Did you know Emerald Village Mine has a cave where you can see minerals glow in the dark? If you’re looking for a bucket list adventure in Western North Carolina, the Black Light Tour at the Emerald Village mine near Little Switzerland, NC is it. Kidding Around’s Kristina took her kids for this unique experience and tells us about it.
As of 2024, Emerald Village Mine is CLOSED due to Hurricane Helene impact.
I thought Geology was a pretty boring subject until we studied it for a homeschool science unit. I was completely taken with the cool rocks, how the cycle of minerals, magma, and sedimentary rocks form. I loved learning about the chemical makeup of minerals. And when I took my kids to the Geology Museum at Clemson, the fluorescent black light room was a favorite. So when I heard that the Emerald Village Mine near Little Switzerland, North Carolina, was offering a very limited Black Light Mine Tour, I was in. I didn’t hesitate to get tickets when they went on sale back in the early spring and good thing, because they immediately sold out.
The Lake Jocassee Gorges have been featured as National Geographic’s “50 of the World’s Last Great Places – Destinations of a Lifetime” and it’s only an hour from Greenville, SC. Devil’s Fork State Park and its Lake Jocassee are an easy and beautiful spot to explore this local wonder.
For more destinations within a couple hours of Greenville, see our popular day trip page.
I love the outdoors and grew up hiking, biking, camping, and doing all kinds of great activities outside. Hoping to instill that same love in my young children and searching around for outdoorsy things to do, I’m continually amazed at the Upstate and all that it offers for not only outdoor enthusiasts, but for those same outdoor lovers who have kids.
Lake Jocassee has been on my South Carolina bucket list since I heard of it last year. I then saw that the Lake Jocassee Gorges were featured as one of National Geographic’s “50 of the World’s Last Great Places – Destinations of a Lifetime.” Um – I live really close to this destination of a lifetime. I needed to go, like now.
About Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee was created in 1973 through a partnership with the state and Duke Power. The dam at the Jocassee Gorges is 385 feet high and 1,750 feet long. The lake itself fills 9,000 acres with water that reaches depths of over 385 feet deep. There are even companies that take scuba divers out on the lake!
Lake Jocassee is known for its crystal clear waters that are fed with cool Appalachian waters that fall from dozens of gorgeous waterfalls that are only accessible by boat. Areas of the lake are also part of the only temperate rain forest east of the Rockies. The shoreline is undeveloped, which makes you feel like you are deep in the wild.
The lake is incredible, breath-taking, and stunning. I had seen photos but really, they just don’t do it justice. Being there, breathing that mountain air, swimming in the water, listening to the silence of nature, and just being awed by the entire environment is a wonderful feeling.
What to do at Lake Jocassee with Kids: Kayaking
There’s plenty to do with kids at Lake Jocassee but the first time I ventured out to the lake, I chose to rent a tandem kayak and take my two kids out on a little boating adventure. A tandem kayak – specifically a sit on-top one like the one we had – normally fits two adults, each of whom are paddling. In my instance, I sat in the back seat, my nearly-three-year-old in the middle, and my six-year-old in the front seat. I did all the paddling (of course).
We rented the tandem for four hours, which included life vests for each of us plus a waterproof case for my phone and keys, an emergency whistle, and a map of the lake.
I really wanted to see at least one magical waterfall so we started out on our adventure. I also brought along a bag of snacks, water, and sunscreen, plus we all wore hats. Being out of the water can be brutally sunny and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to get sunburned (spoiler: I got some sunburn because apparently I failed to reapply the sunscreen when I should have).
It was really easy paddling in the kayak. I’ve kayaked before – not tandem with kids along though – but it is easy to learn if you have never done it. The water was so clear and we could see little fish and rocks. My girls loved the new experience.
Since the water level was low enough, we stopped a bunch of times in different coves, secluded beaches, and sandbars to jump into the water, take photos, and have snacks. I’ve since gone back to the lake several times and now have my own kayak so I can drop it in further up the shoreline from the rental place, which cuts down on the time to get to the waterfalls. I made it last time but it’s pretty far, especially in a kayak.
There is also a little island near one of the waterfalls to dock the kayak and swim around. That place was really fun.
For an awesome kid kayaking clinic, check out our review of doing one with Jocassee Wild Child.
If you have your own kayak or SUP
I’ve since gotten my own tandem kayak, pretty much for the purposes of kayaking at Lake Jocassee, and the best way to see the waterfalls is to drop the boat in the furthest parking lots at Devils Fork State Park. A handy map of the waterfalls is here. It’s a FAR paddle, about an hour to Wright’s Creek Falls. It’s worth it but be prepared, especially for the intense storms that pop up on the lake.
