Author Archive

Explore the Titanic: Pigeon Forge, TN

Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez to take a peak inside the Titanic Museum. In this review she’s telling us all about what you can expect to see at the Titanic Museum so you can add it to your list of things to do when you visit Pigeon Forge. Complimentary tickets were provided for this review.

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Volunteering with Baby Goats at Whispering Pines Farm in Seneca, SC

Just an hour from Greenville, SC lies Whispering Pine Farm, a Grade A goat and sheep dairy and cheese-making farm. And, they train volunteers to help with their busy kidding season, which means learning how to care for and birth baby goats and lambs. Our resident goat-lover, Kristina, of course, had to do this.

Our readers at Kidding Around know how much we (ok, I) love baby goats and that we’ll pretty much do anything to hang out with them and learn about them and cuddle with them and give them all our love. Well, we visited Whispering Pines Farm in Seneca to do all of that and learn from Debbie Webster, the farm owner who has years and years of experience.

baby goats at whispering pines farm — Newborn baby goat

Intro to Birthing Goats

“Precious is definitely having babies today,” Debbie said to our group of homeschoolers as we all gathered in the warm shop during introductions.

Precious is one of the many mama goats at Whispering Pines and she was due to have her kids when we were there, as were several other goat mamas.

I was thrilled. My kids seemed excited from their facial expressions. It could have also meant a little fear as to what we’d be seeing but I think it was excitement so that’s what I’m going with.

Debbie gave us a rundown of what we’d be learning: how to walk the pasture and look for signs of a labor in the goats and sheep, what to do if one does go into labor and starts pushing out a bundle of cuteness, how to make sure the babies are warm, how to feed them, and how to make sure the older babies get some exercise.

Not one minute after we walked out of the barn shop did Debbie say Precious had already given birth to one baby and another was on the way. It took us another minute to get to the pasture just in time to watch baby goat number two be born. All of us got an up-close view of the amniotic fluid coming out of the mama and the little baby coming out right after.

Then we all learned what afterbirth was. It’s a farm and we knew what we were getting into – and it was awesome.

Learning about Mama Goats

Right after Precious gave birth, another goat, Daphne, went into labor in the same pasture. How lucky were we?!

Debbie was careful to instruct us to give Daphne her space and not get up close to her. The kids in the group were really respectful and listened to Debbie and gave the mama goat a wide berth to go where she pleased. It’s important, we learned, to not look like any kind of predator or get too close as to stress out the mom.

goat giving birth at a farm — Mama goat giving birth

While the smaller kids were pretty good in the field and with the baby goats, these volunteer opportunities are better for older kids who can hold their own and not be managed as much.

All during this time, we were free to ask Debbie about what happens when a mama goat or sheep goes into labor, how they prefer to give birth, what needs to happen right after the baby is born, and how best to help the farm staff to handle all the births.

One of the biggest things we learned was just how carefully these mama goats and sheep need to be watched, especially in colder weather. The farm staff is so attentive to them, watching for the telltale signs of labor like pawing at the ground and circling around one space, and are ready at the drop of a hat (or baby goat?) to jump in and help the mama.

We saw Daphne give birth to one small baby goat and headed out of the pasture to go check out the older babies and let them out for recess.

More Baby Goats

The farm has pastures set up for sheep and goats and babies. The babies need to be kept warm and fed so they are in a separate area. These babies were just days old and oh-so-cute.

They were all huddled under a heat lamp but needed to practice running and jumping a bit. Our group helped the baby goats out into the sun and they got to play around for a bit.

In the meantime, the twins who were born to Precious were with us and needed to eat their first meal of nutritious colostrum. I was holding one of them and was in complete heaven but he needed to eat so off to the baby eating area we went. Like a human baby, a baby goat or lamb also gets colostrum, a nutrient-dense milk to help them get a good start in life. Baby goats and lambs get a few helpings of colostrum before they move onto regular goat’s milk.

feeding baby goats — Baby goat’s first feeding

After the twins were fed, four more baby goats came in. Remember Daphne the mama goat giving birth in the pasture? She ended up having quads. Four tiny baby goats – three girls and one boy – were now with us and they were so, so cute and adorable.

Since Whispering Pines is a dairy farm, the babies are separated from their mothers at birth. This is usually a tough thing for us non-farmers to process, especially us mothers, but it’s a very common practice and all the animals on the farm are happy and healthy.

Volunteering During Kidding Season

Whispering Pines Farm is a family-run farm and they really need volunteers. This particular volunteer orientation was fantastic as it was geared towards homeschoolers but they also have other opportunities during non-school times to volunteer and learn how to birth and care for baby goats and lambs.

You don’t need to have kids or be a kid or come as a family. You can come and volunteer in whatever state of life you’re in and you’ll probably leave happier than when you came. This kind of volunteer experience is best suited for kids ages 9+ just because the babies are fragile and need special care and attention. If parents bring their human kids, they need to watch them closely.

The best thing to do is stay tuned to the Whispering Pines Facebook page for events or just text or call Debbie herself (864.360.3222). She’s an open book and will tell you exactly what you can do and what she needs.

Speaking of needs, Whispering Pines really needs towels. With all the kids they are having on the farm, the need for towels is great. Every time a baby is born, they need a clean towel. If you can drop them off at the farm, that’d be fantastic. Or call Debbie and she can help you figure out how to get them there.

If you choose to volunteer, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and dress warmly with hats, gloves, and layers. It’s a farm and you’ll be getting dirty.

About Whispering Pines Farm

Whispering Pines is a family-owned and operated dairy farm. They have horses, cows, goats, and sheep and are a “licensed Grade A Raw Goat and Sheep and Cow milk dairy and cheese making facility.”

The farm is set on 180 acres in Seneca, SC, about an hour outside of Greenville. The farm used to be in Mauldin, which is where I first visited years and years ago. I always loved learning about the sheep and goats and of course, cuddling any baby goat or lamb I could.

Debbie Webster is a longtime farmer and horsewoman who has used all those acres and animals to help others in so many ways. Her farm has hosted 4 H clubs, homeschoolers, and kids and families with special needs. She used to put on an elaborate live nativity at the farm in Mauldin where they had a large indoor arena. She’s changed her farm in many ways since moving to Seneca yet everything at the farm has a purpose and Debbie’s heart always shines through to every visitor.

Besides volunteer classes during kidding season, Debbie also hosts cheese-making classes at the farm, which I find completely fascinating and would love to do someday. Her products are available on-site at the farm as well as at some local retailers like the Swamp Rabbit Cafe.

Lastly, Whispering Pines offers starter flocks and sheep/goat milking classes.

