Carowinds, Amusement park in Charlotte, United States
Carowinds is an amusement park in Fort Mill and Charlotte, straddling the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. The grounds include roller coasters of different speeds, water rides, and areas for families with younger children.
The park opened in spring 1973 after businessman Earl Patterson Hall spent several years working on the planning. Since then, the grounds have expanded multiple times, with new zones and additional rides for different age groups.
The name combines the Carolinas with the word winds, reflecting the location between two states. Visitors notice references to the border throughout the park, and some attractions play with the theme of crossing between neighboring territories.
The season typically runs from March through fall, with additional openings during the winter holidays. Visiting on weekdays helps avoid larger crowds and shorter wait times at popular rides.
A real border line runs through the middle of the grounds, marking the transition between the two states. Some visitors use this marker for a photo where they symbolically stand in both states at once.
Location: Fort Mill
Location: Charlotte
Official opening: March 31, 1973
Website: https://carowinds.com
GPS coordinates: 35.10430,-80.93970
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05
North Carolina offers a variety of places for all interests. You can explore the mountains in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where hiking trails lead through forests to waterfalls. Biltmore Estate in Asheville invites you to see its gardens and castles. History lovers can visit the battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, which traveled across the Pacific. The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills tells about the start of powered flight. People who like nature will also find botanical gardens, sandy beaches, and parks with great views. The area also has museums about natural sciences, art, and cars. NASCAR, a popular racing sport in the United States, is shown through collections of cars and places focused on this local interest. Each season brings something new: flowers in spring, the coolness of mountains in summer, bright fall colors, and peaceful winter scenes. North Carolina smoothly combines culture, nature, and rest, making it a good place for travelers who want to explore different things.
Charlotte brings together art museums, science centers, sports stadiums, urban parks and historic sites. The city hosts major cultural institutions including the Mint Museum, Discovery Place Science and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Natural spaces include Freedom Park and the US National Whitewater Center. Architectural landmarks mark downtown, notably the Bank of America Corporate Center. Entertainment venues like Carowinds and heritage sites such as Historic Rosedale Plantation complete the city's offerings. Charlotte provides a mix of cultural facilities, recreational activities and historical heritage.
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