Are you ready to go blueberry picking in Greenville, SC? This small blueberry farm located just outside of Greenville has amazing blueberries plus seasonal produce and is every bit as charming as expected in the South. Head to Mixon Farm for excellent blueberry picking at their berry patch in June and July!
I’m always on the search for new and fun places to bring my kids and tell our readers about and had heard of Mixon Farm Facebook but had never been so I decided I must go before the blueberry season ended. I had no idea just how charming this farm was till I got there!
As soon as you pull into the family-owned and operated Mixon Farm (thankfully you know you are at the right place by the big sign on the gate), you’ll see a beautiful house on a hill where the owners live that overlooks the big garden. Down just a little ways is the shed with produce out front and a lockbox where you can deposit cash for whatever you choose to purchase. I was immediately smitten because I don’t see that anywhere.
There was a handwritten sign on the shed that told people to come up to the house if they wanted freshly picked blueberries for $20/gallon and $4/pint. Adorable.
If you want to do the u-pick berries, follow the signs.
Picking Blueberries
There are clear signs along a bumpy gravel path that winds its way to the back of the farm (I assume it’s the back, I was just following the signs!). All the signs tell you to keep going to get to the u-pick blueberry orchard so that’s what I did because I’m a rule follower.
You’ll drive past a squash patch and some other vegetable patches, past the bee hives, and then finally get to a table with another sign and lockbox. This table has gallon buckets and a sign that asks you to please pay for your blueberries here. It’s $12/gallon. They take cash, cards, Venmo, PayPal and CashApp.
It’s pretty obvious from there where to park as there were other cars when we went but even if you’re alone, just park next to the blueberry trees. We stuck to the mowed rows of blueberry trees and had zero trouble finding lots of beautifully ripe blueberries. We met the owner as well, an older gentleman with a dog at his heels. He assured us we were at the right spot and gave us some helpful hints on where the best berries were to be found.
I was overly optimistic and grabbed two gallon buckets, one for each of my kids, to fill with berries. I soon found out that blueberry picking is nothing like strawberry or apple picking. It takes a loooooong time to fill a gallon bucket. We were probably there an hour (myself and two helpful kids) and didn’t even fill our gallon bucket to the top. We did have to sit in the car for a little while to wait out some passing rain but still, allow enough time to pick those berries.
Visiting Mixon Farm
Blueberry season starts June 16th, 2025 and runs usually through August. The farm’s blueberries u pick is very weather-dependent, which means it is always best to check the Mixon Farm Facebook page before you go for the latest updates. If you want berries pre-picked, make sure to message them beforehand.
The farm is only open during blueberry season Monday – Saturday from 8 am – 6 pm and Sundays 1-7 pm.
Nestled in the WNC town of Hayesville, NC lies the Magical Mountain Resort, a whimsical and fun world where fairy tales come to life in cottages set in a forest and along a mountain stream. If you want to add a little magic to your trip, this is the place to do it in Hayesville, NC.
I’ve always enjoyed the whimsical aspect of stories – enchanted forests, drinks that make you grow tall or shrink to fit through minuscule doors, exaggerated characters like the Queen of Hearts, time travel, and gigantic mushrooms and flowers. All of that and so much more greets you at Magical Mountain Resort in Hayesville, North Carolina, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Greenville. Plus, it is a great location any time of year! Our most recent visit was in February, and it was wonderful.
About Magical Mountain Resort
Set in 11 acres that back up to Nantahala National Forest, the Magical Mountain Resort has multiple options for lodging, some of which are still in progress. The owner, Shannon, bought the property after selling investment properties in Florida. She moved the day after Hurricane Ian hit and looked for properties with cabins on them in the woods.
Once she bought the property in Hayesville, North Carolina, she set to making her whimsical fairy tale dreams a reality. And $1.5 million later, she’s well on her way.
I’ve met a lot of creative and innovative people in my life, but Shannon ranks pretty high on that list. I was floored at the intricate details that are the hallmark of the property. Literally, no detail was overlooked from the giant mushrooms at the entrance to the property to the glow-in-the-dark teacups high in the trees next to the cottages to the hand-painted and hand-carved signs that tell you where to go around the resort. And that’s just on the outside. Wait till you see what’s inside all the cabins!
Sometimes I think that when one seeks to make their dreams a reality when it comes to fairy tales, it can come off as overdone and cheesy. Not this place. When you visit Magical Mountain Resort, you’re leaving your life behind for the time you’re there and get to step into a world that makes it easy to get caught up in the details of another time and place.
Places to Stay at Magical Mountain Resort
At the time of this writing, there are four cottages and one bus to stay at: Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, Alice’s Queen Cottage, the Caretakers Cabin, the Snow White Cottage, and the MidKnight Buss. All have bathrooms and kitchens. The Snow White cottage is the smallest and the Caretakers Cabin is the largest. During our first trip, we stayed in Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, which was amazing. I’ll get to that in a minute. We had the opportunity to stay in Alice’s Queen Cottage as well more recently, and the attention to detail was stunning!
There are now an additional 5 RV slips available! The pull-in spots are perfectly situated along the creek, so you’ll have the wonderful sound of the water flowing while you camp. Each slip has a picnic table creekside, and a small firepit, and is close to the family-friendly area where your kids can play giant chess, create a fairy mini world in the fairy garden, or relax in the hammocks strung amongst the trees.
Stay in a Bus
Shannon is a collector of very interesting items at Magical Mountain. The double-decker bus on the property, the MidKnight Bus, she has outfitted into a Harry Potter-inspired stay was once owned by Disney way back in the 1950s. The history of it alone is worth its own story but the short version is just that this bus is really darn cool. It is decked out with three beds on the lower level, stained glass windows, a kitchen, bathroom, and a lounge area. There’s a magical fire pit outside plus a deck and chairs to relax at while you contemplate how cool you are that you get to stay there.
Shannon has three other buses she is either currently renovating or that she’s expecting to be shipped in, including a Magic Schoolhouse bus!
Stay in a Candy House
Remember the game, Candyland? Shannon has outfitted two cabins to look like they belong in that game. I felt like Hansel and Gretel coming up on the enchanted candy cabin in the woods (thankfully no witches here that eat kids).
The outside has steps that look like gumdrops, gingerbread people that greet you, and lollipops that you can see from the front steps. These are camper cabins and will not have bathrooms, but they do have a mini-fridge, and microwave, and are outfitted with heat and air conditioning. The resort has a dalmatian-themed bathhouse.
Stay at Alice’s White Rabbit Cottage
While I got to see most of the accommodations at the resort, we stayed at Alice’s White Rabbit cottage, based on Alice in Wonderland. From the moment you see the pink house with white railings, glass flowers, teacups and teapots in the flowerbeds, and a hand-carved front door, you will absolutely forget you’re in the real world.
