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Adventures in Wonderland Await at Magical Mountain Resorts in Western NC

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.

Interior of MidKnight Bus at Magical Mountain Resorts

MidKnight Bus at Magical Mountain Resorts

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.

Candy cottages at Magical Mountain Resorts and Enchanted Forest in North Carolina

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.

Queen Cottage at Magical Mountain Resorts and Enchanted Forest in North Carolina

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.

Magical Mountain Resort Website
9594 Tusquittee Road, Hayesville, NC
941.276.8142

Adventures In Wonderland await at Magical Mountain Resorts in Western North Carolina!

Kidding Around WNC: things to do in Western North Carolina towns

There’s so much to explore in Western North Carolina!

Don’t miss our Kidding Around WNC Guide!

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!

Family Fun & Longest Mountain Coaster in the Southeast at SkyLand Ranch: Sevierville, TN

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 at SkyLand Ranch — 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.

Mountain coaste rat SkyLand Ranch — 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 — 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.

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!

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.

Cowboy with a rope at miniature horses at 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.

SkyLand Ranch Website
1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN

Want More Fun?

Don’t miss things to do in Sevierville, TN!

Wilderness at the Smokies: This Resort Has 3 Waterparks in Sevierville, TN

Did you know Wilderness at the Smokies has three waterparks plus a hotel? Sign us up! Kristina took her family to Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, TN to experience this family-friendly resort and tells us all about it and why it’s such a perfect place for a family trip.

Thanks to the Wilderness at the Smokies for providing us with media tickets.

This article includes:
About the Resort
Dining at Wilderness at the Smokies
The Waterparks: Indoor & Outdoor
Indoor Arcade and Adventure Forest
Our Favorite Things
Tips for Visiting
Booking Your Trip

Watch! Our Visit to Wilderness at the Smokies

If you are looking for a weekend trip, a few days for a family vacation, or a special getaway with a birthday kid or special occasion, the Wilderness at the Smokies resort is an excellent option. Why? Because you don’t even need to leave the property for entertainment and dining. Park the car and have a blast. And it’s all under three hours driving distance from Upstate, SC. We have all the details in our Wilderness at the Smokies review!

Wilderness at the Smokies: The Waterpark Resort

Owned by Wilderness Resorts and Waterparks, the Wilderness at the Smokies has several room options, including ones with bunk beds for kids and adjacent rooms with full kitchens and living rooms. The room we stayed in had a queen bed and bunk bed plus a pullout bed and a Murphy bed in the adjacent guest room. It was huge. On our second trip, we had a double queen bed room that overlooked the outdoor waterpark. It was plenty big and spacious.

Our room faced one of the enormous outdoor waterparks at the River Lodge and had easy access to entertainment and dining and a short walk from the parking lot. You can also choose to stay at Stone Hill Lodge, which is not connected to the waterpark, but you can take a quick bus from the building to the waterpark door. The layout of the rooms at Stone Hill Lodge is slightly different from River Lodge, and it’s just based on preference for your trip.

We had the option to take advantage of early check-in so we could spend as much time as possible checking out the property, which got us in our room by Noon. Our second time there, we were able to start playing at the waterpark at Noon and our room was ready around 3:30 pm. If you have this option, we would recommend it, especially since it got more crowded as the afternoon wore on. We never had to wait long for any ride but it was nice to run through quickly everything we wanted to do.

Wilderness at the Smokies: Dining

There are several dining options at the resort, most of which have burgers, salads, fries, and desserts. You will find places like Grizzly’s Grill, Billy Jacks Snack Shack, Tacolicious, and other dining options to fit your craving. If you have been to Wilderness and haven’t tried out Hidden Trail, we highly recommend it for quick bites and snacks!

They have a Candy Cabin (to buy candy by the pound) and a frozen yogurt place also, which is right next to the indoor waterpark. And for adults, there are lots of options for adult beverages throughout the resort. I saw several huge frozen drinks that grownups were toting around. They looked delicious, I have to say.

The resort also offers food delivery right to your room. Prices are pretty much the same as dining at restaurants so this is a great option if you’re totally wiped out at the end of the day. We were pretty beat and I was starving so I dragged my kids to the restaurant (really, I wanted all the desserts).

Wilderness at the Smokies: Waterparks

The resort has three waterparks, including Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark with an attached arcade, snack bars, and restaurants. The largest waterpark, one of the two outdoor waterparks, is at the main building, the River Lodge. All waterparks are included in your stay.

