Kidding Around Greenville is joining with Mom to Mom to organize a holiday relief effort for Western NC.
Our Focus Area
Henderson County, NC. The northern and eastern sections of the county were severely damaged in Hurricane Helene. The schools on US Highway 64 are home to many students that come from the towns of Bat Cave, Gerton, Chimney Rock, and Edneyville. This area had major destruction.
The Need
Henderson County Schools normally partners with The Storehouse – a local non-profit – to provide “Blessings in Boxes” to students in need. These are large bags filled with the children’s needs and wants.
In 2023, they serviced 702 families equaling 2,005 kids. This year, due to the impacts of Helene, they have over 1,000 families that are upwards of 3,000 children in need.
Their usual sponsors are businesses and individuals from Henderson County. However, because everyone in their local area was impacted in one way or another, the needs are great and the helpers are few.
US Highway 64 conditions in early November 2024
Our Goal
We hope to contribute to as many families as possible this holiday season. We’re starting by sponsoring two schools on US Highway 64: North Henderson High School and Apple Valley Middle School. Together, they have about 240 students in need. With community interest, we can add even more!
We’re working directly with Henderson County Schools for this project. We have direct contact with the central office, administrators at each of the schools, as well as staff at The Storehouse, who is taking on the logistics in Hendersonville, NC.
What We Need
We need businesses and community groups to sponsor kids. You and your team will purchase gifts that are listed on the gift tags given to you. Items include needs like clothing and accessories as well as wants like toys and art supplies.
To be associated with a business or community group (church, book club, neighborhood, athletic team, school, PTA, etc)
A team leader to act as the point person working with Kidding Around Greenville & Mom to Mom
A commitment to sponsor at least 5 children
Team Leader Requirements
Pick up empty boxes and gift information on Saturday, November 16 in Greenville, SC
Ensure that all gifts for each child fit in the boxes given
Drop off all the filled boxes on Saturday or Sunday, December 7 and 8 in Greenville, SC
Pick Up & Drop Off Location
TBD, somewhere central in Greenville, SC
Other Ways to Participate
If you’re outside the area, you shop our Amazon wish lists!
M2M has taken 30 children just for this purpose. We’ve added specific items that are included on the lists we’ve received. We also have a list that includes other items needed to complete this project.
Each gift item will disappear when purchased and has quantities listed. If it’s still on the list, it’s still a need.
Q: How much should I spend? A: There is no minimum or maximum amount. We think that $50-$150 would be an approximate amount that would cover the gifts asked for by most parents. (No electronics are allowed and a child can only ask for a bicycle every three years in this program).
Q: What kind of things do kids ask for? A: Clothes, coats, socks and shoes, toys, sports equipment, art supplies, etc.
Q: When will the gifts be delivered to parents? A: Pick up dates for parents in Hendersonville, NC take place December 13 and 14. We will be delivering items to Hendersonville before that.
Q: Do you need volunteers? A: Yes! Please fill out the form below and select “Volunteer as needed” if you’re interested in helping out.
Q: When do we need to sign up by? A: Please fill out the interest form no later than Thursday, November 14.
Q: Can I take more kids if I get more interest from my personal contacts? A: Yes, we’ll try to accommodate everyone! We suggest listing a sponsor number that’s comfortable for you at first. If you have more interest, just give us a shout and we’ll assign you more kids until all are sponsored!
Key Dates
Tentative Schedule:
Saturday, November 16: pick up materials for sponsor children
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 and 8: drop off filled boxes
Volunteer Opportunities
If you’re local to Greenville and would like to volunteer with us, please fill out this interest form and we’ll let you know of upcoming opportunities.
It’s the Halloween attraction you never knew you needed. A brand new Haunted House meets escape room at The Sunken Manor! We had the chance to go and were blown away. Thank you to the Sunken Manor for inviting us to their terrifying attraction!
The Sunken Manor is a brand new Haunted House, started by a local family who have created a complex Halloween attraction. Complete with a sinister backstory linked to the very house that the scares happen in! If you love Halloween, jumpscares, or have teens who are ready to tackle bigger scares, this place is for you! Plus, they have scare-themed events throughout the year!
About The Sunken Manor
The Sunken Manor was started in 2024 by a local family, and this is its very first Halloween season! The family has owned the house since December and has been making this haunted house a reality since then.
Located in Travelers Rest, this manor is uniquely built directly into the side of a hill. (Hence the “Sunken” name). Parking, entrance, and check-in are all on the property. And as you check in you actually are standing on the roof of the manor! Super trippy, super spooky, and a perfect way to begin the whole experience.
The Backstory
The creators of The Sunken Manor have created a complex backstory for the haunted attraction and for the house itself, and some elements are inspired by true events! They have a QR code at the entrance that will take you to a video on their website that tells the chilling tale of the Sunken Manor, and what may hide beneath its depths.
We won’t give anything away, but the backstory adds so much depth to the whole experience, and there may even be some easter eggs in the video to look out for once you enter the attraction 😉
It’s also a great activity to kill time while waiting in line! That is, if you’re not being terrorized by the scare actors who join you as you wait.
The Details About the Haunted House
Sunken Manor begins before you even enter the attraction. As you buy your tickets scare actors are wandering the parking lot. I personally got followed by a spooky bat. As you wait in line there is a scary clown, a spooky scarecrow, and one of those scarers who slide on knee pads to scare you. And this is all before you even enter the house.
Once you enter the house you are sat down in a creepy dining room that transports you back into a time gone by. The host explains some of the backstory and the escape room aspect of the whole experience. Then before you know it, you are ushered out, and into the terrifying depths of the Sunken Manor.
