Does cave exploring sound like a fun adventure? Linville Caverns in North Carolina is one of only a small number of deep caves where the public can explore within a few hours’ drive of Greenville. Kidding Around contributor Kristina explored it with her kids and tells us all about the unique experience.
“So you’re standing half a mile straight down from the top of the mountain and about 700 feet inside,” said our tour guide at Linville Caverns. Is it bad my first thoughts were of Lord of the Rings when Frodo and Gandalf and their comrades venture inside the mountain where dwarfs used to live? While nowhere near as cavernous as that particular movie portrayed the inside of a mountain, Linville Caverns is fascinating, interesting, and a tad creepy. So definitely take your family.
About Linville Caverns
The caverns were discovered in the early 1900s when a fisherman noted fish were coming from inside a mountain. He followed the water and found a huge, three-story limestone cavern. The caverns were opened to public in 1937 and have remained a favored destination in Western North Carolina ever since.
Are you looking for fun inexpensive Spring Break trips that are perfect for your family? Travel is fun but it often isn’t cheap. So how do you go about planning an inexpensive trip when you really want to get away but you have a limited budget? And, where can you go for cheap spring break trips? That’s what you’ll hopefully learn here!
We love to travel with our kids and experience new places, different food, and just cool things to see that don’t exist where we live (even though Greenville, SC is awesome). But traveling, especially with a family, gets expensive fast. Spring break is the perfect time for a family-friendly adventure. So, we asked our readers for their best tips on planning a Spring Break trip on the cheap, plus added in some of our own tips based on experience.
No matter where you live, you can use these tips for an awesome spring break on a budget and keep costs down on your next travel adventure with your family. We hope they save you a lot of money and bring some fun adventures to your family!
Are you looking for a quick list of new day trip ideas from Greenville, SC? While we have a huge day trip guide we also asked our readers to vote on their favorite day trips near Greenville, SC in our annual KABOOM Awards contest. Here’s what they voted the best day trips: Greenville, SC.
Did you know you can walk across the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the country at Gatlinburg SkyPark? Gatlinburg SkyPark is just a few hours away from Greenville. We sent Kristina to do it because she won the coin toss. Here’s what you need to know if you want to go on your Gatlinburg vacation.
Media tickets were given so we could review this incredible experience.
I think my mouth may have hung open the first time I saw a video of the SkyPark (formerly called the Sky Bridge) in Gatlinburg when it was completed in May of 2019. It was gorgeous. And so, so high up in the air. I knew I had to go, no matter how scary getting up there may be. Sometimes you need to take those risks, right?
The bridge is part of Gatlinburg SkyPark, which was founded in 1954, way before the town became the destination it is today. The park is the longest-running attraction in Gatlinburg, which borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The national park is the most visited in the entire country. Last year, more than 12 million people stepped foot in the Smokies.
But the views are still the same as they were in the late 1950s – sweeping and majestic and unforgettable. You have to take a gondola up to the SkyPark, five hundred vertical feet to be exact. Just don’t look backwards and you’ll be fine.
The Sky Bridge
The bridge was completed in May of 2019 and holds the record of being the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. It’s 680 feet in length and sways 150 feet off the ground. There are glass panels in the middle of the bridge, which honestly I didn’t even think about until I had to walk across 30 feet of it. You look straight down. It’s terrifying but also awesome with an amazing view.
The people who run the SkyPark social media pages are geniuses. You may have seen the videos of the bridge all lit up in Christmas lights around December or when snow was falling in the mountains or when the leaves were bright reds and oranges in the fall. They do such an amazing job of bringing viewers onto the bridge who have never been and entice them to go. At least that was my opinion and one of the reasons why I really, really wanted to walk the bridge.
If you’re wondering if you can feel the bridge sway, the answer is yes. If you’re wondering if it’s worth the five-hundred-foot vertical ride in the yellow gondola with nothing but a bar separating you from a long drop, then yes, it’s worth it.
The views going up and down the mountain are incredible. You can see all of Downtown Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. We got lucky and the clouds were moving between the peaks of the mountains, creating a surreal view. I could never get tired of that view.
This is such a unique attraction that is just amazing and I certainly recommend it when you visit Gatlinburg. And don’t you want bragging rights for walking the longest pedestrian bridge in North America? I did.
Walk the SkyTrail and Hiking Trails
The SkyPark has been adding new attractions pretty much every year for the past several years. They added the SkyTrail, a trail that lines the ridge around the mountain, and in late 2024, they opened up 1.5 miles of hiking trails.
Part of the SkyTrail is a boardwalk and the other part is natural dirt. The hiking trails are natural dirty and probably one of the coolest things is running into the enormous Mountain Man. The Mountain Man is supposedly protects the area now after the fires.
The views are just spectacular and you can go across the mountain without actually walking the bridge. Just don’t run into a bear!
I had no idea that the wildfires of 2016 totally destroyed Crockett Mountain, where the SkyPark is located. There are plaques around the trail that talk about the devastating fires and what happened in the rebuilding process plus how the bridge was engineered. If you’re a homeschooling family, this totally counts as an awesome field trip.
They trails are really cool and a fun activity while you’re already up on the mountain. They aren’t really hilly except if you decide to go up or down the mountain on a trail instead of use the gondola ride. Most of the trails are only open during the daytime hours for now.
Climb the Tulip Tower
The steel Tulip Tower at the SkyPark rises 70 feet in the back of the ravine behind the Sky Bridge. It has four floors and is accessed by two rope bridges.
