Posts Tagged ‘North Carolina’

Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad in Boone, NC: A Spooky Ride Through the NC Mountains

Tweetsie Railroad in Boone, NC goes all out for spooky season in the fall with their Ghost Train ride through the park, and we got to check it out, along with all the fun of carnival rides and trick or treating at the park.

We’ve got everything you need to know to plan your family’s trip here!

Thanks to Explore Boone who hosted us for this trip.

The Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad opened to the public in 1957 as a Wild West Adventure and has continued the tradition ever since. The centerpiece is a beautiful, historic steam locomotive that rides the three-mile track around the park and blows a whistle so loud that it can be heard all around the area.

The Ghost Train is a seasonal experience at the park that runs Fridays and Saturdays September 19 – November 1, 2025 from 7:30-10:30 pm. When you purchase your ticket, you’ll have to choose a time to ride the train.

The train is completely decked out with a huge skeleton face that shoots out smoke from the mouth. It’s so cool. The premise of the ride is that you are searching for missing college students and that aliens or zombies or something else got them in the woods. There are televisions on the train that show a press conference about it, which leads into the crazy scientist and black and white footage of people searching for the students.

As the train takes off into the woods, the resident zombie on the train may try to sneak up and scare you. It’s really dark so they can move with ease. The train will stop along the way with scenes set that involve flashing lights, a gun fight, and fireballs. It’s very well done in terms of theatrics. No one jumps onto the train, and the theatrics are all on the right side of the train if you want to get closer to the action.

The ride is about 20-25 minutes long.

Other Things to Do at Tweetsie Railroad During the Ghost Train

The park’s carnival rides are all open – the Ferris wheel, tornado ride, spinning cups, planes, the drop tower, and a few others that I don’t know the names of. The arcade is open as well plus there are some spooky-themed shows.

The Boneyard has an Enchanted Forest, which is a little scary as some characters will jump out at you and a chainsaw guy may try to chase you. There’s a lady with a crocodile, too, which I found pretty fun. There is also a warped mirror experience and something called a Black Hole – I didn’t do either of them since I literally ran out of the Enchanted Forest with my teen and we were already scared enough!

Boneyard at Tweetsie — Boneyard entrance at Tweetsie

A Haunted House is open as well but we didn’t try it since my daughters and I scare easily. There were tons of families there with smaller kids who are braver than us. There was literally a dad pushing a stroller through the Enchanted Forest, who my daughter and I almost ran into on our way out being chased by the chainsaw guy. We are kind of easy to scare.

One thing that my daughters and I absolutely loved were the dance parties with Bigfoot and other Halloween-ish characters. They were so much fun! You can also trick-or-treat throughout the park, and Tweetsie has bags available for guests.

What ages are best for the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad?

This will depend entirely on how scared your kids get and what freaks them out. There were lots of kids on the actual train ride and throughout the park.

The train ride is very dark and very loud at times. The whistle is loud, the fireballs are loud and bright, the gunshots are loud. We loved all of this but your kids may find it too overwhelming. I have no idea, which is why I’m telling you all this.

Tweetsie Railroad advertises the entire event as family-friendly and as noted before, there were a lot of families in attendance.

Tips on Enjoying the Ghost Train Experience at Tweetsie

Here are a few things to know before you go.

The park is stroller-friendly. Everything is paved, so it’s easy to navigate. There are inclines though so be prepared to walk uphill.
Costumes are encouraged. Feel free to wear costumes.
You can enter the park at 7:30 pm. Even if your train time isn’t until later, you can enter the park when it opens and stay until closing.
The train is open air. The mountains get chilly so dress appropriately as the train is not enclosed.
There are no assigned seats. There are lines for each car on the train and you just line up for whatever one you want to get on about 10 minutes before your time.
Book ahead of time. The Ghost Train is popular so be sure to get your tickets online.
Your Ghost Train tickets are valid only for the nighttime event. The park is open during the day but tickets are separate for the daytime park and the Ghost Train.

Booking Your Trip to the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad

The Ghost Train and nighttime event only runs from 7:30-10:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays from September 19-November 1, 2025.

Tickets are $65/adult, $45/kids and can be purchased online at Tweetsie Railroad’s website. Parking is free.

Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
Tweetsie Railroad Website | 877.893.3874

Looking for more things to do in Boone, NC and suggestions on lodging and other adventures? See our Guide to Boone, NC!

Find so much more fun in Boone, NC! We’ve done all the work to help you plan your trip!

Stand in a Vortex, Throw Axes, and Ride a Mechanical Bull at Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, NC

Boone NC: Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, NC

Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, NC is where weird meets fun and where you’ll probably be wondering what is going on most of the time.

