Looking for a bike park to visit now that the heat of the summer has passed? You might want to consider Town Creek Bike Park in Pickens, SC; here are the details on how to make your visit to this unique spot a success!
Want to search out ghosts in these local haunted cemeteries? Greenville, SC, and several places in the Upstate are home to some seriously spooky cemeteries with ghost stories to go along with them. When a place has a troubled past, that usually means the alleged presence of spirits is inevitable. The Upstate has seen its fair share of disturbing things.
Here are some of the creepiest haunted cemeteries to explore that might just give you the heebie-jeebies.
Old cemeteries can be a peaceful place to stroll through and ponder what life was like for those at rest. They can also be a place filled with stories of sickness, poverty, and unrest. These stories are the ones that allegedly create the spirits that haunt us to this day.
Some places are more filled with unrest than others. The Upstate seems to be full of places where some “spirited fun” might be found. Either way, at the very least it’s a place to get some fresh air where there won’t be a bunch of the living to deal with.
These Haunted Places to Visit Near Greenville, SC have some pretty interesting ghost stories. Want to check them out yourself?
On a cold January Morning in 1781, the British troops on the battlefield met with a deadly outcome. There at what is now known as the Cowpens National Battlefield, 135 men died in a battle that only lasted an hour. Nearly twice that many were injured and most likely succumbed to their injuries later. A place that saw so much bloodshed is bound to have reports of mysterious happenings, and this place is no exception.
Visitors report seeing injured men coming towards them, muttering things that would be said during the war. Some have even reported hearing the sound of gun blasts. Even if you don’t get a visit from an injured soldier, a trip to the Cowpens National Battlefield would still make a cool history lesson.
The term “Rest in Peace”, was something a bunch of the residents at Cemetery Hill didn’t find to hold true. The expansion of the Charleston and Western railroad lines through downtown Spartanburg had an obstacle to deal with. The “Freemans Cemetery”, also known as the first Black cemetery in Spartanburg for freed slaves.
The cemetery was near where West Main Street crosses the train tracks that ultimately overcame the obstacle. In 1900 the graves were moved to Cemetery Hill where the freed slaves could maybe finally find their restful eternity.
We’re not sure if they were successful, but there’s only one way to find out.
Just walking past this cemetery at sunset is enough for visitors to invite a visit from a male apparition. It is said he follows you until you turn to look at him.
The oldest cemetery in Spartanburg sits quietly behind the Krispy Kreme in Spartanburg. Just driving past it gives me the heebee jeebees, If you are braver than I am and decide to venture back there, just be sure not to spit out your watermelon seeds.
The ghosts don’t mind. Actually nobody probably minds. It’s just another one of those wacky laws on the books that aren’t worth the trouble of addressing. But just to be safe, stick to seedless watermelon should you plan a picnic at Magnolia Cemetery.
The most infamous of cemeteries in the Upstate and one of the most haunted places in the state of South Carolina is Oakwood Cemetery.
Two of the residents of Oakwood are rumored to still make their presence known to this day. A woman and her child are regularly seen by visitors. She’s commonly referred to as “The Lady In White”. People say they experience a feeling of pain and anguish when she appears. That she is doomed to search for her son. He’s there though and he likes to play tricks on people who come to visit his grave.
I’ve read that the mother was visiting a grave at the cemetery and the little boy fell to his death there, back behind the potters’ field portion of the grounds.
In order to make room for railroad development in 1914, over 314 gravesites were moved here from Magnolia Cemetery. This only added to the unrest at Oakwood Cemetery. If you wander during the day back behind the potter’s section, you might come across the entrance to a strange tunnel.
Macabre things have occurred in modern years at this cemetery. Things we won’t mention here, but for this reason, we don’t suggest you visit here at night.
Once touted as one of the most haunted places in Greenville, the remains of this cemetery are now on display in the parking lot of a new Walmart Market. Reports of children’s laughter and bouncing balls were popular with people who would visit this cemetery prior to the clearing out and development of the property.
I’m not sure if what has transpired would make the possibility of an encounter more or less likely. A trip to this centuries-old cemetery is definitely interesting, and you can always grab some milk and eggs while you’re there.
