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Discover the Magical Mountaintop Town of Beech Mountain, NC

At 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain, North Carolina is a truly unique village that sits, quite literally, high above any other town in Eastern America. They enjoy snow in the winter, mild springs, cool summers, and stunning fall color shows. This gorgeous town is about a 2.5-hour drive from Upstate, South Carolina.

Thank you to Beech Mountain for inviting us to experience this beautiful town and for arranging accommodations and activities!

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Beech Mountain, North Carolina cover image

Beech Mountain Vacation: Places to Stay

Restaurants in Beech Mountain

Things to Do in Beech Mountain

Looking for more adventures in North Carolina? Kidding Around has tons of recommendations for fun in North Carolina!

If you’ve read about Beech Mountain, NC here at Kidding Around before, it was likely because of their amazing Autumn at Oz festival in September. We are huge fans of the Land of Oz and absolutely loved getting to visit that magical world of the Yellow Brick Road and the Emerald City. But Beech Mountain is just as cool during other seasons.

We had the chance to spend a gorgeous summer weekend at Beech Mountain and found that this special place really has everything a family could need for a respite from the heat. The mountaintop village is quite magical, quaint, and just beautiful.

Famous Pizza mini-golf course in Beech Mountain — The mini-golf course at Famous Pizza

About Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain is the highest town in the Eastern United States, which easily puts it on the map of being pretty cool. Literally. Temperatures hardly get over 72 degrees all year in this gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain town. They were a little higher on some parts of the mountain when we were there and one of the restaurant owners told us he felt like it was a heat wave at 78 degrees. Meanwhile, it was in the high 90s in Greenville. But, I digress. Beech Mountain is perhaps best known for its winter activities like skiing and snowboarding at the Beech Mountain Ski Resort, a free sledding hill, as well as the location of the Land of Oz.

But there’s a lot more to this beautiful mountaintop village. It has incredible mountain biking trails that bikers use the ski lift to get up to. There are miles of hiking trails on the mountain with views of the peaks of Grandfather Mountain and into Tennessee. There is kayaking and fishing and lots of family-friendly activities.

Everyone knows each other and it has a very small town, welcoming feel. I cannot say enough good things about every single person we met there. They were so kind and helpful and just a happy group of individuals.

Where To Stay in Beech Mountain

We stayed at the Pinnacle Inn Resort, a collection of condos and rentals right in the middle of the action at Beech Mountain, provided by Beech Mountain Chalet Rentals. We could walk to three restaurants, the general store, playgrounds, the Visitor Center, and the Mountaineer Adventure Tower. It was the perfect location.

Our rental had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large deck, dining area, full kitchen, and living room. This place is a great option for those who want to cook a few meals while on vacation (pro tip: make meals at home, freeze them, and bring them with you to heat up) to save a little money.

I think our favorite part about staying at the Pinnacle Inn Resort was the indoor pool, small arcade, hot tub, and ahhhh, the steam and sauna rooms. I haven’t been in a steam or sauna room in many, many years and I just love them so I really enjoyed that aspect of the resort. The indoor pool was a big hit with my kids as well and something fun to do to wind down at the end of the day after lots of adventures.

BOOK IT!
Beech Mountain Vacation Rentals at Pinnacle Inn | 301 Pinnacle Inn Road, Beech Mountain NC 28604

More Places to Stay in Beech Mountain

Where To Eat in Beech Mountain

We so enjoyed all of our meals on Beech Mountain. For such a small town, the dining options were impressive.

Fred’s Backside Deli

Once again, Beech Mountain hospitality made me so happy to be visiting when we went to Fred’s Backside Deli for breakfast. They were so nice. What’s in the water up there? I had to wonder.

This place is a gem of Beech Mountain. It has multiple purposes: a hole-in-the-wall restaurant downstairs, a general store on the first and second floors. I was wondering if there was anything this cool spot doesn’t do or have. Their tagline is actually, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” Nailed it.

Fred's General Mercantile storefront — Fred’s General Mercantile

For breakfast, we got the breakfast buffet. I was particularly smitten with their biscuits and gravy because even though I’m from New Jersey, I’ve become a full-fledged Southern girl in my food choices and could not be more excited to try all the biscuits I can get my hands on. These were delicious. Fred’s also has breakfast sandwiches and bagels. You can even order to-go breakfasts if you want to get a head start on your adventures.

Be sure to browse the store when you’re there. They have so many great apparel options plus hiking shoes, hats, puzzles, fishing gear, kitchen gadgets, coffee, wine, cheese, fruits. Their sale section is up the stairs.

Fred’s Backside Deli | 501 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain NC 28604

Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria

If you want to eat and have some fun before or after, head to Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. Every employee here was so, so nice and happy and just lovely. We absolutely loved our time here because you can eat and play!

Their menu includes pizza, wings, salads, sandwiches, pasta, the largest beer selection on the mountain, a full bar, a bakery, and an ice cream counter. We enjoyed a delicious cheese pizza split with a four cheese pizza, a Greek salad, and amazing hand cut fries. Fries are my weakness and oh my gosh, these were delicious.

Pizza at Beech Mountain's Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria — Cheese pizza at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria

But before we even sat down, my daughters tried out the bounce house and inflatable basketball that was part of their free Friday night entertainment series. I also tried to teach them to sing along to “Rocky Top” with the live band but I think they may have cringed at my attempt to be cool. But whatever, it was awesome.

We also played a round of mini-golf on their Oz-themed course with a few gnomes and Bigfoot thrown in. The whole course is a big yellow brick road with various, random obstacles that usually involve animals of some kind. It’s a lot of fun and my kids really enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we ate dinner and then tried our luck at the arcade. We shot lots of basketballs and my daughters raced motorcycles. They had enough tickets to choose a small toy from the futuristic prize machine, which I think is their favorite part of any arcade.

I was amazed at just how many things this place had to do. We stayed a couple hours at least and had such a blast. When you go to Beech Mountain, be sure to check their schedule for special events, which they host several times during the year!

The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria | 402 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC

5506’ Skybar

I knew 5506′ Skybar had to be good because the only way to get there is by the chair lift at Beech Mountain Resort. I was absolutely not disappointed!

The views at Skybar are worth it alone, but the food was also really good. My daughters had burgers and I had a chicken wrap. It came with fruit or chips, and we each enjoyed a Shirley Temple while taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You’re so high at 5,506’ that you really feel like you can touch the clouds.

Skybar views in Beech Mountain, NC — Skybar at Beech Mountain

You can also order drinks while you’re up there, which would be a beautiful way to end the day. They offer sunset dining and Mile High Yoga, so check the website for special events when you head up to Beech Mountain.

5506’ Skybar | Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC

Holy Smokes BBQ

If you like BBQ, you’ll probably smell Holy Smokes BBQ before you actually see it because the wafting aroma for smoking meat permeates the Beech Mountain Parkway around the restaurant. It’s located at the White Wolf Lodge, and like most places on the mountain, it serves multiple purposes!

There is the BBQ restaurant of course, plus a gift shop with Beech Mountain apparel, Oz trinkets, shirts, and key chains, and a fudge shop. Upstairs rooms are rented out as part of the lodge at the same building.

My favorite part about Holy Smokes BBQ were all the different sauces. It’s a fun experiment to try all of them and see which ones are the best. It makes eating a game. A tasty game. The restaurant has your typical BBQ dishes like pulled pork sandwiches and brisket plus a kids menu and sides like mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (these were delicious), and cole slaw. We got to try a bite of the homemade chocolate fudge and it was heavenly.

Holy Smokes BBQ | 3363 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC

Slope View Cafe

I was sad to leave Beech Mountain when it was time to go home, but at least we got to end with a bang at the Slope View Cafe for breakfast. This is a small establishment that is currently only open Friday-Sunday from 8 am – 11 am but that serves up awesome pancakes and omelets. The manager, once again, was as kind as could be, and made us feel right at home – except I didn’t have to cook!

We had bacon, pancakes with blueberries, and an amazing veggie omelet. Everything was really good and it was close to our rental, so we basically just rolled out of bed and drove the two minutes down the road to eat.

When you go in, the restaurant will be at the Alpen Restaurant. The signage is a little confusing, but you’re at the right spot.

Slope View Cafe | 606 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC

Things to Do in Beech Mountain, NC

Regardless of the season, there’s plenty to do in the Beech Mountain area. While the colder months are the most popular because of the ski resort, there are plenty of things to do in warmer months. You could have two different vacations in the same location, depending on the time of year.

Beech Mountain Resort

To get amazing views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys, take the chair lift up to the top of Beech Mountain Resort. The views are unreal, especially on clear days. The round-trip chair ride ($20/person) is smooth and takes about 15 minutes to get to the top. We liked watching the mountain bikers tackle the trails below us and people making their best attempts at disc golf.

Chair lifts at Beech Mountain — Awesome views

At the top, you can grab lunch or drinks at the Skybar. They also offer sunset dinners, which we didn’t do, but which I imagine must be unreal. We saw a sunset from our resort and it was gorgeous. I bet the views from the Skybar for sunset would be stunning. The only way to get to the Skybar in the summer is by chair lift. During the winter, you’ll need a ski pass to get there, and you’ll have to ski or snowboard down. I’m not a good skier so going in the summer and taking the chair lift up and down was right up my alley.

