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Ultimate Guide to the Sapphire Valley (AKA Land of the Waterfalls) Cashiers, NC

Have you visited Cashiers, NC? There are so many family adventures waiting in Sapphire Valley. It’s one of our favorite places to visit with awesome places to hike, play, and eat. Go ahead and consult your calendar, because you will want to plan your trip once you read about this North Carolina gem.

This article includes:
About the Land of the Waterfalls
Things to do in Cashiers, NC
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal Fun in Cashiers
Where to Eat in Cashiers, NC
Where to Stay in Cashiers, NC
Where to Shop in Cashiers, NC

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.

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The Sapphire Valley. Even the name was beautiful. My family’s first family vacation once we moved to Greenville was to the Sapphire Valley and it was more than I ever hoped it would be. Family vacations aren’t really vacations when you have kids, right? It’s more like parenting, just in a different place and with less sleep.

But this trip was so awesome and relaxing despite the lack of our usual sleep routine. It was filled with adventure, waterfalls, good food, stunning beauty, and a feeling that we experienced a little bit of heaven. Since that trip, I’ve gone back many times, whether for another family trip, day trips, and weekend excursions.

The Sapphire Valley and Cashiers, NC is one of those true hidden gems, a small mountain town that consists of a handful of shops and restaurants and leaves the rest up to nature. I’ll tell you all about where to hike, where to stay, where to eat, and seasonal activities so you can hopefully plan your own family’s adventure to this little slice of heaven.

sapphire valley cashiers nc — Schoolhouse Falls

Find a place to stay near the Sapphire Valley. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

About the Land of Waterfalls

The Sapphire Valley and Cashiers, NC is nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls” because, well, it is. There are hundreds of waterfalls in the area due to the mountainous terrain and many of them don’t involve long hikes. If you’re into long hikes, don’t worry, there are definitely places to do that here. And if you’re looking for a more family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of places to do that, too.

Cashiers, NC sits 3,487 feet above sea level right near the Eastern Continental Divide. Highway 64 is the main road that goes through it and into Highlands to the West or to Rosman and Brevard to the East. It’s a really small town, only 2,500 people most of the year, which bumps up to 10,000 during the summer months. The town is so cute, too, with a beautiful park, the Village Green, a little hiking store, some clothing shops, a farmers market, and events throughout the year, including a wonderful Christmas parade.

Being so high in the mountains, Cashiers is almost always 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the foothills, which is so refreshing during the summer especially. When you pack, keep that in mind and bring an extra jacket or sweater.

What to do in the Cashiers area

Cashiers is wonderful for all kinds of activities or for doing nothing at all. You can paddleboard, swim, hike, practice photography, eat, ski, snow tube, or just cozy up by a fireplace and read a book. I’ll tell you about most of these activities here.

Hiking in Cashiers

Let’s start with hiking. I’ve done a lot of trails in this area and I’ll give you the rundown of what to expect for each one here.

Whiteside Mountain

This two-mile loop is about 13 minutes from the center of Cashiers and oh my gosh, what a view. Be sure to go clockwise or you’ll be going up a lot of steps. The reason I love this hike is that for the backend of it, you have mountain views the whole way. You are walking along the mountain ridge with steel ropes. Just watch your kids and if you go during the winter months, this could be a very slippery hike (that I wouldn’t recommend). Also note that you have to pay a $3 fee at the parking lot so bring cash or you can use your phone to pay via a QR code.

Silver Run Falls

This isn’t necessarily a hike. It’s more like a five-minute trek through the woods to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole. The water is really cold but feels awesome on a hot day and it’s only five minutes from the center of Cashiers on the left-hand side of the road. The pull-off only fits about five cars.

Glen Falls

Glen Falls is about 25 minutes south of Cashiers and is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike. It’s easy on the way down and there are several overlooks to view the massive waterfall. The hike to the bottom gets you to a small sandy beach, perfect for a picnic and rest since you’ll have to hike all the way back up!

Black Balsam

l had been wanting to get to Black Balsam for years and finally made it. Oh boy, it was worth it. You get 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s right near Graveyard Fields (also a great hiking spot with waterfalls) and Devils Courthouse. It’s about an hour from Cashiers and the hike is a moderate one, going uphill in the beginning and then downhill on your way back to the car. It’s only about 1.5 miles total and kid-friendly.

We saw so many kids climbing all the rocks and loving it. Get there early during weekends especially as this is a popular hike and it gets crowded. If there isn’t parking there, head up the road a bit to park at the lot at the end of the road and hike to Sam Knob, which is also an amazing 2.5 mile hike.

High Falls

There are two trailheads to High Falls – one is the short but steep 1.4 mile roundtrip trail from the Pines Recreation Area at Lake Glenville and the other is a steadier and longer at around 4 miles long. High Falls is beautiful either way but be sure to stay off the rocks around the waterfall and check to make sure the dam isn’t being released when you go. It’s amazing to see but you need to make sure you are out of the way downstream since the trickle of the waterfall turns into a powerful churn.

Devils Courthouse

Go here in the spring for a possible look at the peregrine falcons that will sometimes nest on the ridge. The overlook is on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the hike is straight up but it’s not too far, just a half mile or so. The top is gorgeous and you can see both sunrises and sunsets from here.

Schoolhouse Falls

Located in the Panthertown Valley, Schoolhouse Falls is a beautiful spot. Park at the Panthertown Trailhead off Cold Mountain Road and take the pink-blazed trail to Little Green Trail and you will hear the waterfall. Cross the boardwalk and you are there. It is one of my favorite waterfalls and an easy 2.5 mile roundtrip hike.

You’ll gain some elevation on the way back as you hike back up switchbacks to your car but it’s not that difficult. The pool below Schoolhouse Falls is crystal clear and perfect for swimming but I particularly love this waterfall because you can walk behind it! It’s about 45 minutes from Cashiers.

Swimming

Next up is swimming near Cashiers. You can swim at Silver Run Falls and Schoolhouse Falls but here are a couple of other spots to get wet during the warmer months.

Sliding Rock

This is not the Sliding Rock you may have heard about in Pisgah Forest. Nope, this is the smaller but just as fun and nowhere near as crowded Sliding Rock in Cashiers. It’s less than 10 minutes from downtown Cashiers and down a short trail. There’s a little sandy beach and you can slide down the waterfall all you want or jump into the potholes in the middle of rock formations on the waterfall itself if you are daring. Definitely watch your kids here though.

Pines Recreation Area

Not 15 minutes from downtown Cashiers is the beautiful Lake Glenville. You can swim in the lake at the Pines Recreation Area on the north end of the lake. It has a little sandy beach and a fishing pier as well – so pretty! And it’s free. Also, you can access the south trailhead (the shorter but steeper trail) to High Falls.

Boating on Lake Glenville

If you want to get on the water at Lake Glenville, take an a waterfall cruise with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfalls Cruise with Captain Mark Wise. The two-hour boat tour is great for any age or ability and you’ll learn all about the lake, its history, its diverse ecosystems, and you will get to see waterfalls that are only accessible by boat.

You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats from local marinas or drop in your own small water vessels at the Pines Recreation Area.

The Village Green

The Village Green is a huge, 12.5 acre green space right in the heart of Cashiers with art sculptures, a boardwalk path through the woods, and an old school wooden playground that my kids did not want to leave. This is where many events happen in Cashiers as well so if you’re not sure where an event is taking place, it’s probably here. I think the playground is the best part though! It is fenced in and has swings, a tire swing, lots of obstacles, and a tot play space.

Fly Fishing

Even though I’ve never done fly fishing (but I really would love to try it), I love watching the fishermen on the water whenever I see them during hikes. They look so relaxed. The Tuckaseegee River flows through a scenic mountain valley and several quaint communities up in Western NC. Jackson County is known as the North Carolina Trout Capital and home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.

The river is very accessible for fishing and teeming with brown, rainbow, and brook trout – the river is stocked with almost 93,000 fish annually. Winter is actually prime fly-fishing time and because they are often feeding more during the day and since the state stocks the river in the fall, you have a really good chance of getting bites. You can bring your own equipment or rent from local outfitters.

Seasonal Fun in Cashiers

Cashiers has four defined seasons, all of which have their own beauty, events, and cool things to do. Here are our favorites:

Outhouse Races

Every year, the Sapphire Valley Resort hosts the Outhouse Races where teams decorate an outhouse, put it on skis, and then race it down the mountain. It is exactly how it sounds and it is really fun to watch. The teams are really creative and all use some kind of toilet humor but it’s in such great fun that when people are cheering for their favorite outhouse, you can really get into it. It usually happens in February.

Snow Tubing & Skiing

During the winter, you can ski and snow tube at the Sapphire Valley Resort. I’m not a skier but my kids and I have done snow tubing there and it’s a lot of fun! Snow tubing at Sapphire Valley happens at Frozen Falls Tube Park, right behind the community center and next to the bunny slope.

Snow tubing tickets are sold at the community center and are $35/person or if you have an amenity card, it is $26/person. You can’t buy them in advance so you need to show up, sign a waiver, and purchase your ticket. You can purchase your weekend ticket in person starting at 9 am on Fridays.

They do take group reservations of more than 10 people and those must be made a week ahead of time. On busy days, they do sell out so plan accordingly (keep reading for backup plans). Each tubing session lasts for 1.75 hours and start every two hours beginning usually at 10 am, although that can change. Check the schedule before you go.

