Thinking of heading to Rock City? Here’s a fresh take: visit in the evening! We recently explored this scenic mountaintop attraction near Chattanooga, TN, during their new summer nighttime hours, and it was absolutely magical. Cooler temps, fewer crowds, and glowing lights made this a memorable outing for our teens (and us parents, too!).
Quick Info for Visiting Rock City
Location: Lookout Mountain, GA (just outside Chattanooga)
Evening Hours: Now open summer evenings (check website for exact hours)
Tickets: Pricing varies by day and time. Booking online in advance can save you money and guarantee entry. Walk-up tickets cost more and may sell out.
Parking: Free!
Time to Allow: 1 to 2 hours
Why Visit in the Evening?
Rock City is beautiful any time of day. Summer evenings are especially magical:
Cooler Temps: Beat the daytime 90s with pleasant twilight breezes.
Fewer Crowds: You’ll have more space to explore without waiting for a turn on the bridge.
Fairy-Tale Glow: Lights line the trail after dark. The whole park turns into a glowing wonderland.
We arrived at 7:30 PM and caught the golden light in the early evening. After some exploring, we paused at Lover’s Leap to enjoy a snack and watch the sky change colors. While you can’t see the full sunset (the mountain faces east), it’s still a peaceful, scenic spot to relax. Then we continued our walk through twilight. We finished our visit surrounded by twinkling lights in the dark.
What You’ll See at Rock City
Giant Rock Formations: You’ll find narrow passageways, bridges, and tight spots with stairs. (Heads up: this isn’t stroller-friendly. However, there is a limited wheelchair-accessible route that takes you directly to Lover’s Leap.)
Gnomes Everywhere!: Kids will love spotting all the gnome scenes. Look for playful ones tucked into gardens and festive ones in hats.
Lover’s Leap Viewpoint: On a clear day or evening, you can see seven states from here.
Enchanted Caverns: End your journey in Fairyland Caverns. Glowing blacklight scenes bring nursery rhymes to life.
Mother Goose Village: This final room is filled with fairy tale scenes lit up by black lights.
Swing-A-Long Bridge and Stone Bridge: Feeling brave? Try the swinging bridge. Prefer steady ground? There’s a solid stone bridge next to it.
Whimsical Music: A peaceful soundtrack accompanies your walk, adding even more charm to the experience.
Family Tips for Rock City
Not ideal for strollers or wheelchairs: Bring a baby carrier if you’re visiting with little ones.
Hold hands on the trail: Some spots are tight. There are a lot of stairs.
Restrooms are near the entrance and in the park near Lovers Leap.
Bring snacks: There’s a picnic spot with a great view.
Look for alternative routes: If someone in your group gets tired, there’s a marked bypass. It lets you skip the longest stair section. You can also choose between the swinging bridge and the more stable stone bridge.
Check for Special Events: Rock City hosts seasonal festivals like Shamrock City, Rocktoberfest, and Enchanted Garden of Lights. These can add extra magic to your visit!
Plan Your Trip to Rock City
We’ve visited Rock City with toddlers, kids, and now teens. Every time it’s been a hit. The combination of nature, creativity, and just enough whimsy makes it a memorable outing. The new evening hours made this trip especially relaxing and beautiful.
Planning a Chattanooga trip? Rock City is only 6 miles from downtown. It pairs perfectly with other nearby attractions. Don’t miss it!
Have you visited Rock City at night yet? Share your favorite moment in the comments! Or check out our family guide to Chattanooga for more travel ideas.
We have everything you need to have a great trip to Chattanooga, TN in our handy guide! Visit Downtown Chattanooga and plan out your memorable vacation.
Inside: Local parents share what they love about Legacy Park, Greenville, SC.
Are you searching for a park that offers something for everyone in your family? We’ve got just the place! Our review of Legacy Park in Greenville shares all that this awesome park offers, including walking trails, tons of open space to play, great playgrounds and more! Read on and plan your own trip to Legacy Park!
Quick Facts on Legacy Park:
Legacy Park is located at 336 Rocky Slope Road in Greenville.