We can’t recommend Mystery Hill enough!

Thanks to Explore Boone for hosting us for this visit.

What is Mystery Hill?

Mystery Hill first opened in 1948 and has enthralled both locals and visitors ever since with their Natural Gravitational Anomaly, where you’ll probably feel you are on a roller coaster and spinning tea cup ride all at once. It’s so weird. Water flows uphill and balls roll up walls.

Today, Mystery Hill has hands-on science experiments, gem mining, axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, and even a museum that has more than 50,000 Native American arrowheads displayed.

The museum is located between Blowing Rock and Boone, NC.

Things to do at Mystery Hill

Vortex and Other Oddities Tour

All the guests start off with the tour about the history of the museum and what you’ll find there. Our guide was hilarious. He had dad jokes galore and could imitate more voices than I’d ever heard come out of one person. My teen and I were cracking up while my tween was cringing in embarrassment that we were laughing. It was so great and started your impression off of the museum on the right foot.

The guide escorts you through rooms that look like they were straight out of the 70s with wood paneled walls and turf-like flooring. You’ll get to go to the vortex room here and before you go in, you’ll get instructions to use the railings in the room and if you feel sick, how to get out fast. I certainly have not heard those instructions before.

Mystery Hill vortex — What in the gravity is happening here?

The Natural Gravitational Anomaly room was crazy. I went downhill in it and felt so dizzy and lightheaded. Like, what? You feel like you’re walking uphill, but if you just stand there, you’re leaning forward, like Michael Jackson leaning forward. There is a station where you can pour in water, and it looks like it’s flowing uphill. And there are balls you can roll around, and they roll uphill.

How does this make sense? I have no idea.

After the vortex room, you will go to a black light room and experience hands-on science experiments, which are right next to the awesome bubble room. You can make human-sized bubbles in here, and I had to drag the kids out because they were having too much fun.

Appalachian Heritage Museum

This unassuming building has about 50,000 Native American arrowheads, which is only a small part of the entire collection they all belong to. It’s quite the historical collection but also just overwhelming. I could not believe two people were able to find all of these and create art pieces out of them.

Axe Throwing

Mystery Hill lets you throw axes and it’s a blast. This was the first time my kids threw axes (they have velcro ones for little kids) and they absolutely loved it as they tried to hit the target. I actually didn’t think we were going to leave. The staff there will help you and give you tips – they are really nice and helpful.

Mechanical Bull Riding

As if axe-throwing wasn’t fun enough, Mystery Hill also lets guests ride a mechanical bull. I haven’t done this in a while and it was definitely a lot of fun after I got over trying to make sure I didn’t hurt myself. Adult problems. My kids absolutely loved it and went on a couple times, trying to beat each other’s times.

Gem Mining

I kind of think gem mining can be a bit boring since you just have to sift through sand to find stones someone else put there but the gem mining experience at Mystery Hill was quite fun. They had all kinds of different gems, including geodes! We actually had no idea there were geodes and were wondering what the slimy balls were, so we just put them in the discard bucket. But as we were leaving, my oldest daughter looked at the brochure they give you about which gems you can find, and those slimy balls were actually geodes, so we hustled back to the sluice to retrieve them!

Hands-On Science Room

There’s a black-lit room with brain teasers, a bubble room to make huge bubbles, and a hands-on science area to test out different experiments. My homeschool mom self was super pumped about all this.

Other things to do at Mystery Hill

There is a river walk right across the parking lot from Mystery Hill, which has some pretty murals. They have a Christmas Light Walk during the holidays that happens here and is included in your ticket.

They also have one of those old-time photo studios. I’ve always wanted to do this, but have not gotten around to it yet. Maybe if I go here again I can add it to my ticket!

Mystery Hill bubbles — Bubble room at Mystery Hill

If you are in the mood for a treat, Mystery Hill sells ice cream on the property, which is pretty great since you’ll need at least a couple of hours here to do all the things, and getting sustenance is key.

Visiting Mystery Hill

Mystery Hill is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm and closed on major holidays.

Base tickets are $24.95/person and kids under 4 are free with a paying adult. Adventure Pass tickets, which include the tour, gem mining, bull riding, axe throwing, and the museum, are $44.95/person.

You could also choose to add on activities, which cost anywhere from $7.95/person up to $24.95/person. The Adventure Pass is the way to go for sure.

Tickets are sold online and in person. Mystery Hill is pet-friendly – well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome. The service dog on our tour would absolutely not go into the vortex room though!