The cottage is outfitted with a small kitchen, full bath, queen-sized bed up in the loft, and a pink leather pullout bed on the bottom floor. The light fixture has teacups on it and all the plates and cookware are the same color pink as the house. The coffee pot and tea kettle are pink and the bathroom has a white rabbit painted on the pink toilet seat while there’s a pink clawfoot tub if you want to enjoy a soak.
Outside, you’ll have your own private porch with flowers that have faces from the movie: the Cheshire Cat, the white rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts. While you enjoy the babbling stream right in front of the cabin, your kids can color or enjoy a snack at the glass table and pink and white bouncy chairs.
At night, the trees behind the cottage light up purple, and the tea cups suspended in the branches glow in the dark. Solar lights line the pathway to the door and the flowers also light up.
No detail was overlooked whatsoever. I have zero knack for design or creativity when it comes to decorating and I’d never ever come up with something as neat as this place.
Alice’s Queen Cottage
Much of the same amenities are available in the Queen’s Cottage as in the White Rabbit Cottage, except the decor is stunningly royal! Lots of red and black take over the theme, even to the tiniest details. The clawfoot bathtub was stunning! Our family of four was able to sleep cozy in the cabin, with my oldest daughter and I taking the queen bed in the loft, while my husband and two-year-old slept on the pullout sofa downstairs.
It was so much fun exploring both the inside and outside of the cabin to see all of the neat things we could find. Around the perimeter of the cottage, there are lots of trinkets, glowing flowers, delightful seating by the creek, and lots of hidden gems to find.
Bring your Own RV or Tent
Magical Mountain Resort has five RV slips available. Campers who want to use a tent are welcome to book those sites and just camp out in the field if they like as well. The RV slips have a wonderful location along the creek side, close to the fire pits, and right near the hammocks and fairy garden for kids to play at.
Things to do at Magical Mountain Resort
While there are lots of things to do in the area, you won’t run out of fun activities at the resort. These are all located right next to the creek and just a short walk from the Queen and White Bunny cottages.
Relax in a hammock
There are multiple hammocks on the property along the creek, which is just so nice. You can relax in a big hammock that was handwoven in Nicaragua and listen to the creek, read a book, or just chill out while your kids play nearby.
Swings and Fishing
There are a few swings and swinging benches also along the creek, including a baby swing. Again, just another invitation to enjoy the serene setting!
Shannon also has fish bait and a fishing rod that you can use to try your luck at catching trout in the stream.
Lifesize chess and lawn games
There’s a life-size chess game that you’re welcome to play while you visit the resort. Shannon can tell you how to play if you don’t know how. They also have checkers, corn hole, and croquet.
Play in the creek
You’re welcome to get in the creek to cool off. Most of it is really shallow, and some parts are maybe hip deep, which is perfect for bringing tubes and getting wet in the chilly water.
Roast s’mores with a magic fire
Thanks to our neighbors who started a roaring bonfire, and thanks to our other neighbors who had kids the same age as my kids and who brought stuff to make s’mores, we all enjoyed pretty awesome s’mores the night we stayed at the resort. It was so much fun! Shannon leaves guests with a packet of magic fire dust that you throw on the fire and which turns the flames blue. See? No detail was overlooked.
Fairy Tale Farm
Fairy Tale Farm is a complimentary part of every guest’s stay, but you can also purchase tickets to visit this farm even if you aren’t staying on the property. For only $10 per ticket, you can see ten animals, which include a mini donkey, mini horses, Dwarf goats, pigs, and more! You can pet and feed the animals.
Make it a weekend trip: Things to do Near Magical Mountain Resort
One of the reasons I really liked Shannon is that she does all the things that she recommends to her guests (like us!). I’ve spent some time in that area and have done a lot of cool stuff, which I mention here, but Shannon has made it a point to explore the area and do things that she thinks her guests will love, so I’ve listed those as well.
Marina Station Water Park
Readers know how much my kids and I love inflatable aqua parks. Well, there’s one just 23 minutes from Magical Mountain at the Marina Station on Lake Chatuge. It’s $18/person for an hour of fun. We did this on the way home from Magical Mountain and had a blast. It was the perfect thing to do to cool off and you can hang out afterward at the little beach or go to town for some lunch.
Andrews Valley Rail Tours
I have not done this one but Shannon has and it looks super fun and unique. Andrews Valley Rail Tours takes visitors along a 10-mile trek through beautiful scenery, including a hand-carved tunnel from the late 1800s and railroad bridges – all on a railbike! Guests must be at least 4 years old and tours are currently $59.99/person and last for two-and-a-half hours.
Hiking
There are some great trails nearby, including beautiful hikes to incredible overlooks at Bell Mountain (32 minutes away) and Brasstown Bald (40 minutes away), both of which are amazing for sunrise and sunset. Less than a half hour away is Leatherwood Falls, a great spot for a picnic and splash in the falls. It’s less than a mile roundtrip. Pickens Nose is a favorite of mine (watch the kids though – steep rocks at the overlooks) because the views are outrageously gorgeous and the total hike is less than two miles. It’s about an hour from Magical Mountain.
Helen, Georgia & Blairsville, Georgia
This quirky and adorable Bavarian-themed town is a favorite of our readers. There’s a lot to do all year round. See our story on Helen, Georgia for ideas. And the cute little town of Blairsville, Georgia is only a 30-minute drive from Magical Mountain. There are some fun things to do in Blairsville as well!
On the drive home
During the summer, you can easily stop at Bull Sluice on the Chattooga River on the way home. There’s a little beach along the river and you can take a dip or hang out. If you go upstream just a little ways on the paved trail, you can watch the rafters take on the rapids.
Also during the summer, if you want to take the northern route back home to Greenville, you can stop at Cashiers Sliding Rock. It’s a really fun natural waterslide with a sandy beach. There’s no fee but also not much parking. You can also stop at Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, both roadside waterfalls that you can walk behind which we think are beautiful.
Overall Mom Review of Our Adventures in Wonderland
I’d love to go back to Magical Mountain Resorts for several reasons:
The place is just really cool with all the details that make it so fun and enchanting
I loved the play areas that make it easy to relax and have fun with your family
The location is ideal for outdoor fun and adventure
The resort is super family-friendly, and kids will love exploring all the little things!
The field behind the cottage had lots of fireflies and my daughters, who met friends their age right next door when we stayed there, went and caught the little bugs. It was one of those idyllic experiences that I was hoping my own kids would have as I did in my own childhood.
And when our neighbors at the queen cottage next door introduced themselves the evening we were there, it became such an eventful and fun night. My daughters and their granddaughters painted rocks, roasted s’mores together, lit sparklers, tried out the magic fire dust, took all kinds of hilarious photos around the property, and really enjoyed each other’s company. The whole experience was just unforgettable.
My daughters and I just had such a delightful time at Magical Mountain and I especially appreciated the massive effort that went into creating the experience by Shannon. It was one pleasant surprise after another while staying there and something that my kids will certainly remember with joy.