When you get into the park (go early, it gets crowded), make a left and pass the first parking lot on your right. Drive past the campgrounds and to the unmanned gate where you pay your entrance fee. Keep going down the curvy road until you come to a fork where there are two signs: “non-motorized boats/motorized boats” and “non-motorized boats only.” Go left to the non-motorized/motorized boats drive.
You’ll come to a parking lot and boat ramp where you can drop the boat in. Then head directly across the lake. Here is a map of the waterfall locations.
Devils Fork opened a new boat ramp in 2020 that is right past the campgrounds on the right. If you choose to drop in here, the paddle to the waterfalls will be even further. But you can just paddle around the area and still have a blast if you don’t want to go that far.
The lake is also an awesome place to go stand up paddleboarding. You can use your own off any boat ramp or rent them.
What to do at Lake Jocassee: The Beach
Really, there’s a beach. It’s surrounded by rocks that you need to climb down but it truly is a beach, albeit a small one. I wasn’t prepared with chairs and an umbrella so we used towels and rocks and it worked fine. I saw later that could have rented chairs, umbrellas and tubes from Eclectic Sun though, since they are set up right next to the beach. The lower the water level, the bigger the sandy beach. If the water level is high, you may only have rocks to sit on.
There are no lifeguards, just a yellow flotation line in the water, which is probably more for the boats than swimmers. The water felt great and we ended up having our lunch there on the beach.
There is also a small playground near the front of the parking lot near the Pavilion, plus picnic benches and grills.
Be sure to note that the lake is inside of Devil’s State Park, which means you have to pay the entrance fee, which is $8/adults, $4/ages 6-15, free for kids six and under. It is also free entry every Tuesday all year round. During the busy summer months and holiday weekends, you need to get to the park early (no later than 8:30 am) in order to park. Capacity is always reached during summer weekends early in the day.
If the lot fills up, you’ll have to wait to get in. Check the website and SC State Parks Facebook page or Devils Fork on Twitter since they will update it when the parking lot is full. You could choose to reserve a parking spot ($50, which includes admission for two guests and a paved parking spot).
What else to do at Lake Jocassee with Kids
Jocassee Wild Child
Take your kids on an awesome nature expedition around the lake with Jocassee Wild Child. The tour is around four hours and includes waterfalls, nature exploration, and really cool history lessons. Read our review here.
Boat Tours
Since many of the waterfalls are only accessible by boat, enterprising companies offer boating tours. Jocassee Lake Tours was the one that I was leaning towards for this excursion. They have tours where they take you to the waterfalls and let you jump in the water and swim around before going to the next waterfall.
Fishing
I don’t know anything about fishing. I do know that we saw some fish in the lake and that, according to Google, there are tons of great fish in the lake just asking to be hooked. We saw some people in canoes fishing so if you want to teach your kid the right way to do things, this could be the lake to do it in.
There are also fishing tours available to choose from. Be sure to purchase your SC Fishing license before casting a line.
Vacation Rentals
Jocassee Outdoor Center features several different rental properties on their website for guests to browse through if they are looking for the right place to take their family for a vacation.
You can also look through the SC State Park website to find cabins and villas.
Camping
Camping at Lake Jocassee is awesome. Primitive tent sites line the lake and there is a short path to a private beach behind tent site #1. There is a bath house on site and bathrooms. You need to reserve sites far enough in advance, usually a year, especially the ones that are right next to the lake. You may get lucky if you keep an eye on the state park website or by calling the Ranger station. You can also camp at an island at the lake that is accessible by boat only. I totally want to do this!
You can hike an easy one-mile loop at Lake Jocassee named after the rare wildflower that blooms there in the spring: Oconee Bells Nature Trail. More info here on the trails at Devils Fork State Park. This is the only hiking trail inside Devils Fork. There are miles and miles of trails within 30-40 minutes of the park though like at Gorges State Park, Twin Falls, Kings Creek Falls, and other waterfalls on the Foothills Trail.
But don’t forget…
Sunscreen
More sunscreen
Bug spray
Hats
Towels
Water shoes or shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked
Water
Food/lunch/snacks – the food options at the park are very limited. If you can bring your own, do it.
Any personal tube or water toy you would want to relax with in the lake by the beach
Beach chair and umbrella
Sunglasses
Change of clothes and extra diapers
Places to rent boats, kayaks, canoes
*Make sure to call ahead and reserve your boat. Some days, especially the weekends and holidays, are crowded.
