Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Dreamy Holiday Walk-Through Light Experience: Winter Lights in Asheville, NC

Have you visited Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC? While the Greenville area has its good share of fantastic Christmas light displays, a completely over-the-top experience at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville for their Winter Lights exhibit is worth the drive.

The Arboretum, which is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and part of the Pisgah National Forest, is set on over 434 acres of gorgeous gardens. It includes hiking trails, streams, and is meticulously planned and designed to deliver a top-notch experience for guests.

Watch: Your Peek at Winter Lights

Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum — Unicorns and lights

The Winter Lights at NC Arboretum

The Winter Lights exhibit is an amazing walk-through light display with nearly half a million LED lights, hot chocolate, treats, warm fires, and an array of dazzling displays.

Guests are greeted in the parking lot – the parking lot – with rows of huge lighted trees adorned with red, blue, green, and white lights. The trees lead to the entrance, a two-story lodge with kind staff and volunteers ready to send guests on their merry way into the gardens.

These trees are gorgeous with the lights and make for an incredible entrance. The staff at the Arboretum start putting up the lights in the early fall. That’s how expansive the exhibit is.

Guests will walk through the lodge, which has an awesome and unique gift shop, and head outside into the garden to begin their experience. The 2025 dates for Winter Lights are November 15th, 2025 – January 4, 2026 from 6-10 pm. Pro tip: get your tickets online as they are a lot cheaper than paying at the gate.

What To Expect: Beautiful Lights and Whimsical Decorations

Guests first exit the lodge onto a patio where they can choose to begin their walk through the lights or go straight to the Cocoa Shack, where they can purchase hot chocolate, hot cider, beer, or wine.

Passing the Cocoa Shack, guests can meander under a lighted trellis where they will no doubt hear the joyful holiday music that this portion of the sparklers are synced to. Gaze to your left and you’ll be greeted with an enormous structure of string lights that look like a Christmas tree. Head to your right for the light display at the quilt garden and a light show that lights up in sync with captivating Christmas music.

Keep walking to the white lights strung up on trees that mimic snow falling off of branches. We found lots of mushroom and flower lights – think daisies, leaves, and big mushrooms – all over the gardens. There are also several fire pits to warm up at or just sit and enjoy the lights.

There is a Polar Express train exhibit behind the Wishing Tree, which was fun to watch. We saw it atop the bridge that led to the big Christmas tree-like light display, but you can walk down below and see the trains up close as well. The trains are really cute and the little village is fun to see and pick out neat details.

The imagination can easily wander in this place.

The NC Arboretum Wishing Tree

On the left side of the gardens near the model train display is the Wishing Tree. Guests are invited to write their holiday wishes on little cards and hang them from the Wishing Tree.

This was honestly my favorite part. While people wrote all kinds of interesting wishes, there were some that left me feeling like I was peeking into someone’s heart, especially after the devastation of Helene. There were a lot of wishes for peace and happiness, rebuilt homes, the return of clean water, and that people find their family members. Some were really sweet like “I hope she says yes” and “I wish to become a dragon.”

Wishing tree at Winter Lights — Wishing Tree

It was beautiful. I added my own wish, one that was very much in line with what a lot of other people wrote. Spend a few minutes here because it’s absolutely worth it. Your faith in humanity may be restored and gratitude will abound.

The Bent Creek Bistro and S’mores

The Bent Creek Bistro is located at the end of the Winter Lights display and it’s nice and cozy warm there! Here is the Bent Creek Bistro Menu for Winter Lights 2025. You can order soups, sandwiches, and hot chocolate as well as pick up a s’mores kit, which is exactly what we did.

There’s also a beautiful gift shop here with lots of ornaments, hats, gloves, and Christmas decor. I thought it would be warmer when we went so didn’t bring winter hats and gloves. I picked up some very warm gloves for my kids here to remedy our error.

Mushrooms at Winter Lights — Cool mushrooms

We made s’mores with Santa outside amongst a roaring, cozy fire. The s’mores kits are either Hershey’s or Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, and you can make two with each kit. We also sat outside in the same spot and drank our delicious hot chocolate. There is a small stage there set up for a band as well.

Need to Know for Winter Lights in Asheville

Here are a few things to know before you head off to Winter Lights, NC Arboretum Christmas Lights:

The NC Arboretum is just over an hour from Greenville. It’s a late night for little ones but depending on your child’s temperament and mood, they will probably love it.

It’s cold. The temperature in this part of Asheville is usually about 8-10 degrees cooler than Greenville, so plan accordingly and bring hats, gloves, and a winter jacket.

There are nearby restaurants that are great for families if you want to eat before you go. I was given the recommendation to go Papas & Beer, which is five minutes from the Arboretum, and it was awesome.

This is an event for anyone and wheelchair accessible. There were a bunch of families, children, couples, and grandparents all enjoying the exhibit. One dad even had on a hiking backpack where he stowed his smaller child. Smart thinking.

To enjoy as much of the exhibit as possible, try to get there when it opens at 6 pm. You’ll have to show your tickets and park, which takes about 15 minutes, and then you have the rest of the time to wander around the exhibit and enjoy the magical experience.

No pets are allowed.

We spent about two hours there and took our time with photos, s’mores, drinking hot chocolate, shopping, and sitting by the fires.

Bathrooms are in the main lodge entrance building and in the building where the restaurant and gift shop is located.

Winter Lights insect — This is a fun tunnel to walk through

2025 Winter Lights Ticket Info & FAQ

DATES
November 15th, 2025 – January 4th, 2026

HOURS
The gates open for the Winter Lights Display at 6 pm. Tickets are timed and guests may enter anytime between the time on their ticket and 9 pm. All guests must be off the property by 10 pm. Don’t not arrive early and block the gate.

TICKETS
Tickets for a standard passenger vehicle range in price from $45-$85 per car when purchased in advance. The cost will be higher if you purchase at the gate. Peak days will be priced at a premium. All the pricing details can be found on the NC Arboretum Winter Lights Ticket page If you have your ticket on your smartphone, take a screenshot before you arrive. Cell service is limited at the ticket gate.

North Carolina Arboretum Winter Lights 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC | 828-665-2492

Christmas activities in Asheville, North Carolina

Make a day of the visit to North Carolina with The Kidding Around List of Ways To Celebrate Christmas In Asheville!

This Gatlinburg, TN Resort Has a Huge Indoor Water Park

Families and couples will love the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg with it’s excellent restaurant, indoor waterpark, spa, and proximity to the Smokies.

Kristina was invited to take her kids for a few days to explore all the resort has to offer. Thank you to the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort for hosting us and for the exceptional hospitality.

Our Review of Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort

The Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg is part of the Westgate Resort family. They have properties in Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, and several other popular locations in addition to this Gatlinburg indoor waterpark hotel.

Westgate resorts are top-notch with plenty of entertainment for both families and couples who want to relax and have fun. They also take great pride in providing excellent dining, spa amenities, and family-friendly activities and events to guests.

You Don’t Have to Leave the Resort to Have Fun

We were thrilled to stay at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, just outside of the main drag and less than ten minutes from both Pigeon Forge and the perfect backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. But really, if you wanted to just drive there, park your car, and enjoy the resort amenities without ever getting back in your car until it was time to go home, you could absolutely do that.

The resort has enough things to do to keep your entire family entertained easily for a weekend or more without ever leaving the property.

Amazing views

The Westgate Smokies is enormous, and if you don’t have a room on the base level where the indoor waterpark and restaurant are, you’ll be up the mountain with amazing views of downtown Gatlinburg and the majestic Smokies.