In the attraction, you have to navigate through a series of rooms, each with its own unique theme and interactive scare actors. There are over a dozen, but here are some of the standouts:
An old-timey living room where you have to search for the clue to escape.
A dark maze where you have only a flashlight to try and catch a hidden scare actor (we had to SPRINT to catch him)
A dining room full of cannibals, and YOU have to free their next victim
A clown lair with puzzles and games you must complete to escape
A circus tent where you get chased by a chainsaw-wielding clown
A little girl’s bedroom where you have to read her a bedtime story that slowly comes to LIFE.
And more! But we don’t want to give too many spoilers. But that is what to expect when you enter the depths of The Sunken Manor! From the time that we entered the Manor, to the time we sprinted out, took about 25-30 minutes!
Best Ages
This is definitely an attraction geared towards teenagers and adults because of the in-your-face scare actors. As an adult, I was scared. There are loud noises, fog machines, strobe lights, scare actors yelling at you, and even a section where you have to chase a scare actor through a dark room.
But, you may have an especially brave 8-year-old who is ready to tackle all of these things. So it is up to your judgment and knowledge of your own child. But I will give you all the heads-ups and warnings you need to make an informed decision!
So what is a good age? It is best suited for teenagers and adults, but you know your kids better than I do! It totally depends on your kid.
Tips for enjoying The Sunken Manor
Here are a few things we’d suggest before going to the Sunken Manor!
Wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes.
The line to enter The Sunken Manor is outside, so wear layers!
Arrive early to avoid long lines.
There are lots of strobe lights and flashing lights, so be prepared for that.
Prepare for enclosed spaces. If you are claustrophobic or uncomfortable with that, then this may not be the attraction for you!
The actors will get VERY close to you. You will also be trapped in rooms with them.
This is a high scare attraction and is inside a house versus an outdoor trail with many exits. We would only advise taking older children who have completed other scary attractions successfully.
Ticket prices range from $25 – $35 (if you want the express lane ticket).
Upcoming Events at the Sunken Manor
The Sunken Manor will open to host other events during the year. They plan to host a scary Valentine’s Day event and a family-friendly (non-scary) Easter event and Holiday event in 2025. We will add additional information as it’s available.
Our Overall Review
We thought Sunken Manor was one of the most unique and scary attractions we have experienced in the Upstate. The underground set up of the original house combined with the puzzles and unique themes of each room kept the suspense running. We highly recommend you check it out this year if you enjoy intense haunted attractions.
The Underground Farm The Sunken Manor 2185a Keeler Mill Rd. Greenville SC 29617
On the search for “things to do with Halloween candy”? Did your kids bring home too much Halloween candy? On the search for “candy buyback near me”? Don’t worry! We have a couple of dental offices in Greenville to take that candy and exchange it for something that won’t result in a sugar overload or rot on their teeth. And we have a few more creative ideas for using or giving away that candy.
What to Do With All That Candy!
Trade It for Money “Candy Buyback Near Me” at Greenville, SC Dentists
This is a good way to teach kids about ways that money works. There are a few local dentists where kids can bring in their candy by the pound and get a few dollars. This can work at home also where kids exchange their candy for money.
Palmetto Family Orthodontics usually buys leftover candy for $1 a pound and then donates it to local charities and to help by supporting our troops overseas. Times: Contact the dentistry directly for exact dates and times. Location: 501 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville
Bring in your wrapped Halloween candy to be shipped to troops overseas through the Operation Gratitude program! In previous years, the practice has exchanged candy for cash or prizes. Times: Contact the dentistry directly for exact dates and times. Location: 1141 East Butler Road Greenville | 864.676.0046
They will usually buy your Halloween candy for $1 per pound, up to five pounds. Times: Contact the dentistry directly for exact dates and times. Location: 3115 Brushy Creek Road, Greer
Feed the Switch Witch
I had zero idea what this was until several readers suggested it. The Switch Witch is basically giving your kid(s) a small gift in exchange for the majority of the candy they get. This can be especially helpful if your child has an allergy – they can still collect candy but get a cool gift instead of a boatload of stuff that makes them sick (side note: look for homes with teal pumpkins when trick or treating with a child who has allergies – these homes will have non-candy items. This is what my family does and it’s always a hit)
These are a few ideas of how to make the Switch Witch work for your family:
“I tell my kiddo that the switch a witch eats up the candy and in exchange will use her magic to make him a gift. In our house, he gets to pick five pieces of candy and the rest he can give to the switch a witch with the idea that the more candy she gets the bigger gifts she can make him. I typically do a costume, art supplies, or legos. About the same size or a bit smaller than a birthday present you buy for a kid’s birthday.”
Let Them Eat It
This is an option I know a lot of parents do which I had never even considered: let the kids eat as much candy as they want. Just go ahead and jump in the deep end. Our readers say this option essentially gives kids too much of a good thing and they are so sick of candy after Halloween.
These are a few suggestions from our readers on how to handle this option:
“I let my daughter eat whatever she wants. It’s her candy and she won’t eat to the point of making herself sick, so I let her learn what her body wants and stop when she’s done (which is usually pretty quickly because she’s really good about that).”
“My son eats what he wants, but the novelty wears off within a day. Then we have old candy come Valentine’s Day.”
“If you’re not letting your kids go into a diabetic coma just one night of the year, are you really letting them enjoy childhood? Lol!! Mine usually get sick of it before long and I hide it in a bag and pass some out here and there and take a bunch myself lol.”
Halloween Candy Donations
Some families will let their kids choose a handful of their favorite candy and then donate the rest to send overseas to the military or use it in care packages. Candy donations can be easily shipped, and your kids can help decorate the box. You can contact your local Ronald McDonald House to see if they are taking Halloween candy donations for the families who are staying there. Or, try donating through Treats for Troops.
