Are you one of the working parents out there who feels like they are missing out on the fun events in Greenville with their children due to long work hours or a full-time job? Our Working Parents Guide includes a variety of activities and ideas to maximize your time away from work, so you can have more worry-free fun with your kids.
Ideas You’ll Find in This Article: 🟢 Top Things to Do with Kids After 5 PM 🟢 Kid-Friendly Places Open Late 🟢 After-Work “Date” Ideas with Your Kids 🟢 Drop-In & Full-Time Childcare Options 🟢 Quick Meals & Family Dinners 🟢 Grocery Delivery & Curbside Pickup 🟢 House Cleaning Services 🟢 Cafés Where You Can Work & They Can Play 🟢 Places to Recharge (Because You Deserve It)
A Working Parent’s Guide: Choose a Category for Guidance
This guide is written for working parents who can’t do things with their kids during the typical 9 am – 5 pm workday. We recognize your struggle and we want to help! Below you will find events, activities, childcare, services, and ideas to maximize the time you do have with your children outside of work.
If you’re wondering “Where are the best and most beautiful places to kayak near me?”, then we have you covered! Kristina enjoys kayaking with her kids and lists out some great places to get on the water kayaking in Greenville, SC and the Upstate.
Lake Robinson
I can’t remember where my love of kayaking started but it’s been such a fun activity for my family in the Upstate that we go often in the summer.
I’ve been kayaking with my two kids since my youngest was about three years old. Admittedly, I was nervous the first time I took them out but once I got the hang of it, we had a blast.
I rented tandem kayaks (a double kayak with a jump seat, perfect for little kids) the first few times I went out with them but then got my own Perception tandem…and then bought a couple more.
I go every chance I can. So, if you love kayaking, Greenville, SC has plenty to offer!
If you like to SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), this list will be helpful also!
Tips for Kayaking With Kids
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Make sure everyone wears a PFD (personal flotation device). This is for the safety of all. PFDs are a hot topic in the kayaking community but it’s not a chance you want to take when kids are involved. Places that rent kayaks will almost always have them available.
Bring enough snacks and water. Smaller kids can’t paddle and you’ll need to occupy them if they get fussy if you can’t find someplace to beach the kayak and let them get out and play around in the water.
Bring sunscreen and reapply it often. I’ve gotten sunburned more times than I should have.
Have a map of the lake/river, whistle, and first aid kit for safety reasons.
Research the area ahead of time to know if you need a permit to kayak and if you can swim in the lake or not. We tell you here what we know about each location.
Lastly, Paddle SC is a great, local resource for paddling in the Upstate.
Places to Kayak Near Me: Upstate, South Carolina
Lake Placid in Paris Mountain State Park
No private boats on Lake Placid but canoe and kayak rentals are available for a small fee on Saturdays and Sundays. You can also swim there. The lake is really small and good for a beginner kayaker. Experienced kayakers will get bored.
Fees: Yes, you’ll pay a fee to enter the park unless you have a SC State Parks pass. Rentals are a separate fee. Address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville Distance from Greenville: In Greenville
Saluda Lake
Saluda Lake is a 331-acre reservoir where you can stand up paddle board, kayak, and canoe. You can also rent kayaks from various outfitters at the lake. Launch at Buckskin Road in Easley for free access.
Fees: You can pay around $7 to put in at Fins on Saluda Address: 605 Motor Boat Club Road, Greenville Distance from Greenville: 0 miles
Pinnacle Lake and Lake Oolenoy in Table Rock State Park
Pinnacle Lake and Lake Oolenoy, a 36-Acre lake and a 67-acre lake (respectively) with a boat ramp on Lake Oolenoy. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are available for rental on Pinnacle Lake for a fee and you can bring your own kayak to Lake Oolenoy.
This lake is a great kayaking spot and is a nice spot for a beginner’s skill level. Canoeing and kayaking with kids on Pinnacle Lake is a great memory maker!
Fees: You’ll pay a fee to enter the park unless you have an SC State Parks pass. Rentals are a separate fee. Address: 158 Ellison Lane, Pickens Distance from Greenville: 40 minutes
Lake Cunningham & Lake Robinson
Lake Cunningham and Lake Robinson, 200-acre and 800-acre lakes (respectively) are very calm and great for beginners. There’s a place to rent kayaks near the entrance to Lake Robinson.