Park space is 20 acres, including 10 acres of open green grass and miles of trails.
Legacy has two playgrounds including a fenced in playground for small children.
The park contains a picnic shelter (available for rental) and several wooden swings and benches.
Scenery includes a small man-made pond and a scenic brook with gardens.
Sports include a sand volleyball court and paved paths (perfect for strollers and tricycles).
About Legacy Park
When we ask local parents about favorite Greenville parks, Legacy Park near Verdae almost always rises to the top of the list. Inspired by NYC’s Central Park, Legacy offers a unique spread of green free spaces and scenic walking paths. It’s a favorite park for picnicking, kite-flying, and strolling.
Playgrounds at Legacy Park
The smaller playground at Legacy Park is quite nice. The play area is fenced in and low enough for smaller children to play safely. Benches are available on the perimeter and the playground for older children is within sight. A sign posted on the gate requests that only children 2-5 play on the playground.
The playground for older children is not as large as some of the other parks in town offer and is sometimes overcrowded as a result. With all the space for running around though, kids will still find plenty to do.
Scenery at Legacy Park
The green areas are open enough where you can enjoy kite flying, Frisbee throwing, bubble blowing, or sports. Bring a blanket if you choose to picnic as the park does not have many picnic tables and it’s not unusual for the shelter to be rented out for a party.
The sand volleyball court is a fun place to let the kids play with buckets and shovels. Kids also love playing near the water areas (Note: playing in the water is prohibited).
If you are planning an epic 4th of July with family and fireworks, then this Heritage Park 4th of July celebration is where to go! The city hosts its annual Simpsonville Simply Freedom Fest at Heritage Park for their 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025!
Again this year the city of Simpsonville will be hosting a free concert with performances by Eli Young Band, Corey Smith, and DJ Slim McGraw in celebration of the 4th of July in addition to the spectacular fireworks! Simpsonville, SC looking forward to celebrating Independence Day with you!
Heritage Park 4th of July Celebration (Fireworks: Simpsonville, SC)
If you love a spectacular display of fireworks, Simpsonville, SC, has you covered! The Independence Day Celebration is being held at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park. The event proceeds 4th of July on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 at 6 pm (gates open at 5:30 pm). Included in the festivities is a spectacular concert. There will also be post-concert fireworks. Entrance to the event and parking are FREE.
If you’re searching for “inexpensive day trips near me” or are looking for inexpensive day trips near Greenville, SC, and the surrounding area, that won’t break the bank, we have a list for you. This list of 10 fun day trips includes only destinations that are budget-friendly, keeping the cost approximately $40 or less for a family of 4.
All of these inexpensive day trips are also under 2 hours to save money and time in the car, but they are all day trips from Greenville, South Carolina. Otherwise, it’s not really a trip is it?
What’s Inside: A fun, family-friendly guide to the best eats, sights, and nostalgic experiences in Andy Griffith’s real-life hometown!
Curious what it would be like to step back into a different era and vacation in The Andy Griffith Show’s Mayberry? Well, we packed the van with the grandparents and headed to Mount Airy, NC, Andy Griffith’s hometown to find out. We came home with full hearts (and stomachs) after experiencing three days of true Southern hospitality, classic diners plus homemade baked goods, and old-fashioned affordable fun (including a tour in a squad car).
Here’s everything we did, ate, and explored—organized by category so it’s easy for your family to plan your own Mayberry memories.
Thank you to Visit Mayberry for hosting us during our stay.
Where We Stayed in Mayberry
We stayed at a rental home just 5 minutes from downtown titled “Mayberry’s Best”, and it was definitely a spot we would recommend for other families. Our home was spacious, pet-friendly, and just right for three generations. It had a game room with a real Atari arcade machine, a big yard with a deck, and a stack of Andy Griffith DVDs in the family room.
Kid favorites: The home was stocked with kid-friendly games, Magna-Tiles, puzzles, and even an arcade machine.
Grown-up wins: Clean, roomy layout, two full bathrooms, and a great kitchen, plus we were even greeted with fresh flowers, moonpies, and a bottle of wine.