Mystery Hill
129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
Mystery Hill Website | 828.264.2792

Find so much more fun in Boone, NC! We’ve done all the work to help you plan your trip!

Train Rides, Hikes, Ziplining, and Weird Attractions: Why Boone, NC Should be Your Family’s Next Adventure

Inside: Check out our trip to Boone, NC, and plan your own. Find things to do, where to stay, and even where to eat in Boone.

Whether you like great food, high adventure, incredible views, or just weird roadside attractions, Boone, North Carolina in the state’s High Country, should absolutely be on your list to visit.

We spent a weekend there and tell you all about where to eat, where to stay, and how to have fun in this charming mountain town.

Thank you to Explore Boone, who hosted us for this amazing trip.

Boone, NC is under three hours from the Upstate but feels a world away. With soaring mountains, old school attractions, and cooler temperatures, Boone is a beautiful spot to enjoy a fun-filled weekend or longer vacation. There are just so many things to do in the High Country and we spent a packed few days here in order to tell you all about it. For reference, the ages of my kids on the trip were 11 and 14.

Hawksnest adventures in Seven Devils, NC — The view from one of the decks at Hawksnest

Where to Play

There is no shortage of fun things to do in Boone, NC! Here’s what we did and how to plan your own adventures.

Mystery Hill

Check out our visit to Mystery Hill. We shared all the details!

You haven’t seen weird until you’ve been to Mystery Hill. It’s weird but also crazy fun and was one the more unique things we’ve ever done. So the place is a museum and entertainment venue that literally has everything from mechanical bull riding to a bubble room to a museum of Native American arrowheads to a bizarre vortex room.

If you ask my kids their favorite part about Mystery Hill, it was for sure the vortex room, where you could literally lean forward and not fall over, and the axe-throwing. Plan to spend at least a couple hours here. You can purchase tickets for individual attractions or just get one pass that covers everything, which we recommend.

129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock, NC

Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train

We were able to experience Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train and it exceeded all our expectations! The train is totally decked out to look like a skeleton that breathes smoke and guests get to ride through darkness in the mountains as they search for missing college students. The ride is a little over 20 minutes and includes somewhat scary zombies on the train and lots of action-packed stops to see fireballs and a staged gun fight.

The rest of the park has trick-or-treating, carnival rides, haunted houses, and awesome spooky dance parties. When we went, there were a lot of families and everything is not completely terrifying so most kids will enjoy it. Read our entire review here.

300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC

Hawksnest Ziplining

This was one of our favorite adventures in Boone since you get to fly amongst the trees and mountains, over creeks, and walk on swinging bridges. We did the Hawk Tour, which included 11 ziplines and took about 1.5 hours. Our guides, Carson and Sky, were fantastic and made us feel safe and excited to fly on those lines!

The scenery here is unreal and we could not have loved the views and experience any more. In the winter, they have snow tubing runs – four of them in fact. We haven’t done snow tubing there but after this experience, it’s something we are going to try to get up there to cover over the winter because it looks super fun!

2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC

Hawksnest zipling — Incredible views at Hawksnest!

Get Outside

Boone is the perfect basecamp for all your outdoor adventures! Here are a few of our favorite trails nearby:

Crab Orchard Falls

This beautiful waterfall has a small swimming hole and lots of rocks to hang out on and enjoy a picnic. Plus, the drive there is incredibly beautiful. You can hike the new trail (1.3 mile lollipop loop) or the old trail (1 mile out and back). Both are of moderate difficulty as they involve some inclines.

146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, NC

Rough Ridge

This short hike, under a mile roundtrip, is probably in our top three hikes in Western NC and the Upstate of South Carolina. It is that beautiful. But you need to go early during leaf season (like before 8 am) because it gets very crowded.

3218 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Linville, NC

Grandfather Mountain

The Grandfather Mountain Trail is my favorite hike of all time yet I question my life’s decisions every time I go. It’s not for beginners or the faint of heart since you’ll be scaling the side of a mountain on a ladder. My kids love it but they are experienced hikers. Grandfather Mountain is also home to an incredible nature center and the Mile High Bridge so certainly worth it to visit even if you don’t hike the tough trails.

Read our Grandfather Mountain review here.

Flat Top Trail

This trail at Moses Cone Manor takes you through the woods and up a beautiful open field to a firetower with 360-degree views of the mountains. It’s about 4 miles roundtrip and easy to moderate.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 294, Blowing Rock, NC

Bass Lake

For an easy one mile loop, take the walk around Bass Lake. It’s very pretty and an easy walk.