The views are just breathtaking. The resort looks over to Anakeesta, the mountaintop village that we’ve written often about and just love, which is framed by Clingmans Dome (now called Kuwohi), the highest point in the park, and Mt. LeConte, which is nearly as high.

We could even see the snow-covered peak of Clingmans Dome! The clouds roll in and out of the mountains, creating postcard-perfect photos that you can’t believe exist in real life.

Shuttles and a trolley are available

Because the resort is so large, they have continuous shuttles to get you where you want to go. They’ll even pick you up if you start walking back and forth to your room. The staff is very friendly and eager to please.

If you feel the need to leave the resort, you can jump on the Gatlinburg trolley, which has a stop right at the resort entrance. That will take you into town for a minimal fee.

How much does it cost to book a room?

The Westgate Smokies offer everything from studio rooms to five-bedroom villas. Prices vary according to room type and season. As of this writing, a studio in January ran about $126/night, and a one-bedroom was $148/night. In April, those same rooms go for $40-$60 more. July and October are typically the busiest and more costly seasons.

If you’re looking to visit, be sure to go to the Gatlinburg hotel deals, as they actually have more than one resort in the area.

Wild Bear Falls Water Park

For families, the main draw of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is the indoor waterpark, Wild Bear Falls Water Park. I kept this part a secret from my kids when we went, only telling them to bring their swimsuits. It was worth it to see their utter amazement when we walked in. They were speechless, which for kids, is quite incredible.

The waterpark is huge, more than 60,000 square feet, and is nice and warm. It looks like a giant greenhouse with a big glass ceiling and glass walls. Parents or caregivers need to be in the water with their kids so be prepared to join in on the fun.

Zero-entry pool and playground

There is a zero-entry pool area with two slides that are perfect for smaller children. There is a big playground in the middle of the waterpark that pours gallons and gallons of water on kids as they slip down wet slides and play in the foot-deep pool.

Pool with basketball hoops right next to a hot tub

A bigger pool for older kids has basketball hoops in the center and is the deepest at four-and-a-half feet. Next to that pool is a deliciously steamy hot tub. Adults seemed to gravitate there.

Lazy river

My kids loved the lazy river, which was only two-and-a-half feet deep and warm. You can cruise around the park in a tube and canget out to go on one of two water slides.

Water slides

Guests need to be 48 inches tall to ride the water slides. Tubes are needed for the red water slide, which is half open to the ceiling until the very end when sliders go through a short tunnel.

The yellow one is body-only and is totally enclosed. I preferred the red one best, and my oldest went on it several times by herself.

There’s also a very warm hot tub near the water slides that opens to the outdoors, which feels really nice in the cool air.

Locker rooms

Locker rooms are onsite with showers and there are plenty of towels available for guests to use free of charge. Paid lockers are available if you want to store your backpack with your phone or other valuables.

How crowded was Wild Bear Falls Waterpark?

We went to the waterpark both on a weekday and weekend. It was more crowded on the weekend than on the weekday but still had plenty of space to not feel like people were close to you.

How much does it cost?

The waterpark is open daily, but check the schedule ahead of time.

A single-day adult admission (ages 14+) is $35.00 and $25.00 + tax for children (ages 4-13).
A 3-day admission for adults is $90.00 + tax and $65 + tax for children.
A 5-day admission is $125.00 + tax for adults and $90 + tax for children.

Children three and under are free.

Are day passes available?

Even if you’re not staying at the resort, you can go and enjoy the waterpark as they offer day passes.

What is there to do at the Westgate Smokies Resort?

We (myself and two kids, ages 9 and 6) stayed at the Westgate Smokies for three nights and nearly four days and didn’t get to do half of the things the resort offers because we ran out of time. They have that many things to do.

Outdoor pools with views

There are two outdoor pools, including an infinity pool at the top of the mountain. I saw that on the map and decided to check it out and am so happy we did because it was amazing. The view up there was insane, and the infinity pool was perfect and warm. There’s a hot tub there as well.

Towels are provided. During the warmer months, they have a bar. It’s completely picturesque.

Right below the infinity pool is an inviting firepit that overlooks the mountains. It was quite the place to get warm after our dip in the water and I could have looked at those mountains forever.

View of Gatlinburg from the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort

Playground, mini-golf, and a zip-line

A playground for kids is halfway up the mountain and right near one of the shuttle stops so you can stop there and play or just play while you wait for your ride. There is a mini-golf course and a zip line next to the infinity pool. Guests need to weigh at least 75 pounds for the zip line, which my youngest didn’t quite reach so we had to skip that one. Next time!

Fitness center, snack bar, and activities

A fitness center overlooks the waterpark, and a snack bar also is at the same location as the waterpark. The resort also has a huge list of activities for families and their kids like archery, ornament making, survival courses, guided hikes, ghost tours, and free movie nights. Again, we just ran out of time to do any of these because we were so busy having fun doing other things there.

Spa

If I had my husband with us on this trip, I would have taken advantage of a spa treatment because how amazing does that sound, right? They have everything from massages to luxury pedicures to hot stone treatments.

Washer and dryer

Every floor also has a free washer and dryer, which we definitely used. It was especially convenient to dry our swimsuits after going to the waterpark and pool.

Kitchens and kitchenettes

The rooms at the resort are spacious and some of them have kitchens or kitchenettes. Whenever we travel, I always look for this feature because it saves us so much money when it comes to not having to eat out at every meal if we can make some of our food at the hotel.

Yet you may not want to cook when you try the restaurant on-site, Southern Comfort.

Southern Comfort Restaurant

Southern Comfort opened a few years ago at the Westgate Smokies, and it serves Southern cuisine with a Lowcountry, Cajun twist. We sampled several dishes at the restaurant and each was better than the last.

The chef at Southern Comfort used to work at the Biltmore and her food was incredible. It was flavorful with just the right amount of spice that even my kids, who aren’t into anything spicy, enjoyed.

One of their favorite dishes was the Nashville Hot Chicken and Biscuit that we had for breakfast one morning. I was shocked. It was like their little palettes were changing right before my eyes.

Southern Comfort Nashville hot chicken biscuit

This is how I can best describe every dish we had: it was so obviously made with love. You could taste it. I don’t mean mushy romantic love. This was a love of food, of ingredients, and a kind of pride in the dish that the chef was serving to guests.

We had everything from Egg Nog French Toast (as good as it sounds), Blackened Catfish, Pulled Pork with Sweet Potato Cakes, Southern Fried Chicken, Deviled Eggs with Spicy Pickle, Fried Green Tomatoes, Mac & Cheese, and my favorite, a Cajun Gumbo.

Kids’ meals

The kids’ meals are also tasty. My oldest daughter got a cheeseburger and fries one night, and I kept stealing her curly fries when she wasn’t looking. They were perfectly crispy and salty and hot.

Dessert

On our first night there, the general manager, Crystal, told us about their s’mores dessert that has marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and peanut butter cups. I had to get that the last night we were there, and it didn’t disappoint. We managed not to burn the place down, which was a success.

Helpful staff

The entire staff was so kind and helpful. They not only talked to us about the recent opening of the restaurant but also gave us some tips on places to explore in the area.

Cozy decor

And the decor of the restaurant keeps with the whole cozy cabin theme of the resort with high ceilings, a log cabin feeling indoors with a large fireplace, and candlelit tables.

Make a reservation

Southern Comfort is open to both guests and the general public but definitely make a reservation if you want to enjoy a meal there. Weekends can have a long wait. Word is getting out just how delicious this place is.

There is parking onsite.

