If your family is looking for a unique holiday experience and day trip, especially for smaller children, here is why a trip on the Jingle Bell Trolley on the Craggy Mountain Rail Line is a fun and memorable option.
Media tickets were given for this review but the opinion of the experience is solely that of the author.
Craggy Mountain Rail
I stumbled across the Craggy Mountain Railroad when looking for holiday things to do that I haven’t tried and the second I saw it, I knew the Jingle Bell Trolley ride would be something my kids would go crazy for. And they did. But there is more to this little railroad than initially meets the eye.
Planning a trip down I-95? KAG contributor Kristina has some wonderful ideas of things to do near Daytona Beach, just an hour outside of Orlando, for families.
I had the opportunity to spend some time on the Atlantic coast in Central Florida and I tried to make the most of the time I had with my kids. We are homeschooling so I was searching for things to do that were both fun and educational, although you could certainly do any of this stuff without the homeschooling aspect.
The Daytona Beach area is about a seven-hour drive from Greenville and only a little over an hour from the Disney hotspot of Orlando. There is a lot to explore in this area and I hope you have the chance to check these places out!
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Dunlawton Sugar Mill [CLOSED AS OF 10/18/24 FOR TWO MONTHS DUE TO HURRICANE DAMAGE]
This old sugar mill has a fascinating history in and of itself and the ruins are really neat to see. You may recognize some similar equipment as was used in the cotton and textile mills in South Carolina. But then you’ve got actual dinosaurs scattered throughout the botanical gardens! They are cement and it’s a blast to find them with your kids. Although kids cannot play on them, they are certainly a fun part of wandering through the beautiful flowers and old oak trees laced with Spanish moss.
There are also a couple free little libraries throughout the garden (a great opportunity to swap some books on your long drive). Restrooms are available on site.
950 Old Sugar Mill Rd, Port Orange, FL Admission: Free Website
Museum of Arts and Sciences
We loved this place because it has a huge kids area that combines learning with fun. It has several science-related exhibits that kids can enjoy, a play pizza parlor, a remote-controlled race car track, and even a planaterium. And if you have a Roper Mountain Science Center or WNC Nature Center membership, you get in free.
Admission: $19/adults, $10/kids ages 6-17, free/under 6; also free if you have an affiliated ASTC membership. Planetarium shows are $7/adults, $5/kids. 352 S Nova Rd, Daytona Beach, FL Website
Ponce Preserve
This small park is such a treasure. It has great nature walking trails that wind through the preserve and come to a little playground and tower that you can climb up and look out at the ocean. There are boardwalks through the marshes with kayak launches as well. Birds, crabs, and other wildlife are plentiful. The trail also has some fitness equipment, which my kids loved playing on.
We did the full moon boat tour and it was the coolest thing. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and we learned all about the local ecosystem, birds, dolphins, and manatees. The sunset was unreal and seeing the full moon rise was amazing. We got to see the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (which we climbed the week before) so my kids had fun seeing it light up. The Marine Discovery Center also does kayak tours and the boat is covered so you are shaded from the sun. The center itself has some crabs, an eel, a corn snake (which we got to see eat some mice), and other fish plus a walking trail.
520 Barracuda Boulevard, New Smyrna Beach, FL Admission: Free to the discovery center itself but the boat tours are an extra cost. Website
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
Climb the 203 steps that twist up the middle of Florida’s tallest lighthouse. You can also tour the old houses of former lighthouse keepers and a really neat lighthouse building with lots of mirrored panes that show how the lights work. There are also other historical aspects to the lighthouse which are worth taking some time to explore.
4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL Admission: Free to tour the historical homes and buildings about the lighthouse. To climb the lighthouse, the cost is $6.95/age 12+, $1.95/ages 3-11, free/under 2. Website
Blue Spring State Park [PARTS OF THE PARK ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED AS OF NOV. 2024 – CHECK WEBSITE BEFORE YOU GO]
Want to swim and canoe in crystal clear water over the summer and see manatees in the winter? Then you have to go to Blue Spring State Park. It’s an easy day trip from the coast or Orlando and completely worth it. Read our review here.
During those hot months, which is most of the year in Florida, Riverwalk Park has a great splashpad and playground plus lots of space for kids to run around. We loved hanging out here. You can also rent kayaks and canoes to use on the river.
If you like to fish, this is the place. There are two piers to cast your line into the intercoastal waterway. I didn’t see anyone catch anything when I was there but the view was awesome. You can see the Daytona Beach skyline and it’s just a neat location to check out, maybe have a picnic. There are restrooms and boat launches as well.