Pet-friendly: We didn’t bring our dog, but the home also allows you to bring a dog with a small fee. There were dog bowls and treats available. Note: The yard was not 100% fenced in, but the street wasn’t busy, and there was plenty of space for a dog to run.
The area has a number of family-friendly rentals plus hotels that aren’t far from the center. A new hotel is being built downtown that should open in Spring of 2026.
You won’t go hungry while visiting Mount Airy, NC, with several diners that have been open for decades and lined with celebrity photos, to family-friendly breweries.
Eating lunch at Snappy’s is a bucket list item when visiting Mount Airy, NC, and the best part is that you can still order a meal there for around $5. We kicked off our trip by splitting four signature sandwiches on the menu—The Ultimate Pork Chop Sandwich, Fried Bologna, Breaded Cheeseburger, and the Ground Steak Sandwich with slaw.
The booths, counter, and vintage photos made it feel like stepping into the show. We heard from one local that they once met a group that drove all the way from Ohio just to pick up a cooler of pork sandwiches.
Tip: We got in fast during our trip in the off-season, but heard the line can sometimes stretch down the sidewalk in the summer.
The Derby has been a local favorite since 1937 and has remained family-owned through 3 generations! We enjoyed eggs, potatoes, and southern hospitality. The biscuits were amazing, and we loved the skillet breakfast.
Dairy Center
📍 407 W Lebanon Street 🔗 Dairy Center-Trip Advisor
We ordered sweet potato pancakes, omelets, bacon, and homemade strawberry jam. Everyone thought the strawberry jam was amazing. This diner is known for its delicious ground steak, typically served as a sandwich, but we got a great tip to order it in an omelet for breakfast. The open kitchen and retro ice cream window made this spot feel like a step back in time.
We stopped here for lunch and again at the end of our trip for a traditional milkshake and homemade slice of pie at the soda counter. The Barney Burger was great, and the homemade Coconut Pie totally stole the show. My dad said it tasted just like his mom used to make it.
You know you are in a spot where the locals eat when you get asked where you are from while you are waiting for your meal. This brewery specializes in small-craft beers and artisan pizzas. The atmosphere was chill and family-friendly (you could even relax on a couch if a traditional table wasn’t your style). We got to stay long enough to not only enjoy a delicious flight of beer and a couple of pizzas but also to compete in a game of trivia.
This was yet another great trivia night stop! We shared cheese curds, fried pickles, fish and chips, pizza, and salad. This family-friendly brewery has not only a beer menu and full cocktail menu but also some fun mocktails for the kids (or non-alcohol drinkers).
If you only do one thing in the town of Mayberry, this is it. This is one of the top Mount Airy, NC activities, and it’s no surprise why. We rode in a real 1960s squad car just like the ones in the Andy Griffith show and learned all about Mount Airy and the people and industries that make it famous. The tour takes you downtown, to the largest open-face granite mine in the world, by Andy Griffith’s childhood home, and past local architecture, much of which was made out of the local granite.
Our local guide liberally used the car’s siren and kept us laughing the whole time with his stories, and yes—it was hot inside that car since it didn’t have AC, but totally worth it.
Next to the Squad Car Tour, you can lock yourself up inside the jail at the Mayberry Courthouse or grab ice cream. This entire area is free to enter and full of fun photo ops. It’s also a great area to purchase souvenirs as they had a wide selection of Andy Griffith themed shirts and memorabilia, including even fun nods to the show, such as a jar of Aunt Bee’s Pickles.
If you want to experience the town at night, get on the trolley for a spooky ghost tour. The ghost stories were funny, spooky, and also touched on local history. Great for adults or older kids and tweens. Walking ghost tours are also available.
We sat in the same chair Andy and many other celebrities once did. You can peek in this Barber Shop even if you don’t need a haircut, but if you need a haircut, make an appointment. Not only will you see the famous barber chair, but also a child-sized barber chair and a cash register from a century ago.