Use the Candy for Christmas or Gingerbread Houses
Other parents will sneakily steal some of the candy and reuse it for Christmas stockings. And not-so-sneaky parents will use leftover candy for candy houses or for use when they construct Gingerbread houses during Christmastime.
“Let them have a little the night of and maybe the next day, and save the rest to divvy up into the Christmas stockings.”
“Let them eat it and then whatever is left in December is used on our gingerbread houses.”
What do you do with the tons of Halloween candy your kids bring home?
If you hear of any more candy buy-back programs in the Greenville area, please let us know in the comments!
We know y’all are going stir crazy at home so we will be slowly posting about things to do to get out of the house but we ask that you are extremely cautious on the roads, especially since not all of the traffic lights are working, pay attention, and try to stay close to home as much as possible.
Our local businesses need your business, especially the seasonal ones, so we’ll be sharing these things to do and where to play in the coming days.
Do you need food, power for charging, or a hot shower? We are keeping track of all the community places offering help. Free Food & Storm Recovery Help
NOTE: We are currently updating this list with all of the local organizations we have verified are open and/or offering specials to the public. This list will grow larger through the day and we will update it as we get additional information.
Play Venues and Attractions
Sky Zone Greenville has power, internet, and is open for regular business hours. They are not serving hot food but have have snacks and Icees. They are allowing people to charge devices and use the internet as needed.
Children’s Art Classes is operating on regular hours. Monday-Thursdays 4-7:30pm and Saturdays 10-1:30am.
Bricks & Minifigs Greenville are offering the community to come in to charge their devices as well as offering a safe place to bring the family to play and build with LEGO. No obligations for purchases and play time is free.
Yellowbobbypins Art Camp has drop in art classes, a perfect place to keep the kids busy when power is out! Plus, students can stay an extra hour after class at no charge. The first hour is regular class, and the second hour is open studio time with no charge. More on Yellowbobbypins.
Trapped in the Upstate is open in Greer and Spartanburg from 2-9 pm. Use code Helene for 20% off this week. Operating on special hours Tuesday, will be open normal hours starting Wednesday!
The Mill at Fountain Inn has a huge outdoor space with wifi where kids can get out energy + they are showing family-friendly films all week. Their food is awesome also!
Judson Mill District has wifi, light snacks and beverages, charging stations, and they are showing kids movies Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am- 4 pm. Address is 701 Easley Bridge Road, Greenville.
Hearts of Clay is open.
Chuck E. Cheese in Greenville is open.
Village Play is open with Wi-Fi.
Golden Lanes is open with skating and bowling times. They also have a limited amount of ice available.
Palmetto Proper Play Cafe is open. They have resumed their normal hours and events. Check out their Instagram for the October calendar!
Big Air Greenvilleis open. They are operating on their normal hours, and giving out a free gallon ziploc bag of ice at their cafe for anyone who needs it.
Haywood Mall is open and has power. They have an indoor play area for you little ones to go get some energy out!
Village Play is open! They have power, spots to charge devices, WiFi, and a place for your kids to play. Check out their Instagram or Facebook page to reserve a spot ahead of time, or click this link: http://bit.ly/VPreservationMore on Village Play.
Spare Time Greenville is open! They have WiFi and seating, outlets for charging, and food & drink to order.
Sassy Stables is open and having their regularly scheduled riding lessons and visits.
Happy Cow Creamery is open! They are open from 9am-7pm. They have water, power, ice, and power if you need to charge your phone. Bring your containers and they will fill them with water, and every customer gets a free bag of ice.
Barnes & Noble Haywood and Woodruff are both open. They have power, Starbucks, Legos, and reading nooks for you little ones.
The Anderson County Library System has a few open locations. The Anderson Main, Iva, Pendleton, Piedmont, Honea Path, and Williamston libraries will be open limited hours on Wednesday and Thursday October 2nd & 3rd. Regular hours for these locations will resume on Friday, Oct 4th.
Vino and Van Gogh is open this week from 10am-12pm tp pick up Take-Home-Art for you and your kiddos. Place your order in person or order ahead of time online!
Frankie’s Fun Park is open and has power. They have limited hours and attractions, but are open for business!
Climb @ Blue Ridge is open! However, they have limited hours and are cash only until power is restored.
ReCraft Creative Reuse Center is open with resources available. Go in for air conditioning, a comfy chair, wifi and cool water, charging stations. FREE MAKERSPACE all this week / until GCS reopens schools. Please reserve seats in advance
Bridgeway Station is showing kids movies on their outdoor screen at 11am and 3pm on Wednesday, 10/2! And a movie at 11am on Thursday, 10/3
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is open! They are operating on unique hours, so look at the website for specifics
The Upcountry History Museum will be open starting Thursday, 10/3. They will be open from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and will be hosting Neighborhood Night tomorrow from 5:30-8:30 PM. Charging stations and coffee will be provided.
Local Resources (Childcare, Urgent Cares, etc)
Giggles Drop-In Childcare is open regular hours this week.
Carolina Urgent Health Care is open this week.
Local Farms and Seasonal Events Open and Closed List
Lush Acres Farm and Market is open. Their Farm Market has reopened as of 10/1, and their Fall Festival is every Saturday in October, and they will be open 10/5.
Ever wondered how to get kids to talk to parents? Or how to spark meaningful conversations with kids? You love your kids and you want to hear about their day and what’s happening in their lives. But, how do you encourage your kids to talk to you? Try these tips from parents just like you for encouraging kids to communicate and talk to you.
