Archive for the ‘Things to Do Outside’ Category

Make the Best Fall Memories at Sky Top Orchard in Western NC

Sky Top Orchard has been welcoming the public since 1980 and helping families make core memories for generations. Here’s why we love them and what to expect when you visit this beautiful and fun orchard!

Watch! Things to Do at Sky Top

Experience Sky Top Orchard

The first apple trees were planted at Sky Top in 1967 and the family opened for u-pick apples to the public in 1980 – that’s a lot of time for families to make those core memories together. And that’s what so many families have done for decades.

Sky Top is more than an apple orchard to Greenville natives: it’s a place that they hold near and dear because it’s where they have memories of growing up – and it’s where they want to make those same memories with their own kids.

That’s one of the big reasons why this orchard is so unique. The orchard is truly a family-run business and even those people who aren’t family by blood, they are family by time. Some of the employees we met have worked for the orchard for the past 25 years! And they still come back year after year, which I think says a lot about the culture at Sky Top.

The orchard has more than 100 acres of apple trees, grapes, and peach trees. They offer u-pick apples and peaches starting in mid-August and run through November. They are open daily and all their activities are open, even during the week.

Things to do at Sky Top Orchard

All of these activities are open seven days a week during the season.

Pick Apples

Of course, you’ll want to pick apples while at Sky Top! They offer almost two dozen different kinds of apples, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Candy Crisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Cortland, and Mutsu. They have both pre-picked apples and bags that you can buy to go to the orchard and pick your own. The biggest bag they offer will hold between 15-20 pounds of apples and is $30. Prepay at the barn or in the orchard and then go picking! If you have a certain variety you are waiting on, visit their website to see which apples are currently available.

Apple Cannon

If I could stay in one place in the orchard all day long, it would be at the apple cannon. There’s something about shooting apples at targets that is both relaxing and exhilarating. I don’t even know why it’s so fun but it is and you should definitely do it. My daughters and I absolutely loved trying to hit the targets and smash the apples. At the end of the day, the goats are released to the field where all the shot apples are at for dinner so it’s a win-win. The cost is $7 for 8 apples.

Playground

The big playground has houses to play in, slides, and giant apples to hide in. Most of it all fenced in as well, which is awesome for parents trying to herd their kids. The play area is free to visit.

Bee Train

The bee train is adorable and kids love riding around in it and they all just look so cute and happy. The suggested age to ride is 3+. The ride is $4/person.

Bamboo Forest

I didn’t really expect a bamboo forest at an apple orchard but there it was so I checked it out. It’s fun to run around and hide amongst the super tall bamboo trees (are they called trees?). The forest is free to visit and located next to the barn and gem mine.

Gem Mining

If the kids want to sort through some dirt and sand to find gems, they can certainly do that at Sky Top. And perhaps even cooler is that there’s a history of actual Zircon mining near Sky Top, which you can read about here. The cost of gem mining is based on bucket size.

Hayride

Take a hayride around the orchard and soak up the views of the mountains against the apple trees. It’s gorgeous! The ride lasts about 10-15 minutes and cost $3/person.

Observation Tower

We loved the views from the three-story observation deck at Sky Top. You can see all the gorgeous mountain views plus get a great shot of the orchard from the top. It’s free to climb and near the back parking area.

Animal Barn

Sky Top has an unusual animal at the barn: a peacocks. Several of them actually. They are so pretty! You can purchase animal feed ($3) if you want to feed the ducks, peacocks, bunnies, or turkey.

What to Eat at Sky Top

Sky Top Orchard has added some tasty treats this year and have plans to add even more to the menu.

Apple Cider Donuts

No surprise here but the orchard churns out some pretty amazing apple cider donuts. They are absolutely delicious and hot and sweet and soft and all the good things that you would imagine a cider donut to be. Get a dozen. Or several.

Apple Pies

Sky Top makes full apple pies and crisps and also individual baked apple hand pies. Everything is made from scratch. They also bake from-scratch apple bread and cookies, including a GF Snickerdoodle Cookie.