This small church burial ground is the resting place for over 100 people. Some of them interred as far back as the turn of the last century. There are lots of stories on the internet of people experiencing odd things here. From the unexplained sounds of rustling in the surrounding woods to an apparition forming from a man’s pipe smoke, the grounds of this cemetery are a hotspot for hauntings.
This cemetery dates back to 1829 and many prominent people from Greenville’s history are here. The cemetery began as a family-owned plot of land in the 1700s to be used as a gravesite. Later on, more acres were added, including a public African-American section around 1863.
While there have been rumors of eerie occurrences for years, like footsteps and the laughter of children absent any living children nearby, perhaps one of the more creepy aspects of this cemetery is that there are more than 2,600 unnamed graves with no headstones. Other sites are simply marked with very little information like “Two little children. Names unknown. Found in the old vault. 1912.” Some suggest that these may have been children of sharecroppers but no one really knows for sure.
I stumbled across the story of Fannie Heldmann. Fannie’s father, George, a prominent businessman in Greenville, arranged for her to marry his business partner. Fannie is said to have “gone insane” while planning her wedding (which she clearly was not happy about). One night in 1889, she slipped out of her bedroom, walked down to what we know as Falls Park, and drowned herself in the Reedy River. Her grave is marked with an enormous concrete angel. Fannie’s unsettled spirit haunts the cemetery. I’ve yet to visit at night, so if anyone would like to join me, I’ll be waiting in the car!
Andrea BeamDid we miss any local cemeteries where there’s spirited fun to be had? Let us know in the comments if you’ve had an encounter of your own!
Take A Walk With Ghosts This October With Greer Ghost Tours
Looking for some safe Halloween fun for the family? We put together this awesome driving tour of local homes with fabulously spooky Halloween displays. So load up the kids and go for a spooky drive. Which is your favorite stop?
Some people in the Upstate really get into decorating for Halloween and go all out. We’re talking 12 ft high skeletons, creepy carnival themes, flying witches, the works. And we found them and put them on a map for you to drive around and get into the Halloween spirit.
We’ve mapped out four routes for 2025: : Greenville, Simpsonville/Mauldin, North Greer, South Greer, and Five Forks – see the map. **When looking at the map below, the addresses in orange have been confirmed for 2025 and viewed by us. Any other color has not.
Looking for more spooky fun? Here’s our Greenville, SC Halloween Event Guide!
Are you looking for the best outdoor festival in Greenville? Fall for Greenville is an annual tradition and a celebration of our city that you don’t want to miss!
Local mom Kristina gives us the details you need to plan a visit to this year’s annual Fall For Greenville!
Greenville has focused a significant amount of time and energy on making the small city a paradise for people who love to eat good food. And who doesn’t love good food?
Fall for Greenville is not only one of the region’s hottest food festivals but also one of the nation’s best fall festivals, according to Country Living. Cheers to that!
Want to check out more fall festivals? Here is our list of Fall Festivals near Greenville.
Looking for parking? Here’s our Guide to Parking in Downtown Greenville.
Fall for Greenville is so remarkable because it’s a fantastic opportunity to try out several of the area’s best restaurants without completely emptying your wallet. Have you heard that the shrimp and grits are to die for at Soby’s? Then give it a try with a small plate. Or, try a small plate of brisket nachos from Universal Joint.
Over 40 restaurants are participating this year, including places like Otto, Larkins, and Soby’s.
Adult beverages are also widely represented in the Beer Garden and the Wine Garden, which traditionally features 24 different breweries and dozens of craft beers. So enjoy some good tunes along with the brews. Beers will be available along with many other options to quench the thirst of festival-goers.
Fall for Greenville traditionally hosts several area chefs for cooking demonstrations to dish out their secrets in the kitchen.
If you have a reality TV show food cooking addiction, be sure to check out the competitions at Fall for Greenville. Professional chefs and food critics will pick the best entrée from participating restaurants in the U.S. Foods Silver Spoon competition. In the U.S. Foods Sugary Spoon competition, judges will choose the best dessert menu item.
The Fall for Greenville Kids’ Area is open the same hours as the festival and features rides like a fun slide, swings, a wacky slide, and toddler town. Tickets are required for all the rides for the kids and range from 1 – 5 tickets. Tickets cost $1 per ticket and are located at East Broad Street.
