Looking for something different to do outside this fall? How about a trip to observe an amazing hawk migration?
Visit this fall to see these amazing creatures soaring across the sky. Join in the SC Hawk Watch at Caesars Head State Park or Sassafras Mountain. Kidding Around’s Maria visits each fall with her children and today she’s sharing some ideas for making the most of your visit.
Are my children the only ones with hawk fascination? They seem to have a knack for spotting them from the car, on a hike, at the park, all over. After our unit study on birds, I have to agree with them, raptors are pretty captivating birds. If you agree, you might want to head up to Caesars Head State Park this fall where you can see hundreds of migrating hawks.
The Hawk Migration at Caesars Head State Park
From September through November, Caesars Head plays host to thousands of migrating raptors who use the thermals coming off the rocky outcrop to soar upward, conserving their energy as they migrate to their winter ranges.
The peak of this migration is early to mid-September. During this time it’s possible to see a couple of hundred raptors in the air all at the same time. You can expect to see Broad-winged hawks, but other possibilities include Bald Eagles, Ospreys, American Kestrels, and many others. My children really hoped to spot the less common Peregrine Falcon, and we did!
You won’t need to go far from the parking lot area to see the hawks. Just head for the scenic overlook. We like to bring lunch and sit on the rocks with our binoculars. You’ll often find a ranger or knowledgeable bird watchers at the overlook who are happy to point out various raptors in the sky.
Sassafras Mountain
Sassafras Mountain is another great place to view the hawk migration. Sassafras is the highest point in South Carolina and you can access the beautiful observation platform without any hiking. Even better, there’s no admission for Sassafras Mountain so visiting is totally free.
Plan a homeschool field trip to the hawk migration at Caesars Head State Park
Check out Raptors! A kid’s guide to birds of prey (J 598.9 Laubach) at the Greenville Library. It is packed full of information about the habits of these birds from diets, to migration, to nesting habitats, and all in language accessible to kids. This book also features silhouettes of flying birds, so it might be a good one to bring along on your trip.
Once you’re back home, older children may appreciate examining data from past year’s hawk watches. You can find that information at Hawkcount.org by selecting Caesar’s Head Hawk Watch (South Carolina) in the Hawk watch Site box. Select the year and month on the left-hand side to view the data for that month.
Consider letting students turn the data from the tables into pie charts or other graphs and compare the data across years or individual fall months. This is a great way to bring math into this predominantly science trip.
If you’d like to bring in a little history, check out some books about John James Audubon, who in addition to drawing beautiful pictures of birds and documenting their species and habitats, proved that when birds migrate they return to the same areas each year. What a fitting study after observing a hawk migration!
My children really enjoyed The boy who drew birds: a story of John James Audubon, by Jacqueline Davies (JB Audubon), which, of course, you can find in the Greenville Library System.
If this trip sparks some curiosity about birds, consider a full unit study. We really enjoyed Homeschool Legacy’s Once-A-Week Unit Study, Birds of a Feather.
If you’d like to view these magnificent raptors up close, check out the Carolina Raptor Center in nearby Huntersville, NC.
If you are looking for a fun outing in the great outdoors while taking in history, then the Musgrove Mill State Historic Site is the place! Learning about history doesn’t have to be boring, it can be an adventure! Local mom Maria took her kids to Musgrove Mill State Historic Site and is sharing her experience with us. This beautiful outdoor destination includes lots of territory to explore plus American history to share with your family.
On a hot, humid day on August 19, 1780, 200 Patriot militia defeated over 500 Loyalist troops at the Battle of Musgrove Mill. Today you can visit the beautiful Musgrove Mill State Historic Site to walk the steps of the patriot force and militiamen. If you do, you’ll also enjoy a beautiful, wooded hike alongside a clear, clean creek, and waterfall.
Enoree River at Musgrove Mill
Our Day at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
You’ll want to begin your visit at the Visitor’s Center, where park rangers will play a short audio presentation about the battle, accompanied by a map with lighted markers, which will give your family a birds-eye view of the movement of both patriot and loyalist troops.
Hiking trails to choose from
Then you’ll need to choose to hike one of Musgrove Mill’s two trails. Will it be the one-mile hike to the loyalist camp along the Enoree River? Or will it be the 1.3-mile battlefield trail beginning at Horseshoe Falls along Cedar Shoals Creek? My family is studying the American Revolutionary War this fall and have visited several Southern Campaign battlefields, so we decided to follow the battlefield trail. We were not disappointed!