Booking Your Stay Down the Rabbit Hole
It’s easy to book your stay at Magical Mountain Resort as all the properties are listed in AirBnB. Look at the Magical Mountain website though first and see which stay is best and go from there.
The entire property is dog-friendly. You’ll definitely meet Shannon’s loveable and playful golden doodles, Molly and Charlie, while you’re there. Molly took to guarding my girls while they played chess and it was adorable.
If you’re looking for a place to get away in the mountains that is just a touch magical and that will leave your family with lasting, amazing memories, Magical Mountain Resort is the place to go.
Looking for more fun, themed places to stay? Here’s our list of fantasty vacation themed rentals that include Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and more!
A one-of-a-kind experience awaits at SkyLand Ranch in Sevierville, TN, with its scenic views, miniature animals, amazing entertainment, and thrilling mountain coaster.
Thank you to Visit Sevierville for hosting us at SkyLand Ranch.
I had heard about SkyLand Ranch in Sevierville, TN when they first opened up in the fall of 2022 and had it on my radar to go when I got the chance because it just looked really cool with its peaceful and relaxing chair lift, thrilling mountain coaster, and gorgeous views. Let me say: I was not disappointed in my visit to SkyLand Ranch!
WagonWheeler in the air at Skyland Ranch
Watch! What we did at SkyLand Ranch
About SkyLand Ranch
SkyLand Ranch is a new attraction in Sevierville, TN, just under three hours from Greenville, SC, that sits on 100 acres on top of a mountain. Owners Lisa and Mark Williford are longtime mountain coaster operators and wanted to bring something new to Sevierville that tells the story of life on a ranch but with that thrilling ride of a mountain coaster and fantastic entertainment.
The decor of SkyLand Ranch is gorgeous. White barns, dark rocking chairs, natural wood structures, and a stunning skywalk that overlooks the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is what you can expect there.
The entire experience is unlike other attractions in the Smokies and you can tell that the owners put a lot of thought into the guest experience. Yet this is just the beginning. They plan to expand their offerings, which we’ll write about when they happen.
Getting up to SkyLand Ranch
The actual ranch is on top of a mountain, which you’ll reach either by a relaxing chair lift ride or a shuttle bus. After getting over my initial fears of chair lifts and my feet dangling high above solid ground, I have truly grown to love these lifts. The open air and views are a huge draw. I still hold onto my kids (not my sunglasses though…RIP) tightly ,but I’m no longer scared of these lifts.
Chair lift
The ride up to the mountain is not that long, maybe 10 minutes, and if you’ve been on other chair lifts in the area, this one is not as steep. But if you’re not into chair lifts, just take the shuttle up.
Once you get up there, take as much time as you like to explore all that SkyLand Ranch offers.
Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster
While I’d say it’s usually hard to choose a favorite activity at any of the cool places in Sevierville I’ve visited, it wasn’t hard at SkyLand Ranch. The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster was our favorite thing we did at the ranch.
I rode with my youngest daughter, 8, while my other daughter, 12, rode by herself, as did my husband. I think that for the older kids, riding by themselves gives them this great sense of independence, which is a lot of fun for them (and us parents to see).
The coaster is the longest in the Southeast at 1.25 miles long. You’ll be on it for about eight minutes and you can control how fast or slow you go. Being the daredevil Jersey girl I am, I hit it fast until my daughter told me I needed to slow down for her sake. Well, okay.
Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster
The views from the coaster are also stunning. You can see the Smoky Mountains in the distance, including Mt. LeConte, which my daughters and I hiked this summer. Big accomplishment that I like to remind them about so we can do it again! You can see the strip of the beginning of Pigeon Forge as well and all throughout Sevierville. It’s beautiful.
While we rode the coaster during the day, you can also ride it late into the night for a totally other experience because you can see the flickering lights of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Plus, you get to basically ride a coaster in the dark. It’s like Space Mountain but way better. How cool is that? I was really hoping to do this but we just ran out of time. Gotta go back.
To ride the Wild Stallion, kids must be at least three years old and 38” tall to ride. All riders under 54” tall must ride with an adult.
The coaster is an add-on to your admission price but you can also just go to SkyLand Ranch to ride the coaster and not go up to the mountain. You can view all the ticket options on the SkyLand Ranch website. If you do the combo ticket, which includes admission + the mountain coaster and you want to ride the coaster again, it’s just $10/person for the next ride. The coaster is open until 11 pm, while the ranch closes at 8 pm.
Buzzard’s Nest
The Buzzard’s Nest is a brand new rope playground at SkyLand Ranch. You can climb on it, jump on it, crawl through it, and swing in it.
While it is for kids, I had to try it out because how else can I write a review? I almost got stuck in one of the holes but I managed to squeeze through. It’s really fun! My kids loved it and spent quite some time playing in it. It’s near the WagonWheeler and sky decks.
Buzzard’s Nest at SkyLand Ranch
WagonWheeler
The WagonWheeler is also brand new in 2025 and is a giant swing tower. It’s over 300 feet off the ground from the parking lot and wow, the views are insane.
You get two rides for every admission ticket and since your admission is good for three days, you can go back each day for a total of six, heart-pounding rides swinging fast over the Smoky Mountains. Riders must be 48″ inches tall and each set of two swings cannot exceed 530 pounds.
WagonWheeler Swing Tower
The ride is based on a legend of a guy named Jack Wheeler who had to brave some wild whirlwind in his Conestoga wagon. You’ll certainly be braving a wild whirlwind while you fly 300 feet in the air in circles. It’s truly a cool experience.
Safari Ride
You get to see and feed longhorn cattle, deer, Highland cows, donkeys, and adorable goats while on the Safari Ride at SkyLand Ranch. The tours last about 45 minutes as you are taken on a covered trailer to explore the meadows at the ranch, where you’ll be greeted by some pretty cute animals.
I really liked this part of SkyLand Ranch because we got to learn about the animals and feed them. Plus, getting to see longhorn cattle up close was a new experience. Our guide assured us they are gentle but we were still given instructions to stay seated while they approached us because those horns are very long!
Safari Ride at Skyland Ranch
This is an add-on experience to your admission. The cost is $17.99/person and includes feed cups.
Western Entertainment
When we got off the chair lift at the top of the mountain to see the ranch, we were fortunate enough to arrive just in time for one of the shows. We got to see a cowboy show us his best Billy the Kid gun twirling and whip snapping moves before he got to some serious rope swinging action.
We loved watching his amazing talents and getting to see some old Western skills that you really don’t get to see elsewhere. He was fantastic and a great introduction to Skyland Ranch.
Rope-swinging cowboy
Not long after the cowboy performed, a local band setup to start their country music set. They were really good! They did some cover songs and a couple of their own, which I loved. I’m a big country music fan so I thoroughly enjoyed their music.