Next to the kids’ area will be the Baby Care Station, a private changing room, and rocking chairs.
New for 2025 is that the festival is ticketless. You need to buy cards and put tickets on there for everything. Purchase them online ahead of time to save time and get an extra $5 in tickets for every $50 you spend.
Here’s a list of how many tickets you usually need for certain things (subject to change):
Fall for Greenville kicks off with a concert on the CPI Security West End Stage at the intersection of Main Street and Augusta Street.
The rest of the festival runs from Friday through Sunday. Alcohol sales cut off a half-hour before the festival ends each day.
Parking options are available throughout Greenville, but you can park at County Square (301 University Ridge) and take the free downtown trolley. It runs an hour before the festival starts and ends an hour after closing.
Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted at the event, but none are for rent. From experience, if you can carry your younger children in baby carriers, it is easier than trying to navigate through the crowds with a stroller. Pets aren’t allowed (but service animals are), and neither are lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, bikes, or skateboards. Fall for Greenville will go on rain or shine!
Are you excited about Fall for Greenville?
Greenville SC’s very first totally inclusive playground, named after Brooks Foster, opens Tuesday, September 29th, and we’ve got all the details.
Greenville, SC finally has their own inclusive playground with the opening of the brand new Brooks’ Playground, 10,640-square-foot playground at Cleveland Park. It’s now open!
It is absolutely beautiful and a very special place for everyone. We went to the grand opening and got to see Brooks Foster and her lovely family, who put so much of their energy, time, finances, and love into the playground. It’s obvious how much they wanted to give this to the community.
“Our family loves being outside and Brooks’ younger sister, Ellie, always wants to play at the playground,” writes Reagin Foster, Brooks’ mother on the City of Greenville’s website. “Unfortunately, it has been difficult to find a playground where the girls can play together and have access to the necessary amenities. This is where the idea for Brooks’ Playground began.
The new playground is located near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park near downtown Greenville and is named after Brooks Foster, a little girl with Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia (a rare neurological syndrome). Her family wanted to create a playground where anyone could play, regardless of their special needs.
The playground includes play elements designed for all kids ages six months to 13+ years.
The project was funded by $2.3 million from the City of Greenville and $1.3 million in private donations.
There are several fantastic elements of Brooks’ Playground that make it especially unique and helpful for families who have kids with special needs. Chris Yang, a Design Consultant with Carolina Parks and Play who worked on Brooks’ Playground, revealed tons of interesting information about why specific aspects of the design were chosen:
Completely fenced in: parents of kids with special needs (and toddlers in general) need someplace where they are able to know their kids cannot escape without their notice. This was a key feature of the design.
Shade: we all know how hot summers are in the South and Brooks’ Playground has multiple sun shades to protect kids and caregivers alike. But there are more reasons why the shade covers 85% of the playground: 1) studies show parents who take their kids to the playground stay longer when there is shade and 2) some kids cannot regulate their body temperatures and the shade is crucial to help them with that.
Anti-static flooring: the ground of the playground is anti-static because static interrupts the hearing devices of kids who use them (and they are really expensive to fix). The roller slide at the playground is static-free as well. The floor is also anti-microbial.
Swings & Zip Lines: there are two zip lines at the playground plus a large swing that a child could lay down on and swing.
Merry-go-round: the merry-go-round is perfect for kids who want to sit, run around, or use a wheelchair.
Ramps: ramps at the playground go all the way to the top of the play structures. There is also a ramp through a really cool tunnel with stars. It’s cute!
Calming colors: the colors were chosen by the Foster family and are specifically calming colors of blues and greens. It’s beautiful.
Tactile aspects: the playground was designed with lots of different aspects to appeal to a wide variety of kids – a water mister, touch and feel, things that make sound, etc.
“We designed the playground so that kids of all ages and abilities and play together without technology,” said Yang.
I watched this design in action and saw kids who didn’t know each other playing together and having fun. It was honestly the sweetest thing to see.
The playground includes several accessible, paved paths but one of the coolest things is the three new bathrooms. There is a ramp up to them and they are huge.
Inside each one is a big, adult-size changing table. The Fosters knew that parents would not always have the opportunity to go home to take care of the needs of their kids and wanted to give them the space to do that outside of the home without having to leave the playground.