Ramp at the bottom of the bridge onto Daytona Beach Admission: Free
Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach
Just an hour south of Daytona Beach and the same distance from Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center and nearby Cocoa Beach should definitely by on your day trip list. I love all things space-related so going to the complex was just fascinating. And since my kids and watched SpaceX missions, they were just as interested as well – and kept asking if we would be seeing the astronauts, Bob and Doug. Cocoa Beach is close by so going to the pier there and checking out the fun shops was an easy add-on.
Space Commerce Way, Admission to the Kennedy Space Center: $75/adult, $65/child (ages 3-11) Admission to Cocoa Beach Pier: Free
New Smyrna Beach
We spent a day at New Smyrna Beach at Flagler Avenue browsing the shops with lots of cool apparel and jewelry from local artists. We had lunch overlooking the beach at Breakers, which was fairly reasonable. If you want to drive on the beach from there, it will cost you $20. Or just park in area lots and walk on the beach. There is also Smyrna Beach Dunes park with access to fishing and swimming.
Admission to Dunes Park: $10 Admission to the drive on beach at Flagler Ave: $20
St. Augustine
This was my favorite day trip I took my girls to because the feeling of walking through our country’s oldest city was just amazing. We loved it. Of course there are touristy aspects but the locally made pumpkin spice latte and Castillo San Marcos made me fall in love with the city. The fort – Castillo San Marcos – is built right on the water and has a very interesting history. The free Junior Ranger Program is a must-do if you go to make the most of your visit and learn about it! The old town was such a pleasure to walk through. There are little shops and restaurants and cafes that are fun to wander around in. If you’re Catholic and want to attend Mass, the cathedral downtown is just the place. The church is decorated beautifully. You can head to the Alligator Farm Zoo in St. Augustine to make it a full day trip. We also really enjoyed the Pirate Museum – it’s not cheesy, promise.
St. Augustine, FL Admission: No fees to walk around Old Town or the fort, although you’ll have to pay for tickets to Castillo San Marcos and any of the attractions in town.
Where would you choose to go in Florida on the Atlantic Coast?
There’s plenty more fun things to do where this story came from! Check out more fun destinations on our Kidding Around Greenville Travel page.
Are you wondering where to go to find some beautiful waterfalls without traveling too far from Greenville, SC? You’re in luck because we have gathered all the information you need about finding waterfalls close to home, all in one handy place! Whether you want to take in a waterfall while enjoying a long hike or a waterfall that you can view with very little effort, local mom Kristina has all the details right here!
Waterfalls can be quite magical and we have so, so many near us in the Upstate. Waterfalls are beautiful any time of year also – surrounded by wildflowers in the spring, framed by greenery over the summer and perfect for swimming, delivering fall colors in autumn, and showing off (some) frozen beauty in winter.
It is incredibly important for your own safety and for the safety of your family, EMTs, and rescuers, to never play at the top or sides of a waterfall, even for a second or to get an Insta-worthy photo. Those rocks are slippery and many people have unfortunately lost their lives at waterfalls in our area.
Below are some of our favorite waterfalls near the Upstate, SC. But, if you love waterfalls you’ll want to take a look at this list ofWaterfalls of the Southeast, loaded with waterfall hikes in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
You don’t have to go far to see the first waterfalls on this list. Pack a picnic, relax on the nearby swings, or take a walk through Falls Park on the Reedy River in downtown Greenville and see the beautiful waterfalls that run right through our beautiful city.
South Main Street and Camperdown Way Greenville, SC Distance from Greenville: 0 minutes – it is located downtown
Raven Cliff Falls
Take the two-mile long Raven Cliff Falls trail to view the gorgeous 420-ft Raven Cliff Falls from an overlook at Caesar’s Head State Park. There are also a variety of hiking trails within that park and the surrounding Mountain Bridge Wilderness.
Or if you’re a more experienced hiker, take the Dismal Trail to get to the suspension bridge that goes over the falls. It’s a tough 8+ mile loop but worth it.
8155 Geer Hwy Cleveland, SC Distance from Greenville: ~hour
Jones Gap State Park [9/28: CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO DAMAGE FROM HELENE]
Known for its natural scenery, this 300 acre park is perfect for a relaxing day of exploration – and waterfall viewing of course. One of the more popular trails leads uphill to the stunning Rainbow Falls. It’s a strenuous trail but there are other waterfalls that are along the main trail.
This is a hugely popular park that now requires reserved parking ($5) on weekends in addition to the entrance fee.
303 Jones Gap Road Marietta, SC Distance from Greenville: ~an hour
Station Cove Falls
This waterfall in Oconee County near Hwy 11 is so, so stunning. It’s a big waterfall towering high dripping water from hundreds of small ledges. It’s also a very easy hike, about 1.5 miles round trip.
