Things to Do in Wake Forest

As the super-otter aircraft climbs through the clouds, the energy in the plane is palpable. First-time skydivers and veterans of the sport, all giddy for the oncoming rush of wind and velocity, ready themselves for their leap into the vast blue yonder waiting just outside the plane’s door. For the skilled staff of Triangle Skydiving Center, that feeling is the reason they come to work every morning. Whether they're plunging themselves and a harnessed patron through midair at 13,500 feet or selling high-quality parachute equipment in the gear store, they're dedicated to helping customers find that thrill that previously was only attained by shrinking the kids and living vicariously through them as they spelunk from picnic tables.

A multifaceted family entertainment center, Go Bananaz delights kids with inflatable play places, bumper cars, and arcade games. A pirate ship lifts children up to 18 feet in the air, the arcade area boasts classic games such as air hockey, and a separate toddler area allows tots to play safely. With all-encompassing party packages, kids can play video games, enjoy pizza, and sip juice.

Kidventurez is a blank canvas where children's ideas spring to life. As the mind behind the creative space, owner Stephanie Walker used her own experience as a mother to concoct the facility. "I really love the whole concept of kids using their minds to play," she told Midtown Raleigh News.

Inside, pintsized visitors hop across various stations that spur ingenuity, such as the performing stage, where they can put on plays for friends, and Kenzie's Kitchen, where they can practice burning fake popcorn in a fake microwave. Smaller children enjoy the freedom of Toddler Town's scaled-down attractions, and parents, similarly, enjoy the freedom of either sitting back and watching playtime unfold or leaving for a short respite.

Before each lesson or scuba diving adventure, Carolina Dive Center owners Captain Jim Sedore and Paul Winders outfit each of their certified divers with the necessities to fit in with undersea fashion experts. After donning wetsuits and underwater breathing apparatuses, guests follow the experts in classes, tours, and spearfishing adventures. Students may also log hours during courses as they work toward their own diving certifications.