SkyBridge and Tulip Tower
The tower has educational plaques inside the middle of each floor that talk about the wildfires, local wildlife, and native plants and trees. The tower is so named because the Tulip Tree was one of the last remaining trees when the wildfire swept through the mountain and wiped out the park. So the tower is named for the resilience of the tree and all those people who rebuilt the park and those who lost their homes (five SkyPark employees lost their homes because of the fire).
Again, the views are unreal. I legitimately took 100 photos of the bridge from all along the SkyTrail, the hiking trails, and the Tulip Tower. The tower is open for daytime use.
Eating and Drinking at the SkyPark
What makes a great view even better? Food and drink! The gift shop at the park is awesome. It has all kinds of cool bridge-related items plus the warmest winter hats I think I’ve ever felt. They also have a basic menu of pizza, pretzels, and snacks plus coffee.
Head upstairs and grab a craft beer and an outside table and take a deep breath while you gaze at the scenery. It’s breathtaking. These views are incredibly unique. If you’re going to Smokies, why not see the sweeping views they offer right there at the park? Just do it.
There are rocking chairs and tables outside on the deck also. We saw plenty of people just rocking away their worries up there. I would have swiped one to do the same but they were all full.
Brand new in 2025 is Clayton’s Landing, a huge space with fire pits, rocking chairs, decks, and a restaurant atop the SkyPark. I absolutely loved this place for it’s views and cozy seating. We got burgers, fries, and chicken tenders and everything we had was delicious. This is a great expansion for the SkyPark and really adds to the overall time you can spend there enjoying the incredible views.
Part of Clayton’s Landing
Admission Costs
If you have heard and seen the Sky Bridge in Gatlinburg you may be wondering, “Is the Gatlinburg SkyPark free?” No. Find ticket information for SkyPark below.
Single Visit Tickets to the SkyPark, which include access to the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, SkyTrail, Tulip Tower, and Sky Deck are $34.95/ages 12-64, $20.95/ages 6-11, $27.95/seniors, and kids 5 and under are free. This ticket is only good for one visit. You can’t leave and come back with this ticket.
Unlimited SkyPass Ticket to the SkyPark: this ticket includes unlimited visits on the same day you purchase and you get to skip the line. This ticket gives access to the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, SkyTrail, Tulip Tower, and Sky Deck are $41.95/ages 12-64, $27.95/ages 6-11, $34.95/seniors, and kids 5 and under are free.
The SkyBridge opens at 9 am and closes at 10 pm during the summer and 9 pm other times of the year. We were planning to head back up there during sunset but my kids were tired from a long day of fun. But I Imagine those views would be spectacular during dusk and for the seasonal lights that adorn the bridge. They are open all year round, seven days a week except for Christmas Day and Maintenance Week (January 22-26 2025) and (May 1-2 2025). See full SkyBridge hours here.
I recommend parking at the garage next to Ripley’s Aquarium, which is about a five-minute walk to the SkyPark.
Follow the Gatlinburg SkyPark on Facebook and Instagram for beautiful photos and videos, which will probably entice you to go there on your next visit!
Pigeon Forge officially has its first indoor waterpark at Country Cascades Waterpark Resort, only a three-hour drive from Greenville, SC. We’ve got all the details on this new spot for great family entertainment!
Thank you to Country Cascades Waterpark Resort for hosting us. All opinions here are our own.
Watch! Our Visit to Country Cascades
My daughters and I love waterparks in general but especially indoor ones during wintertime. What’s better than sliding down a waterslide when it’s chilly outside and still staying warm and having fun in the water? You can do all of that and tons more at Country Cascades Waterpark Resort in Pigeon Forge, TN. But read on to learn how they’ve recently renovated rooms to make sure a family of six – yes, six – can fit comfortably!
View of the waterpark from the waterslide tower
About Country Cascades Waterpark Resort
Country Cascades Waterpark Resort is right on the main strip in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, only about 20 minutes from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is walkable to the Island at Pigeon Forge.
The resort has two restaurants, a candy shop, coffee shop, indoor and outdoor waterpark, and tons of activities for the family right on-site. If you get there and don’t want to leave during your trip, you won’t have to since it has everything you need to have fun with your family.
They are also home to Pigeon Forge’s only indoor waterpark, which opened in November of 2024, called Braxton Beaver’s Indoor Waterpark (keep reading for a detailed review!). The resort is only a little over three hours driving distance from Greenville so it’s a great spot for a weekend adventure or just to get away for a few days but not travel too far.
The Rooms at Country Cascades
Country Cascades recently finished a large-scale, multi-million dollar addition of the River Tower, which features new cabin and treehouse suites that are just awesome with lots of thoughtful touches.
We stayed in one of their new cabin suites, which can sleep a total of six people. Yes, six. It includes a king bed and four bunk beds. The bunk beds are in their own little room that has a flat screen TV and a light and electrical outlets next to each bed. They are really cute and such a lifesaver for larger families who need more space for kids.
The treehouse suites sleep four people and have a king bed plus two twins.
Bunk beds inside the Cabin Suite
They do have other rooms that sleep six with pull out beds but the new suites are fantastic for their design. They also have really cute scavenger hunts within the room that the kids can do. Rooms do have a small fridge but no coffee maker or microwave.
One thing that I absolutely loved was that your room key is your wristband that you get when you check-in. Every member of your party has one, which honestly saved me so much stress. I’m one of those people who have to check their pockets a million times before leaving a hotel room to make sure I have the keys. This method is amazing and I loved that the kids could open the room door with their own wristbands as well.