We have all been there (well, at least most of us). It’s the first day of school or our kid goes to camp, and we can’t wait to hear all about it. Then our kid comes home and only provides information in one-syllable answers … “fine.” Or maybe, our kid talks or at least used to, but our life has gotten so busy that we realize we haven’t had a deep conversation with them in days or even weeks.
Talking with our kids is important. In fact, the Palmetto Basics includes talking to your kids as one of the most basic ways to help your child’s brain grow. We also know that talking with our kids and as a family can continue to strengthen relationships and our children’s personal growth as they grow older.
What are some tips then for getting our kids to talk or better to talk to them in a way that invites conversation? We polled our readers to hear what they do to foster family conversations and these are their tips.
Dollywood is such a perfect destination from Greenville! At just about three hours from the Upstate, it’s a favorite with Kidding Around readers and their families. See what advice Kidding Around’s Bethany had to offer after most recent trip at the park in Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
Find a place to stay near Dollywood. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Dollywood (With Kids AND Grandparents)
🎠 Preschooler-friendly rides like Busy Bees, Frogs & Fireflies, and the indoor Hidden Hollow playground 🚂 Family rides everyone can enjoy, including old-school water rides like Dollywood Express and River Rampage 🎢 Coasters for big kids & teens—Dragonflier, Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, and more 🎭 Great Shows: Gazillion Bubble Show, Stunt Dog Experience (fun for all ages!) 🌳 Playgrounds and Splash Zones throughout the park, plus tons of shade and rest spots 🍞 Great food options—don’t miss the famous Cinnamon Bread at The Grist Mill ✨ Clean & friendly park with helpful staff and thoughtful details for families
Only 3 hours from Greenville, Dollywood is an easy getaway that works for toddlers, teens, and grandparents alike.
App Tip: Download the Dollywood app before you go—it’s great for checking showtimes, ride wait times, and setting reminders for meet-and-greets.
Why You Should Consider Dollywood For Your Next Theme Park
I’ll be honest; we truly have such great family memories from visiting Dollywood that I’m not even quite sure where to start. During our visits, I always notice the carefulness and attentiveness of the Dollywood theme park staff. The park was well-maintained, clean, and attractive.
This year marked our third Dollywood trip with our children and their grandparents. We’ve visited the park now with our kids from the ages of 2 to 17 and still have a great time.
Dollywood: Review of The Rides & Play Areas
From all our years of visits to Dollywood, we are impressed by how there are rides for all ages and thrill level. Here’s how our multi-generational crew had fun from when our kids were little to now that they are teens.
Rides Even a PreK Age Kid Would Love
As a family with young children, we were thrilled by how many rides even our little ones could enjoy.
Our five-year-old could ride several small roller coasters and most other rides with an adult.
Our two-year-old happily rode attractions specially designed for toddlers in the Country Fair:
Busy Bees
Amazing Flying Elephants
Wildwood Grove also has a few low-thrill rides for younger children, plus lots of shady paths and splash areas perfect for preschoolers.
Staff Shoutout: We noticed that Country Fair attendants were especially kind and quick to help if a little one got scared or changed their mind by pausing a ride and helping a kid off so that the experience stayed positive for everyone.
✅ Family Tip:Stop by the Centralized Measuring Station when you enter the park. Your child will get a colored armband showing which rides they’re tall enough for—no surprises in line!
Rides for the Entire Family
Some of our favorite moments were the rides we all did together. These were easygoing enough for everyone to enjoy, but still fun:
Dollywood Express: A scenic ride on a coal-fired steam engine through the Smoky Mountains. Pro tip: Avoid naptime! One of ours when they were young had a meltdown mid-ride—and there’s no getting off once it starts rolling.
Blazing Fury: Another great rollercoaster for younger riders is Blazing Fury, which starts as a sightseeing ride through a mine but ends with a minecart off the rails twist. This rollercoaster only has a couple of small hills and quick twists but is completely dark in the last seconds of the ride.
River Rampage: This 6 person raft is a ride that you might want to wear your water shoes for. It’s not too scary, but you will definitely get wet.
✅ Travel Tip: Keep a set of dry clothes and shoes in the car so that you can change if you accidentally get wet in the park or get caught in a storm.
Roller Coasters for Big Kids and Adults
Once our kids were tall enough (and brave enough!), the big coasters became a huge part of our Dollywood adventures. Here’s what our thrill-seekers loved:
Wild Eagle: Smooth, fast (up to 60 mph!), and full of loops. It’s a standout for both teens and adults. While this ride is fast and scary, the harness fits snugly which can help some kids feel more secure.
Lightning Rod: A wooden coaster with hot-rod theming. It’s wild, fast, and a huge hit with older kids.
Big Bear Mountain: Opened in 2023, this one zooms through Wildwood Grove with surprise launches and a fun bear-chase storyline.
Dragonflier: Also in Wildwood Grove, this one lets your feet dangle and is a great “first big coaster” for tweens and teens.
Mystery Mine: This coaster has been on my family’s favorite list from the time the kids were tall enough to ride all the way up to teens.
Thunderhead: We got to ride at the very front of this coaster at night this year, and it was an experience we will never forget.
✅ Parent Tip:Use Dollywood’s Parent Swap option. One parent rides while the other waits with younger kids—then you swap without waiting again!
In addition to the Dollywood rides, my kids enjoyed playing in the playgrounds and water spray areas of the park.
Wildwood Grove at Dollywood
When you go to Dollywood, head right for Wildwood Grove because there is so much to see and do for your whole family! Wildwood Grove is based upon adventure, curiosity, and a little fairy dust. It beckons guests to use their imagination to explore a world with exciting possibilities around every corner. You enter Wildwood Grove through what looks to be an old tree and wind your way past the Treetop Tower and Giant Tree Swing, back towards the indoor playground at Hidden Hollow and splash pad at Wildwood Creek.
