Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, NC is where weird meets fun and where you’ll probably be wondering what is going on most of the time.
We can’t recommend Mystery Hill enough!
Thanks to Explore Boone for hosting us for this visit.
What is Mystery Hill?
Mystery Hill first opened in 1948 and has enthralled both locals and visitors ever since with their Natural Gravitational Anomaly, where you’ll probably feel you are on a roller coaster and spinning tea cup ride all at once. It’s so weird. Water flows uphill and balls roll up walls.
Fun at Mystery Hill
Today, Mystery Hill has hands-on science experiments, gem mining, axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, and even a museum that has more than 50,000 Native American arrowheads displayed.
The museum is located between Blowing Rock and Boone, NC.
Things to do at Mystery Hill
Vortex and Other Oddities Tour
All the guests start off with the tour about the history of the museum and what you’ll find there. Our guide was hilarious. He had dad jokes galore and could imitate more voices than I’d ever heard come out of one person. My teen and I were cracking up while my tween was cringing in embarrassment that we were laughing. It was so great and started your impression off of the museum on the right foot.
The guide escorts you through rooms that look like they were straight out of the 70s with wood paneled walls and turf-like flooring. You’ll get to go to the vortex room here and before you go in, you’ll get instructions to use the railings in the room and if you feel sick, how to get out fast. I certainly have not heard those instructions before.
What in the gravity is happening here?
The Natural Gravitational Anomaly room was crazy. I went downhill in it and felt so dizzy and lightheaded. Like, what? You feel like you’re walking uphill, but if you just stand there, you’re leaning forward, like Michael Jackson leaning forward. There is a station where you can pour in water, and it looks like it’s flowing uphill. And there are balls you can roll around, and they roll uphill.
How does this make sense? I have no idea.
After the vortex room, you will go to a black light room and experience hands-on science experiments, which are right next to the awesome bubble room. You can make human-sized bubbles in here, and I had to drag the kids out because they were having too much fun.
Appalachian Heritage Museum
This unassuming building has about 50,000 Native American arrowheads, which is only a small part of the entire collection they all belong to. It’s quite the historical collection but also just overwhelming. I could not believe two people were able to find all of these and create art pieces out of them.
Axe Throwing
Mystery Hill lets you throw axes and it’s a blast. This was the first time my kids threw axes (they have velcro ones for little kids) and they absolutely loved it as they tried to hit the target. I actually didn’t think we were going to leave. The staff there will help you and give you tips – they are really nice and helpful.
Axe throwing at Mystery Hill
Mechanical Bull Riding
As if axe-throwing wasn’t fun enough, Mystery Hill also lets guests ride a mechanical bull. I haven’t done this in a while and it was definitely a lot of fun after I got over trying to make sure I didn’t hurt myself. Adult problems. My kids absolutely loved it and went on a couple times, trying to beat each other’s times.
Bull Riding at Mystery Hill
Gem Mining
I kind of think gem mining can be a bit boring since you just have to sift through sand to find stones someone else put there but the gem mining experience at Mystery Hill was quite fun. They had all kinds of different gems, including geodes! We actually had no idea there were geodes and were wondering what the slimy balls were, so we just put them in the discard bucket. But as we were leaving, my oldest daughter looked at the brochure they give you about which gems you can find, and those slimy balls were actually geodes, so we hustled back to the sluice to retrieve them!
Hands-On Science Room
There’s a black-lit room with brain teasers, a bubble room to make huge bubbles, and a hands-on science area to test out different experiments. My homeschool mom self was super pumped about all this.
Other things to do at Mystery Hill
There is a river walk right across the parking lot from Mystery Hill, which has some pretty murals. They have a Christmas Light Walk during the holidays that happens here and is included in your ticket.
They also have one of those old-time photo studios. I’ve always wanted to do this, but have not gotten around to it yet. Maybe if I go here again I can add it to my ticket!
Bubble room at Mystery Hill
If you are in the mood for a treat, Mystery Hill sells ice cream on the property, which is pretty great since you’ll need at least a couple of hours here to do all the things, and getting sustenance is key.
Visiting Mystery Hill
Mystery Hill is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm and closed on major holidays.
Base tickets are $24.95/person and kids under 4 are free with a paying adult. Adventure Pass tickets, which include the tour, gem mining, bull riding, axe throwing, and the museum, are $44.95/person.
You could also choose to add on activities, which cost anywhere from $7.95/person up to $24.95/person. The Adventure Pass is the way to go for sure.
Tickets are sold online and in person. Mystery Hill is pet-friendly – well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome. The service dog on our tour would absolutely not go into the vortex room though!
Mystery Hill 129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock, NC Mystery Hill Website | 828.264.2792
Inside: Check out our trip to Boone, NC, and plan your own. Find things to do, where to stay, and even where to eat in Boone.
Whether you like great food, high adventure, incredible views, or just weird roadside attractions, Boone, North Carolina in the state’s High Country, should absolutely be on your list to visit.
We spent a weekend there and tell you all about where to eat, where to stay, and how to have fun in this charming mountain town.
Thank you to Explore Boone, who hosted us for this amazing trip.
Boone, NC is under three hours from the Upstate but feels a world away. With soaring mountains, old school attractions, and cooler temperatures, Boone is a beautiful spot to enjoy a fun-filled weekend or longer vacation. There are just so many things to do in the High Country and we spent a packed few days here in order to tell you all about it. For reference, the ages of my kids on the trip were 11 and 14.
The view from one of the decks at Hawksnest
Where to Play
There is no shortage of fun things to do in Boone, NC! Here’s what we did and how to plan your own adventures.