Braxton Beaver’s Indoor Waterpark
The brand new Braxton Beaver’s Indoor Waterpark is a $14 million addition to the resort that opened in late 2024. It includes a four-story waterslide, dueling mat waterslides, a huge soaking tub, large pool with basketball hoops, a zero-entry splash pad, several smaller waterslides, and cabanas you can rent.
Obviously we loved this part of our stay. My daughters are 10 and 14 and while there is probably more to do for younger kids, they weren’t bored at all. They loved all the waterslides, pool, and soaking spa. I thought the huge water slide was super cool because of the light patterns they have throughout it. And I did the dueling mat slides a few times to try to beat my kids (they won). That was a favorite of all of ours.
One of the best parts about the indoor waterpark was that it was open late at night, until 11 pm. I really try to stick to bedtimes at home but it’s a free-for-all when we travel and my daughters took advantage of the freedom. We stayed up late both nights hanging out and playing at the waterpark, which is a lot of fun and a great way to get out the last of any energy the kids may have left. My energy was gone long before then but per usual, my kids had some left.
Splash pad
While I didn’t take advantage of this option, the resort offers a cool feature where you can order food and drinks from the Snack Shack through a QR code right on your chair and it will be brought to you. I love that, especially if you’re a parent of a smaller child who needs to keep an eye on them but you’re also hungry.
Speaking of smaller kids, they will be endlessly entertained here at the waterpark. They have so many options to have fun that you could probably spend hours here with them and it wouldn’t be enough.
The indoor waterpark has life jackets available as well as towels for guests. And I have to give the lifeguards a lot of credit. They were very attentive to every guest the whole time I was there. My daughters said the lifeguards at the smaller water slides were really nice and I saw one lifeguard stop a little kid from errantly climbing up the stairs to the big water slide. The staff were constantly on watch for any trash and emptied garbage cans regularly. So a big high-five to all of them!
The indoor waterpark is only for guests and access to it is included in your stay. They do not sell day passes. And they do have an outdoor waterpark that is open over the summer but we went in February so I can’t give you an opinion on that one! I saw some slides though and it looked like a lot of fun.
The Endless Activities at Country Cascades
The first thing I noticed after we checked into the resort was the amazing number of things to do as a family. The front desk attendant gave me a list of all the activities they had going on that weekend and it was literally something every hour from 9 am – 9:30 pm. Some of the activities were paid things to do like build-a-character doll or cookie decorating but most of the activities were totally free. Their weekday schedule is a bit shorter but still has lots of things to do.
We got there late afternoon on a Friday and just made it in time for Family Trivia, which my daughters wanted to do. They host all their activities in the Friendship Forest Activity Center which looks like you’re in the woods. It’s cute.
Playing bingo
The trivia was a blast. There were a couple other families and you play a game of 20 questions with a bonus question. If there’s a tie, you go into the tie-breaker round. The first night’s trivia theme was Disney. We had a bit of a rough go of it but ended up in the tie-breaker round with one other family amazingly.
We both got the first question wrong so went on to the next one, which we got right! It was pretty exciting I must say. My daughters were thrilled and we won a free box of popcorn from the candy kitchen.
Next up was bingo. My daughters were already wishing this would last all night. They were having so much fun. Lots of people joined in for bingo and we played several rounds. The hosts made it interesting and we had to get bingo using different shapes on the board. One of my daughters won a round and got a $5 coupon to the candy kitchen. It was a good night.
But there’s even more things to do besides the games. They have a big arcade with lots of fun games and a virtual reality arena. There’s also duckpin bowling, gem mining, and a nightly dance party. It was never-ending fun.
Be sure to get the schedule of activities when you get there or you can check out their calendar online ahead of time to plan your adventures.
Dining at Country Cascades
For dining options at the resort, you can get breakfast at Granny Cluckets, delicious fudge and other delectable sweet treats at Candi’s Candy Kitchen, pizza at Nonnaroni’s, and coffee and pastries at Refuel. The Snack Shack at the waterpark also serves up food.
We had breakfast one of the mornings we were there at Granny Cluckets, which is an all-you-can-eat setup. I loved how they did this though: you just go in and the host seats you and then your server brings you a huge platter full of breakfast food. There was bacon, eggs, biscuits, gravy, potatoes, and breakfast sausage. The meal comes with coffee and orange juice.
Granny Cluckets breakfast
You can ask for refills of anything you want on the platters. I thought it was efficient and better than tons of people grabbing serving spoons off a buffet table. Plus, the food was great!
Kids 13 and under eat free with a paid adult. Breakfast for adults is $14.99 or you can grab a discounted breakfast ticket online for $10, which includes a pass for one adult and one child.
They also offer meal deals and some of their hotel packages include breakfast passes so be sure to check them out before booking or just call the resort.
Honest Mom Review
I think the best part about Country Cascades was the focus on making sure that everyone in the family had fun and that they enjoyed their stay with each other. My daughters absolutely loved the Family Trivia and Bingo games. We actually rearranged our schedule on Saturday to make sure to be there that evening for them since we did the games on Friday night and it was such a huge success.
The indoor waterpark was a blast and something really fun to do over the winter months especially. It extended our family time in the evenings and I loved seeing my daughters having so much fun. We have been to the other waterparks in the area and as a comparison, Country Cascades is smaller than the others in size and water activities but it’s just as fun.