State Rd S-37-95 Walhalla, SC Distance from Greenville: an hour and 10 minutes
Station Cove Falls
Chau Ram County Park
A little over an hour from Greenville, Chau Ram Park is called South Carolina’s “Best Kept Secret” by the Oconee County Recreation and Tourism Department. There is a 40 foot waterfall at Ramsey Creek plus the county’s longest suspension bridge here. You can also swim, hike and camp, all for only $2 per car load.
1220 Chau Ram Park Road Westminster, SC Distance from Greenville: an hour + 5 minutes
Table Rock State Park
Table Rock contains lots of awesome waterfalls easily accessible from the many trails that wind through this beautiful park. Trails are not stroller-friendly so be sure to either bring a baby carrier if you’ve got a little one or sturdy shoes for the younger kids. There is a fee to enter the park if you don’t have a park pass.
158 Ellison Lane Pickens, SC Distance from Greenville: ~45 minutes
Yellow Branch Falls
Located in Walhalla near Isaqueena Falls, Yellow Branch Falls are amazing. The falls are huge and picturesque and just a beautiful place to visit. This is a popular waterfall and trail so again, get there early if you want to experience it with less people.
This wildly popular waterfall is right on the side of the road off 276 in Pisgah Forest in Brevard. We’ve seen it in every season and our favorite has been over the winter when it’s been partially frozen. No hiking is involved but you can take the stairs and ramps down to the bottom for some great photos.
This one is perfect for smaller kids to splash around in a waterfall without any of the hiking. The waterfall is literally on the side of the road on SC 11 in Cleveland, SC as you drive towards Table Rock from Greenville. There is an easy mile loop trail if you’d like to hike.
Heading north on Route 11, the trail and pull-off parking are on the right side of the road.
SC 11 Cleveland, SC Distance from Greenville: ~38 minutes
Wildcat Wayside
Issaqueena Falls
Located in Oconee County, Issaqueena Falls is located at the end of a short walk through what is known as Stumphouse Tunnel, which was originally constructed in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville but was halted because of a lack of money.
As for the waterfalls, “legend has it that the falls is named for an Indian maiden, Issaqueena, who warning the white settlers of an Indian attack, was then chased by Indians and she appeared to jump over the falls. By actually hiding behind the falls (or some legend-tellers say she hid behind a stump, hence Stumphouse Tunnel), she tricked her pursuers and survived.”
Hwy 28 Walhalla, SC Distance from Greenville: an hour + 10 minutes
Wright Creek Falls
This is an extra special waterfall since you can only get there by boat. It’s on Lake Jocassee and you can access the lake through Devils Fork State Park. Here’s a map of the waterfalls at this stunning lake. There is a fee to enter the park.
161 Holcombe Circle Salem, SC Distance from Greenville: Devils Fork Park is an hour + 20 minutes plus another hour to 90 minutes of paddling (or take a boat through Jocassee Lake Rentals)
Spoonauger Falls
This family-friendly hike is located near Mountain Rest, SC, close to the Georgia border. The hike to the falls is an easy 0.3-mile hike, so it is perfect for families with small children. Once there, you can check out salamanders and small fish in the pools and discover the falls towering above!
Spoonauger Falls Near Mountain Rest, SC Ellicott Rock Wilderness Distance from Greenville: 1 hour 55 minutes from Downtown Greenville.
Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park
This is a different Rainbow Falls than at Jones Gap. You’ll have to travel into NC to see this beauty! If you’re lucky, you’ll get to the see the rainbow that gives it its name. The hike is a moderate 4 mile roundtrip hike.
Gorges State Park 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, NC Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Rainbow Falls
Little Bradley Falls
Several creek crossings and a moderate incline make the hike to Little Bradley Falls a little bit challenging. But the beauty of these falls, and the chance to cool off in the creeks, make this hike a great choice.
Little Bradley Falls Holbert Cove Road, Saluda, NC Distance from Greenville: 1 hour
Find More Waterfalls to Explore!
Our huge guide to waterfalls of the southeast tells you all about waterfalls you can hike to in the Georgia mountains, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They make a beautiful day trip or addition to a family getaway.
The Nights of Lights is an amazing walk-through Christmas light display open now at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC. We spent a night there and have all the details on how you can enjoy it with your family!
Thank you to the Nights of Lights for providing media tickets for this review.