Pizza

New in 2025 is Pie in the Sky Pizza shop at the orchard. The pizza is made at the orchard and they offer a cheese or pepperoni pizza. Karolyn has worked at the apple orchard for 18 years and she is the one who stretches out your pizza and makes the magic happen in the kitchen and just loves to serve guests. She’s loving the new pizza parlor! As a pizza snob myself, this pizza was pretty good. It was nice and cheesy and filling. Yum.

Apple Cider Doughnut Float

Also new in 2025 is the Apple Cider Doughnut Float, a cider slushie with soft service ice cream. This is absolutely delicious and is topped with a donut. Your eyes will eat this creation first as it’s so pretty. And it does not disappoint – absolutely a must-try at Sky Top.

Sparkling Cider

Yet another 2025 product is the sparkling cider made at Sky Top. I’m not a huge fan of sparkling water or soda but this….this I could drink every day. I don’t know what it was that made me want to have it all the time but it was darn good. The flavor is exactly like the apple cider sold at the orchard and the bubbles aren’t overpowering.

Farmers Market

The small farmers market inside the barn has some awesome items for sale: local honey right from the bees at the orchard, jams, and jellies. They also have pottery from local makers that is gorgeous and comes with apple recipes.

Field Trips & Private Events

Sky Top is the perfect spot for a fun field trip! The orchard also does a great job accommodating large groups with hayride tours, apple picking, and educational programs which teach kiddos everything they could want to know about how apples grow through the seasons. Their field trips are geared for ages 3-10 but they can certainly tailor the educational components to be suitable for middle and high schoolers. They can accommodate groups as large as 300!

And if you’re looking for a unique corporate event or something as delightful as a baby shower, Sky Top can host you and your group. They have a beautiful barn with plenty of seating and a stage for a covered space plus you’ve got the whole orchard to roam. Just contact them directly to arrange your event.

Accessibility & Crowds

Sky Top has massively improved their accessibility and crowd control. They have a brand new paved path that goes from the big barn at the entrance all the way down to the apple cannon. This makes managing a stroller or wheelchair a thousand times easier.

And while crowds can be an issue at any apple orchard during the fall season, Sky Top has spread out their space where you can purchase pre-paid bags at more than just one location. The pizza place and cider slushie spot are further apart and overflow parking are at multiple areas, just follow the signs.

Tips for visiting Sky Top

Be sure to check out Sky Top’s FAQs for tips before you visit.
They accept credit cards! While the donut shop still takes cash, as does the orchard, you can pay for everything with your credit card.
Weekdays are ideal for visiting Sky Top. Fall weekends can get really busy but the orchard is spread out so you may only have to wait a bit for their donuts (which is worth it).
Wear sneakers or other walking shoes that are okay to get dirty.
Sky Top has real bathrooms and a space to change a baby’s diaper in the family restroom. Yay!
Apple varieties are planted in accordance of when they are in season. They plant the earliest apples closest to the entrance and it progresses further away as the season goes on. In other words, the later in the season you visit the orchard, the further you will need to plan on walking to pick apples.
Pets on leash are allowed at the orchard but not inside the barn.

Visiting Sky Top Orchard

Here is their picking schedule (which lists available varieties). All the activities at the orchard are available seven days a week, not just weekends.

Sky Top Orchard is open seven days a week from 9 am – 6 pm starting September 1. From mid-August to August 31, they are open daily 9 am – 5 pm.

Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia, NC
Sky Top Website | Sky Top Facebook
828.692.7930

Looking for more fall fun? Here are over 30 things to do this fall near Greenville.

For more fall fun check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide and our Corn Maze Guide!

Looking for more Fall fun? Check out our Apple Orchards Near the Upstate Guide.

Apple orchards near Greenville, SC, U-Pick apples and apple farms near Upstate, SC

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

Are you looking for more fun things to do in Western North Carolina? Read our Kidding Around Guide To WNC.

Has your family experienced Sky Top Orchard yet?

Take a Trip to Caesars Head State Park this Fall

Have you visited Caesars Head State Park for hiking, picnics, sightseeing, and more? Dramatic views over the Upstate along with easy access and ample parking make for a winning combination at one of our favorite South Carolina State Parks – Caesars Head! Here’s everything you need to know!