You haven’t seen weird until you’ve been to Mystery Hill. It’s weird but also crazy fun and was one the more unique things we’ve ever done. So the place is a museum and entertainment venue that literally has everything from mechanical bull riding to a bubble room to a museum of Native American arrowheads to a bizarre vortex room.
If you ask my kids their favorite part about Mystery Hill, it was for sure the vortex room, where you could literally lean forward and not fall over, and the axe-throwing. Plan to spend at least a couple hours here. You can purchase tickets for individual attractions or just get one pass that covers everything, which we recommend.
129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
Fun at Mystery Hill
Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train
We were able to experience Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train and it exceeded all our expectations! The train is totally decked out to look like a skeleton that breathes smoke and guests get to ride through darkness in the mountains as they search for missing college students. The ride is a little over 20 minutes and includes somewhat scary zombies on the train and lots of action-packed stops to see fireballs and a staged gun fight.
The rest of the park has trick-or-treating, carnival rides, haunted houses, and awesome spooky dance parties. When we went, there were a lot of families and everything is not completely terrifying so most kids will enjoy it. Read our entire review here.
300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC
Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
Hawksnest Ziplining
This was one of our favorite adventures in Boone since you get to fly amongst the trees and mountains, over creeks, and walk on swinging bridges. We did the Hawk Tour, which included 11 ziplines and took about 1.5 hours. Our guides, Carson and Sky, were fantastic and made us feel safe and excited to fly on those lines!
The scenery here is unreal and we could not have loved the views and experience any more. In the winter, they have snow tubing runs – four of them in fact. We haven’t done snow tubing there but after this experience, it’s something we are going to try to get up there to cover over the winter because it looks super fun!
2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC
Incredible views at Hawksnest!
Get Outside
Boone is the perfect basecamp for all your outdoor adventures! Here are a few of our favorite trails nearby:
Crab Orchard Falls
This beautiful waterfall has a small swimming hole and lots of rocks to hang out on and enjoy a picnic. Plus, the drive there is incredibly beautiful. You can hike the new trail (1.3 mile lollipop loop) or the old trail (1 mile out and back). Both are of moderate difficulty as they involve some inclines.
146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, NC
Crab Orchard Falls
Rough Ridge
This short hike, under a mile roundtrip, is probably in our top three hikes in Western NC and the Upstate of South Carolina. It is that beautiful. But you need to go early during leaf season (like before 8 am) because it gets very crowded.
3218 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Linville, NC
Grandfather Mountain
The Grandfather Mountain Trail is my favorite hike of all time yet I question my life’s decisions every time I go. It’s not for beginners or the faint of heart since you’ll be scaling the side of a mountain on a ladder. My kids love it but they are experienced hikers. Grandfather Mountain is also home to an incredible nature center and the Mile High Bridge so certainly worth it to visit even if you don’t hike the tough trails.
This trail at Moses Cone Manor takes you through the woods and up a beautiful open field to a firetower with 360-degree views of the mountains. It’s about 4 miles roundtrip and easy to moderate.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 294, Blowing Rock, NC
Bass Lake
For an easy one mile loop, take the walk around Bass Lake. It’s very pretty and an easy walk.
1 Bass Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC
Explore Boone has a great list of other trails in the area so be sure to check that out if you want to enjoy local hikes.
Where to Shop & Stroll
Downtown Boone
There are so many fun shops and restaurants in downtown Boone that it’s hard to just go once (we went a few times during our visit!). We found some super cute clothes at Anna Banana’s thrift store and loved a festival that we happened to stumble upon while there that featured tons of local artists. The art scene is strong in Boone. There are paid public parking lots in downtown Boone plus street parking with meters.
Downtown Boone
Original Mast General Store
Did you know you can visit the original Mast General store in Valle Crucis, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Boone? It’s a super cute shop with its trademark creaking floors and candy barrels. The annex down the street has clothing and an ice cream shop.
565 Hwy 194 S, 3565 Broadstone Road, Sugar Grove, NC
Where to Eat in Boone, NC
I wish we could have tried more places to eat because literally everywhere we went was fantastic. The variety of food and the creativity of the menus are suited to match any taste and preference. Here’s where we went:
Fizz Ed
We loved Fizz Ed with its eclectic decor and amazing food. They try to make your dining experience fun – think a little sparkle magic with your kid’s fizzy drink – welcoming, and delicious. Amy, the owner who has lived in the area since she was a teenager, is so kind and thoughtful. It was easy to see how much she loves running the restaurant and creating a meal that people will not only truly enjoy but also come back for.
We had hand-breaded chicken tenders, beet hummus, a falafel and cucumber naan wrap, mac and cheese, and my favorite – homemade potato chips. I could have eaten the potato chips alone for the entire meal because they were that good.
260 Howard Street, Boone, NC
Lunch at Fizz Ed in Boone
Troy’s 105 Diner
When my daughters and I talked about our favorite meals in Boone, Troy’s took the top pick. I’m still thinking about my Patty Melt days later, and my daughter’s French Toast was huge and delicious. The 1950s-style diner has literally something for everyone, so be sure to make this a stop on your trip.
1286 NC-105, Boone, NC
Troy’s 105 Diner
Stick Boy Kitchen
With coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and bagels, Stick Boy Kitchen is a great stop for breakfast, especially if you need items on the go so you can get started on your adventures for the day. My girls loved their bagel sandwiches!