And all the activities you can do right at the resort is a huge plus. It’s also one of the more affordable trips, especially if you add on the breakfast vouchers to your room.
The behavior of the staff at the hotel was something I noticed. Every single person we talked to was kind and happy to help or just did their job so well. All the people who did the activities with the families were upbeat and funny. The front desk people were patient and helpful. And everyone working at the waterpark obviously wanted to be there.
I know so many businesses have challenges with staffing but this business got it right. The resort also communicates with their guests via text message and is quick to reply to any questions, which I found to be a seamless way to work with guests.
The location cannot be beat. We walked to the Island at Pigeon Forge and you can easily walk to restaurants, shops, or pretty much anything else you want to go if you want to explore elsewhere.
The other amazing thing I loved was the double bunk beds. I only have two kids but I know many, many families who really need that space – all in one room – to fit their families and the way that the resort constructed these rooms was very thoughtful. It was easy to see that making those memories as a family together is a focus of the entire resort, which I certainly appreciated since that’s our focus at Kidding Around as well.
Booking Your Reservation
You can easily book your trip at the Country Cascades Waterpark Resort’s website. You can get a discount when you sign up for the free Smoky Mountain Rewards program so be sure to do that when you’re there.
Ever want to jump into a huge ball filled with warm water and then roll down a giant hill? You can do it at the only place for zorbing in the United States, the Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Kidding Around’s Kristina got to try it out with her kids and she has all the details on the full experience.
Thanks to the Outdoor Gravity Park for hosting us in their big balls so we could write this review.
I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up to go “zorbing” with the Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge, TN. I just saw big, inflatable balls and a giant hill and them rolling down said hill and somehow thought this was missing in my life. In the end, I was definitely missing out by not zorbing and I’m here to tell you all about this crazy adventure.
One of the balls going down the Red track
About Outdoor Gravity Park
The park opened in April 2015 and has been rolling down hills in giant inflatable balls ever since. They are located in Pigeon Forge, TN, only about a three-hour drive from Greenville, SC. This is the only place in the entire country where you can do this kind of crazy adventure – and what a crazy adventure it is.
Outdoor Gravity Park is a family-owned and operated business. They were inspired to bring this unique adventure to Tennessee after they went on a trip to New Zealand.
Outdoor Gravity Park balls
What is Zorbing?
Zorbing was invented in New Zealand and is the act of rolling down a huge, 1,000 foot long hill inside of an 11’ inflatable ball with water inside. The water is only about a foot deep but it’s to help you slide easily around while you have no idea which way is up as you roll down the hill. You’ll also get soaking wet.
There are three tracks at Outdoor Gravity Park – Purple, Red, and Orange. Purple is the beginner one, which I loved. Red is the intermediate one, which my kids loved, and no one was brave enough to do the Orange one.
Up to three people can fit into one of the big balls on the Purple and Red tracks but the orange track is single person only because it’s for the extra crazy people. They told us the balls often go airborne. Oh my gosh. If you’ve got a teenage boy who thinks he is invincible, this is where he needs to go.
Being Inside the Inflatable Ball
I legitimately had no idea what I was getting myself into. Truly, I did not. I’m all for adventure and this looked fun so I said, why not go down a hill in a bouncy ball? I had watched videos but nothing could have prepared me for what it was like speeding down a hill in an inflatable ball rolling around in water.
We really lucked out the day we went zorbing though. The park is open year-round and uses really warm water in the winter and cooler water in the summer. We went in February and amazingly, it was 75 degrees when we went. The water was nice and warm and when we got out after zorbing, we weren’t totally freezing.
Action shot while rolling down the hill in the ball
Once you sign your life away on the waiver, you can get changed into your bathing suit, or whatever you want to wear that will ultimately get wet. They have nice changing rooms and cubbies to leave your clothes. They’ll hold onto your keys as well for you.
Then you get into an adorable little bus and head up to the top of the hill to get into your ball. Once at the top, there are the three tracks with big balls and you choose which track to run. We chose the Purple route for our first run and the attendant started to fill the ball with warm water (it’s changed after every guest) and put some extra air inside to make sure it was totally safe and bouncy.
We had to jump into the ball and into the water. I managed to do it the first time with ease and slid into the ball and ahh, that water felt so nice. Next it was time for my kids to jump in and they thankfully managed without too much trouble. Then we were zipped in the ball and pushed, rolling downhill.
I’ve thought about how to describe this ride and I decided that whatever I write won’t be sufficient but here it goes: I had no clue where I was on this hill. All I could see was water flying everywhere and my kids’ feet and legs in the air. We were yelling, laughing, and wondering what the heck was happening the whole time. It was nuts. It felt like we were flying down this hill.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity (in reality, it was only around a minute maybe), we made it to the bottom after a surprisingly soft landing. I thought we would have bounced everywhere and then came to a stop but it didn’t feel like that.
Our attendant rolled the opening of the ball to the ground where we each slid out like a baby being born, water splashing everywhere, onto the turf. Then I tried to walk and probably looked like I had too much moonshine. It took the three of us a few seconds to get our bearings and my kids immediately asked to do the Red track next.
After hesitating for a moment to think through my life’s questionable decisions, I said yes and got back on the bus.
The Red Track
I thought the Purple track was crazy but it was child’s play next to the Red track. The Purple track is straight down. The Red track is more like a pinball machine where the track zig-zags down the hill.
