Inside: A real parent review of the Chattanooga Zoo with all the tips and answers you need to plan your visit.
Thinking about visiting the Chattanooga Zoo on your family vacation to Chattanooga, TN?
If you are looking for a travel destination away from the tourist-heavy beach and a place with tons to do and see, you should check out Chattanooga, TN. We have everything you need to know about the Chattanooga Zoo and everything you need to know before your family trip there.
Quick Summary: The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
Here’s what we loved: 📍 Free parking (yay!) 🦒 Giraffe feeding encounters for just $5 🐐 Petting goats (worth the trip alone, tbh) 🛝 A splash pad + playground right outside the zoo 🎟️ Greenville Zoo members get 50% off admission!
Pro tips: 🎟️ Buy your zoo tickets online to save $2 per person 🕑 Arrive by 2 pm to see everything before closing 🎢 Ride the Zoo Choo train or hop on the carousel for extra fun
The Good Stuff: Our Visit to the Chattanooga Zoo
I’ve wanted to visit Chattanooga for a while, so we packed up the car and made the four-hour drive to this riverside town in Tennessee. We found more to enjoy than we could fit into the three-day trip. The hotel we stayed at could’ve provided a spirited adventure for the entire time. Not to mention the trails, and beautiful swimming holes to enjoy!
On our last day in Chattanooga, we headed towards the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park. In addition to the zoo, the city park also includes a playground, splash pad area, pool, and sports areas. The City of Chattanooga takes a lot of pride in its public green spaces, and this park is no exception. If you have the time during your stay, check out the splash pad! It looks like a lot of fun!
Things to Know When Visiting the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
The Zoo parking is free, which is a bonus in the city where you will pay nearly everywhere you need to park your car. If you have a local zoo membership, here’s where the reciprocity program I’m always talking about will come in handy. For example, if you have a Greenville Zoo membership, you can purchase the tickets at a 50% discount at the gate (it will also get you a discount at the Tennessee Aquarium). Everyone else will need to pre-purchase tickets online prior to arrival. Pre-purchasing will also save you $2 per ticket.
So, if you have little kids on your family vacation, I am sure you are wondering “How long do people spend at the Chattanooga Zoo?” The zoo is a little bigger than some and will take about two hours to explore. Plan to arrive no later than 2 pm, so you can see everything you’d like to before they close at 5 pm.
The Chattanooga Zoo Sections
Once you’re inside the zoo, the Giraffe enclosure will be straight ahead. The zoo is split up into seven sections. You can find a downloadable zoo map on the Chattanooga Zoo website.
Makazi Ya Twiga
Giraffe Feedings $5: A limited number of tickets will be sold Wednesday – Sunday for feeding encounters. They will only be from 11 am to 3 pm and are sold on a first come first serve basis. If the giraffes aren’t outside, be sure to follow the path around the enclosure to the indoor viewing area in the paddock.
African birds
There will be a new expansion soon, including more Giraffe viewing areas, lions, warthogs, and more.
Himalayan Passage
Snow Leopard – You can watch them from home with the zoo’s webcam.
Red Panda
Gibbon
Bali Mynah Bird
Warner Park Ranch
Petting Zoo – You get to pet goats! That’s worth Zoo admission right there.
Highland Cattle
Dromedary Camel
Miniature Horse
Domestic Goat
Alpaca
Walkin’ The Tracks
Cougar – Board the “Cougar Express” to find shade and watch the Cougar in its enclosure. Be prepared, at the right end of the train car there is a place where, if it’s so inclined, the cat can hop up and get a closer look at the humans.
Bobcat
Coyote
Prairie Dog
Deserts & Forests
Fennec Fox
Komodo Dragon
Meerkats – these cute creatures made famous by the Lion King movie, have such personality! I could have stayed all day watching them interact with each other. You can watch them from home with the zoo’s webcam.
Reptiles & Amphibians
Gombe Forest
Chimpanzees
Aviary – This was my children’s favorite part. We discovered that the Macaws will say “Hello” in response to you if you say it. Get your camera ready and surprise your kids!
Corcovado Jungle
Jaguar
Capybara
Spider Monkeys
Giant Anteater
Additional Offerings and Experiences at the Chattanooga Zoo
The Chattanooga Zoo also offers activities that cost in addition to the entrance ticket price.
Zoo Choo Train is $4/$5 This trackless train gives guests a ride around the park.
The Zoo Carousel is $2/$3
Wild Animal Encounters $75+ Online reservations are required for encounter experiences. Encounters must be booked 48 hours in advance. The 30-minute encounters only allow for two people at a time. The minimum age is 7 and anyone under 13, must be accompanied by a paying adult. There are 8 different animal encounters to choose from that range in price from $75 to $250. This includes the zoo tours. Check the availability of the animal encounter you are interested in, some are not always available. *Masks are required for this experience.
Wild Burger Restaurant The on-site restaurant is open every day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, weather permitting. There are also snack carts throughout the zoo.
Accommodations For Sensory Sensitive Guests
The Chattanooga Zoo has partnered with Kulture City, providers of sensory bags for attractions and venues. They have been designated a “Sensory Inclusive Facility”, and guests of all ages can utilize the following things free of charge during their visit:
Weighted lap pads
Sensory bags (Noise-canceling headphones, 3 fidget toys, an ID lanyard)
A quiet zone located near the alpacas in the Warner Park Ranch area of the zoo
Find a place to stay in Chattanooga, TN. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Visit the Chattanooga Zoo
The Chattanooga Zoo Website Admission: Starts at $10.95 for children ages 3-12 Starts at $13.95 for those 13+ There is a discount for purchasing online ahead of time *prices subject to change without notice
*One Adult Admission to the Chattanooga Zoo was provided to facilitate this review. The author purchased children’s tickets and all opinions are her own, and genuine.