About the Caesars Head State Park Area

Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Park form the 11,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, and are connected by several hiking trails including the popular Rim of the Gap Trail and Jones Gap Trail. Less than a mile from the Caesars Head Visitor Center is another favorite trail – Raven Cliff Falls Trail, which takes you to a platform that looks across the gorge at the 420-foot waterfall.

Trails in both Caesars Head and Jones Gape State Park range from easy to strenuous hiking.

Gorgeous Views Without the Hiking: Caesars Head State Park

However, you can get the grand panoramic views without the hike by heading to the Visitor Center, which is only a couple hundred feet from the parking lot to the overlook. This time of year you’ll probably meet members of the Hawk Watch program documenting the annual hawk migration; the past few years the numbers of hawks counted peaked a little after mid-September, while large numbers of turkey vultures were seen into November.

See our article on the Hawk Watch at Caesars Head for additional information and educational resources.

Bald eagles and even peregrine falcons can be seen during these months! To get an idea of how the migration is progressing this year, check the daily tallies; those can be viewed on the Hawk Count website.

Fall Foliage at Caesars Head

Autumn is a great time to visit for another reason, as the fall foliage in the foothills can be spectacular while cooler temperatures allow for increased visibility. Views extend over Table Rock Reservoir all the way to North Carolina and Georgia. Remember to bring layers, as it is often 10 degrees cooler on Caesars Head than it is down in Greenville and Greenville County.

From the overlook, don’t forget to walk the trail around to view “Caesar’s Head” in profile! The trail descends through “Devil’s Kitchen,” a crack in the granitic gneiss rock, and circles around to a viewing area from the side of the outcrop.

If you cross US 276 from the Visitor Center you’ll find the trailhead for Frank Coggins Trail, which mostly serves as a connector to many of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trails, but is also an easy hike in a less crowded section of Caesars Head.

Amenities at the State Park include restrooms, picnic tables and the Visitor Center, which houses exhibits, hawk displays, and a variety of souvenirs. For those looking for a longer hike, or reservations at one of the 18 backcountry campsites, check in at the Visitor Center for trail maps and information.

Fishing at Caesar’s Head

You can fish for brook, rainbow and brown trout in the Middle Saluda River, as well as Matthews and Julian Creeks.

Plan your own trip to Caesar’s Head

Directions: From Greenville take Hwy. 276 W for about 30 miles. The parking lot and Visitor Center is located at the top of the mountain, 3 miles before the North Carolina border.

Hours and Admission: Trail access cost: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 ages 6-15, ages 5 and younger are free

Days and Hours of Operation: 9 am – 9 pm, daily during daylight saving time. 9 am – 6 pm, daily, the remainder of the year. Trails close one hour before dark, year-round.

Visitor Center Hours: 9 am – 5 pm. The Visitor Center and gift shop are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, however, the park remains open on these days.

Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.

This article was originally published on Femme au foyer.

Does your family love Caesar’s Head as much as mine does?

Caesars Head State Park
8155 Geer Highway
Cleveland, SC

Find your favorite park

Here’s our huge guide to all the South Carolina State Parks.

See Hundreds of Raptors in the Air: South Carolina Hawk Migration

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.

You can find out more about Sassafras Mountain in our review.

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.

The Carolina Raptor Center is an awesome place to see raptors up close. Check out our review of the Carolina Raptor Center.

Looking for more educational adventures in Greenville? Here’s our list of educational things to do in Greenville, SC.
Want more ideas on homeschool activities or resources? Check out our Homeschool Guide.

Plan your own trip to Caesars Head State Park

8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland
Website: Caesars Head State Park
Admission: $3 per adult; $1 children 6-15, free 5 and under
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, daily

Enjoy your hawk watch at Caesar’s Head! Maybe we’ll see you there!

Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage Near Greenville, SC in 2025

Where should you go to see some colorful fall leaves near Greenville, SC?
In Greenville, we’re lucky to live close to a variety of hikes and drives that showcase this vibrant seasonal display of colors. Plus, nothing is better than the Western North Carolina leaves changing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. So, grab your camera and hit the road for what promises to be another fantastic year of color!