There are no height restrictions so kids can definitely do snow tubing but they will be in their own tube. My kids (ages 9 and 5) had a blast. There is nothing quite like flying down a mountain on a giant tube! It’s exhilarating and a bit scary at first. The run is about 500 feet with a drop of 60 feet. To get up the mountain, you have to stand on an escalator-type contraption, like the kind you use at the airport that is totally flat and moves. There are staff that help to get you and your tube on it.

The Cashiers Christmas Parade

If you’ve ever wanted to experience a small, mountain town at Christmas, this is your chance. The annual Cashiers Christmas parade happens every December and it includes fire trucks, marching bands, and vintage cars. It will happen on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at 3 pm.

The Shadow of the Bear

This is a tricky one to catch but if you do, prepare to be blown away. It’s only tricky because you need a clear sky and it only happens twice a year for a few weeks – the Shadow of the Bear is literally a shadow that looks like a bear next to Whiteside Mountain that appears in late October/early November and again in early February.

You can see it about 30 minutes before sunset off of a pull-off on Highway 64 right on the Jackson County border. I’ve done it with my kids and we had such a fun time talking with the people watching it with us because none of us thought that the shadow looked like a bear!

You really need to watch your kids though since you’re on the side of the road. Get there early to get parking and bring a jacket since it’s quite chilly up there that time of year.

Shadow of the Bear, Cashiers, NC — Courtesy of Stacy Redmon

Where to Eat in Cashiers

Cashiers is small so dining options are limited. My favorite spot to eat is Slabtown Pizza, just a minute or two from the heart of Cashiers. They have pizza, salads, and local craft beer. We ordered a large cheese pizza, small Greek salad, and waffle fries for just myself and my two kids and had leftovers. You order at the counter (or call ahead for pickup) and take a seat and wait for your food.

We also ate one afternoon at Happs right next to Lake Glenville. This place is fantastic because they have a big outdoor play area with cornhole and mini-golf, which is a great distraction for kids while they wait for their meals. They have burgers, sandwiches, and salads plus a huge bar, big TVs, both indoor and outdoor seating, and a big fireplace.

For coffee and pastries, I recommend Buck’s Coffee Shop at the main intersection of 64 & 107. The place is very laid back with bagels, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a latte that I’m still thinking about days later. If you’re working while up in Cashiers, this is a great spot to bring your laptop and relax while making your deadlines. They’ve got wifi and lots of comfortable seating.

Where to Stay in Cashiers

Most of the times I’ve visited Cashiers or Lake Glenville, I’ve stayed in an AirBnB or VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort. Staying at the resort is fantastic because it has an indoor pool and sauna, hot tubs, mini-golf, a gym, arcade room, and outdoor pool. You have to purchase an amenity card ($5/day in 2024) but it was totally worth it for the downtime moments between all our adventures to swim in the pools and relax in the sauna.

This is especially worth it if you’re visiting during the colder months because you can use the indoor pool and sauna no matter the weather! Also, if you’re staying at the resort, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards at Lake Fairfield. That was the very first time I tried paddleboarding, which kindled my love for it!

The AirBnB I stayed at in Lake Glenville though was just amazing. I really didn’t want to leave. While we didn’t have lake access, we did have a breathtaking view of the lake, which was one hundred percent worth it. Definitely check AirBnB or VRBO for listings that fit your family’s needs and budget.

The other place I’ve stayed while visiting Cashiers is the Hampton Inn & Suites directly across the street from the resort. This hotel was awesome for several reasons:

It has an indoor pool and hot tub, which we made use of when our initial tubing time was unavailable
It has a free, hot breakfast in the morning included which has everything from waffles to eggs to smoothies to oatmeal and bagels
The location is just perfect as it took us no time to get to the resort
It is super clean and the staff are friendly and helpful
It has free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate all day long
Great option for budget-conscious families (we saw so many families there!)

The wintertime is this area’s slower season so prices are probably as cheap as they will be all year. This season is often called the “Secret Season” because of the lower cost of trips there.

For a more luxurious and high end vacation experience in Cashiers, take a look at the High Hampton Resort. It has a gold course, spa, and beautiful rooms.

Where to Shop in Cashiers

We loved shopping at the Cashiers Farmers Market, a standalone market with everything from bacon to local honey to fruit and produce to pottery and seasonal items. They also have wine, chocolate, and you can order lunch and eat at the picnic tables next door.

We also really loved the Cashiers Candy Shoppe, which has an eclectic array of clothing, home goods, and an entire room dedicated to candy and chocolate. It was amazing. But the best part for my kids was petting the two Golden Retrievers that greeted guests. They were adorable and one rolled over immediately for tummy pets when one of my daughters was giving her some love. So, so cute.

My Last Thoughts on Cashiers

Know this: if you visit Cashiers, you may leave a little piece of your heart there. If you like hiking, swimming, boating, sliding down waterfalls, and spending time with family, the Sapphire Valley may swoop in and whisk you away. I have fallen so hard for this tiny slice of heaven and go as often as I can. I have made some wonderful memories with my family here and truly hope I get to make many more.

And here’s another confession – I grew up close to the beach in New Jersey and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m more of a mountain-lover than beach-lover. It seems like a betrayal of my roots. But it’s not. I’m setting down new roots for my own little kids to make their own memories and hopefully fall in love with the outdoors like I did.

For more information on other things to do in Jackson County, the county’s tourism website is super helpful.

Has your family ever visited Sapphire Valley?

Do you love outdoor adventures? You may also enjoy our list of Waterfalls Near Greenville, Swimming Holes Near Greenville, and Hiking Near Greenville!

Are you looking for more fun things to do in Western North Carolina? Read our Guide To Western North Carolina!

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

10+ Free Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC

How does a day full of totally free things to do in Hendersonville, NC sound? It’s a real possibility. There are so many free, as well as a few very inexpensive things to do in Hendersonville that your whole family will enjoy. Really, these are cool and unique free things to do.

Make it one awesome day trip, or make it several fun summer days. Either way, enjoy the gorgeous mountain town of Hendersonville, NC for very little money. Memory-making family adventures don’t have to be expensive!

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Rides, Shows, and Fun at Dollywood: Parent Review & Tips You Want

Dollywood is such a perfect destination from Greenville! At just about three hours from the Upstate, it’s a favorite with Kidding Around readers and their families. See what advice Kidding Around’s Bethany had to offer after most recent trip at the park in Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.

Kidding Around review of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Find a place to stay near Dollywood. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Why We Keep Coming Back to Dollywood (With Kids AND Grandparents)

🎠 Preschooler-friendly rides like Busy Bees, Frogs & Fireflies, and the indoor Hidden Hollow playground
🚂 Family rides everyone can enjoy, including old-school water rides like Dollywood Express and River Rampage
🎢 Coasters for big kids & teens—Dragonflier, Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, and more
🎭 Great Shows: Gazillion Bubble Show, Stunt Dog Experience (fun for all ages!)
🌳 Playgrounds and Splash Zones throughout the park, plus tons of shade and rest spots
🍞 Great food options—don’t miss the famous Cinnamon Bread at The Grist Mill
✨ Clean & friendly park with helpful staff and thoughtful details for families

Only 3 hours from Greenville, Dollywood is an easy getaway that works for toddlers, teens, and grandparents alike.

App Tip: Download the Dollywood app before you go—it’s great for checking showtimes, ride wait times, and setting reminders for meet-and-greets.

Why You Should Consider Dollywood For Your Next Theme Park

I’ll be honest; we truly have such great family memories from visiting Dollywood that I’m not even quite sure where to start. During our visits, I always notice the carefulness and attentiveness of the Dollywood theme park staff. The park was well-maintained, clean, and attractive.

This year marked our third Dollywood trip with our children and their grandparents. We’ve visited the park now with our kids from the ages of 2 to 17 and still have a great time.

Dollywood: Review of The Rides & Play Areas

From all our years of visits to Dollywood, we are impressed by how there are rides for all ages and thrill level. Here’s how our multi-generational crew had fun from when our kids were little to now that they are teens.

Rides Even a PreK Age Kid Would Love

As a family with young children, we were thrilled by how many rides even our little ones could enjoy.

Our five-year-old could ride several small roller coasters and most other rides with an adult.
Our two-year-old happily rode attractions specially designed for toddlers in the Country Fair:
- Busy Bees
- Amazing Flying Elephants

Wildwood Grove also has a few low-thrill rides for younger children, plus lots of shady paths and splash areas perfect for preschoolers.

Staff Shoutout: We noticed that Country Fair attendants were especially kind and quick to help if a little one got scared or changed their mind by pausing a ride and helping a kid off so that the experience stayed positive for everyone.

✅ Family Tip: Stop by the Centralized Measuring Station when you enter the park. Your child will get a colored armband showing which rides they’re tall enough for—no surprises in line!

Rides for the Entire Family

Some of our favorite moments were the rides we all did together. These were easygoing enough for everyone to enjoy, but still fun:

Dollywood Express: A scenic ride on a coal-fired steam engine through the Smoky Mountains. Pro tip: Avoid naptime! One of ours when they were young had a meltdown mid-ride—and there’s no getting off once it starts rolling.
Blazing Fury: Another great rollercoaster for younger riders is Blazing Fury, which starts as a sightseeing ride through a mine but ends with a minecart off the rails twist. This rollercoaster only has a couple of small hills and quick twists but is completely dark in the last seconds of the ride.
River Rampage: This 6 person raft is a ride that you might want to wear your water shoes for. It’s not too scary, but you will definitely get wet.