Hikers will find the camp trail at the end of the Visitor Center parking lot, but if your family decides to visit the falls and the battlefield trail, you’ll need to get back in your car and drive about three miles to cross the Enoree River and get to the park’s other parking lot. The ranger at the Visitor Center will provide you with a map!
You can also follow the road signs for Horseshoe Falls. When you arrive at the trailhead, you will find a gravel parking lot and sign, just before the metal bridge that crosses the creek.
The Battlefield Trail at Musgrove Mill
The battlefield trail begins with a couple of hundred yards of concrete, a wheelchair-accessible trail that takes you to Horseshoe Falls. Hikers of the battlefield trail will continue on past the falls, where the trail is no longer paved. The battlefield trail is a 1.3-mile loop, with frequent signage that describes the backcountry’s role in the Revolutionary War, the key players in the Battle of Musgrove Mill, and takes you step by step through the battle.
Walking through the Revolutionary War sites
You’ll walk the soldiers’ path to the ridge where the outnumbered patriot militia waited to attack the loyalists. Of the Revolutionary War sites my family has visited, these signs were the easiest for my children to understand. My 8-year-old was able to read the majority of them aloud to the rest of us, and the pictures were clear and helpful. It was wonderful to gain a clear understanding and appreciation for what happened that day on the exact ridge upon which we stood.
Hiking the Battlefield Trail with young children
The battlefield hike does have some hills, but our little group didn’t find it too difficult. My 5-year-old was able to hike it without any difficulty, and my 3-year-old needed a piggyback ride for just the last bit of the loop. For young children, a carrier backpack would be helpful.
On our hike back to the car, we stopped at Horseshoe Falls to enjoy the waterfall and have a snack before heading for home. The nature-loving, rock skipping, critter hunting little ones among you will love exploring the edge of the sandy pool at the bottom of the falls.
Horseshoe Falls at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
More Things to Do at Musgrove Mill
Take a hike on the Palmetto Trail through the Blackstocks Battlefield, a moderately difficult hike with a 1.5-mile loop. This trail goes through the grounds of the Revolutionary War Battle of Blackstocks that occurred on November 20, 1780.
Fish on the Enoree River! You will need a SC fishing license, but the park does participate in the Tackle Loaner Program. Just pick up a loaner rod and reel from the park office.
Canoe or kayak down the Enoree River. There is a launch site at the park.
Have a picnic! There are a couple of shelters on site that are first come first serve, but a big blanket and basket will do the trick.
This place is bird heaven! If you love birdwatching or want to incorporate an Ecology lesson into your trip, then you will be happy to know that there are 30+ species of birds that you can see year-round or seasonally, including Great Horned Owls, Wild Turkeys, Great Blue Herons, and dozens more.
The Horseshoe Falls and battlefield trail is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. The gate to the visitor center and the camp trail is open 9 am – 6 pm daily. The visitor center is open 10 am – 5 pm Friday through Sunday, and 10 am – 4 pm Monday through Monday- Thursday. We went on a Monday morning and there were two very helpful staff members at the Visitor’s Center.
There is a small fee for admission since it is part of the SC State Park system. However, if you have an SC State Park pass, it’s free. The SC State Parks website has more information and directions to the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.
Curious to learn about the battle before you go? Check out this site, which gives an overview of the battle.
We hope you love your hike through a bit of American history. If you enjoy the trip, you’ll be happy to know that there are many state and national parks at the site of Revolutionary War battles in the upstate and throughout South Carolina. The SC State Parks Revolutionary War History page offers an excellent overview of the war in South Carolina and links to sites you can visit today!
Would your kids enjoy a historical field trip to Musgrove Mill State Historic Site?
Inside: Local mom visits The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC, and shares all the best tips for your trip there!
Have you visited the NC Arboretum? If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend the day outdoors in Asheville, the arboretum might be just what you’re looking for!
The North Carolina Arboretum is much more than a beautiful garden. In addition to gorgeous flower beds bursting with color, you’ll also find hiking trails, an outdoor miniature train display, a cafe, a greenhouse, water features, and even rotating art exhibits. There’s something for everyone in the family at the arboretum and since it’s located in nearby Asheville, you’ve got a great day trip in the making.
Looking to make a day trip out of your trip to the North Carolina Arboretum? Check out our list of Western North Carolina Day Trip ideas to have a fun-filled day!