Our kids loved every minute we spent here because they not only got to experience age-appropriate adrenaline rushes in the rides but really did feel like they got to explore a world that was uniquely set up to trigger their imaginations. For both kids and adults, we mostly live a life of structure, and it’s good to get out of that box and have fun together and try new things, which is exactly what is encouraged at Wildwood Grove.
Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at Wildwood Grove throughout your time at Dollywood. We started the day there, and before we knew it, it was time for lunch. We headed back at the end of the day to go back on our favorite rides and see if the Dragonflier line was shorter (it wasn’t – the ride is crazy popular).
Let’s Eat & Meet in Wildwood Grove!
You can’t go anywhere in Dollywood without smelling the delicious food offered throughout the park, and Wildwood Grove is no different. Till & Harvest is the anchor restaurant at Wildwood Grove. They serve Smoky Mountain Mexican cuisine like burrito bowls, with grilled meat and vegetables.
A sweet shop is located next door, and there are popcorn stands and ice cream carts throughout the area. Don’t forget that free ice water is offered at most concession stands and all restaurants. This was a lifesaver for my kids and me throughout our time at Dollywood.
There are also Meet & Greets with characters at Wildwood Grove, which we totally missed because I forgot to set the reminder on the Dollywood app, which you should absolutely download for your trip there. So if you’d like to meet some cute bears and fairies, set that reminder on your app.
Rides at Wildwood Grove
Here are all the rides offered at Wildwood Grove:
Frogs & Fireflies A super cute ride for little kids where they get in a frog or firefly car and bounce around in circles in a motorized ride.
Giant Tree Swing An old school favorite updated to be in Wildwood Grove’s theme, the Giant Tree Swing is a big boat-like swing that goes back and forth, getting higher and higher each time. We did this a couple times as it was a favorite of my kids.
Hidden Hollow This is the most genius activity in Wildwood Grove, so props to Dollywood for thinking of it. Hidden Hollow is a black-lit indoor playground for kids that also has comfy seats for parents. There are slides, sensory objects, climbing apparatuses, and a section for kids under three years of age. Again, this is indoors – which means a nice, cool, respite from the summer heat. And it’s located right next to the restrooms.
Dragonflier This roller-coaster is crazy popular and looks like quite the thrill ride for people of any age, yet even my almost 5-year-old was big enough to ride. But she chickened out, so we had to back out. If you decide to go on this ride, go first when you get there or get the TimeSaver pass and use it to skip the line here. Guests need to be at least 39”.
Big Bear Mountain This roller-coaster is a fast and fun ride through the story of getting chased by a bear. It’s also the longest coaster at the park.
Wildwood Creek Another genius creation in Wildwood Grove is the creek, which is basically a splash pad, which feels divine in 90+ degree heat.
Treetop Tower A non-scary ride for any age that goes up and spins around a couple of times before coming back down. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Mad Mockingbird I could have gone on this ride all day long. It’s a swinging ride from the carnival days of my youth but way better. Guests sit in a swing that looks like a mockingbird and are spun around in the air to the point where it feels like you’re flying. There’s a handle where you can move the bird’s wings to make the swing change position in the air. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Black Bear Trail Guests ride around on a motorized bear through some bushes and trees. It’s cute and great for kids, although I saw plenty of adults riding around on the bears, which was hilarious. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Dollywood Shows You Don’t Want to Miss!
When the kids were little, they loved The Little Engine Playhouse. I love children’s books, so I was delighted to find out that the shows were based on books. I was equally impressed that the performances kept not only me entertained but my two-year-old mesmerized. Outside The Little Engine Playhouse, we also had fun watching a small magic show.
Now that my kids are older, we’ve found even more shows to enjoy together. This year, we made time for the Gazillion Bubble Show—and it was incredible. The special effects, music, and unbelievable bubble tricks had all of us (teens and adults included) totally hooked. Last year, we also stopped by the Stunt Dog Experience, which features rescue dogs doing tricks, jumps, and agility stunts. It’s a heartwarming and high-energy show that’s perfect for all ages.
Dollywood Tip: Schedule a show during the hottest part of the day to give everyone a break from the heat! The Dollywood app is a great way to track showtimes and set reminders so you don’t miss anything.
Each summer features a different lineup of live entertainment—from bubble shows to dog stunt performances, and everything in between. The shows don’t run every day and the theaters fill up fast, so be sure to consult the daily schedule and arrive early.
This year we also visited in peak season and were able to see the nightly fireworks and drone show during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. It was a highlight of the trip—totally worth staying until closing time. The best view is near FireChaser Express at the top of the park. Most rides continue to run until closing, though a few near the fireworks area begin shutting down at dusk.
Dollywood Review of the Food
Outside-the-Park Tips
If you’re looking to save a little money or have picky eaters in your group:
Pack a meal and tailgate in the parking lot. Pack a couple of chairs in your trunk and don’t forget napkins.
Bring snacks and refillable water bottles. While outside food isn’t allowed in, sealed water bottles and baby food/formula are permitted. We have also brought in small snacks like granola bars without it being an issue.
Inside the Park: Food Worth Planning Around
Dollywood has built a reputation for theme park food that’s amazing and much better than just chicken fingers.