✅ Travel Tip: Keep a set of dry clothes and shoes in the car so that you can change if you accidentally get wet in the park or get caught in a storm.

Roller Coasters for Big Kids and Adults

Once our kids were tall enough (and brave enough!), the big coasters became a huge part of our Dollywood adventures. Here’s what our thrill-seekers loved:

Wild Eagle: Smooth, fast (up to 60 mph!), and full of loops. It’s a standout for both teens and adults. While this ride is fast and scary, the harness fits snugly which can help some kids feel more secure.
Lightning Rod: A wooden coaster with hot-rod theming. It’s wild, fast, and a huge hit with older kids.
Big Bear Mountain: Opened in 2023, this one zooms through Wildwood Grove with surprise launches and a fun bear-chase storyline.
Dragonflier: Also in Wildwood Grove, this one lets your feet dangle and is a great “first big coaster” for tweens and teens.
Mystery Mine: This coaster has been on my family’s favorite list from the time the kids were tall enough to ride all the way up to teens.
Thunderhead: We got to ride at the very front of this coaster at night this year, and it was an experience we will never forget.

✅ Parent Tip: Use Dollywood’s Parent Swap option. One parent rides while the other waits with younger kids—then you swap without waiting again!

In addition to the Dollywood rides, my kids enjoyed playing in the playgrounds and water spray areas of the park.

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood

When you go to Dollywood, head right for Wildwood Grove because there is so much to see and do for your whole family! Wildwood Grove is based upon adventure, curiosity, and a little fairy dust. It beckons guests to use their imagination to explore a world with exciting possibilities around every corner. You enter Wildwood Grove through what looks to be an old tree and wind your way past the Treetop Tower and Giant Tree Swing, back towards the indoor playground at Hidden Hollow and splash pad at Wildwood Creek.

Our kids loved every minute we spent here because they not only got to experience age-appropriate adrenaline rushes in the rides but really did feel like they got to explore a world that was uniquely set up to trigger their imaginations. For both kids and adults, we mostly live a life of structure, and it’s good to get out of that box and have fun together and try new things, which is exactly what is encouraged at Wildwood Grove.

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at Wildwood Grove throughout your time at Dollywood. We started the day there, and before we knew it, it was time for lunch. We headed back at the end of the day to go back on our favorite rides and see if the Dragonflier line was shorter (it wasn’t – the ride is crazy popular).

Let’s Eat & Meet in Wildwood Grove!

You can’t go anywhere in Dollywood without smelling the delicious food offered throughout the park, and Wildwood Grove is no different. Till & Harvest is the anchor restaurant at Wildwood Grove. They serve Smoky Mountain Mexican cuisine like burrito bowls, with grilled meat and vegetables.

A sweet shop is located next door, and there are popcorn stands and ice cream carts throughout the area. Don’t forget that free ice water is offered at most concession stands and all restaurants. This was a lifesaver for my kids and me throughout our time at Dollywood.

There are also Meet & Greets with characters at Wildwood Grove, which we totally missed because I forgot to set the reminder on the Dollywood app, which you should absolutely download for your trip there. So if you’d like to meet some cute bears and fairies, set that reminder on your app.

Rides at Wildwood Grove

Here are all the rides offered at Wildwood Grove:

Frogs & Fireflies
A super cute ride for little kids where they get in a frog or firefly car and bounce around in circles in a motorized ride.
Giant Tree Swing
An old school favorite updated to be in Wildwood Grove’s theme, the Giant Tree Swing is a big boat-like swing that goes back and forth, getting higher and higher each time. We did this a couple times as it was a favorite of my kids.
Hidden Hollow
This is the most genius activity in Wildwood Grove, so props to Dollywood for thinking of it. Hidden Hollow is a black-lit indoor playground for kids that also has comfy seats for parents. There are slides, sensory objects, climbing apparatuses, and a section for kids under three years of age. Again, this is indoors – which means a nice, cool, respite from the summer heat. And it’s located right next to the restrooms.
Dragonflier
This roller-coaster is crazy popular and looks like quite the thrill ride for people of any age, yet even my almost 5-year-old was big enough to ride. But she chickened out, so we had to back out. If you decide to go on this ride, go first when you get there or get the TimeSaver pass and use it to skip the line here. Guests need to be at least 39”.
Big Bear Mountain
This roller-coaster is a fast and fun ride through the story of getting chased by a bear. It’s also the longest coaster at the park.
Wildwood Creek
Another genius creation in Wildwood Grove is the creek, which is basically a splash pad, which feels divine in 90+ degree heat.
Treetop Tower
A non-scary ride for any age that goes up and spins around a couple of times before coming back down. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Mad Mockingbird
I could have gone on this ride all day long. It’s a swinging ride from the carnival days of my youth but way better. Guests sit in a swing that looks like a mockingbird and are spun around in the air to the point where it feels like you’re flying. There’s a handle where you can move the bird’s wings to make the swing change position in the air. Guests need to be at least 36”.
Black Bear Trail
Guests ride around on a motorized bear through some bushes and trees. It’s cute and great for kids, although I saw plenty of adults riding around on the bears, which was hilarious. Guests need to be at least 36”.

Dollywood Shows You Don’t Want to Miss!

When the kids were little, they loved The Little Engine Playhouse. I love children’s books, so I was delighted to find out that the shows were based on books. I was equally impressed that the performances kept not only me entertained but my two-year-old mesmerized. Outside The Little Engine Playhouse, we also had fun watching a small magic show.

Now that my kids are older, we’ve found even more shows to enjoy together. This year, we made time for the Gazillion Bubble Show—and it was incredible. The special effects, music, and unbelievable bubble tricks had all of us (teens and adults included) totally hooked. Last year, we also stopped by the Stunt Dog Experience, which features rescue dogs doing tricks, jumps, and agility stunts. It’s a heartwarming and high-energy show that’s perfect for all ages.

Dollywood Tip: Schedule a show during the hottest part of the day to give everyone a break from the heat! The Dollywood app is a great way to track showtimes and set reminders so you don’t miss anything.

Each summer features a different lineup of live entertainment—from bubble shows to dog stunt performances, and everything in between. The shows don’t run every day and the theaters fill up fast, so be sure to consult the daily schedule and arrive early.

This year we also visited in peak season and were able to see the nightly fireworks and drone show during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. It was a highlight of the trip—totally worth staying until closing time. The best view is near FireChaser Express at the top of the park. Most rides continue to run until closing, though a few near the fireworks area begin shutting down at dusk.

Dollywood Review of the Food

Outside-the-Park Tips

If you’re looking to save a little money or have picky eaters in your group:

Pack a meal and tailgate in the parking lot. Pack a couple of chairs in your trunk and don’t forget napkins.
Bring snacks and refillable water bottles. While outside food isn’t allowed in, sealed water bottles and baby food/formula are permitted. We have also brought in small snacks like granola bars without it being an issue.

Inside the Park: Food Worth Planning Around

Dollywood has built a reputation for theme park food that’s amazing and much better than just chicken fingers.

Dollywood Eats We Want to Eat Again!
🥖 Cinnamon Bread from The Grist Mill — a warm, gooey must-try
🦃 Giant Turkey Leg from Hickory House BBQ — perfect for sharing
🧀 Gouda & Bacon Loaded Tots from Potato Tornado — teen-tested, parent-approved
🐾 Buffalo Chicken Bear Paw from Ned’s Bear Paws (Splash Country)
🥤 Vanilla Milkshake from Red’s Dine-In — cool and creamy retro treat
🌀 BBQ Pork Twister Taters from Hickory House BBQ — crispy, savory, fun to eat

Dollywood Tip: You can get free ice water at any of Dollywood’s food vendors. This helps fight the heat of the summer.

The Dolly Parton Experience

New in 2024 is the Dolly Parton Experience where guests can walk through different Dolly museums that hold many of her dresses, shoes, and even wigs that she’s worn throughout her career. There are really cool sets of movies and shows she has been on, a room that looks like a giant bus as she made her way to Nashville, and papers that she wrote some of her most famous songs on.

You can also walk through her tour bus/RV. The Dolly Parton Experience is all part of your admission ticket is to your right when you walk into the park.

The entire experience is just so cool and you learn a lot about East Tennessee’s most famous resident and the stories behind her songs. My kids loved the “Dress Up Dolly” part where kids (or adults) use magnetic cutouts of Dolly’s dresses and wigs to dress her up on a big board in the Behind the Seams building.

Dress Up Dolly at Dollywood — Dress Up Dolly!

Definitely be sure to stop here during your time at the park. It’s worth the time to see many of Dolly’s over-the-top dresses and learn about the stories behind her most famous music.

Dollywood Extras

I felt like one of the biggest perks of visiting Dollywood was the unique variety of attractions for our family. Here are just a couple of the enjoyable spots we enjoy throughout the park:

Local craftsmen and shops full of handmade items.
A wild bird preserve
Lots of scenic spots & plenty of shade and benches

Baby-Care Stations
If you are breast-feeding or bottle-feeding an infant, you will be happy to find out that Dollywood does have a nursing station with gliders and a changing station. I also noticed several family bathrooms throughout the park. The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean during our visit.