Whispering Pines Farm
681 Old Campbell Bridge Road, Seneca
860.360.3222

Baby Animals at petting zoos and farms in Greenville, SC

Want more baby animals?
We have a whole list for that.

Where to See Baby Animals near Greenville, SC

10 Things To Bring Along When Hiking with Kids

If you’re out hiking with kids anywhere in the Upstate, SC – or anywhere actually – we’ve got a list of 10 things you may want to consider carrying with you.

Things to bring along when you are hiking with kids

Our area boasts hundreds of miles of trails, from an easy stroll to strenuous trails up mountaintops. Lots of these trails are perfect for kids! I’ve come to enjoy hiking with my family, rarely hitting the same trails twice because there are just so many to choose from.

I’ve been hiking with my youngest from the time she was just three months old and strapped to me in a baby carrier (she’s eight now) and time in nature is something that has become almost a weekly ritual for us. There has been a lot I’ve had to learn, including what to carry with me when we hike.

Nature Equals Adventure

I wasn’t always so interested in hiking with my kids though. Hiking with kids is an adventure in itself. I started hiking just a handful of times a year with my two kids. I then added more and more hikes every year, learning something new every time.

Now it’s an adventure I take with my two kids that we all enjoy and love. Remember to start with easy trails. Be careful not to overestimate your – and your kids’ – abilities and get in a situation that you aren’t prepared for. Older kids can typically handle more challenging hikes, plus they can help carry more items!

But what do you bring with you? That’s what I’m going to cover here. Most seasoned hikers will tell you to bring the “Ten Essentials” – wise advice, whether its a local trail or national park. These essentials vary a bit and I’ll add some to this list but will also incorporate what I’ve learned in my years of hiking experience as well.

If you’re thinking of getting started hiking find more tips for hiking in our Newbie Guide to Hiking, which you may want to take a look at first.

You’ll find places in this post on hiking trails with young children that are great for kids.

10 Things to Take With You When Hiking with Kids for a Successful Hike

#1 Water

Don’t forget the water, especially in the summer. Getting dehydrated should not be on your to-do list. Make sure all the tops of the water bottles are closed tight and aren’t leaking into your backpack (I’ve learned the hard way on this one). There are also kid-friendly backpack style water bottles like this one. In cases of emergency, I also carry a LifeStraw, a straw with a personal water filter you can use and drink safely from streams or other water sources.

#2 Snacks

Snacks on hikes are vital. They almost made it to the top spot in this list. Kids are whining? Give them a snack. Kids complaining they are tired? Give them a snack. You want your kids to make it to the waterfall? Bribe them with a snack. Kids love a good snack after a long hike!

#3 First Aid Kit

I always have carried band-aids with me but have since added more to my little portable First Aid Kit – namely antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, Neosporin, and After Bite to deal with stings (this is the product I’ve used the most).

#4 Sunscreen

We do a lot of hiking and swimming in the summer and carrying extra sunscreen is important.

#5 Map

I always screenshot a map of the trail I’m planning to hike on my phone and then take a photo of the map, if available, at the trailhead, if I don’t have a hard copy. This is especially key in more remote places that are less traveled. I used the AllTrails app but love Gaia as it’s usually more accurate. Maybe even plan out a scavenger hunt along the trail for fun!

#6 Trash bag

I always carry a plastic grocery bag we use for trash, both ours and the trash we find on the trail. Pack out what you pack in – a big part of the Leave No Trace principles. If you have a kid in diapers, take those diapers out of the forest with you and dispose in a trash can. Same with dog waste – it’s not ok to leave waste on trails or in trash bags on trails.

#7 Flashlight or headlamp

I’ve never had to use this on a hike but always carry it just in case. In our area, it’s not uncommon to read local news stories about people getting lost in the woods, especially over the summer since more people are out on the trails then.

#8 Pepper spray or some kind of protection

I’ve never had to use this but after an alarming number of loose dog encounters, I now carry both pepper spray and a small, handheld zapper. A lot of people like to carry bear spray in the off chance of an encounter with aggressive wildlife.

#9 Rain poncho

Getting caught in the rain, especially if it’s cold or when a chance storm hits, isn’t fun. Keeping kids protected with lightweight rain gear is a good idea.

#10 Firestarter

Bring matches and something to use for tinder (dryer lint works great) in case you need it.

Some other suggestions that may be helpful are a knife, a plastic tarp you could use as a makeshift shelter, and extra socks. If you’ve got a baby with you, be sure to bring extra diapers and wipes.

So, strap on your hiking boots and get hiking!

Love to Explore the Outdoors?

Check out our Guide to Hiking Near Greenville, SC, with trails for all abilities and ages!

25+ Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home

Looking for things to do when you’re stuck at home? Whether you’re home because of illness in the family, school closings, or because gas is too expensive, you need ideas to help you not lose your sanity and entertain your kids. If you’re looking for things to do at home with kids, we have lots of ideas (because that’s what we do here). This may be the perfect time to cross off some of your bucket list items.

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ProjectROCK in Easley, SC Will Bring Out Your Inner Adventurer

There’s a huge facility that offers indoor rock climbing near Greenville, SC. ProjectROCK, located in Easley, is fun for the whole family, no matter if you’re a beginner or expert rock climber. And it’s home to the highest indoor climbing wall in the country. We checked it out and have all the details why projectROCK is a must-visit for your family!

Looking for other places to go rock climbing? Here’s a list of the best places for rock climbing near Greenville, SC.

I’m always up for a new adventure and wow, my kids and I found one at projectROCK Easley, a massive indoor rock climbing gym. This place is really cool and the story behind how it was designed is perhaps even cooler. I’ll tell you all about it right here plus let you in on special climbing events they host, birthday party options, and why your family should try them out.

indoor rock climbing at ProjectROCK in Easley, SC

Bringing the Outside Indoors

ProjectROCK began out of a dream of a couple who loved rock climbing and lived in South Florida where elevation, and therefore, rock climbing, is non-existent. They had traveled all over the country to rock climb and decided to open their own indoor rock climbing gym that brought the outdoors in.

How did they do that? They designed the gym and climbing routes all based on places they had been, like Wyoming, Tennessee, California, Alabama, and several other amazing spots. The second location of projectROCK opened in Easley last year. It is based on the same concept and as an outdoor lover myself, seeing the different rock formations inside the gym that I recognized from my own travels was really cool.

For example, there is a literal arch the color of sandstone that is based on the famous arches out in Utah. Another climbing wall is based on Devils Tower in Wyoming. The climbing structures are all unique and provide routes for any level of climber and you can quite literally climb your way around the United States.

