pullen park entrance sign

Pullen Park


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Amusements Community Center Aquatic Center Playgrounds Courts and Fields Arts Center Pullen Place Cafe Theatre in the Park Shelters and Rentals Hours

Year 1887 | Acres 66.4

Pullen Park is the first public park in North Carolina, the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the U.S., and the 16th oldest in the world.

At Pullen Park, you can:

  • rent a pedal boat;
  • ride a carousel;
  • take a swim;
  • sign up for an art class;
  • see a play;
  • play your favorite sport; and,
  • much more!

Pullen Campus Map

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Amusements

Toddler girl riding a pony on the carousel at Pullen Park

For our most up-to-date ride hours, please contact 919-996-6472. Tickets are required for each ride. They are available at the Pullen Park Welcome Center and online.  Rides include a carousel, train, pedal boats, and kiddie boats. Tickets are $2 per person. Please note kiddie boats are open for limited days and hours. 

Ticket info, hours, and map

Community Center

Pullen Park Community Center brick exterior

Pullen Community Center hosts a variety of programs and offers rental spaces for meetings and events.

See Hours, Rentals, and Program Details

 

Aquatic Center

Parents and baby in the small pool at the Pullen Aquatics Center

Pullen Aquatic Center is Raleigh's premier competitive aquatic venue and was completed in 1992. It has an indoor 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic pool, warm water therapy pool, water exercise, and aquatic therapy programs, and lap and recreational swimming. 

Hours, Lap Lane Availability, and Programs

Playgrounds

kids playing on climbing equipment at Pullen Park

Swing Area: (All ages) 10 traditional belt swings for all ages, 1 preschool full-bucket seat swing, 1 accessible molded bucket swing, and 1 tire swing

School Age Climb and Slide: (5-12 years old) 2 universally accessible slides, 6 climbing opportunities, 1 see-saw, and 1 shade structure

Sand Play: (2-12 years old) 2 sand diggers, 1 accessible sand digger, 2 shade structures, 1 playhouse, Music making equipment and stage, and 1 accessible spring platform

Preschool Playground: (2-5 years old) Enclosed by a positive barrier of fence and vegetation, 3 slides,1 preschool full-bucket seat swing,1 accessible molded bucket swing, 1 see-saw, stepping stones, and 2 shade structures

View other playground locations.

Courts and Fields

Tennis Courts

  • Pullen Park has 6 tennis courts with push-button lighting from dusk to 10 p.m. year-round. 
  • Courts are typically available first-come, first-serve.

Athletic Fields

  • There are two athletic fields at Pullen Park with lighting. One is a 270 ft-softball field. The youth baseball field is 257 ft. 
  • Request your field rental online using RecLink or contact Athletics at 919-996-2154.
  • Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval. Upon approval, payment will be required to confirm the reservation. Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment.
  • View other field locations. 

Arts Center

An photo of the newly renovated Pullen Arts Center

The Pullen Arts Center is open!

The center hosts programs in pottery, jewelry making, painting, printmaking, bookmaking, drawing, fiber arts, weaving, and glass arts. The Pullen Arts Center has extensive studios and equipment and holds special events and gallery exhibits throughout the year.

View operating hours, programs, and more information about Pullen Arts Center

Pullen Place Cafe

Located in the amusement area near the Welcome Center, Pullen Place Cafe offers fresh, local, and seasonal foods.

View Hours, Menus and More

Theatre in the Park

Theatre In The Park, located in the northern end of Raleigh’s scenic Pullen Park, is internationally acclaimed for its outstanding theatrical achievements, with more than 40,000 people attending our programming last year alone.

Learn more about Theatre in the Park

Shelters and Rentals

Pullen Park has a variety of outdoor shelters available to rent. Rentals permits are being accepted online through RecLink. Please visit RecLink to submit an application. 

Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval. Upon approval, payment will be required to confirm the reservation. Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment. 

Rental Permits must be received at least two weeks prior to the requested rental date. Reservations will not be taken for rentals occurring under two weeks prior to the requested rental.

View details and information on indoor rentals.

View of gazebo at Pullen Park on island with view of water

Island Gazebo

  • Capacity: 50-100
  • $30/hour to rent
  • No chairs or tables on site
  • No electricity

Fountain Terrace

  • Capacity: 20
  • Tables: 3 - 6 ft tables
  • Grills: No grilling
  • $20/hour to rent
  • Located on the terrace by the upper pond across from the lake.  
  • Tables are not covered to provide an open view of your surroundings.
  • No electricity
Pullen Park Carousel Pavilion

Carousel Pavilion

  • Capacity: 60
  • Tables: 8 - 8ft tables
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Located on the east side of the carousel
  • Access to electricity
  • No grilling permitted
Wooden shelter surrounded by green trees with picnic tables underneath

Shelter #1

  • Capacity: 75
  • Tables: 8 - 12ft tables
  • Grill: 1
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Located on the hillside with great views over the playground and passing train
  • No electricity
Pullen Park Shelter 2

Shelter #2

  • Capacity: 30
  • Tables: 6 - 6ft tables
  • Grills: 1 X-Large charcoal grill
  • $24/hour to rent
  • Located on the top of the hill
  • No electricity

     
Pullen Park Shelter 3

Shelter #3

  • Capacity: 100
  • Tables: 10 - 6ft tables and 4 – 8ft tables
  • Grills: 1 X-Large charcoal grill
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Located on top of the hill adjacent to the upper parking lot
  • No electricity
Pullen Park Shelter 4

Shelter #4

  • Capacity: 100
  • Tables: 8 - 12ft tables
  • Grill: 1 standard charcoal grills
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Circular shelter up on the hill adjacent to the upper the parking lot
  • 3 outlets with electricity
View of large picnic shelter at Pullen Park

Picnic Shelter at Pullen Park

Shelter #5

  • Capacity: 100
  • Tables: 9 - 12ft tables
  • Grills: 2 standard charcoal grills
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Located up the hill on the right side of the upper parking lot, away from other shelters
  • No electricity
  • Please be aware that there is an active railway located near the picnic shelter.
Pullen Park Shelter 6

Shelter #6

  • Capacity: 75
  • Tables: 8 - 12ft tables
  • Grill: 1 standard charcoal grills
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Located above the carousel 
  • No electricity

View other shelter locations

Pullen Park Event Lawn and Stage

Stage and Event Lawn

  • Capacity: 100 – 500
  • Tables: No tables provided
  • Grills: No Grilling permitted
  • $75/hour to rent; $25 electricity fee for spider box setup
  • Located behind the ticket office; public event space

Multiuse Field

  • Capacity: 100
  • Tables: None provided
  • Grills: None Provided
  • $30/hour to rent
  • Adjacent to Shelter 5; can only be rented in conjunction with Shelter 5
  • Location for: bounce houses, gaming trucks, food trucks, or exclusive space for lawn games
  • No electricity

Hours

Park and Restroom Hours

 
Monday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Tuesday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Wednesday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Thursday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday:
7 a.m.–9 p.m.