Visiting the NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is located just south of Asheville, NC. Their website provides directions, and they indicate that GPS should not be trusted. I have to admit not reading that little tidbit, and our GPS directions have always worked just fine. Do be aware however that the cell signal is not strong in this area.
When you arrive at the arboretum you’ll pay for parking. The parking fee is $20 per car. There is no further admission or per-person cost, which makes this a pretty affordable family day trip. Pack some snacks or a lunch and you won’t have to spend another dime.
But if you’d rather go out for lunch, there’s a cafe at the arboretum. Asheville is also just about 20 minutes away with virtually limitless dining options.
Baker Exhibit Center
The main parking lot for the North Carolina Arboretum is at the Baker Exhibit Center. This will be where you start the day. I recommend bringing any snacks, drinks, and necessary items like diaper bags with you. Depending on where you end up exploring, it can be a long walk back to the car to get a drink.
As you enter the building, you’ll find maps to the right of the door. Grab a map. They’ll show everything the arboretum offers and you’ll enjoy the gardens, locating the things you see on the map.
Inside this visitors center you’ll find clean restrooms and an information desk. To access the gardens you’ll climb the stairs and head to the back of the building. On your way, you’ll pass a fantastic gift shop, a greenhouse, and an art exhibit space. Often there are small plants for sale in the greenhouse and artwork on display in the exhibit space.
Quilt Garden at North Carolina Arboretum
The Gardens at the NC Arboretum
Throughout the grounds of the arboretum, you’ll find beautiful flowers and leafy plants full of color. There are gorgeous arbors and gazebos to rest under, fountains to watch, and paved pathways to wander.
One of our favorite sections of the garden is a quilt garden, named because when you climb the stone stairs beside it and look down, it does indeed look like a quilt. The flowers in this quilt pattern change. Each time we have visited the quilt garden has been different.
Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Exhibit
Another section of the garden we love to explore is the Bonsai Garden. You might not think looking at Bonsai trees would be interesting to children, but my kids really like these. Each one looks different, some are themed and a lot of them have descriptive and sometimes humorous names.
The perfectly pruned miniature trees are truly works of art. The Bonsai section of the arboretum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily from mid-May through November, with additional hours for special guided tours with the Curator. The indoor Tropical Bonsai Exhibit is open November – April from 9 am – 5 pm daily.
Rocky Cove Railroad
The Rocky Cove Railroad runs Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 4 pm from April to October. It’s a G-Scale model train that runs through this outdoor garden depicting Western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century when trains first arrived.
Four different trains run through the display. One of them is a Thomas train. If you have young children who love Thomas, you definitely don’t want to miss Thomas running through this little town display.
My favorite thing about this display is that all the trees throughout the display are perfectly pruned, live trees cut to fit the size of the display.
Rocky Cove Railroad
Trails to Hike
The Arboretum has many trails available for hiking and biking if you prefer your gardens to be a bit wilder. In the spring, don’t miss the hike down to the woodland garden that contains the National Native Azalea Collection where you’ll find almost every native azalea species in the United States blooming side by side.
The nature trail is another great trail any time of the year and this one doesn’t allow biking so you won’t have to watch out for riders on this trail. The nature trail is TRACK trail, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program where kids earn prizes for completing different trails and activities. You can grab a TRACK Trail Guide at the Baker Exhibit Center.
Trails in the arboretum connect to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Pisgah National Forest. If you’re looking for hiking trails or bike trails in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, such as Hard Times Road, there is a free parking area at Bent Creek.
Education Center at the NC Arboretum
The second building at the Arboretum is the Education Center. You’ll find scheduled educational programming here as well as a few educational exhibits. They have continuing education courses for adults, classes for families, and youth-centric classes as well. This is also where the cafe is located.
There is a lovely porch with a plethora of rocking chairs that overlook the gardens. Purchase a snack or open up the lunch you packed, this is a great spot to sit for a while and relax.
Mom Review: NC Arboretum
The NC Arboretum is a great place for the family to spend some time. We’ve brought our children a few times, including when they were quite young. There is plenty of room for little kids to run off steam, but also a lot of interesting things to see for older kids.
The train has always been a highlight and I usually save that for the end of the trip, otherwise, we’d never see the rest of the garden.
The garden paths are paved, but if you plan to walk any of the woodland trails, know that they are dirt and gravel. You’ll probably appreciate wearing sneakers. Do bring lots to drink, especially if you’re going in the summer.
Special Events
The arboretum runs several special events and exhibits throughout the year. The biggest event is undoubtedly Winter Lights. The holiday light exhibit lights up the gardens into a winter light wonderland. We have a whole Winter Lights review for you.