Another cool fact: projectROCK Easley is home to the highest climbing wall in the country at 84 feet tall.

There are more than 31,000 square feet of climbing activities at the gym plus they have a birthday party room, bouldering room (climbing without ropes), and a smaller kids’ room where kids are clipped to the climbing apparatus instead of using ropes.

Getting Ready to Climb: What to Expect

When you first come to projectROCK and want to climb, you need to take a short belay course ($10), which teaches you how to properly and safely tie knots needed to climb the towers with your partner or kid. I’ve never done this before but had no problems learning how to tie the proper knots and use the safety equipment. This course took about 25 minutes total and once I passed the belay certification course, I had to hide my excitement from my instructor. I was certified in something cool! This was momentarily thrilling. Whenever I had questions afterwards when I was the belay for my daughter, there was staff to help me out.

If you’ve never climbed before, projectROCK offers an intro class for beginners, which consists of all the gear you need, a belay class, and as much time as you want climbing. We’ll get to memberships in a bit. Once you take that class, you’re good to go for climbing!

Day Passes allow you to climb for the day. You can even climb, go get lunch nearby (we recommend Tropical Burger in Easley), and then come back and climb the rest of the day. An individual day pass with gear is $30 and $21 without gear. A youth pass is a little cheaper at $18 without gear and $27 with gear.

Kids need to be at least five years old to climb and they can do so for just $10/day pass in the American Valley room, which is a super cute room with American monuments like the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty. This room is great for smaller kids since they just have to clip themselves to the climbing apparatus and no ropes are necessary.

Bouldering and the Big Walls

ProjectROCK offers several options for climbing no matter your ability or adventure level.

You can climb in the bouldering room, which has different routes for different abilities (I was definitely on the lower end of climbing these!) and the floor is padded. These structures aren’t that high because you’re climbing without ropes here.

If you want to climb the big walls, you can do so after you take the belay course and get your gear. There are more than 100 climbing lanes, 18,000+ holds, and 200+ routes at projectROCK. Having never been in a climbing gym before, it was quite the sight to behold. My kids were ecstatic as well. There is just so much to see and do.

Competitive and Rec Climbing

If you’re a competitive climber, projectROCK offers both a competitive and semi-competitive league that meets regularly. The Competitive team is for kids who have competed in the past and are looking to build on their skills and compete on a local and regional level. The Semi-Competitive team is more for those new to climbing and interested in competition. Both of these teams are for ages 7-17 years old.

The Competitive team costs $190 per four-week session and includes:

Membership and gear during the 4-week session
Team Member parents get 50% off a Belay Class
2 Climbing Team Shirts
Discounted rate for Private Coaching Session for team (ask coach)
10% discount in Pro Shop as members
Bring a Buddy Day (1 time per every 2 months as announced per coach)
Parents and siblings receive family membership pricing for their climbing memberships.

The Semi-Competitive league costs $150 per four-week session and includes everything that the Competitive league does. Competition costs are extra. The Competitive and Semi-Competitive league meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 pm.

The Recreation league is for ages 7-16 years old and meets weekly and is a lot more laid back than the Competitive league but just as fun. Kids will learn the basics of climbing and safety from coaches. This league meets on Wednesdays from 5-7 pm or Saturdays at 10 am. The cost for the Recreation league is $100 per 4-week session on weekdays or $150 per 4-week session on weekends and includes:

Discounted Membership Rate Available
Club Member Parents get 50% off Belay Class
10% discount in Pro Shop as members
Discounted rate for Private Coaching Session for team (ask coach)
Bring a Buddy Day (1 time per every 2 months as announced per coach)
Parents and siblings receive family membership pricing for their climbing memberships.

Special Climbing Events: Homeschool Days, Full Moon Climbs, Community Nights

There’s a lot happening at projectROCK and you’re bound to find something engaging for your family.

ProjectROCK has Homeschool Days a couple times a month where kids can climb for two hours for $20 per child. That includes all gear and the belay. You can watch your kids from the beautiful balcony that overlooks the tall climbing walls area. If you have a smaller child, they can climb for just $10 (includes gear) in the American Valley room during Homeschool Days.

ProjectROCK also hosts members-only events like the Full Moon Climb where the gym opens only for members at 10:30 pm and they get to climb in the dark with a headlamp. How cool does that sound?!

If you bookmark the Activities page on the projectROCK website, you can stay updated with the latest happenings.

Birthday Parties and Camps

As soon as I walked into projectROCK, I thought it would be such a cool place to host a birthday party. My kids agreed and have already planned out that they want their birthday party in 2024 at projectROCK.

The gym has a dedicated birthday party room right next to the American Valley climbing room (and a restroom, yay!). Birthday party packages start at $150 for members and $275 for non-members for up to ten climbers for two hours with two guides.

ProjectROCK will also have camps for kids but they have not yet released those details. As soon as they do, we will update our story and add them to our Summer Camp Guide.

Memberships

Like many cool places that you may want to visit again and again, projectROCK offers membership options so you can enjoy lots of climbing. Individual monthly memberships are $70/month for auto pay. They do not include gear, which you can rent for $9. Or you can purchase gear at some point if you really want to make a habit of indoor rock climbing.

ProjectROCK also offers day passes for $30/person, including gear. Or you can go bouldering without gear for a $21 day pass. Day passes for the American Valley climbing room are just $10. That room is perfect for smaller kids as it is auto belay and has shorter walls.

If you’re not sure what you want to do in the long run, you can save a little money by getting a six-visit multi-day pass for $162/with gear. Other passes are available as well. The climbing gym tries to make it easy to climb when you want but not commit to anything long term if you’re not sure what you want to do yet.

Honest Mom Review

Having never gone indoor rock climbing before, this was a real treat. My youngest daughter is totally fearless and couldn’t wait to get climbing so it was right up her alley. She went straight for the big walls once I got my belay certification and we were cleared to climb. It was a lot of fun.

Let me say that the staff was amazing. Again, having never done this before, I didn’t know what to expect and was a little nervous once I saw those climbing walls rising very high up. I’m adventurous but was still a bit apprehensive. Every single staff member was polite and helpful and encouraging. They never made me feel inferior for not knowing what in the world I was doing. You could tell they wanted their guests to have a great time and really enjoy the sport.

When I was belaying my daughter on the high walls, a staff member told me he could belay me while I climbed. I was psyched to do so! I chose a route that wasn’t that hard to get some confidence and didn’t do that bad. It was really high up there but oh-so-fun. I appreciated the time he took to make sure I got to have just as much fun as my daughter was.