A lot of people took to the rocking chairs in the shade and just hung out, ate lunch, and enjoyed the entertainment. It was definitely relaxing. My husband and daughters played cornhole while we listened to the music. It was great.
In the evening, we came back up the mountain to go line dancing, which was awesome. Even though I grew up in New Jersey, I’m a country girl at heart because my parents actually took my siblings and I line dancing. Yes, there were several places to go line dancing in NJ. So I got to show my kids what a great line dancer I was and I think they thought I was cool for five seconds. Proud parenting moment.
There is also a cute little playground that is partially shaded and a big area with picnic tables next to the playground that is totally shaded for parents to hang out or to have lunch or dinner.
Gem mining is available and is an extra add-on adventure. You have access to the mining for as long as you like. It is not time based. The gem mine is located next to the Buckaroo Playbarn.
Definitely don’t miss the big sky walk called Legacy Lookout. You can read about the history of Sevierville as well as learn what mountains you’re looking at in the distance and get incredible photos of you and your family.
The ranch has daily entertainment so be sure to check the website before you go or give them a call to see what’s on the schedule.
Miniature Animals at the Ranch
SkyLand Ranch has several miniature horses and there are even goats to play with. Y’all know how much I love goats. They were our first stop once we got off the chair lift.
I was so surprised at just how clean the animal enclosures were. They were nearly spotless. Actually, everything at SkyLand Ranch was spotless.
Once you are on the chair lift, you’ll get a view of the donkeys and alpacas, which are adorable. They offer a meet & greet package with Highland cows if you want to get up close and personal with them.
Shopping & Dining
You don’t go all the way up to the mountain not to have food and shopping. There’s both a food court with pizza, sandwiches, and ice cream plus food trucks at SkyLand Ranch. The food trucks have BBQ, nachos, soft pretzels, street corn (delicious), and burgers.
There is no shortage of retail therapy to be had at SkyLand Ranch either. They have a huge store up on the mountain with quality apparel, cowboy and cowgirl hats, Western toys and games, SkyLand Ranch branded items, mugs, sparkly dresses, and all kinds of neat stuff. I almost walked out of there with a pink sparkle cowgirl hat.
Admission
Here’s the cool thing about admission to SkyLand Ranch: your ticket is good for three days of admission. Three days. You don’t find that anywhere in that area.
Ticket prices are $26.99/ages 10+, $15.99/ages 3-9, and free/ages 2 and under. Season passes are also offered at SkyLand Ranch.
Free parking is available as well. Dogs are not allowed due to the ranch having animals of its own. Service animals are accepted.
Ever wanted to run the big rapids on the Chattooga River? You can with the Nantahala Outdoor Center rafting, an incredible outfitter who has guided rafters for more than 50 years. P.S. This is a perfect day trip adventure for teens!
Quick Details: Nantahala Outdoor Center Rafting
We spent a full day on the river with Nantahala Outdoor Center and it was unforgettable.
📍 Mountain Rest, SC 🛶 Full-day guided Section IV rafting trip 🎒 Ages 12+ (perfect for teens!) 🥪 Lunch stop + waterfall walk included 🧑🏫 Super experienced guides
Our guide, Caroline, made us feel safe, confident, and totally ready for every splash and thrill. The teens on our trip couldn’t stop smiling—and honestly, neither could we.
There are few things I love more than an adventure on water, whether rafting, paddleboarding, or a waterfall boat tour, but throw in the absolute adrenaline rushes of pounding Class IV and V rapids and that’s pretty much the best day ever.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center offers all those thrills of rafting through some serious rapids on their Section IV trip on the Chattooga River, just an hour and a half drive from Greenville, SC.
The river is absolutely gorgeous and the rapids are so much fun. This is the ideal trip for teens as well – we took two teens and they had smiles plastered on their faces the entire day.
Chasing those rapids
WATCH! Our Trip Rafting with the NOC
About Nantahala Outdoor Center and Chattooga River
The NOC has been around a long, long time. It started back in the 1970s and is still going strong today with several outposts. In 1971, the founder of the NOC, Payson Kennedy, actually played a stunt double in the movie, Deliverance, which was partly filmed on the Chattooga River. The NOC was officially founded the following year.
In 1974, the Chattooga River was designated a Wild and Scenic area, which meant it was now federally protected land. This is the reason why the river is still so pristine, wild, scenic, and absolutely gorgeous today.
The NOC guides trips on the following rivers throughout SC, GA, NC, and TN: French Broad, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Ocoee, Pigeon, and Nantahala. They have river outposts in or near Bryson City, Chattanooga, Asheville, Gatlinburg, and Atlanta.
If you’re looking for a well-established outfitter with well-trained guides on a variety of rivers, the NOC is the place to go.
They also offer zip lining, lodging, and other adventures at several of their outposts, which you can find on their website.
Why Raft with the NOC?
The NOC extensively trains their rafting guides. The NOC is the only outfitter where their raft guides go through a month of training before getting their own rafts. Most other outfitters don’t even come close to this amount of training.
The NOC is also an established and trusted outfitter. They handle guided tours on several rivers with lots of technical rapids that take someone knowledgeable and experienced to handle correctly.
When I went on my first whitewater rafting trip nearly two decades ago in West Virginia, I thought I wanted to be a rafting guide. What a cool job to basically do what you love in some of the prettiest places in the world. Then I came to my senses and realized that these guides have an enormous amount of responsibility when it comes to caring for and protecting the rafters – us. I decided I didn’t want that kind of burden!
Jumping into the Chattooga River
Caroline, our guide, has many years of rafting experience and it truly showed in how she guided us and made the trip into a memory that my daughter and I will talk about years from now. All the guides on our trip on Section IV worked incredibly well together. Their instructions to us were concise and clear and they were all in position with ropes to pull us out if needed on the more dangerous rapids.
I was nervous doing this trip – nervous about falling in and getting seriously hurt or worse. And accidents happen, which is the risk that you assume when you do something like this, but I felt safe with Caroline and all the guides. They worked like a well-oiled machine and it was easy to see how trained they were and how much they cared about all of us on the trip with them.
Section IV has Class IV and V rapids. Rapids are designated by class – Class I, II, and III are easy to moderate. Class I and II are what you may see while tubing a river. Class IV and V are much more difficult where advanced skills are needed (that would be our guide, not us!) and where the rapids can be unpredictable, large, and potentially dangerous. Those are the kinds of rapids we ran on this trip.
Rafting Section IV
Thrilling doesn’t even begin to describe this trip. My adrenaline was pumping the whole trip and getting to not think about anything except what Caroline was telling us to do was awesome. I have to think all day and don’t get to run rapids. Here I didn’t even have to think, just follow directions.
Once you watch your safety briefing and get all your gear, you’ll load onto the school bus for the drive to the put-in location at Bull Sluice. You’ll be assigned your guide and your boat and then take all the gear down the quarter-mile trail to the river.