To see all the special events, including live music in the summer and special exhibits, see the NC Arboretum calendar.
North Carolina Arboretum Website Personal vehicles: $20 Parking – get $1 off if you have AAA 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville Asheville, NC 28806
Hours: Daily 8 am – 7 pm (winter hours) Hours: Daily 8 am – 9 pm (summer hours)
Have you visited Magnetic South Brewery before? Better known for their Anderson location, Magnetic South also has a location in Judson Mills in Greenville. This location is the perfect spot for a casual date night out or a place to meet up with friends. It’s also a kid-friendly place where the whole family can have some fun playing pool, pinball, and other arcade games.
The Magnetic South Greenville location is in a bit of an off-the-beaten-path spot, located on the interior corner of Judson Mill beside The Foundry music venue. They have some outside space in front of the brewery for hanging out or playing corn hole. Inside you’ll find a large and open space with lots of seating.
Order both your beverages and your food at the bar. They’ll text you when your food is ready, so you’re free to enjoy the space instead of waiting in line!
Magnetic South Beer and Ciders
You’ll find a rotating draft menu board at Magnetic South. If you’re really particular about your beer choices you can always see what’s on tap today at the Magnetic South beer menu online.
We enjoyed the Red Carpet red ale, the Ale Earndardt rye beer, and a slightly sweet pineapple cider. They were all delicious. My personal favorite was the red ale, as it had a full flavor without being heavy.
Food at Magnetic South
The Greenville menu at Magnetic South offers Cuban-inspired flavors, including rice bowls, burritos, tacos, salads and snacks like nachos, chips & queso, and even street corn. We found the menu to be quite affordable, with menu items ranging from $6 to $13.
Food portions are not huge, but they are the perfect companion to a beverage or two where you don’t want to be too full anyway.
And, at those prices, you can definitely order a couple of items if you’re extra hungry. If you’re bringing the family, you could definitely order a few snacks to share to accompany your meal choice so everyone gets to try a few things.
I enjoyed the Mojo bowl, which was Cuban rice with marinated pork, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. It came with my choice of sauce and the curry mustard that I picked was so delicious. I would order it again in a heartbeat.
There are other bowl choices including one with grilled chicken and one where you can build your own by selecting a protein and toppings.
My husband enjoyed the Cuban Pork Burrito which was actually quite similar to my bowl, except in burrito form.
We are pretty terrible at pool. Like 97.5% of the balls I actually got in the pockets were accidental. But that’s ok. We had a great time doing it!
The two pool tables at Magnetic South, as well as the arcade games, are coin-operated. There is an ATM machine and a coin machine beside the games, and that worked perfectly for us.
A game of pool is just $1.25. I had a $5 bill on me, we turned it into quarters at the change machine and played several games of pool.
The other games like skee ball and pinball were both a dollar, also taking quarters. Another $5 bill had me losing a couple of games of skee ball to my husband. You know, these things happen. But it was really fun.
I loved that while there were several game options, the overall atmosphere wasn’t the loud, flashing lights, chiming bells, and sometimes overwhelming environment you might think of when you imagine an arcade. Magnetic South is not an arcade, they have just one corner of the space with games and they aren’t exceptionally loud. It’s really the perfect blend.
At the end of the day, it was a really affordable date night, with good food in a super fun place. We definitely will be back, and I wouldn’t hesitate to bring the kids sometimes, either.
Have you heard of Famoda Farm in Tigerville, SC? We just had the most amazing afternoon visiting the farm, enjoying delicious ice cream, and hanging out with baby goats! The cows, donkeys, bunnies, and sheep joined us at the fence to visit, and we even picked up some fresh milk to bring home.
This is a special place, I mean like turn a “grumpy preteen” day into a “sunshine-filled happy day” kind of place. Do you know how rare that is? It’s awesome, which means we’re telling you all about Famoda Farm so you can plan your visit.
Arriving at Famoda Farm
The entrance to Famoda Farms is a gravel driveway with pasture on either side. Just plug the address into your GPS and look for the signs. Even my preteens and teenage kids were stoked to see the cows in the pasture as we drove in. You think it’s cute when little kids love animals. Well, hearing “Aw, there are cows! Hi Cows!” will melt your heart when it comes out of the mouth of a fourteen-year-old boy, too.