After our zorbing adventure, I watched other people go down in their balls on the Red track and it seemed like they went slow but when you’re inside, it definitely doesn’t feel like that. After making, um, several attempts to jump into the ball at the top of the hill, I finally made it in, my kids easily following my hilarious attempts at jumping into the ball.
Lots of zorbing
Then we were zipped up and pushed down the hill. While I didn’t regret my life decision at this moment, I was certainly questioning it. We were bouncing against each other as the ball hit the turns and continued its trajectory towards the bottom. My kids were hysterically laughing. They were having a blast.
When we were finally reborn out of the ball back on land, we had one more roll to decide on. My daughters wanted to go on the Red track again and I decided to play it a little safe and have my own ball and head down the Purple track. It was a good decision but I still had to collect myself afterwards in order to walk straight. What an adventure.
Running of the Balls
Not only can you go in a ball and roll down the hill, you can actually run away from balls chasing you down said hill. This exceptionally fun event is called the Running of the Balls and it takes place at the Outdoor Gravity Park in May and September.
This is a charity event and you must register ahead of time on the Outdoor Gravity Park website.
Tips on Zorbing
There are some things you need to know before you choose your zorbing adventure:
It’s best to make reservations online on their website, especially during the busier months.
Bring a towel and change of clothes.
If you want video, they give you a camera and prices start at $15 to acquire your video of rolling down the big hill in the giant ball.
The minimum age to go zorbing is 5-years-old and they must ride with an adult. Ages 6+ can go by themselves.
Weight limit per rider is 275 pounds.
You have to be in good health and have full mobility to go zorbing. People who have high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart conditions, or back or neck injuries cannot go. Also, if you are impaired by drugs or alcohol, you won’t be getting in one of those big balls.
In total, we were there for about 45 minutes between check-in and zorbing.
Booking Your Tickets
A walk-in roll is $27/person and online is $25/person. You pay by person and not by roll so if you have three people in one roll, you pay per person. It’s a good idea to book ahead of time.
They also offer group and private event rates. You could literally have a zorbing birthday party if you wanted to or do a corporate event and roll your co-workers down the 1,000 ft hill – in a ball of course.
Deck at Outdoor Gravity Park
Overall Review: Outdoor Gravity Park
This was quite the experience and I’d totally do it again. It was so unique and fun and my kids absolutely had a great time. If you’re looking for a fun adventure with teens, this is it. Sometimes it’s tough to find things to do together with them but you won’t have that problem here.
It’s also so cool that this is the only place in the country where you can go zorbing. That alone is probably worth the trip since, otherwise, you’d have to go to New Zealand.
If you’re up for adventure while you’re in East TN, definitely consider the Outdoor Gravity Park. At least you’ll have a good story to tell afterwards!
Are you planning a fun family Myrtle Beach Spring Break trip? Myrtle Beach makes an excellent choice for a family-friendly spring break vacation! Though it may be a little chilly for swimming in the ocean and the waterparks won’t be open yet, don’t think for a minute that spring weather will limit your fun in the Myrtle Beach area. Instead, the cooler weather will make the parks and attractions more pleasant. There are also smaller crowds and plenty of kid-friendly hotels with indoor pools to enjoy. Here is a list of things to do during spring break at Myrtle Beach, plus a schedule of how to fit it all in (complete with dining options).
Thank you to Visit Myrtle Beach and the many venues we visited for hosting Kidding Around.
Where to stay in Myrtle Beach?
This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites Myrtle Beach/Oceanfront. The hotel is situated right on the beach and has multiple indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor pools even have sprinklers and there is a lazy river and hot tub. Since it was April, we spent most of our time swimming in the indoor pool but the outdoor pools were open even though it was only early April.
Our room faced the ocean with a porch with rocking chairs and a table. It was pleasant to be able to watch the sunset over the ocean from the comfort of our room in the evening and the kids loved being able to open our porch doors to let in the fresh ocean breeze in the morning.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the complimentary “continental” breakfast at our Hampton included a hot bar with eggs and sausage, fresh waffles, fruit, and plenty of other choices. Not only is breakfast great but the breakfast room overlooks the ocean and it’s quite pretty. It was a good start to the day.
Hotels in Myrtle Beach with Indoor Pools
If you want the summer beach vacation experience during your Spring Break vacation, finding a hotel with an indoor pool is a must. Captain’s Quarters Resort Myrtle Beach offers a wonderful indoor lazy river and indoor pool that is open all year, so your spring break vacation will feel more like summer. The resort is kid-friendly and is only a few miles drive to Broadway at the Beach, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, and tons of attractions.
First Evening of Spring Break in Myrtle Beach – Catch a Dinner Show!
Who says that you need a full day to start having fun. Start your spring break vacation off right and make your first night part of vacation by heading to Medieval Times for a dinner show. The show will transport you right back to the Dark Ages. Upon entering the castle, you are immediately lords and ladies (complete with a crown). The show includes a full knight competition with horses followed by serious threat to the kingdom that requires an all-out sword fight to determine the best knight to defend the kingdom’s honor. It’s full of cheering, booing, and fun.
Tip: Make sure you plan plenty of time. The traffic into the Myrtle Beach area can be a little slow and you will want to arrive at the dinner show at least a half hour or more in advance.
Day 1 of Spring Break – Visit the Murrells Inlet & the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
We decided to hit the ground running on our first day of spring break in Myrtle Beach with an action-packed day at Murrells Inlet. Murrells Inlet is about a 45-minute drive from Myrtle Beach, but it’s well worth the drive.
