Only about 15 minutes south of the city centre, the Paramount Carowinds theme park is one of the largest in the South East of the USA, and offers over 50 thrilling rides - including the Borg Assimilated (utterly frightening roller coaster with some 8 loops where you dangle from the track rather than sitting in a train), and the Wayne's World inspired Hurler, which will cause you to do just that.
Within the complex there is also the Nickelodeon Water World water park with slides and pools, and plenty of live shows to keep you entertained.