Have you visited Charles Towne Landing? If you’re heading to Charleston and looking for a way to spend the day without breaking the bank, you don’t want to miss it. Charles Towne Landing is a South Carolina State Park that has something for everyone including a history trail, 17th century sailing ship, an animal nature park, and beautiful grounds. We think you should put this attraction on your Charleston bucket list!
Right in the middle of Charleston Harbor rests a massive aircraft carrier called the USS Yorktown, one in which you and your kids are welcome to tour and even sleep aboard! The USS Yorktown is flanked by other historical, climb-aboard gems like the USS Laffey Destroyer, as well as several aircraft, a Vietnam memorial exhibit, and a Medal of Honor Museum. Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum is like the game of Battleship, come to life.
My kids enjoyed tunneling through passageways, sitting at helms, and checking out the helicopters and awesome aircraft on the flight deck. These vessels served our nation in many wars including WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War before they were put on display and transformed into a must-see floating museum.
The USS Laffey Destroyer is also known as The Ship That Would Not Die – learn all about the amazing legacy while aboard the ship herself. The stories each of these ships will tell you are simply remarkable.
Out on dry land, you can find the Vietnam Experience Exhibit. A 2.5-acre immersion experience with simulations to give you an idea of what life was like during wartime. You can also tour the Medal of Honor Museum which honors the courage and tells the stories of brave American heroes.
Plan a Visit to Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Open every day of the week 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Located near the base of the Ravenel Bridge. (843) 884-2727 Visit the Patriot’s Point website for more details.
Check out local tour books for the occasional coupon.
Have you heard of the Reptarium located in Utica, Michigan? This all-reptile zoo is an amazing spot for everyone from hardcore reptile fans to those with just a mild interest and curiosity about these fun creatures. It’s quite an educational adventure, and you will learn loads and loads. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and we’re sharing all about it so you’ll know what to expect when you plan your family visit to the Reptarium!
The Reptarium offers both general admission options and private tour experiences. We took a highly interactive one-hour private tour at the Reptarium on a recent family road trip. Our tour guide was a wealth of information and we got to hold and pet many of the Reptarium’s animals.
The Reptarium is a reptile zoo located in Utica, Michigan. Famous on YouTube, the Reptarium shows its animals to the world in regular videos, teaching about reptiles and conservation through their animal ambassadors. There are more than 150 animals housed at the Reptarium.
Visiting the Reptarium
Those who’d like to go to the Reptarium in person have a couple of options including general admission with various add-ons, and private tours.
General Admission
General admission costs $24.99 per person. Tickets are time reserved, to limit the number of people in the space at any given time. So, you won’t be fighting through a crowd to see the animals.
General admission hours are on 7 days a week from 11am to 7pm.
Private tours are available every day. Our family chose this option initially because we were traveling through the area on a Monday and as there are no general admission times on Mondays when we went, it was the only option that would allow us to visit.
But, that said, the private experience was truly wonderful. Our tour guide knew so much and gave us so many opportunities to hold animals and ask questions. We had her undivided attention for the entire hour, which really was a fabulous educational experience. We were the only guests during our tour, so there were no distractions and no waiting to get to any exhibits.
Because the footprint of the Reptarium is small, and my kids were very engaged and interested, this was absolutely the right choice for our family and what I would recommend for others if they can afford the higher price point.
Private tours cost $300 and they can include up to 10 people. If you’d like more information or to book a tour, email tours@thereptarium.com.
Our Favorite Reptiles at the Reptarium
There are over 150 animals to see at the Reptarium. We loved seeing, interacting with, and holding so many of them. Here are just a couple that really worked their way into our hearts.
Our tour began with Helen. She’s a python that was born with no eyes. A number of us had never held a snake before and somehow, having no eyes, this sweet little snake seemed somehow less threatening. She was a great reptile to start with and remained one of our favorites.
Perdita, named after the famous Dalmatian in 101 Dalmatians is a much larger reticulated python. I would never in a million years have said “Sure, I’ll hold this giant snake around my shoulders” but our tour guide was so confident and calm and things had gone so well with Helen, so….why not. I held a giant python. I mean, that’s not the type of thing you get to try to do every day, right? Got to try it. (And I figured if I did it, some of my boys who were a little hesitant would try it. Cool mom and all that.) She was so surprisingly smooth and HEAVY. My husband and a couple of the kids held her as well.
Nova is a frilled lizard. But when his frills aren’t out, they lay back against his body and look very similar to a rabbit with long, long ears pushed back against its body. He was so sweet and tolerated all of us holding and petting him. We thought he was one of the cutest guys at the Reptarium.
Turtles are a family favorite and there are lots of turtles and tortoises to see. We got to walk around with some of the red-footed tortoises and hold some of the turtles in the pond, including some really cute little albino turtles.
Sunshine is the very large yellow python you see in our family photo. She’s a big ambassador for the reptarium and is quite used to being held. Amazingly heavy, and with a beautiful sunny pattern (hence her name) she was the last animal on our tour.
In addition to these animals we got to interact with bearded dragons, Uromastyx, monitors, a false water cobra and lots of other snakes, and my daughter even held a tarantula. She was the only one brave enough.
Family tips for visiting the Reptarium
Go with an open mind. Think you won’t want to hold a huge snake? You might change your mind.
Ask questions. Tour guides can’t read your mind and there really are no stupid questions when it comes to reptiles. You’ll learn more if you ask!
Hey parents, your kids’ enthusiasm for these creatures can be contagious if you let it be. You’ll have a better family experience if you join in. Hold the animals and ask questions, too.
Remember that these are animals. They poop. One lizard got my shoe when I was holding it. (Good thing he was cute.) It apparently doesn’t happen very often, but, you know. Be prepared. Wear something washable.
Use hand sanitizer AFTER your visit. Don’t use it before you go in. It’s not good for the animals.
If you’re on a road trip, stop and use the restroom before you get to the Reptarium. You don’t want to waste any of your tour time, there’s too much to see!
Where to Stay Near The Reptarium
Use the map below to locate hotels and vacation rentals near the Reptarium. The map below comes from Stay22 and Kidding Around earns when you book through the map’s links.