Fall foliage near Greenville, South Carolina

We have compiled everything you need to know for fall leaf peeping, including:
🍂2025 all foliage timeline
🍂15+ fall hiking trail ideas
🍂Packing for your fall foliage search

(more…)

Hiking With A History Lesson: Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

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.

This park is part of the free incentive program to get kids exploring the outdoors! Learn all about it in our review of the Kids in Parks Program!

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.

View of the Enoree River at Musgrove Mill — 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.

View of the fields at Musgrove Mills State Historic Site

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.
Geocaching! See what treasure you can find at several geocaching locations in the Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.

How and When to Visit Musgrove Mill

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site is located at 398 State Park Road in Clinton, South Carolina.

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?

Looking for more hiking adventures?

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiking in the Upstate!

Make your adventure an educational one with our guide to Amazing Educational Things to Do in Greenville, SC.

Educational Adventures near Greenville SC

Kids Can Do More than Just Play at Railroad Mini Park

Have you visited Railroad Mini Park? This modest park is right off Stone Avenue near Downtown Greenville, so it is perfect for a quick play date after school or on the weekend. KAG contributor and local mom, Deborah, visited the park and tells us why this park offers more than just play.

What to Expect at Railroad Mini Park

No railroad. No train. This park is named after the street it is near, Railroad Street. Just a quarter mile off Stone Avenue, you’ll find a large grassy area, a full basketball court, and a playground. Park along Becker Street or Scott Street and walk across the grass.

View of the playground at Railroad Mini Park in Greenville, South Carolina

This playground is perfect for children of all ages and will improve balance and strength. The bouncy balance beam is a fun twist to the classic balance beam. No one will have to wait to slide with two slides on opposite sides of the playground. In the center, there are a few games. My boys’ favorite game was the spinner. Spin the arrow and then find that symbol somewhere on the playground.

A large cover keeps much of the playground shaded when the sun is at its highest. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the picnic table under the shade beside the playground. If you don’t want to pack a picnic, drive less than a mile and enjoy Willy Taco, where kids and adults can enjoy deliciously fresh Mexican food and even play a game of cornhole.

Railroad Mini Park sits just half a mile from NorthPointe, home to Harris Teeter, stores and restaurants, apartments, and a large parking garage.

Bring a basketball and other lawn games and your whole family to enjoy the park and maybe do a little shopping too. Yet another day made great in Greenville!

Obstacles on the playground at Railroad Mini Park in Greenville, SC

Railroad Mini Park
32 Becker Street, Greenville

Have you taken your kids to the new Railroad Mini Park yet?

Want to check out even more great parks in the Greenville area? Visit our guide to parks near Greenville, SC for info and reviews on tons of local parks!

The NC Arboretum Offers Much More Than Spectacular Gardens

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.

NC Arboretum Quilt Garden — 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.

NC Arboretum Bonsai Garden and Exhibits — 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.

NC Arboretum Train, Rocky Cove — 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)

Things to do in Asheville, North Carolina

Spending some time in Asheville?

Here’s our huge guide to things to do in Asheville, NC.

Check out the North Carolina Arboretum! They offer much more than just spectacular gardens!

Disc Golf is a Perfect Fall Family Activity

Are you curious about the disc golf signs you see posted at local parks? If so, we are here today to tell you all about disc golf in Spartanburg and disc golf in Greenville. If you are looking for a fun outdoor family activity, we’ve got all you need to know about playing disc golf in the Upstate.

disc golf at Spartanburg parks — Tyger River Park

Looking for even more fun things to do outside? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Activities.

What is Disc Golf?

Disc golf (also known as frisbee golf) is an outdoor sport involving plastic discs, metal baskets, and an outdoor course. Players try to throw their discs into the metal baskets in the least amount of throws possible. For instance, whoever ends up with the lowest number of throws is the winner. Basically, disc golf follows the rules of golf.

Why Disc Golf is a Great Family Activity

Disc golf is a great family activity because it is a sport that families can play and enjoy together! It is also an easy way to encourage your family to be healthy as the game requires walking and other physical efforts. Plus, it can only be played outdoors – making it a unique way to get some Vitamin D.