There are three water slide attractions, a matted tube run, a bigger tube vortex ride, and a free-fall water slide. Kids have to be 42” to ride the mat tube run and the larger tube ride. You need to be 48” tall to ride the free fall.

That was a hard no for me! My kids and I did several runs on the mat tube one, especially in the hour before closing as there was no line.

Other favorites were the big wave pool and lazy river. There are also a ton of chairs and tables to hang out at or eat your lunch or dinner. Cabanas can be rented for anywhere from $180 up to $250 a day, which are personal covered tents that come with plenty of chairs and towels. You can even have food and drinks delivered to them.

And there’s an enclosed area that is super shallow and perfect for little kids.

Cute little swings are perfect for babies. We saw lots of families with little ones enjoying that area.

Rooftop Pool and Lounge

On our second trip to Wilderness we got to enjoy the rooftop infinity pool. It was amazing. The views of the Smokies just cannot be beat and there was hardly anyone up there.

The pool isn’t huge but it’s perfect for relaxation. There’s a bar at the top with plenty of chairs for lounging and tables for eating under umbrellas. You can get there by heading up the elevators inside of Wild WaterDome.

Indoor Waterpark & Wave Pool

The indoor waterpark, the Wild WaterDome, is Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark. It also has several tube rides, most of which kids can easily ride. They have a big wave pool with ocean-like waves. My kids loved this one as they splashed and jumped in the bigger waves.

There is also a play area for kids with water features and zero-entry pools. A flow rider-type ride is a blast to watch. We didn’t try it but people can attempt to not wipe out on a boogie board. Wilderness at the Smokies indoor slides are a lot of fun for older kids and parents as well.

One of our favorite indoor water slides was the orange one that has a big drop that shoots you into a huge funnel. It was terrifying and we rode it multiple times!

Brand New: Coaster and Kaleidoscope Kavern

Wilderness invested $40 million into a huge expansion project, which included a 40,000 square foot addition to the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark, which was finished in December 2023. They added a really cool lazy river in their indoor waterpark that goes through a cavern with a kaleidoscope ceiling. It is such a neat addition and one that my kids and I several times. There’s also a small waterfall to go under in the same lazy river. There’s music and all different colors and you can float through as many times as you want.

They also added an indoor water coaster that shoots you through several tunnels with forceful water jets. You can go on a double tube or go as a single rider.

Safety Taken Seriously

Safety is a huge priority at the waterparks. Lifeguards are everywhere. Literally everywhere. They are methodical about when you can ride down the slides, measuring people to make sure they are at the height limit, and watching the pools closely. Life jackets aren’t mandatory but the waterparks all have them available for free if parents feel their kids need them.

Hours are different for all the waterparks so it’s best to confirm the waterpark hours before you go.

Wilderness at the Smokies: Indoor Arcade and Adventure Forest

The indoor waterpark is enormous as it is but it’s attached to a huge arcade as well. This place just amplifies family fun! At first glance, it doesn’t look big but once you start walking around – and looking up – you realize how big it really is.

There’s a three-story ropes course, mini-golf course, climbing wall, tons of arcade games, a little frogger ride for kids, and even a multi-level laser tag course.

You can purchase day adventure passes or buy rides individually and they vary in cost. Arcade games can be played by purchasing points on a card.

The resort also has a paint-your-own-pottery place. My oldest daughter really wanted to do this but we just ran out of time. If you are at the resort for a few days, this could be a fun way to break up your waterpark adventure time.

During the winter, usually starting in mid-November, there is ice skating available at the resort. They convert part of the outdoor wave pool into an ice rink for some festive fun for both guests and the public.

My Favorite Things about Wilderness at the Smokies

I’ve been wanting to visit this resort for a while and was thrilled when I finally got the chance. It’s so close to Greenville and I had heard many great things about it from local families. And it didn’t disappoint.

Indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies

Even though the resort is huge, I didn’t find it hard to navigate. At the River Lodge, signs are posted everywhere on where things are and all the rooms surround the waterpark so it’s not hard to find your way around.
The staff everywhere we went were very kind, considerate, and helpful, which is always appreciated.
My kids were in heaven with the waterparks. They loved it all and as a parent, seeing your kids truly enjoy an experience makes me happy. I really liked that the resort had everything I needed, from food to entertainment, right there, and I didn’t need to drive anywhere if I didn’t want to.
The location is fantastic. My GPS clocked the trip from Greenville at two hours and 49 minutes. It’s an easy ride that is beautiful, with views of the mountains as you head towards Tennessee on Route 40. Mountains make me happy so the drive was enjoyable. Also, the resort is 40 minutes to the Sugarlands Visitor Center at the Great Smoky Mountains and an hour from Cades Cove and many popular hiking trails.
All kids are going to enjoy this place. It seems the resort took pains to make sure the place would be enjoyable for kids of all ages. There are more adventurous rides for older kids and lots of places for the little ones to splash around and have a good time also.
The waterparks are included with your stay at the resort, which is a nice perk when it comes to budgeting for the trip. And the indoor waterpark is open year-round so you can visit any time of year!