First-Aid Stations
We managed to scrape a knee within moments of getting in the park and had the opportunity to visit the first-aid station. The nurse was able to save the day by applying an Angry Bird bandage to my kid’s knee.

More Dollywood Tips for Families

Dollywood Quick Tips for Families

🚼 Baby care stations offer gliders, changing areas, and clean family restrooms
🍼 Restaurants can warm bottles for bottle-feeding parents
🎟️ Use the Parent Swap pass to take turns on thrill rides without waiting twice
📏 Visit the Centralized Measuring Station to get a colored armband for ride eligibility
🧃 While outside food isn’t allowed, you can leave and re-enter the park on the same day with a hand stamp
🚉 Don’t skip the tram—there’s stroller parking at the front of each tram car
🎢 Try the coaster sample seats outside each ride to check comfort before waiting in line
💧 Ask any food vendor for free ice water (total lifesaver in summer!)
🩴 Bring extra clothes or water shoes for splash zones and River Rampage
📱 Download the Dollywood app to check wait times, show schedules, and meet-and-greets
🎟️ Turn your day ticket into a season pass credit before leaving
👶 Look for the Preschooler Season Pass—it’s free with paid adult admission
🎓 Homeschool families can visit during Homeschool Days for discounted tickets
🎟️ Planning a longer stay? Choose a 2- or 3-day pass to visit Dollywood and Splash Country together

I received media tickets in order to write about Dollywood but this post contains my honest opinion about our trip. We had such a great time that we have made several additional family trips to Dollywood since the original publication of this review.

More To See At Dollywood

The team at Kidding Around are huge fans of the country music legend and her amusement parks and because of that, there is no shortage of information from our trips to share with readers. If you are planning a trip to Dollywood, we encourage you to make the most out of your trip with the information offered on Kidding Around.

Homeschool Days
If you are looking to have an adventure, Dollywood will be offering Homeschool Days for families that are utilizing the homeschool option. These days focus on mostly science and math – and really, what’s cooler than learning about the laws of physics by riding a roller coaster?
Christmas At Dollywood – Smoky Mountain Christmas
The famous theme park becomes a mecca with over five million lights draped across every single building. Shows like It’s A Wonderful Life play throughout the month-long festival. And a Christmas parade is held nightly at 8:15 pm, an engaging entertainment show full of lights and colors.
Splash Country Water Park
Dollywood is a popular place to visit for Greenville families as it’s tons of fun and only three hours away. While you’re there, you can beat the heat by spending some time at Dollywood’s Splash Country.

Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN

For more information on the area surrounding Dollywood, check out the Kidding Around Guide to the Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg areas of Tennessee

Have you ever visited Dollywood? What was your experience?

Spend a Day Enjoying the Natural Beauty at The Dillard House

Have you heard about Dillard House? Everybody loves a good day trip and local mom Andrea Beam took her children to Dillard House just for that purpose! Find out what her family loved about the grounds, the family-friendly horseback riding, farm animals, and beautiful scenery.

The Dillard House Inn and Grounds in Georgia

For more day trip options, check out Kidding Around® Greenville’s extensive list of day trips.

Our day trip to The Dillard House

Today I am going to talk with you about The Dillard House in Dillard, GA. Have you been? I went for the first time last year and loved it. Every minute of it. So did my boys.

Located on 768 Franklin Street in Dillard, Georgia, The Dillard House has a lot to offer you and your family.

First, let’s talk about the scenery

Breathtaking would be an appropriate adjective. As you near the property, you feel like you’re driving through the mountains of Tennessee. I don’t know about you, but I love to feel like I’m a million miles away from home. (Because Tennessee is exactly one million miles from my house).

Though you may feel like you are far away, it’s actually only about a two-hour drive from Greenville. Unless you drive like me – then you are looking at an hour and a half, maybe less.

What You’ll Find on the Dillard House Grounds

I have friends who make the trip just to eat at their family-style restaurant. It is open seven days a week and serves a mean breakfast!

Although yummy, the food is not the reason we go. On the gorgeous grounds you can enjoy horseback riding, fishing, and a small petting zoo. The prices are also reasonable and the kiddos will also enjoy feeding the animals. Please check their website for a list of activities offered. It is very informative.

Horseback Riding

When we took our boys, we paid $25 for them to ride a horse for fifteen minutes. That may not sound like a long time, but for a child fifteen minutes on the back of a horse is an eternity. Or, if you’re looking for something a little longer, they offer hour and 1.5-hour-long trail rides that start at $70. The staff is friendly and very helpful. You are able to take pictures, so make sure to have your camera on hand.

There are guided trails for longer periods of time available for adults and older children. I certainly plan to take my son back in the future.

The Dillard House is one of my favorite day trip destinations. I strongly encourage you to pack up your car and go.

Plan Your Own Trip

The Dillard House
The Dillard House Facebook
768 Franklin Street, Dillard, GA
800.541.0671
Hours vary daily. See their events page for details.

Has your family ever visited The Dillard House?

Georgia Travel Guide: Family getaways in Georgia

Looking for more Georgia fun? Check out our Kidding Around® Travel Guide to Georgia, with lots of reviews and recommendations of places to visit.

Goals: Stay in a Hobbit-Themed Village near Gatlinburg, at Mountain Shire

If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping where hobbits or wizards would lay their heads, it can happen at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, TN. We stayed in this incredible village and have all the details you need to plan your trip!

Thank you to Mountain Shire for letting us escape reality for a few days and stay in the magical village to write this review.

Watch! Our Visit to Mountain Shire

I’ve read the Lord of the Rings trilogy at least three times and have nicknamed my kids hobbits because they love second breakfast and think about food all day like the short creatures in the famed J.R.R. Tolkien books. Getting to stay in a Middle Earth-themed village was a dream that came true at Mountain Shire in Sevierville, Tennessee, minutes from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

My daughters and I had such a blast here and thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful details around every turn. It was one adventure after another and we were determined to make the most of our time there, even taking on the dress of Gandalf, hobbits, elves, and an elven princess because why not. When else were we going to be in the Shire?

“There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.” ~ The Hobbit

Mountain Shire in Tennessee — Gotta play the part

About Mountain Shire

Mountain Shire is an adorable village of tiny homes only a couple miles from the main strip in Pigeon Forge but it feels miles away. Tucked away off Wears Valley Road, there are several tiny homes in the village behind a hobbit wall with entrances for humans, elves, wizards, and pups. Yes, the village is dog-friendly. In fact, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to enjoy the company of Westie pups Luna or Lily while you’re there.

There are communal fire pits, a gas grill, covered decks with games, comfortable swings, and a chair straight from a palace somewhere in Middle Earth.

There are gardens that surround the village with all kinds of flowers, plants, lily ponds, and fountains. You’ll easily forget your worries staying at Mountain Shire.

The House of Dragons

We stayed in the Hobbit House of Dragons tiny home, which had a big, yet hobbit-inspired, round door that led into one of the most intricately decorated homes I’ve probably ever been in. There’s a big map of Middle Earth along with dragons in the nooks and crannies – think a dragon night lamp, a dragon door handle, dragon-inspired hoard of gold above the sink. So thoughtful.

The House of Dragons has a loft with a king bed and a tree with roses coming out of the top. The bathroom feels like you are underground in a hobbit house cave of sorts. The day bed is downstairs so the entire house sleeps three people (don’t worry, the other tiny homes can sleep more people so you can bring your family!).

mountain shire tiny house — Inside of the House of Dragons

There’s a raised pub desk table with two bar stools that you can spin to get your desired height. There’s a kitchen with fridge, microwave, sink, coffee pot, tea kettle, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, and a two-burner cooking appliance. We made use of all of this to save a little money on eating out while visiting Pigeon Forge.

Each tiny home has WiFi and televisions.

The Other Hobbit Homes and the Harry Potter House

There are other hobbit-themed homes you can rent at Mountain Shire that are all unique and comfortable. Most are on the lower level property but there’s also a second level above the gardens, which contains more hobbit houses. The owners are currently adding more tiny homes to the village so this place is about to get even better.

The Harry Potter tiny home is incredible. The woman staying there when we were visiting was gracious enough to let me check it out and I was blown away. Let me say that I have not read any of the Harry Potter books yet I was completely enthralled at the level of detail in this home and the really cool accommodations.

They have floating candle lights all over the ceiling, two beds in different nooks of the house (one literally inside a cupboard), a loft bedroom, a wall of potions, and so many other things I can barely even remember because my mind was just overwhelmed checking everything out. That house can fit the most people at six with two queen beds and two singles.

Harry Potter home — Happy Potter-themed tiny house

Whichever house you choose, know that you’ll have the opportunity to relax, enjoy the property, and forget about life for awhile as you enter into a whimsical fantasy land.

Nearby Things to Do

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Family Guide

We really love the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area and have a huge guide to Gatlinburg things to do and local attractions, including where to eat, play, and hike.

At Mountain Shire, you are four minutes from Goats on the Roof, where you can ride a mountain coaster, play mini-golf amongst dinosaurs, and feed goats. There’s also a zip-lining course a couple of minutes away and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is about a 15-minute drive into Metcalf Bottoms (a great swimming hole and picnic area by the way).

