50/child).

Quick Comparison

VenueClimate- Controlled?CostBest For
NC Museum of Natural SciencesYes (AC + heat)FreeAll-day outings, dinosaur fans, birthday parties
The Barnyard at Willow Oak FarmsCovered only — no AC/heat$6/childRainy days (not extreme heat); farm animals + ice cream
Greystone Indoor PlaygroundYes (AC + heat)FreeShorter visits, budget-friendly, younger kids
Oberlin Regional Library Story TimeYes (AC + heat)FreeQuieter activities, low sensory input
Marbles Kids MuseumYes (AC + heat)$9.50–$12.50Longer visits, mixed ages, downtown day trips

Always good: NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Our “science museum” is a true gem, and you have to search far to find an equal this side of Washington DC. Of course you will have to see the flagship Dueling Dinosaurs (make sure to also go to the upper floor where you can see the Triceratops up close). Beyond that, there is a wealth of exhibits about North Carolina and beyond, and opportunities to observe real research being conducted. This always changes, but I remember researches (paleontologists?) working on cleaning specimens, and once there was something involving turtles. They also do memorable birthday parties, we did one that my kid still talked about years later.

At this expansive place, you can easily spend a day and never notice how hot (or rainy) it is outside. Make sure to check out what I call the “globe theater” (officially, it is the SECU Daily Planet), a big planet on the outside and an immersive giant theater on the inside (showing nature movies etc., it is not an IMAX or movie theater).

Hours: 10am – 5pm daily
Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Price: FREE
Website: http://naturalsciences.org/

For future farmers: The Barnyard at Willow Oak Farms

I’m typically skeptical about indoor playgrounds, but this here is a whole different type: Willow Oak Farms – already a draw with their ice cream – appear to have opened a nice, custom made, covered farm-themed play area. I have not yet checked this out myself, but judging from the photos, this is a really cool space with a variety of activities. Plus, ice cream! Plus, bunnies and goats! Note though, while it is covered/indoors and therefore a good option for a rainy day, it does not have AC or heat and may not be ideal on a sweltering summer day.

If you have been to this farm, please send me a note about what you thought!

Hours: Closed Mon/Tue, Wed-Sat 11a-9p, Sun 1p-9p
Address: 1510 Lafayette Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 (about 40min South of downtown Raleigh)
Price: $6 per child
Website: https://willowoakfarms.net/the-barnyard-play-area

Still around: Greystone Indoor Playground

Yes, one of the playgrounds of the City of Raleigh is indoors, in a Rec Center located in a former strip mall. I have not been back in years, but I once wrote about it, and judging from the city website, it is still the same. Chances are that it will be crowded on a rainy day, but it is still worth checking out. Let me know if you’ve been there recently!

Hours: Mo-Fr 9a-8p and Sat 9a-3p, but may be closed for rentals after 5p / after 12p Sat.
Address: 7713-55 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Price: FREE
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/greystone-recreation-center

The quiet(er) version: Story time at Oberlin Regional Library

Is Marbles too loud and dinos too big? Then try a story time at a library near you, for example Oberlin Regional Library in Oberlin Village. There are a variety of options, from Baby Story time to Bricks and Books (LEGO themed), and options for all ages up to teens (and adults).

Hours: Mo-Th 9a-9p, Fr-Sa 9a-6p, Su 1p-5p
Address: 1930 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27605
Price: FREE
Website: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/libraries/locations/oberlin-regional-library 

The old standby: Marbles

Everybody and their toddlers has been to Marbles, so I’m giving away any secrets when mentioning it as an alternative for a rainy or sweltering day. But if you’re new to town, or passing through, or have always held out – don’t be the parent who never went to Marbles 🙂.

Marbles is open daily 10a-5p (9a for members) and will give you a wide range of active energy and quieter play; Crafts, Science, Sports – there is a bit of everything, and it’s big enough to keep them engaged for a few hours. You save a few bucks if you buy the tickets online the day before. It is downtown, with a big parking garage right across the street.

The cafe is nice for a quick break, but please take advantage of all that downtown Raleigh has to offer, including many restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops in the vicinity.

Hours: daily 10a-5p (9a for members)
Address: 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Price: $9.50 (day before) or $12.50 (day of)
Website: https://marbleskidsmuseum.org/ 

Of course, as always, check before you go, and check both the sites’ websites and their social pages before getting everybody excited. Have fun!