We took a backstage tour of the Andy Griffith Playhouse, where we learned all about Andy’s early life and career. The tour also allows you to stand on the original stage that Andy performed on in 3rd grade, as well as takes you back into the dressing rooms of the theatre.
The Playhouse is an active theatre with a performance always in rehearsal. Another way to experience the theatre is to purchase tickets to one of the many shows.
The Andy Griffith Museum showcases the largest collection of memorabilia connected to Andy Griffith, much of which was collected by a childhood friend. Inside the museum, you can watch snippets from his movies and see artifacts from his life.
Adjacent to the museum, you can also check out the Betty Lynn exhibit. Betty Lynn was known for her role in the Andy Griffith Show as Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend. Betty Lynn relocated to Mayberry in retirement and has played an important role in the area’s connections to the Andy Griffith Show.
This museum is best suited for older children who can read and understand the significance of the museum exhibits. For those who are Andy Griffith fans, it’s the best place to get a fuller glimpse into his life.
Museum tickets also grant access to go inside the Historic Earle Street Theatre during select times.
We crossed the street after visiting the Andy Griffith Museum to tour the Siamese Twins Museum. This museum tells the story of Chang and Eng Bunker, the first fully documented set of conjoined twins.
Chang and Eng were born in Siam (now Thailand) but moved to the United States as adults after years of traveling the world as part of an exhibition. As young adults, they managed their own contracts and eventually amassed enough wealth to marry sisters and settle in Mount Airy.
This museum tells the story of Chang and Eng Bunker with photos, texts, artifacts, and even a life-size statue of Chang and Eng. It’s compact but fascinating. We recommend this museum for older kids and adults.
This multi-level museum surprised us with its variety of exhibits and appeal to a wide range of ages. The exhibits range from local history to a floor dedicated to fire history, complete with three retired fire engines. Since the history of Andy Griffith is prominent throughout Mount Airy, NC, especially at the Andy Griffith museum, this museum focuses mainly on additional history and people connected to the area.
If you are looking for an indoor activity to keep all ages entertained, this museum is a good choice. It offers an extensive play area on the top floor. The play area includes a playground, a full dress-up bin, puppets, a small house, and a fire pit. While there, we saw that it was a popular local hangout for small children.
While still in construction, visitors will soon be able to enjoy a new industry-themed exhibit that includes a model train room.
This outdoor concert venue was one of the highlights of our trip. If you live near the area, season passes are pretty affordable and include over 50 concerts a year, but even for a night, the tickets are just $20. Kids 12 and under are free.
You can bring your own chairs, sit on the grass, or get there early enough to snag a table. The venue is casual with plenty of green space for kids to run around and dance.
If you’ve visited before, what are your favorite Mt. Airy, NC activities?
Where to Shop in Mt. Airy
Of course, we saw a couple of the normal tourist shops, but downtown Mount Airy, NC is fun, quirky, and full of local flair. We browsed everything from local sweet shops to antique stores and even found a store full of quirky socks at discount pricing, a cat cafe, and a boutique/arcade.
This vintage candy store is just down the street from Snappy’s. It’s not just any candy shop, though, with its vintage candy jars, ice cream counter, bottled sodas, and even old-school candy that’s hard to find, such as candy cigarettes and vintage gum.
Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies & Hillbilly Creamery and Gluten-Free Desserts
This store is literally lined with pies. You can buy everything from a strawberry rhubarb pie to an apple pie with cinnamon buns on it. We bought perhaps the largest peanut butter cookie sandwich we have ever seen just for $4. The smell inside was amazing, and the desserts lived up to the hype. The Gluten-Free Desserts are extensive and in a separate but adjacent store. This store is also known for its moonshine-flavored desserts.
The Mayberry Antique Mall is just one of many antique shops lining Mount Airy’s downtown, but it must have been the largest.
Renfro Sock Outlet Store
📍229 N Main Street
We accidentally wandered into the Renfro Sock Outlet Store while waiting for the history museum to open. This store was truly a hidden surprise as it was full of all types of socks, from fun and quirky designs to practical white socks for tennis shoes. These socks were all amazing prices, too, since it’s an outlet of discontinued patterns.