Nearly a quarter mile of thousands of lights are shining bright at Nights of Lights in the Upstate’s only walk-through holiday light display at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC. This is the event’s second year and features beautiful light tunnels, a massive igloo, a petting zoo, lots of fun photo ops, ice skating, food, and carnival rides. You can even ride a camel. Ride. A. Camel.
They also have several different discounts and are open nightly through January 3, 2025. Yes, even on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Read on for why you should put this event on your family’s list of to-do’s for the holiday season.
The Nights of Lights: Heritage Park Christmas Lights
When you enter Heritage Park, keep driving all the way past the playground and train depot to the CCNB Amphitheater. There is free parking and that’s where you enter the display.
The path of lights is all paved and goes for nearly a quarter mile. The Heritage Park Christmas lights have over 200 LED light displays throughout the park. You’ll pass through archways of light where you will see Santa, snowmen, and all kinds of happy Christmas creatures decked out in lights.
Light tunnel
There is a giant, life-size inflatable igloo, which is just really cute to walk through and that has lights that sparkle and sync to music. There are places that have lights where you and your kids can poke your heads inside and instantly become lighted holiday people. It’s a lot of fun and you can take as long as you want anywhere.
Ice (Roller) Skating
The Nights of Lights has a decent-sized skating rink for those of you who want to test your coordination and balance skills. The rink is not real ice but rather closely connected panels of synthetic material. As to how fast or slow you’ll go on skates, it will really depend upon your skates and ability to not fall!
This year they’ve added the option to have roller skates, which we highly recommend. My kids said the rink is really smooth and easy to skate on. I had to tear them away with promises of cute animals to pet to leave. It was that much fun. You are able to bring your own roller skates if you want.
Ice (roller) skating
Skating is $8/person and if you need a little extra assistance in terms of an ice walker, that is $5. The rink is close to the entrance so you can do that first or do it after you walk through the display.
The Petting Zoo at Nights of Lights
Once you walk through the display, you will come to the petting zoo. The petting zoo is run by Eudora Farms, a wildlife safari based in Salley, SC. Our readers may be familiar with them since we’ve written about this farm in the past.
The animals at the Nights of Lights are so cute. They have a big camel, fluffy sheep, goats, alpacas, a super fluffy baby Highlands Scottish Cow, wallabys, and a bull with massive horns. You can purchase feed cups. They looked very happy and well taken care of.
Petting Zoo
There is also a large enclosure where you can get inside and feed parakeets with a stick of bird seed. These parakeets are so funny. They will land on your arm, hand, shoulder, phone, you name it. My daughters and I loved interacting with the little birds.
Feeding cups range from $3-$6. Pony rides are $10.
Riding a Camel
New for 2024 is Clyde, a huge camel that gives rides. We just had to do this because where can you actually ride a camel in SC? It was my very first time riding a camel and pretty awesome. Clyde is a good camel and will do pretty much anything for treats.
You ride on one of his humps and go around the enclosure a couple of times. It is so neat and quite the unique experience. Definitely a 10/10 first time camel ride!
Camel rides are $10/person and located next to the petting zoo.
Riding the camel!
The Rides, Bounce Houses, and Santa
Nights of Lights also has several rides you can enjoy during your time there. A Ferris Wheel, carousel, and green dragon spinning thing are located in front of the stage, where the 65-foot tall Christmas tree stands, and next to the petting zoo.
There are also two big bounce houses, including a giant snowman. My youngest daughter did these and loved the obstacle course one the best.
Lots of cute photo ops!
The three of us did the Ferris wheel and it was a blast. I hadn’t been on one of these old-school ones in forever and it felt secure plus you get a great view of all the lights at the top of the wheel. All the rides have to be regularly inspected so you can feel good knowing they are safe and secure.
Each ride, plus the bouncy house, costs 1 ticket. One ticket = $3, or buy in bulk and get 12 tickets = $30.
Santa is also scheduled to be at Nights of Lights on November 23 & 24, November 29-December 1, and December 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 from 5:30-8:30 pm. Photos are $5 using your own phone or camera.
There are multiple character appearances – think Elsa, Harry Potter, Moana, the Grinch – which you can see the schedule for here.
Food & S’Mores
Nights of Lights offers lots of yummy food options. We got a funnel cake, which was utterly amazing. They also have delicious hot chocolate.
Funnel cakes
Other food options are elephant ears, friend oreos, nachos, fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders – all the tasty fair foods.
Honest Mom Review
The Nights of Lights was a really fun experience. My kids, ages 12 and 9, and I all really enjoyed it. I’ve covered all the major light displays in our area and I really liked this one specifically for the walk-through aspect. You can take your time and enjoy all of the neat displays, take as many photos as you like, and make those special memories with your family.