Tips on Visiting Wilderness of the Smokies

After spending some at Wilderness of the Smokies, here are a few ideas that may make your time there even more awesome:

Get the early check-in: You can spend so much more time at the attractions before the rush around dinner time when most people check-in.

Do an early dinner: Have dinner early so you can rest a little before getting back out to the parks during the slower evening hours and not have to wait in line long.

Get a locker: You can rent a small locker for $10 for the whole day and keep your wallet, phone, or camera in there without worrying about it.

Visit Soaky Mountain Water Park: When you stay at Wilderness of the Smokies, you can purchase heavily discounted tickets to Soaky Mountain, a huge waterpark right across the street, for $19.99. They also offer free tickets sometimes over the summer so always check the Wilderness of the Smokies social media for deals. They are open during the summer.

Fantastic weekend adventure: If you just need to get away for the weekend, this resort is ideal. Everything you need to have fun is right there and you can see and do a lot of what’s offered in a couple of days.

Ask about free/discounted tickets to local attractions: Be sure to ask Guest Services about any discounted or free tickets they have to local attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg and WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge. You will always find a great deal!

Homeschool Days

Homeschool Days: 2025 homeschool days are:

August 24-28
September 1-4 & 21-25
October 26-30
November 9-13
December 7-11

Cost: As low as $129/night
More info: Use the code HOMESC to book online or via phone

Booking your trip

Book Stone Hill Lodge at Wilderness of the Smokies

This link is an affiliate link with STAY22. Kidding Around earns when you book through this link.

You’ll definitely want to check their website for specials like Homeschool Days where rooms are as low as $129 for the Stone Hill Lodge and $139 per night for the River Lodge, discounted/free passes for Soaky Mountain, specials on back-to-school, etc.

Room prices will vary by season and room type. Wilderness at the Smokies has suites, one and two-bedrooms, and villas available. There are free shuttles amongst all the buildings at the resort.

Day passes may be available for certain dates so if you’re in the area but not staying at the resort, a Wilderness at the Smokies Day Pass could be really fun.

We hope you enjoy your stay at Wilderness at the Smokies!

Wilderness at the Smokies
1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN
Wilderness at the Smokies Facebook

Book your stay at Stone Hill Lodge at Wilderness of the Smokies

Want More Fun?

Don’t miss things to do in Sevierville, TN!

Go Tubing in the Smokies with Smoky Mountain Tubing in Cherokee, NC

Looking for a wild ride on a beautiful river in North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains? Smoky Mountain Tubing in Cherokee, NC, is the place to go.

Thanks to Smoky Mountain Tubing for hosting us!

Beautiful scenery, the possibility of elk sightings, fun rapids, and nice and cold water await in Cherokee, North Carolina at Smoky Mountain Tubing. My daughters, ages 10 and 14, and I had such an awesome time tubing here and would recommend it to anyone looking to cool off on hot, summer days while also enjoying the beautiful town of Cherokee, NC.

Watch! Our Trip on the River

About Smoky Mountain Tubing

Smoky Mountain Tubing has been running the Oconaluftee River since the 1990s. The owners are local and are well-acquainted with the town, the land, and the river. The customer service was great as well. It was an easy check-in process and our driver was super helpful with getting us on the water and telling us exactly where we needed to go on the river and when to get out to get back to the outpost.

Our Experience Tubing the Oconaluftee River

Once you sign your waiver and apply sunscreen, you can leave your keys with the company so they aren’t lost in the river. Then you’ll hop on a bus and head to the put-in area along the river.

The water is quite chilly but it feels amazing on hot days. Once you are in the water, just chill out and try to avoid branches in the water and get in the current.

If you want to be tethered to your kids/friends/fellow tubers, be sure to ask the driver or the attendant when you check in so they have them available. My youngest daughter got a tube with a bottom but my other daughter and I had bottomless tubes, which was fine. I think they use the bottom tubes for younger tubers.