Marketplace and Starbucks

Lastly, there is a marketplace and Starbucks at the resort, which is so convenient if you want to grab breakfast and coffee on the go if you’re heading to the National Park for a drive or hike. I definitely made use of those when we were there.

Other Local Attractions in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge

Kidding Around readers know how much we love Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smokies as we have many stories on things to do in the area. Additionally, the Westgate Smokies has these 51 things to do in Gatlinburg, most of which are within a quick jaunt from the resort. Yet every time we go, we always discover something new.

Anakeesta

Even after going to Anakeesta several times, we’ve never been during Christmastime, which was a special treat. Lights are strung so beautifully up on the mountain village, and the new restaurant is now open (make reservations as the waits are long). We finally got to watch one of their outdoor movies for a bit, which my kids really enjoyed. Elf was playing and they had never seen it before and thought it was hilarious.

Ole Smoky Moonshine

I got to do a special moonshine tasting as well this trip at the state’s oldest distillery, Ole Smoky Moonshine, right in the heart of Gatlinburg. I’m not a big straight liquor drinker but it was a lot of fun learning about the history of the distillery and tasting their surprisingly delicious offerings. The White Lightening, the straight up moonshine, was quite the kicker.

The others were a lot less of a punch in your face ,and I loved the peanut butter chocolate one, which hardly tasted like liquor at all (could be dangerous, right?).

The distillery is America’s most visited and you can sample several moonshines for $5. The samples are thankfully tiny since the alcohol content is so high.

Their moonshine making process is open to the public, and you can see how it’s made. If you happen to be homeschooling your kids, that’s a science lesson right there.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

And of course, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is just minutes from the resort. I love this park for its beauty, its miles upon miles of trails, and its fascinating history. The Westgate sent us on a short hike to the Noah Oglesby cabin with a guide and it was so interesting. Be sure to get your parking pass ($5/day, $15/week, $40/year) from the National Park.

The trailhead was just 15 minutes from the resort, and we learned all kinds of history about the family with nine kids who lived there and farmed the area.

My kids soaked up all the information and loved learning about the environment and different things to look for on hikes like twin trees, quartz, and woodpecker restaurants, which looked like lines of holes circling trees.

Virtual Learning and Homeschooling at Westgate Smokies

For families who are homeschooling or doing virtual school, taking a trip to Westgate Smokies is ideal. There are plenty of opportunities to learn about different subjects while getting homework done online at the resort and then playing at the waterpark or enjoying other amenities offered.

It’s a nice change of scenery that could help give everyone a break while making sure the work that needs to get done happens.

The resort often offers specials and discounts, which you find here.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Family Guide

There’s a lot more to love about Gatlinburg, TN!

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
915 Westgate Resorts Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-430-4800
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort Website
Westgate Smoke Mountain Facebook

Tis the Season of Awesome: Christmas in Hendersonville, NC (2025)

If you’re ready for a little fa la la la boost of holiday spirit, the events celebrating Christmas in Hendersonville, NC should do the trick.

The Hendersonville, NC Christmas parade is one of the most festive we’ve been to, and the rest of the town’s holiday events are loaded with fun and cheer.

Our list includes some of the very best Christmas Hendersonville, NC events and our all-time favorites. Most of these events and things to do are actually totally free, so they’ll be easy on your budget. Here’s your guide to celebrating Christmas in Hendersonville, NC.

The Holidays in Hendersonville, NC are epic

Big Christmas Events in Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville, NC Christmas Parade

Free Christmas Things to Do

Worth the Drive: More Christmas Events

The Big Events: Christmas, Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville really turns up the Christmas charm every year. This year, their theme for the season is Hometown Christmas Lights, and they are loaded up on free, family fun, beautiful downtown decorations to fit the theme. Christmas is gorgeous up here, and these events are 100% worth the drive for locals and visitors alike.

Hendersonville Christmas Tree Lighting

Hendersonville Courthouse: November 28th, 2025, 5 to 8 pm

Kicking things off, it’s the Christmas Tree Lighting on November 28th, 2025 from 5 to 8 pm. Santa will arrive with Mrs. Claus to light the tree at about 6 pm. Kids will get to visit with Santa for free after he’s lit the tree, and there will also be free carriage rides. Downtown Hendersonville is beautiful at Christmas, and we can’t think of a more festive way to ring in the Christmas season.

An Olde Fashioned Christmas in Hendersonville

Downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina
December 5th, 2025

What comes to mind when you think of a holiday Christmas small-town celebration? Whatever just popped into your head, it’s probably happening in Hendersonville. There are several simultaneous events and happenings occurring all along Main Street and most of it will be free. From an Olde Fashioned Christmas with songs and shopping, cookies, cocoa, and carriage rides, you’ll find it all in Downtown Hendersonville.

Two hours of live ice sculpting
Live holiday performances, carolers, choirs, and festive music spread throughout Downtown Hendersonville
Holiday Shopping: Tonight the shops are open late, so feel free to wander amongst the twinkling lights and holiday music while you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list
Carriage rides: Enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas favorite and take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down the beautifully lit and decorated Main Street. Rides begin at Historic Courthouse Plaza.
The llamas of Ellaberry Llama Farm will dress in their holiday finest for festive photo ops.

Llamas at the Hendersonville Christmas Parade

The Hendersonville, NC Christmas Parade Might Be My Favorite Ever

Downtown Hendersonville, NC
December 6th, 2025, 6 pm

If you are in need of Christmas cheer and you can only go to one event all season, the Downtown Hendersonville Christmas Parade should probably be that one event. Everyone from high school marching bands, to the fire department, the local plumber, and the llama farm come out to celebrate the season together with a giant parade full of lights, floats, music, and more. You’ll get Christmas spirit thrown at you no matter where you look, in the best possible way. Of course, the parade ends with the final float carrying Santa straight from the North Pole.

Parent Tips for the Hendersonville, NC Christmas Parade

Check the weather and dress warm if needed. We were pretty chilly last year. Especially if you’re coming from a town in nearby Upstate, SC, don’t forget that it’s colder in Hendersonville.
Arrive early for a good seat along Main Street. Pick up something delicious to eat and enjoy while you’re sitting out along the street waiting for the parade to start. Black Bear Coffee and Mike’s on Main are two good places to grab a bite to eat to go.
Of course you could also bring a picnic dinner and a thermos full of cocoa to enjoy while you wait!
Bring a bag for candy passed out during the parade.

Hendersonville fire truck in Christmas lights

Linda’s Plants and Shrubs

2025 Information Coming soon: We were visiting Linda’s and saw them setting up their Christmas Haybale maze! Check back soon for dates and details. In the meantime, you can read all about last year’s holiday maze at Linda’s Plants and Shrubs.

Play space in the Christmas Maze at Linda's

Awesome & Free Things to Do for Christmas: Hendersonville, NC

One of the things I absolutely love about Hendersonville is all the free things to do any time of the year. But at Christmas time, they really take the cake. We’ve already covered the free opportunities to see Santa and carriage rides, but there’s so much more!

December 20th, 2025, Mountain Fresh Orchards is bringing their Apple Express Train downtown for free Holly Jolly Train Rides down Main Street. In addition to the holiday train rides, the orchard will also have their delicious baked goods available for sale. Hop aboard the train at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Hendersonville. Plus Ellaberry Llama Farms llamas will be ready for more photo ops.

All holiday season: Find the Peppermint Bears in Downtown Hendersonville. Visit the Hendersonville Welcome Center to pick up a brochure and then get hunting through Henersonville’s downtown businesses. Once you find at least 12 bears, you can bring your brochure back to the visitors center and drop it in the mailbox to win a prize.