Fees: A boating permit is required and costs $5 for residents per outing or $30 per year. Address: 2544 Mays Bridge Road, Greer (Lake Robinson); 2844 N. McElhaney Road, Greer (Lake Cunningham) Distance from Greenville: 25 minutes
Upper Saluda River
River Access Closures!
Access is no longer available at the Saluda River Dam OR the Saluda Outdoor Center. For information on accessing the Saluda River in these areas, visithttps://www.saludaoutdoorcenter.com/.
Paddling SC has several trips you can take on the 70-mile stretch of the Upper Saluda River around Greenville. The access points at Dolly Cooper Park and Timmerman Road are the ones I see most mentioned in local kayaking groups. A local business, the Saluda River Rambler, will shuttle kayakers and their boats along the river, which is a fantastic option. They also rent yaks!
Fees: None; separate fee for the shuttle Address: See access points for the Upper Saluda River Distance from Greenville: Dolly Cooper Park is 15 minutes from Greenville
Broadway Lake
A public boat ramp provides access to the 300-acre Broadway Lake in Anderson. Swimming is permitted.
Fees: $2 per boat launch fee Address: Between US 76 and SC 28, Anderson Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
Lake Bowen
Lake Bowen is a sizeable 1,534-acre with two boat ramps and 33 miles of shoreline. This is a huge body of water, so plan accordingly. Read more about Lake Bowen in our KA review.
Fees: Daily boating fees range from $20-$40 depending on if you’re a resident of Spartanburg County. Address: 8515 Highway 9, Inman Distance from Greenville: 40 minutes
Boyd’s Millpond
Boyd’s Millpond is a small lake in Laurens County that is perfect for kayaks since boats with motors no larger than 15 horsepower are allowed here. There is one public access boat ramp.
Fees: None Address: Boat ramp is at Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park. The park is located on Boyd’s Mill Pond Road just off SC Highway 252. Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
Green River [CLOSED DUE TO HELENE DAMAGE]
The Green River in Saluda, NC is great fun for a kayaking trip. We went tubing there and lots of people were kayaking, enjoying the smaller rapids. You’ll need to figure out how to get you and your kayaks back to your car though if you kayak this river since it’s a one-way, downstream route. Or you can call one of the local outfitters and arrange kayak rentals or transportation.
Fees: None Address: Put in at Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC Distance from Greenville: An hour
Green River
Lyman Lake
Lyman Lake is part of Spartanburg County Parks, kayakers are welcome to explore the water here. Boating is by permit only.
Fees: The fee for the watercraft is $60 a year for Spartanburg County residents, $120 a year for all other in county in-state residents Address: 200 Lyman Lodge Rd Distance from Greenville: 35 minutes
Lake Rabon
You can kayak at Lake Rabon but no swimming is allowed.
Fees: Permits are required for boating- $35 for non-county residents Address: The entrance to Lake Rabon is located on State Highway 252 in western Laurens County, approximately 5 miles from the Laurens District 55 High School, which is on US Highway 76. Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
Lake Russell
Access the lake on the South Carolina side through Calhoun Falls State Park, which has a boat ramp. Swimming is permitted.
Fees: You’ll pay a fee to enter the park unless you have a SC State Parks pass and you’ll need your own kayak. Address: 46 Maintenance Shop Road, Calhoun Falls Distance from Greenville: An hour and 20 minutes
Lake Craig in Croft State Park
You can use your own kayak or rent one at Lake Tom Craig at Croft State Park. See what Maria thought about Croft State Park. Swimming is not permitted.
Fees: You’ll pay a fee to enter the park unless you have a SC State Parks pass Address: 450 State Park Cross Road, Spartanburg Distance from Greenville: One hour
Congaree Canoe Trail
Paddle through the scenic river, water trails, and floodplains at Congaree National Park in Columbia and see all kinds of wildlife like snakes, maybe a wild hog or two, turtles, owls, and even gators. Put in at the Kingsnake Trailhead or take a kayak tour with Carolina Outdoors. Read our review of Kayaking in Congaree National Park.