You can visit the playground near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park, which is located at Cleveland Park Drive & East Washington in Greenville. If you’re coming from 385, when you turn into Cleveland Park, you need to go past the playground in front of the zoo and stay to the left. There is parking next to the playground.
The address is Cleveland Park Drive & East Washington, Greenville, SC 29601.
For more accessible and inclusive things to do in Greenville with your family, see our Top Accessible Things to do in Greenville with Kids!
And, for another great inclusive playground option, head to Hendersonville, NC for Jackson Park.
Looking for more places to play? Our Upstate Park Guide is the place for that!
If you are looking for a place to have some fun, get some phys-ed time for your home-based learners, or just a place to squeeze in a date night, we’ve found a place for you. 3’s Greenville Golf and Grubhouse is conveniently located just south of Downtown Greenville, and we went to check out this family-friendly golf course.
It’s been a long time, but having spent most of my adolescent years just a mile from a golf course in Florida provided me with ample opportunity for time on a fairway. This was my first time on a golf course since moving to Greenville, and my son’s first time on a real course, so I was excited at the opportunity to share a new experience with him. Visitors to 3’s have two different options: you can choose the 12-hole, the par 3 course, or the 17,000 square foot “Humps & Bumps” putting course. Let’s talk about the difference.
Thanks to 3’s Greenville Golf and Grubhouse for sponsoring Kidding Around for the purpose of this review. All opinions and words are honest, genuine, and those of our team member.
One of the things that makes this course family-friendly is that each of the 12 holes is a par 3. For those of you who are new to golf, the “par” is the number of swings it takes you to get that little golf ball into the almost-as-small hole. On a typical course, it could be a par 4 or 5 with 18 holes, which makes the game last a lot longer.
The way the course at 3’s has been designed allows players never to be too far from the clubhouse. The course being a par 3 also makes it seem less intimidating for people who are new to golf, or are rusty, like I was. It had been almost 20 years since I had played more than putt-putt, and I still managed to make par on one of the holes. That was more than I expected I would be able to after all this time.
If you are new to golf or need a few pointers, 3’s offers instruction programs. There are clinics for women and children as well as open clinics.
And David Lee and Gravity Golf have been endorsed by quite a few impressive golfing legends. There are half-day workshops, 3-day classes, and even golf and yoga retreats.
Towards the 12th and final hole, you’ll see a behemoth of a sand trap. The kind of hazard that would give Tiger Woods nightmares. They would be justified too, as this is (I’m told) the deepest sand trap in all of South Carolina!
Think of this as mini-golf, minus the silly themes and fake grass. The natural obstacles on this mini-course are made up of, you guessed it, humps and bumps! It’s easy enough for a child to play and enjoy, and still challenging enough for an adult.
While we were there, a family was enjoying the putting course, with a group of (what appeared to be) seasoned golfers playing behind them. That’s the kind of thing I believe would make 3’s owner, Davis Sezna, very happy. He wants 3’s to be a place where everyone can come enjoy golf, and that’s what I witnessed while there.
One of the other things I noticed was that the way the putting course is designed, it wraps around the clubhouse. If you had tween or teenage kids who wanted to enjoy the putting course, you could sit back in the shade of an umbrella and relax while they played. If one were so inclined, one might also enjoy a frosty signature cocktail from the clubhouse.
This could also be the perfect spot for a date night or a double date. While the guys play, the ladies can sit on the patio and enjoy a drink. Might I suggest the “3’s Transfusion,” a Welch’s grape juice cocktail made with Tito’s vodka. This was my favorite, garnished with frozen grapes it was the perfect drink to cool you off after a warm day on the course.
The Grubhouse at 3’s is a laid-back spot with firepits, Adirondack chairs, and a menu full of favorites for all ages. Adults can dig into smash burgers, flatbread pizza, nachos, or a loaded Nathan’s hot dog, while kids will love classics like cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and hot dogs. Whether it’s after a round of golf or a fun family night out, The Grubhouse serves up comfort food with a cool, welcoming vibe. Just know that tee times and grubhouse hours vary, so be sure to check ahead if you plan to eat and play.
The best thing about a trip to 3’s is that it’s affordable when compared to other golfing venues. Prices vary by the date and time, but range from:
Perfect for a fun day out with the kids, whether you want a full 12-hole round or some family putting fun!
