Just a 50-mile drive from Greenville is the little town of Brevard, North Carolina. With unique little shops, great restaurant options, and a scenic drive, this destination just might find itself penciled onto your day trip adventure list. Spend the day in Brevard exploring this mountain town with small-town vibes, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of Brevard’s most prized residences, a white squirrel!
Fall foliage is not the only incentive to make the trek from the Upstate to Brevard. The beauty of the mountains envelops you long before you reach the actual town. The scenic drive up Highway 25 is dotted with produce stands, complete with pumpkins, and antique shops. Highway 64 through Hendersonville will carry you straight into downtown Brevard, NC. Though a bit longer, this route is preferable to Highway 276 for me. I am not a fan of corkscrew-shaped roads.
Once in Brevard, North Carolina, there’s no shortage of things to do. Main Street is lined with eccentric shops and unique eateries. There are no parking garages, but it’s rarely an issue. Unlike Greenville, you are allowed to park in the lots of just about every public building and business. You cannot imagine how convenient that is until you are looking for a place to put your car.
If you are in need of some new outdoor gear but want a more local experience, then DD. Bullwinkle’s Outdoors will help you find what you need. They have backpacks, shoes, clothes, and survival gear to help you brace for your next adventure, Pisgah National Forest!
This mini-Gatlinburg is a haven for anyone who loves collectibles, trinkets, and other items that cannot be found at your local mall. Brevard is home to the original O.P. Taylor’s store. Your kiddos will love the two-tier toy wonderland.
The original O.P. Taylors
I can’t write an article about Brevard without mentioning the absolute coolest store on the block. It’s called The Children’s Center. TCC is a not-for-profit clothing store that supports children in Transylvania County who are at risk of being abused and/or neglected. This store is THE place to shop for the little members of your family. It is a special home for name-brand clothes and handmade gifts for less.
Where to Eat in Brevard
Whether eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’re certain to find something in Brevard, North Carolina to please the pickiest palate (bet you can’t say that five times fast). Our crew likes to eat a big breakfast before leaving on a day trip, so we usually snack for lunch and enjoy an early dinner. This brings me to my next recommendation.
Maybe you need a pick me up after all that walking. Then, head to Cup and Saucer for a nice espresso and a sweet treat. They sell fresh baked goods, but also specialty coffee, beer, and wine.
You will also find one of the several breweries in Brevard, so there is no shortage of beer if you are looking for it. Ecusta Brewing Company is pretty well known in the area, and they are pretty close to Pisgah Forest, making it a nice stop after a day outdoors. Brevard Brewing Company is just down the street from O.P. Taylor’s if you’re looking for something within walking distance of the downtown area.
Outdoor Things to Do in Brevard, NC
In addition to all the food and merchandise, Brevard has historical sites you do not want to miss and practically sits in the backyard of Gorges State Park. The park offers weekly activities as well as monthly special events. You can visit their website for a full listing of family-friendly fun.
You can also travel a quick drive out of town to Looking Glass Falls, one of the most accessible waterfalls near Greenville. There are several waterfalls near Brevard (the Land of Waterfalls is close by in Cashiers), so you won’t have to travel far for an epic adventure after your day Downtown.
One of our favorite adventures in Brevard is riding lazily down the river with Brevard Tubing. You get to ride in a hot pink tube down the Broad River, while being lazy and enjoying the beautiful scenery, sounds like a plan!
Look at how relaxing this is
If you want to continue your outdoor adventure, we highly recommend the natural waterslide, Sliding Rock. Here, you can slide down a natural rock formation and plunge into the chilly mountain water below. We promise, your kids will want to do it over and over again, and you will too.
One of the best outdoor places in Brevard is at Dupont State Recreational Forest. Here you can hike, mountain bike, and even swim. There are multiple waterfalls, and did you know that they even filmed portions of the Hunger Games at Triple Falls?
Grab your binoculars and go on a sight hunt of Brevard’s most prized locals, white squirrels. There is a large population of white squirrels in Brevard, and you will see everything from stores named after them, to souvenirs. Hopefully, you’ll catch a glimpse, because they are super cute! There are larger populations in Silvermont, around Brevard College, and Franklin Park, so pack a picnic.