Check all the great Home for the Holidays Hendersonville 2025 Events.

Worth the Drive: More Christmas Fun Near Hendersonville

Winter Lights – This popular light show at the NC Arboretum in Asheville is a walk-through light experience unlike any other! The show runs from November 15, 2025 – January 4th, 2026 nightly from 6 pm – 10:00 pm.

2025 Festival of Trees Greenville, SC: Come see the holiday trees on display from November 21st through December 25th, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown and the Courtyard Greenville Downtown.

St. Francis Festival of Trees at the Hyatt

For more Christmas Fun just a short drive from Hendersonville, NC, visit the huge Holiday Events Guide to Greenville, SC. It has over 100 Christmas things to do on it and you won’t be disappointed!

You Can Hike With Llamas at Earthshine Lodge

If your family needs a break, head to the mountains for a chance to hike with llamas at Earthshine Lodge! Kidding Around Greenville contributor Liene visited a retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family, and found the llama hike to be an enthralling experience – one of many experiences Earthshine Lodge has to offer! Find out about the llamas, the Earthshine Lodge property, and their upcoming holiday event that includes brunch with Santa. Get ready for a great time!

Media tickets were provided for this review, but opinions are solely those of the author.

I knew we were in for an adventure as soon as Mark, our llama guide and self-proclaimed “all things llama dude,” asked my husband if he would watch the llamas.

We had driven 1.5 hours from Greenville into the Blue Ridge Mountains to Earthshine Lodge, our base camp for adventure for the weekend, with the express objective of participating in a llama hike. Mark met us with exciting news – one of the Earthshine llamas had given birth a few days ago!

Llamas with a child at Earthshine Lodge in Western North Carolina

Earthshine Lodge Llama Hike

Earthshine Lodge is home to multiple llamas, who can be seen grazing in their pasture as visitors drive the winding road that leads up to the Lodge. We admired the llamas and the then four-day-old cria (baby llama) with their colorful autumn backdrop. We then headed back up the hill to relieve my husband of his llama-care duties – of course, all the hiking llamas were still happily grazing with our infant son contentedly watching the show.

On the hike

After a quick orientation, my three older children had a rope in hand and were each leading a llama off across the meadow. The 76-acre Earthshine property has multiple trails for exploration, and we had a mile-long loop planned. As we hiked across the meadow and into the autumn-cloaked forest, we learned more about the llamas; not just what they can and can’t eat and how to properly guide them, but also about their individual personalities.

My 8-year-old led “Vision,” a gentle but very alert llama who evidently has the best eyes of the group, while the 6-year-old and 10-year-old followed with “P Diddy Peaches” and “Legend.” All the llamas were well-behaved, responded to the guidance of their novice guides, and provided the boys with an extraordinary experience that they were already asking to repeat!

Llamas for any special occasion

When not out on Earthshine hikes, the llamas offer wilderness therapy to special needs kids through the S.O.A.R. 3-day, 2-night Llama Trek Expedition in Panthertown Wilderness area, act as ringbearers at weddings, or surprise guests at birthday parties. Think of an occasion that wouldn’t be livened up by a llama… these are some exceptional llamas!

Tree lined road to Earthshine Lodge's llama farm

Earthshine Lodge Property

As we descended into the valley’s magical mist, I marveled at the scene before us; the wooden Earthshine Lodge rising stately on the ridge overlooking the surrounding valleys, reminiscent of the great lodges of our national parks. The views from the lodge stretch into the distance on a clear day, and on this autumn afternoon, the sight of my boys traversing the meadow was storybook-perfect.

Having returned to the lodge and each hugged our llama a couple of times goodbye, we sat down for a delicious dinner prepared by Earthshine Lodge chef, Shelley. A perfect end to the day included warming up from the chill of the evening with a cup of hot chocolate – all the while soaking in the magic from the mountain view.

Once darkness fell, we tucked in the boys in their loft nook and snuck away to one of the several chairs on the outdoor terrace for a minute. However, the lure of a warm bed proved to be too hard to resist, and soon we too were dreaming llama dreams…

About Earthshine Lodge

There is a good reason for their slogan “Your Basecamp for Adventure”; Earthshine is located right in the middle of some of the most breathtaking public lands in the Carolinas. Sandwiched by the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, the Lodge provides access to popular Gorges State Park, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Panthertown Valley. The proximity allowed us to reach popular trailheads before they got too crowded, although it was hard to leave the property because there was more to do on-site – an example being the hammocks in the trees just calling for a daytime nap.

Earthshine started thirty years ago with a mission to provide environmental education and family vacations, and then in 2019, new owners stepped forward to continue the legacy as well as add to it; all that time, the natural beauty of the Lake Toxaway region has nourished and grown the experience to what it is today. Earthshine Lodge is not just a place to stay – it is a full immersion into a Blue Ridge adventure! Whether you choose to book a family vacation and take a wilderness skills workshop, or want to celebrate an anniversary with a romantic weekend away, the mountain oasis is a retreat from the chaos of the year.

Learning Opportunities at Earthshine

For those e-learning, homeschooling, and learning remotely, Earthshine Lodge has wi-fi, and offers multiple Outdoor Education programs to incorporate into your curricula. These include their Outdoor Discovery program, Earth Explorers program, Explore Appalachia program, and more! You can even fully customize the program to your liking.

During the week, the Lodge caters to school groups with programs that have been updated to support state standards, while on weekends various retreats are held with workshops on everything from mindfulness to fly-fishing. On our visit, we had the option to join in outdoor yoga, archery/tomahawk throwing, and a “paint & wine” – check the calendar on their website to see what fun opportunities are available during your stay.

Baby meeting a llama at Earthshine Lodge in Western North Carolina

Spend the Holidays at Earthshine Lodge and Brunch With Santa

The llama hikes continue through the year, occurring two or three days a week at several different times. But, for three weekends in December, they will take a backseat as an add-on to Earthshine’s Appalachian Christmas, an all-inclusive holiday package featuring meals, caroling, pioneer village activities, crafts, a movie, and the highlight – brunch with Santa! For rates and times, please visit the Earthshine website.

Appalachian Christmas photo compilation at Earthshine Lodge in Western North Carolina

Don’t miss our review of Earthshine’s Appalachian Christmas.

See the Llamas

And for the cutest baby llama pics, check out their Instagram and Facebook pages!
Earthshine Instagram | Earthshine Facebook

We thought we had signed up for a hike with a llama. What we didn’t realize was that we would return from our weekend feeling so well-rested and healthy after a peaceful yet high-adventure weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And we certainly didn’t imagine we would be among the first to greet an hours-old llama to the world!

As we were leaving, we stopped by the llama barn where the tiny cria was shakily standing on four legs, marveling at the world from under the gaze of her protective mama. Unforgettable moments for the kids, thanks to the Earthshine family!

Earthshine Lodge
1600 Golden Road Lake, Toxaway, NC | 828.862.4207

Where Else Can I Go Hiking with Llamas Near Me?

Ellaberry Llama Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina!

Get Up Close with Raptors at the Center for Birds of Prey Near Charleston, SC

The Avian Conservation Center and Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, SC is a really cool experience and an exceptional place to visit if you love falcons, raptors, hawks, and owls. We checked them out on a recent trip and have all the details you need to plan your visit.

Thank you very much to the Center for Birds of Prey for hosting us so we could write this review. All opinions are our own.

A trip to the Center for Birds of Prey near Charleston, SC should definitely be on your list if you’re visiting the area. We absolutely loved our experience there and wish we could have stayed longer.