My son had me promising I would bring him back to 3’s SOON. I think that is a promise I can agree to!
If your child is interested in golf like mine is, there’s a program that meets at 3’s just for kids. The First Tee Upstate is a program that, according to its website, teaches and reinforces values like integrity, respect, and perseverance through golf.
Have your kids tried playing golf? Let us know what they thought in the comments!
3’s Greenville Golf & Grill
61 Villa Road, Greenville | 864.233.6336
Sunday – Saturday: 8 am – 11 pm
Have you tried a corn maze yet this fall? The Upstate has lots of family-friendly options, but our contributor Lacey took her crew up to Asheville to explore the Eliada Corn Maze—and they had an absolute blast! Here’s everything you need to know for 2025.
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 26th through November 1st, 2025
Hours:
Pro tip: the corn maze may close in rainy weather, so double-check before heading out. We recommend checking the Eliada Corn Maze website for the most up-to-date information regarding ticket availability and available time slots.
Eliada is a nonprofit organization in Asheville serving children and youth through foster care, education, residential programs, and more. The corn maze is one of their biggest fundraisers, and every ticket supports their mission. So while your family is out having fun, you’re also helping other families in meaningful ways.
Address: 49 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC
The location is just minutes from downtown Asheville, but GPS can be a little tricky. Follow signs and directions from the Eliada website rather than relying on your app. You’ll likely park in a grassy field—just follow the crowd and head toward the main building to check in.
Your ticket gives you access to all of Eliada’s activities:
Plus, you’ll find a picnic area with clean tables and a nearby concession stand serving up affordable snacks like hot dogs and drinks. You’re also welcome to bring your own food!
We started with the corn cannons, and let me tell you—there’s nothing like hearing that satisfying thunk as a corn cob launches into the field! After that, the kids convinced me to slide down the big black tubes toward the maze. (Yes, I did it—and yes, they cheered.)
Before we even made it to the maze, the kids were bouncing on the jumping pillow, climbing through the web, and hopping on the cow train. The whole place has a relaxed, welcoming vibe where kids can roam, explore, and play.
When we finally entered the maze, we chose one of the storybook trails—Jack and the Beanstalk. Along the path, signs told the tale as we walked, which was a sweet way to ease into the day. Then we attempted the long maze, which turned into a laugh-filled loop of getting lost, retracing steps, and high-fiving every time we made progress.
Even when we admitted defeat (we never did finish that long maze), we had a wonderful time. The kids helped each other, made up silly games, and shared snacks afterward at the picnic tables.
There’s so much to love about the Eliada Corn Maze. The setting is beautiful, the activities are fun for all ages, and the mission behind the event makes it even more meaningful. We spent several hours enjoying everything on-site and would go back in a heartbeat.
Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival
📍 49 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC
🎟️ $15 for ages 4+, kids 3 and under free
Tickets should be bought in advance online.
Eliada Corn Maze Website
I’m so glad we went – and I love that the cause is such a worthy one. I hope you decide to take your kids to Eliada Corn Maze too.
Check out our 2025 List of Corn Mazes Near Greenville!
And if corn mazes aren’t your thing. You are sure to find something you’d love to do in Our 2025 Fall Guide.
Planning some mom time and in need of kid-friendly things to do with Dads in Greenville, SC? We’re here to help with some Kidding Around and reader-tested ideas. Here’s a list of some of our favorite places in Greenville that would be perfect for Dad to enjoy with the kids. We have lots of free ideas and some low-cost options, too!
First off, let me say I think barring spa days or makeovers (and even then maybe so for the more open-minded guys), dads pretty much can interact with their kids the same as moms. However, there are certain activities and venues that may appeal more to male parents than mommies.
So after brainstorming with my husband, here are a few suggestions we thought of. Some are free except for optional refreshment purchases and while others do cost a little, they’re something well worth the fee. Many are indoors so no worries about the weather turning bad! Hopefully, you’ll be able to check them out soon for a little paternal bonding. Plus, he’ll love that he is getting to do something he enjoys that the kids will enjoy as well.
The course at McPherson Park is free but you need your own clubs. You will also find a mini golf course at the Greenville Downtown Airport at Takeoff Mini Golf. The golf course there is pretty cool because you can watch planes take off while you play.