I would definitely go back to projectROCK (and likely will just due to the persistence of my kids) and learn how to climb more of those walls. I’d love to be able to really get my confidence up to tackle some of the tougher routes!

ProjectROCK Easley is open daily Monday-Friday from 3-10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm, and Sunday from Noon-8 pm.

projectROCK Easley
2121 Farrs Bridge Road, Easley
864.307.9152

Snow Tube Indoors at Pigeon Forge Snow: Pigeon Forge, TN

Ready to do a little Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing? Did you know that you can snow tube inside? Snow tubing indoors is totally a thing at Pigeon Forge Snow in Pigeon Forge, TN and it’s really fun and fast!

Thanks to the City of Pigeon Forge for complimentary media tickets so we could do this review.

I had heard of Pigeon Forge Snow, the country’s first indoor snow park, for years before I got the chance to finally experience it and it did not disappoint. This is an entirely indoor snow tubing attraction in Pigeon Forge, TN, about a three-hour drive from Greenville, SC. And it’s really fun!

Snow Tubing Indoors: Pigeon Forge Snow Review

The snow is real and the tubing is fast. This place is also incredibly efficient, aiming to help you make the most of your time snow tubing and get in as many runs as possible. The staff was great in moving things along safely and making sure all of us guests had a great time.

So, you first check-in, where you get a bracelet for your snow tubing experience. You can either sign a waiver online, which is what I did, or do it there. Do it online since it will save you time. and you won’t have to wait in line.

Once you get your bracelet, head on over to the tubing area, grab a tube and get on the magic carpet ride up to the top of the hill. There were seven lanes open for tubing when we were there and not too many people at first so my kids and I got in several runs before a big youth group showed up.

Even still, the line moved fast because the staff had the process down pat. They will get you moving through those lines and speeding down the hill quickly so you can do it all over again.

The runs were really fast on the snow-covered hill. There are mats to slow tubers down near the end and big bags that you’ll run into if needed at the end of the run. Some of us adults hit them since the runs were so fast. The tubes are exactly like the ones you use when outdoor snow tubing with hard bottoms.

Indoor SnowPlay Area

Pigeon Forge Snow has an indoor snow play area with real snow as well. You can build snowmen or snow forts or just play in the snow – all indoors. My youngest (8 years old) was hesitant at first, thinking that this was too young for her but once she tried it out, she didn’t want to leave. It was so cute to see kids of all ages enjoy playing in the snow.

The snow play area is available for use with your combo snow tubing ticket.

Play in the snow indoors at Pigeon Forge Snow

Observation Deck, Games & Candy Shop

There is a big upper level at Pigeon Forge Snow with tables and chairs for parents to watch the kids slide down the hill or just to take a break after all the fun you’re having. Plus, don’t forget the candy and other concessions available for purchase. There are also arcade games like Pac-Man available if you want to spend more time enjoying the indoor snow park.

There are massage chairs throughout Pigeon Forge Snow also, which I saw a few people taking advantage of. They looked pretty awesome honestly and if we had more time, I probably would have indulged.

Snow Tubing Birthday Party

If you really want to have a memorable birthday experience, Pigeon Forge Snow offers a big birthday party package, which includes 12 wristbands for tubing and snow play plus an hour in the birthday party room. This package is $350.

Prepping to Tube at Pigeon Forge Snow

To go tubing, participants must be at least 38 inches and 3 years old. Everyone can play in the SnowPlay area regardless of age or height.

You can snow tube indoors at Pigeon Forge Snow

You also don’t need to worry about dressing for the weather since it’s fairly warm inside the snow park. I was wearing a sweater with leggings and felt fine. Some people had jackets on but during the summer, when you typically wouldn’t pack your sweatshirts and long pants on a trip to Pigeon Forge, you should be okay wearing a t-shirt and shorts (at least that’s what the photos at the park showed!). If you play in the snow, since it is real snow, you’ll probably get your clothes and shoes wet so if it’s cold outside, a change of pants may be something to consider.

Pigeon Forge Snow is open year-round so you can come here on vacation even during the summer and go snow tubing, which I think is quite fun.

Tickets for one hour of tubing start at $29.99 for snow tubing and $36.99 for both snow tubing and the SnowPlay area. Tickets are more on holidays and weekends.

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday: 10 am – 10 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm

Pigeon Forge Snow
2533 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Family Guide

There’s more fun to be found!

The Kidding Around Travel Guide to Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

Best snow tubing, skiing, and tubing near Greenville, South Carolina

If you’d rather snow tube outdoors, we have that, too!

Where to Ski, Board, and Snow Tube near the Carolinas.

13+ Places to Ski & Snow Tube: North Carolina & Beyond

Looking to hit the slopes this winter? Head north for skiing and snow tubing in North Carolina. You’ll find many great ski and snow tube options including huge North Carolina ski resorts and super family-friendly North Carolina snow tubing parks. Of course, there are some great spots throughout the mountains for skiing and snow tubing in Tennessee and Georiga, too. Use our guide to find the best snow tubing near you, or a great ski slope closest to you. We’ve visited lots of these ski and snow tube places and you’ll find our reviews linked in each listing.

Quick Guide: Ski & Snow Tube Near Me

Ski Slopes & Snow Tubing in NC

Slopes in Georgia

Snow Tubing in Tennessee

Ski Resort Destinations in the Southeast USA

Snow Tubing in South Carolina

Are there places to go snow tubing in South Carolina?
Are there any South Carolina ski resorts?
Where are the ski slopes near me?

The short answer is “No.” If you want to ski, snow tube, or snowboard you’ll need to head out of South Carolina. But, the good news is that there is most definitely skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing very near South Carolina. You’ll just need to head up to North Carolina for most of it.

There are some great spots just an hour or two from Upstate, SC, and two to three hours from the Midlands, SC.

Snow tubing at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC — Blackbear Snow Tubing

Snow Tubing North Carolina

Check out this video of our trip to Blackbear Snow Tubing.

Quick Guide: Ski and Snow Tube Near You!