I also enjoyed the petting zoo. I love animals and I feel that it’s usually easy to see if they are well taken care of and happy. These animals definitely were. The enclosures were clean and they seemed to be groomed well and happy. And the parakeet experience was so fun. Those little birds are cute and mischievous. The camel ride was amazing!
And, lastly, getting to speak with the management and learn all the behind-the-scenes things they are doing to make it a great experience for families was fantastic. They set out to make a great event for the Christmas season but also create ways for it to be doable for as many families as possible. Everything was clean and accessible as well, which I thought spoke volumes on the effort put into the event.
Tickets, Hours, and Special Promotions
Nights of Lights is open every day from November 22, 2024 – January 3, 2025. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 5-9 pm and Friday-Saturday from 5-10 pm. You have to pay admission to the entire light display, which includes the display, igloo, and access to Santa’s Village, rides, and the petting zoo. Extras are the cups of food in the petting zoo, pony rides, ice skating, photos with Santa, and rides.
Ticket prices are $15/age 16+ and $12/ages 5-15. Kids age 4 and under are free. No pets allowed; service dogs welcome.
Nights of Lights has promotional pricing nightly. Here’s the schedule:
Sundays: Senior Citizens (age 65+) are free
Mondays: Free admission with the donation of non-perishable food items. One free admission per five cans of food per person.
Tuesdays: Free admission with a toy donation for Toys for Tots or the Greenville Humane Society. Toys must be new in original packaging, not gift-wrapped. One free admission per toy per person.
Wednesdays: Free admission for active, reserve, and veteran military members (with valid ID).
Thursdays: Free admission for police officers, nurses, EMS workers, and firefighters (with valid ID).
Fridays: Free admission for teachers (with valid ID). Homeschool teachers are included (with valid association ID).
Tickets are only sold at the gate. Nights of Lights is accessible and wheelchair-friendly. You can easily take a stroller. Be sure to follow Nights of Lights on Facebook for up-to-date hours and closure due to weather.
Southernside Brewing Co. in Greenville, SC has completely changed their brewery this Christmas season into a winter wonderland and is inviting the public to enjoy special events all season. This is Southernside’s second annual “Miracle at Southernside” with floor-to-ceiling decorations, lights, and animatronics. Favorite holiday cocktails return, along with some items to try.
From November 19 – December 31, 2024, Southernside Brewing Co. in Greenville has completely revamped the inside of the brewery to resemble a winter wonderland and Christmas-themed pop-up bar for their Miracle event all throughout the Christmas season.
See Southernside at Christmas for yourself
Here’s a video of last year’s Miracle at Southernside Christmas decor.
There are moving reindeer, snow-covered trees, lollipops, Mr. & Mrs. Clause people, lights strung throughout the entire place, and huge ornaments in the floor-to-ceiling display. Really, you must see this to believe it.
Southernside Brewing Co. says in a press release about the event that “Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit!”
Miracle at Southernside
Miracle kicks off at Southernside Brewing Co. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 exclusive holiday cocktails and specialty beers with Christmas-themed mixes. They also have amazing and delectable hot chocolate.
So. Many. Lights.
Last year GVLtoday got the scoop on just how many lights and other cool things that are a part of Miracle Pop-Up and we expect something similar this year:
It’s Polar Express season but that’s not the only train ride near Greenville, SC to enjoy during the holidays. Read on and get ready to hop aboard for some Christmas jingle rides this year.
Why are trains so magical? Maybe it’s the movies or the novelty of riding trains but they have always felt really cool to me and my kids would tell you the same. Add in the Christmas season and the magic abounds.
There are some pretty amazing holiday-themed train rides within a couple hours’ drive of Greenville, SC in both South and North Carolina that we think you’ll really love.
Best Christmas Train Ride Experiences near Greenville
Polar Express Ride (Bryson City, NC)
Probably the most well-known Christmas train ride is the Polar Express out of Bryson City, NC on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Tickets usually go on sale in June for the upcoming season and families absolutely love this experience. With a ride that mimics the movie, you can’t go wrong when you board this Polar Express adventure.
The first Polar Express departs Bryson City Depot on November 7, 2024, and the train operates through December 31, 2024, with the exception of certain weekdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day. They do have a Christmas Eve ride if you want a truly memorable night. Most days, there are three departures a day and tickets sell out quickly.
There are several classes to choose from with Coach Class being the cheapest of the train tickets starting at $29 for kids ages 2-12 and $44 for adults up to First Class, which is $249 for a 4-top table and $124.50 for a 2-top table. Crown and Premium Crown Class are in between those prices. Depending on what ticket class you choose, you’ll receive a cookie, hot chocolate, and a souvenir of some type for a full Polar Express experience.