We really enjoyed the deck at the Skybar with its high chairs and delicious food. The menu is limited but it’s really good. My daughters had burgers and I had the chicken wrap with some kind of cilantro sauce that was excellent.

Beech Mountain Resort | 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC

Buckeye Recreation Center

The Buckeye Recreation Center offers a great selection of activities for families. Beech Mountain is a great destination for larger families looking for something more affordable. This is one of the reasons why.

Buckeye Rec Center playground — One of the rope playgrounds at the Buckeye Rec Center

The Buckeye Recreation Centers offers two free ropes playgrounds, free kayak rentals, free canoe rentals, free hiking trails, and free fishing. Buckeye Lake is a small lake, but you can’t really get better than free boat rentals there. It’s perfect for families to paddle around. You can also fish and rent fishing gear for free (bait not included).

If the weather is bad or you just want a break from outdoor stuff, you can buy a day pass ($10) and play inside. There’s a huge basketball court, weight room, kids playroom, and pickleball courts indoors. The lobby has lots of puzzles, games, and books if you need some family entertainment. My daughters enjoyed playing Twister! There are also pickleball and tennis courts outdoors for use. And there are several hiking trails at the Rec Center, including one with a waterfall.

If you are a fan of bird watching, the Buckeye Recreation area is home to almost 130 species of migratory birds. The space features an official North Carolina Birding Trail.

Buckeye Recreation Center | 1330 Pine Ridge Road, Beech Mountain, NC

Emerald Outback Hiking Trails

There are about eight miles of hiking and biking trails at Emerald Outback and several overlook points. The map is honestly quite fun with all of the Wizard of Oz-themed trails with names like Ruby Slippers, Oz Forest, and Wizards Way. They all have different colors as well ,and the trail system is well-marked. However, I highly recommend using a good hiking app on your phone because we had some issues going in the right direction on some of the trails.

We didn’t hike the full length of every trail at Emerald Outback, but we did step foot on every trail there. None were too difficult or steep, and the overlooks were gorgeous. We tracked almost 3.5 miles in a couple hours. Definitely bring water and snacks. Maps are available at the Visitors Center for free, and all the hiking trails are also free of charge.

May is “Hike On Month” which means the town offers free guided hikes and goodies at the Visitor’s Center. Be sure to stop by when you get to town to take advantage of it!

Hiking trail overlook near Beech Mountain — One of the overlooks at the Emerald Outback

Here is a breakdown of other trails on Beech Mountain:

Upper Pond Creek Trail is a one-mile trail near Lake Coffey that offers a different experience every season, with snow in the winter, foliage in the fall, and wildflower blooms in spring and summer. Stations throughout the trail offer quick facts about the different flora and fauna along the trail.

Lower Pond Creek Trail is just over half a mile and is a step up in difficulty from Upper Pond Creek trail but is not too challenging for an experienced hiker. On this trail ,old hemlock trees surround cascading streams and small waterfalls. Seating areas and a large observation deck make it a great spot for picnickers.

Wild Iris Trail stretches for 2.2 miles along old roadbeds and through lush forests. This is a great trail to look for wildflowers and, in the summer months, fresh blackberries!

Falls Trail is a popular adventure for those who can’t get enough waterfalls. One mile in length, Falls Trail is a moderate hike that takes you around the Buckeye Recreation Center’s full property. As you descend from the trail’s start, you’ll slowly come to Buckeye Creek Falls, a beautiful, 20-foot cascade that’s part of Buckeye Creek. From this trail, you can access the Buckeye Lake Loop. The Grassy Gap Creek trail is also nearby.

Other great trails to explore on Beech include the Sassafras Trail, Red Fox/Arrowhead Trail, Smoketree Trail, Overlook Trail, Westerly Hills Hiking, and the Mountain Biking Area.

For more information and a free trail map, you can stop by the Beech Mountain Visitors Center at 403A Beech Mountain Parkway.

Emerald Outback Trails | 328 N Pinnacle Ridge Road, Beech Mountain, NC

Mountaineer Adventure Tower

I had seen this cool three-story climbing tower on my trips to Beech Mountain before but had never done it with my kids until this trip. It’s even more fun than it looks!

The Adventure Tower is three stories of rope obstacle courses and climbing structures. The topmost level has giant beach balls and Eno hammocks. The second level has rope obstacles and rope swings along with a 25-foot high slide. The first level has lots of bouncy dodge balls, and the ground level has several lawn games and oh-so-relaxing nest swings. It was so relaxing to swing on them in the mountain breeze.

To get to each level, you’ll have to climb up rope tunnels. The Adventure Tower is for all ages. Check their Facebook page for current operating hours and prices.

Mountaineer Adventure Tower | 502 Beech Mountain Parkway, NC

Fishing in Beech Mountain

If fishing is something your family enjoys, Beech Mountain offers a great deal on fishing licenses. You can fish from two different lakes included in the High Country Mountain Heritage Trout Water Trail.

We saw someone pull in quite a few big catches when we were canoeing on Buckeye Lake. It looked like a lot of fun! Anyone can purchase a 3-day pass to fish along with the included bodies of water.

Canoeing at Buckeye Lake Beech Mountain — Canoeing at Buckeye Lake

Blackberry Jam Summer Festival

The summer season just got sweeter at Beech Mountain with the new Blackberry Jam, a vibrant summer celebration that combines the town’s lively music scene, cool mountain temperatures, abundant outdoor adventure, and the sweet tradition of blackberry picking. With live performances, blackberry-themed treats from local restaurants, and monthly farmers’ markets, Blackberry Jam offers a fresh take on summer fun.

Summer concerts include:

Beech Mountain Resort Summer Music Series – Featuring nationally acclaimed headliners such as Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell, Lake Street Dive, Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester and many more.
Additional Weekend Music Across Town:
- Fridays – Free live music at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria
- Saturdays – Scenic lift rides at Beech Mountain Resort to enjoy live music at 5506’ Skybar
- Sundays – Free sunset concerts at Fred’s General Mercantile Gazebo and Concerts on the Lawn at Top of the Beech Inn

Blackberry specials at these local restaurants are available through July and August:

Beech Alpen Inn – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
Slopeview Restaurant – Blackberry pancakes
Bullwinkle’s Tavern – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
Brick Oven Pizzeria – Blackberry ice cream
Fred’s General Mercantile – Lemon cupcakes with blackberry buttercream frosting, assorted blackberry desserts, and specialty blackberry wines
Holy Smokes BBQ – Blackberry BBQ sauce and blackberry cheesecake fudge
Whistle Pig Pub – Blackberry specialty cocktail
First Chair Coffee Shop – Blackberry drink special

Additionally, Beech Mountain’s monthly farmers market offer the perfect chance to savor the flavors of blackberry season. From June through October, on the first Friday of each month, the market pops up in town feature fresh, locally grown produce, blackberry-infused goodies, artisan goods, and more.

Land of Oz [CLOSED FOR THE 2025 SEASON]

The Land of Oz is only open for three weekends in September and features performances by characters in the Wizard of Oz movie, an actual yellow brick road, lots of photo ops, and a truly magical adventure. Tickets go on sale in June and will sell out. Read our full review of the Land of Oz for everything you need to know.

Land of Oz | 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC

Things to Do Near Beech Mountain, NC

Beech Mountain is surrounded by beauty and fun activities in every direction. There’s hiking, historical places to visit, festivals, nature centers, and even an alpine mountain coaster.

Hiking

I can’t get enough of the great outdoors, and Beech Mountain is the perfect base camp for exploring beautiful trails. Some of the best ones nearby are Rough Ridge, Linville Falls, Flat Top Fire Tower, Elk River Falls, Roan Mountain, Otter Falls, and Grandfather Mountain. The AllTrails app can show you even more.

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one of the coolest parks I’ve ever been to in North Carolina and home to the real life Chutes & Ladders trail. My kids are experienced hikers, and we’ve done this trail twice. Both times I’ve questioned my life decisions, but wow, it’s worth it if you are experienced and take proper trail precautions. If you don’t like hanging off the sides of mountains, Grandfather Mountain also has a fantastic nature center, Ranger talks, special events, and the Mile High Bridge. You can also see the curve where Forrest Gump ran in the movie. Read our review on Grandfather Mountain to learn how to experience this cool place.

Moses Cone Manor

An old, stately manor sits on this property that has miles of trails and beautiful places to rest and enjoy the views. We really enjoyed our hike to Flat Top Firetower. It’s a moderate 5-mile trail and you can climb the fire tower, although it has open sides at the top so hang onto little kids.

6570 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC

Original Mast General Store

The very first Mast General Store, built in 1883, is located in nearby Valle Crucis. It’s so neat to see and still has a working post office on site. The Mast General Annex is 2/10 of a mile down the road and they have tons of the signature candy barrels.

3565 Hwy 194 S, Sugar Grove, NC

Linville Caverns

For a unique perspective inside of a mountain, Linville Caverns is the place to go. It’s a really cool tour half a mile inside of a mountain. And it’s always a comfortable temperature year round. Read our Linville Caverns review to learn more.

Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster

The Wilderness Run Alpine Mountain Coaster is the first of its kind in Western North Carolina. The track is over 3,000 feet long, and the coaster reaches speeds up to 27 miles per hour. Riders are in full control.