The second week in September is usually the Art is the Air Plein Air Festival in Brevard. Several artists will spend the week painting all over Brevard and then showcase their work on Saturday afternoon. Be sure to visit the “wet paint” tent to see all their amazing work!
Now that I have piqued your interest, it’s time for you and your family to plan your next road trip.
Are you looking for the best outdoor festival in Greenville? Fall For Greenville is an annual tradition and a celebration of our city that you don’t want to miss! Local mom Kristina gives us the details you need to plan a visit to this year’s annual Fall For Greenville!
The 2023 Fall for Greenville event starts October 13th, 2023, and runs through October 15th, 2023. There is also a kick-off concert on October 12th, 2023 if you’re too excited to wait!
Greenville has focused a significant amount of time and energy on making the small city a paradise for people who love to eat good food. And who doesn’t love good food?
Fall for Greenville is not only one of the region’s hottest food festivals but also one of the nation’s best fall festivals, according to Country Living. Cheers to that!
Have you tried a corn maze yet this fall? The Upstate has many corn mazes to choose from, but local mom Lacey took her family up into North Carolina, near Asheville, for the Eliada Corn Maze. Her family had a fantastic time and she’s told us all about it here in this review.
The 2023 Eliada Corn Maze is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between September 29th and October 29th. We recommend checking the Eliada Corn Maze website for the most up-to-date information regarding ticket availability and available time slots. Media tickets were provided for this review in 2015, but we’ve updated it with 2023 information.
Nothing says autumn like rows and rows of corn. Every year, we try to make it to at least one corn maze. In years past we’ve tried a few mazes in Hendersonville, and we’ve always been pleased with our options. This year, however, our family took the corn maze game up a notch and drove a little farther north right up to our neighbors in Asheville, and visited the annual Eliada Corn Maze.
Are you planning a fall day trip from Greenville? Fall is my absolute favorite time of year to take day trips or weekend adventures with my kids because of all the incredible beauty in the mountains and the cooler temps. It’s just ideal. So we compiled this list of pretty amazing (if we do say so ourselves) day trips that you could make into an overnight if that’s something you and your family or significant other are looking for.
Are you looking for fall date ideas in the Upstate? If you are hoping for a date that represents the season, you’ve come to the right place. We have tons of date ideas to chose from to help you embrace fall and the ones you love.
Dates are fun and necessary for healthy relationships. Now that the temperatures are dropping, it’s time for some festive, fall-themed dates. These can be family date activities, Daddy and Daughter/Son dates, Mother and Son/Daughter dates, romantic couple dates, or any combination. All will provide memories and fall fun!
Upick pumpkins in the fall, Upick tulips in the spring, and Upick sunflowers in the summer, count us in! Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC and Campobello, SC has so many opportunities to pick your own. Picking blooming flowers and pumpkins is delightful, and Thompson Family Farms is one of the only farms near the Upstate that offers three seasons of u-pick. What a win! I adore this farm because it is well-maintained, it is run efficiently, the view of Hogback Mountain is perfect for photos with my kids, and everything we have picked has been high quality.
For pick your own cut pumpkins, Thompson Family Farms will open to the public on Thursday, September 21, 2023, until the end of October. Enjoy the gorgeous mountain views as you head out into the fields to find the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern or pie. Field pumpkins are precut from the vine for your convenience.
*Tulip U-pick is available in mid-March 2024. * Sunflower U-pick is available at the beginning of July 2024.
Fall is Here: Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Thompson Family Farms!
As the fall season begins, so does the time of year to head down to the pumpkin patch to pick some pumpkins for decorating your home for fall and Halloween. Thompson Family Farms will open their pick-your-own-cut pumpkin patch in September at their Campobello location. There will be over 10 varieties of pumpkin to choose from, which is more than I even knew existed! The farm will also have prepicked and organized pumpkins near the farm stand if you aren’t too keen on picking yours yourself.
While at the farm, you can enjoy a sunflower maze, a selection of fall crops, and lots of photo opportunities! So, grab your sunscreen and closed-toed shoes (it’s a little bumpy out there in the fields) and head on down to the pumpkin patch at the farm.
U-pick Pumpkins
Pumpkins will be priced by size and variety and will start at $7 per pumpkin. The farm will have a limited number of wagons to help lug your pumpkins to the car, but they do recommend bringing a wagon if you want to have one out in the fields.