If you’re on a road trip to the area, you’ll find a lovely little coffee shop just down the road from the Reptarium, called Northern Grind. They have the usual array of coffee and coffee beverages, plus smoothies, sandwiches, and treats. It was the perfect spot for us to grab lunch after our tour before we hit the road again.
Looking for more places to travel where you can learn something new? We have lots of great ideas!
For a trip full of adventure and fun learning opportunities, Cartersville, Georgia, about three hours from Greenville, SC, is where you need to go. Kristina visited Cartersville with her kids and has all the details on how to plan a great family trip there!
Thank you to Visit Cartersville-Bartow for inviting us to experience Cartersville, GA!
Cartersville, Georgia is only about a three-hour drive from Greenville, SC and has a multitude of options for indoor and outdoor fun plus unique experiences like a museum that houses the world’s largest collection of Western Art. It’s amazing, I promise.
Whether you like to explore nature, swim in mountain lakes, dig for fossils, go gem panning, or be mesmerized by Civil War history and Native American sculptures, you’ll find something you will love in Cartersville, Georgia.
I was blown away by all the things to do in Cartersville, Georgia. I’ll tell you what we did plus give you other places to go that we weren’t able to get to (but wish we could have).
Red Top Mountain Park
Red Top Mountain Park is situated on the banks of the 12,000-acre Allatoona Lake and has hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, lodging, and camping available. We hiked part of the Homestead Trail, which was blessedly in the shade and had beautiful views of the lake. Our hike was cut short because it was hot and wanted to get swimming!
We checked out the sandy beach, which is pretty big for a mountain beach on a lake. We got there around 11 am on a Sunday and didn’t leave until 2 pm, when the parking lot was nearly full. There are bathrooms, changing areas, and a shower to rinse off the sand afterward plus lots of space to hang hammocks, grill out, and just chill on the beach.
I was regretting the fact that I didn’t bring my paddleboards! I had to be happy with the tubes we brought and just hung out in the lake, read a book, and enjoyed the Georgia sun. It was pretty awesome.
There are places to rent a kayak on the lake and lots of good spots I saw where you can fish or swim. If I had more time in Cartersville, I’d make a day trip out of exploring this park. Admission is just $5 per car (bring cash) or free if you have a Georgia State Parks Pass.
50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth, GA
The beach at Red Top Mountain State Park
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site
The Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site is part of Georgia State Parks and is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast. There are six earthen mounds here, the highest more than 60 feet (you can climb it), a replica home used by the Native Americans who once lived there, borrow pits, and a defensive ditch (like a moat).
The site dates back to around 1000 to 1550 A.D. when thousands of Native Americans made their homes here along the banks of the Etowah River. You can even walk down to the river to see the unique fish trap they used.
I thought the site was very peaceful. It was quiet and the exhibits really invite you to think about what it was like living there. We did the Jr. Ranger program, which I think is a great way to really dig deeper into the history and learn about it. This would be a great field trip for a homeschooling family.
You can walk to three of the earthen mounds and climb up them via a staircase. There is no shade once you get outside and while the path is wide and not too long to the mounds or the river, it is natural ground so it would be hard for a wheelchair or regular stroller (a jogging stroller would be fine). Admission is $6/adults, $4/kids ages 6-17, and $2/age 6 and under.
813 Indian Mounds Rd, Cartersville, GA
Etowah Indian Mounds
Booth Western Art Museum
I didn’t know what to expect when I checked out the Booth Western Art Museum. I was totally blown away by this place. A Smithsonian-affiliated institution, the 120,000-square-foot Booth Western Art Museum houses the world’s largest permanent exhibition space of Western Art. But what is Western Art?
We found out that it is art depicting Native Americans and places out West like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains and art that showcases the struggles, dreams, and legends of people who lived in those lands. It has intricate sculptures of Native American chiefs, an outdoor sculpture garden of cowboys, and even a collection of signed letters from every U.S. President. It was just amazing. My kids were enamored as well.
The “War is Hell” exhibit was remarkable. It depicts the story of the Civil War through beautiful – and realistic – paintings. It was like walking through a history lesson and because of the visible paintings, it captured and held our attention. They also had some Civil War artifacts in the exhibit hall and some of the paintings depicted battles that happened near present-day Cartersville, GA.
The kid’s play area, Sagebrush Ranch, was also amazing. It’s an entire, interactive Western town. Kids can jump up on a horse, ride in a bumpy stagecoach, listen to storytime, play games in a saloon, and put together puzzles in the tackhouse. My kids didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to leave but the museum was closing and we had to go. I’d love to go back here!
They are open every day except Monday. Adult tickets are $13 and children 12 and under are free. Expect to spend at least 1.5 hours here, maybe more.
501 N Museum Dr, Cartersville, GA
Sagebrush Ranch at the Booth Musum
Tellus Science Museum
Another Smithsonian museum, the Tellus Science Museum is a wonder. When we arrived, four summer camps with a lot of kids also arrived, yet once we got inside and started exploring, the place didn’t feel crowded at all. It’s huge!
They have multiple permanent exhibits: an enormous mineral gallery with gems, jeweled objects, stones, exhibits on volcanos and earthquakes, and a lifesize Periodic Table (I loved this); another large gallery devoted to science and motion, which has a replica of the Wright Brothers plane, vintage motorcycles, model trains, a fighter jet cockpit, and space capsules; and Discovery Garden, which is a huge backyard-themed kids area with brainteasers, puzzles, simple machines, and rotating exhibits.
One of the biggest exhibits is on dinosaurs. You can’t miss it – they have a huge dinosaur skeleton in the lobby plus multiple skeletons, including a T-Rex, an enormous turtle, sharks, and a strange prehistoric fish creature. They also have gem panning and fossil digs, which are included in your admission. My kids loved digging in the “dirt” for shark teeth and other fossils and gem panning for small gems.