Love a good cup of coffee? Scändi Tiny Coffee is located in the Lake Walk Tiny Home Community off of Highway 101 in Greer, SC. With a full lineup of coffee drinks and Scandinavian pastries and a gorgeous outdoor setting, Scändi Tiny Coffee is a great place to stop off for a coffee date or a family treat.
Looking to explore the Jocassee Gorges area with your family? There are opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors all over the Jocassee Gorges area. In addition to the swimming, boating and hiking you’ll find at area state parks, you’ll also find great hiking along the Jocassee Gorges portion of the Palmetto Trail called the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage.
Jocassee Gorges is a spectacularly beautiful area. National Geographic named this area one of the “50 of the Last Great Places” and the South Carolina 7 Expedition has given it the title of the 2nd Wonder of South Carolina. It’s one of the top beautiful places to see in South Carolina. To help you get out and see this beautiful part of South Carolina, we have details on hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage, plus some opportunities to enjoy the Jocassee area if hiking is not your cup of tea.
Photos along the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of the Palmetto Trail/Photo Credit: Liene Kukainis
Hike the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage in Jocassee Gorges
The Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of the Palmetto Trail is a 12+ mile passage. Families can experience the wilderness of the trail by walking only a portion of the trail going down and back as KAG contributor, Liene, did with her family in the video below.
You can find out about the hike along the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage in this video made by Liene, as she hiked this portion of the Palmetto Trail for the South Carolina 7 Expedition. In this video you’ll find:
Information on hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage
Sights and sounds of the trail
Animals you might see
Where to find the trailhead and parking
FAQ Hiking the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of the Palmetto Trail
KAG’s Liene answers questions about hiking this passage of the Palmetto Trail.
What’s the name of the hike/trail? Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage of Palmetto Trail What age group can accomplish this hike? The whole thing is hard, but any age can do an in-and-out from Table Rock because you can tailor the length to your family How difficult is this hike? Length & terrain moderate to difficult How long did this hike take your family? 3 hours to hike 5 miles of it What things should people look for on the hike or in the area? Wildflowers, animals. A family saw a momma bear and cubs on the way in! What was the best part about the hike? or What makes this hike unique? The Jocassee Gorges are remote and rugged areas, with an abundance of native flowers and wildlife, mountaintop vistas, waterfalls, and an impressive boulder field. According to Native American legend, Jocassee means “Place of the Lost One,” and the Jocassee Gorges were named “One of the Last Great Places” by National Geographic. Address for the trailhead? What do people need to know about getting there? The passage begins at Pinnacle Pavilion (“The Barn”) in Table Rock State Park and travels through the Wesleyan Camp into the Jocassee Gorges. There is a fee to enter Table Rock State Park.
Enjoy the Jocassee Area Without Hiking
Want to explore Jocassee without a long hike? There are two state parks nearby where you can swim, wade, creek stomp and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
Visit Table Rock State Park for swimming in Pinnacle Lake or wading at the Carrick Creek trail waterfall.
So, you’re looking for that next family vacation idea? Copper Harbor, MI is one vacation destination you should not overlook. Ideal for families with active teens and pre-teens, Copper Harbor offers an epic outdoor adventure family vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We brought our kids on a road trip and spent 6 wonderful days in Copper Harbor.
We discovered a friendly, quaint town set on the pristine shores of Lake Superior with world-class bike trails, hiking, gorgeous roadside parks, paddling in jaw-dropping beauty, and so much more. There are so many things to do in Copper Harbor, MI. It’s a spot like none other and we can’t wait to return. Bring the kids. You’re going to love it.
Things to Do in Copper Harbor, MI
Explore the Coast
Rocky beaches abound in Copper Harbor and so do the easily accessible roadside parks where you can enjoy them. You’ll want to spend some time soaking in the view and examining the extremely unique rocks along the shore. You’ll find agates with a variety of minerals and crystals trapped in volcanic basalt and other rocks.
We even purchased a small rock and mineral book at Grandpa’s Barn bookshop in town to help us learn what we were looking at.
These parks are all west of Copper Harbor and a very short drive from the town.
The red rocks that make up the beach at Hunter’s Point Park are stunning, and the power of Lake Superior is shocking on a windy day as the lake slams the huge conglomerate rock formations on the shore. On a warm day when the lake is calm, this would be a nice place to go for a little swim.
Devil’s Washtub in Copper Harbor
Devil’s Washtub is a rock formation on the coast of Lake Superior that looks remarkably like a giant bathtub at the bottom of a rocky cliff. It’s a short walk from the road to the washtub, along a large rock face. Devil’s Washtub is not a marked trail and it’s located on private property. The property owners have posted a sign that identifies the property as private and reminds guests to be responsible.