You can buy a single ride ticket or get a three-pack. We did the latter after reading reviews, and it was such a mountain high to do this coaster. My youngest daughter, 9, and I rode together and she kept yelling at me to go faster. I thought we were going to fly off the tracks, but it’s very safe and we didn’t fly anywhere. Mission accomplished.

You have to make a reservation online as the place is very popular and often crowded. You may be able to get a walk-on ticket during the slower season, but if you really want to go, make an online reservation. They also have a ropes course there but we didn’t do that.

Adult (ages 14+) single rides are $16, and a three-ride bundle is $35. Youth (ages 7-13) single rides are $13, and a three-ride bundle is $29. Child (ages 3-6) single ride tickets are $5, and three-ride bundles are $12. The rides are fast. It took us about three to four minutes to complete the whole track. The alpine coaster is open daily.

3265 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, NC

Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival

This is a really neat festival that showcases Plein Air art – art made outdoors – and where you can hike local trails and stroll through town and see lots of artists creating beautiful paintings outdoors. The festival culminates with an art show and sale on the last of the festival at the Blowing Rock Museum.

Ready to Visit Beech Mountain?

We enjoyed our time at Beech Mountain immensely and really cannot wait to go back. It’s very peaceful, beautiful, and welcoming – the perfect family trip! There is plenty to do, but if you just want to rest and relax, there are also lots of opportunities to recharge.

For more information about Beech Mountain, see their website. They have more detailed information on specific events, markets, and dining that we were not able to visit.

We truly hope you enjoy your visit to Beech Mountain, North Carolina!

This Greenville Mom Didn’t Just Sign Her Kids Up for Tae Kwon Do—She Joined Them

Kristina has embarked on a new adventure: learning the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do – and she’s doing it with her kids. Read on to find out why and how it’s been going at Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do right here in Greenville, SC. Thank you to Master Kim’s Tae Kwon Do for allowing me to take lessons so I can share my journey with you.

Story updated April 2026.

If you’ve followed Kidding Around Greenville for any length of time, you know most of us writers are fairly adventurous. We’ll try almost anything because we love a fun challenge and we are always on the search for those special things to do to make lasting memories with our kids and to help you make those same great memories together. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to read here that I’ve embarked on another great adventure, one that I’m doing with my own kids that encourages bonding, discipline, focus, and even a bit of an outlet to get out stress.

I’m talking about Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art, one that combines kicks, punches, repetitive movements, and a great sense of accomplishment when you manage to combine all those things together.

I started lessons in July 2025 with Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do on Woodruff Road, right off 385, and have been updating this story as my journey continues. So if you’ve ever considered this martial art for yourself or your kids or you want to find something that you can do together as a family, read on. Even if you’re just curious about what in the world this mom is doing trying to complete roundhouse kicks while not pulling a muscle and getting in some anger management, this is the story for you.

About Tae Kwon Do and Master Kim’s

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art that translates to “the art of kicking and punching.” It incorporates punches, kicks, and blocking techniques alongside mental and physical discipline. It’s a wonderful sport for camaraderie, focus, and building self-esteem and confidence.

Did you have a list of things you wanted to do when you became a parent? I promised myself that if I had daughters, they would be enrolled in some kind of martial art for self-defense as kids. Well, I’m a little behind but it’s better late than never. My daughters are 15 and 11 and they started Tae Kwon Do in May 2025. I want them to be strong, confident young women and be able to defend themselves should they ever need to. It’s been amazing to watch them quickly catch on to the moves and enjoy the art.

We chose Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do because we were invited by a friend of ours who is one of the instructors – she’s almost 17 and has been doing Tae Kwon Do since she was around 12. She’s one of the sweetest people I know but I was amazed when she got on the mat and started throwing punches and kicks like Chuck Norris. It was like she had this inner ninja – and honestly, I wanted that immediately for my daughters. We signed up after that first class for our trial period.

Master Jun Kyu Kim and his wife, Master Michelle Bartlett Kim, opened the Tae Kwon Do school in May 2001. It has since grown immensely. Both Master Kim and Mrs. Kim are World Class instructors in the art of Tae Kwon Do with decades of teaching experience. They are the kindest and most encouraging people we have met and know their students by name. Master Kim leads instructors in teaching classes on the mat while Master Michelle Kim oversees the operation of the Tae Kwon Do school, as well as stepping in to help students hone their skills.

During the first class my daughters and I watched, I was totally intimidated by the sport. It’s loud in there and the moves are taught to be precise and quick. But as I watched Master Kim move around the floor helping his students, I was so impressed by his encouragement of all the kids. He really wants them to learn the art and learn it well. After I started, I was working on basic – like really basic – foot movements and he took the time to help me get it right. He’s like this with every student. And all of the instructors follow his lead.

Learning Tae Kwon Do

Once you sign up, you’ll have an an introductory trial period of classes and get a uniform. The uniform is long pants and a long shirt, as well as a white belt. One thing I loved right off the bat about Master Kim’s Tae Kwon Do is that there are several options for classes to choose from during the week. I don’t like being pigeon-holed into one time slot every week for activities. I like the flexibility on the class schedules. You can choose the white belt (or whatever level belt you are) classes or the all belt classes to attend either once or twice a week. I recommend twice a week as you’ll need all the practice. And it’s just a lot of fun. I’d go three or four times a week if I could!

Our introductory trial period included a 30-minute private lesson, which was very helpful in learning the basic kicks, punches, and stances, as well as etiquette when it comes to bowing on and off the mat and to your fellow classmates. Tae Kwon Do incorporates cultural aspects of its Korean origins.

Breaking boards at Tae Kwon Do — Practicing kicks

I never know what we will work on during class but have yet to be disappointed. Classes always start with a warmup and then we progress into the main aspects of the art, which often include learning kicks and working with different partners. We usually attend the all belt classes where students who are much more experienced help us newbies to learn the moves. I love this because all of these black belt students are incredibly encouraging.

When I have no idea what I’m doing, which is most of the time so far since I’m just starting out, they always help me out with specific instructions or tips. And it’s motivation to see them do more intense moves because I can see things that I can look forward to learning and perfecting.

Before I started taking classes there was one specific class where Master Kim instructed the students to do a spinning kick, one my daughters had not yet learned. I saw my oldest look at him with a look of “you expect me to do this?”. He smiled at her, knowing she didn’t have the skill but also knowing she would learn fast with the help of the instructors right then. And she did. By the end of the class, she had learned the basic footwork to the kick and was obviously proud of herself.

I’ve had similar experiences now that I’ve started classes and was asked to do kicks that I was sure I would look like an idiot even attempting. But no one laughed when I could barely spin around or kicked with the wrong leg. The one thing that my daughters said right from the beginning of taking classes was this: everyone is so encouraging and helpful. And they are. They freely offer advice, give high-fives, and clap for you when you’re doing the moves. I think that’s a huge reason my daughters have thrived here. It’s a big reason why I wanted to take the classes with them.

Family Time at Tae Kwon Do

While I love watching my daughters learn a new skill and enjoy whatever extracurricular activities they are involved in, I always thought it would be fun to do the activity with them, especially if it’s something that we are all beginners at and could learn together. And this experience has proven to be far more than just taking classes together: my daughters and I have something that bonds us in a way that other activities just cannot do. We are all learning the art together, practicing at home, striving to reach the next belt level, and having the absolute best time doing it.

Being the adventurous person I am, when I started watching them learn Tae Kwon Do and I saw how much fun they were having, it crossed my mind that I wanted to have the same experience with them. I’m not the only parent who had that thought. There are several adults who take the classes along with their kids.

Since my daughters started a few weeks ahead of me, they have been able to help me learn the moves and we are planning to test for our first belt level all together. We practice at home and they have loved coaching me along. I know they secretly love bossing me around, as they probably should. It’s rewarding for me to see their confidence soar.

Progressing Through Belt Levels

There are several belt ranks in Tae Kwon Do that indicate length of training and knowledge. At Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do, students begin as either a white belt or Little Tiger (ages 5 and 6), and then progress through the color belts (yellow to double black stripe), until reaching 1st Dan Black Belt.

Earning Tae Kwon Do tips — Getting my first few tips

Tips are also earned by mastering certain skills. I loved trying to earn these right off the bat as I learned proper stances and basic kicks and steps. I was trying to catch up to my daughters right from the get go!

As I progress through the tips and belts, I’ll update this story on my progress. As of this update in March 2026, I’ve earned my blue strip belt and I’m super excited to be moving up through the belt levels!

Board Breaking Class

I took my first board breaking class the weekend before testing for my yellow belt. It’s required to do so and I was happy to oblige because breaking things sounds fun. And it was!

For the white belts, we learned how to use a hammer fist to break a board and then using a front snap kick to break another board. We practiced first on foam boards and then got to do it for real. The yellow belts do a punch, which I can tell you now after doing it a few times, will hurt if you don’t get it completely right (but it’s really fun!).

To do this, you have to yell several times and it has been more awkward to do this for my daughters than for myself. I don’t know what that says about me but let me tell you, the combination of yelling plus smashing wooden boards was the ultimate stress reliever. I could take this class every week for that reason alone. It was my favorite class so far and felt like a huge accomplishment hearing that wood crack. Here’s an 11-second video of it.

My daughters enjoyed the class as well and I was so proud of them for learning this cool, new skill. This class completed our requirements to test for our first belt level!