My family of four includes two adults, a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old. We like to play disc golf because it is something we can play together, and it gets us out of the house. My 4-year-old is not quite old enough to play the game, but she still benefits from exploring nature while we move from one hole to the next on the disc golf course. While we play, she looks for leaves, sticks, and bugs.

Meanwhile, my 7-year-old is learning how to play the game and not feel defeated when it takes him more throws to land his disc in the basket than his parents. Since it is a game where you must wait your turn, it opens up many teachable moments and leaves room for plenty of conversations. We talk and joke as we walk from hole to hole and as we wait for our turns.

Where You Can Play Disc Golf in Greenville and Spartanburg?

Greenville and Spartanburg have many places to play disc golf. Even better – you can play disc golf for free at most of these parks! As long as you have some discs on hand and see a course, you can play.

Where to play disc golf in Greenville:

Where to play disc golf in Spartanburg:

Holston Creek Park in Inman
Michelin Disc Golf Course in Spartanburg
Pipeline Disc Golf Course in Spartanburg
Tyger River Park in Reidville
Upward Sports in Spartanburg
USC Upstate in Spartanburg
Woodruff Leisure Center in Woodruff
Van-Du-Mar McMillan Park in Boiling Springs

You can find out specifics at Disc Golf Course Review by searching for the course location.

My family enjoys playing disc golf at Tyger River Park the best. It is a very family-friendly course with the first nine holes being shaded, and we only play the first nine holes rather than all 18 holes. This means it does not take as much time, which is important when you are playing with children. Plus, it is also at a park that is familiar to us.

Where You Can Purchase Disc Golf Supplies

One of the best reasons to play disc golf as a family is because it is budget-friendly. As long as you have the basic disc golf supplies (i.e., discs), you don’t have to spend any more money! However, disc golf should be played with disc golf discs – not standard frisbees. Disc golf discs are designed for the sport and to fit into the baskets.

Just like the game of golf has many different types of putters, disc golf has many different types of discs. But, beginners only need a starter set that includes a driver, mid-range, and a putter. For the first few times, you really only need a driver disc.

Thankfully, you can buy these at local sports stores such as Academy and Dick’s. We’ve had a lot of luck finding used discs in excellent condition at Play It Again Sports in Spartanburg.

Things to Remember

If you are new to disc golf, here are some things you need to know:

Have a bag that can hold water, bug spray, and discs.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen.
Always stand behind the person throwing the disc.
Disc golf follows basic golf etiquette (such as waiting your turn and allowing faster teams to play through).

Has your family played disc golf? What is your favorite disc golf course in Spartanburg? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for more outdoor fun? Here’s a list of 30+ things to do outside near Greenville, SC.

The Best Guide to Fountain Inn, SC

Fountain Inn, SC is just on the outskirts of Greenville, and while it’s a small town, it has a lot to offer. There are restaurants, shops, a library, and some wonderful parks.

Spend a day in Fountain Inn, SC: All You Need to Know

You could honestly spend an entire day exploring this little town. There’s so much to do in Fountain Inn!

Things to Do in Fountain Inn, SC

Where to Eat in Fountain Inn, SC

Seasonal Fun in Fountain Inn, SC

What’s Happening This Weekend: Events in Fountain Inn, SC

Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.

Things to Do in Fountain Inn, SC

Visit a Park

Cedar Falls Park has a great playground, a paved walking path, a historical site, and a waterfall. It is the perfect place to explore.
The Georgia Street Park has a small play area, basketball courts, and bike track. The bike track is designed for tricycles, scooters, and small bikes. It loops all around the park and includes traffic signs and parking places.
The PD Terry City Park has ball fields, covered eating areas, and a really fun playground area. It is not far from Main Street. You could walk from Main Street to this park, but if you have younger children you will want to drive there.
The Fountain Inn Firecracker Disc Golf Course is located a short car ride away from Main Street. It wraps around Fountain Inn Elementary. It is a fun place for serious frisbee throwers and those just learning to toss a disc.

PD Terry City Park playground in Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Find great places to play in our Guide to Fountain Inn Parks!

Find a Unicorn at Hidden Pasture Farm

245 Little Virginia Road, Fountain Inn
Hidden Pasture Farm has an outdoor playground, and opportunities to meet a unicorn, ride a pony, and interact with farm animals. They regularly host events, especially around the holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter, where you’ll themed activities.