211 Boone Heights Dr, Boone
Wild Craft Eatery
Located right in downtown Boone, Wild Craft Eatery focuses on local, organic ingredients. We had their Havana Plate with chicken, rice, plantains and a delicious sauce that I still don’t know what it was and their Cuban Beans & Rice dish. Both were so flavorful. I also got one of their speciality mocktails with pineapple juice, ginger, and green tea. It was refreshing and a delightful combination of flavors that I had never had before but that worked out perfectly!
506 W King St, Boone, NC
Dan’l Boone Inn
An old school tavern complete with servers dressed in Daniel Boone-era outfits, the restaurant is a family-style spot that serves up fried chicken, hamburger steak, stewed apples, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, biscuits, salad, and dessert. You pay one price per person ($24.95/adults and less for kids depending on their ages). We loved the family style service since you don’t need to order anything and the food is great!
130 Hardin Street, Boone, NC
Appalachian Cookie Company
They make their cookies to order and have a big selection of both classic and creative cookies. Think Chocolate Chip cookies plus Cookie Butter or Nutella. The cookies are huge and you’ll walk out of there thinking about when you can go back. If you don’t have an extra 20 minutes to wait for them to bake it, they may have some cookies already in the warmer you can get immediately so just ask.
1087 W King St, Boone, NC
Melanie’s Food Fantasy
We went here for brunch and everything was delicious and filling. Their cappuccino earned the spot on my list for the best coffee I had in Boone. One of my daughters got their Bacon Avocado Eggs Benedict, which looked like art on a plate and was amazingly good.
173 Howard St, Boone, NC
Where to Stay in Boone
We stayed at Rhodes Motor Lodge just a couple miles from downtown Boone. It is so adorable and comfortable and we could park right outside our room, which made the trek with our stuff super easy. The decor is like a 1970s adventure lodge, minimal furniture with concrete, shiny flooring, extra blankets, and earth tones with soft lighting. I loved it.
View from our deck at Rhodes Motor Lodge
We had a balcony that overlooked the courtyard and had mountain views. It was beautiful! And the location is ideal – it’s close to shopping, restaurants, and grocery stores. Rhodes Motor Lodge also has free coffee and cider, which I made use of in the morning and sat outside with my daughter by the fire. It was relaxing and oh-so-enjoyable.
1377 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC
For even more things to do and see in Boone, NC, visit Explore Boone’s website. They have a great blog and wonderful ideas of even more fun to be had there!
Travel more in North Carolina! We have a whole guide for that!
Ready for a scare-your-pants-off kind of haunted attraction? We visited Madworld Haunted Attraction in Greenville, SC and had a terrifyingly fun time. Thanks to Madworld for inviting us to experience their terrifying attraction so we could scare our readers in this review.
Love haunted houses, insane asylums, terrifying clowns, and all things Halloween? Then you’ll want to visit one of the country’s scariest haunted attractions at Madworld Haunted Attraction right here in Greenville, SC.
We’ll tell you all about how this place started, the terrifying things you’ll encounter, how scary Madworld really is, and how to experience the best of the Halloween season at Madworld.
Madworld is owned and run by two brothers, Joe and Tim Thompson, and 2025 is their 15th season of the haunted attraction. They’ve always loved horror and all things scary so producing and creating Madworld was a natural fit for both of them.
The haunted attraction has won accolades nationwide and is ranked as one of the scariest attractions in South Carolina. This is a pretty serious haunted attraction which Joe and Tim have built with the guest experience in mind. There are about 200 actors on any given night looking to terrify guests with their very real-looking getups and acting skills that have been honed for this place and their goal to give guests a memorable – and nightmare-worthy – experience.
We got a peek at some of the behind-the-scenes magic and the amount of work that goes into the makeup and costumes of each character is stunning. There are silicon masks, rows of makeup chairs, prosthetics, weapons that look real. The team is serious about the appearance of each character and makes sure to make them look as real as possible. Actors have to go through rounds of auditions to work at Madworld.
But that’s not all. Madworld has a quality control manager whose job is basically go through the entire park several times a night and make sure every character is acting their part to a tee. If not, well, I don’t even want to know. The guy who does this is very serious about his job.
All the Details about the Haunted Trail
The biggest part of Madworld is their nearly half-mile haunted trail through a zombie factory and into a world of all kinds of things that scare us humans.
Joe and Tim told us that they wanted to hit on a variety of things and scenarios that scare people as to make sure they are able to hit all phobias. That is quite obvious once you start walking through the haunted trail, which seemingly never ends.
The zombie factory starts off your tour after your photo is snapped by the Madworld staff to remember you by. OK, well, not really. You can purchase it afterwards at the customer service desk. Each group is ushered in separately so there may be a bit of a wait (get the Fast Pass – you’ll save a lot of time). There are green glowing lights and you feel like you’re in a prison. Loud noises are all around you and the actors try to reach for you from their jail cell. It’s awesome.
Once you get instructions about not running through any of the attractions from the creepy host, you’ll enter into the official part of the haunted trail. There are 13 sets/haunted houses and once you leave one, you’ll walk outside and enter into the next one. There are characters everywhere that either will jump out at you or show up in the shadows or just act completely terrifying.
After the zombie factory, I can’t even remember what is next because there are so many. I’ll tell you the things that stood out to me in the various places.
First, this wasn’t even me but Bethany and her husband were behind me and passed a writhing girl on the floor, who they thought was me. You can imagine their terror. Thankfully, I was just ahead of them getting scared out of my mind by an exorcist-type girl on a moving bed who was crawling towards me.
The clown house obviously involved a lot of clowns. But it also involved a lot of flashing lights, strobes, and creepy laughs. This is one the warnings they give you when you buy your tickets.