To get to more popular trailheads, expect to drive around 30-45 minutes. It took us about 45 minutes to drive to the Chimney Tops Trailhead, where we hiked one day. Laurel Falls is a few minutes less and Alum Cave is about the same distance. Cades Cove is just under an hour’s drive.

Dollywood is about 20 minutes away, which we totally recommend! We really enjoy both the theme park and Dollywood Splash Country.

You can literally walk to Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteak, which serves us cheesesteaks and ice cream. We did check out the inside but didn’t eat there. We saw one of our tiny home neighbors get pizza delivered so you don’t even need to leave the hobbit village to get food.

Honest Mom Review: Mountain Shire

My daughters and I had so much fun at Mountain Shire. We made use of the common spaces, got to relax outdoors, had way too much fun taking photos dressed up as residents of the Shire and Lord of Rings landmarks. It was an absolute blast.

At night, we made s’mores in the outdoor fire pit (they have firewood and lighters available for guests….and lighter fluid for those of us who are fire-challenged) and waited for the lights to sparkle in the dark. Mountain Shire was absolutely designed for fun and relaxation and we tried to enjoy all of it while visiting.

One of the best things about Mountain Shire besides actually feeling like you’re in the Shire, was the location. It was far enough removed from the main strip at Pigeon Forget to be away from the traffic but close enough to get where we wanted to go. We visited during Jeep Invasion and the area was absolutely packed but we never sat in traffic because we mostly were able to use back roads to get where we wanted to go or every place we wanted to go was close by.

Mountain Shire wide view — Mountain Shire

If you’re looking for a pretty unique place to stay for a family adventure, this is it, especially if you love The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter. You’ll be blown away by Mountain Shire and will want to book your next visit before you leave.

“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Booking Your Stay at Mountain Shire

While Mountain Shire has their listings on AirBnB, it’s less expensive to book direct right at the Mountain Shite website. Pricing depends on the time of year and days of the week.

If you need guidance on things to do in the area, see our Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.

Mountain Shire
1985 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
Mountain Shire Website | Mountain Shire Facebook | Mountain Shire Instagram

Travel Guide to Tennessee, with information for family friendly vacations.

The Kidding Around® Travel Guide to Tennessee

Check out more Fantasy-Themed Places to Stay!

On-location | Visiting Spots Seen On The Netflix Show Stranger Things in Atlanta, GA

Are you a fan of Stanger Things? Originally filmed just around the corner in Atlanta, you can visit the filming locations of iconic scenes from the first seasons of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

For more fun activities in Georgia, check out our Kidding Around Guide To Travel Georgia.

Disappearing children, secret laboratories that harbor a gateway to a parallel world, young ladies with an affinity for waffles, these all amount to some pretty scary stuff going on in Hawkins, Indiana.

For fans of the 1980’s science fiction hit “Stranger Things” a weekend trip to the troubled Indiana town would sound like fun, except for the driving distance. The good news for fans of the Netflix hit Stranger Thing, is that it’s filmed just around the corner in Atlanta. The even better news is that there are a good number of recognizable locations that you can visit!

stranger things atlanta — “Hawkins National Laboratory” is really part of the Emory University Campus

Hawkins National Laboratory, Evil Ground Zero on Stranger Things

1256 Briarcliff Road Northeast, Atlanta GA 30306
Seasons 1-3
This is a working set and there were crews filming when we visited. In reality, this is a former psychiatric hospital. Making this location all the more interesting and unnerving to visit.

Startcourt Mall

2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth GA 30096
Season 3
Reader Kristen cautions that the Gwinnett mall doesn’t want people taking photos or videos down the vacant wing of the mall that was used for filming. However, they do sometimes allow it.

Hawkins Middle School, Photo by Kristen B

Hawkins Middle School & Hawkins High School

109 South Lee Street, Stockbridge GA 30281
Seasons 1-3
The Building is locked, but the “Upside hole” is still in the wall for photo ops. Reader Kristen says when visiting this location, someone was playing an episode shot at the school on their phone, so locations could be recognized.

“Downtown Chicago”

Fairlie-Poplar Website neighborhood of downtown Atlanta.
Used to recreate the city of Chicago in numerous scenes

Stone Mountain Locations

Stone Mountain Cemetery Website – Barb’s funeral scene in season 2
1025 Silver Hill Road, Stone Mountain GA 30087
Access to the cemetery does NOT require an entrance fee for Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park – Hawkins woods
Seasons 1 and 2
Access requires an entrance fee for Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Cherokee Trail – Railroad tracks
Seasons 1 and 2
Access requires an entrance fee for Stone Mountain Park

Residential Scene Locations

Steve Harrington’s Family Residence

8253 Carlton Road, Riverdale GA 30296
Season 1
The pool where Barb entered the Upside down in season 1

Barb Holland’s Family Residence

2980 Piney Wood Drive, East Point GA 30344

Will Byer’s Family Residence

The interior of the home was shot on a sound stage. The exterior shots were done at a residence, and that the location has not been made public at the owner’s request.

Lucas Sinclair’s Family Residence

2550 Piney Wood Lane, East Point GA 30344

“Mad” Max Mayfield and Billy Hargrove Family Residence

5280 Moore Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Lonnie Byer’s Residence – Will’s estranged father

930 Garibaldi Street Southwest, Atlanta GA 30310

The Ives Family Residence – Eleven’s Aunt and Mother

422 Lees Lake Road, Fayetteville GA 30214

Hopper’s Trailer

2300 Daniel Road Southwest, Atlanta GA 30331
Located on private property and not viewable from the street.

Hopper’s Cabin Website aka Escape Woods

628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs GA 30217
Seasons 2 & 3
This location was a huge part of seasons one and two. The cabin was built on the property of a seasonal attraction and then left there when filming wrapped. The owners have turned the cabin into an escape room attraction based on the show.

Iconic Scenes

Supernatural Locations

Merrill’s Pumpkin Patch – Sleepy Hollow Farm Website

628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs GA 30127
Season 2
Scenes with rotting pumpkins that Hopper investigates

Location of scene where Eleven Flips the utility van

3782 Sarahs Lane, Tucker GA 30084
Season 1

Chicago Hideout – Industrial Park

315 McDonough Boulevard Southeast, Atlanta GA 30315
Season 2
Where Eleven and Eight develop their power. The building is occupied, and surrounded with a perimeter fence.

Alley Near Chicago Hideout – Apartment Complex

125 Ted Turner Drive Southwest, Atlanta GA 30303
Season 2
Eleven passes through this alleyway on her way to the Chicago Hideout.

The Tunnel where a collapse was faked to lose the cops

531 Glenn Street Southwest, Atlanta GA 30314
Season 2

Secondary Scene locations

Hideaway Bar – Smokin Cue Facebook Page

112 Martin Luther King Sr Heritage Trail, Stockbridge GA 30281
Season 1
Hopper visits a State trooper to discuss the case at this bar.

Ravi’s Food Mart – Oscar’s Gas N’ Go Facebook Page

7705 Covington Highway, Lithonia GA 30058
Season 2
The main characters rob this convenience store.

Enzo’s Restaurant – Dominick’s Website

95 South Peachtree Street, Norcross GA 30071
Season 3

Hawkin’s Town Hall – East Point City Hall Website

2777 East Point Street, Atlanta GA 30344

Hawkins Community Swimming Pool – South Bend Pool

2000 Lakewood Avenue Southeast, Atlanta GA 30315
Season 3

Hawkins Library – Butts County Probate Court Website

25 3^rd Street, Jackson GA 30233

Hawkins Police Department – Courthouse In Douglasville

Courthouse Square West, Douglasville GA 30134

Benny’s Burgers – Tiffany’s Kitchen

7413 Lee Road, Lithia Springs GA 30122
Season 1
Diner where Eleven hides out at the beginning of the series

Store where Eleven buys Eggo waffles

504 Center Street, Palmetto GA 30268
Season 1
Bring some empty Eggo waffle boxes for an awesome photo opp

The Arcade

6501 Church Street, Douglasville GA 30134

Sattler Quarry – Bellwood Quarry

Location Will’s “body” was found in season 1

I have purposefully left the address absent from this location for two reasons.

The location is closed to the public and trespassers have been arrested.
The address listed for this location elsewhere on the internet takes you to a closed to the public service entrance.

Here’s the good news. Once this location is open to the public it will be amazing.
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at what is being done. The city of Atlanta is spending millions of dollars to turn this quarry into a park visitors can enjoy. The Quarry will also supply the city with 2 billion gallons of drinking water.

Fans of the AMC show “The Walking Dead” will recognize the quarry from the first season of the series. It was also featured in the Hunger Games movie.

The park was scheduled to have the first phase complete for the opening, April of 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the opening is now pushed back for safety reasons. Once the opening is announced, we plan to be there to cover it. The drive from Atlanta will be worth it to spend the day there, and personally, I can’t wait.

Awesome Fans

It’s no secret that we have some of the best fans around. I would like to thank Kidding Around reader Kristen B. for her help with this article. She helped with tips for some of the locations and her enthusiasm for this topic encouraged me to find all these locations!

Kristen says “The best thing we did was talk to other fans doing the same thing. Some had been where we were going next and gave us tips. Some showed us things we never would have noticed… I wish I would have taken a photo of my son with all the people who helped us, it would have made a more personal fan connection later so we could remember what each of them helped us with.”