There’s the fish tank, tons of displays, video games, archery, etc. Bass Pro Shop also has a little cafe inside and gives out samples of their homemade fudge as well as occasional other items such as nuts or jerky. Dads love the wide variety of outdoor merchandise; kids love having such a cool place to go with dad!
The main floor at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate seems almost specifically designed for dads! There are car racing exhibit and a wind tunnel, just to name a few. There’s the body exhibit where dads can test their strength and chase kiddos down the digestion slide. Then the dads can chill while watching them go up and down the giant climber!
The third floor features the awesome trash monster, as well as a construction zone and mini golf course. You will also find a giant chess board beside the STEM room.
Then the bottom level features crafts, a water works splash system, the cafe, the marsh music making room, and a really neat sensory area. Plus, you can head outside from here to let the kids play on Bib’s World playground while Dad relaxes.
Dave & Buster’s has a lot going on, including a bar and grill with TVs showing all the sports games, plus an arcade full of video games. They regularly have special pricing offers, and there’s a rewards program with a free birthday gift, appetizer specials, and various other deals.
Pittman Park has a nice playground, walking trail, and soccer fields, which are also suitable for kite flying. Plus this park is centrally located between Woodruff Road and Pelham Road, as well as being near I-385 and I-85. It’s one of our favorite spots to get out our wiggles!
RELATED: See our list of the 5 Playgrounds in Greenville that Your Kids Will Beg You Not to Leave
Do some shopping at all the cool store’s mom passes by or just chill at the play area then hit the food court. The Haywood Mall is always a nice fall-back for rainy or cold days when having somewhere to roam is essential.
Cars & Coffee has free monthly car shows but there are various other shows throughout the year. In addition to various special events, the Greenville Downtown Airport has special planes flying in all the time. You can catch a few most days while playing at the Runway Park or grabbing a burger (beer optional) at the Runway Cafe.
RELATED: Scavenger Hunt for Runway Park
Bike, hike, jog, even geocache, whatever your heart desires but then take a pit stop at Swamp Rabbit Cafe or Sidewall Pizza, or any of the many other spots along this fabulous trail. Dad, you can find a plethora of things to do on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in our guide to the entire trail.
Chick-fil-A hosts various family events. Find the location nearest you and look up their happenings. Daddy has found them to be one of his favorite spots to pass the time when he’s on his own with the kiddos and they’re usually free as well as weatherproof.
Downtown TR is a great place for Dad and the kids to stay busy. Visit the driving range in Downtown TR so Dad can teach the kids how to hit golf balls. Then head to TReehouse Art Cafe for coffee or lunch plus an art project for the kids.
While this may be a bit tough with toddlers, the bowling alley is a fun spot to hang with dear old dad. Remember to request bumpers for your lane if you have some very young or just inexperienced bowlers.
Though you can easily spend a lot of money in the arcade at Frankie’s, one of my husband’s go-to “daughter date night” ideas is to head to Frankie’s with our four-year-old to ride the go-karts. They can usually get in a go-kart ride, and then play some arcade games, for less than $25.
With a low entrance fee and several activities that are great for all ages, Paris Mountain State Park is such a great thing for dads to do with their kids. They can swim, kayak, paddleboat, hike, and there is even a playground! Plus, in September and October, there is Music in the Woods at the Amphitheatre where Dad can enjoy some bluegrass while watching the kids dance around.
This one-stop shop for entertainment is a great idea if Dad is stuck on what to do. Main Event has bowling, laser tag, an arcade, VR games, a restaurant, billiards, and more! This would make a great time for dads who have a night out with the kids!
Also, be sure to check our Greenville Calendar for even more ideas!
Do you have an outing for Dad to add to our list?
This article was originally written by Lindy Wilson and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.
Zipping across valleys and creeks with incredible mountain views is the name of the game at Hawksnest Adventures near Boone, NC. With over four miles of ziplines, there is no shortage of fun to be had at this amazing spot and we have all the details on what to expect and booking your own trip!
Thanks to Explore Boone for hosting us on this adventure.
I had heard of Hawksnest Adventures near Boone, NC long before I set foot up there due to their snow tubing runs. But going there in person to see the absolute stunning views and to experience their zipline course was a whole other thing and one I highly recommend if you love the feeling of flying and stunning mountain views.