Let your littles play inside while you enjoy coffee at Village Play

113 S Main Street A, Fountain Inn
Village Play in Fountain Inn is the perfect indoor playground for kids ages 0-6 years old. Plus they sell coffee so mom and dad can grab some caffeine while the kids play.

Village Play in Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Look for the fountains

The fountains in Fountain Inn are favorites. You pass by one on the left just as you enter Fountain Inn on Main Street. It has a more Grecian feel. Just as you get past a group of shops and restaurants you will find a second fountain. It has a more contemporary feel. There’s even a little library there and porch-style swings.

Looking in the Free Little Library in downtown Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Visit the library

311 N Main St, Fountain Inn
Take a little break and head indoors for some quiet time at the Fountain Inn Library! There’s a small children’s area, and the library hosts regular events for kids and teens.

Visit the Fountain Inn History Museum

102 Depot St, Fountain Inn
The Fountain Inn History Museum is a wonderful place to explore. The stage coach and railroad exhibits are popular. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm and Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm.

Cool off at a free splash pad

104 N Main St, Fountain Inn
Right off Main Street, the Fountain Inn splash pad is completely free and a great way to cool off in the summer months.

Hike at Barefoot Acres

181 Barefoot Acres Way, Fountain Inn
You can enjoy a hike along 2 miles of trails at Urban Roots, a working farm in Fountain Inn, SC. They regularly host fun events, so maybe plan to visit the area when one is going on.

Where to Eat in Fountain Inn, SC

Gio’s Pastry Shop, Caffee, and Italian Market

218 South Main Street – Unit A, Fountain Inn
Grab a sandwich, peruse the grocery store, and snag a pastry at this Italian grocery.

Gio's - Fountain Inn - Gluten free baked goods

Bobby’s BBQ

1301 N. Main Street, Fountain Inn
You’ll be treated like family when you walk in. Plus—the platters offer guests generous portions.

Fountain Inn Taproom

101 N. Main St., Fountain Inn
The Fountain Inn Taproom has a large number of events throughout the year, including live music. They also offer a wide selection of beer and wine to go with your food.

STEAM Coffee

113 S Main Street A, Fountain Inn
Head to STEAM Coffee, a kid-friendly coffee shop in Fountain Inn, and try an entire flight of coffee. Read our review of STEAM Coffee!

Candy and Chronicles

115 Main Street, Fountain Inn, SC
After grabbing coffee at STEAM, grab some sweets at Candy and Chronicles next door. Candy and Chronicles is a candy shop AND a bookstore!

Candy wall at Candy & Chronicles in Fountain Inn, SC

Fountain Foods Mart

209 S. Main Street, Fountain Inn

The new Fountain Foods Market in Fountain Inn is pretty awesome – they have a huge selection of local goods plus offer ready-made freezer meals, lunches, and snacks.

They are right in downtown Fountain Inn, and we highly recommend their take-and-bake family meals, which are made right there in-house. The variety is amazing, and you can cook them the same day or put them in the freezer for when life is just too crazy and you have no idea what to make for dinner.

We loved their Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Pot Pie, and baked Provolone wedges (sooooo good).

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Seasonal Fun in Fountain Inn, SC

Attend the Italian American Heritage Festival

This festival occurs every April in Fountain Inn. With raffles, a corn hole tournament, a spaghetti eating contest, and more, you’ll find something for everyone!

Celebrate Christmas in Fountain Inn

Fountain Inn, SC has several Christmas events and celebrations throughout December. Ride a horse-drawn carriage, pet an animal at the petting zoo, watch the Christmas Parade, shop, and more.

Carriage ride in Fountain Inn SC — Carriage Ride. Photo provided by the City of Fountain Inn.

Watch Fireworks during the 4th of July

Fountain Inn hosts a Fireworks Spectacular every Independence Day.

What’s happening this weekend in Fountain Inn, SC?

No Events

The Best of Fountain Inn, SC

Explore where you live! Kidding Around’s Content by Location

Find more Things to Do Near Greenville, SC in our huge guide!