Belt Testing: Yellow

I tested for my very first belt level, a yellow belt, at the very end of July, a month after I started at Master Kim’s. Not gonna lie – I was nervous. We were going to have to stand into front of several of the black belt instructors and Master Kim and Master Michelle and do all the things we’ve learned. I invited my husband and dad and nephews and sister-in-law because I really wanted them all to see what my daughters and I have been doing for the last couple months. And I knew my nephews would totally love it.

So the belt testing started the same way as normal class does with a warm up and kicks. It was a good way to do it since we’ve done that many times and it helped to relax everyone. There were only about a dozen white belts testing and half of them went first while the second group waited on the edge of the mat.

The first group went through all their kicks, their kick combinations, board breaking (my favorite), and Korean terms. Master Michelle Kim reviewed each student and gave them encouragement. And then I was up next and went through all the same things. I was so happy when I finished!

We all received our yellow belts and packets of information about what to expect next. Everything is so well-run and professional but also a lot of fun. It was a great night and my daughters and I all agree that we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Sparring

Sparring is required for yellow belts and up but you only need to do it once every three months or so. It’s the red tip you get on your belt before you test for the next color belt.

But what is sparring? It’s basically fighting with each other using all that knowledge of kicks, punches, and footwork you’ve been learning since you started Tae Kwon Do and you can actually hit or kick the other person because they have gear on to protect them, as do you.

At Master Kim’s school, we are required to wear arm, shin, and foot guards as well as a soft helmet, mouth guard, and chest protector. It’s super awkward the first time you have to put all the gear on but as long as it fits fine, it’s not terribly uncomfortable. The instructors are all there to help you to make sure the gear is on properly.

I didn’t do my first sparring class until I was four months into training and had only ever done no-contact sparring during classes. I was nervous to say the least. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I don’t like not knowing. The first part of class was conditioning, which meant lots of sprinting, jogging, and kicks back and forth on the mat. I was so tired after and was wondering how in the world I was going to have the energy to fight someone. While I was exhausted, I love a good physical challenge so I was all in and wanted to try my best.

Master Kim paired up the students with those of similar height and belt level. My new mom friend and I got paired up together and my daughters somehow managed to be paired with students who were much more advanced than they were (but these students were fantastic and helped my daughters so much). We started out with the kicks that we already knew – roundhouse and skipping roundhouse kicks. We were able to see what it felt like to get kicked on our chest protectors, which I was grateful for. I don’t like surprises. It didn’t hurt at all.

Then once we had sufficient practice, we sparred with each other by trying to land a solid kick on our opponent’s chest. This was hard because there was a lot of moving around and we were already tired. We sparred in increments of 30 seconds to one minute. It was actually really fun! My partner and I were sweating like crazy but had fun trying our best to learn and hone our newfound sparring skills.

At the end of the class, each pair sparred individually and Master Kim was the referee. I won my match and thankfully only had to fight for about 20 seconds before landing a kick to my opponent’s chest. She was a great competitor and I think we were both happy to sit down after to watch the other students.

Sparring classes are on Saturday afternoons and the sparring team practices on Wednesdays. I am certainly looking forward to do learning how to be a better fighter!

Black Belt Testing

As of this update in March 2026, obviously I am nowhere near my goal of a black belt – but I have gotten to see the higher level of black belt testing and it is truly awesome! I have so much to look forward to. These students have to break multiple boards, know several different forms that they learned at previous levels, and spar and fight each other. The students testing for 2nd degree and up get to show off self-defense skills and I literally cannot wait to learn this. While we are learning self-defense skills in different areas of moving through the color belts, the skills we get to learn at the higher level black belts are even better: think lots of spinning kicks, the use of a rubber knife, and cool punches.

These types of black belt testing events happen twice a year and you can find them on Master Kim’s Facebook page.

Moving Through the Color Belts: Halfway to Black!

In April 2026, my daughters and I are on our blue belt level, halfway to black! The next ones are red stripe and then red and then black stripes and then 1st degree black belt. I have enjoyed both the mental and physical challenges of learning the different forms, board breaking skills, and sparring techniques. The staff at Master Kim’s are so amazing. The school even won a KABOOM award for the best martial arts school in Greenville.

We have also been able to level up to take three classes a week (we were at the two-a -week level since we started last summer). While we haven’t been to do this every week, we certainly take advantage of the extra practice when we can. My daughters and I practice at home, too! We will help each other learn the forms and one-step sparring moves that we need to test for each level. It’s a lot of fun and anywhere is good for practice – at home, when we are hiking, or even camping. Tae Kwon Do can be practiced anywhere!

When we got our blue belts, it was extra exciting because that’s halfway to a black belt. The one-step sparring at this also involves learning how to fall, which is an entirely new skill. I mean, I’m fairly clumsy so this would be helpful to me on an personal level anyways! My daughters and I just love learning new skills, kicks, punches, and all that goes along with each new belt level. It’s easy to see how much we have progressed since starting classes last year. One big thing that I love about taking Tae Kwon Do is that you can do it all year round – you kind of have to do this all year to keep your skill level up and remember all the different moves and combinations.

board breaking — Board breaking for blue belt

Honest Mom Review

My initial thoughts about taking Tae Kwon Do so far have been very positive. I love that it challenges me both mentally and physically and that it forces me to focus on one thing instead of constantly multi-tasking. I like thinking about new things and attempting to master concepts and moves I have not done before. My world is full of constant to-do lists as an adult and Tae Kwon Do gives me something fun and exciting to do that breaks that mold and gets me out of my everyday life.

Most especially, I have loved doing the sport with my daughters. Having an experience like this together has promoted bonding between us as we learn the art and have fun.

And I have to say that getting out the stress of daily life and releasing a bit of anger and tension while throwing punches and kicks is quite enjoyable. Some of the classes have incorporated hitting targets and those are easily some of my favorites. Having an outlet like this to get out pent up frustration has been awesome. One of the aspect of Tae Kwon Do is the Kihap, which is a yell. It forces you to exhale and tightens the core for a more powerful punch. Although this was awkward at first, it’s been really fun to do because yelling is such a stress reliever!

I’ll be updating this story as my journey continues.

Signing Up for Classes at Master’s Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do

You can visit the website for more information, email at greenvillewctkd@gmail.com or call 864.289.0201. The staff is happy to answer your questions and get your family started right away.

Once you sign up, you’ll get the schedule of classes and go when you want. Most classes are 40 minutes long and kids as young as 5 years old can join.

The Introductory Trial Package is $29.95 and includes a Tae Kwon Do uniform and belt, a 30-minute private lesson with a black belt instructor, and two group classes. Following the trial, the cost is $179/ month for two classes per week, $139/month for a sibling or parent. Additional family members are discount as well. Testing is also an additional fee of $80/student.

Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do also offers summer camps for students and amazing birthday parties for ages 5 and up. Contact Master Michelle Kim directly for the schedule or to arrange a party.

Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do
1258 Woodruff Road, Greenville
Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do Website | Facebook page

Halloween Fun: Haunted Car Wash in Greenville, SC Gives Great Scares

You can get your car washed while driving through a haunted house at this car wash in Greenville, SC. We checked it out and have all the details!

Having never been to a car wash nor a drive-through haunted house, I was pretty excited to try this unique combo at Whatta Wash Car Wash in Greenville, SC, right off I-85 on Highway 14. It was better than I expected, and I think you’ll love this fun Halloween activity.

We’ve got all the info on what to expect during the Haunted Car Wash and tips on enjoying it with your family. The photos and video in this review are from the 2024 Halloween season, we’ve updated with 2025 dates and details, but the decor and descriptions will vary for 2025.

About the Whatta Wash Haunted Car Wash

You may think that putting together a haunted car wash is easy – dress up in some costumes, be scary, and wash the car. But no, that’s not even close to the work that went into Whatta Wash’s Haunted Car Wash!

Each night of the Haunted Car Wash, there are at least 30 actors all there solely to scare you (and wash your car well). There are clowns, zombie cheerleaders, terrifying skeletons, serial killers (my own guess, I could be wrong), and other spooky characters.

The lights, other Halloween decorations, and fog machine are all part of this massive effort to create a must-do-worthy event in the Upstate for Halloween lovers. The entire Haunted Car Wash is about 2.5 minutes long – so you get a clean car and scared passengers. Fantastic.

Tips on Enjoying the Haunted Car Wash

We learned a few helpful tips on enjoying the Haunted Car Wash this Halloween at Whatta Wash Car Wash:

Get there early. This is a really popular event and waits can be long. See the next line.

Prepare to wait. The owners told us that in previous years, sometimes the wait was up to two hours. So be prepared with snacks, be sure to take a bathroom break before you go, and maybe bring games or a movie on your iPad.

Be sure to get in line by 10 pm. If you’re in line after that, you won’t be able to get in.

Drizzle is ok, but downpouring rain isn’t. Light rain is ok, but if it’s really raining, the Haunted Car Wash won’t be able to happen.

If you don’t want the characters opening your door, lock your car. The scary characters will try to jiggle the handle of your car doors, and if they are unlocked, you’re in for a surprise. Lock your doors if you don’t want that kind of surprise.

Tickets are not presold. You have to wait in line.

There are things not allowed at the car wash. These include: cracked windshields, roof racks, bikes and bike racks, no dually trucks, no trucks or vehicles over 7’ 2”, no trucks with wide tires not fitting properly, and all open truck beds need to be empty and free of any loose items.