Hawksnest is located in Seven Devils, NC, just outside of Boone, and about three hours from the Upstate. You can do this as a day trip but I recommend staying overnight not only because it would a long drive but because there are tons of things to enjoy in the area.
Hawksnest offers two zipline tours spring through the fall and four snow tubing runs during wintertime. They also have whitewater rafting over the summer. You could literally spend an entire day enjoying their adventures here.
This was one of our favorite adventures in Boone since you get to fly amongst the trees and mountains, over creeks, and walk on swinging bridges. We did the Hawk Tour, which included 11 ziplines and took about 1.5 hours. Our guides, Carson and Sky, were fantastic and made us feel safe and excited to fly on those lines!
I couldn’t even pick what my favorite line was. The first several were over the valleys with insane views of the mountains, which were just beginning to show some fall color. I was thinking if I could possibly come back up there in a couple weeks when the colors would be at their peak.
The last half of the course was through the woods and over creeks. We got to go across two suspension bridges as well, which were a lot of fun and certainly tested balance. But you’re clipped in so it’s all good.
The other tour is the more thrilling Eagle Tour, which traverses about three miles of cables, including two which are 2,000 feet long.
From my own experiences at Hawksnest and other ziplining places, these are my best tips on making the most of your adventure here:
Be sure to check the height and weight requirements of the zipline tour. For the Hawk tour that we did, participants must be at least 5-years-old and those under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Riders cannot be more than 250 lbs or have a waist larger than a 40 inches. There is no minimum weight for our Hawk Tour. The Eagle tour requires participants to be at least 8-years-old and weigh 80 pounds.
Wear closed-toed shoes. This is a requirement at most ziplining places.
Wear comfy clothes. Shorts or jeans are best. I was wearing an athletic skirt with built-in shorts, and I kind of wish I wore shorts just so I wouldn’t have to worry about the straps and my skirt!
Get there 30 minutes early. You have to check in and get all your gear on. If you didn’t sign your waivers online, you’ll have to do it before you get all geared up.
Tip your guide. Tips are a great way to show your appreciation for your guides who didn’t let you die.
Leave behind things that could fall. This includes phones (I went with mine but I had it in a zipped-up pocket), keys, necklaces, or anything you really don’t want to lose.
I’ve done ziplining at a lot of fantastic spots, but this was easily my favorite because of the incredible views and fun ziplines over water and through the trees. I was standing there with my mouth hanging open most of the time, admiring the beauty. It was really cool to be that high up and enjoy the experience of flying.
And our guides were a highlight of the adventure. Carson and Sky worked seamlessly to get us all in our gear, do the safety instructions, and engage with us the whole trip while making sure everything was in place to keep us safe on the cables. They took the time to learn our names and where we were from. They were both just genuinely cool people, and it was a pleasure to hang out with them for the short time we were there.
The other cool thing is that Hawksnest has a great photographer. He’ll get fantastic shots of you on the course that you can purchase afterwards. I don’t usually buy the photos, but this time, I was like – oh yes, I want these! He did such a great job.
You can easily book your trip online. Choose which course you want, either the Hawk or the Eagle, and just book your trip. The Hawk course is $70/person and the Eagle is $80/person. You could also go all out and choose to do both courses for $120/person.
For information on snow tubing and whitewater rafting, be sure to check out their website.
Hawksnest Adventures
2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
Hawksnest Adventures Website
Looking for more fun things to do in the Boone area? Check out our guide to Boone, NC!
Did you know there is an epic ropes and zipline course near Downtown Greenville, SC? Flying Rabbit Adventures ropes and zipline courses are just a few minutes from downtown, and we sent Kristina to test it out. It’s even cooler than she thought it would be!
If there’s a new adventure to be had, I’m in. Like all in. I knew Flying Rabbit Adventures was going to have a big zipline and ropes course but when I got there and saw just how big it was and just how amazingly fun it looked, I couldn’t wait to get geared up. The adventure course has a lot going for it and I have several reasons you need to check it out.