Dollywood Eats We Want to Eat Again! 🥖 Cinnamon Bread from The Grist Mill — a warm, gooey must-try 🦃 Giant Turkey Leg from Hickory House BBQ — perfect for sharing 🧀 Gouda & Bacon Loaded Tots from Potato Tornado — teen-tested, parent-approved 🐾 Buffalo Chicken Bear Paw from Ned’s Bear Paws (Splash Country) 🥤 Vanilla Milkshake from Red’s Dine-In — cool and creamy retro treat 🌀 BBQ Pork Twister Taters from Hickory House BBQ — crispy, savory, fun to eat
Dollywood Tip: You can get free ice water at any of Dollywood’s food vendors. This helps fight the heat of the summer.
The Dolly Parton Experience
New in 2024 is the Dolly Parton Experience where guests can walk through different Dolly museums that hold many of her dresses, shoes, and even wigs that she’s worn throughout her career. There are really cool sets of movies and shows she has been on, a room that looks like a giant bus as she made her way to Nashville, and papers that she wrote some of her most famous songs on.
Front of one of the buildings at the Dolly Parton Experience
You can also walk through her tour bus/RV. The Dolly Parton Experience is all part of your admission ticket is to your right when you walk into the park.
The entire experience is just so cool and you learn a lot about East Tennessee’s most famous resident and the stories behind her songs. My kids loved the “Dress Up Dolly” part where kids (or adults) use magnetic cutouts of Dolly’s dresses and wigs to dress her up on a big board in the Behind the Seams building.
Dress Up Dolly!
Definitely be sure to stop here during your time at the park. It’s worth the time to see many of Dolly’s over-the-top dresses and learn about the stories behind her most famous music.
Dollywood Extras
I felt like one of the biggest perks of visiting Dollywood was the unique variety of attractions for our family. Here are just a couple of the enjoyable spots we enjoy throughout the park:
Lots of scenic spots & plenty of shade and benches
Baby-Care Stations If you are breast-feeding or bottle-feeding an infant, you will be happy to find out that Dollywood does have a nursing station with gliders and a changing station. I also noticed several family bathrooms throughout the park. The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean during our visit.
First-Aid Stations We managed to scrape a knee within moments of getting in the park and had the opportunity to visit the first-aid station. The nurse was able to save the day by applying an Angry Bird bandage to my kid’s knee.
More Dollywood Tips for Families
Dollywood Quick Tips for Families
🚼 Baby care stations offer gliders, changing areas, and clean family restrooms 🍼 Restaurants can warm bottles for bottle-feeding parents 🎟️ Use the Parent Swap pass to take turns on thrill rides without waiting twice 📏 Visit the Centralized Measuring Station to get a colored armband for ride eligibility 🧃 While outside food isn’t allowed, you can leave and re-enter the park on the same day with a hand stamp 🚉 Don’t skip the tram—there’s stroller parking at the front of each tram car 🎢 Try the coaster sample seats outside each ride to check comfort before waiting in line 💧 Ask any food vendor for free ice water (total lifesaver in summer!) 🩴 Bring extra clothes or water shoes for splash zones and River Rampage 📱 Download the Dollywood app to check wait times, show schedules, and meet-and-greets 🎟️ Turn your day ticket into a season pass credit before leaving 👶 Look for the Preschooler Season Pass—it’s free with paid adult admission 🎓 Homeschool families can visit during Homeschool Days for discounted tickets 🎟️ Planning a longer stay? Choose a 2- or 3-day pass to visit Dollywood and Splash Country together
I received media tickets in order to write about Dollywood but this post contains my honest opinion about our trip. We had such a great time that we have made several additional family trips to Dollywood since the original publication of this review.
More To See At Dollywood
The team at Kidding Around are huge fans of the country music legend and her amusement parks and because of that, there is no shortage of information from our trips to share with readers. If you are planning a trip to Dollywood, we encourage you to make the most out of your trip with the information offered on Kidding Around.
Homeschool Days If you are looking to have an adventure, Dollywood will be offering Homeschool Days for families that are utilizing the homeschool option. These days focus on mostly science and math – and really, what’s cooler than learning about the laws of physics by riding a roller coaster?
Christmas At Dollywood – Smoky Mountain Christmas The famous theme park becomes a mecca with over five million lights draped across every single building. Shows like It’s A Wonderful Life play throughout the month-long festival. And a Christmas parade is held nightly at 8:15 pm, an engaging entertainment show full of lights and colors.
Splash Country Water Park Dollywood is a popular place to visit for Greenville families as it’s tons of fun and only three hours away. While you’re there, you can beat the heat by spending some time at Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Dollywood 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
If your family enjoys active, outdoor fun, Treetop Quest, an aerial adventure park in Greenville at Westside Park, should be on your must-do list. This park includes over four obstacle and zip-line courses for families, including a special course for ages 4-6 and a zip-line course.
Due to the Effects of Hurricane Helene and the damage caused to a lot of the attractions at Treetop Quest, the aerial park has decided to permanently close.
Our family was hosted at Treetop Quest in order to provide this review.
Before You Head to the Park
Before starting your adventures at Treetop Quest, you will want to head online and reserve your climbing time to ensure your spot. Booking online is also cheaper than the prices at the door.
Be sure to dress appropriately for your adventure:
Wear tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes.
Dress in comfortable clothes that will work for a harness, allow you to move easily, and won’t snag on the trees.
If you have long hair, wear a hair tie.
Gloves are required (gardening gloves work great). You can purchase gloves for $3/pair if you do not have gloves. Children’s sizes were available.
Lockers are not currently available so either plan on leaving your valuables in your car or wearing them in a zipper fanny-pack style pouch.
Face masks/coverings are required on the ground in the check-in, harnessing, and briefing areas. You may take your mask off when distancing from others on the course. It is hot, so you may want to choose a mask that is designed for warmer weather and outdoor sports.
Other Important Things You Should Know:
It can be very hot. Fortunately, Treetop Quest sells water and snacks. Families may want to pack a water bottle, to have ready in the car when you are done.