Fees: None Address: 100 National Park Road, Hopkins Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Congaree Canoe Trail
Lake Issaqueena
This lake is part of the Clemson Experimental Forest. Reader Emily alerted us to the location of the boat ramp:
“The boat ramp for Issaqueena Lake is on Issaqueena Lake Road. It’s a dirt road. I would suggest going in on the Six Mile side. It’s not very far from the entrance of the road on that side. There is a creek crossing if you go in from the Central side. My VW Jetta can make it through the whole path so it’s not anything crazy that requires 4wd, although it would make the drive easier.”
Fees: None Address: Old Six Mile Road, Clemson Distance from Greenville: An hour
Lake Keowee
This 18,500-acre mountain Lake Keowee offers it all – boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. It’s a developed lake, which means there are tons of homes on the lake, which means a lot of boat traffic. Just be aware of this if you’re trying to kayak and don’t like big wake waves.
Fees: There are fees for county park access but nowhere else. Address: See this link for boat ramps and access points Distance from Greenville: At least an hour depending upon which boat ramp you use.
Lake Hartwell
Head to Lake Hartwell State Park for kayaking, where you can put in at one of the two boat ramps. Kayak rentals are available from local outfitters at the lake. This is also a really popular lake for larger boats so kayakers just need to be aware of the implications of wakes and other issues that present themselves when lots of boats are around. Swimming is permitted.
Fees: Small fee per person to enter the state park unless you have an SC State Parks pass Address: 19138-A Hwy 11 S, Fair Play Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
Fees: The boating permit fee is $40 a year for Spartanburg County Residents, and $80 a year for all other in-state county residents. Address: 100 Cooley Dock Road, Inman Distance from Greenville: 35 minutes
Lake Cooley
Oconee State Park
Oconee State Park offers a swimming area and a lake to go kayaking. You can also rent kayaks and canoes.Read what a local mom thought of Oconee State Park.
Fees: Small fee per person to enter the state park unless you have an SC State Parks pass. Rentals are a separate fee. Address: 624 State Park Road, Mountain Rest Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Lake Murray
There are three public boat ramps to Lake Murray through Dreher Island State Park. This is a busy lake so kayakers need to be careful when it comes to watching out for boats and large wakes.
Fees: Fee per person to enter the state park unless you have a SC State Parks pass Address: 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Lake Murray
Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, SC has a small lake that’s perfect for trying out the sport. You can even rent kayaks at the park for just $5.
Fees: Park admission (free for State Park Pass holders, or $6 for adults and $3.75 for kids) plus $5 if renting a kayak. Address: 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia SC 29223
Lake Lure- CLOSED Due to Helene Damage
Where parts of Dirty Dancing were filmed, Lake Lure is just an hour from Greenville but feels a world away with the beauty of the area. There is a small beach there as well as boat ramps. You can also rent kayaks and other boats/paddleboards.
Fees: Non-motorized boat permits are $25/day or $50/week Address: 2948 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC Distance from Greenville: An hour
Lake Tugalo
A beautiful lake on the border of South Carolina and Georgia that is calm and serene. You can swim there. The boat ramp is also used by the whitewater companies to pick up the rafters so it’s fun to see all of them there (but it makes for less parking since they use big buses). Also, the road to the ramp is dirt, so it’s a little rocky.
Fees: None Address: Tugalo Boat Ramp, Bull Sluice Rd, Long Creek Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Lake Jocassee
If you love kayaking, Greenville, SC has one of the best spots to get out on the water within driving distance. If you made it through this list, then congratulations, you get to learn that Lake Jocassee is the best place to kayak in our area (if not the whole state). When I am looking for places to kayak near me, It’s my favorite.
It’s a lake of stunning beauty with a rainforest climate, that can’t be beat! The water is clear as can be and swimming is permitted. There are five boat ramps and public access is through Devils Fork State Park. You also can rent kayaks from local outfitters.
Fees: There is an entry fee per person to enter the state park unless you have an SC State Parks pass. Rentals are a separate fee. Address: 161 Holcombe Circle, Salem Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Lake Jocassee
Looking for more water fun?
Here are Upstate SC lakes if you need some other options for water recreation.