Where is Devil’s Washtub in Copper Harbor?
You’ll find the unmarked trail to Devil’s Washtub across from Dapple Gray B&B and Antiques. 13640 M-26, Eagle Harbor Twp, Michigan 49950
There is room on the shoulder to pull off the road and park. You’ll see several little trails. The trail closest to Copper Harbor will take you out to Devil’s Washtub, you’ll see the sign from the property owners reminding guests to be responsible. The other trails will take you to several other little rock formations and down to some pretty little rocky beach coves.
Hebard Wayside Park has picnic and restrooms, located across the street, a rocky beach, and several rock outcroppings to explore. This is another place to examine some gorgeous rocks and enjoy the vast views of Lake Superior.
We visited Esrey Park on our last day in Copper Harbor. There are picnic facilities, a restroom, and another rocky beach. I liked the little trail walk along the rock ridge here, lots of places to see the beautiful lake views.
Biking Copper Harbor
The mountain bike trails in Copper Harbor are world-class. People come from all over for these trails. My husband and a couple of my kids had an amazing time biking. And, there are trails available for everyone.
Now for my biggest ever mom tip: If you haven’t been on a bike in more than a decade, do not let anyone convince you to come with them on an “intermediate” rated bike trail in Copper Harbor. There were tears and they weren’t from my kids, ok? Seriously, it was dumb and I’m lucky I didn’t get seriously hurt. The trails in Copper Harbor are hard (remember, world-class). My husband said the intermediate trail we tried was as hard as any black diamond he ever did at home.
There are, however, nice easy gravel trails and comparatively flat-ish dirt trails toward Fanny Hooe and the Fort Wilkins Historic State Park area that I did truly enjoy. So, as much as we love to do things together on family road trips, this is one area where I’d recommend splitting up as ability allows.
Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor rents excellent mountain bikes, so if you don’t have the ability to cart your own gear up there, they are an excellent option. Rentals are offered for 2 hours, 5 hours or all day. The fee depends on the type of bike you want to rent, but they start around $40 and go up from there.
Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is the least visited national park in the lower 48 states. It’s an island and you’ll need to cross Lake Superior to get it. There are a few towns with boat and plane companies that offer to transportation to the island and one of them Isle Royale Queen IV is based on Copper Harbor.
The trip over will take about 3 1/2 hours. Many people camp or stay in the lodge on the island. Others choose to do a day trip from Copper Harbor while they are in the area. If you choose the day trip option you’ll have a 3 1/2 boat ride across Superior, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours on the island, and a 3 1/2 hour boat ride back. It’s enough time for a hike along beautiful trails with gorgeous coast views and opportunities to relax on the shore. You may even catch a glimpse of a moose!
On the boat ride you’ll get to view both the coast of Copper Harbor, including the Copper Harbor Lighthouse, and the coast of Isle Royale. In the middle, there’s a lot of water. The boat has comfortable seating and tables and sells coffee and snacks. Plus, you can bring whatever lunch or other food you’d like. There are restrooms on board.
An Isle Royale day trip is a long day, but worth it in my opinion. Not too many people can say they’ve visited Isle Royale National Park and the views are magnificent.
Don’t forget the bug spray!
Paddling: Kayaks and SUPs
We brought our inflatable stand-up paddle boards from home and we enjoyed paddling on an inland lake, Lac La Belle, as well as along the coast of Lake Superior. But, if you don’t have your own boards or kayaks, you can also rent stand-up paddle boards from Keweenaw Adventure, as well as kayaks. They’ll even deliver them to the inland lake of your choice.
Lake Fanny Hooe is right in Copper Harbor, and there are a couple of other options nearby, too. These lakes are generally smooth and warmer than Lake Superior. They are often a much safer paddle than Superior offers.
If you want to paddle on Lake Superior though, you’ll need to bring your own equipment or join a guided tour that provides equipment. Rentals are for inland lakes only.
While paddling Lake Superior is extremely beautiful, the water is very cold and the wind and waves can change very rapidly. Hypothermia can be a real threat and paddlers should proceed with caution and only attempt a paddle on Superior when conditions are favorable and have contingency plans in place if conditions change.