Eclectic Sun LLC This outfitter is located at the Pavilion right when you enter Devil’s Fork State Park. They will drop your kayak/canoe/paddleboard right in the water for you. They also have a small concession stand. This is what they have available to rent:
Single kayak
Tandem kayak
Stand up paddleboards
Canoes
Pontoon boats
Beach umbrella
Beach chair
Lake floats
238 Buckeye Drive, Salem, SC 864.944.1191
Jocassee Outdoor Center They aren’t directly on the lake but only a few minutes away and will drop your rental at various points in the lake. This is what they have available:
Pontoon boat rentals Four-hour Waterfall Tours by boat (call for pricing)
Jocassee Keowee Rentals Stephanie, the owner, is consider the Jocassee Lake Lady. She knows her stuff and is a wealth of useful information. She rents out canoes and pontoon boats.
864.704.0004
Jocassee Lake Tours This company offers boat tours, kayak tours, full moon rising tours, senior tours, and adventure tours. They also have a kids kayak camp and rent kayaks by the day.
Jocassee Dive Shop When the kids are big enough to SCUBA dive, this company will help make it happen. They offer charters to the lake and have lots of rentals available like masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, etc.
710 Dive Buddy Lane, Salem 864.944.9255
Jocassee Charters These people are ones the go to for an awesome fishing experience at Lake Jocassee.
Looking for something new this Christmas season? We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez to Pigeon Forge to check out Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood. You’ll find reindeer games, a live nativity, 5 million lights, and so much more Christmas cheer! Read on to find out all about Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood and add it to your list of things to do this Christmas season!
It’s no secret. Travelers Rest is the place to be. This little town has made its way into the hearts of families in the Upstate, with good reason. Take an afternoon, better yet a Saturday, and see for yourself.
Our visit to The Whistle Stop in Travelers Rest
One of my favorite places to visit (and stuff my face) is The Whistle Stop at the American Café. Have you been? If not, you’re missing out. Now is the perfect time to go. In addition to the warm, cozy atmosphere, the food is amazing. I had the opportunity to stop in recently.
I ordered the classic American burger with a side of fries and savored every bite.
Is your mouth watering? The picture doesn’t do it justice. The meat was cooked to perfection but what impressed me most was the bread. And please do not get me started on the sweet tea. (If you do not drink sweet tea, I am not sure we can be friends). Being from the South, tea is an essential part of my day. The Whistle Stop gets two thumbs up! We just so happened to visit while they were serving their children’s meal in Santa’s sleigh.
Clearly I am excited about the restaurant, but the children’s meal is the reason for this review. Drumroll please.
Move over McDonald’s, you didn’t have to open this box to find your prize. The box was the prize! I’m not sure who was more excited – the kids or ME. That’s not all. Inside the sleigh was a collectible Christmas duck. Each little friend in the series was dressed in a different holiday disguise. Can you say cute?! I am hoping these little treasures land on the menu next season.
During non-holiday season, they serve kids meals in a train box. It’s adorable.
In addition to the delicious burger and southern sweet tea, I can’t say enough about the service. More than once the manager checked on our table to make sure everything was perfect. Our young waitress kept all five glasses full and met every other request (in record time, I might add) all while wearing a friendly smile.
Plan your own trip to Whistle Stop
Whistle Stop at the American Cafe is located at 109 Main Street Travelers Rest, SC. They are open Monday – Thursday from 11 am – 8:30 pm and Friday – Saturday 11 am – 9:30 pm. They are closed on Sunday. I cannot wait to go back. Next time, however, I plan to dine on the roof. They have live music on the weekends.
Would your kids like to visit The Whistle Stop at the American Cafe as much as mine did?
Curious about the World of Coke in Atlanta? Since Greenville is a short day trip from this popular Atlanta destination, Kidding Around contributors are telling you all about their visit.
What makes Coca-Cola’s secret formula so successful, and why is World of Coca-Cola such a popular destination for families visiting Atlanta, Georgia? Our team at Kidding Around Greenville decided to search for the answers to these two questions on our recent weekend trip to Atlanta. While I can’t promise to share the secret ingredients to Coke’s famous recipe, I think that we did figure out why families love visiting World of Coca-Cola.
Our trip to World of Coca-Cola was compliments of World of Coca-Cola. This post contains affiliate links.
Find a place to stay in Atlanta, GA. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Ages: While the World of Coca-Cola accommodates all ages, in my opinion the museum would be best enjoyed by children elementary age through adults.
Parking: Parking is available in the World of Coca-Cola parking garage for $15 a day, two Marta stations are also located within 10 minute walking distances.
Nearby Attractions: The Georgia Aquarium, CNN Tower, and Centennial Olympic Park are all located within easy walking distance of World of Coca-Cola. Susan and I easily filled a day with just the World of Coca-Cola and The Georgia Aquarium, though with an earlier start it would be possible to tour the CNN Tower as well. (I personally think that all three attractions would be overwhelming for children). Atlanta has also opened a tall Ferris Wheel with a 15 minute ride within walking distance of Pemberton Place.