The pirate house was my favorite because the characters were entirely convincing but also because they had a part where it seemed that you were going to fall into water where a giant gator was going to eat you. Towards the end of the pirate house, you have to walk through a room where you can’t see the floor – so cool.
The insane asylum was just that: insane. Lots of patients screaming to let them out plus a room full of old toilets that had me convinced this was a real insane asylum. It was intense.
One part that was outdoors had a crazed guy lighting up propane with actors with chainsaws hacking up people. One bloody person was dragged in front of me by a dude with a chainsaw and I’m still not sure if it was a real person or not.
A witch nearly scared me to death when she popped out of her shack. And I really didn’t want to walk through the house with the label of “bless this house” on the door. No, thanks. But I did and it was haunting.
From the time we entered the zombie factory to when we exited the haunted trail was about 25-30 minutes. It felt longer. There is a lot of blood, gore, and screaming at Madworld.
Ghost Mini Golf & Carnival Games
While Madworld is probably most well-known for their intensely scary haunted trail, they have a lot of other things to do while you’re there that won’t involve straining your vocal chords.
They have an entire mini golf course, several different carnival games, and my favorite – ax throwing. None of these things are terrifying so if your kids want to go someplace “scary” but you know they aren’t ready for the full experience, you can take them here to do ghost mini golf and throw some balls at clowns. Then they can tell their friends they went to Madworld.
Tasty Treats at Madworld + Gift Shop
Being scared works up an appetite. Good thing Madworld can help out with that.
There are some tasty food vendors at Madworld that sell mini donuts, cheeseburgers, funnel cakes, muffins, fries, and even coffee and frappes.
These are located inside the park. You can sit around the bonfire and eat and calm your heart rate after going through the haunted trail.
As for the gift shop, you’ll want to go here before heading home. They have some really cool stuff like skeleton wine goblets, terrifying hoodies, ghost soap dishes, and candles.
Best Ages for Madworld
If you think I’m going to give you an age range for kids who will enjoy this, sorry to disappoint but it’s not happening. As an adult, I was scared. I know several adults who would also be terrified of Madworld but who want to go and scream their heads off. Other friends are scared just looking at my photos of Madworld.
I know my own kids, currently ages 12 and 9, and they would never sleep after going to Madworld. But other kids, including another 12-year-old and a teenager who came with us, absolutely loved this place and no doubt will want to go back. When we went, there was a little girl, probably around 7, who was first in line with her mom.
So what age is good for this haunted attraction? It totally depends on your kid.
Joe did tell us that when little kids come in, the actors don’t act as scary towards them. So, instead of quietly coming up behind them and waiting for them to turn around and be scared out of their mind, the characters will approach them from the front and give them a high five.
Tips on Enjoying Madworld
Here are a few things we found to be helpful when heading to Madworld Haunted Attraction.
The actors are not allowed to intentionally touch guests. They are allowed to get very close though and sometimes I brushed up against their costumes.
Wear sturdy and closed toed shoes. Sometimes you can’t see the floor in the haunted trail and there is part of it where the floor moves so you want sturdy shoes.
Plan to spend some time there. There are a lot of things to enjoy at Madworld besides the haunted trail so plan to spend the evening hanging out, getting scared, and playing carnival games, eating, or chilling at the bonfire.
Sign your waiver and have the proof you signed it on your phone at the entrance. That’s the only thing you need to enter Madworld and you’ll be checked for it.
If you’re able, get the Fast Pass. It will save you time on the haunted trail since you jump to the head of the line.
You can buy a no-scare medallion as part of your ticket package if you want to go but don’t want to be screaming all night. When kids wear these medallions, it repels monsters.
Do not wear your Halloween costumes. No costumes are allowed.
There are a lot of strobe and flashing lights and fog. If you have a condition where these things aggravate it, then it is not recommended you go. Pregnant women are also cautioned against doing the haunted trail.
Overall Review of Madworld
This type of attraction is typically not at the top of my Halloween excursions but readers, this is what I do for you. That said, Madworld was really, really fun. It’s obvious how much work went into creating a top-notch experience for guests who come looking to be scared and have a great night with their friends, family, or date (this would make a great date night).
The characters are very good at their work and everyone we saw throughout the haunted trail was on point for their particular scare tactic. We never saw any actor break character, which I imagine is very difficult to do for hours each night.
I’d certainly consider putting Madworld on my fall bucket list after this trip.
You can purchase your tickets online or at the gate. They have several different packages whether you want the full experience of the haunted trail and all the carnival games or just a couple things to do. You can also purchase a season pass if you’re that kind of crazy. General admission tickets are $40/adult and $35/kids 10 and under. Ticket packages go up from there.
They are open weekends starting September 5, 2025 through November 1, 2025. They are also open Halloween and a few other days before the last weekend of October. The times vary so check the schedule before you go.
Madworld will open in light rain but if it’s raining heavily, they will need to close. Follow Madworld on Facebook for the most up-to-date announcements.
Did you know there is an epic ropes and zipline course near Downtown Greenville, SC? Flying Rabbit Adventures ropes and zipline courses are just a few minutes from downtown, and we sent Kristina to test it out. It’s even cooler than she thought it would be!
Why You Need to Check Out Flying Rabbit Adventures in Greenville, SC
If there’s a new adventure to be had, I’m in. Like all in. I knew Flying Rabbit Adventures was going to have a big zipline and ropes course but when I got there and saw just how big it was and just how amazingly fun it looked, I couldn’t wait to get geared up. The adventure course has a lot going for it and I have several reasons you need to check it out.