They also have a planetarium and observatory. Planetarium shows are daily and can be added to the cost of your admission. If you have a Roper Mountain Science Center membership for your family, you get in free (yet another reason to have this membership). Otherwise, adult admission is $17 and child (ages 3-17) admission is $13. Expect to spend at least 2.5 hours here. They have a cafe if you’d like to get lunch.
100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville, GA
Tellus Museum
LakePoint Station
The arcade at LakePoint Station is just one part of the big entertainment complex. They have a huge arcade, bowling, mini-golf, gem mining, indoor climbing walls, an ice cream and treats shop, and a pizza restaurant. My kids and I love arcades so that’s where we headed.
We threw balls at clowns trying to knock them down in our favorite arcade game for at least 15 minutes and then tried a few others that my kids loved. Prices vary according to activity. They are open daily and have specials so be sure to follow them on social media and check their website before you go.
77 Old Allatoona Road, Cartersville, GA
LakePoint Station
Terminus Wake Park
If my kids and I have a summer weakness, it’s floating aqua parks. We’ve tried most of these within a three-hour driving distance to Greenville and absolutely love sliding around on the inflatable courses, jumping in the water, and trying our best not to wipe out. When I saw Terminus Wake Park across the street from LakePoint Station, I went in to check it out and ultimately booked a session for later that day. Kids have to be ages 5 or older to participate.
It was such a blast! The weather had cleared earlier and it was really hot and humid so the water felt awesome. The course looks relatively new and is in great shape. The life jackets are clean and comfortable as well. If you have younger kids, you may want to go on with them if there are older kids that are on the course with you. They do have lifeguards but some of the rules aren’t enforced and younger kids may get accidentally pushed in by the older ones.
Your best bet is to book your spot online and sign your waiver so you can save time when you get there. They start every hour on the hour. You get 50 minutes on the course and prices are $24-$28 a person depending on if it’s a weekday or weekend/holiday that you choose. They also have a huge wakeboarding park but I’m not brave enough to do that.
171 LakePoint Pkwy, Cartersville, GA
Terminus Wake Park
Downtown Cartersville & African American History
Downtown Cartersville is home to lots of cute shops, small businesses, and restaurants. There are clothing shops, handmade items, coffee, olive oil, outdoor stores, and an old school pharmacy. In fact, just outside the doors of the pharmacy is the world’s first outdoor painted wall sign for Coca-Cola.
Additionally, the history of African American entrepreneurship runs deep in Cartersville. There is a powerful sculpture near the town center called “Pathways to Freedom” that depicts the signs and symbols used by escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad. You can also take the walkable trail to learn more about the history of Black residents in Cartersville-Bartow County.
Coca Cola Outdoor Mural
Cars & Camels
We didn’t get to these places but think our readers may enjoy them:
Old Car City USA – In the small town of White, Georgia lies the world’s largest known classic car junkyard. This forest of forgotten cars is a dreamland for car enthusiasts and photographers alike, with more than 4,000 classic cars and six miles of walking trails over 34 acres of land. Fun fact: Old Car City USA is also home to the last car Elvis Presley owned. Admission is cash only.
Pettit Creek Farms – Just one mile from Downtown Cartersville’s Historic Square lies the largest camel herd in Georgia. But it’s not just camels; this farm is home to many exotic animals such as giraffes, zebras, capybaras, lemurs, llamas, and even reindeer when they’re not pulling Santa’s sleigh.
The 4 Way Lunch – This classic American diner is Georgia’s oldest restaurant without a telephone, staying true to its 1930s roots with a 14-seat counter. In addition to Southern staples like grits and biscuits, locals love to order burgers and hot dogs “All the Way,” topped with mustard, onions, and chili.
Savoy Auto Museum: This museum connects people to the cultural diversity of the automobile. Through changing exhibits, educational programs, and engaging experiences individuals have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and history of automobiles.
4 Way Lunch
Where to Eat
Main Street Coastal Cuisine
Right on Main Street in downtown Cartersville, Maine Street Coastal Cuisine is a casual dining place but definitely make reservations before you go. We went on a Sunday evening and even though we didn’t have reservations, they had some space for us at the large bar so that’s what where we sat. The staff was really great in accommodating us and the food was awesome.
They have several seafood-based dishes as well as burgers, tacos, and a good kids menu. My youngest got Mac & Cheese and it had Old Bay Seasoning. It was so good! What a game-changer. I got steak tip tacos and my other daughter had a burger with fries. Everything was excellent.
24 West Main Street, Cartersville, GA
Maine Street Coastal Cuisine Tacos
Nagel’s Bagels
Put a bagel shop in front of me and I’ll race you to the door. Nagel’s Bagels was our choice of breakfast one morning and they didn’t disappoint. An artisan bagel shop, they specialize in unique bagel flavors that are pretty incredible. My daughters got egg, cheese, and bacon sandwiches. One of the bagels we ordered was a Maple Bacon bagel and I got a Cranberry bagel – both were fantastic. The shop is really cute, too, with lots of space to sit and relax and enjoy your bagels.
125 W Main St, Cartersville, GA
Noble & Main Coffee Co.
A specialty coffee shop, Noble & Main Coffee Co. is a couple of doors down from Nagel’s Bagels so you could get your coffee and then eat some bagels (which is what we did). I had a rosemary cardamom latte and it was quite flavorful. I’d certainly go back here to try other coffees.
145 W Main St, Cartersville, GA
Café Sundaé
This cafe is a healthier option for dining with smoothies, salads, and air-fried foods. We went for breakfast and I got a Toasted Coconut coffee that was amazing. My kids got bacon, egg, and cheese croissants that were huge. The owners are the sweetest couple you’ll probably meet and asked my name and my kids’ names and were just so welcoming. Give them a follow on Facebook for updated specials.
650 Henderson Dr Ste 501, Cartersville, GA
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, only a ten-minute drive from downtown Cartersville. The rooms are really nice and spacious with a microwave and a small refrigerator. The beds are comfortable and they have a big lobby and outdoor area to hang out, catch up on some work, or just relax and play games.