World of Coca-Cola is essentially a fast-paced multimedia museum about the history and production of the drink Coca-Cola. Families can expect a quick live presentation of the history of Coca-Cola when entering the museum, followed by a short animated movie in the Happiness Factory Theatre, and then a self-guided tour of the museum’s exhibits.
I did appreciate that all of World of Coca-Cola’s exhibits including the 4-D Movie Theatre are included in the cost of admission.
World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip:All visitors to World of Coca-Cola must listen to the introductory live presentation and movie which takes around 30 minutes total. Be prepared to entertain small children as the live presentation in particular requires standing in one place for several minutes.
Exhibits at World of Coca-Cola
I’ve toured World of Coca-Cola several times, and in my opinion Coca-Cola has kept the museum fresh and interesting. While some of the popular exhibits have remained unchanged, every visit brings new experiences too. You can find a complete list of exhibits and shows on the World of Coca-Cola website, but I’ll list a couple of my favorites.
Vault of the Secret Formula
Kids will love the dramatic presentation of the exhibit Vaultof the Secret Formula. The attendants keep even the line waiting lively, with a beach ball game. Upon entering the vault, visitors are crammed into a small room where a “security clearance” is performed.
Inside the vault, visitors learn about the history of Coca-Cola’s brand success against counterfeit brands while also being teased with a mixture of history and legend surrounding the secret formula.
The exhibit has a fun atmosphere with mirrored ceilings and mysterious voices. At the end the visitors experience a circular room with multi-media moving walls simulating the filling of a cup of Coke. At the end of the multi-media presentation “the vault” is revealed.
World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip:Families especially with small children will want to be aware that touring the exhibit does involve being crammed into small rooms much like riding an elevator. Upon entering the exhibit, you must follow the timetable of the tour before exiting, so be sure to schedule that bathroom trip first.
Bottle Works
Personally,I would count Bottle Works as my favorite exhibit,a miniature real-bottling line that gives families a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Coca-Cola.
4-D Theatre
Moving seats, 3-D Glasses, and water mists make the 4-D Theatre a memorable experience. While the movie is a little corny in plot, it’s fast-paced search for the secret ingredient keeps visitors glued to their seats. For visitors wanting a less-active showing, non-moving seats are available and exits are clearly pointed out before the show.
World of Coca-Cola Funny Memory: While Susan and I enjoyed the 4-D movie, we were sitting by a couple women who really enjoyed the movie. From the first small jolt of our seat to the last mist of water, our neighbors screamed liberally throughout the entire show. I was even afraid at one point that the lady beside me was about to end up in my lap.
Taste It!
I think that I can safely say that the exhibit Taste It! is the favorite of children visiting World of Coca-Cola. With over 100 different flavors from around the world and unlimited visits to the soda fountain, Taste It! definitely is a sparkling end to the tour. Whether you discover a new flavor or stumble on the infamous Beverly, you won’t leave thirsty. (Though you may leave feeling a little sick.)
World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip: I was excited to see that World of Coca-Colaadded several mix-your-own beverage machines. You may want to walk to the back of the exhibit to check them out before filling up on fruity beverages at the front.
Guest Services at World of Coca-Cola
You can find a complete list of World of Coca-Cola’s accessibility options for persons with disabilities on the World of Coca-Cola website under Guest Services. World of Coca-Cola is completely wheelchair and stroller accessible, though stroller usage may be restricted in some areas during peak times.
Free Wi-Fi is available both inside and outside World of Coca-Cola.
Family restrooms are available, and changing stations are located in all bathrooms. I didn’t notice any private spots that would be convenient for breast-feeding, though there was plenty of seating throughout the museum.
World of Coca-Cola does not have a restaurant, but Pemberton Cafe is located outside the museum.
Souvenirs: World of Coca-Cola provides a complimentary glass bottle of Coca-Cola to every guest. Guests can also get a photo taken with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear or on the vintage Coca-Cola couch by a professional photographer. While you can purchase a photo at the gift shop, the photographers also accommodated guests by taking photos with the visitors’ own cameras.
When planning your trip to Atlanta, be sure to also check out our Kidding Around review of:
Find an affordable place to stay in Atlanta on Hotels.com
So, what makes the brand Coca-Colaso successful? I think that the World of Coca-Cola museum proves that Coca-Cola is more than just a beverage but a common experience associated with happiness and fun that we share with people across the globe. Similarly, World of Coca-Cola leaves you happy and full of great memories.