2025 Labor Day Weekend: Huge, Free Hot Air Balloon Festival and Big Concerts in Anderson, SC

7th annual Rising Above Cancer hot air balloon festival and Celebrate Anderson to take place in Anderson, SC over Labor Day Weekend – and it’s free!

There’s certainly something magical about a giant balloon floating peacefully in the vast air, without care and just being beautiful. You can see those and tons more at the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer Anderson hot air balloon festival on Labor Day Weekend 2025. The festival is only about 40 minutes from Greenville, SC.

Plus, on Sunday evening, Celebrate Anderson is also bringing a huge, FREE concert with Kool & The Gang to the stage, plus fireworks!

These are both happening at the same time, but some things are different, like the kids’ zone areas, so read on.

Celebrate Anderson: Kool & The Gang, Fireworks, and Jeeps

Celebrate Anderson is happening Sunday Night, while Hot Air Affair is going on!

Prize Pack Alert! Find out more, plus enter for a chance to win an awesome prize pack, here!

Important Information – Read This

If you want to go see the balloons and read anything from this story, let it be this: the balloons only fly in the morning and evenings and only when the weather is favorable. If you go at Noon and expect see hot air balloons, you’ll be disappointed. The full schedule is below.

If you read anything about the concerts and remember one thing, let it be this: the concert with Celebrate Anderson is free but you need a ticket, which you can get here.

There is no entry fee for either event, no tickets required for the kids’ zone (except for one activity at the Hot Air Balloon festival), no admission for the live music and all the fun. If you want to get up in the air, you can purchase a hot air balloon ride if the weather is favorable. Keep reading for that info.

About the Hot Air Balloon Festival: Anderson, SC

This festival is the largest hot air balloon festival in the Upstate and more than 30,000 people are expected to attend. It will be held at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center and includes three days of family-friendly fun.

Some fun facts about the festival:

30 Hot Air Balloons
50+ Vendors and Crafters
Multiple Food Trucks
Games and Activities for the Kids
Live Music
Celebrate Anderson will have a free Sunday night concert with Kool & The Gang

About the Cancer Association of Anderson

The Cancer Association of Anderson is a very small nonprofit in Anderson that supports local cancer patients. They raise all their funds by themselves so this is an important event to raise awareness for the organization and provide funds for them to do their important work.

They use their funds to lessen the burden on Anderson County residents who are battling cancer by providing financial, physical, and emotional assistance.

I talked to Angie Stringer, who works for the Cancer Association of Anderson and is the event director, about how the festival was conceived. She was a cancer patient herself when she worked for Anderson County about ten years ago and had just come out of chemotherapy feeling beat up and exhausted.

“I went outside and saw a hot air balloon floating in the air. It was then that I came up with the idea of ‘Rising Above Cancer.’”

That was seven years ago and Angie is in remission. She still adores hot air balloons.

Festival Schedule, Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer Event

The festival runs from Friday, August 29th, 2025 to Monday, September 1st, 2025. Here’s the schedule:

Cancer Association of Anderson’s 2025 Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer

Friday, August 29, 2025
5 PM – 9 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors
6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers
7 PM – 9 PM: Live Music

Saturday, August 30, 2025
7 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights / Tethers
10 AM – 9 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors
4 PM – 7 PM: Live Music
6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers
7 PM – 9 PM: Live Music

Sunday, August 31, 2025
7 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights / Tethers
10 AM – 5 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors
6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers

Monday, September 1, 2025
7 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights

In previous years, The Kids Zone at the balloon festival had activities like a free petting zoo with face painting, face painting ($), a trackless train ($5/ticket), the Creation Station that is geared more towards special needs children but open to all kids, the Anderson City Fire Safety House, princesses and superheroes, a dunk tank that will be there during limited hours ($), ball toss, plinko games, cornhole, and other outdoor games. Details about the Kids Zone have not been released for 2025, but we expect something very similar.

There are flights and tethers from 6-8 pm and the balloons do a Glow, which is basically lighting up the balloons from the inside using the propane. It looks so neat!

Guests are welcome to come to the festival up to an hour before the balloons are supposed to take place to see the inflation process. This happens in the field across from where all the vendors are located. There will also be some special ballooning competitions happening.