This store labels itself as Mount Airy’s very first Bocade (Boutique plus Arcade), and honestly, we hadn’t heard of that either. It was a Bocade, though. You could shop on one side and play a game system or arcade game on the other.
We discovered this cute and big-hearted cat cafe while exploring downtown, and it even had kittens. For a small fee, you can play with the cats for half an hour, and the funds go towards the cats’ care, and your play helps socialize them so they can be adopted. All the cats at this cafe are up for adoption, so watch out or you might come home with a new pet.
Why We Loved Mount Airy, NC
Mount Airy offered a beautiful mix of nostalgia, local charm, and family-friendly fun. It wasn’t just a trip down memory lane for my parents—it was a chance for three generations to connect and create shared memories.
The people we met were just as warm and welcoming as the characters in the show. Locals stopped to chat and share their town with us like we were neighbors.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Andy or just looking for a relaxing, affordable, and unique place to bring the kids, Mount Airy hits the mark.
Love some family-friendly outdoor music and free concerts? Greenville, SC sure does! Especially in the summer, Greenville and the surrounding areas host a number of free outdoor (and sometimes indoor) concerts. These concerts provide a great way to enjoy time as a family or couple while keeping expenses down. This list includes a wide variety of concerts.
It’s a Greenville tradition of 50+ years to pick up a Pepsi birthday Party Pack! Have a little one turning 6 this year? One thing that I love about raising my family in the same city that I grew up in is the shared experiences that my kids and I have from our childhoods.Thank you to Pepsi of Greenville for sponsoring this article!
The free Pepsi Party Pack is one of those special experiences, available the first week of each month, that crosses both of our generations. I remember our excitement as kids when each of us received our Pepsi Party Pack at age 6. Watching my own 6-year-old experience the same excitement was double fun!
What is the Pepsi Party Pack?
When a child turns 6 in Greenville or Laurens counties, the Pepsi Plant in Greenville awards that child with a FREE Pepsi birthday party pack, which comes in a cool box and includes:
12 Pepsi Cans
12 Pepsi Balloons (not inflated)
12 Pepsi Pencils
12 Pepsi Tattoos
A Pepsi party birthday certificate
These items could be used for a party or just a fun treat for your kids!
How do you get your Party Pack?
It’s easy to pick up your Pepsi Party Pack in Greenville, SC. Just bring your child’s birth certificate to the office located at 751 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609.
Pepsi Party Packs are available the month of or the month after your child’s 6th birthday.
The Party Packs are available during the first full week of the month between 1–5 pm, M-F.
Park in front of the building and enter through the front office.
2025 Pepsi Party Pack Pickup Dates: Greenville, SC Location
January 6th-10th, 2025
February 3rd-7th, 2025
March 3rd-7th, 2025
April 7th-April 11th, 2025
May 5th-9th, 2025
June 2nd-6th, 2025
July 7th-11th, 2025
August 4th-8th, 2025
September 2nd-5th, 2025 (Closed Labor Day, Sept 1st)
October 6th-10th, 2025
November 3rd-7th, 2025
December 1st-5th, 2025
If you have any questions, call the Pepsi Bottling Plant at 864.242.6041.
Have your kids picked up a Pepsi Birthday Party Pack? What did you think?!
Inside: Real-world advice from parents in our community on how to keep communication open with teens and talk about sensitive topics like drugs and alcohol.
Talking to your kids as they grow older can feel like navigating a maze—especially when it comes to tough topics like drugs, alcohol, and independence. But open, honest communication is possible—and essential. We asked our Kidding Around community for their best tips. Here’s what they shared.
1. Work on Real Connection Beyond Serious Conversations
Your teen may act like they don’t need you, but don’t let that fool you—they crave your attention and presence more than they’ll admit.
Be curious, not critical. Learn what excites them. Show interest in their favorite games, music, or trends—and listen without judgment.
Do fun things with them. Coffee runs, thrift shopping, or even watching TV or playing a video game together can build trust.
Make your home their comfort zone. Invite their friends over. Offer snacks. Keep things low-pressure.