For example, we drove the coastal road prior to our paddle and noted several places we could bail and get off the water. Then, I paddled our route with my older kids and my husband stayed behind. When he went out with our youngest, we planned for me to pick them up at the end of their paddle, rather than having them return. I knew their route and could follow them at several points on the coast in our van.
The water was 39 degrees, so, knowing the closest point to pick them up and keeping an eye on them was important.
Don’t forget life jackets and a waterproof whistle.
That said, we put in our boards at Hebard Park and paddled along the shore to Devil’s Washtub so we could paddle under the arch. It was stunningly beautiful.
Shopping
The town of Copper Harbor is not large, but there are a few very nice shops you should check out while you’re in the area. Here are two of my favorites!
Grandpa’s Barn
This bookshop has a wide selection of books on the area, as well as popular fiction and non-fiction for adults and kids. We picked up a book on agates and other rocks and minerals here, as well as a few other things to read on our trip. You’ll find this little gem in the barn behind the schoolhouse. The barn once belonged to the owner’s grandfather, hence the name.
Laughing Loon
The Laughing Loon has lots of unique gifts and products from local artisans, plus books, puzzles, plus a wide selection of t-shirts and the typical gift shop fare.
Where to Eat: Restaurants and Groceries in Copper Harbor
There are a few restaurants to fuel your adventure, and one grocery store in Copper Harbor. There are a number of places where you can scroll through a list of Copper Harbor restaurants, but here are the places we visited and enjoyed.
Jamsen’s Coffee and Bakery
On the dock in Copper Harbor is Jamsen’s Coffee and Bakery. It is the spot to be for your morning coffee, with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs facing the water. You can order coffee, plus donuts, pastries, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches.
Note: This used to also be a fish market. They no longer sell fish, but you’ll see that name pop up on maps and Google. Don’t let that confuse you.
The Genny: Gas-Lite General Store
The Genny is Copper Harbor’s only grocery store. It’s well stocked with both staples and local goods. We picked up a few things for dinner here, got snacks for hikes and bike rides, and picked up some local beer. It’s a cute shop with friendly, funny staff. Prices were comparable to grocery stores elsewhere in the UP. So while you may want to pick up supplies are your way into town, you can definitely get anything you forgot and a whole lot more here at the Genny.
Brickside Brewery
Local beer and a food truck alongside the building serves yummy pizza, pitas, and pretzels is what you’ll find at Brickside Brewery. Super friendly people, and the food truck was a great option for lunch. The food was good, and we saved a little money over a regular restaurant because we didn’t need to tip a server.
Lake Effect Bar & Grill
Right across from the Keweenaw Adventure Company bike shop, Lake Effect has indoor and outdoor seating. After our bike ride experience, I declared a burger and a beer were next on the to-do list, Lake Effect Bar & Grill did not disappoint.
More in Copper Harbor
Does Copper Harbor offer more? Yeah, in the winter there’s downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The locals said the town does a good job keeping roads clear of snow and that winter is actually one of the most beautiful times to visit. I can’t comment personally on any of that, but I sure do hope we get to go one winter. Although, I haven’t cross-country skied in a couple of decades either. Let’s hope that goes better than the bikes. Fall colors would be stunning, too.
Tips for Traveling in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Keep your gas tank full. If you’re driving up through the UP to Copper Harbor, Michigan, your gas station options will spread out a little. The big-ish town in Copper Harbor is Houghton. Fill up there.
Take your time, pull over when you see signs at bakeries with pasties. They are good, and a unique historically significant food for the Copper Country. Originally, an area full of mines, the pasties could be kept in miners’ pockets, kept warm, and eaten at lunch.
Bring bug spray. Good bug spray. Wear bug spray. The mosquitoes were thick in June in the woods. They weren’t bad in town, but around our vacation rental and out on the trails, they were plentiful. Bug spray is good. Those burning bug-repellent sticks helped by the campfire at night, too. Don’t let this keep you from visiting Copper Harbor. I hate bugs, and even I think it was worth it!
Ask. All the locals we met were eager to share their favorite spots on the Keweenaw Peninsula and recommendations.
Don’t forget water shoes! The rocks are smooth but hard on your feet, and some of the inland lakes are a little muddy on the bottom.
You will not have cell service in most places in Copper Harbor. Pro-tip is to use the wifi at Jamsen’s when you get your coffee to load directions to the park or the destination you plan to visit.
Have you tried the shaved ice at Ohana’s in Duncan? We visited and loved the beachy decor, fun outdoor setting, and of course, the ice was delicious. The kids enjoyed picking some candy toppings for their icees to compliment their syrup flavor choice, creating their own custom dessert. This is one spot we’ll be back to visit again.