Thankfully, you have a little bit of time and some smaller rapids to get acquainted with your boat crew and guide until you really get into the tougher rapids. Our boat crew was just awesome. Besides my own teen and her friend and myself, we had a young couple with us who were super adventurous. It was a lot of fun to trade our bucket list trip ideas with each other. Plus, they were just a cool couple to be around all day.
Once we all got comfortable learning to paddle together and listen to the instructions of our guide, we hit some of the bigger rapids, which were super fun. Caroline called them “splashy things”, which was way better than what my mind was calling them – possible falling-out-of-the-boat-into-rapids things.
Rafting!
Our first big rapid was Seven Foot Falls, which is exactly what the name suggests. It was a churning waterfall that engulfs many rafters right off the bat, kicking them out of their boats and into the water. The first boat that went down lost all their riders. Then it was our turn. Caroline expertly guided us towards the falls and then over it. We all made it! None of us fell out, which I considered a minor miracle.
We slapped our paddles together over our heads for a paddle high-five and proceeded to watch the rest of the boats pretty much get owned by that rapid. After that, it was several more rapids, some bigger than others – but none that we fell in at. I was definitely scared of falling in but we never did because Caroline was awesome.
But all day long it was these big rapids that Caroline guided us through while we worked together to have fun in a safe manner. I could not have asked for a better guide or trip.
The whole trip lasted from when we arrived at the outpost around 9:15 am to check in for our 9:45 am trip and then we got back on the bus to the outpost around 4:30 pm.
Lunch & Waterfall
One of the reasons why I really wanted to go on this particular trip was because when I had hiked out to Long Creek Falls in the spring, I saw a NOC rafting trip stop on the beach and set up this crazy lunch spread. Who does that in the middle of nowhere? The NOC. I wanted to go with no one else from then on out.
And the lunch spread did not disappoint. They had an assortment of meats and cheeses for sandwiches, plus peanut butter, jelly, fruit, cut-up vegetables, goat cheese, crackers, and Oreos. What a win.
A close second to the lunch spread was getting to walk under Long Creek Falls and really feel that pounding, frigid water. This is one of my favorite waterfalls so experiencing it up close like that was a real treat.
Walking behind the veil of Long Creek Falls
Need to Know Before You Go
Ages 12+ are only allowed on the Section IV trip. The NOC at this outpost does run an easier trip, Section III, where kids have to be 8+.
Bring a change of clothes and a towel. Wear shoes that won’t fall off (aka not flip flops).
Bring sunscreen and water. It’s hot and sunny.
Leave everything of value in your car. The NOC will hold onto your keys for you.
Tip your guide if they give you an excellent experience, which they will.
For a delicious dinner afterwards, head five minutes down the road to Humble Pie. We had their Chattooga White and a cheese pizza and both were fantastic. Next door, they sell fantastic, homemade ice cream.
Honest Mom Review: Rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center
I cannot say enough good things about this adventure. Caroline was just such a joy to have as a guide and made us all feel safe, and made sure we had a great time. The river is gorgeous, and you feel like you’re out in the middle of nowhere, which is a welcome break from daily life.
The kids had a blast. It was the first thing my daughter talked about the next morning. As a mom, to see your teen having a truly wonderful time is priceless.
The NOC is so organized and it was easy to see they all knew exactly what they were doing. The safety team was always in place and Caroline never failed to give us exact instructions for each rapid and where to swim if we fell out and what to look for. While it was still nerve-wracking at times, I always felt prepared and in good hands.
The lunch and waterfall stop was also a highlight. It was awesome not to have to worry about what to pack for lunch. They had everything right there for us and took care to make sure we didn’t leave any trash behind in order to keep the place just as beautiful as when we got there.
I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone, especially if you’re looking for something fun and unique to do with your teens or whole family.
Booking Your Trip
You can easily book your Section IV trip online. Once confirmed, you’ll fill out a waiver and be on your way. The trip we did was a full-day adventure, and at the time of this writing, is $155/person.
If you’re not up for Section IV, the NOC also offers an exciting trip without all the big rapids in their Section III trip. Kids only need to be 8 years old to participate. That trip is $145/person.
Are you or your kids wanting to get an ear piercing? Greenville, SC has some phenomenal piercing shops to go to. If you’ve got a little girl, chances are you’ve talked about piercing her ears or if she’s old enough to ask, she’s asked you about getting her ears pierced.
When we asked our readers where to get ears pierced around town, most of them said either the pediatrician’s office or a tattoo/piercings shop. I never would have thought of a professional tattoo or piercings parlor but after doing some research, I will likely consider them when my kids want their ears pierced.
Inside: A real parent review of Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park in Sevierville, TN with all the information you need to plan your visit. We went and have ALL the details.
There’s actually a place where kids (and adults) can ride and drive real heavy-duty construction equipment at Dig ‘N Zone in Sevierville, Tennessee. We checked it out and have all the details.
Thank you to Visit Sevierville for providing us tickets so we could write this review. All opinions are our own.
The real deal
If your kids are obsessed with construction equipment or just want to try something new when you come out to Sevierville, TN, then the relatively new construction theme park, Dig ‘N Zone, is the place to try.
Watch! We played at Dig ‘N Zone
There are only a few such places that exist in the United States (the others are nowhere near Greenville) and have dozens of rides with real, heavy-duty equipment to both ride and operate. There are height requirements for many of the rides, but smaller kids can also ride on the laps of their parents, so even they can do many of the attractions.
Experiencing Dig ‘N Zone
Dig ‘N Zone is family-owned and operated, opened in early 2024, and is a rare and unique theme park because they let you actually ride and operate real heavy machinery.
It’s a park that is totally different than what you’ve probably experienced elsewhere. You’re not waiting to ride the rides (except for one crazy one) but rather you’re operating pieces of equipment: the excavators, backhoes, pavement rollers, and skid steers.
You’re not watching the action at Dig ‘N Zone: you’re a part of the action. And that’s really what makes this park unique. Plus, where can your kids operate construction equipment?
My kids and I liked doing the competition to knock down steel plates with a ball using a CAT 301.5. Driving the skid steer, which goes really slow, was fun because we’ve never done it before but my 10-year-old loved driving the big John Deere Gator (like a big golf cart). She did pretty well!
Practicing for her driver’s test
My girls and I (they are 14 and 10) also got a kick out of driving the toy Jeeps. We tried to race unsuccessfully, but nothing goes too fast. It was fun, though.
We never had to wait more than maybe 10 minutes at any given attraction, which was nice. You can check out the list of all the attractions here on the Dig ‘N Zone website.
We spent about two hours at Dig ‘N Zone and did most of the attractions plus got lunch.
Tips on Visiting Dig ‘N Zone
Here are a few tips you may find helpful when you visit Dig ‘N Zone:
Racing is fun!