Balance the serious and the silly. You will never get to the conversation about mental health and drug dangers if you aren’t already talking about less serious topics.
Have conversations not interrogations. The question, “How was school today?” might be a big question to answer. Give space for your kids to share on their terms when it’s not safety related information.
💬 “I’ve been very transparent and talk openly with my kids about addiction issues in our family. And then, we just talk—about anything and everything. We ask clarifying questions, admit when we don’t know, find out answers together, etc. I’ve never parented before and we’re learning together. So, long story short, building a foundation of trust on the front end makes some of these conversations easier later on.”
2. Don’t Overreact When They Share
When your teen opens up, how you respond can determine whether they ever do it again.
Pause before reacting. If they mention something shocking, stay calm. It’s okay to say, “That’s serious. Let me think a moment and let’s talk more in a bit.”
Ask non-threatening questions. Use “What happened?” or “How did you feel?” instead of questions that shut down the conversation.
Communicate in ways that feel safe to them. Not every conversation has to be face-to-face. Some of the deepest ones might come through a text. That’s okay. Go where your kid feels safe.
💬 “It is important to let them know that although you may not always agree with their behavior or decisions, you are always there and love them unconditionally. Reach out and ask how they are doing? Let them know they can come to you. Be honest about mental health issues in our society including stress anxiety and depression. Tell them about the heightened dangers of drugs today and how drugs are laced with fentanyl. One pill can kill etc. Also, incorporate fun times together where heavy topics are not discussed . Balance it.”
3. Create Space for Disagreement
Independence and differing opinions are part of your teen’s growth. Don’t overreact when they disagree with you.
Practice active listening. You don’t need to correct every statement. Let them talk and feel heard.
Don’t take it personally. Disagreement doesn’t mean rejection—it means they’re exploring who they are. They are still growing and their opinions are still changing.
Be open to negotiation. Let them share their reasoning. You might even reconsider a rule based on a solid argument.
4. Be Clear With Expectations and Safety Nets
Teens need clarity around boundaries—and they need to know you’ve got their back if things go wrong.
State your rules explicitly. “You’re not allowed to vape or drink” is better than assuming they know.
Explain the risks. Talk honestly about consequences, especially dangers like fentanyl exposure.
Use a safe word system. Create a code they can text if they need a non-judgmental exit from a party.
Be consistent with consequences. Follow through if trust is broken, but work together to rebuild it.
💬 “If you or a friend drinks or uses drugs, call me. I will come get you. No punishment. No lecture. Just safety. We’ll talk when you’re ready and safe.”
5. Know Your Limits and Surround Your Kid with Safe Adults
You don’t have to do this alone—and your teen shouldn’t have to either.
Watch for mental health struggles. Anxiety and depression often show up as withdrawal or risky behavior. Talk to your doctor if you see concerning behavior. They often can point you to additional resources from great therapists to support groups.
Connect them with other adults. Be sure your kids know who the trusted adults are in your life that you trust to help them whether it’s an aunt, grandparent, or friend. Remember that it’s better for them to share with someone safe rather than no one if they don’t talk to you.
Focus on what you can control. You can’t prevent every mistake your kid might make, but you can provide tools and guidance.
Final Word: Keep the Door Open
Your teen needs to know one thing above all: you’re there for them. Always.
Even when they disagree with you. Even when they mess up. Keep checking in. Keep creating safe space for honesty. And keep choosing connection, again and again.
Inside: A family travels to Ichetucknee Springs State Park , Florida and shares all the details about the park, their trip, and what you can expect.
Are you looking for the perfect photo-ready swimming hole that will cool you off on even the hottest days in Florida? We found the perfect natural swimming spot at Ichetucknee Springs and Blue Hole Spring. This crystal clear spring is just a day trip from Gainsville, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, Florida at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. This state park has two natural springs and one even has an underwater cavern that you can see with goggles.
Ichetucknee Spring
What Would You Like to Know About Blue Hole Spring?