Pumpkins in the field are precut from the vine to ensure that underripe pumpkins are not picked. Any pumpkin still on the vine is not ready to pick, so please do not pull on their stems!
There will also be prepicked pumpkins, Indian corn, corn stalks, and cotton stems for sale as they continue to ripen throughout the season.
Sunflower Maze and U-pick Flowers
While at the farm, be sure to head to the sunflower maze! The maze is 7 acres and is a great way to spend some time with your kids doing a scavenger hunt. You will find scavenger hunt papers at the front counter, which include clues to the educational maze.
After the maze, you can also pick sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos for an additional fee and have them wrapped in a bouquet at the front counter to take home.
Homeschool Day
On October 4th, 2023, homeschooling families are invited to take a farm tour of Thompson Family Farms from 12 pm – 4 pm! Tours start every hour, at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Homeschool students can pick a crop souvenir and will have access to the pumpkin and u pick flower fields. Pumpkins and flowers are an additional fee.
Tickets are $8 per student ages K4- 12th grade. Reservations are not required, but groups of 10 or more should contact the farm directly.
Hours and Admission
Thompson Family Farms will be open September 21, 2023, through the end of October for u-pick pumpkins along with other seasonal items. Hours are 10 am – 7 pm, Thursdays – Saturdays. Admission is free!
Things to Know Before You Go U-Pick Pumpkins
The Thompson Family Farms pumpkin and sunflower fields are located at 13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC.
There is a graveled parking area right when you enter the farm to park at.
Be sure to bring sunscreen or a UV umbrella, the farm is mostly un-shaded.
Wear closed-toe shoes or boots to protect your kids and your feet from ants, sticks, etc.
The fields are pretty bumpy, so strollers are not recommended. We recommend bringing a carrier if you have smaller children, as the ground has dips and holes that are hard for little feet to navigate.
The farm does have porta potties if you need to use the restroom.
Bring water! It gets hot out there in the fields.
There are honeybees enjoying some of the flowers, so be careful when picking your flowers to avoid getting stung.
Offered in July… U-pick Sunflowers at Thompson Family Farms!
See the Sunflower Fields
U-pick Sunflowers
If you love sunflowers (it is hard not to) then Thompson Family Farms has a U-pick experience for you! You can mosey through fields of gorgeous sunflowers, and even pick a few to take home.
The U-pick sunflower fields are located in Campobello, SC, right past the Greenville County line into Spartanburg County off of Highway 11. The patch is huge, and overlooks Hogback Mountain, making for spectacular views. There are also several varieties, so you can create an array of yellows and orange colors for your bouquet!
In addition to the sunflower fields, there are places for photo opportunities, a kid-sized sunflower maze, and picnic tables to enjoy the view.
The sunflower fields at Thompson Family Farms
Sunflower Photo Ops: More Than Just the Flowers!
There is not much needed to get some amazing photos, but Thompson Family Farms has made for some special areas to get those Pinterest-worthy shots. There is a pallet-style photo backdrop surrounded by sunflowers, a fun “face in the hole” sunflower wall, and even some adorable bamboo bean pole teepees near the entrance that make for some adorable photos.
There are also rows and rows of blooming sunflowers to use as the backdrop of your photos. The farm is offering daytime and evening hours (on Friday and Saturday) and even has sessions available for professional photographers.
Thompson Family Farms, Campobello, SC
Hours and Pricing for U-pick Sunflowers
Thompson Family Farms will open for u-pick sunflowers on July 1st, 2023. For updates, including weather changes and sell-out date, check out the Thompson Family Farms Facebook page.
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. They will have sunset hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm – 9 pm. The farm will be open on July 4th for their regular day hours.
Prices: Admission is $6 per person, but ages 12 and younger are free. U-pick sunflowers are $1 per stem.
Offered in Spring… U-pick Tulips at Thompson Family Farms
As some of the first pops of color to emerge from the ground, tulips are a welcome sign that spring is here. Fresh-picked tulips make excellent gifts, centerpieces, and decor. Plus, it is so much fun going out to a U-pick patch and selecting the flowers yourself. It’s pretty joyful.
Scenes from the tulip farm
Check out some of the beautiful scenes waiting for you at Thompson Family Farms.