Let’s get the boring, but most important, stuff out of the way first. The safety precautions the staff at Flying Rabbit Adventures takes are outstanding. You’ll get a safety lesson when you are geared up with your straps and helmet and double-checked over by the staff. Then you get another safety lesson before you climb the tower and start all the fun. Then the guides on the course make sure you are strapped in safely and are hooked up to the belays properly.
I saw no cell phones on any of the guides so they aren’t going to be distracted. They communicate with walkie-talkies. They watch you like hawks as well. My daughter got stuck on moving her belay (the thing that hooks you to the lines) and the guide, who was on the platform on the level of the tower she was on, immediately got out to her and helped her out. Sarah, our guide, told us that they are all extensively trained and during downtime, will even practice rescue missions.
The Orville’s Kids Course consists of rope obstacles and ziplines and sits right below the big observation deck so parents can easily watch their kids if they want. More on this kid-watching thing in a minute.
My seven-year-old really enjoyed all the fun obstacles and having the freedom to play hard. A child’s ticket is $30 and they get a full two hours to play on the course.
The Aerial Adventure at Flying Rabbit Adventures is a tower that is three stories high and has five ziplines and 58 “elements”, which are the ropes courses that you can choose to attempt. As you move up the tower, the harder the elements get. I only did the bottom level and it was pretty hard but also really fun. As I said in the beginning, I’m up for almost anything and this certainly did the trick. The obstacles are well thought out and playful, perfect for forgetting the stress of daily life and focusing on relaxation and stress relief.
It’s also a workout and something completely different to focus on since you need to pay attention to how in the world you are going to traverse a series of crisscross logs suspended 30 feet in the air!
Tickets for the Aerial Adventure Course are $40 for only the lower level and $60 for full access and include 2.5 hours of time on the course.
Flying Rabbit Adventures also has a zip line! It is 135 feet long and you can ride it three time for $25, which takes around 40 minutes. To do the main course, you have to be at least 50 inches tall. Plus, there is a max weight of 285.
I may be odd for making this one of the top things I liked about Flying Rabbit Adventures, but I really loved the observation deck and how the courses were built in a way that you felt like you were actually in the trees. The observation deck is huge with comfy couches and overlooks the very end of the Aerial Adventure Course, which is the giant zipline. You can easily look over the kids’ course and the pump track.
The elements of the Aerial Adventure course are beautiful, too. I hit some leaves on one of the obstacles as I was making my way across (this course is going to be stunning when the leaves change color), and I liked that feeling of being up in the trees.
If you don’t want to do the course or you want to enjoy a cold brew from the brewery directly next to Flying Rabbit and bring it to the observation deck, you can do that. You don’t actually need to be with your kids as they traverse obstacles high in the air or zip around the kids’ course. I triple-confirmed this, don’t worry.
The guides are there to watch every person on the course and help them along if need be. No one is going to judge you if are just chilling on the deck while your kids wear themselves out.
Flying Rabbit Adventures sits directly behind Home Team BBQ and Double Stamp Brewery. There are lots of picnic benches in the shade where you can eat and drink, which makes this location perfect for a wonderful day of fun for the whole family.
Once you decide that yes, this is absolutely perfect for you and your kids (or just your kids – totally fine), you can book your Flying Rabbit Adventure online. Once you get there, you’ll need to sign a waiver.
Prices for the kid’s course are $30/person for two hours. Prices for the Aerial Adventure course is $40/person for the lower level only and $60/person all access. You get 2.5 hours on the course.
For the kid’s course, the minimum height is 40″ and max is 60″. Kids must weigh at least 38 pounds. For the Aerial Adventure Course, the minimum height is 60″ and max is 80″. The minimum weight is 44 pounds and the maximum weight is 285 pounds.
The Zip Trip is $25 for 3 trips on the Flying Rabbit zipline, which is 135 feet of fun!
Flying Rabbit Adventures also has a pump track where people can ride bikes and scooters. It is $15 for an hour or $30 for three hours. They have bikes you can rent for an extra $10.
Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes and bring water – it’s a workout.
Overall, Flying Rabbit Adventures went far beyond my expectations. My kids have been asking when we can go back. All of us had such a memorable experience that I should probably be planning our next trip already.
Flying Rabbit Adventures
821 Laurens Road, Greenville (directly behind Home Team BBQ)
864-230-0191
Craving Another Zip Line Adventure?
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