Sometimes, when life gets busy, it’s best to make a little time for something simply enjoyable with the people you love. That’s how we found our way to Ohana’s one afternoon. My husband had been out of town for work all week, the kids were grumping at each other, and had definitely a bit too much Minecraft for the day, so I decided it was time to try that cute shaved ice spot we’d been driving by. Their beachy set-up looked so fun, and, we needed a little break.
Order Your Shaved Ice: Ohana’s in Duncan
We probably don’t need to explain this part to you. The menu board beside the window has your flavor options and topping choices. But, do take a look at the specials posted on the window, though. You’ll find unique creations like a blueberry donut icee, strawberry cake flavor, or even a coffee-flavored shaved ice. If none of those are quite what you’re looking for, go ahead and pick your flavors and toppings.
My kids chose:
Blue raspberry with gummy worms
Blue bubblegum with sour gummy worms
Bubblegum with caramel sauce
Are these combinations that sound appetizing to me, as an adult? Nope, nope, nope. I picked the boring pina colada with no toppings. And I walked away without a brightly colored blue tongue. A fact, which I was very happy about. I, however, am not a kid. And the whole point of this small excursion was simple fun, and apparently, when you’re 10, a blue tongue is just that. So, they had at it with their choices and I wasn’t going to stop them.
Ohana’s Beachy Atmosphere
Ok, you’ve ordered your icee. You get to sit back and relax at the pretty teal picnic tables with bright umbrellas, or kick back in an Adirondack chair and wait for the delicious magic to happen inside that colorful little building. But wait, what’s this? Your shaved ice creations are being delivered to you on a wooden surfboard-shaped platter? How cool is that? Beach theme through and through.
Take your time, enjoy your ice, and maybe play some ladder toss, climb up in the big chair for a photo, or make some chalk art on the sidewalk. The Hawaiian music is playing, and getting back to the real world will come soon enough.
Ohana’s 128 West Main Street, Duncan Open 12 pm to 9 pm daily
Bonus, Your Summer Day in Duncan, SC: Shipwreck Cove, the popular waterpark at Stoneledge Park, is just a minute or two from Ohana’s. Both are super popular with our readers, and Ohana’s will make a nice treat after an afternoon at the park!
Have you visited Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC? It’s the largest municipally owned park in Western North Carolina and it has so much to offer anyone looking to spend time outdoors, including tennis courts, disc golf, lit basketball courts, a nature trail for walking or running and so much more! But, today we’re talking about the brand-new inclusive playground at Jackson Park.
We checked it out on opening day and it is so cool, with so much equipment allowing all kids to play together from supportive swings, to wheelchair-accessible equipment, to a full rubber ground cover, they have it all.
Jackson Park’s Inclusive Playground
The kid community in Hendersonville came out strong for the opening of Henderson County’s Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park. We loved seeing so many kids having so much fun all together.
Note: Our pictures are from opening day, so, if crowds aren’t your thing, don’t be scared off by these photos. We’re sure this will be a popular playground, but probably not quite as popular as it was on its very first morning open!
Space for All to Play Together
As its name implies, the new inclusive playground at Jackson Park is designed specifically to facilitate play between all kids by making playground space and equipment accessible to everyone.
Smooth, even, rubber ground covers the playground space, ramps grace playground equipment, music equipment sits at a variety of heights, and swings come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are spaces to climb, spin, roll, run, and explore.
Playground Layout
This playground includes a smaller climber lower to the ground with ramp access, a larger climber with tall slides as well as ground-level equipment, and a beautiful covered space in the middle with seating, and interactive panels.
This middle section also contains a large array of musical instrument stations and a ground-level merry-go-round.
To the side of the space is a hill with two fun hill-side slides. Kids (and parents) have the choice to walk up the smooth hill, take the stairs, or use the ramp on the sidewalk to get to the top of these slides.
Things to Know: Playground at Jackson Park
The restrooms are beside the playground at the covered shelter.
Even with the covering over much of the playground equipment, it was hot and there was lots of sun when we visited. Sun protection is a must at this park.
Picnic space is available at the covered shelter when it isn’t reserved and there are lots of shade trees and benches in the immediate area for a lunch or snack break.
Parking is free, but depending on events at this large park, like seasonal youth soccer games, you may have to walk a little bit to get to the playground.
Jackson Park 801 4th Avenue East Hendersonville, NC 28792