The Oconaluftee is not a lazy river. There are lots of rapids! Some of the rapids are faster and bigger than others so be sure to lean back and keep your feet up going through them. One of my daughters flipped on her tube going through one but the water isn’t deep so she was able to stand up and grab onto my tube while we chased hers down. I also got a dip when I ran into a tree branch – whoops. Maybe use a broomstick or large stick to maneuver in the river!

My daughters and I had a lot of fun. The scenery is just beautiful as you are right on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While we didn’t see any elk, the owner of Smoky Mountain Tubing said they can be in the river sometimes so you’ll have to be prepared to hang tight while they cross. I think elk are pretty cool so I was disappointed we didn’t see any that day.

There are some swimming holes and rope swings on the river plus places to stop and hang out if you want to extend your time and enjoy all the fun things.

And yes, there are snakes around because it is their home after all. We didn’t see any in the river or on the banks but are always on the lookout and try to stay in the middle of the river to avoid the banks.

The trip was a lot of fun and took about two hours. Some days it can be shorter if the water level is higher and the river is running faster and other days it can take longer depending if the water level is low.

While my older daughter and I did not use a life jacket, I would recommend them after running this river due to the faster currents and rapids. We are all good swimmers but I think it’s always a wise decision to choose safety when adventuring so will definitely make that choice when we go again. Smoky Mountain Tubing does have life jackets available.

Need to Know

Bring cash. SMT only accepts cash.

They have life jackets. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket but they have them for those older than 12 if you want to use one.

Trips are usually a couple hours. Plan to be on the water for around two hours depending on the water level.

Wear sunscreen and a hat. Most of the river is in the sun and it’s hot.

Bring a change of clothes and a towel. There are changing rooms available and wet clothes are no fun.

Kids need to be at least 5-years-old to tube. No lap riders.

Since SMT is about a 2.5 hour drive from Greenville, you may want to call them the night before or the morning of to make sure the water level isn’t running too high and they are closed that day.

Booking Your Tubing Trip

Tubes are first-come, first-served so get there with plenty of time to enjoy the river and have fun! They have an abundance of tubes, so you should be able to get one whenever you come. Tubes are $14/person + tax (it comes to out just over $15).

Dogs are allowed to tube but if damage occurs, the guest will be charged $50.

Other Things to Do in Cherokee, NC

Cherokee, NC is honestly such a cool place to visit. The history of the Cherokee Nation runs deep and we recommend checking out the famous Unto These Hills show. Bethany went with her family and absolutely loved it.

Also in Cherokee is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where elk are frequently seen and where they have an awesome Junior Ranger book that kids (and adults) can work on.

There are tons of shops with authentic Cherokee-made goods, which are beautiful. There are also restaurants – we wholeheartedly recommend Peter’s Pancakes. Oh my gosh, that breakfast was amazing. Anything on the menu is great.

Get our full guide to Cherokee, NC, full of things to do, places to stay, and more.

If you want to stay overnight, you can camp nearby at Smokemont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’ve camped there and loved it. We’ve also stayed at the Rivers Edge Motel, a clean and comfortable motel right on the river (you actually tube by it on the tubing trip). It’s in a great location and every room has a balcony that overlooks the river.

On your way home from Cherokee, you can stop at Mingo Falls, an easy (but steep with lots of stairs) and short hike to an incredibly beautiful waterfall. Keep heading east and hit the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike the half mile up to Waterrock Knob, the highest point on the Parkway. It’s stunningly gorgeous and you feel like you’re on top of the world.

Smoky Mountain Tubing
1847 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee, NC
828.497.4545
Smoky Mountain Tubing Website | Smoky Mountain Tubing Facebook

Where to go tubing near Greenville, SC and find great "tubing near me".

Find more tubing adventures in our HUGE list of River Tubing Spots.

Enjoy the Thrills of Class IV-V Rapids on the Chattooga River with the Nantahala Outdoor Center

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.

Many thanks to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for hosting us on this trip.

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.

rafting with the Nantahala Outdoor Center — 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 off a rock into a river — 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.

Nantahala Outdoor Center rafting — 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 a waterfall — 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.

Nantahala Outdoor Center – Chattooga River Outpost
851A Chattooga Ridge Road, Mountain Rest, SC
Nantahala Outdoor Center Website | NOC Facebook

Check out more things to do at the Nantahala Outdoor Center with younger kids in Bryson City, NC.

Find more STELLAR Daytrips for Teens

You Can Salsa Dance Under the Stars in Greenville, SC

Did you know that you could take free lessons in Salsa dancing in Greenville, SC. Local mom Kristina shares her favorite places to Salsa dance in Greenville, the perfect romantic date night. You can even dance under the stars!