While there are some shaded areas, most of the park is out in the open. It’s important to wear sunscreen, have a hat, and hydrate often.
Look at the minimum rider heights before you go. Most of the height minimums are at least 42” and some as tall as 52” so be sure to look at them before going to make sure your kids can ride them. Many rides allow lap riders as well.
Bring your stroller if needed. Everything is paved and easy to navigate.
Guests cannot bring outside or drink (except an unopened bottle of water) but there is a cafe inside the park. They have burgers, pizzas, and a kids’ menu.
Looking for a Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park review? Here it is. I had been wanting to go to this park since it opened because it was so different from anything I had ever experienced. I’m not someone who thinks construction equipment is super cool (although operating those heavy machines may change my mind) but I thought the park was really neat.
My kids really enjoyed it, especially when they got to drive and operate the equipment themselves. It was fun for me to join in with them as an adult, which I think is another thing that makes the park unique. It’s truly for all ages.
Doing the construction thing
I can’t even imagine what it cost to build Dig ‘N Zone. The massive investment of equipment, space, and insurance I’m sure is enormous. This is why the ticket cost is not inexpensive. If you have a kid who loves construction or big equipment, you and your kid will absolutely love this place. Or if you want to do something less crazy than the bigger theme parks but still have a lot of fun, this place would be fantastic.
Be sure to check out the gift shop. They have some really unique items for sale!
Tickets & Admission
Tickets are currently priced at $69/adults, $55/kids (ages 3-11), $55/ages 65+. You can add on a Turbo Pass, which puts you at the front of the line for the attractions, which costs an extra $49-$59/person.
There are other add-ons like crushing a small school bus or getting a gift bag that you can pay extra for when you get your tickets at the gate. Parking is free and plentiful.
Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park 1707 Veterans Blvd, Sevierville, TN Dig ‘N Zone Website | 865.244.0866
Are you interested in learning about Congaree National Park events? Many people don’t know that our national and state parks have pretty cool events all throughout the year. One of them – the Owl Prowl – is quite the adventure at Congaree National Park in Columbia, SC, and Kristina has all the details.
The more I’ve visited local, state, and national parks, the more I’ve learned about the Ranger programs offered, and wow! – every single one I’ve been to or done with my kids has been awesome. When I saw an event for the Ranger-guided Owl Prowl in Congaree National Park in Columbia, SC, I immediately signed up.
Looking for a fun place to stay in the Gatlinburg area for your family, a girls’ trip, or even a romantic getaway? Kristina took her kids to Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort and tells us all about it and why it’s sure to be a destination choice for your next vacation to the Smokies. A complimentary stay was given to us for this review.
If you like the outdoors and would love to stay overnight in the woods but camping just isn’t up your alley, maybe you have heard of “glamping” – it’s where you get the experience of camping but without having to set up a tent, sleep on the ground, and deal with no air conditioning.
I’ve done all kinds of awesome glamping, as well as regular camping, and if I have the choice, it’s going to be one of comfort! And I stayed at an unforgettable glamping resort in Gatlinburg that may just seal the deal on your family’s next trip.
Glamping at Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
Staying in a European Safari Tent
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort is only two-and-a-half hours from Greenville yet feels a world away. It’s a luxury camping resort that has safari tents, campers, and treehouses for rent, plus spaces for RVs and regular tents. I had seen signs for the resort on my previous trips to the Smoky Mountains and was intrigued, so when I had the opportunity to stay in a safari tent there, you bet I took it.
Our safari tent, which was imported from Europe, was basically a huge tent with walls of strong fabric stretched over wooden poles. It had two areas, one for sleeping, and a deck for sitting and eating. The back sleeping part was closed off with a zippered door and you could also close off a second part with a counter and storage area, leaving the deck open. We did that just for privacy and saw most of the other occupied safari tents doing the same.
While there are no lions or tigers outside this safari tent, there may be bears, so you need to be sure to store your food sealed in your car or in a bear-proof canister. No bears showed up for our stay though (I really wanted to see one – maybe next time).
There is also an outdoor charcoal ring with a grill top for use, plus a table and chairs, and a wooden chair swing. Fire pits with chairs are nearby as well as potable water spouts.
Comfortable Beds and AC
The most uncomfortable part of regular camping for me is the hard ground and lack of air conditioning. It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep when you’re sweating on top of a thin mat. That’s no issue at Camp LeConte. Our tent had a large, comfortable bed with a set of bunk beds and an air conditioning unit. It was super clean, and the tent even had windows (you could roll them closed at night for privacy) and a closet to store your bags. There’s also electricity, so charging your phone is no problem.
It was very comfortable, and my kids loved the outdoor swing and deck.
Amenities & Location
One thing I’ve learned about taking kids on vacation is that a pool on location is key. Camp LeConte has a small heated pool, perfect for lounging after a long day of hiking and where the kids somehow still have the energy to go for a swim.
The resort also has a playground, ping pong, and laundry on-site if you need it. The bathhouse is within walking distance of the tents and campers and was very clean. Towels, linens, and shampoo/conditioner/soap are all provided.
There’s a general store also so if you forgot anything essential, you should be able to get it. They also sell firewood and ice, which is convenient.
Check-in was a breeze. A welcome packet is placed outside the bathrooms and laundry area, and you just grab it and go to your tent, treehouse, or camper.
Camp LeConte is located only 4 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and about 25 minutes to Pigeon Forge. The trolley stops right outside the resort so you can easily make use of that service if you don’t want to drive and park in town. There is a grocery store right down the street from the resort as well as nearby restaurants, gas stations, and a CVS. The entrance to the Smoky Mountains is maybe 10 minutes away without traffic.
I loved that the resort was close enough to Gatlinburg to be convenient but far enough to be away from the noise and traffic. The resort was pretty full when we went but it was quiet and peaceful and best of all, restful.
The resort is open from March through December.
Family, Friends, or Couple Options
Camp LeConte caters to everyone and I love the variety of options they have. Our safari tent easily slept a family of four but they have others that are better suited for couples or even a girls weekend. Safari tents sleep two, four, or six people and range in price from $198-$233 a night. There was a group of four girlfriends next to us who looked like they were having an awesome time!
If you have always wanted to stay in a luxury tree house, this is the place. I’m totally eyeing one for my next trip, they look amazing. There are three of them at the resort and perched in the trees (obviously). They start at $223 a night. There are also two 1960s retro campers at the resort that look adorable. They are $161 a night.
If you plan to bring an RV, they offer full hook up with water, sewer, cable tv hookups, and free wifi.
One important item to note is that pets are not allowed in the safari tents, the campers, or the luxury treehouses. Pets are allowed if you reserve one of the RV sites.
Here’s a video tour of our safari tent:
Make Some Memories in the Gatlinburg Area
All of these options at Camp LeConte are just perfect for that getaway you’ve been wanting to take but maybe aren’t sure where to go or what to do. We have a huge guide to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge if you’re looking for options on things to do in the area. This is by far personally one of my favorite places to take my kids because of all the unique things to do and the endless adventures to have at the National Park.