But really, how scary is the Haunted Car Wash?

Ah, the ever-important question we always get asked by parents. And rightly so. No one wants to be up at 3 am with their kid who had a clown nightmare.

But it’s really hard to answer that question because it all depends on the kid. The actors cannot touch you or bang hard on your car. But it’s a car wash and there is a lot of loud noise with the water, wind, and other contraptions. Add onto that scary characters that will get up close to your windows and run up to your car and appear out of a drenching inside the car wash.

We don’t have an answer for you. We didn’t find this as scary as, say, Madworld, but the characters’ costumes look really great, and to some kids, probably too realistic. It’s easy to see how seriously Whatta Wash takes their Haunted Car Wash. There are other decorations around the car wash as well, like huge skeletons and creepy dolls, and clowns. So take that all into account when you plan your trip here.

The owners suggest that if your kids are on the fence, go right at 6 pm so it’s still a little light out. After dark, the scare factor goes up!

Dates & Hours of the Haunted Car Wash 2025

Because this event takes a lot of work to pull together, the Haunted Car Wash will only run for six days, every Friday & Saturday the rest of October:

October 17 & 18, 2025
October 24 & 25, 2025
Halloween Night

Hours are 6 pm – close. To go through the Haunted Car Wash, you have to be in line by 10 pm. Cars that line up after that won’t be able to get their scare on and have their car become all sparkly clean.

The cost is $30 per car, which gets you the experience of the Haunted Car Wash plus a car wash itself. If you want to do it multiple times, you’ll have to pay again.

If you want to add to your Haunted Car Wash adventure, try one of our Halloween Driving Routes for extra spooky (and free) entertainment!

Whatta Wash Car Wash
2788 South Highway 14, Greer
Whatta Wash Website

Spend A Day in Easley, SC: Things to Do

Looking for things to do in Easley, SC? Or a new a place to explore? Don’t want to travel too far? We’ve got recommendations no matter your preference when it comes to adventure near Easley.

The town of Easley is just 15 minutes from downtown Greenville, and if you haven’t made time to explore this cute little town, here’s your chance. We’ve separated the recommendations by season, with plans to update them as new and exciting things get completed around town.

Warm Weather Things to Do in Easley

Cool Weather Things to Do in Easley

Indoor Play Spaces in Easley

Easley, SC Events

Looking for more fun in the area? Check out Kidding Around’s Guide To Pickens,SC.

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Cider, Pumpkin Patches, Scarecrows, and Views Are All on These 5 Upstate, SC Fall Driving Routes!

🍂 If you’re overwhelmed by all the awesome things to do during fall in the Upstate, SC, we’ve narrowed down five fall driving routes in the Carolinas that include short hikes with amazing views, spots to get coffee and lunch, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Fall is an insanely busy time of year for us over at Kidding Around Greenville because we are trying to stay on top of all the best places to go in our area, visit new farms and orchards, and keep all our lists updated with events. It can be overwhelming to say the least.

But we know our readers feel like that as well because there are so many things to choose from to do with your family. Where do you even start?

Here’s what we decided to do to help you out: we have composed five routes of short hikes to amazing views with fall colors, incredible overlooks, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, places that have cider, and stops to eat and drink along the way. Some of these routes won’t take too long, only an hour or two, and for others you can add on stops to make it a longer day trip.

We wanted to give our readers a sampling of fall in different areas of the Upstate (and one route in Brevard, NC because we think it’s totally worth it) that they could do with their families when they just have no idea what to do and are overwhelmed by options.

Map of the Routes

Note: Poinsett Bridge is currently under renovation, so skip that stop on your tour.

Looking for more fall fun? Check out our HUGE Guide to Fall Near Greenville, SC.

Best Fall Driving Routes in the Carolinas

We’ve got five routes altogether, one in North Carolina and all the rest in the Upstate. All the hikes are short, and we’ll tell you about places to add on if you want a longer route.

Be sure to double-check the hours of the orchards and pumpkin patches specifically before you head out. Some are only open on weekends, and others will change their hours due to the weather, usually.

Travelers Rest Route

The Travelers Rest route encompasses places to eat in the town, plus stops at historic Campbell’s Covered Bridge and Poinsett Bridge, both of which are stunning in the fall when the leaves turn. You will also visit a cute roadside stand that sells pumpkins, has delicious apple cider, and wonky gourds. Then head back to Travelers Rest to vote on the best-looking scarecrow on Main Street, eat lunch at Whistle Stop Cafe, and then walk around the lake at nearby Furman University.

TReehouse Cafe & Art Studio for breakfast/coffee (27 South Main Street, Travelers Rest; closed Monday-Tuesday; 8 am – 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday)
Campbell’s Covered Bridge (171 Campbell Covered Bridge, Landrum)
Poinsett Bridge (580 Callahan Mountain Rd, Landrum). Currently closed for renovations
MacGregor Orchard for apple cider and pumpkins (2400 Hwy 11, Travelers Rest; Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm; closed Mondays)
Scarecrows in Travelers Rest (downtown Travelers Rest)
Whistle Stop Cafe for lunch (109 S Main St, Travelers Rest; open Monday-Saturday at 11 am; closed Sundays)
Furman University lake – walk the paved trail around the lake

Pickens/Upstate Route

The Pickens/Upstate route also has some great stops for coffee and food, plus amazing overlooks and a roadside waterfall. You can skip Sassafras Mountain Overlook since it’s a little further out of the way, but definitely go to Twin Falls near there. It’s a short and easy hike with a beautiful double waterfall. You can also add on a short hike with views at Glassy Mountain at the end. We added the dinner option of Tropical Burger in Easley because it’s our favorite.

Pumpkintown General Store for coffee (3837 Pumpkintown Hwy, Pickens, SC; Monday – Saturday 6 am – 2 pm; closed Sundays)
Pretty Place for sunrise (100 YMCA Camp Road, Cleveland, SC – double check to make sure it’s open to the public)
Caesars Head State Park (8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC) – be sure to check out Devil’s Kitchen
Bald Rock Preserve (280 Persimmon Ridge Road, Cleveland, SC)
Wildcat Wayside Waterfall (Highway 11)
Aunt Sue’s Country Corner – stop for some ice cream or a buffet meal (107 Country Creek Dr A, Pickens; open Tuesday – Sunday starting at 11 am)
Sassafras Mountain Overlook
Twin Falls Lower Trail – this is a short .70 mile easy round-trip hike to a big payoff of a double waterfall!
Tropical Burger for a delicious dinner (207 NE Main St, Easley; open daily starting at 11 am)

Optional add-on: Glassy Mountain hike/short walk

Oconee County Route

Oconee County is known for its waterfalls, so we included two waterfalls for beautiful fall colors, a pre-Civil War tunnel, a lunch option, and a fun little farm that has hayrides, pumpkins, and a corn maze.

Stumphouse Tunnel and Isaqueena Falls
Station Cove Falls (1.6 miles round trip)
Dimas Brothers Cafe – open 7 am – 2 pm Tuesday – Saturday, closed Sunday & Monday. Get their biscuit sandwiches.
Little Cane Creek Farm for hayrides, pumpkins, and a corn maze (2480 SC-11, West Union, SC; open Saturdays 10 am – 9 pm and Sundays 2-7 pm; $12/ages 11+, $10/ages 4-10, free/ages 3 and under with a paying adult)

Simpsonville/Mauldin Route

We’ve included a great coffee and breakfast shop in Fountain Inn to start your day and send you over to a little waterfall with a playground, to a beloved park with boardwalks and marshes that will have some beautiful fall foliage, and end the route at a pumpkin patch.

Steam Coffee & Cream for coffee and breakfast (113 S Main Street A, Fountain Inn; 7 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4 pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays)
Cedar Park Falls (201 Cedar Falls Rd, Fountain Inn)
Conestee Nature Preserve (840 Mauldin Road, Greenville)
Golden Strip Pumpkin Patch (301 N Main Street, Simpsonville; open daily)

Optional Add-on: Stewart Farms in Enoree for a corn maze, pumpkin patch, animals, wagon ride, and haunted maze at night.

Brevard Route

Brevard is a bit of a drive from Greenville, but we just love that area. The town borders the beautiful Pisgah Forest, and the fall colors there are stunning. Plus, you don’t have to work hard to see amazing waterfalls!

We start you out at a local coffee roaster and suggest two waterfalls nearby, one being roadside and the other a short 1.5-mile round-trip hike. From there, you can either go up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to Frying Pan Tower or head to lunch at Rocky’s Grille & Soda Shop in downtown Brevard. Lastly, you can pick pumpkins and have cider at Packa’s Place. If you’d like to add on an apple orchard, several are in nearby Hendersonville, NC.

During weekends in October, you can head to the Silvermont Park in Brevard for Pumpkinfest in the evenings!

Pisgah Coffee Roasters (6283 Asheville Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC; closed Sundays; 8 am – 4 pm weekdays, 9 am – 1 pm Saturdays)
Looking Glass Falls (roadside waterfall)
Moore Cove Falls (1.5 miles round trip)
Add on: Frying Pan Tower (1.5 miles round trip with amazing view)
Packa’s Place – pumpkin patch and cider (4210 Brevard Rd, Horse Shoe, NC; hours)
Silvermont Park Pumpkin Fest– Fridays & Saturdays until the 2nd to last weekend in October

Which route will you do?