If your kids love fish and ocean life, a trip to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, should be on your list.
The attraction is a super neat experience. You’ll see live shows, learn about creatures in the touch tanks, walk under sharks swimming above you in an underwater tunnel, and so much more.
We have everything you need to know to plan your trip to this family-friendly and educational attraction.
Thanks to Ripley’s for the media tickets so we could do this review.
My dream as a teen was to work at an aquarium. I even went so far as to look at colleges that have excellent marine biology programs. While this career wasn’t meant to be, I still really enjoy learning about all the creatures of the sea – and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is just the place to get up close with some of the coolest of them.
The aquarium is truly state-of-the-art and houses thousands of ocean creatures like sharks, eels, stingrays, sea horses, and even penguins (awww!). The building sits right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and there is a parking garage adjacent to the aquarium. It’s across the street from the Greystone Lodge and Anakeesta.
They offer unique add-on experiences that let guests get up close and personal with many of their animals. Maybe even while sitting in a glass bottom boat! While we weren’t able to participate in those attractions, I’m hoping to do so if I’m able to go back. Maybe next time you are visiting the aquarium in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, you will get to experience one!
Your Vacation to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge: Aquarium Must-Sees
A huge pool of sharks and fish
When you enter the aquarium, you’ll walk through the beautiful lobby with a giant sea turtle skeleton hanging from the ceiling and see opportunities for kids to play on some equipment. But keep going through the small tanks of creatures and head to the ginormous tank full of sharks and thousands of gallons of water. You can look right into the water and see all the sharks just chilling and swimming. If you are lucky, you’ll get to see a shark feeding!
Seeing this giant tank is really cool, but also a bit unnerving. The animals are so close, and there isn’t a huge barrier to you know, falling in. I don’t think this happens, but I can be paranoid because let’s just admit it, I’m scared of sharks. We do have it on good authority that people do drop their cell phones into the tank pretty often.
The shark tunnel
Not gonna lie, I kind of sped through some of the tanks of sea creatures to get to the main attraction: the shark lagoon! This giant tunnel makes you feel like you’re swimming with the sharks. You are guided on a slow conveyor belt through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks, a dangerous reef, and other fish that swim so, so close to you. It’s really incredible and easily our favorite part of visiting the aquarium.
Seeing the movement of the animals from below them was unusual and memorable. You usually don’t ever see that and even if you did nothing else at the aquarium, this alone would probably be worth the cost of admission.
Pet a penguin at the penguin playhouse
Penguins are adorable. I melt whenever I get to see them and find them so much fun to watch. At Ripleys of the Smokies, you can actually pet a penguin as an add-on experience ($49.99/person) and get a take-home photo with one. If you’d like to be super adventurous, you can paint with a penguin. How many people can say they’ve done that? Well, you can and it costs $75/person to do so.
The penguin exhibit at Ripley’s is well done. You actually can even step outside and stand under one of the tanks in this certain way that allows the penguins to burst forth in swimming directly above your head, but in a way that feels like they are swimming straight toward you. You feel somehow in the tank with them.
All the penguins also have individual profiles – like a dating site – where you can learn more about them like when they were born, where they are from, and which ones like to take walks around the aquarium at sunset.
Touch tanks
Since no good aquarium is without opportunities to feel the creatures that roam the seas, Ripley’s offers guests the opportunity to touch stingrays while a guide gives information about them. For a small fee, you can buy food and have the rays swim right up to you to eat.
There were several other touch tanks throughout the aquarium. You could touch horseshoe crabs – who did not seem to care one ounce what was happening in their lives. You could even touch jellyfish if you wanted. That was super cool and a little bizarre.
The aquarium staff keeps the jellyfish extra cold so that all of the people touching them won’t damage their gel-like “skin”. They felt sort of rubbery and smooth. As weird as jellyfish are, and as painful as their sting can be, they’re kind of fantastic to look at as they glide and float through the water.
Live Shows at Ripley’s Aquarium
If you have a favorite animal or mythical creature like say, mermaids, be sure to check the live show schedule when you plan your visit. You’d hate to miss the penguin parade if you came all the way from Greenville to watch this.
