The Carowinds Charlotte amusement park opened in 1973 and has been a popular Southeast attraction for decades. Largely inspired by Disneyland, it caters to all ages with its wonderful mix of rides and its daily lineup of live entertainment. A variety of dining opportunities also await at Carowinds, and there are chances for visitors to meet and greet such popular PEANUTS characters as Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Late March is when all the fun begins, and the park ends its operating season in early October. In relation to the location, you can find Carowinds just 15 minutes from uptown Charlotte. It essentially sits on the North Carolina and South Carolina border and is conveniently situated off Interstate 77. The park address is 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC.

Carowinds Attractions & Entertainment

The main attractions at the Carowinds Charlotte amusement park have always been the rides. They come in two categories. Thrill rides and family rides. Several roller coasters figure among the thrill ride highlights, as do a stomach-wrenching drop tower and a newer ride that is known as the WindSeeker. The tallest ride ever at Carowinds, the WindSeeker stands 301 feet. Riders enjoy amazing views of the Charlotte area while spinning around an around in their hanging swings. As for the family rides, they include what amounts to a much smaller version of the WindSeeker, several interactive rides, the ever popular Scrambler, bumper cars, and a variety of other things. Carowinds also has a water park that is known as Boomerang Bay and a special kids area that is known as Planet Snoopy.

In relation to entertainment, Carowinds visitors can check out the Action Theater, which puts on 3-D action shows that feature SpongeBob Square Pants and his friends. Other shows feature the PEANUTS characters, and there are also musical shows that revolve around country music and popular songs from the 1950s-80s. Also part of the entertainment mix are nightly fireworks displays, and the park puts on special events from time to time. Among the special events is a Halloween attraction that helps to close out the operating season.

North Carolina Map

Carowinds Tickets & Discounts

Carowinds tickets come in a variety of forms. There are single day tickets, two day tickets that allow guests to visit on any two days during the same operating season, and more complete season passes that allow for park access throughout the operating season. The season passes come in three different forms and are a great deal for people who hail from Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro, or any other number of regional cities or towns. It should also be noted that Carowinds visitors can purchase ticket packages that include such things as dining privileges, quicker access to the rides, and water park cabana rentals. In relation to Carowinds discounts, those who purchase their daily tickets in advance usually get a good deal. It can also be economically beneficial to keep an eye out for coupons, with regional travel brochures/guides being a good place to start.

Hotels Near Carowinds

Any number of hotels in North Carolina and South Carolina can serve the needs of those who are looking for accommodations near Carowinds. Being that the park is found on the southern side of Charlotte, however, the Charlotte hotels are arguably the best place to begin a search. Those who are planning a Carowinds visit can also consider the hotels that figure among the park’s "Preferred Hotels." They include a number of chain brand establishments on both the North Carolina and South Carolina sides. The park works with these hotels to create lodging and amusement park discounts. A few examples of Carowinds Preferred Hotels include the Comfort Suites at Carolina Place, the Hampton Inn & Suites Arrowhead, the Residence Inn by Marriott I-77, the Quality Inn Carowinds, and the Wingate by Wyndham in Rock Hill, SC.

Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

Camping is very popular in North Carolina, and no lodging search that is focused on accommodations near the Carowinds Charlotte amusement park would be complete without considering the Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort. Set near the amusement park on more than 50 acres of land, this campground offers 140 deluxe RV sites, 56 tent/pop-up sites, 15 cabins that are rather luxurious, and a well-equipped lodge accommodation that sleeps up to 14 people. Any registered guest of the Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort can purchase specially discounted tickets for the amusement park.