The RDU Buzz

By Chelsea Nallenweg

Pullen Park is a historic 66 acre gem located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina and is the first public park in the state! Pullen Park is ranked as the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States and the 16th oldest in the world. This historic park offers a variety of fun activities for visitors of all ages.

There are two playgrounds to cater to kids of all ages. The playground designated for ages 5-12 has multiple different climbing structures and slides, providing endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. The playground tailored for ages 2-5 features smaller slides and swings, along with a giant sand pit area with diggers. The Pullen Park Caboose is an authentic train car from the Norfolk Southern Railway that sits next to the playground for kids to walk through. Pullen Park also has 6 tennis courts and 2 athletic fields. 

There are other entertaining amusements at Pullen Park. Families can embark on a whimsical journey aboard the park's mini train, which rides around the park. There is also a historic carousel that was built in 1911, along with pedal boats on the pond during warmer months. 

Aside from the playgrounds and amusements, there is also Pullen Cafe, which offers a variety of food options! They sell anything from sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs to delicious handmade pizza. They even offer kids meals.

Right next to the park is Pullen Aquatic Center, which is Raleigh's premier competitive aquatic venue. It has an indoor 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic pool and a warm water therapy pool.