The Humbug Suite at Kingston Resort: Myrtle Beach’s Most Unique Christmas Getaway

Looking for a unique experience for Christmastime that isn’t a Hallmark movie? The Humbug Suite at Kingston Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC is the answer.

Big thanks to the Kingston Resort for inviting us to experience their Humbug Christmas Suite!

Grinch suite at Kingston Resort — The decked out Humbug Suite

Walking into the Humbug Suite at Kingston Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC didn’t even feel like you’re in a hotel. It is absolutely decked out for Christmas with lots of Grinchy decor, right down to the red and white cupcakes and hot chocolate and Grinch playing cards. If you’re looking for a unique Christmas getaway, this is it.

Kingston Resorts Christmas Village

Kingston Resorts is transforming their property into an entire Christmas Village from November 29th through December 24th, 2025. This includes ton of fun crafts, games, movies, Santa visits, and the amazing Humbug Suite decked out in Grinch decor.

While you can book the Humbug Suite any day during this time, the Christmas Village events take place every Saturday from 11 am – 7 pm. Here’s what you can expect:

Tree in Grinchmas Suite — Legit Grinchy Christmas tree in the suite

Holiday Crafts & Activities: Get crafty with the whole family! Make ornaments, decorate cookies, and create keepsakes to take home and cherish.

DIY Holiday Hair Station: Add some holiday flair and try out fun, festive hairstyles that show off your creativity.

Festive Games: Jump into the fun with Snowball Toss, Cornhole, Snowball Putt-Putt, and plenty more merry games for all ages.

S’mores by the Fire: Gather around the fire, roast marshmallows, and enjoy a warm, gooey treat that’s a winter classic.

Holiday Movies: Snuggle up and enjoy your favorite holiday films on the big screen throughout the day.

Santa Visits: Don’t miss Santa every Saturday from 2 – 4 pm. Capture a magical photo and share your holiday wishes.

Humbug Suite Experience: Step into a cozy, whimsical space that’s perfect for family photos, laughter, and festive fun.

Pool Deck Holiday Lights: Take a stroll under a twinkling display of lights and soak in the magic of the season.

Special Seasonal Events: From tree lighting celebrations to festive breakfasts like Breakfast with the Grinch, there’s always something fun happening all season long.

Even if you don’t end up going on a Saturday, the resort still has plenty to do and you are literally right on the beach. They do keep their pools heated and there are beautiful spaces to enjoy right there at the resort.

The Humbug Grinch Suite Experience

I did not know what to expect when my daughters and I opened the door to the Humbug Suite. I knew it would be decorated with all Grinch-related things but I had no idea about the extent to which it would be transformed from an ordinary hotel room to a whimsical adventure.

You will not be disappointed when you swing open that door. The room doesn’t even mirror a regular hotel room. The details the staff at Kingston Resort put into this room is phenomenal. There’s a tilting Christmas tree that lights up with presents underneath. There are lollipop Christmas decorations hanging in front of the windows. There are several red and white cupcakes placed alongside hot chocolate packets for your enjoyment. There are Grinch playing cards, the book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, Christmas pillows, stockings hung about with care, a Grinch shower curtain, and red and green stickers all over the walls.

Grinchmas suite living area — Read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” here!

The bedroom is the best though. There are Grinch sheets on the bed with Grinch pillowcases and the fluffiest, Grinchiest green blankets you could imagine. There’s a Grinch doll and Grinch candles and tinsel with ornaments draped across the headboards. There are two queen beds in the suite plus a pullout couch. My daughters and I thought this was just the coolest thing ever and had so much fun here!

The Humbug Suite is available November 28 through January 3. You will get a welcome treat, a $10 credit to the Christmas Village Bar, and a special take-home holiday gift. Book directly through the Christmas at Kingston Resorts website.

When you book the Humbug Suite, you will have access to all of the resort amenities, free breakfast, and free happy hour, which includes two drinks per person and snacks.

Where to Eat at Kingston Resorts: Black Drum Brewing

Black Drum Brewing is the newest addition to Kingston Resorts. It’s a beautiful restaurant with an incredibly delicious menu featuring Southern cuisine and local craft brews.

We got their huge soft pretzel because I can never refuse such an offering. It was delicious. Dinner was a kids meal of mac & cheese and fruit, Carolina Gold pulled chicken with mac & cheese and fruit, a side of mashed potatoes, and a pepperoni pizza. There are four different BBQ sauces to choose from and you need to choose the blackberry one.

Everything was very good but the chicken and pizza were our favorites. Both were flavorful and the servings were huge. There were three of us and we took back leftovers to our hotel room. The place has cozy but welcoming atmosphere and while the doors weren’t open to the pool area, when they are, you’ll get a beautiful view. There’s also cornhole outside to play while you wait.

Beachfront Location

Obviously the big draw of Kingston Resorts is its oceanfront location. You cannot get any closer to the beach than if you were laying in the sand. There are multiple beach access points so you don’t need to lug all your beach gear out of the parking lot and down a half mile boardwalk. It’s so close!

We truly enjoyed our evening beach walk right on the water to the pier. It had been storming all day and the clouds finally parted and we got to enjoy a beautiful night walking along the water and taking fun photos. I loved showing my girls the cool shots you can take under the pier and then just walking the few steps back to the hotel and up to our room. It was a terrific way to end the evening.

Honest Mom Review

Getting to see the reaction of my kids when we opened the door to the Humbug Suite was priceless. The amount of thought and energy that went into creating this space was amazing and I was so appreciative. My daughters and I had so much fun inside the suite but also at the resort during happy hour, enjoying the delicious breakfast, playing at the pool, walking along the beach.

grinch pillows — No detail overlooked in the Humbug Suite

While the Christmas events were not happening when we stayed, I can imagine combining those with the Humbug Suite experience would just be the coolest getaway. This would be a fantastic gift for your family as an experience gift because you and your family would be taking home beautiful and fun memories together – and those last longer than any gifts.

For more detailed information of our entire stay at Kingston Resorts, read my Kingston Resorts review.

Kingston Resorts
900 Queensway Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC
Kingston Resorts Website | Kingston Resorts Facebook

Love Holiday Travel? We have a big, long list of some great ideas!

Kidding Around Travel Guide to the Holiday-Themed Travel

Go Teal! Why You Should Join the Teal Pumpkin Project

Curious about the teal pumpkins you see popping up around town? Read on to learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project. We’ve got suggestions for families wanting to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project this Halloween.

One in 13 children in the United States has some kind of food allergy so it’s likely you know a child that has one or maybe your own child is part of the food allergy community. Food allergies can be everything from minor allergic reactions to life-threatening emergencies, so parents, family, friends, and teachers are often vigilant of food labels.

It’s so sad to see the disappointment a child living with food allergies may feel when confronted with a food that irritates him and everyone else gets to enjoy it. No one wants that to happen to trick-or-treaters, but sadly allergen-safe food trinkets and treats are not common on the Halloween scene.

Halloween can be an especially challenging time for these kids and their families as schools have parties with candy that are off-limits, stores are filled with treats that are forbidden and all their friends are trick-or-treating and filling their baskets with chocolate and candies that contain threatening allergens.

But, we can help change the trick-or-treat experience for children living with food allergies by offering some safer trick-or-treat options. Include small items in addition to candy, and display a teal pumpkin letting families know that you have options for their child.

This article includes:
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
Non-food Ideas for Trick or Treaters

View the Halloween Guide to Greenville, SC

For all the ways to celebrate Halloween in Greenville and the Upstate, don’t miss our HUGE Guide to Halloween Celebrations and Trick-or-Treat in Greenville and Spartanburg.

Enter the Teal Pumpkin

In 2014, the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), came up with an idea to help make Halloween safer for these kids and less stressful for their parents.

They asked people across the country to swap out their candy and treats for non-food trinkets to hand out to trick-or-treaters. To tell the little pumpkins, astronauts, and goblins that their house was safe for kids with food allergies, FARE suggested painting a pumpkin teal and putting it outside for everyone to see.

First of all, this is a great idea and a wonderful way to include these children who may feel left out otherwise.

Secondly, teal is a pretty color and easily recognizable, even in the dim twilight of Halloween trick-or-treating.

Grateful Parents & Kids

Homes that choose to paint their pumpkins teal elicit a huge sigh of relief from parents who are out with their little ones who are allergic to some types of food, including nuts, seeds, or dairy, many of which are found in traditional Halloween candy.

“Trick or treating has been a difficult holiday to participate in with our son, who has several food allergies. Last year, he was able to only eat five candies out of his entire bucket,” explained Emile Dowd, a mom of two adorable boys and owner of WonderLight Photography in Greenville.

“The Teal Pumpkin Project has made it a lot easier for our little guy to enjoy and participate in trick-or-treating alongside his friends. It’s fun to see him so excited when we come to a house with a teal pumpkin and we’ve been really grateful for those that take the time to include all children! Hopefully, more and more people decide to participate each year so that kids with allergies can feel included in the festivities.”

FARE offers some ideas to get the word out in your own neighborhood about the Teal Pumpkin Project like putting up flyers (you can download premade ones at FARE’s website), making a homemade sign that sits with your teal pumpkin to help explain it, and posting about it on social media using the hashtag #tealpumpkinproject. Be sure to post about it as well in your neighborhood Facebook page or website.