Arriving at Thompson Family Farms for tulips in Landrum, SC
Located just 25 minutes from Greer, you will find Thompson Family Farms in Landrum at the base of Hogback Mountain. The Flower Patch can easily be found by following the signs off of Arledge Road. You can park in the gravel area, and head down to the tented shelter. The fields are not hard to miss, as they are busting with color from the blooms. Down at the welcome tent you will be greeted and shown baskets, buckets, and scissors to use for picking your tulips.
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms is open seasonally in March. The length of time the patch is open is depending on weather and bloom time, and the season is very short!
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms, SC
U-Pick Tulips in The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms
Tulips are synonymous with the cool, breezy weather of early Spring. You can u-pick from 9 varieties of tulips throughout the short season. They have multiple colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, and variegated orange/red, and more.
Be sure to stay on the paths when walking through the flowers. In addition, if you cut the flower, you buy it. Be sure it is the flower you want before taking your scissors to the stem.
The Thompsons recommend cutting the flower at the length that you want, and we found cutting low on the stem to be best for us. Most importantly, make sure to not dig or stomp on the bulbs, as they will be left in the ground to bloom again next year!
Once you have all of the tulips you would like, you can head back to the tent to have them wrapped in bouquets. If you plan to pick a large number of tulips, I recommend bringing something sturdy like a box to take them home in, so they are safe from damage.
Tulips: Photo Opportunities at The Flower Patch
Other than the obvious photos of you and your children amongst the flowers, The Flower Patch also has two lovely photography setups on the property. If you head to the far ends of the fields you will find a red tractor set up with a rustic farm vibe of window panes and flower buckets that make for some adorable photos!
There is also a pallet-style backdrop with a chair and blooming flowers to take pictures with. The property itself is situated in a field that is surrounded by trees, so there are many opportunities to get that perfect spring picture.
Photographers that are interested in renting the space can contact Thompson Family Farms directly through their sign-up link to book private sessions. There are a limited number of sessions available due to the short season for tulips. Private sessions occur from 5 pm until sundown.
Price of Admission and U-Pick Tulips
Admission is $5 per person for ages 12 and older. Children under 12 are free to attend. If you want to participate in u-pick, Tulips are $1 per stem. The farm does take cash, card, and Venmo.
Please follow the farm’s guidance for cutting and watch your step to ensure that the other tulips are safe for other people to enjoy their u-pick experience.
Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh
Sara Thompson, the owner of The Flower Patch, recommends making a fresh cut before putting your flowers in their water vase once you arrive home. You should then display your flowers out of direct sunlight. She also mentioned the fascinating fact that tulip stems continue to grow once placed in water, so they may appear to be longer after a few days in the vase. Be sure to change out your water regularly to elongate your bloom time. And most importantly, enjoy!
Tulips at Thompson Family Farm, SC
Key Things to Know Before Visiting Thompson Family Farms
There are no dogs allowed at The Flower Patch.
There is only one porta-potty for emergencies, so be sure to take a potty break before arriving.
You can pack a picnic and enjoy the view. There are two picnic tables located by the creek, and plenty of grassy space to lay down a blanket. If you picnic, please pick up all trash before leaving.
It can be muddy in the field, so wear appropriate shoes.
The farm is accessible but is bumpy because of the gravel parking lot. If you plan to bring a stroller, ones with wheels made for rough terrain are highly recommend. A soft body carrier for baby may be easier.
Reservations are not required. However, you should follow the Thompson Family Farms’ Facebook for updates and information before heading to the farm.
The u-pick tulip fields are open in light rain but be prepared for mud in that scenario.
Don’t forget water, hats and sunscreen when you head out to pick sunflowers in the summer!
Thompson Family Farms Tulip Upick at The Flower Patch 328 Arledge Road, Landrum, SC Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunflower Upick 13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC Hours: Monday- Saturday 9 am – 2 pm Additional evening hours: 5 pm – 9 pm on Friday and Saturday
Looking to make a day trip out of your adventure? Check out Campbells Covered Bridge located just a few miles’ drive of the Thompson Family Farms. You can also find other fabulous things to do in our discovery guide to Landrum, SC!