We hope fans of the show enjoy visiting the locations listed here and come back to the comments section to share your “Stranger Things” adventure with us. Please note that not all locations are always open to the public, and some locations require a fee to enter. Please use caution and follow the law when visiting these locations.

Outer Banks TV show film location in Charleston, SC

Are you a fan of the Netflix Show “Outer Banks”? Kidding Around has all the info you’ll need to seek out John B’s hideout and more! Visiting Spots Seen On The Netflix Show Outer Banks in Charleston, SC

Looking for more fun places to travel in the United States? Check out our Kidding Around Travel page!

10 Places Kids Eat Free or Cheap in Hendersonville, NC

If you’re looking for a restaurant where kids eat free or cheap in Hendersonville, North Carolina, you found the right list! We have a detailed list of restaurants for each day of the week that you can use to plan your dining experience with your family.

Monday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Outback Steakhouse

Offer: Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree from 6/24-9/2 2024
Time: Monday’s all-day
Age: 10 and under
At Participating Locations:
250 Mitchelle Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28792

Golden Corral

Offer: Kids under 3 eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet
Time: All day
Age: 3 and under
At Participating Locations:
2530 Chimney Rock Road Hendersonville, NC 28792

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

French Fryz

Offer: 0.99 cent hotdogs on Monday’s
Time: All day
Age: All ages
At Participating Locations:
2109 Hendersonville Road Arden, NC 28704

Tuesday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Mary’s Burritos and Beer

Offer: Kids eat free after 4 pm with purchase of an adult meal.
Time: After 4 pm
Arden Location: 1939 Brevard Road, Arden
Mary’s Burritos and Beer

Denny’s

Offer: Kids eat free
Time: Tuesday’s from 4pm to 10pm
Age: 10 and under
At Participating Locations:
1550 Four Seasons Hendersonville, NC 28792

Golden Corral

Offer: Kids under 3 eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet
Time: All day
Age: 3 and under
At Participating Locations:
2530 Chimney Rock Road Hendersonville, NC 28792

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

Wednesday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Mary’s Burritos and Beer

Offer: Kids eat free after 4 pm with purchase of an adult meal.
Time: After 4 pm
Hendersonville Location: 2560 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville
828.696.9888
Mary’s Burritos and Beer

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

Thursday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Brooks Tavern

Offer: Kids meals are $3.99
Time: All day
Age: 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
142 3rd Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28792
10 Oak St. Tryon, NC 28782

Golden Corral

Offer: Kids under 3 eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet
Time: All day
Age: 3 and under
At Participating Locations:
2530 Chimney Rock Road Hendersonville, NC 28792

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

Friday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

Saturday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

Sunday Kids Eat Free: Hendersonville, NC

Culver’s

Offer: Free scoop of ice cream and Scoopie Token with purchase of kids meal
Time: All day
Age: Kids 12 and under
At Participating Locations:
371 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

The best fun is FREE!

10+ Totally FREE Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC

Things to Do in Hendersonville, North Carolina

We love Hendersonville!

Check out the Kidding Around® Guide to Hendersonville, NC for all the best things to do!

Stay in a Barrel Cabin at Unicoi State Park in Georgia for a Unique Adventure

Thinking about a trip to Unicoi State Park in Georgia? Unicoi State Park hosts some unique ways to get outdoors with your family. We sent contributor Kristina to check out their barrel cabins and soak up all the adventure she and her kids could handle for a few days in Northern Georgia.

Accommodations at Unicoi State Park were given to us so we could review the park but the opinions henceforth are those solely of the author.

As much as I’d love to take a few months or even a year off to show my kids the world and have all kinds of epic adventures, it’s not happening. It’s not possible for most families. What is possible? Lots of places within driving distance of the Upstate to have amazing adventures.

One such place we recently visited – only two hours away – and made those memories that I was hoping to share with my kids, instilling adventure into their developing personalities, and satisfying my own wanderlust.

Unicoi State Park, part of the Georgia State Park system, is only two hours away from Greenville and has everything a family could want for a great trip – camping, cabins, a lodge, zip lining, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, archery, you name it. And the quaint German town of Helen is a mere five minutes away by car or 90 minutes by hiking.

Staying in a Barrel Cabin at Unicoi State Park

I’ve never ventured into the North Georgia mountains or a Georgia state park so I had no idea what to expect. We stayed at the park in a barrel cabin, which is pretty much like it sounds. My kids were in awe when we pulled up. They said “we are staying in that? How cool!” It’s fun to amaze your kids.

Barrel Cabin Amenities

The barrel cabin we stayed in is one of several in the park. It had two bedrooms, a pullout couch, a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, and a porch with rocking chairs where you could see one of the trails and catch glimpses of the lake. It’s a good size and can fit six people.

My favorite was the kitchen because I try to stay in places that have cooking areas because it saves me so much money on eating out. This cabin was a win.

In my barrel cabin, the two bedrooms were upstairs, while the full bath was downstairs. I thought it may be an issue for middle-of-the-night bathroom runs for my daughter but it worked out fine.

The barrel cabins were designed and built in the 1970s as an experiment to lure people into the park to enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor activities the park offers. Needless to say, the barrel cabins were a hit, and generations later, people can still stay in this odd, but useful and functional, structure.

The cabins are built on stilts and are in a little barrel cabin village, nestled within the forest and right off the lake trail that loops around Unicoi Lake. The interior is all wood and although not completely updated to Chip and Joanna Gaines’ standards, they are clean, comfortable, and have air conditioning and heat. There are cabins from one-bedroom up to deluxe three-bedrooms.

One special thing I loved about the barrel cabin is the symphony of sounds when it rains – the structure has tin on the outside so the rain is beautiful. Sit on the covered porch and just listen. You haven’t experienced the beauty of rain until you’ve heard it on a tin roof.

Other options for lodging

If you’re into primitive camping, have an RV, or want a space more like a hotel room or even a large cabin, the state park has all of those available as well – and plenty of them. The park is spacious and has lots of room for everyone.

Prices for barrel cabins and other lodgings vary widely based upon season. Accommodation reservations are available online. Some of the accommodations in the park are pet friendly.

Unicoi State Park Beach

Unicoi State Park has a small but beautiful beach swimming area. I loved this for my young kids and they enjoyed the shallow water. We brought sand toys and spent a good chunk of time there enjoying the warm day on the sandy beach. The water is not more than four feet deep, maybe even less. Mountain beaches are great.

Although we didn’t rent boats during our visit, several options for enjoying the water are available: paddle boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. There is a boat house right at the beach where you can rent whatever you like, although call ahead for reservations during the busy summer and fall seasons to make sure you get what you want.

Beach at Unicoi State Park — Unicoi Beach

Hiking

There are numerous trails throughout the park to stretch your legs.

Lake Trail

The Lake Trail loops around Unicoi Lake and is an easy hike and a beautiful way to see the lake. We took it in parts after dinner and my kids enjoyed it.

Smith Creek Trail

The Smith Creek Trail is over eight miles and is more difficult. Check out AllTrails before you go to plan ahead for any unforeseen challenges.

Unicoi to Helen Trail

The Unicoi to Helen Trail was on my list but we didn’t get to it. It’s a six-mile roundtrip hike from the park right into Helen, the famed Bavarian-themed village. It’s of moderate difficulty but a great way to get in some exercise before enjoying beer and brats and then hiking back (or taking the free shuttle to the park).

Anna Ruby Falls

Anna Ruby Falls, the waterfalls named after the daughter of a Civil War general, is located in the park up a paved 0.4 mile trail. It’s straight up so it may take you some time while you catch your breath but it’s magnificent. I failed to capture the beauty of the falls on camera but needless to say, if you can make it here during your trip, do it.

There is a $5/person fee for anyone ages 16+. And there is a cute little gift shop on site as well as restrooms and picnic tables.

Learn more about a visit to Anna Ruby Falls in our review!

Archery, Zip Lining, Water Sports, & Fishing

Unicoi State Park is actually an adventure lodge as well, hosting an enormous zip line course, an archery range, an airgun range, and fishing on-site.

Zip Line Course

Kids have to be at least six-years-old to do most of the adventures so we weren’t able to do what I was hoping for this time around, which means we have to come back. But we did see many of the zip lines and platforms and it looked incredible. Many of the lines go right across the gorgeous lake and everything else looked like it was part of the forest.

In the fall, I can only imagine the tapestry of colors that the forest showcases. Fall is one of the busiest times of year for Unicoi State Park because of the changing of the colors of the leaves.

Being from Greenville, I always think “go north”, go to the Blue Ridge Parkway or up in the mountains near Asheville. But the mountains of Northern Georgia put on quite the show as well. Imagine zip lining and hiking through the forest that time of year!

Zip Line at Unicoi State Park — One of the zip line platforms

Archery

I was quite bummed we weren’t able to participate in archery while at the park. I love the sport and my girls are learning quickly as well. If you have your own bow and arrows, you only pay $5 to use the range.

Otherwise, it’s $25/person for a lesson and range time. If you haven’t felt the pull on the string, your fingers tugging and feeling for the right moment, and that last breath you take below you let the arrow fly, you’re missing out.

Fishing

The park also teaches fly fishing lessons. I’d absolutely do if I had the patience of a saint, which I don’t. I imagine it would be an enlightening and enjoyable activity – the photos alone would probably be worth it- but I may need a little convincing to get me away from the archery range.