Here’s a quick list of locations by activity.
Scroll down for a description of each park and resort!
*Tubing Only Parks

Best Snow Tubing in North Carolina

*Moonshine Mountain, Hendersonville, NC
*Black Bear Snow Tubing, Hendersonville, NC
Frozen Falls Tube Park at Ski Sapphire Valley, Sapphire Valley, NC
*Zip N Slip, Mars Hill, NC
Highlands Outpost at Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center, Scaly Mountain, NC
Tube World, Maggie Valley, NC
*Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing, Jonas Ridge, NC
*Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park, Seven Devils, NC
Sugar Mountain, Sugar Mountain, NC
Beech Mountain, Beech Mountain, NC

Where to go Snow Tubing in Tennessee

*Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark, Pigeon Forge, TN
*Pigeon Forge Snow, Pigeon Forge, TN
Ober Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, TN

Best Skiing in North Carolina

Hatley Point, (formerly Wolf Ridge Ski Resort) Mars Hill, NC
Ski Sapphire Valley, Sapphire Valley, NC
Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley, NC
Appalachian Ski Mountain, Blowing Rock, NC
Sugar Mountain, Sugar Mountain, NC
Beech Mountain, Beech Mountain, NC

Where to go Snowboarding in NC

Hatley Point, Mars Hill, NC
Ski Sapphire Valley, Sapphire Valley, NC
Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley, NC
Appalachian Ski Mountain, Blowing Rock, NC
Sugar Mountain, Sugar Mountain, NC
Beech Mountain, Beech Mountain, NC

Ski Resort & Tube Park Map

And we made a map!

Some resorts have closings when the weather gets too warm. Be sure you check the resort website before planning your trip.

Moonshine Mountain Tubing in Western North Carolina — Our visit to Moonshine Mountain

Ski, Snowboard, and Snow Tube: North Carolina

Western North Carolina Ski Slopes and Best Snow Tubing in NC

Looking for the closest ski slopes to Greenville, SC? The ski resorts and slopes in Western North Carolina are nearest to Greenville, SC. You’ll find several options in the Asheville, Hendersonville, and Sapphire Valley areas. Here are the nearest ski slopes to Upstate, SC.

Hatley Pointe Resort

Hatley Pointe, formerly Wolf Ridge Snow Tubing Park and Ski Resort, in Mars Hill, NC brands itself as a boutique mountain resort with slopes, restaurants, and bars.

Hatley Pointe
578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, NC
828.689.4111

Moonshine Mountain

Moonshine Mountain in Hendersonville, NC was mentioned by several Kidding Around Greenville readers when we asked you where to go tubing. Located just over an hour from Greenville, this snow tubing-only park offers two hours of tubing for $40 per person. Be sure to check their current hours before making the trip. Minimum height is 36″.

Note: This is a cash-only business, with an ATM on site.

Read our Moonshine Mountain review for special tips on making the most of your time there. Target opening date is December 20, 2023.

Moonshine Mountain
5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.696.0333

Ski Sapphire Valley

Sapphire Valley, North Carolina was also mentioned as one reader’s go-to for fun in the snow. Sapphire Valley offers ski school, Frozen Falls Tube Park, The Vordach Zipline Experience, and, of course, snow skiing. Plus Sapphire Valley is under two hours from Greenville so it makes for an easy day trip. There are no height or weight restrictions.

They open on December 16th, 2023. Read our Sapphire Valley review here.

Sapphire Valley
127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire Valley, NC
828.743.7663

Snow tubing at Sapphire Valley in Western North Carolina — Our snow tubing trip to Sapphire Valley

Zip n Slip

Located just outside Asheville in Mars Hill, NC, Zip-n-Slip is open daily during mid-December-mid-January and then weekends through early March. They’ve got a fire pit, hot chocolate, nachos, and hot dogs on -site.

Read our full review of tubing at Zip ‘N Slip!

Prices start at $30/pp for an hour (it’s $22.50 for military, police, fire, and EMS persons) and go up to $45/pp for two hours. Unlike other snow tubing places, Zip-n-Slip allows kids ages 3-5 to ride in the same tube as an adult. Kids must be at least 3 years old for tubing. Kids 5 and under are free. The target open date is December 15th, 2023, and you can easily book your ticket online.

Check their website or Facebook page for the latest info on weather and hours.

Zip n Slip
10725 US Highway 23 North, Mars Hill, NC
828.689.8444

Zip 'N Slip Snow Tubing Park — Tubing at Zip ‘N Slip

Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center

About two hours from the Upstate, the Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center has snow tubing all winter long for $35-40 per person for two hours for adults and kids. Snow tubing is open as of November 30, 2023.

Kids must be at least 4 years old and 42 inches tall to ride. Scaly Mountain has a kiddie snow tube area for two hours for $20. Scaly Mountain is near Highlands, NC and they also have ice skating available. A combo two-hour tubing ticket plus one hour of ice skating is $50/person. Snow tubing is open now.

Scaly Mountain
7420 Dillard Road, Scaly Mountain, NC
828.526.3737

Cataloochee Ski and Tube World

Cataloochee Ski Area and Tube World in Maggie Valley, NC is another reader favorite. Also offering tubing, ski school, and skiing, this is a great option for families who don’t want to drive that far. Kids must be 42″ tall to snow tube. They do offer an area where kids under that height can pay to play with tubes but not go down the slopes.

Tubing costs $35/person on weekdays and $40/person on weekends.

Cataloochee
1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC
828.926.0285

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing is also a two-hour drive from Greenville and offers snow tubing that even the little ones will love. This snow tubing destination has staff photographers to capture action shots of your family so you can remember your fun day long after it’s over. They open on December 18th, 2023, and require reservations.

Rates are $30/ages 7+ and $20/age 6 and under for an hour of tubing or $45/person and $30/age 6 and under for two hours of tubing. Kids must be able to sit up on their own to go down in a tube. No lap riding.

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing
9472 Highway 181, Jonas Ridge, NC
828.733.4155

Black Bear Snow Tubing

Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville is pretty close to home and a lot of fun. Check out our Black Bear Tubing review for all the details. Tickets are $40 per 2 hours of tubing or $30 for one hour. Children under 4 or under 40 lbs are not permitted to tube and kids ages 4-6 must be accompanied by an adult but every tuber gets their own tubes, even kids. They accept cash and credit cards and, to save time, sign your waiver online.

Sliding down in a tube at Black Bear Tubing

Check out our Kidding Around review of Black Bear Tubing for all the information.

Hours vary so check their Facebook page or website before you go. You can reserve tickets online (which we recommend).

Black Bear Snow Tubing
373 Kerr Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.685.1155

Crowders Ridge Camp

Hear us out: this place has snowless snow tubing at their camp, which they call Chutes. It looks really fun and is only an hour and 20 minutes from Greenville. They have four lanes, which are 225 feet long and you can go pretty fast, up to 15 mph. You need to make reservations in advance, which you can do through their website. The tubing is all outdoors so dress accordingly.

Each ticket includes 3 hours of tubing time and proceeds support the camp. There is no official age limit but they suggest kids need to be at least five years old (younger kids can tube at the discretion of their parents). Tickets are $25/person. Hours are Friday & Saturday nights with slots at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm.

