Set on the border of North and South Carolina, this park catches the winds from both Carolinas. You’ll certainly feel them as you’re soaring through the air on one of Carowinds’ many thrilling rides. The theme park boasts some of the tallest, fastest and longest roller coasters in the southeast. You can also ride the rapids, plunge down a 45-foot (14-meter) waterfall, or take a high-speed spin on the Windseeker.Carowinds Theme Park is not just for adrenaline seekers. Kids and families will enjoy the Boo Blasters interactive haunted house and classic dodgem cars. Planet Snoopy provides imaginative, themed adventures, from carousels and helicopter monorails, to pirate and balloon-themed rides. Meet your favorite Peanuts character for a photo opportunity. Carowinds also has live entertainment, which sometimes includes shows with the Peanuts gang. Musical performances run seasonally throughout the year at the Carolina Showplace.Dinosaurs roam the earth once more at the Dinosaurs Alive! interactive walk-through experience. Learn about life in the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods as you interact with 32 animated, roaring dinosaurs and then get your hands on some fossils at the dinosaur dig site.When you’re done with dinosaurs, dive into the Great Barrier Reef in the Australian-themed Boomerang Bay water park. Speed down the dark tubes of the Awesome Aussie Twisters, go tubing in the Crocodile Run or catch some surf at Bondi Beach. Food and drink options are never far away with more than 30 snack bars, candy shacks and restaurants located throughout the park.Carowinds Theme Park is a 20-minute drive south from central Charlotte. You can pay to park or come by bus from Charlotte. In summer, the park’s open longer so that guests can enjoy nightly rides and fireworks shows. The animatronics Dinosaurs Alive! park entry is not included in the main ticket. Note that there are height requirements for many thrill rides.
Carowinds Theme Park Vacations & Packages
Visit Carowinds Theme Park
Plan a trip to see Carowinds Theme Park

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Reviewed on Apr 13, 2025

The Orleans Hotel & Casino
Reviewed on Apr 17, 2025
Reviews of Carowinds Theme Park
5/5 - Excellent
If you can splurge and get the fast pass, DO IT. I'll never not get it, it was amazing!
4/5 - Good
If someone cant ride u still hsve to pay full admission to get in.
5/5 - Excellent
It was very CLEAN. Also, the atmosphere was pretty calm given it was an amusement park - perhaps because we went in mid-summer and the heat slows folks down. The park is beautifully landscaped too. We liked it.
5/5 - Excellent
Great fun. We went on July 1, 2019 and there was construction around the hotel. I would recommend if you are an out of towner, ask the hotel personnel how to park and navigate the construction. Our navigation system did not help us that much.
2/5 - Disappointing
Carowinds is not suited for larger guests (ours was a muscular 300 pounds and could only ride 3 rides)
5/5 - Excellent
It's about a 18 minute drive from here to the park. Be prepared for the traffic jam once you get close to the park on I-77.
Popular places to visit

McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
Explore the great outdoors at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, a lovely green space in Charlotte. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the charming coffeehouses while you're in the area.
NarroWay Theater
You can get tickets for a performance at NarroWay Theater during your stay in Fort Mill. Discover the great live music in this family-friendly area, or seek out the local tours.
Regent Park Golf Club
Enjoy a round of golf in Fort Mill at Regent Park Golf Club. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed theater scene in this vibrant area.
Ramblewood Park
Explore the great outdoors at Ramblewood Park, a lovely green space in Charlotte. Experience the entertainment choices and great live music in this vibrant area.
Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball
Catch an event at Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball during your trip to Fort Mill. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the charming coffeehouses while you're in the area.
International Medical Equipment
Though International Medical Equipment might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Fort Mill while you are here.
Best Lodging Options Near Carowinds Theme Park
Check availability on hotels close to Carowinds Theme Park









Explore a world of travel with Expedia
Lodging
- Hotels near Queen City Quarter
- Hotels near Channel Islands National Park
- Lake Tahoe Hotels
- Hotels near Waverly
- Hotels near SouthPark Mall
- Hotels near Bojangles' Coliseum
- Hotels near Bank of America Corporate Center
- Hotels near Quail Hollow Club
- Hotels near U.S. National Whitewater Center
- Hotels near Kentucky Lake
- Hotels near Mississippi River
- Hotels near Ovens Auditorium
- Hotels near Charlotte Premium Outlets
- Hotels near Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Assateague Island National Seashore Hotels
- Hotels near Bank of America Stadium
- Hotels near Fillmore Charlotte
- Hotels near Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook
- Hotels near Catamount Ski Area
- Hotels near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Hotels near Charlotte Convention Center
- Hotels near Ouachita National Forest
- Hotels near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Hotels near Lake Champlain
- Hotels near Heavenly Ski Resort
- Hotels near Lake Pepin
- Hotels near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- Hotels near Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
- Hotels near Winthrop University
- Hotels near Queens University of Charlotte
- Hotels near Dale Hollow Reservoir
- Hotels near Billy Graham Library
- Hotels near Clingmans Dome
- Hotels near Saco River
- Hotels near Dinosaur National Monument
- Hotels near Mint Museum Uptown
- Hotels near Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
- Hotels near Pymatuning State Park
- Hotels near Spectrum Center
- Hotels near NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Assateague Island National Seashore
Packages
- Bellagio Casino
- Channel Islands National Park
- Disney SpringsTM
- Magic Kingdom® Park
- Lake Tahoe Vacations
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Port Canaveral
- MGM Grand Casino
- Walt Disney World® Resort
- Assateague Island National Seashore Vacations
- Disneyland® Resort
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Heavenly Ski Resort
- Waikiki Beach
- Times Square
- Universal Studios Florida
- Port Everglades
- Universal Orlando Resort