Brookgreen Gardens – We started our morning at Brookgreen Gardens. I had researched the gardens online before our visit but was still amazed by the size and the beauty. We started out our morning in the gardens with a Creek Excursion that took us in a pontoon boat along the creek where we saw rice fields and wildlife (including a couple of gators).
The excursion is super family-friendly, and it is interesting to watch your kids awe over the boat ride. We also learned quite a bit about the history of the area and the Brookgreen Gardens. After our boat ride, we spent time exploring the Children’s Discovery Room, Storybook Forest, Lowcountry Zoo, and the Gardens.
For lunch, we packed a picnic to eat at Brookgreen Gardens where we found ample picnic spots. There were also a couple of restaurants on the grounds to choose from.
Huntington Beach State Park– After the gardens, we headed over to Huntington Beach State Park which was just a short distance down the road. This state park offers hiking, a wide 3 miles of beach, and Atalaya. Huntington Beach State Park is also one of the best places to spot birds in the Southeast. Our kids were tired and itching to get on the beach but I was able to sneak off first and get a peek inside Atalaya. You can tour Atalaya, the original 30 room winter home of the Huntingtons for just $2/person.
We decided to splurge on fresh seafood that night at the iconic Drunken Jack’s at the Murrells Inlet marshwalk. Our table offered a view of the ocean and I tried Chef Casey’s Risotto (an award-winning dish that has Mahi-Mahi, scallops, risotto, and lobster & crab cream sauce). It was a more expensive meal, but the atmosphere, fresh seafood, and cool decor made it worth the cost.
Our kids felt very welcome as their kids’ meals came with pirate hats and they were presented with a gold coin at the end of the meal as a reward for “eating good”. After eating dinner, you can take a walk down the docks to watch native birds perching, boats cruising through the marsh, or even catch an evening sunset. The Murrells Inlet marsh walk is quite magical at sunset, and my kids loved looking at all the herons and seabirds hanging around.
Spending our first day of spring break in Murrells Inlet was really packed and resulted in some tired kids, so we elected to head back to the hotel after dinner where the kids had a quick swim before bed.
Day 2 of Spring Break – Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and Broadway at the Beach
We started our second day, by heading to Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. The aquarium was really clean and brightly decorated and the exhibits were very nice. There was a shark tunnel, sting ray exhibit, jelly area, and more. I was impressed to see two stingray petting tanks (one with some massive stingrays) and even a moon jelly touching tank. If you are looking for additional options beyond the aquarium Broadway at the Beach offers shopping and several kid-friendly attractions including Ripley’s Odditorium, Ripley’s Movie Theatre 5D, Ripley’s Mirror Maze, Wonderworks, and a nice playground. Broadway at the Beach is one of our favorite attractions because it is super family-friendly, offers live music and entertainment, has excellent dining options, and is a great way to spend a day during your spring break vacation.
After a couple of hours at the aquarium, we ate lunch at Dagwood’s Deli. The burgers and sandwiches we ordered were absolutely delicious and we were glad that we arrived a little before noon as the restaurant quickly filled up soon after we arrived. It was an affordable meal too with most menu items priced under $10.
Dagwood’s Deli was located near several $5 parking lots where we were able to snag a parking space that was not only perfect for lunch but an easy walk to our next destination, the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel.
We had never ridden a ferris wheel as tall as the Skywheel before and we were all a little nervous (in fact, one of my kids almost backed out), but we decided to all give it a try. The line looked long but moved remarkably fast (I think that we were only in line for about 10 minutes). There was space for our entire family to be in one car and it felt safe and even had air conditioning. (If ferris wheels make you nervous, you will be glad to know that there is also an emergency button in the car too).
The Skywheel is in the middle of the strip at Myrtle Beach where you can easily shop for souvenirs or walk along the Myrtle Beach boardwalk.
After the Skywheel, we headed to Savannah’s Playground, a massive all-inclusive playground for children. The playground offered a zipline, large playground, swings, and plenty of space to play. It’s also completely free.
Evening Entertainment & Dinner: We chose to experience the dinner show, Pirate’s Voyage, where we were delighted by acrobatics, singing, dancing, and animals. It was a fast-paced show with a lot of special effects and music and there were even mermaids.
Day 3 of Spring Break – Myrtle Beach Full Experience
On our third day, we decided to experience the heart of Myrtle Beach by heading out to nature followed by a relaxing game of mini golf (Did you know that Myrtle Beach is the mini golf capital of the world?).
We were struck immediately by the beauty of Myrtle Beach State Park. It’s a lovely drive into the park area where you will find a Nature Center and programming, a nature trail, a fishing pier, and a beach front. The hiking was very simple and easy for our two children and while we did not fish we did walk out onto the pier to get a better view of the ocean and shore. Our kids then played in the ocean despite it being a nippy 50 degrees outside. Fortunately, the park has rinsing stations and a bathhouse where you can change. We packed a couple of sandwiches figuring that our kids would be hungry before we left the park.
After the park, we decided to try our hand at mini golf. One thing, we noticed immediately when we drove into Myrtle Beach was how many mini-golf options there were to choose from and they all looked fun. We chose Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, which ended up being just perfect. The easier course, The Lost Boys was fun but not too difficult and our greens took us past mermaids, into a skull cave, near a pirate ship, and past numerous waterfalls.
After a good game of mini golf, you need ice cream! So we returned our putters and went to get ice cream.