More adventures

Boats and mountain bikes are available to rent and other activities, like s’mores at a campfire, happens at night as well as GoPro rentals and GPS scavenger hunts. Adventure pricing is available online.

The location couldn’t be better

Unicoi State Park is just five minutes from Helen, Georgia and all the restaurants and activities of the Bavarian village. We certainly made use of the proximity of the park by grabbing ice cream and chocolate truffles as well as taking a tubing trip with Cool River Tubing down the Chattahoochee River.

The park runs a free shuttle to Helen as well – just call the lodge 30 minutes before you want to leave – which saves money on parking in town.

Check out our review of Helen, GA.

Also nearby are fantastic hiking trails in addition to the ones at the park itself. We did the High Shoals Falls Trail, only about a 25-minute drive from the park, where we saw Blue Hole swimming hole and High Shoals Falls, both of which were worth the 2.5 mile hike.

Day-use area at Unicoi State Park

Unicoi State Park has a huge day-use area with a playground, lots of picnic shelters, creek access, and restrooms.

My kids loved the playground and a swimming hole looked ideal for hot weather, which we totally would have used if we had more time to spend that day. The park has many picnic shelters spread throughout the park that visitors can rent.

Playground at Unicoi State Park — Day-use area at Unicoi State Park

Adventure is calling

There are few things I’d rather do with my kids than explore the outdoors. The best part is that you don’t need to go far from Greenville in order to fulfill that desire.

There is so much to enjoy at Unicoi State Park that you’ll want to come back the minute you leave, wishing you had the time to have more adventures. You don’t even need days and days to savor that quality together and make memories that will stay with you and your family for years to come.

So what’s holding you back? You can’t have too much fun in the mountains.

Have you been to Unicoi State Park?

For more ideas of places to see and things to do in Georgia, see our Guide to Georgia Travel.

Ever Wanted to Homeschool at Dollywood in TN? You can with their special Homeschooling Days!

Have you ever thought about homeschooling in Dollywood? Did you know that the famed theme park, Dollywood, has Homeschool Days? The park offers reduced admission and educational programs for epic field trips that are lots of fun! Plus, all the fun of the rides and experience of the attractions.

If you are looking to have an adventure, Dollywood will be offering Homeschool Days for families that are utilizing the homeschool option. The 2025 Dollywood Homeschool Days are August 4 – September 11, 2025. These days focus on mostly science and math – and really, what’s cooler than learning about the laws of physics by riding a roller coaster?

Be sure to check out the newly installed whimsical area of the park, Wildwood Grove, complete with rides, including a new roller coaster called DragonFly. There is plenty to see and do at the park in addition to the educational programs offered these days.

What Do Dollywood Homeschool Days Include?

Homeschool Days at Dollywood are geared for kids in Kindergarten through 12th and include a new curriculum, Science in the Park, that utilizes the scientific principles that make many of the rides at the park actually happen like velocity and speed.

There will also be lots of visual learning through craftspeople doing glass-blowing, candle making, and forging.

Kids can also learn about the science of birds by visiting the 30,000 square feet Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at the park, which houses the largest collection of non-releasable bald eagles in the country.

Admission & Dates: Homeschool Discounts

Normal admission to Dollywood is $79+ for people ages 10-61 but on Homeschool Days, parents can take advantage of $41/ticket for kids in grades K-12 and $51/ticket for each accompanying adult. Huge savings!

To obtain the tickets, you need to call 888.428.6789 at least 72 hours ahead of your visit. These tickets are not available at the gate. Parking is $20/car so plan for that cost as well.

Homeschool days for 2025 are August 4 – September 11, 2025. The park is not open every day so be sure to look at the Dollywood calendar before planning your trip. Dollywood Splash Country also has homeschool days the same time and tickets are discounted to $37/person.

Where to Stay for Homeschool Days at Dollywood

Use the map below to find great places to stay near Dollywood for Homeschool Days. Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through the map.

Homeschool Lodging Deals

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is a beautiful hotel that offers free transportation to the park. The resort is offering 20% off a standard room for homeschool families Sunday – Thursday.

Our Favorite Places to Stay for Dollywood Homeschool Days

We’ve personally stayed at these places below and can recommend them as wonderful options for families.

Mountain Shire
This is a wonderful hobbit and Harry Potter-themed tiny house village less than 10 minutes from Dollywood. It’s relaxing and so much fun!

Margaritaville Island Hotel
A stay at this beautiful and trendy hotel will be a relaxing experience. Margarita makers are in every room and balconies overlook either the river or the Island at Pigeon Forge. You can explore the Island, take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, grab a margarita at the bar (or in your room) and just chill. Read our review of our stay at this awesome hotel.

131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN

Greystone Lodge By the River
One of the very last family-owned hotels in Gatlinburg, the Greystone dates back originally to the early 1960s and has become the go-to hotel for generations of families. The location cannot be beat as it is steps from the aquarium and across the street from Anakeesta, within walking distance to shops and restaurants. They also have a great pool and free breakfast. It’s perfect for families looking to have a restful and accommodating place to call home during their trip. We stayed there and absolutely loved it.

559 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN

Foothills RV Park & Cabins
If you are not into tent camping but are still looking for a cheaper option than a hotel, Foothills has bare bones cabins to rent where you bring your own linens/sleeping bags and pillows. This is a good option if you’re really trying to stay within a budget but want someplace clean and comfortable. The location is right on the cusp of Pigeon Forge, very close to Dollywood, and maybe ten minutes from Gatlinburg. Camping cabins are rented April through October and start at $52/night.

4235 Huskey St, Pigeon Forge, TN

The Ridge Outdoor Resort
The Ridge Outdoor Resort is about ten minutes from Dollywood and has two zero-entry pools, a lazy river, a catch & release pond, a deli and laundry facility on-site, two fenced in dog parks, a playground, a game room, and one of the pools has a hot tub. We stayed in one of their two-bedroom glamping tents and it was amazing!

1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN

Glamping tent at the Ridge Outdoor Resort — Some of the glamping tents at the resort

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge
A water slide, pool, beautiful rooms, on-site restaurant, arcade, and amazing staff make this spot an incredible place to stay. Relaxation and fun are perfectly balanced here. Read our review of Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge to plan your own trip.

149 Cates Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN

Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort
Stay in a covered wagon or tipi at this resort in Sevierville, TN for the ultimate pioneer adventure. The resort is close to Soaky Mountain and minutes from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smokies. Read our review here.

660 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN

Go Lodge

Be blown away by the 17 room game mansion in Gatlinburg! It has more than 300 indoor and outdoor games and sleeps up to 20 people. This is perfect for a multi-family or big friends vacation and about 15 minutes from the main strip in Gatlinburg.

Camp LeConte
Kicking up the glamping a notch further is Camp LeConte, which offers a treehouse, safari tents, and a retro camper. You can even catch the trolley into Gatlinburg from the campground. Depending on the time of year, the two-person safari tent starts around $128/night.

Read our Camp LeConte review.

1739 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN

Other Things to Do Nearby

There are a ton of things to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is minutes away – and it’s free. Anakeesta, the SkyBridge, PINK Jeep Tours, and lots more are all within a 20-30 minute drive of each other and excellent opportunities for both learning and fun.

Here is our Ultimate Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, which has lists of all kinds of activities to enjoy during a trip to the area. We also have a guide to nearby Sevierville, TN for some lesser-known, but super fun, things to do and places to eat and visit.

The Kidding Around® Travel Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

The Kidding Around® Travel Guide to Sevierville, TN

Love Homeschool Days? Get more of them!
We have a guide for that.

Kidding Around® Guide to Homeschool Days

Will you take your kids to Dollywood for Homeschool Days?

Jeter Mountain Farm: U-Pick Fruit & Flowers, Creamery, Wagon Rides, and a Huge Indoor Play Area

Planning a trip for apple picking at Jeter Mountain Farm? This gorgeous farm hosts weddings, has seasonal u-pick flowers, fruits, and more plus an enormous indoor play area.

About Jeter Mountain Farm

Market, Cider Donuts, and Hard Cider Flights

Tractor Wagon Rides & U-Pick Fruit/Flowers

Amazing Indoor Kids Play Area

The views from the parking lot of Jeter Mountain Farm are sweeping shots of the nearby mountains, open space, and a beautiful building that seems to fit right into the landscape with its earthy hues of brown and green. The farm is a welcoming spot for families that has nearly two dozen varieties of apples, cider, live music, a wagon ride, and lots of other activities to enjoy.

About Jeter Mountain

Jeter Mountain Farms has an upscale, but welcoming, vibe from the signage to the tap bar. Every employee we met was super nice, kind, and helpful. And it’s beautiful. The first time I was there, I didn’t take a wagon ride so I didn’t see the whole farm and appreciate the beauty. This time I did (I’ll tell you more about the wagon ride shortly).

Jeter Mountain is a family-owned farm and is unique in several aspects. In addition to u-pick apples, guests can pick their own sunflowers, zinnias, elderberries, raspberries, peaches, blueberries, and grapes. They have added to the farm in the past couple of years including a massive market, indoor play area, and coffee shop. This place reminded me of Sierra Nevada Brewery and the Biltmore. In other words, it is gorgeous, the most beautiful orchard I’ve ever been to. They offer u-pick but also have a stunning wedding venue.

Scenes from Jeter Mountain Farm

We had a great day at Jeter Mountain Farm. Check out scenes from our day in the video below.