📍 Ichetucknee Springs State Park ✨ Clear blue water. An underwater cavern. Tubing. 💡 Just $6 per car!
✅ Swim at Ichetucknee Head Spring ✅ Goggle up + explore Blue Hole Spring ✅ Tube the Ichetucknee River (BYO tube or rent!)
Perfect day trip from Gainesville, St. Augustine, or Jacksonville!
📍 North Entrance: 8294 SW Elim Church Road 📍 South Entrance (for tubing): 12087 S.W. U.S. Hwy 27
Ichetucknee Head Spring Is Perfect for Swimming
Parking at the North Entrance and Ichetuckness Spring is just a short walk from the parking lot. You will also find a bathhouse, bathrooms, and a playground in this same area.
This clear, blue-green swimming hole is shallow around the edges with stairs that lead into the pool. The middle of the pool was deep so parents would probably want life jackets for small children or weak swimmers. the Ichetucknee Head Spring is close to Blue Hole Spring in the northern part of the park, so you can head that way before or after you decide to explore the caverns.
The water is not only picturesque but a brisk 72 degrees year-round. Cold enough to take the breath out of parents but not cold enough to keep the kids from insisting that their parents join them. Not only will the water cool you off but the swimming area also has plenty of natural shade
Be aware that as a natural swimming area, there are natural hazards such as slippery rocks and wildlife. This is a no “jump or dive” swim area.
Boardwalk to Blue Hole Spring
Blue Hole Spring at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Follow a .5-mile trail from the North Entrance over wetlands and through the Florida forest to Blue Hole Spring. Only experienced swimmers should swim in this spring as it is deeper and has strong currents.
We ran into a local who told us that the best way to see the cavern is with goggles and by swimming along the outside of the spring and then peering in with the goggles to see underwater. He told us that one of the biggest mistakes he sees is swimmers trying to swim directly over the spring but the currents are too strong to swim through.
Diving at Blue Hole, Photo Credit: Columbia County Tourism Development Council
This area is completely deep and there is no shallow access. It’s worth the short walk, though, even if you don’t swim there though to see its beauty. We also saw a variety of wildlife near the spring such as turtles sunbathing and even a snake.
You are also allowed to scuba dive in Blue Hole Spring if you are cavern or cave certified.
There are no lifeguards at either spring.
Blue Hole Spring
Tubing at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
You can also choose to tube down the river from the Ichetucknee South Entrance. You can either rent tubes from local vendors or bring your own tubes (under 60 inches).
There is a tram ride available for purchase ahead of time at the General Store if you choose to tube to the furthest point.
Be aware that the park does limit the number of tubers from Mid-point Launch.
Visiting Blue Hole Spring and Ichetucknee Springs State Park
We visited Ichetucknee Spring State Park in April and the park was not crowded but online reviews indicate that the park can fill up in the summer months and that visitors should plan on arriving early.
Admission costs were $6 per vehicle.
You cannot cross the park by car from the South (State Rd 27) to the North Entrance (State Rd 238) so be sure to arrive at the correct entrance for your chosen activity.
8294 SW Elim Church Road, Fort White, FL was the address given to us by the Park Ranger to get to the North Entrance. It didn’t exactly get us to the entrance, but it got us close enough to see the signage.
The address online for the South Entrance is 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White FL.
The park opens at 8 am each day and closes at sunset. Tubing may close earlier.
Inside: A local family visits Emberglow Outdoor Resort and shares all the fun things to do and tips for your visit.
Are you looking for a camping experience that allows you to enjoy the great outdoors while still maintaining comfort? With a variety of lodging options to choose from, including vintage campers, tiny homes, RV/campsites, and safari tents, Emberglow Outdoor Resort in Mill Spring, NC offers every type of family the perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Quick Summary: Emberglow Outdoor Resort
We took a trip to Emberglow Outdoor Resort in Mill Spring, NC—and it was a total hit with our kids (and our pup)!