Polar Express (Spencer, NC)
The Polar Express train in Spencer, NC at the NC Transportation Museum is also a lot of fun for families. They have different classes of cars to choose from, hot chocolate and cookies, and a ‘North Pole’ with Santa Claus.
The 2024 Polar Express runs November 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-30 and December 1, 6-8, 12-23. While trains depart in the afternoon, the departure times vary by date, so be sure to check the NC Transportation Museum’s website for the schedule. Prices begin at $36 for children and $42 for adults. Check the Polar Express website for available dates and times, and to purchase tickets.
Jingle Bell Trolley (Asheville, NC)
This is a very sweet little trolley ride just north of Asheville on the Craggy Mountain Railroad, a historic site with rail cars you can explore. The actual trolley ride takes about 30 minutes on an open-air car and there are lots of jingle bells along the way. When you get back to the Depot, Santa and Mrs. Claus are waiting to greet guests. When we went, each child received a small gift.
They also have hot chocolate and cookies plus a really cute little train village to walk around in. This is the perfect intro for smaller kids to a Christmas train ride. Read our review on the Jingle Bell Trolley for all the details. This place is pretty amazing and because of the hardship of WNC, all kids under 17 are free this year! Tickets are $19/adult for 2024.
Departing from the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro, SC, the Santa Twilight Train is a really sweet experience for all ages.
Guests enjoy hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, stories, a visit with Santa, and Christmas carols in the historic rail cars. Tickets are $27/person and the rides only happen the first three weekends of December. They also offer a Santa train ride during the day on Saturdays where Santa stops to talk to every kid on the train. Those rides are $17/person ages 3+ and last about an hour and forty minutes.
Tweetsie Christmas Railroad (Blowing Rock, NC)
A Christmas tradition for many, the Tweetsie Christmas Railroad is a fun and magical experience in Blowing Rock, NC. The Christmas Train ride is part of the Tweetie experience at the theme park and takes riders on a 20-minute ride through holiday lights and festive decor. Your ticket also includes four theme park rides, Santa’s Gingerbread House for photos, and Christmas shows with multiple performances.
Tweetsie Railroad is open select evenings November 29th through December 30th, 2024 and tickets are $60/ages 13+, $40/ages 3-12, free for kids ages 2 and under. Parking is free.
Bonus: Ride the Mini Christmas Train in Kannapolis, NC
Here’s a budget-friendly option! The mini steam train at the gorgeous Village Park in Kannapolis gets all decked out for Christmas and offers rides for just $2 per person through the huge Christmas lights display at Village Park. There’s also a beautiful carousel to enjoy at this park, and there’s no admission fee to see the lights. So you can enjoy your train ride and stay as long as you want.
Ever heard of the Tryon Christmas Lights?Millions of lights are on display through more than 2 miles of entertaining Christmas lights in the Christmas Wonderland Light Show at the Tryon International Equestrian Center only an hour from Greenville, SC. We have visited Winterfest each year for several years, and we’re bringing you all the 2024 details.
Media tickets were given so Kidding Around could review the Christmas Wonderland and Winterfest Village. We have updated this review with 2024 dates and details.
Watch our 2024 Visit to Winterfest at TIEC
About the Lights at TIEC
In one of our area’s best drive-through Christmas light displays, the Christmas Wonderland Light Show has set up millions of lights synchronized to an orchestra of holiday music in Tryon, North Carolina at the beautiful Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), just an hour from Greenville, SC.
Winterfest Village is a great add-on to the drive-through light show with ice skating, s’mores, live music and entertainment, and lots more.
2024 Dates for the Christmas Wonderland Light Show: November 22, 2024 through January 5th, 2025. Winterfest Village happens Fridays-Sundays November 29th through December 23rd, 2024.
Christmas Wonderland | Tryon, NC
If you’re familiar with Saturday Nights Lights during the warmer months of the year at the TIEC, the light show and Winterfest Village happens at the same location. The Christmas Wonderland Light Show happens every night from 6-10 pm, November 22, 2024 through January 5th, 2025. I’ve been to several drive-through light displays and this is absolutely one of the very best ones out there.
What to Expect at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
When you get off at the exit for the TIEC, you’ll see signs directing you toward the light show, which is across the bridge if you’re coming from Greenville. Hang a left after the exit for 74 West onto a gravel road, where you’ll follow the road down to a bridge that you’ll go under and be directed to the entrance to the light show.
Tune your radio to 92.9 FM so you can listen to the music and watch the lights dance along.