Safety is the Top Priority
Let’s get the boring, but most important, stuff out of the way first. The safety precautions the staff at Flying Rabbit Adventures takes are outstanding. You’ll get a safety lesson when you are geared up with your straps and helmet and double-checked over by the staff. Then you get another safety lesson before you climb the tower and start all the fun. Then the guides on the course make sure you are strapped in safely and are hooked up to the belays properly.
I saw no cell phones on any of the guides so they aren’t going to be distracted. They communicate with walkie-talkies. They watch you like hawks as well. My daughter got stuck on moving her belay (the thing that hooks you to the lines) and the guide, who was on the platform on the level of the tower she was on, immediately got out to her and helped her out. Sarah, our guide, told us that they are all extensively trained and during downtime, will even practice rescue missions.
The Kid’s Course is Amazing
The Orville’s Kids Course consists of rope obstacles and ziplines and sits right below the big observation deck so parents can easily watch their kids if they want. More on this kid-watching thing in a minute.
My seven-year-old really enjoyed all the fun obstacles and having the freedom to play hard. A child’s ticket is $30 and they get a full two hours to play on the course.
The Aerial Adventure Course is Built for Adventure
The Aerial Adventure at Flying Rabbit Adventures is a tower that is three stories high and has five ziplines and 58 “elements”, which are the ropes courses that you can choose to attempt. As you move up the tower, the harder the elements get. I only did the bottom level and it was pretty hard but also really fun. As I said in the beginning, I’m up for almost anything and this certainly did the trick. The obstacles are well thought out and playful, perfect for forgetting the stress of daily life and focusing on relaxation and stress relief.
It’s also a workout and something completely different to focus on since you need to pay attention to how in the world you are going to traverse a series of crisscross logs suspended 30 feet in the air!
Tickets for the Aerial Adventure Course are $40 for only the lower level and $60 for full access and include 2.5 hours of time on the course.
The Zip Trip
Flying Rabbit Adventures also has a zip line! It is 135 feet long and you can ride it three time for $25, which takes around 40 minutes. To do the main course, you have to be at least 50 inches tall. Plus, there is a max weight of 285.
There is Beauty in the Architecture
I may be odd for making this one of the top things I liked about Flying Rabbit Adventures, but I really loved the observation deck and how the courses were built in a way that you felt like you were actually in the trees. The observation deck is huge with comfy couches and overlooks the very end of the Aerial Adventure Course, which is the giant zipline. You can easily look over the kids’ course and the pump track.
The elements of the Aerial Adventure course are beautiful, too. I hit some leaves on one of the obstacles as I was making my way across (this course is going to be stunning when the leaves change color), and I liked that feeling of being up in the trees.
Parents Can Sit Back and Relax
If you don’t want to do the course or you want to enjoy a cold brew from the brewery directly next to Flying Rabbit and bring it to the observation deck, you can do that. You don’t actually need to be with your kids as they traverse obstacles high in the air or zip around the kids’ course. I triple-confirmed this, don’t worry.
The guides are there to watch every person on the course and help them along if need be. No one is going to judge you if are just chilling on the deck while your kids wear themselves out.
Food and Beverage Are in the Same Lot
Flying Rabbit Adventures sits directly behind Home Team BBQ and Double Stamp Brewery. There are lots of picnic benches in the shade where you can eat and drink, which makes this location perfect for a wonderful day of fun for the whole family.
Planning Your Adventure at Flying Rabbit
Once you decide that yes, this is absolutely perfect for you and your kids (or just your kids – totally fine), you can book your Flying Rabbit Adventure online. Once you get there, you’ll need to sign a waiver.
Prices for the kid’s course are $30/person for two hours. Prices for the Aerial Adventure course is $40/person for the lower level only and $60/person all access. You get 2.5 hours on the course.
For the kid’s course, the minimum height is 40″ and max is 60″. Kids must weigh at least 38 pounds. For the Aerial Adventure Course, the minimum height is 60″ and max is 80″. The minimum weight is 44 pounds and the maximum weight is 285 pounds.
The Zip Trip is $25 for 3 trips on the Flying Rabbit zipline, which is 135 feet of fun!
Flying Rabbit Adventures also has a pump track where people can ride bikes and scooters. It is $15 for an hour or $30 for three hours. They have bikes you can rent for an extra $10.
Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes and bring water – it’s a workout.
Overall, Flying Rabbit Adventures went far beyond my expectations. My kids have been asking when we can go back. All of us had such a memorable experience that I should probably be planning our next trip already.
Flying Rabbit Adventures 821 Laurens Road, Greenville (directly behind Home Team BBQ) 864-230-0191
🍎Apple orchards are stepping up their game when it comes to attracting guests with delicious baked goods – it’s not all about apple cider donuts anymore! Here are some of the very best treats we’ve found at apple orchards that are totally worth the short day trip. 🍎
The bakery team at Grandad’s is out to make you a repeat customer this year. They have a Mountain Glacier Slushie that you can get with or without ice cream, and they introduced their Apple pie cinnamon roll this year for extra sweetness.
Everything is stunning at this beautiful orchard, and their brand new creamery is no different. The team at Jeter is serving up small-batch ice cream this year, made right there at the orchard and with local ingredients – their newest is Apple Pie. You can even create an ice cream float with their sparkling cider.
Typically known for their amazing donuts and insanely gorgeous views, Sky Top has introduced the Apple Cider Doughnut Slushie Float – layers of cider slushy with soft serve ice cream topped with one of their delicious doughnuts.