Stepp’s Apple Orchard is a family-owned orchard in Hendersonville, NC. They have u-pick apples, lots of fun family activities on weekends, and pretty amazing cider and pumpkin donuts.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is the very first u-pick apple orchard in Henderson County and has been in operation for more than 50 years. They know what they’re doing, and we had to go check it out for ourselves. Honestly, I went for the pumpkin donuts. I love apple cider donuts, but pumpkin? Yes, please!
One thing that stood out to me immediately was just how super nice and helpful everyone at the orchard was. They have u-pick apples, pre-picked apples, a big store that sells homemade soap, t-shirts, and honey, a bakery, corn maze, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, apple canon, and wagon ride. Some of these activities are only available on weekends, which I’ll tell you about in this review.
Ready for a scare-your-pants-off kind of haunted attraction? We visited Madworld Haunted Attraction in Greenville, SC and had a terrifyingly fun time. Thanks to Madworld for inviting us to experience their terrifying attraction so we could scare our readers in this review.
Love haunted houses, insane asylums, terrifying clowns, and all things Halloween? Then you’ll want to visit one of the country’s scariest haunted attractions at Madworld Haunted Attraction right here in Greenville, SC.
We’ll tell you all about how this place started, the terrifying things you’ll encounter, how scary Madworld really is, and how to experience this best of the Halloween season at Madworld.
About Madworld Haunted Attraction
Madworld is owned and run by two brothers, Joe and Tim Thompson, and 2023 is their 13th season of the haunted attraction. They’ve always loved horror and all things scary so producing and creating Madworld was a natural fit for both of them.
The haunted attraction has won accolades nationwide and is ranked as one of the scariest attractions in South Carolina. This is a pretty serious haunted attraction which Joe and Tim have built with the guest experience in mind. There are about 200 actors on any given night looking to terrify guests with their very real-looking getups and acting skills that have been honed for this place and their goal to give guests a memorable – and nightmare-worthy – experience.
We got a peek at some of the behind-the-scenes magic and the amount of work that goes into the makeup and costumes of each character is stunning. There are silicon masks, rows of makeup chairs, prosthetics, weapons that look real. The team is serious about the appearance of each character and makes sure to make them look as real as possible. Actors have to go through rounds of auditions to work at Madworld.
But that’s not all. Madworld has a quality control manager whose job is basically go through the entire park several times a night and make sure every character is acting their part to a tee. If not, well, I don’t even want to know. The guy who does this is very serious about his job.
All the Details about the Haunted Trail
The biggest part of Madworld is their nearly half-mile haunted trail through a zombie factory and into a world of all kinds of things that scare us humans.
Joe and Tim told us that they wanted to hit on a variety of things and scenarios that scare people as to make sure they are able to hit all phobias. That is quite obvious once you start walking through the haunted trail, which seemingly never ends.
The zombie factory starts off your tour after your photo is snapped by the Madworld staff to remember you by. OK, well, not really. You can purchase it afterwards at the customer service desk. Each group is ushered in separately so there may be a bit of a wait (get the Fast Pass – you’ll save a lot of time). There are green glowing lights and you feel like you’re in a prison. Loud noises are all around you and the actors try to reach for you from their jail cell. It’s awesome.
Once you get instructions about not running through any of the attractions from the creepy host, you’ll enter into the official part of the haunted trail. There are 13 sets/haunted houses and once you leave one, you’ll walk outside and enter into the next one. There are characters everywhere that either will jump out at you or show up in the shadows or just act completely terrifying.
After the zombie factory, I can’t even remember what is next because there are so many. I’ll tell you the things that stood out to me in the various places.
First, this wasn’t even me but Bethany and her husband were behind me and passed a writhing girl on the floor, who they thought was me. You can imagine their terror. Thankfully, I was just ahead of them getting scared out of my mind by an exorcist-type girl on a moving bed who was crawling towards me.
The clown house obviously involved a lot of clowns. But it also involved a lot of flashing lights, strobes, and creepy laughs. This is one the warnings they give you when you buy your tickets.
The pirate house was my favorite because the characters were entirely convincing but also because they had a part where it seemed that you were going to fall into water where a giant gator was going to eat you. Towards the end of the pirate house, you have to walk through a room where you can’t see the floor – so cool.