Here’s what we loved: ✔️ Pet-friendly Carolina Cottage with full kitchen + screened porch ✔️ Vintage campers, treehouses, safari tents & more ✔️ On-site fun: playground, pool, bike rentals, dog park, and even a jumping pillow! ✔️ Just an hour from Greenville, near Lake Lure and Chimney Rock
Ready to explore the outdoors with comfort and charm? ➡️ Book your stay
Our family (including our dog) had tons of fun staying at the Carolina Cottage Tiny Home at Emberglow and we can’t wait to share with you everything you need to know for your visit. Our kids are already begging to go back!
Emberglow Outdoor Resort is only about an hour from Greenville, SC, near Hendersonville, NC.
About Emberglow Outdoor Resort
Located just 15 minutes from Lake Lure in the hills of Western NC, Emberglow Outdoor Resort is conveniently situated between Greenville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Columbia. The resort’s 72 acres are nestled in a beautiful, private valley complete with spring-fed creeks. This resort truly offers something for every camping preference and every size group with a variety of comfortable lodging options including:
Primitive Tent Sites
RV Sites
Safari Tents
Pods
Vintage Campers
Tiny Houses
Yurts
One larger house
Not only does Emberglow offer a wide range of accommodations but they also offer extremely unique stays. Choose to stay in Big Ben, a vintage double-decker bus, or stay in a special tree house resort home that even includes a slide coming out of the house plus two lofts connected by a cargo net.
We stayed in the Carolina Cottage Tiny Home during our stay which despite being a tiny house had a full kitchen and bath, a loft bedroom for the kids, and even a screened-in porch. Our unit even came with towels, linens, a gas grill, and a fire pit. It was also right next to the creek and the playground.
What is there to do at Emberglow Outdoor Resort?
Emberglow is conveniently located in Western NC where it’s just a short drive to a number of fun attractions at Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and the Hendersonville/Flat Rock region. We were delighted to find plenty of fun activities right on the campground and ended up spending all of our time within the resort.
Emberglow Events– Emberglow Outdoor Resort offers tons of special events throughout the year. They have a special event for Mother & Father’s Day, a Back To School Bash, and a whole calendar full of more events to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Emberglow Outdoor Resort
Pool: Emberglow has a large outdoor ADA-compliant resort pool that opens in the summer season.
Photo Credit: Emberglow Outdoor Resort
Playground: Even my 12-year-old had fun playing on the playground at Emberglow. I especially thought the camper play structure was an imaginative twist. I also loved how the playground was within an easy visibility distance of multiple campsites. I could actually see the playground from my screened-in porch making it easy to let older kids play while still keeping an eye on them.
Jumping Pillow: If your kids need to get their energy out, you can just walk them over to the jumping pillow which is open for jumping at no additional cost.
Yes, while not every accommodation is pet-friendly, many are, including the Carolina Cottage Tiny Home. We brought our dog Izzy Bee with us on her first vacation away from home.
The Carolina Cottage Tiny Home had plenty of space for the four of us and our puppy including her crate. Izzy spent most of her time while we were in the cabin on the screened-in porch where she could watch other families walk by.
The dog park was only a couple-minute walk from our house. It was spacious and had plenty of room to run around. When we visited, there were only a couple of other dogs at the resort so we had plenty of space to ourselves, but I noticed that there was a smaller area fenced off in the dog park so that there would be space to spread out if needed.
Is Parking Available at Emberglow Outdoor Resort?
There is plenty of parking space at each unit as well as near all of the major areas of the resort.
Should you bring your own food to Emberglow Outdoor Resort?
Yes, while a food truck is open during some seasons, Emberglow is around 15 minutes from grocery stores and restaurants. We personally found it easier to bring easy-to-prepare meals and snacks. Our particular unit did have a small kitchen with basic kitchen items and even had a coffee pot with coffee pods.
Family Review of Emberglow Outdoor Resort
Our kids had such a great time at Emberglow that they are already asking us when they can go back. We thought that the campground offered a great mix of quiet relaxation and fun. I also thought the easy one-hour driving distance from Greenville made the trip even more relaxing. Whether you are looking for a quiet week or just a weekend getaway, Emberglow Outdoor Resort is a great option for the perfect, relaxing family vacation.