My kids loved the outdoor pool and the staff was so helpful in bringing us extra towels. While the hotel does not have a free breakfast, they do offer breakfast and Starbucks coffee as an add-on if you want to eat there.
I really liked this hotel as the location was convenient and the place was very clean.
5460 Highway 20, Cartersville, GA
Courtyard by Marriott
Fall Events in Cartersville-Bartow
If you’re headed to North Georgia around this area, there are some pretty fantastic events happening.
Swine & Wine: Barnsley Resort, located in the small town of Adairsville, is gearing up for a delightful fall celebration with Swine & Wine Weekend October 27 & 28. Throughout the entire weekend, visitors can celebrate pork and cork with award-winning barbeque pitmaster Carey Bringle of Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker and wine enthusiast personality Heath Porter, a five-star international sommelier of Heathen Wines + Wine Tours. Guests are in for a treat with an interactive signature wine tasting during the Swine & Wine Supper Club Dinner at the stunning Manor House Ruins Pavilion. The event promises to be an enchanting experience, celebrating the finest flavors of fall.
West Fest at Booth Western Art Museum: Booth Western Art Museum is hosting the newly revamped West Fest from Thursday, October 26 through Saturday October 28. Visitors can grab their cowboy hats and experience exciting re-enactments of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, vendors, lively music performances, food trucks, children’s train and hayrides, chuck wagons, a petting zoo, mechanical calf roping and so much more. Kids can enjoy complimentary art projects and activities along with their admission. Once visitors have enjoyed the daytime West Fest, they can head to Museum South Lawn from 5-7:30 pm for the first-ever “West Fest After-Party”. Tickets are available for individuals and whole tables offering beer, wine, signature drinks, food trucks and live acoustic music, creating a vibrant atmosphere for those 21 and older.
Overall Review of Cartersville-Bartow
I love being pleasantly surprised during a trip with my kids and that was certainly the feeling while exploring Cartersville. The Booth Western Art Museum and the Tellus Museum were both outstanding and I really wish I had more time to stay at both of them. The art at the Booth Museum was astounding and my kids were just as amazed as I was, which I think shows that they can really span generations of interest.
Being an outdoor lover, Red Top Mountain Park was a favorite. I’d go back there just to paddleboard and swim. They offer a yurt and cabins to stay in and I’d totally be up for doing that for a weekend and seeing the museums again for indoor activities. My kids would tell you that they would happily sit in the car for the three-hour drive if they could do the aqua park at Terminus again! I do agree that it was awesome.
For an affordable family trip that has elements to suit pretty much any interest and is within easy driving distance of the Upstate, Cartersville certainly is a fantastic option.
Looking for more travel reviews? See our big Travel section on our website to plan your next amazing trip!
Come spend a day or two exploring two states at once in the Central Savannah River area. The CSRA, which stands for the Central Savannah River Area, is a bi-state area that is located two hours from the Upstate. Georgia and South Carolina border the Savannah River and provide you with a myriad of things to do as you visit! Here are a few suggestions for you.
Nature Fun In Augusta
The Riverwalk is one of the most unique features of Augusta. Take a stroll along the water, bring some fishing poles (don’t forget your license), play at the playground, and take a boat tour. Coming on the weekend? Check out the Saturday Market!
The Augusta Canal Discovery Center and Boat Tour is a fun and fascinating way to learn about civil war history and the rich history of our waterways. You can take the boat tour and then take some time exploring the Discovery Center and its interactive exhibits.
Take a hike or enjoy a bike ride through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. They have several trails and spots to look for gators, turtles, beavers, and more! They also have a playground and picnic area. You can stop by the visitor center and check out their awesome indoor beehive!
Love the lake life? Check out Clarks Hill Lake aka Strom Thurmond Lake! The lake has numerous beach areas, great spots for camping, and more! If you are looking for cabins…they have rentals available.
While exploring Downtown Augusta take a picture with the James Brown statue located on Broad Street.
Do something out of the ordinary. Take the kids swimming at the Aqueduct. This is a fun experience. Hike the trail, navigate the rocks, and check out the waterfall. Maybe you will see a train go by!
Discover The Charm of North Augusta
Play ball with The Augusta Greenjackets! Our baseball games are a lot of fun! Situated right on the SC riverfront is SRP Park. Catch a game, let the kids jump on the inflatables and take a picture with our mascot, Auggie.
Take a walk on the Greeneway Trail. This 7+ mile recreational trail is wonderful. It is mainly covered by a green canopy and leads to a butterfly garden and Brick Pond Park where you can spot gators and sunbathing turtles.
Visit two local icons: The Sno-Cap and The Pink Dipper. The Sno-Cap has been in business since 1964. It is a quaint diner that your kids will love. Grab some smiley fries and a rootbeer float. Don’t forget to take a picture with the mural! The Pink Dipper is a cute ice cream parlor that has 40 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream. You can also get a milkshake or a sundae!
Last Stop Aiken!
Explore the Aiken Train Museum and Visitors Center. Your kiddos will get the opportunity to operate a live train display and explore the interactive exhibits upstairs. They will get the opportunity to learn about the first designed steam-powered commercial railroad in the United States and the longest railroad in the world at that time.
Splash at the Aiken Sprayground at Citizens Park. This fun splash pad has unique water features and a waterslide. There is plenty of grass for a blanket and a picnic.
The Aiken Equine Rescue is a beautiful gem. Beautiful green hills house retired horses from all over the country. Grab your picnic baskets and enjoy a serene afternoon. Be sure to connect with the staff for an opportunity to feed the horses snacks.