The insane asylum was just that: insane. Lots of patients screaming to let them out plus a room full of old toilets that had me convinced this was a real insane asylum. It was intense.
One part that was outdoors had a crazed guy lighting up propane with actors with chainsaws hacking up people. One bloody person was dragged in front of me by a dude with a chainsaw and I’m still not sure if it was a real person or not.
A witch nearly scared me to death when she popped out of her shack. And I really didn’t want to walk through the house with the label of “bless this house” on the door. No, thanks. But I did and it was haunting.
From the time we entered the zombie factory to when we exited the haunted trail was about 25-30 minutes. It felt longer. There is a lot of blood, gore, and screaming at Madworld.
Ghost Mini Golf & Carnival Games
While Madworld is probably most well-known for their intensely scary haunted trail, they have a lot of other things to do while you’re there that won’t involve straining your vocal chords.
They have an entire mini golf course, several different carnival games, and my favorite – ax throwing. None of these things are terrifying so if your kids want to go someplace “scary” but you know they aren’t ready for the full experience, you can take them here to do ghost mini golf and throw some balls at clowns. Then they can tell their friends they went to Madworld.
Tasty Treats at Madworld + Gift Shop
Being scared works up an appetite. Good thing Madworld can help out with that.
There are some tasty food vendors at Madworld that sell mini donuts, cheeseburgers, funnel cakes, muffins, fries, and even coffee and frappes.
These are located inside the park. You can sit around the bonfire and eat and calm your heart rate after going through the haunted trail.
As for the gift shop, you’ll want to go here before heading home. They have some really cool stuff like skeleton wine goblets, terrifying hoodies, ghost soap dishes, and candles. They partnered with Travelers Rest-based artisan chocolate shop, Lumineux Chocolate, to create special Madworld chocolate bars. We tried these and oh my gosh, they are amazing.
Best Ages for Madworld
If you think I’m going to give you an age range for kids who will enjoy this, sorry to disappoint but it’s not happening. As an adult, I was scared. I know several adults who would also be terrified of Madworld but who want to go and scream their heads off. Other friends are scared just looking at my photos of Madworld.
I know my own kids, currently ages 12 and 9, and they would never sleep after going to Madworld. But other kids, including another 12-year-old and a teenager who came with us, absolutely loved this place and no doubt will want to go back. When we went, there was a little girl, probably around 7, who was first in line with her mom.
So what age is good for this haunted attraction? It totally depends on your kid.
Joe did tell us that when little kids come in, the actors don’t act as scary towards them. So, instead of quietly coming up behind them and waiting for them to turn around and be scared out of their mind, the characters will approach them from the front and give them a high five.
Tips on Enjoying Madworld
Here are a few things we found to be helpful when heading to Madworld Haunted Attraction.
The actors are not allowed to intentionally touch guests. They are allowed to get very close though and sometimes I brushed up against their costumes.
Wear sturdy and closed toed shoes. Sometimes you can’t see the floor in the haunted trail and there is part of it where the floor moves so you want sturdy shoes.
Plan to spend some time there. There are a lot of things to enjoy at Madworld besides the haunted trail so plan to spend the evening hanging out, getting scared, and playing carnival games, eating, or chilling at the bonfire.
Sign your waiver and have the proof you signed it on your phone at the entrance. That’s the only thing you need to enter Madworld and you’ll be checked for it.
If you’re able, get the Fast Pass. It will save you time on the haunted trail since you jump to the head of the line.
You can buy a no-scare medallion as part of your ticket package if you want to go but don’t want to be screaming all night. When kids wear these medallions, it repels monsters.
Do not wear your Halloween costumes. No costumes are allowed.
There are a lot of strobe and flashing lights and fog. If you have a condition where these things aggravate it, then it is not recommended you go. Pregnant women are also cautioned against doing the haunted trail.
Overall Review of Madworld
This type of attraction is typically not at the top of my Halloween excursions but readers, this is what I do for you. That said, Madworld was really, really fun. It’s obvious how much work went into creating a top-notch experience for guests who come looking to be scared and have a great night with their friends, family, or date (this would make a great date night).
The characters are very good at their work and everyone we saw throughout the haunted trail was on point for their particular scare tactic. We never saw any actor break character, which I imagine is very difficult to do for hours each night.