Once you pay the entrance fee, turn off those headlights and start your adventure. This is drive-thru only and you can’t get out of the car during the ride. There are millions of lights over about two and a half miles. The road twists through tons of light displays and both kids and adults will be awed by the lights, especially as they sync up to the Christmas music.
You can only go through once with your admission so go slow and take it all in. It took us about 25 to 30 minutes to go through the whole light show. Once you are through the synchronized lights, you head into the TIEC through a back entrance and enjoy silly and creative Santa light displays.
The first time I took my kids, they were 8 and 5. Now they are 11 and 8 and they still loved it. They were blown away by all the lights and thought the music was upbeat and fun. The tunes are a mix of traditional and newer Christmas music. They wanted to go through it again when we were finished.
Winterfest Village at the Tryon Resort
Winterfest is back! Every Friday-Sunday November 29th, 2024 through December 23rd, 2024, families can head to the Legends Plaza which is transformed into Winterfest Village. Admission to Winter Village is $18 per person. The paid activities include Grinch & Whoville experience, Santa Meet-and-Greet, bounce houses, and carousel rides. Ice skating is also an additional fee, beginning at $15.
Meet the Grinch
Tryon Mini’s Pumpkin and Daisy
Evening closing parade
Visits with Santa
Carousel Rides
Bounce House
Live Music and Entertainment
Shopping
S’mores & Storytelling
Ice Skating
Winterfest Village includes ice skating in 2024, which is super fun! The rink is situated right in the middle of the action in the area where normally the horses compete. Your ticket to ice skating includes an hour on the ice (real ice, by the way). And the ice skates are probably the nicest skates I’ve ever rented. You can also bring your own skates.
Tickets for ice skating starts at $15 each and kids ages 4 and up can participate. You can purchase timed skating tickets online or at the gate. Ice skating at the TIEC will run through January 1, 2025. You can even have a birthday party or field trip here!
And don’t forget to get hot chocolate right next to the ice skate rental tent. It is delicious, nice and chocolatey. There is Christmas music playing and the atmosphere is festive and fun. People who don’t want to skate can hang out at the picnic tables next to the rink or enjoy the other activities in the same area such as the ice slide, bounce house, kids horse jumping area (they can jump over obstacles like horses), or mechanical horse.
Santa’s Workshop & Breakfast at Winterfest
Both kids and adults can take professional photos at Santa’s Workshop during Winterfest. Photos are for purchase but they have such a cute and cozy setup along with an elf who will welcome you and introduce you to Santa.
The Tryon Resort also has Breakfast with Santa available Saturdays November 30th through December 21st, 2024 . Seatings are from 9 am to 1 pm. Tickets include a kid-friendly breakfast buffet and must be purchased ahead of time. Tickets are $10 and free for ages 4 and under.
Information You Need to Know About Christmas Wonderland & Winterfest
The Christmas Wonderland light show happens daily from 6 – 10 pm, including holidays. Expect to wait a bit more if you go on weekends versus weekdays.
2024 admission to the light show is below:
$45/car or family van (8 passengers or less)
Admission grants you one pass through the light display for the date you chose.
Will you plan on going to Winterfest and the Christmas Wonderland Light Show in Tryon this year?
The Fountain Inn, SC Christmas season is truly magical! With carriage rides, hot chocolate, and lots of holiday spirit, you’ll find your Christmas spirit. Here’s what happens in Fountain Inn and why you should make a trip there this holiday season.
Fountain Inn is such a cute little town, with small businesses lining Main Street, a farmers market during the summer, a splash pad, and family-friendly events all year. But Christmas is something special, and a bit enchanting. The entire Christmas experience in Fountain Inn runs from December 3rd – 19th, 2024. They have special events throughout this fun holiday season so read on. Everything happens at Commerce Park in downtown Fountain Inn.
Find all of the wonderfully magical things going on throughout the Upstate this season with our Kidding Around® Holiday Guide!
Wanting to go on a fun, winter weekend adventure snow tubing or skiing? We’ve got the best places to go within a couple hours’ drive of Greenville, SC for winter fun.
If you haven’t dreamed of sipping hot chocolate inside a ski lodge and cozying up in front of a hot fire while reminiscing about your time on the slopes, this is the year to dream and make it happen. And the good news is that you don’t need to go far at all from Greenville, SC to have an awesome winter adventure.
These recommendations are all places that we’ve been to personally and have enjoyed with our families. They are also all open after the hurricane and are truly in need of tourism. We need them to be there for years to come! So you can not only plan a great weekend with your family but also help WNC businesses to stay afloat.