This family-run orchard has lots of activities for both kids and adults (hello, tap room), but their Apple Cider Float is worth the stop alone. It’s topped with homemade granola straight from grandma’s kitchen.
Located in Morganton, NC, this orchard churns out some delicious bakery treats. Their baker told us that they create new treats every week! They recently offered the Caramel Apple Stack – a concoction of apples drizzled in caramel, topped with ice cream and a donut.
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave, Morganton, NC
Photo courtesy of Apple Hill Orchard
In Case You Still Want Those Donuts…
Looking for those delicious apple cider donuts to add to the fall treat list? Here’s our Apple Cider Donut Driving Tour.
🧭Explore the best family-friendly hiking trails near Greenville, SC with this comprehensive Upstate SC hiking guide, featuring top hikes by location, age group, and interests like waterfalls, swimming holes, and scenic mountain views.
Looking for a great hike to enjoy with your family near Greenville, SC? Check out our Guide to Hiking in the Upstate! You’re sure to find a new hike to try that’s just right for your family. This is your new go-to guide for hiking in Upstate, SC.
Inside: 10 perfect Fall family day or weekend trips from Greenville, South Carolina!
Are you planning a fall day trip complete with gorgeous fall colors and memory-making activities? Maybe you’re trying to figure out a fun fall weekend trip from Greenville? Fall is my absolute favorite time of year to take day trips or weekend adventures with my kids because of all the incredible beauty in the mountains and the cooler temps. It’s just ideal.
So, we compiled this list of pretty amazing (if we do say so ourselves) day trips that you could make into an overnight if that’s something you and your family or significant other are looking for.
Fall is just about here and you’re probably hunting the perfect activity to celebrate the season. Local mom Kristina loves Justus Orchard and is telling us why this is one fall road trip you’re going to make into your new family tradition. After all, Justus Orchard offers tons of fun activities for the kids and tasty treats too!
There are lots of great reasons to visit Justus Orchard in the gorgeous mountains of Hendersonville this fall: the apples are delicious, the scenery is peaceful and picturesque, the family who runs the business is very kind and have been running the orchard for four generations, and the apple cider donuts and slushies are delicious. I don’t even like donuts but put one of those in front of me and I’m not going to say no.
Justus Orchards is open every weekend for U-pick through mid-November. They have their delicious apple slushies, apple fritters, apple donuts, fried apple pies, and fruits and vegetables. They also have something new this year: an Apple Cider Float with Apple Crisp Crumbles on top! Yummy!
Their big playground is also open, plus all the farm activities like the cow train and a jumping pillow. They also have a beautiful tap room, another jumping pillow, and more additions to the play area.
I first went to Justus many years ago, only a few months after I first moved to the Upstate. Word was that if you wanted to go apple picking, go to Justus – so I took my then 3-year-old and newborn and went to get me some apples. It’s been one of my family’s favorite apple orchards ever since.
New play area 2024
Easy Apple Picking
I think one of the more fun aspects of actually apple picking are the awesome wagons the orchard has where you can put your kids, uh, apples I mean. It makes it easier to cart everything around.
They also have a map for you to find your favorite apple varieties and have those giant sticks with a little cage at the top so you can grab apples from high in the trees. Their Facebook page and their apple ripening calendar are updated with the latest apple varieties that are in season, which makes it helpful for timing your visit.
The orchard also sells tons of just-picked apples so don’t feel you need to do all the hard work alone or with the little ones, who may tire out before you can fill up your basket. I also thought the pricing for the number of apples was very reasonable and inexpensive. Just have a bunch of good apple recipes for when you get home!
Mid-summer, the orchard opens for blackberry picking. They also have available blueberries, some apples, peaches, and of course, their delicious items from the bakery.
Kid-Friendly Activities at Justus Orchard
Justus Orchard seeks to make the experience of apple picking a memorable one for the whole family. They have two jumping pillows, a huge playground, a picnic area, cow train, and even apple canons.
Playground at the orchard
Justus Orchard has two jumping pillows plus two huge ball-throwing contraptions and corn hole. The views at the orchard are insanely gorgeous and the space is so inviting. There are places to sit and watch your kids or play with them and enjoy the orchard.
All kids activities and barn visits to the animals are $5/person, except the playground, which is free.
NOTE: The jumping pillows are open Friday-Sunday, but the apple cannon and cow train are only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Jumping pillows
During the fall, there are a series of events on weekends, which you can learn about by watching their Facebook page.
Picking (and eating) the apples are a fun activity for children and there is lots of open space for them to run around before driving back home.
New Tap Room
Also new in 2024 is the tap room at Justus Orchard. They have locally made hard cider and beer in a totally enclosed standalone building. They have tables and chairs set up and they offer flights of cider, which is awesome.
Tap Room
The new tap room also has a covered patio right next to the big play area so you can sit and chill out drinking your hard cider while watching your kids get their energy out.
New Indoor Bathrooms
Everyone can rejoice at the new addition of indoor bathrooms at the orchard! The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the kids play area and tap room.
Apple Cider Donuts, Slushies, Pies & BBQ at Just Orchard
The Bakery House at the orchard sells all kinds of delectable apple goodies that you’ll want to try while you are there. They have, among other things, fried apple pies, apple slushies, caramel apples, apple fritters, apple pies, and even coffee.
They also sell apple peelers and contraptions to core an apple.
On weekends, a BBQ food truck sets up shop at the orchard so if you forget to pack a lunch, you can always chow down on some slow-cooked pork while taking in the mountain air.