Cider Donuts, Coffee & Hard Cider Flights

Inside their Cider Barn is a hard cider tap room where adults can enjoy several different varieties of the fall beverage. Jeter Mountain offers pints of cider and flights of four flavors. Prices change yearly and are posted inside the barn.

In addition to the five flavors of Jeter Mountain Hard Cider that most are familiar with (Original, Pink Lady, Granny, Blackberry, and Grape), the orchard is also featuring a rotating seasonal small-batch cider.

They also offer cider slushies outside the taproom and cold apple cider in the market barn.

The market has handmade pottery, local apple butter and honey, baking mixes, canned sparkling cider, and t-shirts. I got a half gallon of the cold apple cider and the cashier was very kind and offered me plastic glasses so we could drink it then, which I was thought was quite classy since I was planning to just chug it because I wanted to drink it immediately.

There is a courtyard that is central to the Cider Barn, Market, coffee shop, and cider donut counter. It’s covered and there are picnic benches and live music. The donuts are amazing by the way – perfectly crisp on the outside and oh-so-soft on the inside. I could have eaten a half dozen by myself.

If you’re hungry, you can get a 20-hour smoked pulled pork sandwich at 1813 Smokehouse, which has a brand new location at the orchard as of 2024 with picnic tables and a covered area to wait in line for ordering. They also have two homemade BBQ sauces plus a traditional BBQ menu.

Then there are the bathrooms. These bathrooms are nicer than my house! They are spacious, have gorgeous flower wallpaper and benches. They are located on a hill overlooking the cider barn and courtyard and are huge and beautiful. Usually you don’t notice bathrooms, right? Impossible not to notice them here.

2025 Additions: Amish-Built Barn, Bakery, and Creamery

New in 2025 is a gorgeous Amish-constructed barn with almost 100 rocking chairs overlooking the orchard, covered areas with seating, a delicious creamery, and a large bakery where you can watch the donuts being made. Yum.

Small batch ice cream is made right there using ingredients from the orchard itself. We tried all four flavors in late August – peach, cookies & cream, chocolate, and vanilla bean – and the peach was my personal favorite but all were delicious. They also offer homemade floats if you want to go the old school route.

In the bakery, there are glass windows so you can see the cider donuts being made, which only made me want them more. They are so, so good – crispy and flavorful on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. I’d eat a half dozen by myself if I didn’t have any self-control.

This is a must-visit when you spend a day at the orchard.

Tractor Ride & U-Pick Flowers and Fruit

Jeter Mountain claims they are the largest apple orchard in Western North Carolina. While we didn’t fact-check that claim, it seems accurate since there are 6,000 apple trees at the farm, which makes for an expansive orchard.

Some of the seasonal berries like the blueberries and blackberries, are within walking distance to the cider barn and are sold by pint or pound. You can pick your own apples or fill smaller bags right at the barn of different varieties of apples. The orchard grows 25 varieties and you can see what’s available here.

Since the farm is more than 400 acres and has so many apple trees, you have to take a wagon ride to get to the apple orchard itself and other areas to pick sunflowers and berries. You can only u-pick from the orchard once you’ve paid for your basket/bag. You pay for this at the new Apple Depot near the bathrooms and then you and your family jump on the wagon.

Once you are helped into the wagon by the very kind staff, you’ll be taken on a beautiful ride through the orchard with various stops at the areas you want to pick. So when we went, guests were able to peaches and zinnias and sunflowers so we stopped first at the flower field and then were dropped off at the peach orchard. We were given instructions on picking peaches and then got to it.

Once we filled our basket, we just waited for the wagon to come back and pick us up. The wagons were running maybe five minutes apart so you won’t be waiting for too long.

This was my first time taking the wagon ride and it was fantastic because I got to see the sweeping views of the orchard and the new plantings of apple trees.. The orchard is perfectly manicured and mowed, with trees all spaced the same distance. It’s very organized, which is kind of an odd way to describe an orchard but that’s how it looks. The wagon was super clean and covered so if you’re allergic to hay, no worries since it’s not in the wagon.

Kids Play Area & Field Trips

The 6,000-square-foot covered play area is perfect for kids. There is a hay mountain, slides, and plenty of things to tire out kids before heading home. The play area is huge. What’re 6,000 square feet, right? Big, like really big. And here’s the best part: it’s entirely covered so kids can play – for free – rain or shine. And there’s a high-top bar with stools that extends the entire length and overlooks the play area so parents can chill out and watch their kids.

There’s a little house with a chalkboard inside. There are tractor tire trampolines, an enormous haystack with a tunnel underneath, a John Deere-inspired climbing structure with a slide, and my favorite – a basketball hoop play area where you can shoot hoops with your kids. Or by yourself, no judgement.

The play area is right next to the coffee shop and market so you can get coffee and watch your kids play until you decide to pick apples or peaches or whatever it is you want to pick. Or you can do that first, get apple cider donuts, and then let the kids burn off energy before the ride home. I’d honestly say this play area is worth the visit to Jeter Mountain Farm alone.

U-Pick Pricing {2025}

U-pick peaches include a wagon ride for up to four people and a basket you can keep. A peck of peaches and apples are $32. They have pre-picked fruit available in the market. Your u-pick includes a wagon ride for up to four people.

For blueberries, u-pick are $10/quart and do not include a wagon ride because you can walk to them from the main barn and parking area.

U-pick flowers are $20/cup and allow up to four people to ride a wagon through the orchard and include a reusable Jeter Mountain Farm cup. You can pick as many flowers as you can fit in your cup.

Additional pickers or just to take a wagon ride is $4/per person.

Tips on Visiting

With lots of space to roam and play, the farm has certainly made it an appealing day trip for families. They also offer field trips every Thursday and Friday from 10 am – 2 pm from in September and October. Field trips fill up usually in March so plan ahead.

Additionally, the farm has a pumpkin patch that opens in the early fall.

One thing to note is that pets are not allowed at the U-pick orchards, inside the market, inside the taproom, coffee shop, and wagons. They also do not allow strollers or wagons in the orchards or on the wagon ride. You can park them before you get on the wagon and go to the orchard. They also request that you do not bring your own picking containers.

Jeter Mountain plans to be open through October. Check their website for updated details and hours.

Jeter Mountain Farm
1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.513.0404

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

Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to U-Pick Apple Orchards around the Upstate!

Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

About the Land of Waterfalls

What to do in the Cashiers area

Hiking in Cashiers

Whiteside Mountain

Silver Run Falls

Glen Falls

Black Balsam

High Falls

Devils Courthouse

Schoolhouse Falls

Swimming

Sliding Rock

Pines Recreation Area

Boating on Lake Glenville

The Village Green

Fly Fishing

Seasonal Fun in Cashiers

Outhouse Races

Snow Tubing & Skiing

The Cashiers Christmas Parade

The Shadow of the Bear

Where to Eat in Cashiers

Where to Stay in Cashiers

Where to Shop in Cashiers

My Last Thoughts on Cashiers

Why You Should Consider Dollywood For Your Next Theme Park

Dollywood: Review of The Rides & Play Areas

Rides Even a PreK Age Kid Would Love

Rides for the Entire Family

Roller Coasters for Big Kids and Adults

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood

Let’s Eat & Meet in Wildwood Grove!

Rides at Wildwood Grove

Dollywood Shows You Don’t Want to Miss!

Dollywood Review of the Food

Outside-the-Park Tips

Inside the Park: Food Worth Planning Around

The Dolly Parton Experience

Dollywood Extras

More Dollywood Tips for Families

More To See At Dollywood

Our day trip to The Dillard House

First, let’s talk about the scenery

What You’ll Find on the Dillard House Grounds

Horseback Riding

Plan Your Own Trip

More Things to Do in Georgia

10+ Fun Things to Do with Kids in Alpharetta, Georgia

Take A Drive On The Wild Side At Georgia’s Drive-Thru Wildlife Safari on Lake Hartwell

A Full Day of Excitement Awaits at Six Flags Over Georgia

Have lunch, Explore A Charming Farm, & See Adorable Animals At Julep Farms in Dillard, GA!

Family Travel: Newnan-Coweta, GA is Like Stepping Back in Time

Helen, Georgia: Tubing Down The Chattahoochee River With Cool River Tubing

Watch! Our Visit to Mountain Shire

About Mountain Shire

The House of Dragons

The Other Hobbit Homes and the Harry Potter House

Nearby Things to Do

Honest Mom Review: Mountain Shire

Booking Your Stay at Mountain Shire

Hawkins National Laboratory, Evil Ground Zero on Stranger Things

Startcourt Mall

Hawkins Middle School & Hawkins High School

“Downtown Chicago”

Residential Scene Locations

Steve Harrington’s Family Residence

Barb Holland’s Family Residence

Will Byer’s Family Residence

Lucas Sinclair’s Family Residence

“Mad” Max Mayfield and Billy Hargrove Family Residence

Lonnie Byer’s Residence – Will’s estranged father

The Ives Family Residence – Eleven’s Aunt and Mother

Hopper’s Trailer

Hopper’s Cabin Website aka Escape Woods

Iconic Scenes

Supernatural Locations

Merrill’s Pumpkin Patch – Sleepy Hollow Farm Website

Location of scene where Eleven Flips the utility van

Chicago Hideout – Industrial Park