Crowders Camp Chutes
4914 Linwood Road, Kings Mountain NC

Skiing and Snow Tubing in North Carolina High Country

Looking for a great ski resort in North Carolina? Head to the North Carolina High Country where you’ll find a variety of resorts offering all kinds of winter fun. You will have no trouble finding someplace great to ski, tube or even ice skate. If you’re ambitious, you could even hit more than one ski resort in a single weekend.

Appalachian Ski Mountain

Appalachian Ski Mountain is located just outside downtown Blowing Rock and offers a little bit of everything. Not only can you ski or snowboard, but you can also ice skate too! They are open for the 2022-23 season now and reservations are required.

Appalachian Ski offers three different ski school options for kids. Choose either Ski Wee for kids as young as 4 or Cruiser Camp for kids 7 – 12 who want to give snowboarding a try. Both of these camps offer 2 and 4-hour sessions. The newest program, Mountain Challengers, is for kids who are a bit more experienced and want to try intermediate terrain.

While App Ski Mountain has a rustic lodge with dining and shopping inside, there is no inn so you’ll have to head down the mountain after your day on the slopes is over. The slopes end very close to the ski school area so parents can check in on kids at ski school every so often.

Read a mom review of Appalachian Ski Mountain here.

Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Road, Blowing Rock, NC
828.295.7828

Hawksnest Snow Tubing

Hawksnest Snow Tubing is 2.5 hours from Greenville and worth the drive. There is no hiking up the slopes here as they have magic carpets that allow you to save your energy for the tubing. The opening date is December 1, 2023.

Hawksnest is the largest snow tubing park in the east with 30 lanes of fun. You can make online reservations here and they are open now. Tubers must be at least three years old and tickets are $35/person on weekdays and $40-47/person on weekends and holidays for an hour and 45 minutes of tubing.

Hawksnest Tubing Park
2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
828.963.6561

Sugar Mountain

With 20 slopes and trails, plus four tubing runs many think of Sugar Mountain first when planning a ski trip close to home. Sugar Mountain also offers multiple lodging options, some slope side, so you don’t have to pack up the car when you’re done skiing for the day.

Tickets are $34-50 per person during weekdays and weekends are $34-84 per person. Ages three and four are free with a ticketed adult. Sessions are an hour and 45 minutes long. Kids must be ages 3 and up to tube. Tickets are sold first come first serve and will likely sell out.

They also offer half or full-day ski or snowboard school for kids as young as five years old. Kidding Around Greenville reader Kim warned that holiday weekends can get pretty crowded so be prepared if you’re planning a trip to Sugar over Presidents’ Day Weekend this year. They are currently open.

Sugar Mountain Resort is just 10 minutes from Banner Elk, NC.

Sugar Mountain Resort
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC
800.SUGAR.MT

Beech Mountain

Just up the road from Sugar Mountain is Beech Mountain Resort, the highest ski resort in the Eastern United States. Beech Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, a terrain park, tubing, and ice skating.

Little ones as young as 3 can get in on ski school at Beech so the whole family can ski! Ski school students are placed into groups based on age and skill levels. Like Sugar, Beech Mountain offers multiple lodging options if you prefer to ski right out the door and onto the slopes.

Tubing guests must be at least 42″ tall and tickets are $34/weekdays and $42/weekends and holidays. Tickets are sold the day of starting at 9 am on a first come first serve basis.

There is also a free sledding hill right in the center of town. You can’t miss it as it’s on the main road that goes through the small town.

Beech Mountain Resort
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
828.387.2011

Snow Tubing Slopes in North Georgia

Lanier Islands

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands in Georgia has fast and high runs on Parrot Mountain for snow tubing. The slide is eight stories high and 575 feet long. The minimum height for snow tubing is 42″ inches tall and one person per tube is allowed.

Tickets are sold to the entire “License to Chill” area which includes snow tubing, ice skating, the snow play area, and amusement rides. They offer day and winter passes. There are also discounts when purchasing online.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, Georgia
470.323.3440

Snow Tubing in Tennessee

Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snow Park
2155 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
865.365.1883

Pigeon Forge Snow

This snow tubing place is open all year round because it’s indoors! This place has real snow for the tubing lanes plus a snow area where kids can build forts and snowmen. Plus, it’s always around 60-70 degrees inside so you aren’t freezing. Kids must be 38″ tall to tube. If not, you can buy them a ticket just to play in the snow.

Tickets start at $29.99 for an hour of snow tubing and at $36.99 for tubing plus 30 minutes of snow play. No reservations are needed.

See our full Pigeon Forge Snow review.

Pigeon Forge Snow
2533 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
865.366.1334

Ober Gatlinburg

Ober is one of the oldest entertainment areas in Gatlinburg that gets mixed reviews. They have snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding over the winter. Book online because they do sell out. Also note that parking is an extra fee. Kids need to be at least 3 years old to tube.

Tubing sessions are 90 minutes long and start at $35/person. Prices are higher on weekends.

Ober Gatlinburg
1001 Parkway Suite 2, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
865.436.5423

Ski Vacations on the East Coast

So, you’re looking for a serious ski vacation without having to book a flight? Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia offers 251 acres of fun and a total of 57 trails! Snowshoe offers everything you’ll need for a fantastic ski vacation, all at the top of the mountain!

This West Virginia hot spot offers a lot; everything from ski school to a tube park, snowmobiling, shopping, dining, entertainment, lots of lodging options, and even an inn and spa. Snowshoe offers some pretty great package deals on skiing.

Snowshoe Mountain
10 Snowshoe Drive, Snowshoe, WV
877.441.4386

Did your favorite place to snow ski or tube make our list? If not we’d love for you to fill us in!

Beat the Winter Blues!

Guide to Things to Do This Winter Near Greenville, SC

Ahoy! Pirates and treasures galore at this pirate museum in St. Augustine, FL

The incredible St. Augustine Pirate Museum has lots of amazing hands-on entertainment and treasures in St. Augustine, Florida.

Making a trip down the East Coast from the Upstate, SC? The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is the real deal and has such cool exhibits and treasures! We checked it out and have all the details.

Captain Kidd's Chest at the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum — Everyone has fun at the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

About the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

The museum is a brainchild of Pat Croce, a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and pirate scholar. Some of the artifacts in the museum were obtained from dives he did to sunken ships. So cool.

The museum initially opened in Key West in 2005 but was moved to St. Augustine in 2010, where it has resided ever since. St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, is no stranger to piracy after all. Famous pirates such as Robert Searles and Sir Frances Drake even visited St. Augustine. Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fort which I had visited on a previous trip (highly recommend, super neat), saw its fair share of pirates. It is right across the street from the pirate museum.