Gaze at the Stars at DuPont Planetarium and RPSEC Observatory. This is a fun and educational activity that everyone will enjoy. The Planetarium runs various shows weekly. Click here for show details
Art and Food = Amazing! Arts in the Heart of Augusta is one of the best international festivals in the southeast. This 2 ½ day festival has over 20 international food vendors, various hand-crafted art vendors, music performances, eclectic street performers, and a robust family area. September 19th-21st, 2025
Fireworks show to rival all fireworks shows! Thunder Over Evans is a wonderful celebration of our military and a fantastic way to kick off summer. Tomahawk throwing, lumberjack shows, military displays, BMX tricksters, and more!! It is a FULL day of fun. May 17th, 2025
Off The Beaten Path
The Big Mo Website One of three drive-in movie theaters in South Carolina! Take in two movies for a low price. They also have a playground on-site and movie concessions as well.
Living History Park A hidden gem in North Augusta, SC. The park has several buildings that tell a story about colonial life in America. The park has frequent events where they have reenactors, live blacksmith demonstrations, colonial trades fair, and more! During Christmas, they have a fantastic Father Christmas. They are currently closed and hoping to open by July 4th, 2025.
Richardson’s Lake Water Park and Recreation Area Head to the beach…at the lake. Richardson’s Lake Water Park is a great way to spend the day. They have water slides, diving boards, beach volleyball, and more.
The CSRA has so much to offer for your family year-round! Be sure to check out CSRA Kids to find suggestions, activities, and seasonal information.
Thinking about turning an adventure into an educational vacation? The Kidding Around team loves to learn on the road and has compiled a list of ideas for educational trips for families. From our nation’s capital to national parks, there is so much to see, memories to make, and things to learn. Here are some places we’ve traveled to where your family can learn something new!
Inside: A local mom visits the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and shares all the tips for you to plan a trip to this beautiful place!
Do you enjoy a lovely day at the botanical gardens? Athens, GA has the perfect ones to explore! With 313 acres of gardens, trails, and even play areas, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a must-see if you’re in the Athens, Georgia area. And it’s under two hours from Greenville, SC.
As a garden, flower, and plant lover, I was excited to check out the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, which is part of the University of Georgia. I’ve somehow managed to convince my kids that botany is cool so they were also excited to see what was in store for us there. Turns out, there were a lot of neat things to explore here and many unexpected finds at these neat gardens in Athens, Georgia, less than two hours from the Upstate of SC.
Visitors Center at the Botanical Gardens: Athens, GA
We started at the Visitors Center, a huge glass-enclosed building with a cute gift shop and an indoor tropical garden. It was beautiful. The tropical garden has huge trees you’d find near the equator that are growing papayas and cacao (where chocolate comes from). Most of the trees and plants are labeled for you to take it as a learning opportunity!
There is also a cafe here although it wasn’t open when we went due to a lack of staff. There are plenty of places to sit inside and just enjoy the beauty before heading outdoors to explore the rest of the gardens. Be sure to pick up a map here, too. It will save you from wandering around as we did. There are nice bathrooms here as well.
The Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum
Once we exited the Visitors Center, we headed outdoors to explore the other gardens on our way to find the Children’s Garden, which was our true aim of visiting the botanical garden.
We got completely lost and wandered into the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum for directions. This misdirection turned out to be the best mistake. We were warmly greeted as soon as we walked in and the nice employee started telling us the history of the building and the art we were looking at. I didn’t have the heart to ask about the Children’s Garden because she wanted us to know all the things so we listened and learned and it was fascinating!
The building houses exquisite porcelain art of animals, flowers, and birds plus an astounding collection of porcelain plates, cups, vases, pitchers, and tea sets. The entire building was designed for this collection, which was originally housed in the Days Inn Corporate headquarters. Why? Because Deen Day Sanders’ family founded the corporation and she has been an avid gardener and supporter of the arts, This was one of the ways she decided to share her love. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sunday from 11:30-4:30 pm.
There are two floors in this museum – the lower one has porcelain animals that make noises if you press the buttons plus some carved flowers and birds (bathrooms are also downstairs). Upstairs is a massive collection of porcelain plates and vases and plant and flower art. The people who work there are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to answer any questions – including where the Children’s Garden is located! I only asked after we had spent a half-hour looking at all the interesting collections there.
The Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden
After an unexpected lesson in porcelain china and where I got a map to the gardens, it was onto the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden, which we finally did find (it was very close to the Visitors Center, next to the statues of kids, wouldn’t you know it). There are two-and-a-half acres for kids to explore here, and everywhere we turned, it was like discovering another world. They have misting mushrooms, a small sandpit, spinning chairs, and a rope bridge that connects to a slide which allows kids to then either choose a little cave to explore or to see what it looks like under the roots of plants. So cool.
I thought we were done at the Children’s Garden when I saw the edible garden and lots of kale, broccoli, and herbs but then my kids saw a big tunnel that looked like it went through the remains of dinosaur bones. We followed it to a hidden natural playground that is totally shaded and consists of rope hammocks, sawed-off trees for sitting, huge sticks for building, and climbing apparatuses. This place was awesome.
The gardens have several miles of trails through the woods as well. We saw some people getting in their morning runs, which just looked lovely. It was really hot when we went so we didn’t walk through the trails but most of them did look shaded.
There is no admission to the Botanical Garden. The gardens are open daily 7 am – 7 pm except during UGA holidays.
Studies show that interacting with animals can lower stress and anxiety so we tested that theory at Brackett Town Farms in Nebo, NC, about 90 minutes from Greenville, SC. After holding baby goats and bunnies, the studies are true! We are here to tell you all about this awesome farm.
“Hey, want to help me catch a baby chicken?” asks Nichole, the owner of Brackett Town Farms, right after we park and jump out of the car.
Obviously our answer is yes. This endeavor was harder than expected though. That chicken was fast! I wasn’t as persistent as my kids but they did end up helping Nicole to catch the adorable chick and then we could continue with introductions and a run through of the farm rules, which we had already broken. Rule #2 – no running and Rule #3 – no chasing animals. Thankfully we got a pass since our assistance was needed.
Brackett Town Farms is full of surprises and we totally fell in love with the small farm in Nebo, North Carolina. We absolutely think it’s worth a trip up there from the Upstate. We’ll tell you why plus give you ideas on how to make it a weekend or day trip.