My kids were sad to leave Camp LeConte – they loved the bunk beds and the whole experience of glamping, plus the pool was endless entertainment. We explored Gatlinburg and the park during our trip, heading to Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, and the SkyBridge. It was nice to know we had a quiet, comfortable place to come back to each night after our adventures!
Want to see what the world looks like from behind a waterfall? A short hike, about .6 miles, is all it takes to get to Moore Cove Falls in Pisgah National Forest. The trail isn’t difficult and runs into the forest via a beautiful bridge. The waterfall is beautiful, cascading 50 feet over a rock overhang.
Walk Behind Moore Cove Falls
The coolest part, in my opinion, is that there is enough space to walk behind the falls (and take cool photos). You can even sit on either side and have a snack since there are so many giant boulders.
Since it is a waterfall, caution is always recommended, especially as you walk around the waterfall and pools. I found this waterfall to be easy to navigate and had no problems with the large boulders and walking behind the falls, although it was a bit muddy.
Moore Cove Falls Trailhead
The trailhead to the Moore Cove Falls Trails is between Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock in the Pisgah Forest on 276. If you’re coming from Brevard, the trailhead will be on your right. There is a small pull-off where you can park that holds maybe seven or eight cars. There is an information board there as well.
To get to the falls, just cross the bridge and head up the stairs to the right. The trail is well-marked and has a few creek crossings and bridges. You’ll hear Moore Cove Falls before you see it, especially during the summer months when the forest canopy is at its fullest.
The trail is about 1.2 miles round trip and is great for families with smaller kids since you don’t need to work hard to see a beautiful sight! The trail is 90 minutes from Greenville. Make it a full day and head to Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, or other great swimming holes in the Pisgah National Forest.
For directions, put into your GPS “Moore Cove Falls” or US-276, Brevard, NC 28712, and then start looking for the trail after you see Looking Glass Falls on your right.
Inside: If you’re looking for a lovely family trip not far from the Upstate, SC, consider Newnan-Coweta, GA, a little over three hours away. The small town charm and filming location of big television hits will captivate you!
Thanks to Explore Newnan-Coweta for inviting us on a media trip to experience their little slice of heaven.
Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee lies the charming small town of Newnan in Coweta County, just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s the same town where country music legend Alan Jackson grew up and no doubt was inspired by his time on the iconic river to write his chart-topping hits.
Today, the town of Newnan is one of the must-see spots if you make the drive down I-85 to Coweta County. The other iconic town is Senoia, where “The Walking Dead” was filmed. We spent a weekend in this beautiful area and think you and your family will love it if you’re looking for a little getaway not far from the Upstate.
Newnan-Coweta is part of the greater metropolitan area of Atlanta and because of its proximity to the city, has been growing rapidly. But Newnan and Senoia both retain their small town charm.
The town square is the center of historic Newnan and quite literally all the small businesses surround the square. You can find anything from unique clothing to handmade tea towels to jewelry, pottery, chocolate, coffee, and books. This is what made me fall in love with Newnan.
Newnan was a hospital town during the Civil War since it was right off the railroad. The town was supported by the textile and manufacturing industries and you can still see some of the stately homes from that era as you drive into town. Many of the buildings date back to the mid-1800s.
Downtown Newnan, GA
One of the really neat buildings is the Alamo Theater on one of the corners of the town square. Originally built in 1880, it housed a harness shop, general store, and butcher shop throughout the decades. In 1928, it was converted to a movie theater with one screen and 551 seats. I felt like I was in one of the “Back to the Future” movies looking at the Alamo Theater.
Senoia is also super fascinating but for a whole other reason: I learned that Senoia is classified as Anytown, USA, which means it was built to basically conform to whatever a production team would need for a film or series. The streets of downtown have been laid with dirt and the buildings transformed to look like a Wild West town for one movie and the entire “Walking Dead” series was filmed in Senoia along with dozens of movies.
Things to do in Newnan-Coweta
Summer Wined Up
The weekend I spent in Newnan happened to be the same weekend of the Summer Wined Up festival. This event is meant to highlight not only various local wines but also showcase Newnan’s small businesses.
After you show your ID and get your wristband, you get a map of the small businesses and the wines they are serving, which are all about one ounce pours. You don’t have to try every single wine available – there are about 35 small businesses participating and that’s a lot of wine. I don’t know how many tickets they sold (they did sell out) but it was the perfect number because nowhere was crowded.
Enjoying downtown Newnan, GA
I really could not have envisioned a better introduction to the town of Newnan. Not only was the wine I tried delicious but having the opportunity to walk into each of the small businesses was just fantastic.
Many of them had small hors d’oeuvres like fruit, cheese, and cookies, which my daughters (ages 12 and 8) loved but we also got to check out local bookstores, shops overflowing with handcrafted jewelry and bags, apparel stores, pottery shops, medical businesses, and restaurants.
I was completely floored at the diversity of shops around the town square. It was amazing and my girls and I had such a blast shopping and picking up some really neat items.
We will be sure to update this story before next year’s Wined Up so you can make plans to go to Newnan for the weekend! Newnan will host a similar event, Oktoberfest on Friday, October 3rd from 5-10 pm, if you’d like to start making travel plans.
Senoia Farmers Market
This farmers market is adorable. We loved strolling through the stalls and finding everything from freshly cut flowers to produce and vegetables to iced coffee to French pastries and bread. There are so many unique vendors and it was a lot of fun to wander through the farmers market before we headed over to main street in Senoia to check out where “The Walking Dead” was filmed.
Full confession: I have never seen one episode of “The Walking Dead” but can certainly appreciate cinematic aspects of any film or series and love getting to see where movies are made.
Senoia Farmers Market
I picked up a lavender iced coffee from one of the local coffee vendors and cinnamon raisin bread and a danish from the French baker. She was quite convincing and I’m impressed with myself that I didn’t walk out of there with a lot – like, a lot – more baked goods.
When you walk around downtown Senoia, you’ll come across plaques on the ground that tell you about the different movies and shows that were filmed in the town. “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Pet Cemetery II”, among many other movies, were filmed there.
We walked into one unique shop that had clothes from “The Walking Dead” that they acquired when the show ended. The owners had some great stories about how the production team would film in the town and when they even used their shop for some of the scenes. The Georgia Tour Company offers walking tours of the different areas around Senoia that have been used for movies.
There are coffee shops, breakfast and lunch bistros, a lovely bookstore, and stores that sell handmade goods up and down main street in Senoia. It’s a great place to spend some time exploring.
Bank of Woodbury in Senoia, GA
Full Circle Toys
Full Circle Toys & Games place is right off the main square and we just happened to stumble upon it when we got into town. My youngest child saw the words “toy shop” and she wanted to check it out so we did.