Teal Pumpkin Project Ideas: Non-Food Things for Trick-or-Treaters

When food treats and candy is not an option, try this list of trick-or-treat alternatives for kids. Teal pumpkin families can give out:

Stickers
Glow-sticks
Bouncy balls
Rubber stamps
Pencils
Playdough
Mini-crayon sets
Puzzles
Straws
Toothbrushes
Finger puppets
Bracelets
Adjustable rings
Little dinosaur toys
Sticky hands
Bubbles

The Oriental Trading Company even has a page of Halloween novelty toys great for people who want to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

The list is endless. Be creative. Put a teal pumpkin on your doorstep and provide treats for children for whom candy is not an option. Maybe next year, the teal pumpkin homes will be known for giving out the coolest things for Halloween.

Do you have a child in your family or on your block who would be excited to see teal pumpkins this Halloween?

Yummy Treats to Celebrate the Season! All Things PUMPKIN!

🎃 Do you love pumpkin treats and desserts? The Upstate is lucky to have several excellent cafes and shops to indulge in yummy pumpkin desserts Greenville, SC locals can’t get enough of. These treats that definitely aren’t from a Little Debbie box!

Here’s a list of some of our favorite places near Greenville to pick up pumpkin coffee, cookies, muffins, and other goodies. Do you have something to add to this list? If so, please share it in the comments. After all, can there ever be enough pumpkin goodies to enjoy?!

Places to find pumpkin desserts in Greenville, South Carolina

Looking for a great pumpkin patch for your pumpkin treats (or doorstep)? Our Pumpkin Patch Guide will help!

At the merest hint of fall, we are ready to break out anything pumpkin-related at all: pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin beer, and pumpkin cheesecake. We could go on. It’s more like an obsession than a hobby at this point. The smell of cinnamon and clove and nutmeg takes us away to a place of momentary euphoria. It’s a beautiful thing.

Greenville offers lots of pumpkin delectable delights this time of year. Maybe by Christmas, our pumpkin obsession will have subsided. Or not.

Here’s our list of fantastic anything-pumpkin-related goodness. Tell us about all your favorite pumpkin desserts Greenville, SC has to offer!

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Coffee Near Greenville, SC

Liquid Highway
2402 East North Street, Greenville
14 Halton Road, Greenville
A local favorite, Liquid Highway offers a couple of seasonal flavors, including Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Pie. You can flavor any coffee or espresso drinks with these, including freezes (because we all know October is pretty much late summer here in SC).

Spill the Beans
531 S. Main Street, Greenville | 864.242.6355
Pumpkin Caramel Latte is in, which is way better than a certain large coffee chain’s pumpkin coffee. Spill the Beans can add the pumpkin flavor to any of your favorite drinks. They usually carry pumpkin cheesecake as well.

Barista Alley
101 Trade Street, Greer | 864.386.5099
Barista Alley is always a hit, and they have a couple of fall-themed drinks this year, including their Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Due South
1320 Hampton Ave Ste 4, Greenville | 864.283.6680
Due South is always a hit, and their OG pumpkin spice latte is super smooth and not overpowering (which sometimes happens in the pumpkin spice world). This one is great over ice, too!

Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse
2 S Main Street, Travelers Rest | 864.610.2245
The pumpkin pie latte is back, and it is delicious. It’s made with real pumpkin, not some store-bought syrup! Plus, there are lots of other fall specials to enjoy. They even have a Pumpkin Pie Crepe!

Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery
205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville | 864.255.3385
Swamp Rabbit Cafe’s Pumpkin Latte is completely delicious. They have a wide variety of treats to accompany your coffee. If they haven’t run out of the pumpkin snickerdoodle cookie, you’ll want to get that one. Trust us.

Flying Fox Coffee Co.
208 Trade Street, Greer, SC
Head to Downtown Greer, SC, and walk down Trade Street to grab a coffee from Flying Fox Coffee Co. that screams fall bliss. They are always mixing up some unique flavors, and their mean screams fall!

Learn more about Flying Fox and everything going on in Downtown Greer, SC in our Premiere Guide to Greer. You’ll find dining information, places to shop, where to grab dessert, and so much more!

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Ice Cream

Dillard’s Ice Cream
500 S Buncombe Rd, Greer
1009 Mauldin Rd, Greenville
Dillards has some seriously delicious ice cream sundaes, and their Fall Handcrafted Super Sundaes are amazing. They have a Pumpkin Spice sundae that comes with two scoops, a warm mini waffle, drizzled pumpkin pie sauce and secret orange sauce, and of course whipped cream and sprinkles!

Clare’s Creamery
1635 E. North Street, Greenville
1901 Laurens Road Suite C, Greenville
Clare’s typically have seasonal flavors, including pumpkin spice. We will update once we know more (and it gives up the opportunity to go get ice cream!)

Spill the Beans
531 S. Main Street, Greenville | 864.242.6355
We already mentioned Spill the Beans coffee, but we would fail you terribly if we didn’t mention that they also have pumpkin ice cream.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Camperdown Plaza
Jeni’s has several delicious, unique fall flavors including Pumpkin Seed and Rye Cookie. We also really liked the Sweet Potato Marshmallow Praline.

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Desserts: Greenville, SC

Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery
205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville | 864.255.3385
If the Swamp Rabbit has Pumpkin Snickerdoodle cookies this fall, you’ll need to stock up. They also carry delicious pumpkin loaves that make a great dessert or slice with your morning coffee. Asheville’s Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn in the grocery and the Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn may in fact be the best thing to ever happen to popcorn.

Strossners
21 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville | 864.233.3996
Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pound cake (beyond delicious), and pumpkin muffins. Why aren’t you running there now?

Spill The Beans
531 S. Main Street, Greenville | 864.242.6355
You can enjoy a slice of pumpkin cheesecake along with a pumpkin latte at Spill The Beans in Downtown Greenville.

Duck Donuts
3935 Pelham Rd J, Greenville
2123 August Street, Greenville
They’ve got delicious pumpkin-iced donuts along with a plethora of Halloween-themed and seasonal flavors.

Duck Donuts pumpkin donuts — Pumpkin-iced donuts from Duck Donuts | Photo courtesy of Allspice Photography, LLC

Where to Find Pumpkin Beer & Cider

Let us know what pumpkin beer or cider nearby is your favorite!

Fireforge Crafted Brew
311 E. Washington Street, Greenville | 864.735.0885
The Spice is Right is where it is at! With cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, ginger, maple syrup, and some other delicious spices, this pumpkin brew is sure to hit your craving. Plus, they have a pretty laid-back brewery, so you can enjoy the vibes.

Oak and Honey Greenville
200 E Washington St, Greenville
Oak and Honey really knows how to craft some seriously delicious drinks, and they have a pumpkin cocktail! The Pumpkin Spiced Mule is a blend of vodka, pumpkin spice syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer (so a playful take on a traditional mule).

What is your favorite local pumpkin treat?

Enjoy Fall in Greenville, SC with Over 30 Fall Places to Go and Things to Do!

Find more great places to eat – take a peek at the Ultimate Guide to Restaurants near Greenville, SC!

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Visiting Statesville, NC: Alpacas, History, Hot Air Balloons, Family Fun

Statesville, NC is a hidden gem just two hours from the Upstate, SC that has something for all interests! If you’re looking for a new place to explore, Statesville could be your next destination.

Thank you to Visit Statesville, NC for inviting us to experience their beautiful town.

Have you been to Statesville, NC? I had never been until now and wow, what a cute little town full of interesting places to visit and things to do – perfect for a family trip and not far from the Upstate, only two hours.

I’ll tell you all about why you should visit Statesville and things to do there to make it a memorable weekend with your family.

About Statesville, NC

Statesville was founded in 1789 and is full of history. And if you’ve ever heard of Statesville, it’s likely because you have been to the Carolina Balloonfest in October. This is the biggest Hot Air balloon festival in our region. In fact, so many pilots live in the Statesville area that the town is known as the Ballooning Capital of the East. Of all the neat things to put a town on a map for, this is by far one of the coolest distinctions.

This was my first visit to Statesville and it was one surprise after another. We toured an alpaca farm, interacted with cool animals at a rescue ranch, and learned all about how people did laundry in the 18th century (which is far more interesting than you’d think) at Fort Dobbs. Statesville is only two hours from the Upstate and can definitely be done as a day trip but I think it’s also a hidden gem for a family getaway for a few days.

Things to do in Statesville, NC

We packed as much as we could in our two-day adventure but there is a lot more to do in Statesville ,NC!

Serenity Alpaca Farm

Imagine being surrounded by fluffy alpacas, getting to interact with them (after they judge you), and learning all the cool facts about these amazing creatures? That’s what you can do at Serenity at Stony Point Alpaca Farm. We loved our visit here and learned so many neat things about alpacas. Plus, I got to hold a baby alpaca, which was easily a highlight of my entire year. Take a tour here and you’ll easily fall in love with alpacas. Read our full review of Serenity Alpacas for all the details.

226 Walker Valley Drive, Stony Point, NC

serenity alpaca farm — Holding a baby alpaca

Galaxy Arcade

For some family time playing games together, head to the Galaxy Arcade in downtown Statesville. They have lots of old-school video games, pinball, virtual reality, air hockey, and a back room with lawn games. Bring quarters or break your dollars at the machine on site.