I’d certainly consider putting Madworld on my fall bucket list after this trip.
Operating Hours & Tickets
You can purchase your tickets online or at the gate. They have several different packages whether you want the full experience of the haunted trail and all the carnival games or just a couple things to do. You can also purchase a season pass if you’re that kind of crazy. General admission tickets are $40/adult and $35/kids 10 and under. Ticket packages go up from there.
They are open weekends starting September 8, 2023 through November 4, 2023. They are also open Halloween and a few other days before the last weekend of October. The times vary so check the schedule before you go.
Madworld will open in light rain but if it’s raining heavily, they will need to close. Follow Madworld on Facebook for the most up-to-date announcements.
Did you know you can bring the kids and visit the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery for free? The hatchery, located in Mountain Rest, SC, is responsible for stocking trout in a number of waterways and lakes in the Upstate. You’ll get a chance to see trout in various stages of their life cycle, enjoy the grounds, picnic, hike and even fish in the East Fork Chattooga River. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery.
Visiting the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery: Things to Do
We love free activities and here’s one you can do to relieve school doldrums. Only an hour and a half drive is the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery (WSFH). Located 21 miles north of Walhalla in Sumter National Forest, the hatchery is open to visitors daily.
Allow about 1.5-2 hours for your tour which consists of the Hatchery Building, walking around the outdoor fish raceway, and feeding the fish.
After your tour, make a day of it and you can picnic in the shady Chattooga Picnic Area which is adjacent to the hatchery.
There is a barrier-free fishing pier, accessible in the East Fork which runs through the hatchery grounds.
If you are not up to fishing, you can choose to hike 2.5 miles to the main Chattooga River. Pick-up a map from the Hatchery office.
Brief History of the Hatchery
One of five fish hatcheries in South Carolina, it is operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. WSFH raises brown, brook and rainbow trout for stocking the public waters of South Carolina. Most of the trout are cultured to a catchable size of 9-12″ before they are released.
Approximately 500,000 trout are produced and stocked annually by the WSFH. We especially enjoyed seeing the very large trout (5-15 pounds) kept at the Hatchery for public viewing.
How to tour the Hatchery
You may call ahead to arrange a guided tour, but the hatchery is open to walk-ins. Upon entering the Hatchery property, pick up a brochure or print a brochure from the hatchery website.
Hatchery Building
I suggest that you start your visit at the Hatchery building first before you visit the outdoor raceway sections. The Hatchery building has a video introduction about the site and the life cycle of a trout. Around the building are informative interpretative wall signs for your reading pleasure. Feel free to approach Hatchery employees who are used to being asked questions by curious visitors.
Inside the building, we found vats of thousands of small trout or fry (trout babies) no more than 2 inches long. Once they grow to 2 inches, they are brought outside to grow some more. Do not feed the fish fry as they are on a special diet!
Outdoor Fish Raceways and Where to Feed the Fish
Outside the Hatchery building are long fish raceways. The one with the covered shed is where the brood fish(parent fish) are stocked. Use your quarters here to purchase a fistful of fish food. The fish here are very active and kids get a kick out of all the attention they get with the fish pellets.
Note: Before going, take some quarters with you from home for fish food. These fish pellets are dispensed by machine and the only food you’re allowed to feed the fish with. After a couple of feeding rounds, we just challenged the kids to hunt around for fish pellets that fell on the ground.
Plan your own visit
Their site recommends visiting the Hatchery in the fall, as this is the best time to view the full life cycle of the trout (specifically the eggs and sac fry).
Walhalla State Fish Hatchery 198 Fish Hatchery Road Mountain Rest, SC 29664 864.638.2866 Visit the Walhalla Fish Hatchery website. Open 8 am – 4 pm daily.
Would your kids enjoy a trip to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery?
Discover more educational family fun activities
FREE Home Depot Kids Workshops (2023): Quality time with the kids
See Hundreds of Raptors in the Air: South Carolina Hawk Migration
Here’s How You Can Get Behind the Scenes at The Greenville Zoo
If you adore fall, you may be planning a visit to a local farm with activities your whole family will love. One of our favorite farms is Denver Downs Farm, which offers a huge corn maze, a jumping pillow, a zip line, and much more. We’ll give you the details of all the activities they will offer this season!