This store is so neat because they have toys from the 80s and 90s like collectible baseball figurines, Star Wars characters, Cabbage Patch dolls, Strawberry Shortcake dolls and houses, Fisher Price toys, Elmo and Cookie Monster dolls, collectible Barbies, and old school McDonald toys. I had such a blast wandering around this shop!
How to enjoy the outdoors in Newnan-Coweta
There are some great spots to enjoy the outdoors in Newnan-Coweta.
C.J. Smith Park
This park has a great playground with lots of swings and rope-climbing structures. There are two big slides down a hill that were under construction when we were there but they looked super fun.
This park also has a huge skate park. We got to watch several skateboarders show off their moves, which was a blast. I have a lot of admiration for these daredevils. A splash pad is near the parking lot but wasn’t on when we were there.
92 Farmer Street, Newnan, GA
Skate Park at C.J. Smith Park
Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Part of the Georgia State Park system, Chattahoochee Bend State Park has lots of camping, a couple of playgrounds, about six miles of trails, and a boat ramp into the river. There really aren’t any swimming spots but you can certainly fish in the river off the banks.
If you have your own kayak, you can launch right from the park into the river. The Park also has programs available that sometimes involve kayaking on the river. Check out the park events page to see what’s going on when you are planning a visit. We did a short, shaded (thankfully) hike along the river and it was really pretty.
425 Bobwhite Way, Newnan, GA
Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Where to eat in Newnan-Coweta
There are several restaurants right in downtown Newnan and Senoia. Here’s where we ate:
Meat N Greet
Meat N Greet was our first stop for dinner when we got to Newnan and the staff was awesome. Our waitress explained the menu and gave us her recommendations. They are known for burgers so that’s what we got. All our dishes were really good and the fries were amazing. Meat N Greet is right off the main square in Newnan so it’s a great starting point if you want to wander around downtown.
11 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA
Curious Kitchen at the Senoia Farmers Market
After our morning at the Senoia Farmers Market, we were going to head over to the Chattahoochee Bend State Park. I wanted something for lunch on the go so we got bacon and egg burritos and sandwiches from the Curious Kitchen at one of the stalls at the market. I was given a tip that these were pretty famous and that is a hundred percent the truth.
My kids devoured their sandwiches and I couldn’t even finish my burrito. The flavors were outstanding! If you go to Senoia on a day when the Farmers Market isn’t open, you can still get an amazing burrito or sandwich at the Curious Kitchen and Bar located in downtown Senoia.
42 Main Street Suite 1B, Senoia, GA
The Cellar
The Cellar is a steakhouse located in downtown Newnan that serves a variety of both meat and seafood dishes. I had shrimp and grits and roasted vegetables, which were delicious. My kids ordered off the children’s menu and had grilled cheese and chicken tenders. I’ll admit I stole a bunch of their fries because excellent fries are my weak spot. The Cellar is more on the fine dining scale so reservations are recommended.
20 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA
Bistro Hilary
This cute restaurant is located in Senoia and is a great stop for lunch. Bistro Hilary is based on French-inspired cuisine that sources their ingredients locally.
21 Barnes Street, Senoia, GA
Rock Salt Milk Bar
If you go anywhere in Newnan, Rock Salt Milk Bar should be it. They make all their own ice cream, sourcing as many ingredients as they can both locally and organically. And they make their own waffle bowls and cones.
I honestly could have eaten just those. I got honey lavender ice cream in a waffle bowl and I was in heaven. The kiddie size, which is a small(ish) scoop, and is perfect. I like ice cream but don’t like to overindulge and this size was perfect. My kids were also in heaven, so big win.
8 East Washington Street, Newnan, GA
Waffle bowl at Rock Salt Milk Bar
Where to stay in Newnan-Coweta
We stayed at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott just seven minutes from the Newnan Town Square. I always look for places with kitchenettes to help save on food costs when traveling and this place had a great kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, two burner stovetop, and dishwasher. We took advantage of the refrigerator to keep our waters cold because it was super hot when we visited (not the hotel but the weather!).
Pool
The hotel also had complimentary breakfast each morning with eggs (one of my kids declared these eggs some of the best she’s ever had so there’s that), waffles, oatmeal, cereal, bagels, and muffins. There’s also juice and coffee/hot chocolate/tea available 24/7.
On the way to Newnan-Coweta, my kids wanted to know if the hotel had a pool and were delighted to find out that indeed, their dreams would be coming true when we arrived. The pool is outdoors and there is also an indoor fitness center.
Lastly, the rooms are very spacious and clean and all the hotel staff were very helpful. There is free parking for all guests.
4001 McIntosh Pkwy, Newnan, GA
Fall 2023 Events in Newnan-Coweta
Don’t miss any of these great fall events happening in Newnan-Coweta!
Oktoberfest in downtown Newnan on Friday, October 3rd from 5-10 pm. It will be set up similar to the Wined festival where you can visit local shops and sample good brews.
Spirits and Spice Festival: At the Spirits and Spice Festival, on October 25th, from 2-7 pm, visitors can indulge in a delightful October afternoon filled with eating, drinking and bewitching fun. The downtown area will be full of nostalgic businesses serving up specialty cocktails, locals participating in a chili cook-off and talented artists showcasing their creations. It’s the perfect time for guests to have a gourd time and embrace the Halloween Spirit.
CowetaCoastal Social:Coweta Community Foundation is hosting Coweta Coastal Social, a concert fundraiser at Line Creek Reserve on August 8th, 2025. The Emerald Empire Band will perform, and they will have a shrimp boil, oysters, an open bar, and more! All proceeds benefit the Coweta Together Fund’s Impact Grants, which support the community.
Overall Impression of Newnan-Coweta
I’m always up for a new adventure and visiting new places but I really had no idea what to expect at Newnan-Coweta. That first night walking around the main square in downtown Newnan was unexpectedly fantastic. I absolutely loved the small town charm, the local businesses, the kindness of everyone we met, and the calm atmosphere of Newnan. It was almost like stepping back in time, which I so enjoyed.
I love traveling with my daughters and seeing their excitement at exploring new places and they felt the same way about Newnan and Senoia. These little towns are both unique and interesting but also just give off such a calm and peaceful vibe that I couldn’t help but get caught up in the beauty of it.
Downtown Newnan, GA
And Alan Jackson. I love country music from the 90s and have been a fan of his for many years. Finding out that this is where he grew up was quite exciting.
Normally, our trips involve a lot of hiking and adventure and more high-strung activities, so exploring Newnan-Coweta in a more relaxed fashion was certainly a newer experience but one that we really enjoyed. If you’re looking for more of a low-key trip that has elements of uniqueness and invites restfulness and family or couple time, this is the place to go.
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Planning to explore Georgia?
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Spend a weekend in Newnan-Coweta, Georgia, as a family! Here are some of the best places we found while visiting!