Take your family to Justus Orchard
Always call ahead before you go just to make sure no extraneous things happened that affected their hours or apples. Be ready to start an awesome family tradition at Justus Orchard!
Justus Orchard Website 187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm 828.974.1232
Have you ever taken your kids apple picking at Justus Orchard?
If you’re headed up to Hendersonville, don’t miss our huge guide to Hendersonville, NC. It’s full of things to do, where to eat, and lots of free fun ideas.
Inside: A local mom takes a boat ride on the highest Lake East of the Mississippi River at Lake Glenville, NC, and shares all the best tips to plan a trip there!
You can explore Lake Glenville, the highest elevation lake in the Eastern US, in Jackson County, North Carolina by boat with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises. We did the beautiful boat tour and will tell you all you need to know to enjoy the scenic lake.
Thanks to Jackson County, North Carolina for hosting us and providing the opportunity to take the boat tour.
There’s something really special about mountain lakes. Maybe it’s that crisp mountain air, the ancient hills that loom in the distance, that clear water – whatever it is, that’s where I want to be. So when I had the opportunity to take a boat tour with Captain Mark and his scenic boat cruise on Lake Glenville – the only boat tour company that operates on the lake – I was all in. We got to see waterfalls, a bald eagle nest, and enjoy the beauty of the lake. Plus, it’s only a short drive from Cashiers, so you can add it to your itinerary when visiting the area.
If you adore fall, you may be planning a visit to a local farm with activities your whole family will love. One of our favorite farms is Denver Downs Farm, which offers a six acre corn maze, jumping pillows, zip lines, and much more. We have all the details of the activities they offer this season! The 2025 season begins September 26, 2025 – November 9th, 2025.
Thank you to Denver Downs Farm for sponsoring this article.
As summer gives way to fall and the weather turns a little cooler, I can’t hide my excitement for my absolute favorite time of year. I love sweater weather, boots, and the leaves changing to vibrant yellows and reds. But most of all, I look forward to this time of year more than ever because there is just so much to do that every weekend becomes an adventure.
One particular place that I cannot wait to mark on my calendar during fall is trekking to Denver Downs Farm in Anderson. If you’ve never been, read on because you’ll want to plan your visit just as much as I do.
About Denver Downs Farm
Denver Downs is currently a 250-acre agri-tourism farm, which means they are a working farm but invite people who are interested in learning about the farm. It also means they host really cool events like their annual Fall Festival, which features their nationally-recognized pumpkin patch, corn maze, live music, bonfires, pig races, and Pie Eating Contests.
The farm was started as a cotton farm in the late 1800s and then transitioned to a dairy farm. It was successful, with a milking herd of over 300 Holstein cows at one point, but then the dairy cows were sold in the mid-90s and the farm transitioned to row crops, produce, and beef cattle farming. Mrs. Garrison started giving tours of the farm back when the farm was a dairy farm in the 1960s, around 2001 a corn maze was planted and that launched their next venture into seasonal agriculture tourism!
The Corn Maze at Denver Downs
The first time I heard about Denver Downs was when I was told that the largest corn maze in the Southeast part of the United States was at this farm. Growing up in New Jersey, we didn’t exactly have enormous corn fields to run through, so I was immediately intrigued. Plus, I really wanted to imagine some big-time baseball stars coming out of cornfields (thank you “Field of Dreams”).
Although I’ve yet to see Babe Ruth make an appearance, the corn maze is enormous with 6 acres of corn stalks and paths. It’s also really easy to get lost in, which is certainly half the entertainment – as long as you are willing to let a toddler lead the way.
The Garrison Family, who have owned and operated the farm since 1869, make the corn maze a lot of fun by putting up checkpoints throughout, where maze-goers can use their smartphones to scan the numbers and track their time. We were in the maze for about 15 minutes and only came across one number. If you don’t have kids, have at it.
When you walk into the farm, at first glance it doesn’t look huge. You think you can almost see all of the activities with a quick scan but wow, you are mistaken. There is so much to do, at least a day’s worth of fun. I’ve gotten smarter each time I go and pack more food and water because we stay all day long, literally five to eight hours at least. And we still don’t even get to all of the activities they have.
There is a giant open barn full of hay with rope swings where kids can swing and then jump into the hay. Raise your hand if you want to be the adult in line with the kids? Yes, that was me too and it was a blast.
The list of activities is long including:
zip line
massive mega mountain tube slide
giant tricycles
pig derby
ropes course
sensory sandboxes
two giant jumping pillows
corn hole
tractor tire playground
gem mining
petting zoo
barnyard activities
human foosball
mini-farm house perfect for little kids to play in
swings made from tires that look like horses
spider web climb
arcade that consists of areas where you can test your basketball, baseball and football throwing skills
On the educational side, there are exhibits of crops and signs about how the crops are grown, and how the maze is made.
In addition to more than 35 barnyard activities, they also have a big pumpkin patch, bonfire pits, farm animals, live music, tons of carnival food options, kettle corn, and funnel cake.
Awesome Tube Slide & Jumping Pillows
The farm has expanded every year to add more activities and my favorite expansion so far was in 2022 with the addition of the mega slide.
Denver Downs will again have its massive mega slide, Slide Mountain! I got to try it out and oh my gosh, it was awesome! You can go as fast as 35 mph and there’s even a bridge above to watch people slide down. This is easily one of the most popular activities at the farm.
The expanded jumping pillow area is surrounded by a fence & includes two giant jumping pillows. It’s huge. The pillows are for older and younger kids, which I think is pretty smart, as long I can still go and jump because yup, I’m a big kid at heart.