My daughters, ages 14 and 11, spent a couple hours at the center learning about owls and raptors and getting to see these amazing birds up close. Here’s what you need to know to plan your own visit.

Center for Birds of Prey owl — An educator and an owl at the Center for Birds of Prey

Watch! Flight Demonstrations at the Center for Birds of Prey

About the Avian Conservation Center & Center for Birds of Prey

The Center for Birds of Prey and the Avian Conservation Center are both part of the same facility but only the Center for the Birds of Prey is open to the public. The Avian Conservation Center hosts a medical facility where experts care for injured birds, of which there are many in the area, mostly due to the roadside or fishing accidents. The social media of the center has many great rescue videos of their work. Currently, they care for between 800-1,000 patients per year. It’s a massive operation that is open 365 days a year.

The center is also a research and propagation facility. The captive breeding and release program is instrumental in helping vulnerable bird populations to recover. Conservation and education are key components of this facility.

The Center for Birds of Prey has about 100 birds that the public can see and sometimes interact with. There are walking trails about the center where guests can see the birds in their housing facilities. The flight demonstrations are a favorite activity for guests! It is through the ticket sales for this arm of the facility that pays for the research and medical side of the operations.

Flight Demonstrations

This was our favorite part of visiting the Center for the Birds of Prey. Even before the program began, we got to see owls and falcons up close with their handlers. It was so cool. I really love owls and am fascinated by falcons (thanks to My Side of the Mountain) so getting to see birds like this up close was amazing. They are so interesting and unique – how they hunt, fly, see, hear, and look. My kids joke with me that I’m getting old because I get excited when I see a hawk outside. They probably aren’t joking but whatever, I’m fine with it because these birds are super cool.

Center for Birds of Prey flight demo — One of the birds during the flight demo

So the flight demonstration was amazing. There were five birds that came outside for us to see and learn about, including two owls! There’s an emcee who discusses what the center does and a little bit about the birds in residence. Then way behind her, you see another employee walking towards us in the outdoor amphitheater with a raptor flying behind her. It was quite the entrance.

The emcee asked for a volunteer and I was too slow in putting my hand up so another bird-lover got the job, which was to run and drag behind it a “rabbit” (a rolled up ball of carpet) on a rope. The raptor would chase down the rabbit and grab it. I was bummed I did not get this job but it was super cool to watch. That raptor swooped down on the carpet rabbit immediately and the volunteer got in some extra cardio.

There was a vulture up next, which I was not thrilled about because, honestly, who loves vultures? No one. But I was in for a surprise since I didn’t know that because their stomachs are highly acidic, they are able to eat animals that sometimes have harmful diseases, like rabies, which don’t affect them in the least. They are actually crucial to keeping diseases at bay that could harm us humans. I hate vultures less now.

Next up was a gorgeous owl that stared me down and then flew right above our heads in complete silence. I love owls. I had to do a research project in middle school on owls and from that moment on, I thought they were the coolest. The flight demo had two owls – a big one and a small, Burrowing Owl. The little one was adorable. It bounced around and made noises the whole time as it asked for food. It hopped in and out of the burrow on the ground and then decided to attack its handler on the head. She handled it well, this little aggressive owl. We all thought it was adorable.

The last bird we got to see was another kind of raptor that had a bell attached to his feet. He is specially trained as an educational bird and proceeded to swoop down and grab food from his handler’s fingers, which she held high above her head. The bird was so precise in grabbing the food with its claws that he didn’t touch the handler.

During the demonstration, we also got to witness a huge, bald eagle soaring above us in the open sky. Amazing!

The entire presentation was about an hour long and is included in your admission. It takes place Thursdays – Saturdays at 10:30 am so be sure to get there in time for it.

Other Things to See at the Center for Birds of Prey

The Center for Birds of Prey also offers a guided tour by their staff at 1:30 pm and an Owl Flight at 2 pm. I really wanted to see the owls again but we had to start the long drive home that day and could not stay for it.

There’s a small gift shop on site where you can purchase shirts, hats, key chains, and other items that help to support the center and their mission.

Be sure to visit their website before you go to see if they are offering any kinds of special programming. Photography workshops are also offered at the Center for Birds of Prey and field trips can be arranged. Contact the center directly for private group programs.

Things to Know Before You Go

Here are some things to make your visit even more enjoyable that you should know before you go.

The entire facility except the bathrooms are outdoors. Dress accordingly.
Bring water and bug spray. We went in November and the mosquitos were still out there.
You can bring a stroller. The walking paths are all flat and a stroller will do fine along them.
No pets are allowed.

Hours and Admission

The Center for Birds of Prey is open Thursdays – Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm.

Flight demos are at 10:30 am, guided tours are at 1:30 pm, and Owls in Flight are at 2 pm.

Tickets are $25/adult, $17/youth, free for children under the age of three with a paying adult.

Center for Birds of Prey
4719 Highway 17N Awendaw, SC | 843.971.7474
Center for Birds of Prey Website | Center for Birds of Prey Facebook page

Traveling to Charleston? Check out our Charleston, SC Travel Guide

Find more places to see animals in Charleston, SC

Find more places to see animals near Charleston, SC

Step Inside a Painting at this Mountain Getaway in Almond, NC

This short-term rental in Almond, NC is the perfect mountain getaway in Western North Carolina. Experience ultimate relaxation in this private 3-bedroom cottage surrounded by woods with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy proximity to miles of beautiful roadside overlooks, hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the small town of Bryson City, NC.

Mountain views from short-term rental in Almond, NC — Step into a painting at this mountain getaway in Almond, NC!

Our stay was provided by the homeowner so that we could bring you this review. All words and opinions are our own.

Quick Look at The Almond Escape

🏡 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom mountaintop home
⛰️ Stunning views of surrounding mountains
🌲 Total privacy in a heavily wooded area
💎 Luxury features like king-sized beds in every room, jetted tub in master bathroom, and 6-person hot tub outside
🍂 Attractions include colorful fall foliage, lots of local hiking, swimming in the summer, and nearby small towns
💲 Cost is variable, discounts may be available for those booking a last-minute trip
🚗 2.5 hours from Upstate South Carolina
📍 Almond, North Carolina
Exact address provided after booking.

Click here to book!

When I started looking for an autumn escape, I could see it in my mind: A cozy cabin with plenty of space, private surroundings in the midst of nature, and knockout views of the fall foliage. Did such a place exist? I scoured the Internet and found this amazing short-term rental in nearby Almond, North Carolina! Only 2.5 hours from Upstate South Carolina, it was an easy weekend trip with the kids, and we loved every second of it!

Get all the details on…

Mountain Getaway

Views to Expect

Living Areas

Bed & Bathrooms

Nearby Bryson City

Free Museums

Local Artisans

Popular Restaurants

Tips for Your Trip

A Peaceful Mountain Getaway

This beautiful 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home sits atop a few wooded acres in a private, gated community. As soon as you step outside, you’ll breathe in the mountain air and take in the panoramic view of nature. It’s the kind of place that allows you to instantly relax and forget your worries for a while.

We arrived at night, but I recommend planning your drive during the daytime if you can. You don’t want to miss the beautiful mountain views all the way into Almond—we had to wait to see them until our drive back home! The private driveway up to the cottage is also narrow with a couple hairpin turns, so arriving in daylight will make that part easier to navigate, as well. If you’re visiting during the colder months, a vehicle with 4-wheel drive would be your safest bet to make it up the steep mountain roads in all kinds of weather.