Where To Have a Winter Weekend Adventure
Sapphire Valley in Cashiers, NC
The Sapphire Valley Resort hosts skiing and snow tubing usually starting in mid-December. Their target opening date is December 14th, 2024. They also have an amazing thing called the Great Outhouse Race, which consists of outhouses decorated in all kinds of interesting themes that race on skis down the mountain. It’s even more than it sounds, promise. That happens President’s Day weekend.
The resort itself is beautiful and every time I’ve gone, I have used AirBnB or VRBO to book a condo. You can purchase the amenity card for a few dollars per person and that gives you access to the warm indoor pool, sauna, fitness center, and game room. The Sapphire Valley Resort is only about 90 minutes from Greenville.
Snow tubing at the Sapphire Valley Resort
Maggie Valley, NC
Maggie Valley is right next to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and just beautiful. They have a main street area but it’s along a busy highway so you’ll need to use your car to move around to different shopping areas. The shops have all local goods and they are just adorable.
Maggie Valley also has great snow tubing and skiing at Cataloochee. At the time of writing this (2024), they are open for the season! We recommend staying at Buffalo Creek Vacations, a bison ranch 25 minutes away that has cabooses and cabins perfect for families. As if that’s not enough incentive for staying at such a cool place, Buffalo Creek participates in the Kids Stay & Ski Free program where kids ages 17 and under are able to ski for free with a paid adult on non-holidays Monday-Friday (they must stay on the property on a non-holiday Sunday-Thursday and ski the next day). For example, if two parents buy two lift tickets, then two kids get their lift tickets for free.
Caboose rentals
Beech Mountain, NC
Beech Mountain is known for their beautiful ski resort and amazing views. They will open for the season on November 28th, 2024. We especially love Beech Mountain for their family-friendly aspect. They have really awesome restaurants for families, an adorable general store in the middle of town with one of the best breakfasts you’ll ever have, and free/cheap activities around the mountain.
In the winter, they offer free snow tubing on a hill in the middle of town plus, of course, their ski resort. 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, and the Visitor Center. It was the perfect location plus it has a warm indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness room.
Nearby is Sugar Mountain, which also has a ski resort. We have not been there but it is another option in the area.
Skiing at Beech Mountain | Photo courtesy of Beech Mountain
Blowing Rock, NC
Another quaint mountain town, Blowing Rock has the Appalachian Ski Mountain nearby, which is perfect for families. They will open on November 27th, 2024. Classes taught by the French-Swiss Ski College at Appalachian Ski Mountain are beginner, intermediate, or private. After trying out the bunny slope and managing the stops and starts just fine on our own, we opted to not take the ski class but when we head back up this season with all of the kids, I’ll definitely sign the younger ones up for the class.
The hills at Appalachian Ski Mountain are not so intimidating that a beginner is terrified, but they are plenty challenging enough for when your son or daughter (or you) become a bit of an “expert” after spending a day on the slopes. It’s a small enough mountain too, with one main ending spot for all of the slopes, that you can feel confident allowing your older children the freedom to go down slopes without you if that’s more your speed as well. In fact, those facts make it an excellent choice for beginning skiers and skiing families.
We’d recommend staying at the Hemlock Inn right in downtown Blowing Rock. The rooms are so beautiful and cozy and the owner is very kind.
Hayesville-Highlands Outpost, NC
Even though the Magical Mountain Resort and the Highlands Outpost are about an hour apart, we still think pairing these two places for a weekend getaway is perfect because the resort is just that amazing. It’s a fairy tale-themed resort with Alice in Wonderland cabins, a Harry Potter Midknight double decker bus, and so many more amazing and whimsical cabins. Highlands Outpost has amazing snow tubing and a mountain coaster. They are currently open for the 2024 season.
Lanier Islands, GA
Just a two-hour drive from Greenville lies Lanier Islands in Georgia. You really don’t even need to leave this place for your weekend of fun since they have snow tubing, restaurants, and a game room and arcade all on site. Snow tubing happens at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands and the tubing run is an astounding 575 feet long! They also have ice skating and a play area where you can have snowball fights. All of the winter activities are now open for the 2024 season.
We visited in the warmer months and have all you need to know about the local area, best place to stay, places to eat, and things to do in addition to the snow fun at Margaritaville.
Snow tubing at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands | Photo courtesy of Discover Lake Lanier
Where will you go weekend adventuring this winter?
Wondering about Simpsonville Christmas events and holiday happenings? You’ve come to the right place because we’ve got all the info for the Simpsonville, SC Christmas Parade, Heritage Park Christmas Lights, and more! KAG contributor Kristina Hernandez has all the information about holiday activities, shopping, events, and celebrations in Simpsonville, South Carolina!