Pumpkin Light Maze
In 2023, the farm added a new Pumpkin Lights Trail, complete with a pumpkin princess carriage. There is a singing pumpkin light show, carved pumpkin displays, giant candy corn, giant spider webs, and a trail that guests can walk through for a neat experience. It’s right next to the pumpkin patch (of course). It also has lights at night so you can select a pumpkin in the evening if you missed out during the daylight.
You’ll also love it during the day as there are several places to take fun photos and even sit inside the pumpkin carriage. Bring your crown!
11 Reasons to Visit Denver Downs Farm: Parent Review
11: Enjoy being a kid with your kids.
All of the barnyard activities – the jumping pillows, slides, rock walls, games, swinging from ropes – bring out the kid in me. Denver Downs is a place I can just play with my kids. And it’s a lot of fun for all of us!
10: It’s an opportunity to support a local farm.
Denver Downs is a family-run farm that first opened in the late 1800s. By supporting the farm, you are extending that heritage in our region and are able to be a part of history.
9: There are often baby animals, including my favorite: baby goats.
If there are baby goats anywhere, you should go. Or baby animals. They make anyone smile.
8: The music is fantastic.
Music at entertainment venues for families is sometimes just background noise. That’s not the case at Denver Downs. The solo acts throughout the weekend and Saturday night live bands are awesome. You’ll want to hang out and listen by the bonfires.
7: The pig derby is adorable.
Being from the north, I didn’t know pig racing was a thing until I went to Denver Downs. And now I’m the one in the front row cheering on the little guys as they race to get their treats.
6: Go through the corn maze and check off a national bucket list item.
The Denver Downs six-acre corn maze has received national accolades and landed on the USA Today’s 10 Best Readers Choice list seven times! And this year, they are listed in the top 10 Best Pumpkin Patches! It’s the only farm in the state to make theses lists.
5: The fresh squeezed lemonade, Cider Slushies and kettle corn are super tasty.
If you’re going to get lemonade, make sure it’s fresh-squeezed because it’s totally worth it. Plus the Apple Cider Slushies and the kettle corn are delicious. They’ve also got several adult beverages (think Fall Frose!).
4: Adults have just as much fun as kids.
Denver Downs isn’t just for kids – all the barnyard activities can be enjoyed by adults, too. You bet I’ve raced around on the little tricycles and swung on the ropes in the barn and ridden the zipline.
3: You can leave and come back all day and evening.
Many places don’t allow guests to leave and come back, essentially forcing them to purchase not-so-cheap eats at the location. While the farm has reasonable food for purchase, they allow guests to leave and come back the same day. You can bring a picnic for the parking area, or visit one of the many local restaurants and return back to the farm. We usually tailgate out in the parking lot for lunch before heading back in for round two of fun.
2: With over 35 activities and entertainment, the ticket prices include a lot for one price.
Some families will look at the ticket price per person and say that’s not cheap. However, for the number of available activities, it’s reasonable! Other farms and events, like carnivals, you pay individually for each attraction like $5 for a hayride, another $5 for the jumping pillow, $3 for the swing ride and so on. And that’s just for one time on each activity.
At Denver Downs, the ticket price covers all activities PLUS you can do them as many times as you like! The entertainment schedule is packed with live music, pig races, lighted pumpkin trail lights show, and the candy cannon, which you won’t want to miss!
1: It’s one of the best places in the area to make lasting family memories.
Like I said at the beginning of this list, my family makes going to Denver Downs a priority every fall and we look forward to it all year long because we just have so much fun together. It’s quality time that is so precious in today’s busy world, which is just priceless.
Planning Your Visit to Denver Downs
Denver Downs Fall Festival, which includes the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and plenty of family-friendly activities, is open from September 26th to November 9th, 2025, Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays.
2025 All Day Admission is $26.95 per person online plus tax. Flash sale tickets are $19.95 (Pre-sale tickets are 15% off through 9/25). There is also a modest online purchasing fee of less than $2, and credit card fee. Children aged 2 and under are free.
Though it may seem pricey at first glance, the tickets are well worth the cost. You get a stamp on your hand, which allows you to leave and reenter the same day. The ticket price includes all the attractions except concessions, pumpkins, and pick-your-own flowers are extra.
Things to Know: Tips from Parents Visiting Denver Downs
Pets on leash are allowed but expect to pay about $10 per pet for them to enter.
There are port-a-potty bathrooms as well as an enclosed nursing station and changing table area.
My family goes and makes a day out of it. Food selections include barbecue plates, hot dogs, all beef cheeseburgers, and tacos. Special Festival Treats include of course: Fresh Popped Kettle Corn, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Funnel Cakes, S’mores, Cotton Candy, Apple Cider Slushies, Fall Frose, and more.
Bring water (water bottles allowed), sunscreen, and snacks since it can still be quite warm that time of year. With all the running around and playing, it does get exhausting. My preschool-age daughter actually fell asleep on one of the tire horse swings the first time we went.
Admission includes activities like:
Finding your way through the 6-acre corn maze
Jumbo Jumping Pillow
Cow Train
Animal Races
Little Farmer’s Corral
Climbing Wall
Giant Slide
Zip Line
Tug-0h-war
Dodge Ball
Farmin Foosball
Straw Barn Play Area
Corn Boxes
Spider Web Climb
Mini-Maze
Giant Tricycles
Bonfires & Live Music
For more information, visit www.denverdownsfarm.com or head straight there: 1515 Denver Road, Anderson!
Check out our KA Guide to Fall, with over 30 fun places to go and things to do this season near Greenville, SC!