Once you reach the top, the scene is surreal. You can park outside in the driveway or in the 2-car garage (with electric vehicle charger!) and look around to see nothing but woods on every side. Step inside the cottage, and you’ll find the walls on the opposite side are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows offering the most incredible view!

Amazing Mountain Views Await

Each of these floor-to-ceiling windows includes a sliding glass door, so you can step outside to enjoy the large wooden deck spanning the entire length of the home. This deck overlooks the entire valley beneath, including a gorgeous reflective pond and mountains and every side. There are several great ways to take in the view, whether you’re having lunch at the picnic table, drinking coffee in Adirondack chairs, or enjoying the evening in the deluxe 6-person hot tub! Plus, there are latching gates at either end, making it a safer space for families visiting with little ones.

In the distance straight ahead, you can spot Kuwohi Mountain, also called Clingmans Dome, and the sun rises each morning over the mountain immediately to the right. We watched the sunrise every morning, and found that it seems to crest the mountaintop roughly an hour after the “official” sunrise time for Almond, NC! And at night? Turn out all the lights to watch the stars come to life, far removed from the city lights.

There’s also a small fire pit just off the deck, and long metal skewers for s’mores can be found in the kitchen cabinets inside. But be careful with any little ones right here! It’s a small space right next to a very steep drop-off.

Get Cozy in Roomy Living Spaces

We could have happily spent the whole weekend inside this cozy cabin. I brought a few crafts and games for the kids to make our time there special, and they loved just playing in the living room while I enjoyed my time cooking and baking for every meal!

This kitchen comes fully equipped with a gas range, all your basic cookware, and a variety of countertop appliances. The sink gets very hot (over 130 degrees), which is great for cooking, but make sure any kids in the kitchen are careful not to burn themselves. The 10-person table in the adjoining room allowed our whole family to eat meals together, and we especially loved breakfasts when the sunrise would come right through the window!

The oversized living room is fabulous, with high ceilings and heavy wooden décor, providing that true “cabin” feel in the space. There is a large gas fireplace with a beautiful stone mantle, and this can be controlled with an easy switch right by the fireplace or using a series of switches on the wall near the deck. There is no grate or other protective covering, so just keep a close eye on any little ones in this space.

There are two large comfy couches with blankets and an ottoman, plus two comfortable recliners that can swivel to look at the fireplace or the large Smart TV mounted to the wall. All the TVs in the house are conveniently logged into multiple streaming services, and there is a DVD player in the middle bedroom.

Relax in Beautiful Private Bedrooms

Each of the 3 bedrooms offers a comfortable king-sized bed and small closet, plus their own Smart TV to be able to binge your favorite shows at night or unwind with a family movie at bedtime. The master bedroom’s closet is walk-in, and the bed looks out through floor-to-ceiling windows with a sliding door directly onto the deck. Any of the bedrooms can easily fit a pack-n-play or other portable bed option for little ones, too!

There are 3 full bathrooms in the cottage, too. The master bathroom is luxurious with double vanities, a large walk-in shower, separate jetted tub, and private toilet area with bidet. There is a hall bathroom between the bedrooms and the living room, where you’ll find a shower/tub combination. Last, there is a guest bathroom off the kitchen and laundry (yes, there’s a laundry area, too!) with a standalone shower.

Bryson City and More to Explore

While it is very tempting to stay put and just enjoy the view, there are some options to explore nearby, as well. During the summers, make plans to visit to Lake Fontana, right across the highway from the cottage. This recreational lake offers swimming, fishing, and boating along the border of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are about half a dozen access points to the national park around here, and you can also drive or walk across Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the eastern United States.

Free Museums in Bryson City, NC

We spent the day checking out nearby Bryson City, a small tourist town about 20 minutes from the cottage. We visited the free Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and Fly-Fishing Museum, located side by side for convenient enjoyment. Both of these are small, one-room buildings featuring several educational exhibits for visitors, and the highlight is definitely the crawl-in exhibit of the rare Hellbender Salamander!

Appalachian Rivers Aquarium in Bryson City, NC — Aquarium

Local Artisans and Farmers

We also caught an artisan market happening right outside and made a quick visit to check out Darnell Farms, where we found lots of local produce, some cute photo spots, and a free play area next to the river and mountains.

Bryson City Restaurants

As for eateries, we tried out Jimmy Mac’s Restaurant in Bryson City for an early lunch, and the food was delicious but the wait was over an hour, even with very few people in the restaurant. We later learned this a popular spot for tourists—but locals tend to favor the food trucks at Bryson City Outdoors, Everett Street Diner, and The High Test Deli, so we plan to check those out on our next visit!

Cardinal Coffee makes a great addition to any excursion from the cottage, and it’s only a few short minutes away. They offer a drive-through and café, and this spot was very busy with locals every time we visited. Plus, our coffee was downright delicious!

If you do decide to visit Bryson City, expect significantly higher prices than at home. This is a tourism town, and everything from groceries to restaurants to attractions will be priced accordingly!

Discover even more adventure in our Kidding Around Guide to Bryson City, NC!

Tips for a Great Getaway

We absolutely adored our stay and hope to visit again to experience even more of the beautiful seasons in the mountains! We brought several things from home to give us the best possible weekend, so here are a few suggestions for your family.

If you’re visiting around any holidays, bring a few easy decorations to give it that special touch during your stay.
We brought movies, games, and crafts to give us plenty to do while we stayed in the cottage and just took in the view. If you’re a homebody who loves to get cozy, then I highly recommend that you do the same.
Seriously, even if you’re a homebody, please pack something to go hiking! You don’t want to visit without checking out at least one or two of the trails around here. Bring good boots to go tromping through the woods, and pack layers because the temperature can change a good bit in the mountains. You might also want to bring bug spray.
The kitchen and laundry are stocked with detergent, paper products, and trash bags for just a couple days, so plan to pack a little extra if you’re doing an extended stay! Pack a cooler with plenty of snacks and ingredients for whatever meals you’d like to make, as the nearest grocery stores are about 20-30 minutes away.
There is no trash pickup in the mountains, so you’ll have to haul your trash to a public dump during or after your stay. Plan to leave room in your vehicle for one or two full trash bags, depending on how much you expect to go through.

Whether you visit in the fall for the colors or the summer for lake days, this Almond retreat offers a beautiful escape for your families anytime of the year!

View from the Valley in Almond, NC — View from the Valley

Book Your Stay Today!

What mountain escapes have you visited in the Carolinas? Let us know in the comments!

Celebrate the Season With Your Family: Holiday Day Trips Near Upstate, SC

Searching for “Christmas day trips near me”? Or maybe you’re interested in taking a trip out of Greenville to enjoy the holiday spirit? There are a bunch of places you can head for the weekend or just the day to enjoy some holiday fun away from the Upstate.

Check out our list of popular destinations for day trips during the holiday season. From train rides to giant light displays and towns all decked out for Christmas, there are some fantastic ideas on this list!