Today, the museum spans about 5,000 square feet and holds more than 800 authentic pirate artifacts ranging from the 1600s to the present day. The entire museum is arranged so that you feel like you’re actually on a pirate ship.

Exploring the Museum

Honestly, I thought the museum would be a little cheesy and touristy but I had seen good reviews and wanted to give it a shot. Also, one of my daughters had recently done a presentation on female pirates for school so we were already into the history of pirates and I thought this would make a fantastic addition to her knowledge of pirates.

I am happy to say I was blown away by this museum. It is not even close to being cheesy. I have always been fascinated by pirates and the museum just brings the history of piracy and the more famous pirates to life right in front of you.

There’s a scavenger hunt you can do during your time there where you look for drawers with the Jolly Roger sign (skull and crossbones) and write down what’s inside them on your treasure map. That was easy and fun for all of us and certainly interactive.

We found all kinds of incredible artifacts from sunken ships off the coasts of North Carolina and Florida that had been recovered even up to 2011. There were remnants of barrels, guns, pottery, glasses, and even books and Bibles.

Exhibits featured screens with drawings of famous pirates and their stories. We even found stories about Mary Read and Anne Bonny, two of the pirates my daughter had researched. We learned about knot tying, why certain sails were raised at certain times, how pirates were tortured, and even how the famous pirate, Blackbeard, met his end.

There is a really interesting room that holds the only known pirate treasure chest in the world from several hundred years ago plus gold and silver coins and other pirate treasure that has been recovered from shipwrecks.

My kids are 9 and 12 and they really enjoyed it. Even as an adult, I absolutely loved it. I wish I could have stayed longer and read through more of the exhibits but the kids wanted to see different parts of the museum so we kept on going on our pirate adventure.

Visiting the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

The pirate museum is open daily 10 am – 7 pm except for Christmas Day. We spent a little over an hour there and bought our tickets online. We went during Christmas Break so I just wanted to be sure that we could get in. I don’t think we would have had any problems buying tickets at the museum though. It wasn’t terribly crowded.

St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum Treasure Chest — Treasure chest at the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

Tickets to the museum are $17.99/ages 13-59 and $9.99/ages 5-12. Military and ages 60+ tickets are $15.99. You can buy them at the museum or online.

If you’re visiting the nation’s oldest city, I definitely recommend checking out the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.

You can park across the street at Castillo de San Marcos where it is metered parking or in a nearby parking garage.

For more fun things to do in St. Augustine, see our reviews on Castillo de San Marcos, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and Blue Springs State Park.

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
12 S Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL
St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum Website

Discover more exciting destinations!

Kidding Around Travel

Go Old School and Play All Day: Asheville Retrocade

In Asheville, NC you’ll find the Asheville Retrocade, a fantastic place to spend a few hours during rainy, cold, or hot weather. You can play all day for one price and it’s great for the whole family.

Need someplace in Asheville, NC to spend a few hours indoors during a rainy, cold, or hot day? We’ve got just the place: Asheville Retrocade, an old-school arcade that features two floors of games and is family-friendly.

Playing at Asheville Retrocade

I am always looking for fun, indoor things to do when the weather isn’t cooperating and found just the spot at Asheville Retrocade. For this trip, I was visiting with a friend and her young daughter staying in the area and thanks to Google, found this indoor mecca of Pac-Man and race car driving. Now you don’t even need Google to find cool places like this since you have this story!

So at Asheville Retrocade, you pay a flat fee of $10/person (kids under 5 are free) and that gives you access to two floors of pinball, Pac-Man, dance-off games, race car games, air hockey, skeeball, and tons more games. No quarters are needed here.

They claim to have more than 5,000 games at the arcade. They do have a lot but I’m not sure it equals 5,000. That said, I totally lost track of time there and ended up spending about two-and-a-half hours at the arcade, which was such a fun way to spend time with my own kids and my friend.

Play All Day with Retro Games

When you get to Asheville Retrocade, you pay $10/person and get a wristband, which allows you to come and go all day. The arcade is truly like taking a step back in time. I didn’t play a lot of video games as a kid but the ones I did play, like Pac-Man, are ingrained in my childhood and I love them. It was a lot of fun to play those nostalgic games I did as a kid.

We went during Christmas Break and there was actually a line to get in. I was nervous that we wouldn’t be able to play many games because there were too many people. But I shouldn’t have been worried. We only ever had to wait maybe five minutes for a game and there were always spots open at other games that we could play.

The kids we had with us were ages 3, 9, and 12 and all of us had a blast. The place is truly family-friendly and welcoming. There were a lot of families when we went and it was so much fun to enjoy that time together and see other families doing the same.

Food and Drinks at Asheville Retrocade

The arcade has several options for drinks, including local craft beer, wine, and fountain drinks. They have free water available also.

They also have snack food available for purchase.

Things to Know When Visiting Asheville Retrocade

Here are a few tips when you visit:

There is free street parking, which is awesome.
After 9 pm, guests need to be ages 21+
If a game is occupied that you want, just be patient and wait or play something else. It will open up!
There are bathrooms and hand sanitizer available but still wash your hands during and after your visit.
Expect heavier crowds during school breaks, holidays, and rainy days.
You can book a private party at the arcade.

Heading to the Asheville Retrocade

The arcade is open daily Noon-2 am. After 9 pm, patrons need to be 21+. You can purchase your wristband when you get there.

Need more ideas for Asheville fun? Visit our Asheville Guide for ideas on how to enjoy the city with your family.

Asheville Retrocade
800 Haywood Road , West Asheville, NC
828.575.9488
Asheville Retrocade Facebook | Asheville Retrocade Website

Action-Packed Jurassic World Live Tour Review: 5 Things You Need to Know

The action-packed Jurassic World Live Tour is back in 2024! Are you wondering if you should get Jurassic World tickets for your family? We have a full review of what to expect when you see this live dinosaur show! We were given media tickets so we could review the show – all opinions are our own. The show is coming to Columbia, SC, and Charlotte, NC in January 2024, and will be in cities across the United States through March 2024, including Charleston, Birmingham, Baltimore, and Fairfax.

Jurassic World Live TRex — Jurassic World Live T-Rex

Get tickets to Jurassic World Live Tour.

About the Show

Jurassic World Live Review

Best for What Ages?

Review of the Dinosaurs

Tickets to Jurassic World Live Shows Near You

Video: What you’ll see

This article contains affiliate links.