There are benches inside the course areas, but wear your comfy shoes even if not climbing because you may be walking to keep up with your kids.
The weight limit is 250 lbs.
Beginning Your Adventure at Treetop Quest
Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled time. That allows plenty of time to sign your waivers, check-in, and get ready to climb.
You will be harnessed by a staff member. Once your harness is secure, you will be taken to the briefing area. Here you will be given a quick lesson on how to hook yourself correctly to the equipment, how to zip-line correctly, and how to maneuver through the obstacles. The briefing area has simple obstacles that are low to the ground that you can practice until you are comfortable with the equipment and procedures.
The Treetop Quest Courses
Your visit at Treetop Quest allows you 2.5 hours in the park. During your time you can climb as many courses as you choose. 2.5 hours sounds like a long time, but it will go quickly once you start climbing.
If your child is 4-6, they may climb on two special “Chick Pea” courses. They will be asked to wear a helmet in addition to the harness, and a parent is required to accompany the child at all times.
Ages 7+ can choose between 3 other courses. Beginner course: Level 1 A & B side and Intermediate: Level 2 All zip lines: Level 3
Ages 12+ have an additional Level 4 difficult course that they can climb.
The attraction includes over 60 obstacles and zip lines in the trees alone with a net trampoline. The highest zipline is 40 feet from the ground.
Safety at Treetop Quest
Obviously, for an aerial adventure park one of the biggest questions parents will have is what are the safety protocols.
Safety Policies at Treetop Quest
Treetop Quest uses a continuous belay system, so once you are hooked onto a course you cannot physically unhook yourself from the rope. A staff member does adjust and check each person’s harness, a briefing explaining the equipment is required, and there is a small area where climbers can practice before going on the ropes. The briefing is not one-on-one and there is no requirement to demonstrate your ability to use the equipment before entering the park.
Be aware that Treetop is a self-guided aerial park experience. You will not have a guide with your group or even necessarily in eye sight. There are pros and cons to this sort of set-up. For those that want to move fast or slow, it allows for a lot of freedom in exploring the course at your own pace.
Navigating the Course Yourself
On the other hand, this setup does mean that as a parent you need to be aware that your family’s experience will be largely on your own without any staff supervision or interaction. While we were there, we observed that often no staff were in the main course area and when staff were present they often appeared to be busy and focused on tasks. If you or your child needs help, you will have to yell out “blue shirt!” for someone to come assist. In our experience even then the staff were busy and only offered a minimum of assistance before moving on.
My children are younger so I would only allow them to visit Treetop Quest in a situation where I knew that an adult would be personally watching them and preferably climbing with them. I would probably volunteer to chaperone if my kids went on a field trip there. Even then, I would have felt more comfortable if I had seen a staff member watching the courses while we were climbing.
The equipment was well constructed and we did feel comfortable and safe using it. The belay system does prevent guests from unclipping once they have clipped on. Treetop Quest is also a member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and conducts ongoing inspections and training. Its parent company has 20 years of experience in the adventure park industry.
Our Experience at Treetop Quest
Our kids were nervous about heights but ended up pushing through and having a great time. Both children said it was one of the best local fun that they have had and are already begging us to go again. We are so excited to have this fun, unique attraction in Greenville!
Treetop Quest 16 Alma Street, Greenville, SC Pricing: $20-50/person depending on age, season passes are available
Did you know City Museum in St. Louis, MO is a place where families can crawl through a cavern, climb a treehouse, swing on a rope and ride a Ferris wheel? City Museum is completely packed with amazing things for kids and families to do. Kidding Around Owner, Bethany, was in St. Louis with her family and they visited City Museum. She’s sharing their experience and everything they loved about the museum. We’re pretty sure you’ll want to plan your own trip to St. Louis after seeing what they got to do.
At a driveable 10 hours from Greenville, St. Louis, Missouri is definitely a city to put on your family vacation bucket list. While it might seem like the Arch and its history is the most obvious reason to visit St. Louis, we discovered that St. Louis is also home to City Museum, a museum so brilliantly unique and fun that your kids will beg you to return just to play again. Billed as a “city within a city”, City Museum offers play and exploration like no other place.
Two artists Bob and Gail Cassily purchased an old shoe warehouse in St. Louis in the 1990s with the goal of creating it into a “city within a city”. This city has grown and developed over the past decades to include multiple floors and outdoor spaces open for exploration. The spaces include numerous tunnel systems, slides, and recycled city items such as planes, vehicles, and even items such as a giant pipe organ that still plays and a bank vault.
Some of our Favorite Spots in City Museum
City Museum is massive with 4 explorable floors, a cave system (yes, you read that right), an outdoor city, and a rooftop. We aren’t even sure if we saw everything on our visit and some features such as the famous ball pits were still closed due to Covid, but these were our favorite spots during our visit.
Caves and Shoe Shafts
The basement area of City Museum features a complete cave system including small shafts that you can crawl (belly wiggle) through. Just like a cave, don’t expect lights in the tunnels and expect it to feel a little tight if you are an adult. Needless to say, kids find this cave system delightful. We even saw kids hiding in little dark caves so that they could scare unsuspecting adults.
Monstrocity
This outdoor city featured tunnels and climbing structures as well as several iconic structures including castle towers, a couple of real planes in the air, trams (mostly for exhausted adults to rest in), and slides. As an adult, I was able to follow my kids around, but that did involve climbing into quite a few very small structures and even some crawling to get through tunnels. There are some heights in this area but they are easy to avoid if your child prefers to stay closer to the ground.
Skateless Park
Think parkour at its finest, this area of City Museum has ramps, rope swings, and more for kids that want to jump and run.