Golly Christmas events in Greenville, SC

Holiday Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

Holiday Day Trips in Western North Carolina

Georgia Day Trips for the Holidays

Holiday Day Trip to Pigeon Forge, TN

If you’re looking for a longer holiday trip, check out our list of Holiday Getaways perfect for a festive family weekend or vacation.
Want to know what’s going on in Greenville over Christmas? Check our List of Greenville Holiday Events and Things to Do. Discover over 75+ holiday events, plus links to all of our holiday content!
Still, looking for Christmas things to do? Gifts to give? Ways to give back? You can find all our best Christmas content in our Holiday Guide to Greenville

Holiday Day Trips Near Upstate, SC

Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC

November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026

More than 3,000,000 lights displayed on the infield of Charlotte Speedway. Every Thursday-Sunday a Christmas Village with fire pits for roasting s’mores, a new illuminated walking trail, and Santa will be available in addition to an outdoor movie showing. Tickets are $35 (Mon-Wed) and $45 (Thurs-Sun) for a family car.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of The Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Light Display

Christmas Town U.S.A. in McAdenville, NC

December 1 – 26, 2025

This town near Charlotte decks out completely for Christmas. The display is from 5:30-10:00 PM nightly.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Christmas Town, USA

Holiday Lights on the River in Columbia, SC

November 26 – December 31, 2025

Over a million lights on the two-mile loop of the park. Includes a laser light show, hayrides, zip-line, Santa, and even a Winter Wonder Ride. The cost varies from $25-35 depending on the date. Additional fees apply for activities.

Speaking of Columbia, if you’re headed down to the Midlands, you’ll want to check out the rest of the holiday adventures waiting for you in Columbia, SC.

Festive Holiday Day Trips in Western North Carolina

The Polar Express Train Ride in Spencer, NC

Check out the Kidding Around Review of The Spencer, NC Polar Express

Craggy Mountain Rail Jingle Bell Trolley

December 4 – December 23, 2025

An open-air decked-out trolley in Asheville that rides a historic railroad line. Meet Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies afterward.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of the Craggy Mountain Trolley

The Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City, NC

November 6 – December 31, 2025

A 1.25 hour train ride to the North Pole. Santa himself will board the train and present the kids with a silver bell.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of The Bryson City, NC Polar Express

Christmas in Asheville, NC

There’s so much to see and do during Christmas in Asheville, NC! Don’t miss our huge list of things to do!

Christmas at Biltmore Estates

November 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026

See the magnificent Biltmore Estate decorated for the holidays

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Christmas at the Biltmore

North Carolina Arboretum Winter Lights

November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Nearly half a million LED lights make up this amazing display at the North Carolina Arboretum.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights Display

Christmas Tweetsie Railroad

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening on November 28 – December 28th, plus December 22, 23, 29 & 30th. Closed Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Enjoy a magical mountain train ride through lights and a winter wonderland. Tickets are $65/adults, $45/ages 3-12, free/kids under 2. Santa will be there and guests can ride some of the attractions at the park.

Cashiers Christmas Parade

December 6, 2025 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM.

Kidding Around loves Cashiers. Here’s our parent review of the Cashiers Christmas Parade.

Looking for the best Christmas towns? These towns are some of the best for Christmas cheer and festivities.

Georgia Day Trips to Celebrate the Holidays

Holiday Haven in Dunwoody, Georgia

Dunwoody’s destination partners also offer various events, ranging from virtual activities that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your hotel room to safe, in-person events honoring time-tested holiday traditions.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Dunwoody, GA, and Holiday Haven

Athens, GA

Winter Wonderlights

Select dates from November 21, 2025 – January 10, 2026 at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

The half-mile fully accessible trail weaves through Candy Cane Lane, through a tunnel of lights and in between tree forest ultimately ending at the holiday market. Visitors can purchase hot coffee, cocoa and even marshmallows for roasting at specific locations along the trail. The cost is $15/person and free for kids under 3. Ice skating will occur at Athens On Ice at 440 Foundry Pavilion at The Classic Center.

State Botanical Garden in Athens, GA — State Botanical Garden, Courtesy of Visit Athens

Stone Mountain Christmas in Atlanta Area of Georgia

Select dates November 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Enjoy a scenic train ride, Christmas parade, shows, Christmas lights, and lots more.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Stone Mountain Christmas

Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

November 13, 2025 – January 11, 2026

This massive light display includes colored orbs, model trains, and a glittery rainforest.

Plan a Holiday Day Trip to Pigeon Forge, TN

Winterfest in Pigeon Forge, TN

November 6, 2025 – February 15, 2026

This could be a great weekend trip or a really long day trip out to Pigeon Forge, TN. There are lots of Christmas lights and shows plus Dollywood is decked out in gorgeous lights for the season.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Pigeon Forges’ Winterfest

For more holiday fun, be sure to check out our Greenville and Spartanburg holiday guides!

30+ Best Christmas Towns in the South for a Festive Holiday Season

Are you looking for the best Christmas towns in the South to visit over the holidays? Southern states are loaded with festive celebrations and unique holiday traditions from the mountains and foothills to coastal beach town celebrations. We gathered an awesome list of over 20 festive Christmas towns in South Carolina. But, we didn’t stop there!

North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee also have some amazing towns for Christmas celebrations. Many include everything from horse carriage rides and traditional downtowns to historic Christmas home tours.

Golly with Christmas Lights, Greenville SC

Christmas Towns in South Carolina

Christmas Towns in North Carolina

Festive Christmas Towns in Tennessee

Favorite Holiday Towns in Georgia

Celebrate the holiday season at any of these southern Christmas towns. While you’ll rarely find a white Christmas here in the South, that doesn’t mean you can’t strap on those ice skates and head into a Southern winter wonderland.

Fill up on holiday spirit with light displays, Christmas carols, and a tree lighting ceremony. Now is the perfect time of year for a small-town Christmas or a giant city celebration with twinkling lights. Get that Christmas spirit bubbling at one of these southern Christmas towns.

Looking for a short trip?

Make the season even more memorable with a holiday day trip to one of these towns!

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Get Tickets Now! Head to the North Pole on the 2025 Polar Express in Spencer, NC

Have you ridden the Polar Express in Spencer, NC? The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina, is home to an impressive collection of trains, automobiles, aviation, and other transportation equipment representing over 100 years of transportation history. But every year as Christmas approaches, the North Carolina Transportation Museum transforms into a popular stop for the famous Polar Express. Climb aboard for a magical ride to the North Pole!

The Polar Express in Spencer, North Carolina

Looking for more day holiday day trips? We have them on our Guide to Holiday Day Trips Near the Upstate.

The Polar Express: Spencer, NC

The trip my family took to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for this event is fondly remembered by my children. We are talking about a highlight of Christmas memories, the top ten favorite adventures ever, easy.

If you are familiar with the famous movie and book, you really feel like you have stepped straight into the screen and deep into the pages of the Christmas favorite. Waiting passengers can hear the train approach, and then the iconic “All Aboard!” is heard as the conductor, lantern in hand, leans out of the train. The opening scene between the boy in the pajamas and the conductor is acted out for all to see, and as the boy decides to come aboard, the waiting passengers are invited to follow.

Want to check out another Polar Express train ride? There’s one in Bryson City, NC, too! And, we have a story on even more Holiday Trains to ride.

What to Expect During Your Trip

While there are a lot of guests on each ride of the Polar Express train ride, the getting in line and onboarding process is very easy. There are clearly marked signs for each car and groups of rows. It is simple and somehow they are able to move a large number of people, without making passengers feel like they standing right in the middle of a herd of cattle.

Once onboard the magic continues as passengers are treated to song and dance with hot chocolate and cookies. My family sprang for the First Class seats with the table. This included souvenir mugs and extra treats. It was nice and convenient to have the tables to set our drinks and snacks on. I appreciated the less crowded environment of this section, too. Don’t forget to keep your ticket handy! The conductor will be by to punch it, of course.

Arriving at the North Pole

Once the train arrives at the North Pole, passengers disembark and watch Santa give the first gift of Christmas to the boy in the pajamas. All the children from the movie are present, along with the elves. The “North Pole” is set at the museum’s 37-bay roundhouse built in 1924, with the museum’s other buildings standing tall behind. It is decorated for Christmas, and fodder for little imagination to envision Santa’s workshops and a village full of elves.