Dinner & Evening Entertainment – We were all in the mood for pizza that last night, so after a little bit of research we settled on Ducatis Trattoria and Pizzaria. We knew it was a good choice, the second we saw the ginormous garlic knots arrive at our table. The pizza was equally delicious.
After dinner, we decided to cap our trip off with a night at the Carolina Opry. The show was truly amazing and our kids really enjoyed the singing and the dancing. We also saw a couple of acts that gave a taste of Thunder and Light (a dance & laser light show) and Pure Magic the Wagsters (a magic show). Both performances were amazing and fun. The evening show did end up having a couple of jokes and a song that was too close to PG-13 for our family.
In addition, it was a little long for little kids (over two hours) but the music and dancing were incredible. Next time we are in town, we plan on snagging tickets for either the Thunder and Light show or the Pure Magic show as both of those are in the morning and our kids especially loved those acts.
Enjoying the Trip back home
On our way home, we decided to stop in route in Conway to see the LW Paul Living History Farm. This working farm is open to the public on Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9-4. You can either call ahead and schedule a tour or explore at your own pace. There are animals, restored original buildings, and it’s completely free. Check their schedule ahead of time as they also have events on the calendar. The farm is only about 45 minutes from Myrtle Beach. The Horry County Museum is also just a couple minutes away and is also free to the public.
Have you ever been to Myrtle Beach for Spring Break? What are your favorite things to do?
Are you looking for Atlanta Black history sites to visit and learn about the Civil Rights Movement? Atlanta, GA has a number of important black history sites and parks, including the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. We visited some of Atlanta’s Civil Rights historic sites, and gathered all the information you need for a visit.
America has a rich and diverse history. It’s filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Learning about as much of it as possible is essential to understand current affairs better. I recently combined our love for Atlanta with our quest for knowledge.
I’m glad that Atlanta is just a short drive away because I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface! Georgia’s capital isn’t just the birthplace of one of the most iconic people from the Civil Rights Movement; it’s home to the stories of so many other important people in the Black History of America.
Black History Sites in Atlanta: Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
The place where Martin Luther King, Jr., was born and became the historical figure we all know is just about a block from where he was laid to rest. *Fun Fact: Did you know that Martin was actually Michael at birth? After a trip to Germany, Michael King Sr. was inspired by the religious leader Martin Luther and changed his and his 5-year-old son’s name from Michael King to Martin Luther King.
The MLK National Historical Park is a self-guided walkable tour, with convenient parking behind the social justice center, next to Ebenezer Church. It’s open rain or shine, so we didn’t let the sprinkle stop us. If your kids are inquisitive, be prepared to answer tons of questions.
For children ages 6-12, there is a Junior Ranger program they can complete. You can print out the official activity booklet at home and bring it with you to complete. *Fun Fact: Did you know that MLK was such a gifted student that he skipped grades 9 and 12, making him only 15 years old when he began college life at Morehouse.
Seeing the things currently open should take about 2 hours and is stroller-friendly.
Black History Sites in Atlanta: National Center For Civil and Human Rights
This modern center, dedicated to the fight for equal rights, is a place where you could spend the entire day. The exhibits include a lunch counter sit-in experience, view documents from Martin Luther King, Jr., attend a workshop, and more.
The Center is open Tuesday – Friday and Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm. The last entry is 4 pm daily.
Sitting in the shadow of the behemoth Mercedes Benz Stadium in the heart of downtown Atlanta is a beautiful home. To look at it, you wouldn’t know the history it holds from the outside. The century-old home (1910) was built by the first Black millionaire in Georgia, Alonzo Herndon. Born into slavery, Alonzo was 20 with just a few dollars in his pocket when he left the life he’d always known to find something better.
He cut his first head of hair, which led him down the success path that helped him create affordable housing in the Black communities. Mr. Herndon’s story is inspiring, and this beautiful home is a lasting legacy to all that this once enslaved gentleman overcame.
*Interesting Fact: His father was the plantation owner that his mother and brother were enslaved to. This aided them in being emancipated because the plantation owner’s wife wanted the reminder of her husband’s misdeeds out of view.
Long before John Lewis served 17 terms as a Georgia Congressman, he was a peer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders who organized the March on Washington. The end of legalized segregation in the United States was primarily due to the things he did. John Lewis led what became the first of three separate marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, across the Edmund Pettus bridge in 1965.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Reverend Billy Graham, Lewis was ordained as a Baptist minister. In 2012, at the mural dedication, Lewis added the final touch to the work of art by painting the dot over the “i” in his last name. He passed away in the summer of 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
*Fun Fact: In 1977, President Jimmy Carter put John Lewis in charge of a federal volunteer agency that oversaw programs including the Peace Corps. This was nearly ten years before he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time.
Looking for things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez to Wonderworks to check out all the exhibits and activities. She had a blast with her kids and is telling us all about the rides, 4D movies and activities like rock climbing, a ropes course and a bubble lab! Read on to find out why you should put Wonderworks on your Pigeon Forge itinerary.
Thinking about a vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez traveled to the Pigeon Forge Margaritaville Island Inn with her family. This hotel has so much to offer, including a spa, roof top pool and onsite dining. Kristina is sharing all the little details about this hotel that made is perfect for her family.
If you ever have a chance to go to Margaritaville, you go, right? When a hotel takes up the Margaritaville theme in a mountain town that offers families everything from a theme park to dinner theater shows, from racetracks to hiking trails – you pack up your family and go.
And if you’re just dying for some relaxation with your family or friends, a place called the Margaritaville Island Hotel is just the prescription.
