Downtown Hillsborough

S. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC - (919-732-1270)
Description: shops, restaurants, trails (full sun) 
Parking: on street / metered or pay lots. Free on Sundays. 
Ages: 0-Adult 
Cost: FREE 
Hours: Most shops run Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm and close after 2pm on Sunday. 
Notes: Restaurants, shops, festivals and lots of good people watching. See the events calendar and the riverwalk.
Website: https://www.hillsboroughnc.gov/community/park-facilities/riverwalk/

North Wake Landfill Park

9300 Deponie Drive, Raleigh, NC - (919-856-6670)
Description: park, hill top views, trails (full sun)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: This used to be a land fill, but the land has been returned to nature. What used to be a mountain of garbage is now the best vista in Raleigh. Enjoy the views, hikes and modern playground.
Website: http://www.wakegov.com/parks/northwake/Pages/default.aspx

Indian Creek Park

101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC  - (919-463-7110)
Description: park, gated playground, trails (partial shade)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: When you have more than one small child, gated parks are a good find.

Website: http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=198

Downtown Apex

220 N Salem St, Apex, NC - (919-249-3402)
Description: shops and restaurants (full sun)
Parking: on street / metered or pay lots. Free on Sundays.
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: Most shops run Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm and close after 2pm on Sunday.
Notes: Restaurants, shops festivals and lots of good people watching. See the events calendar and don't miss the old train yard.
Website: www.apexnc.org/428/Special-Events-Festivals

www.apexfarmersmarket.com

http://www.apexdowntown.com/

Umstead Forest

8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC - (919-571-4170)
Description:  hiking trails, ponds & shade (shaded)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Notes: Bring mosquito repellant in the summer. Great fall hikes. Some portions are stroller friendly.
Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/william-b-umstead-state-park

JC Raulston Arboretum

4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC - (919-515-3132)
Description: botanical garden (partial shade)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: open 7 days a week (8am-8pm)
Notes: Another beautiful garden to stroll in with your kiddies. This garden has lots of interesting plants, a Koi pond and a big shady lawn to run around in. Most areas are stroller friendly. Open all year round. Part of the NC State Campus.
Website: http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/visit/visit.html

Yates Mill

4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC - (919-856-6675)
Description: historic mill and park (partial shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE admittance / Mill tours: $5 (adults), $3 (kids & seniors)
Hours: open 7 days a week (8am to sunset)
Notes: Operating since 1756, Yates Mill is a beautiful, well maintained historic site. The mile long hike around the mill pond is very pretty, however you will need to bring your baby slings or toddler packs. Only the bridge section of the trail is stroller friendly. The visitor center has a small play area and books. Bring cash if you want to tour inside the mill and check the website for tour dates. Picnic tables available. Open year round.
Website: http://www.yatesmill.org/

Hemlock Bluffs

2616 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC  - (919-387-5980)
Description: Nature center & trails (shaded)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: Beautiful park, but heads up, lots of stairs. This is not a stroller friendly walk. Also, bring your mosquito repellant. Sometimes you can hear music from the Koka Booth Amphitheater down the road.

Website: http://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/stevens-nature-center-at-hemlock-bluffs-nature-preserve

Apex Nature Park

2600 Evans Road Apex, NC  - (919-249-3402)
Description: park, playground, trails (full sun)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: 

Website: http://www.apexnc.org/800/Nature-Park-Seymour-Athletic-Fields

Kelly Road Park

1609 Kelly Road, Apex, NC - (919-249-3402)
Description: park, playground, trails (full sun / evening shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes:
Website: https://www.apexnc.org/799/Kelly-Road-Park

Harris Park

2112 County Park Drive New Hill, NC  - (919-387-4342)
Description: park, playground, fishing (partial shade)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: Harris park is adjacent to the Shearon Harris Reservoir which also serves as a cooling pond for the Harris power plant.

Website: http://www.wakegov.com/parks/harrislake/Pages/default.aspx

Fearrington Village

2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro NC - (919-542-2121)
Description: shops, restaurants, garden and farm (full sun)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: Tues-Sat (10am-7pm), Sun (10am-4pm) Shops closed Monday.
Notes: Come see the belted goats and cows and stroll through the gardens and shops. Enjoy a treat at The Belted Goat cafe and let the kids explore the grounds. Most areas are stroller friendly. Only one bathroom. It's located in the cafe, but there is no changing table. Open year round. Check the website for seasonal events.
Website: http://www.fearrington.com/village/theshops.asp

White Oak Greenway

8217 NC-1600 Apex, NC  - (919-469-4061)
Description: boardwalk and forest trail (full sun)
Parking: on street
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: Path shared with bikes. See trail maps for various entry points.

Website: http://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/greenways/white-oak-creek-greenway

Crowder District Park

Crowder Park Drive, Apex, NC - (919-662-2850)
Description: park and playground (partial shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: Come see the geese and turtle at the pond boardwalk.
Website: http://www.wakegov.com/parks/crowder/Pages/default.aspx

Jack Smith Park

9725 Penny Rd, Raleigh, NC - (919-469-4061)
Description: splash pad, playground (full sun)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: 

Website: http://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/jack-smith-park

Bass Lake

900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC - (919-557-2496)

Description: fishing lake, forest walk, gift shop (partial shade)
Parking: provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE entrance, inquire for equipment rental
Hours: open 7 days a week, 8am - sunset, year-round
Notes: 
Website: http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/320/Bass-Lake-Park

Lake Crabtree

1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC - (919-460-3390)
Description: park (full shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: Two shaded playground areas, small lake beach, canoe rental and fishing.
Website: http://www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx

North Carolina Museum of Art

2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC - (919-839-NCMA)
Description: art museum (indoors) and museum park (full sun)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: Tues–Thur (10am–5pm), Fri (10am–9pm), Sat–Sun (10am–5pm), Closed Mondays, Museum park open 7 days a week (sunrise to sunset)
Notes:
Website: http://ncartmuseum.org/visit/plan_your_visit

Fred G. Bond Metro Park

801 High House Road, Cary, NC - (919-469-4100)
Description: park (partial shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: With 310 acres to explore, Bond Park is one of the largest in Wake County. It includes a playground, baseball fields, a lake, canoe and boat rentals, fishing and access to the Cary greenway system. (stroller friendly) Lot's of ducks and geese to feed. A great park for winter sledding. Don't miss the arts and craft festivals held in April and August each year.
Website: townofcary.org

Marla Dorrel Park

111 Thurston Drive Cary, NC - (919-469-4061)
Description: park (partial shade)
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Notes: This park is a group of 3 playgrounds with picnic areas and climbing sculptures. It is shady and well maintained. One of our favorites. Access to the Cary greenway system. (stroller friendly)
Website: http://kidstogethercary.org/