There are neat coral reef dive shows and animal feedings as well.
Special Events and Field Trips
Sleepovers
If you’d like to get together a group of your closest friends, scouts, or family and have a sleepover they’ll never forget, you can make it happen at Ripley’s of the Smokies. They have several options to choose from and pre-planned sleepover dates for some programs.
I do think it’d be pretty awesome to sleep in the aquarium. At least I’d have something interesting to look at when I would inevitably wake up at 3 am thinking about how sharks are swimming over my head.
Homeschool Programs
Ripley’s is currently offering homeschool programs once a month to homeschool students and their teachers. You can check out their homeschool programs on their website.
If you are homeschooling and can’t make one of those programs, Ripley’s offers homeschool discounts for walk-ups of $10.99 per student and sibling(s). Teaching parents cost $19.99 plus tax. You’ll need proof of homeschooling to take advantage of this great discount AND to fill out the form on the Ripley’s Aquarium website.
Tips on Enjoying Ripley’s Aquarium
Here are a few suggestions on how to best enjoy the aquarium:
Get there early. Gatlinburg has soared in popularity over the last few years and downtown is packed. It’s best to go here early to avoid the worst of the crowds and spend time at the exhibits that interest your kids the most. And weekdays usually have fewer crowds than weekends.
Any age person will like this. The aquarium is a great crowd-pleaser because just about everyone in your family, no matter their age, will find something they like.
Park next door. If you can, park right next to the aquarium so it’s an easy walk. You do have to pay to park unless you stay across the street at the Greystone Lodge (which we highly recommend). You can make a day of seeing the aquarium and some other attractions within walking distance, like Anakeesta, the Sky Bridge, or other Ripley’s attractions along the main drag.
Plan to spend a couple of hours there. While it’s possible to speed through the aquarium, there is a lot to see and kids may want to linger in some areas so plan to spend around two hours at the attraction.
Strollers are fine but babywearing may be better. You’re allowed to bring strollers but if there are a lot of people, it may be easier to use a baby carrier instead to better navigate the aquarium.
Tickets are good for a year after purchase. This is good knowledge in case you need to bail on a scheduled trip. You don’t need a reservation either unless you are doing an add-on experience.
Plan Your Visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Tickets to the aquarium alone are $39.99/adult, $24.99/ages 6-11, and $9.99/ages 2-5. Ripley’s also offers several combination ticket packages where you can visit the aquarium plus one, two, three, etc. attractions.
Ripley’s is open daily from 9:00 am – 11:00 pm. If you think you’ll want to come back over and over again, which you may after going once, an annual pass may be the way to go.
So, next time you are on your family vacation to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, aquarium visits are a must for your itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Find a place to stay in Gatlinburg, TN. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Inside: Local mom, Kristina, takes a tour around the Smoky Mountains in a pink Jeep tour with Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® tours.
It’s hard to miss the bright pink Jeeps around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, guests clearly loving the experience seeing all the Smoky Mountains have to offer. We sent Kidding Around contributor Kristina to the Smokies to check out the Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® tours and try the off-roading experience. Here’s why it should go on your itinerary the next time you’re in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Media tickets were given for this review but the opinion is solely that of the author.
I looked across the back of the PINK® Jeep® to see both my kids with wide smiles on their faces, bumping around on the seat as we navigated a forty-degree drop in the off-roading obstacle course in Pigeon Forge. Some of our fellow guests may have whelped a bit, too. Having never been off-roading, this was quite the experience – and one we were thrilled to try out.
I had known about PINK® Jeeps® for years, ever since my
family vacationed at the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona. The brightly
colored Jeeps are hard to miss and I distinctly remember how cool they looked.
So when I had the opportunity to give the brand new Smoky Mountain PINK Jeep
tour in Pigeon Forge a try, it was a no-brainer. I had waited 15 years for
this! It didn’t disappoint.
What is a PINK® Jeep®?
PINK® Jeep® has been around since 1960, founded in Arizona for the purpose of taking
tourists and guests around the backroads and giving them a chance to truly
enjoy the scenery without any of the stress of driving or navigating unfamiliar
roads. They opened up shop in Pigeon Forge, just 15 minutes from Gatlinburg, in
April 2019 and have been giving visitors an awesome experience in the mountains
ever since.
The Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeeps® have both seven and nine-seater Jeeps and certainly can accommodate children. They have car seats available as well. Children must be at least 18 months old to ride.
The Roaring Fork Tour
There are plenty of tours to choose from for your adventure.
We did the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, a 2.5 hour tour that wound through the
back roads of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and into the Great Smoky Mountain
National Park. The motor trail is paved and winds through the forest. Our apt
guide told us all about the park’s history and stopped along the trail to check
out the deer and turkey we saw. Some cars ahead saw a bear but we couldn’t see
it! Our guide did say there are often bear encounters along the way, which is
super cool.
There are also a handful of cabins from the 1800s and the settlers who first lived there. We got out to explore the old buildings and take short trails to the creek. We passed a small waterfall and then went to the off-roading course. It was a lot of fun, and I can totally understand why people love doing this. There are bumps and steep drop,s and hills. And the course overlooks Pigeon Forge, which is a beautiful view.
Each Jeep has about $100,000 poured into them, which makes the vehicles perfect and safe for these adventures.
Having never been on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, I had no idea it was the location of a trail I’ve been eying for several months, Grotto Falls, a waterfall that you can walk behind. Not one to pass up an opportunity for waterfall chasing and knocking off a bucket list hike, I took my kids later that same afternoon to the trail for the hike. I wouldn’t have known where the trailhead was, or rather that it was so close to Gatlinburg and easily accessible if it weren’t for the PINK® Jeep® tour.
PINK Jeep Tours
Besides the Roaring Fork Tour, Smoky Mountain PINK® Jeep® Tours also offers the Gatlinburg Loop Smoky Mountain Tour, the Newfound Gap Smoky Mountain Tour, and the Foothills Parkway Smoky Mountains Tour. Ticket prices start at $99, depending on the tour. Tours range from two to three hours in length.
It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and layers are always a good idea. We did a morning tour in October, when temperatures were in the 80s during the day but cooler in the morning and my kids forget their light jackets in the car – so they borrowed mine, and a gentleman on our tour offered his, which was so kind. So be prepared.
Gatlinburg SkyBridge as viewed from the PINK Jeep
You don’t do much walking, but if you want to explore, wear closed-toed shoes. Watch the weather and bring rain gear,r it looks like rain. The Jeeps are enclosed and heated or cooled, but it’s way more fun to have everything open.
An important note about pregnant moms – they aren’t allowed on the 4×4 trail, only the paved ones. They can do the paved part and wait at a scenic overlook while the Jeep does the off-roading.
I found the Smoky Mountain PINK Jeep tour to be a fantastic way to make those memories with your family that will last for decades to come.
If a unique getaway or staycation is on your radar, Kristina stayed at a tiny house with the Saluda Outdoor Center on the Saluda River in Easley. It’s the perfect little overnight glamping trip to take a break from the world and she tells us all about it. Thank you to the Saluda Outdoor Center for hosting us.
Kidding Around Earns through an affiliate relationship with Stay22 when you book through links on this page.
Planning a tubing day trip? Bryson City, NC is home to Deep Creek tubing, a popular river tubing destination. With several places to rent tubes, plus local campgrounds, Deep Creek tubing is a great choice for a tubing adventure.
KAG’s Kristina Hernandez spent a day tubing with her kids. Here’s how her day went tubing at Deep Creek, plus some tips for planning your own tubing adventure.
You have to check out the awesome, FREE Fountain Inn splash pad, located in the cute little town just 25 minutes south of Greenville. The town is small but the growth on Main Street is continuous, so it is accompanied by shops, restaurants, and a farmers market along Main Street in Fountain Inn, SC. Here’s everything you need to know about the splash pad, plus what to do when you’re in the area.
Inside: Local mom visits The Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell and shares all the fun things to do there!
There may not be a traditional water park in Anderson, SC but there is an amazing aqua park and sandy white beach at the Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell! It is the only one of its kind in the Upstate and less than an hour from Greenville, SC. We checked it out and have all the information for you and your family to have a blast on this floating obstacle course.
Media tickets were provided for this review and all opinions are those of the author.
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!