Back on board, children and adults get a chance to visit with Santa and receive their very own sleigh bell. During the rest of the ride, the Polar Express book is read and on our ride, there was even a little time left to sing Christmas carols.

The fun wasn’t over when the ride ended, either. The museum sets up with crafts, campfires, smores (available for purchase), model trains, and of course pictures with Santa. The gift shop is also pretty impressive.

Spend the Day at the North Carolina Transportation Museum

The North Carolina Transportation Museum is a destination in and of itself. The buildings the museum occupies have a transportation history of their own, including an 1898 train depot, a 37-bay roundhouse built in 1924, and a Back Shop built-in 1905 for overhauling steam locomotives.

Those buildings are packed full of historically significant automobiles, aviation exhibits, steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, and so much more. While we loved looking at the old cars, we all found the 1924 roundhouse and the 40 restored locomotives it houses to be quite impressive and fun. Rides are available on the turntable as well, though we did not purchase one of those.

Admission to the museum is separate from the Polar Express tickets, and the museum closes prior to the Polar Express arrival each night. Plan to eat dinner in downtown Spencer or bring a picnic. There are not many local restaurant options. I recommend hopping online and checking out your options in advance so that if there’s nothing to your liking you can plan to bring your dinner.

The museum grounds are large and there are plenty of places to settle in and enjoy a picnic while you wait for your ride on the Polar Express. Additionally, there are some train cars outside the museum that children can explore during this time. The museum also had several campfires with smores kits available for purchase right next to the spot where you will hop on the Polar Express, as well as hula hoops, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and other items that will help keep the little ones occupied while they wait.

Train stationed at the North Carolina Transportation Museum

2025 Polar Express: Spencer, NC North Carolina Transportation Museum Details:

The 2025 Polar Express runs November 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, 2025, and December 5-7 and 11-23, 2025. While trains depart in the afternoon, the departure times vary by date, so be sure to check the NC Transportation Museum’s website for the schedule.

Prices begin at $40.25 for children and $46.75 for adults. If you have a group, purchase as soon as possible for the cheapest optinos. Check the Polar Express website for available dates and times. Trains sell out fast. If you want to go, don’t wait to get your tickets!

Has your family ever taken a ride on the Polar Express?

Greystone Lodge: This Hotel in Gatlinburg is Ideal for Families with Breakfast, A Pool, and an Enviable Location

If you are planning to travel to Gatlinburg with the family, then the Greystone Lodge is the perfect place to stay! It’s hard to find a hotel that is family-friendly, clean, within a budget, and ideally located. Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Gatlinburg, The Greystone Lodge on the River is just that. We sent Kristina and her family there to see what the hotel is all about and why families love it.

Greystone Lodge on the River in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Kristina’s stay was part of a media trip and included complimentary nights at the hotel but all opinions are her own.

This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Book Greystone Lodge

Choosing a hotel for your family can be quite an ordeal. In the past, I’ve spent hours reading reviews, asking for suggestions, and then second-guessing my decision. In Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, about a three-hour drive from Greenville, there are hundreds of hotels and lodging options to choose from and it can be overwhelming. But after staying two nights at the Greystone Lodge in Gatlinburg, I can say with absolute certainty I’ve found the perfect place for a family trip to the beautiful mountain town. It is within walking distance of almost everything in Downtown Gatlinburg, making it a great option for families with little ones who get tired easily!

While families are often out and about during the day, they do appreciate a clean, relaxing hotel to come home to at night or to rest up before heading back out to enjoy the town. Greystone offers all that and more.

From Their Family to Yours: Greystone Lodge on the River

Originally built in 1962 by Jack Miller Sr., the Greystone Lodge was constructed with guests in mind, striving for a place to rest, recharge, and make wonderful memories together. The Miller family still owns the property today and it is one of the very last family-owned hotels in Gatlinburg. This is quite the rarity and affords them the opportunity to be more attentive to their guests.

The trolley that leaves out of the Greystone Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee — Catch the trolley from the hotel. Photo provided by the Greystone Lodge.

The hotel manager, Jackie, I spoke with has worked for Greystone Lodge for 23 years. She said many of their employees have had long careers there as well, which speaks to the kind of business the hotel runs.

The hotel has gone through an extensive $7.5 million renovation in the last few years in an effort to continue to provide the best experience possible to guests.

Amenities & Location

The two big things I think make Greystone stand out amongst other hotels are its ideal location and its family-friendly amenities.

The location of the Greystone Lodge cannot be beaten. It’s maybe ten steps away from the aquarium and across the street from Anakeesta. It’s a block away from the Pancake Pantry and within walking distance to pretty much everywhere you’d need to go in Gatlinburg, which is a huge deal because parking is scarce in town and you almost always have to pay for it, anywhere from $5-$10+.

The hotel is also just steps away from the Gatlinburg Trolley so you can take that around town if you don’t feel like walking.

You can also drive right up to your room, whether on the first or third or whatever floor you’re on, and park right outside the room, which is so helpful when it comes to unloading all the unnecessary stuff your kids decided they needed to take on the trip.

Yummy Breakfast Options On Site

Greystone Lodge also offers a free continental breakfast, a heated pool with a slide, wi-fi, a fitness center, and free parking. The breakfast is really good – they have biscuits and gravy, eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, coffee, juice, bagels, and pastries. It was a big hit with my kids.

Pool for the Kids to Play

The pool and slide were awesome. My kids must have gone down that slide at least 80 times. They loved it. The pool is open from April until mid-October or early November depending on the weather. The pool is such a good option for families to entertain their kids without spending anything extra during the trip.

The pool at the Greystone Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee — Pool at the Greystone Lodge

Rooms at the Greystone Lodge

The room we stayed in, a queen suite with a balcony that overlooked the river, was exceptionally clean, spacious, and comfortable. In my research on hotels in the area, I saw so many reviews of other places that were atrocious. I didn’t want to end up with a bad hotel on a family trip because that has unfortunately happened to me elsewhere and put a huge damper on a vacation.

The Greystone Lodge is so impressive in this aspect because they take such care to provide a great experience for their guests and it shows. They consistently have amazing reviews on all the major travel websites.

Family Suites for Total Comfort

The Greystone Lodge offers family suites with one or two bedrooms and bunk beds, executive suites with fireplaces and soaking tubs, and more budget-conscious suites with all the amenities of the hotel. All rooms have a microwave and small refrigerator, which was perfect for the snacks I brought that needed to be chilled.

We got pizza one night and sat out on the balcony to enjoy dinner and the view of the river, which was very nice. Not all rooms have that option but if you get a room that does, certainly take advantage of it!

Patio view of the Greystone Lodge — Photo provided by the Greystone Lodge.

Rates and The Rewards Program

Jackie told me the majority of their guests are repeat stays and some families are on their third or fourth generation who have stayed at the Greystone. One woman recently showed Jackie a photo of herself at the Greystone when she was 10 years old and she was now bringing her grandchildren to the same place!

Like all hotels, rates are dependent upon season. During the busiest months of July and October, rates are higher than those of the slower months like January and February. A Queen suite may start around $185/night during the low season and be closer to $225+ for the high season.

Greystone has a Loyal Lodger Rewards program that offers discounts the more nights a guest stays with them.

If you’re looking for a perfect family hotel in Gatlinburg where you won’t have to worry about parking, breakfast, or entertainment, the Greystone Lodge is a great option, one that may just become part of your family for generations to come.