I’ll tell you all about the live show, what to expect, what ages this may be good for, and some mildly scary parts to think about before you go. So let’s go on with this Jurassic World Live Tour review!

I’m a big fan of the Jurassic Park movies and my kids have seen most of them – and we just really think dinosaurs are cool – so when the Jurassic World Live Tour came to town and we had the opportunity to go, I jumped on that like a T-Rex on the bad guys. After all, this is Jurassic World comes to life.

Sneak Peek: Here’s What You’ll See at the Show

About the Jurassic World Live Tour: The Pre-Show

The Jurassic World Live Tour starts with a pre-show that anyone who has a ticket can go to. But you have to get there when the doors open an hour before the show. You’ll get to go right on the floor of the arena and see two dinosaurs – a Stegosaurus and a Triceratops – plus the baby dinosaur, baby Bumpy from Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. The Jurassic World Jeep is on display as well as the glass globe that you’ll recognize from the movie.

Jurassic World Live dinosaurs — Jurassic World Live Pre-Show

You’ll have the opportunity to take as many photos as you like and get pretty close to the dinosaurs as they move and blink. The show did a really great job with these creatures, making them life-size and super cool to see.

The floor will close to guests 20 minutes before the show starts so you’ll have time to go to the restroom and get to your seats.

Jurassic World Live Tour Reviews: The Main Show

The story line of the Jurassic World Live Tour centers on Jeanie, a Troodon dinosaur, and Dr. Kate Walker, her trainer and a scientist herself. Dr. Walker creates a device that goes atop Jeanie’s head and transmits what she is feeling, which the evil guys from Ingen want and try to get throughout the live show.

The show starts at Isla Nubar and gets right into action immediately with dirt bikes and fighting and Jeanie being captured by Ingen. But Dr. Kate Walker and her crew of scientists and hilarious interns track Jeanie down in Chile and then have to fight the bad guys even more, especially when the raptors (my favorite!) show up.

There are a lot of surprises that may make guests jump, like pyrotechnics, but overall, the show is fast-moving and pretty fun to watch. The 20-minute intermission comes about 35 minutes into the show when Dr. Kate and her team have to travel back to Isla Nubar to help Jeanie find her eggs and save the day.

The second half starts off with a possible Triceratops fight after one of the interns mistakes her eggs for Jeanie’s. The Stegosaurus and her baby make an appearance here, as do more Raptors and the flying dinosaurs. The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex rounds out the show with a bang and a lot of fire on the stage.

Appropriate Ages for the Jurassic World Tour

What age is Jurassic Live suitable for?

I took kids ages 8-12 and all of them loved it. They got the gist of the storyline, which I don’t think younger kids will understand. But younger kids also won’t care because the show has big, lifesize, and live dinosaurs so really, what’s better than that?

The arena was filled with families who had babies through tweens. I’d say most of the kids were preschool through elementary-aged. I saw some kids cuddle up next to their parents if they were scared but I didn’t think there were a ton of scary parts. It really depends on each child.

jurassic world live — Jurassic World Live Dinosaurs

There was a lot of (fake) fight scenes between Dr. Kate and her team and the Ingen guys. Dr. Kate gets into a one-on-one fight with a burly guy during the second half of the show and he really looks like he hits her but she gives it right back to him. One of the scientists on her team has a crush on her and saves her from this dude and they share a short kiss before heading off to rescue the rest of their team, who Ingen had captured.

There is one part where a flying dinosaur takes off with one of the bad guys, which is typical Jurassic Park style. There is no inappropriate language and overall, the show is very family-friendly. Some older kids may think it’s cheesy but thankfully my 12-year-old thought it was great.

As for the noise level of the Jurassic World Live Tour show, it wasn’t that loud at all. The biggest noise makers were the surprise pyrotechnics and maybe some of the music and the roars from the T-Rex. If you’ve been to a Monster Jam show, this was less than half that noise level and I don’t think ear plugs are needed.

And if you haven’t ever seen any of the Jurassic Park movies, don’t worry, you’ll still enjoy the show. You don’t need to have seen the movies to enjoy all that the show has to offer.

Jurassic World Live Tour Reviews: The Dinosaurs

OK, the dinosaurs are awesome. The Raptors and Jeanie are obviously people and you can see their legs, which are covered in black leggings but honestly, I hardly noticed because the movements and sounds of the dinosaurs is so real. I thought the show did such a great job with this.

If you sit in the premium floor seats, the dinosaurs will come right up to you. It looked super cool and I was mildly jealous.

Jurassic World raptor — Jurassic World Live Tour Raptor

The bigger dinosaurs are on rolling floor things that make them move so that may take away the “real” look of the dinosaurs but their heads and tails move independently and their eyes even blink. The T-Rex was impressive. It also moves by a controlled floor machine but man, that thing can turn on a dime. It was awesome. The jaws on all the dinosaurs move like you would think a real dinosaur would move so I felt like I wasn’t even watching the animatronics or the people that moved the dinosaurs because just watching them as a whole was pretty captivating.

The set was also fantastic. The show did a great job making it seem like the actors and dinosaurs were in the rainforest in Isla Nubar or the desert in Chile. It was a very thought-out show all the way through and truly, a lot of fun.

Jurassic World Live Tour: Tickets

Get tickets to Jurassic World Live Tour in a city near you.

The schedule for the Charlotte, NC show at the Spectrum Center is:

Friday, January 5th, 2024: Pre-show starts at 6 pm and the show starts at 7 pm
Saturday, January 6th, 2024: Pre-show times are 10 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm. Show times are 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm.
Sunday, January 7th, 2024: Pre-show times are 12 pm and 4 pm. Show times are 1 pm and 5 pm.

The schedule for the Columbia, SC show at the Colonial Life Arena is:

Friday, January 19th, 2024: Pre-show starts at 6 pm and the show starts at 7 pm
Saturday, January 20th, 2024: Pre-show times are 10 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm. Show times are 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm.
Sunday, January 21st, 2024: Pre-show times are 12 pm show time is at 1 pm.

The schedule for the North Charleston, SC show at the North Charleston Collesium is:

Friday, March 8th, 2024: 7 pm
Saturday, March 9th, 2024: 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm
Sunday, March 10th, 2024: 1 pm and 5 pm

The entire Jurassic World Live Tour show runs about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which includes the 20-minute intermission. Ticket prices start at $20.

Have you seen the Jurassic World Live Tour?

More Family Fun

Another big arena family entertainment favorite is Monster Jam. Thinking about bringing your kids to Monster Jam when those giant Monster trucks come to town? Don’t miss our Monster Jam review, where we tell you everything you need to know!