Food and vendors will be there every day of the event. The full schedule is available on the festival’s website.

About Celebrate Anderson

This festival has been going on for over 26 years and has been a community event to celebrate the city of Anderson.

I took my daughters to see Martina McBride a couple of years ago at the Celebrate Anderson event, and it was fantastic! We all love country music, and I grew up on 90s country, so seeing her was really special.

For 2025, there will be one giant disco on Sunday night with Kool & The Gang! Plus, we are working with Celebrate Anderson to give away an awesome prize pack. Enter here.
Tickets are free, but you have to reserve them online. There are two types of tickets: standing room only where you cannot bring chairs and lawn tickets where chairs are allowed. Gates open both nights at 5:30 pm. And big news: fireworks close out both shows!

Plus, new in 2025, is a full sunday of fun with Jeep Extravaganza during the day from 10 am – 5 pm, with over 300 Jeeps, prizes, and fun. All benefiting the Area 14 Anderson County SC Special Olympics.

William Floyd Amphitheater in Anderson | Photo courtesy of Celebrate Anderson

Information TBD for 2025: The Kids Zone at Celebrate Anderson. It will be held on the grand lawn of the Civic Center and will feature a carousel, rock climbing wall, swings, spinning tubs, choppers, and a rapid slide all provided by TCS Amusements. All of the rides and parking are free!

They will also have multiple food trucks at the concerts, where you can get food and drinks all evening. No outside food or beverage is allowed, and no backpacks or small bags are allowed either. The venue is also cashless.

Booking Your Own Balloon Ride

There will be opportunities, depending on the weather, to ride in a hot air balloon. They are being offered apart from the festival due to insurance, but at the same location.

We do list the pilots that will give rides. It’s around $300/per passenger, and the flights are about an hour. About a dozen pilots will be doing flights, and money is paid directly to them. The Hot Air Affair Facebook usually lists pilots doing flights a couple of weeks before the event. Their contact information is on there.

There will also be tethered rides. Those rides are around $25/person. These rides will happen only in the morning and evening and will be sold at the informational tent for the festival. Additionally, balloons will only fly in the mornings and evenings, depending on the weather, generally between 6-8 am and 6-8 pm.

What It’s Like to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Last year, we rode in the Discovery with pilot Derrick, and it was incredible! I am scared of flying normally and was terrified right when we took off and saw the ground get smaller and smaller pretty fast, but once we were floating, it was really peaceful and fun. I felt totally safe, and my kids absolutely loved it.

The weather was so perfect, and we got to see for miles out to the mountains and Lake Hartwell. The thing about balloons is that you can’t steer them, and they go with the wind, which means you won’t be landing where you took off from. Each balloon has its own chaser car that follows the balloon in the air and then goes to retrieve it (and the passengers) when it lands.

So where do the balloons land? Anywhere they can that is safe. We were looking for a flat, grassy area away from powerlines and livestock, and ended up landing in a lady’s yard. She was really nice and let the pilot and his team get the balloon taken down and all packed back up in the giant bag, and we headed back to the festival. It was the coolest thing!

If you want to book your own flight, see this list. You have to contact the pilots directly to arrange flights. Derrick has been flying in a hot air balloon since he was two years old, and his dad runs Carolina Balloon Fantasies out of Easley. You can book a flight with him. This would be an incredible date night or birthday gift!

Tips on Enjoying the Festivals

As always, be prepared ahead for the festival by reading over these few short rules:

Please no outside food or drinks.
Well-behaved pets on leash are welcome, and owners must clean up after them.
Blankets and chairs are welcome at the Hot Air Balloon Festival and only at the concerts if you have a lawn ticket.

The festival will happen rain or shine, but safety always comes first with balloon rides, and they are completely weather dependent. Basically, don’t promise your kids that they’ll be able to ride in a balloon or see them in flight. If bad weather moves in, you’ll only have tantrums to deal with, and well, that’s no fun. Make it a surprise!

Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center
3027 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Anderson, South Carolina
Rising Above Cancer Hot Air Balloon Festival
Celebrate Anderson

Looking for more things to do over Labor Day Weekend? We have a whole list for that!
Celebrate Labor Day near Greenville, SC