Salsa dancing is quite close to my heart, and it’s pretty awesome that we can do it in Greenville, SC! Despite my current last name, I have zero Latin blood in me, but rather I’m the typical American mix of European ancestry, ones that arguably aren’t known for their superb dancing styles.

So when I had the chance to take salsa dancing lessons back when I lived near Washington, DC, I jumped at the opportunity. I had seen a beautiful couple at the bar/restaurant where the lessons occurred, twirling, laughing, and swaying their hips with the Latin beats. I wanted to be that girl, and I wanted to learn how to dance like that.

And I did.

Salsa dancing at Salsa at Sunset in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina — Salsa dancing at Camperdown Plaza

This was before marriage and kids, so I had time to go several times a week to lessons and dancing. But I got more out of it than I ever expected. I met my husband during one of those early classes. He had been taking lessons for a few months and easily impressed me. We went dancing together for nearly three years before we started dating and then got married.

We don’t go as often as we’d like to now, but when I heard about dancing salsa in the plaza at the Peace Center last summer, I got a babysitter and made plans to go. After all, when does the chance come up to dance under the stars? Not often enough.

Salsa at Sunset

On Fridays throughout the summer, Upstate International hosts the amazing Salsa at Sunset event at Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. It’s a free outdoor event that features free group salsa lessons, a live band that plays salsa, merengue, and bachata (other Latin dance styles), and a beer and wine cash bar.

The event is family-friendly as well. We saw lots of kids there getting their groove on. There were dancers of every age and ability.

All of the events are from 6 pm to 10 pm and include free dance lessons and lots of dancing. The free dance lessons start around 6:15, so we recommend it if you want to learn before taking the dance floor.

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A post shared by Upstate International SC (@upstateint_sc)

In my experience of Latin dancing, it really doesn’t matter your age or ability or anything else you’re nervous about, and that may be holding you back. Everyone just wants to have fun.

Dancing is a great equalizer. Most dancers are patient and eager to teach and learn. Dancing is a wonderful activity to let your body take over and move with the music, and give your brain a break from doing any thinking. It’s relaxing and a great date activity.

Other Places for Salsa Dancing: Greenville, SC

Greenville has an active little salsa dancing community.

Salsa Greenville regularly hosts salsa dancing events at local clubs and organizations. Many of these events come along with fun themes, like Bachata Under the Stars and Pasion Thursdays. Social Latitude regularly hosts events with Salsa Greenville called Salsa Latitude on the 1st Saturday of each month.

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A post shared by Susan Zaglin (@salsagreenville)

What to Wear and Other Questions

For women, a shoe with a smooth bottom and a heel not more than two inches is preferable (tennis shoes aren’t the best because they stick to the floor, but I’ve seen women wear them and do fine). I usually get my shoes at this website, which is so fun, but I’ve also danced in regular shoes I’ve bought at some big box discount store. At Salsa at Sunset, I usually just use sneakers, and it’s fine.

Dresses are enjoyable to wear, but just be sure they either don’t fly all the way up when you spin or wear shorts underneath. Be comfortable because you’ll be moving around a lot.

For men, shoes with smooth bottoms are ideal as well. And just dress comfortably.

You don’t need a partner for lessons. You rotate around and get to dance with everyone there, so it’s not necessary to come with anyone.

Give it a shot – you may just love it.

Have you ever tried salsa dancing?

For more date night ideas, see our full Date Night Guide to Greenville, SC.

Best Places To Get Ears Pierced Near Greenville, SC

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.

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Kids can drive real construction equipment at Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park in Sevierville, TN

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.

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!

Dig 'N Zone skid — 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:

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.

Check for specials. See the theme park’s website and Dig ‘N Zone social media for current specials.

Honest Mom Review: Dig ‘N Zone

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.

Dig 'N Zone ride — 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

Dig 'N Zone Theme Park Review: Sevierville, TN

For more things to do in Sevierville, see our big story on all the best things to do in Dolly Parton’s hometown!

More Things to Do in Sevierville, TN

Discover more great things to do when you travel to Tennessee!

Travel Guide to Tennessee

Search for Owls at Night at Congaree National Park During a Ranger-Guided Hike near Columbia, SC

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.

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Stay in this Fun Family-Friendly Safari Tent in Gatlinburg!

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.

Safari Tent at Camp LeConte in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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.

Amenities at Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort

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.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Family Guide

Kidding Around Guide to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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!

KA Guide to Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

best guide to the great smoky mountains national park

Glamp at this fun, family-friendly safari tent in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!

Have you ever camped in a safari tent?