Escaped chicken finally captured
About Brackett Town Farms
The farm is located on Brackett Town Road, hence the name, but the land is actually a family farm on about 300 acres. Not all of that is used for the farm and several family members live there together so think lots of fun family gatherings.
Nichole is the owner of Brackett Town Farms, which was started about six years ago and operates as a nonprofit. They don’t charge for entry and they have to fundraise and apply for grants for upgrades to the farm.
Temporary prisoner in the bunny cage
By the way, I’ve visited a lot of farms over the years I’ve been writing for Kidding Around and this farm was just gorgeous and so clean. I was impressed the second I drove up (and was asked to help catch the baby chicken).
Brackett Town Farms also serves special needs families, which is one of the reasons they don’t charge admission. They understand how tough it is for families with medically complex kids to make ends meet and wanted to give them something to do that had no cost associated with it.
The Animals at Brackett Town Farms
Baby goats. There are baby goats. I feel like this may be enough to say about Brackett Town Farms but for those of you who aren’t as obsessed with these tiny bundles of pure joy, I’ll tell you about the other animals that live at the farm.
There are two peacocks, a guinea hen, donkeys, a horse, a couple of cows, adult goats, two emus, a couple of pigs, escape artist chickens, a beautiful corn snake, and bunnies, including a Flemish Giant.
I’ve actually never seen a peacock in person before and the male was kind enough to be courting the female peacock at the farm, so he showed his beautiful feathers, which were just amazing. The female peacock was not as impressed as we were but the female guinea hen was definitely checking him out.
Pure happiness
The bunnies at the farm are just adorable, as all bunnies are. We got to be temporary prisoners in the bunny cages for a bit as they let us pet them and learn about their individual breeds. Then we got to see Mouse, an enormous Flemish Giant bunny who loves digging and head scratches. She is very soft and friendly and bigger than the baby goats.
The donkeys are also so cute and friendly. They got jealous if we petted the goats or pigs for too long. Actually, most of the animals got jealous if they didn’t get enough attention, which was fine with us because we have a lot of love for adorable animals.
One of the cool things about Brackett Town Farm is that the animal interactions are all up to the animals themselves. They aren’t bribed with treats. In fact, you don’t feed the animals at all. These animals are obviously well taken care of and have learned to interact with humans in quite wonderful ways and respond to kindness and compassion (this is a great way to teach these traits to kids….and adults).
Lots of Learning
Did you know that a male emu sits on his partner’s eggs and incubates them for 60 days? A male penguin does the same thing. The eggs of an emu are huge – and almost sparkly black! Mind blown.
We learned how to tell when a corn snake is ready to shed, which the corn snake we got to see was about to do (their eyes kind of glaze over and look cloudy and their scales are a bit duller in color).
Heyyyyy, girl
We also learned that bunnies can sense your heartbeat because they are prey animals. So if you go into their cage all hyped up, they will cower and won’t let you near them. But if you are nice and calm, they will be calm also.
Plus, several studies point to human-animal interaction as a method to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. From personal experience, I’m at my most calm while holding a baby goat.
Visiting Brackett Town Farms
Visits to Brackett Town Farms are by appointment only. You can email Nichole to set up a time and date and the tour is about an hour long. We were there a little longer because well, I needed to hold those baby goats longer and we had to chase a chicken.
There’s no charge to visit but they do accept donations.
No pets are allowed at the farm and you must wear closed-toed shoes. Read over the farm rules before you go to be prepared.
There is plenty of space to bring a picnic and sit and eat at the farm. They have lots of places to sit under the shaded pine trees. There is a clean port-a-potty with a handwashing station as well as a very sweet Australian Shepherd named Phoenix who will love you forever if you play fetch with her.
Make it a Day Trip
There are a ton of things to do nearby if you’re looking to make your trip to Brackett Town Farms a day trip.
Lucky Strike Gold Mine is five minutes down the road. You can mine for gold and eat at the Miners Diner. They really have great food!
When we visited Brackett Town Farms, we brought our lunch and headed to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge and the village of Chimney Rock, only about 35 minutes away. You can eat there, stroll through the town, or get ice cream after visiting the free Flowering Bridge.
The town of Flat Rock is also on your way back from Brackett Town Farms, where you can grab a bite to eat at the Village Bakery, browse The Wrinkled Egg next door, and then head over to The Park at Flat Rock to let your kids get their energy out at the amazing playground. They also have walking trails.
Lake James State Park is a wonderful excursion for the summer as they have a sandy mountain beach. It’s about 25 minutes from the farm.
Make it a Weekend Trip
Brackett Town Farms is just a few minutes down the road from Gold River Camp, a glamping campground with cabins, glamping tents, and small riverside tiny homes. We absolutely loved our stay there and we think you will, too.
Gold River Camp
Hiking around this area is endless. You can visit Crabtree Falls, an astounding waterfall that is part of a two-mile loop off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Grandfather Mountain is an hour away, where you can hike an insane trail where you scale ladders on the side of the mountain (they also have a non-threatening nature center and Mile High Bridge).
For more places to play with animals in the Upstate and Western North Carolina, see our Petting Zoos story.
Breath-taking views, a stunning waterfall, and more than a thousand stairs await you at Chimney Rock State Park in Lake Lure, NC in Western North Carolina. You may have seen photos of the iconic rock with an American flag flying high and wondered about this place. Kristina took her kids to this park and tells you everything you need to know to enjoy the spot with your family.
August 2025: Chimney Rock State Park is back open! It requires reservations but it’s open after being devasted by Hurricane Helene. Photos in this story were taken before Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024.
Every time I saw a photo of Chimney Rock overlooking Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Mountains, I mentally made a note to take a day to go there and hike around the park. I finally decided to pack a lunch, a lot of water, and snacks, and head there on a gorgeous spring day.