Our view of the Island from our room
I had the chance to stay at this four-star hotel in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee during their huge Winterfest celebration and I’m already planning a return trip because it was so amazing. If you’re thinking this aptly named hotel is all about the tequila and lime drink, well, you’re not wrong. But that’s only a small part of what the Margaritaville Island Hotel offers.
**I was given a complimentary room and spa treatments from the Margaritaville Island Hotel. The opinions in this article are all my honest opinions.
Rooftop Pool & Hot Tub
Kids love pools. Adults love pools and hot tubs. Put them together on a rooftop overlooking the Island at Pigeon Forge where the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel towers over you, then you’ve got the perfect mix.
The pool is heated for those chillier evenings and feels cool during the warmer months. You can order meals and drinks, which will be brought right to your poolside lounge chair. And they offer family movies on weekends over the summer with free popcorn.
The rooftop also has a full bar for summertime fun, cabanas and chairs for any time of year, and views that stretch out over the Island at Pigeon Forge and into the Great Smoky Mountains beyond. If you’re lucky, you can even see the snow-capped peaks during winter months.
Off one side of the roof, you get the absolute best view of the fountains, which do a water show to music every thirty minutes. We loved seeing the cool fountains, people watching, and enjoying popcorn and the pool.
To avoid overcrowding, the hotel only allows guests to enjoy the rooftop pool and bar.
Beautiful and Comfortable Rooms
The rooms are tastefully decorated in the beach vibe of Margaritaville, with cool blues and greens. The bathrooms – and specifically the shower – are gorgeous and spacious. I could have spent a lot of time in the shower but I had my kids with me so I couldn’t leave them unsupervised for too long. The shower is tiled with what looks to be wood but it’s actually tiles. It has a bench inside the shower and my favorite thing is that it has two shower heads, one that shoots water normally at an angle and then another above your head that makes it rain.
Please tell me I’m not the only person who is obsessed with beautiful showers.
OK, so after you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the amazing shower, you can relax in front of the gas fireplace (available October-April), lounge in the super soft beds, and enjoy coffee on your balcony. Rooms overlook the river, the village on the Island, or the most popular view: The Island’s Show Fountains. Shows are every thirty minutes.
There is a mini-fridge, coffee pot, and microwave in each room.
Rates vary per season. Prices will be highest during the busiest months of July and October.
I got a tour of the Penthouses at the hotel as well, which are on their own floor and span the entire top of the building. These are actually perfect for families, especially if you’re traveling with more than one family or extended family members. These rooms are massive, have more than one bathroom, and a full kitchen. Wraparound balconies adorn the outside so you can see the Island and the river.
Dining at the Hotel
While the Margaritaville Island Hotel is situated at the Island at Pigeon Forge – which has several great restaurants – you don’t even need to leave the hotel to enjoy great food and a cozy atmosphere.
Starbucks is right off the lobby and their own restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill, is off the other side of the lobby near the river.
Over the summer, the Chill Bar at the rooftop pool, where you can relax all day with margaritas close by. And Margaritaville at the hotel is a full-service, two-story restaurant that overlooks the Little Pigeon River. It’s laid back with live music and entertainment with menu items such as coconut shrimp, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, fried chicken, chicken fajitas, and spinach dip.
St. Somewhere Spa
After all the fun you’ll be having in Pigeon Forge, take a step back and relax at the St. Somewhere Spa at the hotel. It’s a beautiful retreat that offers massages, manicures, pedicures, haircut and coloring, expert facials, waxing, eyelash tinting, and foot baths.
My two girls, ages 7 and 4 the first time we went, received the Princess Mani-Pedi ($40+), where they were treated to warm towels on their little feet and nail polish of their choosing – which they took forever to pick out at the Port of Indecision wall. After the pedicure, they received a manicure that is a pared down version of what adults get – cleaning and cutting nail if need be and painting.
When my youngest was done with her pedicure, the woman taking care of her carried her over to the manicure chair so she wouldn’t have to walk and possibly ruin her cute toes. Now that’s service!
While my girls were enjoying their mani-pedis, I was drifting away to paradise with the Pedicure in Paradise ($90). This consisted of a “hydrating foot soak, nail care, exfoliation, foot detox mask, relaxing foot massage, luxurious paraffin treatment, and choice of polish or buffing.” I really didn’t want to leave.
The spa has two relaxation rooms with tea and water available. Luxuriously soft robes are available for guests, as is a shower if they like.
After your treatment, feel free to browse in the spa’s storefront for makeup and skincare products or gifts to take home for loved ones/yourself. The entire staff at the St. Somewhere Spa are very kind and welcoming. Certainly carve out some spa time when you visit the hotel.
Entertainment + Shopping + Food
The Margaritaville Island Hotel is located right on the Island at Pigeon Forge, an entertainment, dining and shopping mecca in the town. You can easily stay at the hotel and spend a couple days on the Island enjoying all it has to offer and never leave during your trip to Pigeon Forge.
Read my review of the Island at Pigeon Forge and learn about all the neat stuff you can do there!
Parking at the hotel is free in a lot that is maybe a 10 minute or less walk away. You can unload your car and then park it if you want. They also offer valet parking for, at the time of this writing, $25/per night.
The Margaritaville brand has other properties in the area, with one of them, the Margaritaville Island Inn, very close to the hotel in Pigeon Forge. They are different lodgings that offer slightly different amenities to the guest. They also have a property in Gatlinburg called the Margaritaville Resort.