209 W Front St, Statesville, NC

Ft. Dobbs Historic Site

I love history but I really wasn’t expecting the treat that Fort Dobbs Historic Site brings. We had a tour from Jason, who dressed in period clothing despite how hot it was, and gave us an amazing tour of the replica fort, which includes tables, chairs, beds, and guns from the 1700s when the fort was in operation during the French-Indian War. It was so, so cool! Both my kids also really enjoyed learning about the history and talking to the men and women who worked there making shoes, cooking over open fires, and crafting spoons and tools. This was one of our favorite stops and I’d definitely recommend heading here during your trip to Statesville. Guided tours are $2/adults and $1/kids.

438 Fort Dobbs Rd, Statesville, NC

Rescue Ranch

A beautifully large property that houses over 80 rescue animals, Rescue Ranch offers both private and public tours with hands-on animal experiences. Plus, the massive, inclusive playground will be an absolute hit with the kids as it has climbing apparatuses, zip lines, swings, and spinning things (I have no idea what they are called). We loved meeting all the cool animals like the fainting goats, tortoises, and snakes but our favorites were the bunnies, birds, and miniature horses. Bring a picnic and stay awhile! Tours last about 90 minutes and are $20/adult and $10/kids for the public tours and $30/adults and $15/kids for the private tours. No pets allowed.

1424 Turnersburg Highway, Statesville, NC

Hazy Red Vineyard

I had never picked muscadines in my life and only had them once or twice. My daughters had never had them so we were excited to try this new pick-your-own adventure. Meeting Lorne, one of the owners of Hazy Red Vineyard, was a lot of fun. His land had been in the family since the mid-1800s and they have been growing the muscadines only in the past decade or so. They have a few different kinds that they grow and pick and the season lasts from early summer to around mid-October depending on the weather.

These muscadines were amazing. They were sweet and tart and juicy and addicting. I’ve never had muscadines like this before and was very happy to walk out of there with more than a gallon of them! Plus, their health benefits are spectacular. You need to put this place on your list when you visit Statesville.

375 Jane Sowers Road, Statesville, NC

Emerald Hollow Mine

This mine is super unique and fun. It’s the only emerald mine in the world where the public are allowed to prospect and it’s also where the largest emerald in North America was found. You can go digging in the creek or dirt for gems (we found a small emerald!) or use the sluice with enriched buckets. Whatever you choose, this is a place you need to visit. Read our full review of Emerald Hollow Mine.

484 Emerald Hollow Mine Drive, Hiddenite, NC

Creekin' at Emerald Hollow Mine — Creekin’ at Emerald Hollow Mine

Statesville Sculpture Garden

This is a cute little sculpture garden in downtown Statesville with some unique art. We liked walking around there after our dinner at Smokin’ Southern Cantina since it’s right across the street.

202 N. Center Street, Statesville, NC

Where to Eat in Statesville, NC

There are several great restaurants in Statesville and we only visited a few places, which I’ll tell you about below. For more recommendations, you can see the Visit Statesville website.

Andrea’s Ice Cream

We went here twice. First, we went to get ice cream and it was amazing. They have Blue Bell and the flavors are the absolute best. Then we went back again the next day to get their bagels (only made on Fridays and Saturdays) because I just adore bagels and will go to great lengths to get good ones. Don’t miss this gem when you visit.

115 S Center Street, Statesville, NC

Lake Mountain Coffee

This is quite possibly the prettiest coffee house I’ve been in. It’s two levels and the second level looks down on the first floor. There is a lot of seating and they have excellent coffee and baked goods. My kids loved the muffins. They also have beer and wine so you can certainly relax here for any occasion.

110 W Broad Street, Statesville, NC

Smokin’ Southern Cantina

A take on Tex-Mex cuisine with some pizza and burgers thrown in for good measure. The reason I’d recommend this place is because it has something for everyone, no matter their taste. We had quesadillas, fries, and nachos. Everything was good and it took a while to decide what to order because the menu was fairly extensive. I really wanted a margarita but held back – next time!

121 N Center Street, Suite 103, Statesville, NC

Vanilla Bean Bakery

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Vanilla Bean had boba tea so that’s what I got instead of coffee because I absolutely love boba (or bubble) tea. I had Green Tea with pomegranate popping bubbles and it was so delicious. They also have coffee and pastries and the staff were really nice and helpful.

127 W Broad Street, Statesville, NC

Where to Stay in Statesville, NC

We ended up staying in a beautiful AirBnB less than a mile from downtown Statesville but there are a lot of places to stay in the area.

Visit Statesville recommends several hotels and AirBnBs on their website that you can check out and see what works best for your family.

Overall Mom Review of Statesville, NC

I thought Statesville, NC was quite the gem of a town. We had so many new experiences and came away with a new appreciation for alpacas, rescue animals, muscadines, history, and real mining operations. Almost everything we did was new to us, which was awesome because my daughters and I are always looking for our next new adventure and Statesville delivered.

I think going to the Carolina Balloon Fest would be an amazing experience as it’s the city’s most popular event but there are so many other reasons to visit this area, which is certainly within a weekend trip for families in the Upstate and even a day trip.

So if you’re looking for that next adventure, consider heading up to Statesville to cuddle an alpaca, get dirty gem mining, and learn about history at Fort Dobbs while eating those freshly picked muscadines!

Visit Statesville
Visit Statesville Website | Facebook

Kidding Around's Travel Guide to North Carolina

Travel to North Carolina: More GREAT Ideas

2025 DRIVING TOURS: Spooky Halloween Houses- Greenville, SC

Looking for some safe Halloween fun for the family? We put together this awesome driving tour of local homes with fabulously spooky Halloween displays. So load up the kids and go for a spooky drive. Which is your favorite stop?

Some people in the Upstate really get into decorating for Halloween and go all out. We’re talking 12 ft high skeletons, creepy carnival themes, flying witches, the works. And we found them and put them on a map for you to drive around and get into the Halloween spirit.

We’ve mapped out four routes for 2025: : Greenville, Simpsonville/Mauldin, North Greer, South Greer, and Five Forks – see the map. **When looking at the map below, the addresses in orange have been confirmed for 2025 and viewed by us. Any other color has not.

Halloween Guide, trick or treat in Greenville, SC

Looking for more spooky fun? Here’s our Greenville, SC Halloween Event Guide!

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Author Archive

About Beech Mountain

Where To Stay in Beech Mountain

More Places to Stay in Beech Mountain

Where To Eat in Beech Mountain

Fred’s Backside Deli

Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria

5506’ Skybar

Holy Smokes BBQ

Slope View Cafe

Things to Do in Beech Mountain, NC

Beech Mountain Resort

Buckeye Recreation Center

Emerald Outback Hiking Trails

Mountaineer Adventure Tower

Fishing in Beech Mountain

Blackberry Jam Summer Festival

Land of Oz [CLOSED FOR THE 2025 SEASON]

Things to Do Near Beech Mountain, NC

Hiking

Grandfather Mountain

Moses Cone Manor

Original Mast General Store

Linville Caverns

Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster

Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival

Ready to Visit Beech Mountain?

About Tae Kwon Do and Master Kim’s

Learning Tae Kwon Do

Family Time at Tae Kwon Do

Progressing Through Belt Levels

Board Breaking Class

Belt Testing: Yellow

Sparring

Black Belt Testing

Moving Through the Color Belts: Halfway to Black!

Honest Mom Review

Signing Up for Classes at Master’s Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do

About the Whatta Wash Haunted Car Wash

Tips on Enjoying the Haunted Car Wash

But really, how scary is the Haunted Car Wash?

Dates & Hours of the Haunted Car Wash 2025

Map of the Routes

Best Fall Driving Routes in the Carolinas

Travelers Rest Route

Pickens/Upstate Route

Oconee County Route

Simpsonville/Mauldin Route

Brevard Route

Find More Fun This Fall

LushAcres Farm: Historical Farm Offers Playground, Strawberries, and Seasonal Fun

Blue Wall Preserve: A Colorful Fall Hike in Landrum, SC

Explore the Terrifying Storyline of Sunken Manor — If You Dare!

Halloween Fun: Haunted Car Wash in Greenville, SC Gives Great Scares

Cider, Pumpkin Patches, Scarecrows, and Views Are All on These 5 Upstate, SC Fall Driving Routes!

Search for Ghosts at These Haunted Cemeteries Near Greenville, SC

The Best Halloween Events for Babies and Toddlers in Greenville, SC

10 Parent-Hacks for Amazing & Memorable Trips to the Farm this Fall

Enjoy Some Haunted Fun On The Greer Ghost Tour In Greer, SC

Celebrate the Best that Our Town has to Offer at Fall For Greenville

Kingston Resorts Christmas Village

The Humbug Grinch Suite Experience

Where to Eat at Kingston Resorts: Black Drum Brewing

Beachfront Location

Honest Mom Review

Enter the Teal Pumpkin

Grateful Parents & Kids

Teal Pumpkin Project Ideas: Non-Food Things for Trick-or-Treaters

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Coffee Near Greenville, SC

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Ice Cream

Where to Find Local Pumpkin Desserts: Greenville, SC

Where to Find Pumpkin Beer & Cider

About Statesville, NC

Things to do in Statesville, NC

Serenity Alpaca Farm

Galaxy Arcade

Ft. Dobbs Historic Site

Rescue Ranch

Hazy Red Vineyard

Emerald Hollow Mine