Treehouse
This giant indoor treehouse contains tunnels, an overhead exploration area, slides, and climbing areas.
Pinball Arcade
Find a collection of antique pinball and arcade machines that all still take a quarter. One thing that surprised me was that all of the games seemed to be in working order.
10-Story Slide
I did not personally go down the 10-story slide, but my kids did. Word of mouth is that you should wear slippery pants if you want to enjoy the slides to their fullest. The 10-story slide is just the longest slide too, there are also shorter slides and fast slides throughout the museum.
Rooftop
Currently, you have to purchase an additional ticket for a time slot to access the roof. The roof features a couple of fun slides, a real bus, and a working Ferris wheel. It was fairly hot on the roof and the line for the Ferris wheel was long, but I’m glad we got tickets because it was a special experience to see the city from that view.
There is also:
A massive bug collection
An art collection
An aquarium
Toddler Town
A Circus
A mirror hall
A puking pig installation
And much more
Tips for Visiting City Museum
We only visited once but we did learn a couple of things from our first visit.
City Museum suggests writing your phone number on your kids. The museum is very large and there are a lot of places for children to quickly end up out of view.
The outdoor areas can be very warm. Bring water or plan on purchasing water while you are there.
This is not the museum to assume that you can just sit on a bench and watch your kids. It’s a large area and if you want to have any idea where your kids are you probably should plan on spending a good bit of your day crawling and climbing around like a kid. Of course, the older your kids are the easier it is to just let them go have fun. I would not recommend this museum to parents of children young enough to completely wander off unless you are nimble enough to keep up or know that your kid will be okay sticking to the areas within sight.
Due to the tunnels, etc. I would also recommend keeping your personal possessions light. This is not a great space to even have a backpack on if you want to have fun. I had a light cross-over purse that held my phone and wallet that was perfect.
You will want to wear closed-toed shoes and clothes to climb in. My child that had pants on was hot but I do think if the weather was a bit cooler that pants would protect your legs much better than shorts. Pants would also work on the slides better.
Bring quarters for the arcade games.
Purchase your tickets ahead of time online to get 10% off. The rooftop tickets, which are $8, can be purchased onsite at the gate. If weather cancels your turn on the roof, you will not get a refund so earlier times would be best in the summer to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Parking is $10 near the museum.
We ate at Medina Grill near the museum after our visit and highly recommend it as a great place to eat!
Ticket Prices:
Single-day tickets start at $20 per person
Group tickets (groups of 15-99 people) start at $14.50 per person
The Ultimate Staycation Guide: 5 Stops for a Fun Day Adventure at Haywood Mall!
Have you ever considered heading to Haywood Mall for a fun Staycation day with your kids? It’s the one spot in town where you can enjoy multiple fun activities without even having to leave the indoors! Here’s our list of 5 fun things to do at Haywood Mall with your kids this summer.
Location: Upper Level between Macy’s and Aldo, near the Cheesecake Factory entrance
Build-A-Bear Workshop is the perfect place to start your staycation by putting together a special buddy to tag along on your adventures. You start by picking out the perfect friend to stuff. We were amazed by the choices from favorite characters to all sorts of animals.
The store has a giant stuffing machine where your kid can insert a special heart into their animal, stuff it, and even create a birth certificate with the animal’s name. You can then accessorize your stuffed animal with almost any type of clothing or specialty item you can imagine. Your new stuffed animal will truly be one-of-a-kind and the perfect new friend.
One cool feature you should check out is the ability to record a voice message or insert a sound in the heart of your stuffed animal. A recording of a parent or close relative telling your child that they love them would be a beautiful way to make the memento even more special.
Pay-Your-Age Birthday Bear
One tip for a great deal at Build-a-Bear is to visit during the month of your child’s birthday. A special birthday bear is available at the price of your kids’ age if you are a member of the free Bonus Club. So, if your kid is five, you would only need to pay $5 for the bear! You can either get the bear alone or purchase additional customized accessories to go with it. See our complete article for more information.
Build-a-Bear also offers birthday party packages starting at just $14/person! They even have an option where you can set your own budget limit and the party leader will help your guests stay within it.
Location: Lower Level between Belk & Dillards, near the lower level parking garage entrance
Sometimes your kids just need to burn off energy and Haywood Mall has the perfect space to move and have fun. The indoor playground has fun, bright play structures for kids to climb and play on. It’s perfect for rainy or hot days.
Location: Lower Level near Dillards, near the lower level parking garage entrance
Round out your staycation adventure by mining for gems at Greenville Gemstone Mine in Haywood Mall. Not only can you browse a large assortment of rocks and minerals but you can purchase a bucket of rocks to mine for gems.
Our kids had so much fun sifting the rocks in the water and identifying the gems. The buckets were full of amazing rocks and Greenville Gemstone Mine guarantees that every bucket will have at least one gem in it. After the kids found their treasures, they identified them using special cards and with the help of the staff.
Greenville Gemstone Mine also offers birthday parties and even has a small reserved area for your party.
Fun Stop #5: End with a Sweet Treat
Before leaving for the day, be sure to end your trip with a treat. We headed to Haagen-Daz for an amazing milkshake. They had a ton of great flavors to choose from.
If you want a dessert that’s a memory in of itself, check out the Freak Shakes at Grill Marks or the amazing choices at The Cheesecake Factory.
Whether you try our whole list or just pick a couple options, Haywood Mall is a great spot for indoor staycation fun this summer. Be sure to have fun and let us know what you decide to try!
Are you looking for more staycation ideas in Greenville this summer? Here are our other posts about staycations in Greenville!
Did you know there is a Halloween-themed mini-golf at MadWorld? 