Chimney Rock State Park
The park has a long and storied history, beginning with Dr. Lucius Morse, who sought refuge in the area to feel better from tuberculous. He bought 64 acres of Chimney Rock Mountain in 1902 for $5,000. Smaller purchases expanded the owned land to 1,000 acres. In the 1980s, Guilford Nanney began the extensive construction of the intricate stair system to climb the rockface. And in 1949, an elevator was added to help tourists reach the stunning views of Chimney Rock without climbing the stairs.
Throughout the years following, botanists and conservationists were added to the team of people who worked at the park given its unique ecosystem. Educational programs were designed for visitors and school groups.
In 2007, NC State Parks purchased the 996-acre park for $24 million.
If you love movies, you’ll be pleased to note that scenes from The Last of the Mohicans, Firestarter and A Breed Apart were all filmed at the park. And while it was not filmed at the park, scenes from Dirty Dancing were filmed a mile down the road at Lake Lure, which you can see from the overlooks.
Hiking at Chimney Rock State Park
Hiking is easily the most popular activity at the park. There are seven trails, none of which are very long unless you combine them, which my kids and I did when we went. The longest trail is the Skyline Trail, which is 2.2 miles roundtrip and has some incline, especially on the way back. It takes you to the top of Hickory Nut Falls, which you can’t see but the trail is still peaceful and beautiful.
You’ll definitely want to see Hickory Nut Falls from the bottom because it’s incredibly beautiful. The Hickory Nut Falls trail is only 1.4 miles roundtrip and pretty easy.
Let’s talk about the stairs because hiking Chimney Rock is like walking on a never-ending Stairmaster, except you get awesome views thankfully.
Chimney Rock, the one with the American flag flying high, is 2,280 feet above sea level. The drive up to the parking lot from the ticket booth is around two miles so you’re closer than down at the town. My 10-year-old, in her famous last words before we began the climb, said: “oh, that doesn’t look too high!”
It was high. There are 499 steps from the parking lot to Chimney Rock, with stops on the way to Pulpit Rock and other really cool little caves. Definitely see those.
Then once you get there and want to exert yourself further, ascend the hundreds more steps up to Exclamation Point, which sits at 2,480 feet above sea level. It’s truly beautiful up there. The company that the park contracts out some of the management of the park to had an employee stationed there to make sure everyone was safe and to answer questions, which I really appreciated it.
This is the start of the Skyline Trail. It has some steps but it’s most a wooded trail through the forest along the bubbling creek and a nice break from the crowds. After maybe five or 10 minutes on this trail, you’ll come to another overlook, Peregrine’s Point, the highest point in the park at 2,640 feet. We stopped to eat here and enjoy the views of the gorge.
We hiked up to Chimney Rock and Exclamation Point and then hiked the Skyline Trail. Because I really wanted to see the waterfall, I bribed my kids by telling them I’d get them ice cream when we left and we hiked to the bottom of Hickory Nut Falls. We clocked more than 1,000 stairsteps.
Before you ascend to the upper parking lot, you’ll see a rock climbing wall and next to it is the short Great Woodland Adventure Trail, which is perfect for kids. There are 12 discovery stations along the 0.6 mile trail where children will learn about animals and plants in the park.
Accessibility and Other Programs
If you’re wondering just how hard those stairs are and if you/your kids can do it, we saw people of varying abilities the whole way. I’m fairly athletic and in shape and it was hard for me. My kids fared a bit better somehow. It’s so important to take your time and have enough water. There is a sky lounge right before you climb the final steps to Chimney Rock where you can get water if you need.
For those who cannot climb the stairs for whatever reason, there is an elevator at the park you can take to get to Chimney Rock. The views up there are beautiful and if you think you can climb the last 44 steps to the rock itself, you can do it from where the elevator arrives.
Important info to note: no dogs are allowed in the elevator except for service animals; and, because of maintenance, call before you go to make sure the elevator is in operation.
Chimney Rock also hosts several programs throughout the year, such a Santa event during Christmas and musical programs. Check their website for the most up-to-date information. They also have the TRACK trail adventure program for kids who complete challenges around the park. They can win prizes for doing so.
If you’re the adventurous sort, you can rock climb with Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School at the park. The minimum age is 7 and there is no maximum.
And you can even have a birthday party there! Just don’t make your friends climb the stairs to get their goody bag.
Visiting Chimney Rock and Tickets
Chimney Rock State Park is one of the only NC State Parks that charges admission. Tickets are $17/adult, $8/kids 5-15, free/kids 4 and under. You can purchase online or at the gate. During holiday breaks and peak seasons, especially during the brilliant fall colors, the park will close due to capacity so get there early. A family one-day pass (two adults and up to three kids ages 5-15) is $80 online.
If you are thinking that’s a steep cost, you’re not alone. That’s pretty much the reason I put off going to the park for so long. Here are some things to make it more affordable:
If you have an annual pass to the Biltmore, that gets you a $2 discount off an adult ticket and $1 off a youth ticket.
An annual adult pass to Chimney Rock State Park is $32 and a youth annual pass is $14. This is a great option if you want to go multiple times a year.
AAA members get $2 off per adult and $1 off the youth ticket for up to six people.
You can visit Chimney Rock in the winter and receive discounted admission.
If you purchase your ticket after 4 pm during Daylight Savings Time, you can come back for free with it the next day. During winter months, the cutoff time is 3 pm.
Check the page for hours.
Be sure to check their website and Chimney Rock Facebook page for park info and unexpected closings.
Things to do Nearby
Chimney Rock Village is an adorable little town to stroll around in. There are lots of great little shops, like Cliff Dwellers Gifts, coffee houses, and restaurants. There’s a gem mine business and you can relax and eat down by the river. This is a wonderful way to support the recovery of Chimney Rock Village.
In the summer, you can swim at the Lake Lure beach and paddle on the lake when it opens back up.
For more things to do near Chimney Rock State Park, be sure to visit our guide to the area.
Have you climbed those stairs at Chimney Rock State Park?