1 Bass Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC

Explore Boone has a great list of other trails in the area so be sure to check that out if you want to enjoy local hikes.

Where to Shop & Stroll

Downtown Boone

There are so many fun shops and restaurants in downtown Boone that it’s hard to just go once (we went a few times during our visit!). We found some super cute clothes at Anna Banana’s thrift store and loved a festival that we happened to stumble upon while there that featured tons of local artists. The art scene is strong in Boone. There are paid public parking lots in downtown Boone plus street parking with meters.

Original Mast General Store

Did you know you can visit the original Mast General store in Valle Crucis, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Boone? It’s a super cute shop with its trademark creaking floors and candy barrels. The annex down the street has clothing and an ice cream shop.

565 Hwy 194 S, 3565 Broadstone Road, Sugar Grove, NC

Where to Eat in Boone, NC

I wish we could have tried more places to eat because literally everywhere we went was fantastic. The variety of food and the creativity of the menus are suited to match any taste and preference. Here’s where we went:

Fizz Ed

We loved Fizz Ed with its eclectic decor and amazing food. They try to make your dining experience fun – think a little sparkle magic with your kid’s fizzy drink – welcoming, and delicious. Amy, the owner who has lived in the area since she was a teenager, is so kind and thoughtful. It was easy to see how much she loves running the restaurant and creating a meal that people will not only truly enjoy but also come back for.

We had hand-breaded chicken tenders, beet hummus, a falafel and cucumber naan wrap, mac and cheese, and my favorite – homemade potato chips. I could have eaten the potato chips alone for the entire meal because they were that good.

260 Howard Street, Boone, NC

lunch at Fizz Ed in Boone — Lunch at Fizz Ed in Boone

Troy’s 105 Diner

When my daughters and I talked about our favorite meals in Boone, Troy’s took the top pick. I’m still thinking about my Patty Melt days later, and my daughter’s French Toast was huge and delicious. The 1950s-style diner has literally something for everyone, so be sure to make this a stop on your trip.

1286 NC-105, Boone, NC

lunch at Troy's 105 Diner — Troy’s 105 Diner

Stick Boy Kitchen

With coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and bagels, Stick Boy Kitchen is a great stop for breakfast, especially if you need items on the go so you can get started on your adventures for the day. My girls loved their bagel sandwiches!

211 Boone Heights Dr, Boone

Wild Craft Eatery

Located right in downtown Boone, Wild Craft Eatery focuses on local, organic ingredients. We had their Havana Plate with chicken, rice, plantains and a delicious sauce that I still don’t know what it was and their Cuban Beans & Rice dish. Both were so flavorful. I also got one of their speciality mocktails with pineapple juice, ginger, and green tea. It was refreshing and a delightful combination of flavors that I had never had before but that worked out perfectly!

506 W King St, Boone, NC

Dan’l Boone Inn

An old school tavern complete with servers dressed in Daniel Boone-era outfits, the restaurant is a family-style spot that serves up fried chicken, hamburger steak, stewed apples, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, biscuits, salad, and dessert. You pay one price per person ($24.95/adults and less for kids depending on their ages). We loved the family style service since you don’t need to order anything and the food is great!

130 Hardin Street, Boone, NC

Appalachian Cookie Company

They make their cookies to order and have a big selection of both classic and creative cookies. Think Chocolate Chip cookies plus Cookie Butter or Nutella. The cookies are huge and you’ll walk out of there thinking about when you can go back. If you don’t have an extra 20 minutes to wait for them to bake it, they may have some cookies already in the warmer you can get immediately so just ask.

1087 W King St, Boone, NC

Melanie’s Food Fantasy

We went here for brunch and everything was delicious and filling. Their cappuccino earned the spot on my list for the best coffee I had in Boone. One of my daughters got their Bacon Avocado Eggs Benedict, which looked like art on a plate and was amazingly good.

173 Howard St, Boone, NC

Where to Stay in Boone

We stayed at Rhodes Motor Lodge just a couple miles from downtown Boone. It is so adorable and comfortable and we could park right outside our room, which made the trek with our stuff super easy. The decor is like a 1970s adventure lodge, minimal furniture with concrete, shiny flooring, extra blankets, and earth tones with soft lighting. I loved it.

We had a balcony that overlooked the courtyard and had mountain views. It was beautiful! And the location is ideal – it’s close to shopping, restaurants, and grocery stores. Rhodes Motor Lodge also has free coffee and cider, which I made use of in the morning and sat outside with my daughter by the fire. It was relaxing and oh-so-enjoyable.

1377 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC

For even more things to do and see in Boone, NC, visit Explore Boone’s website. They have a great blog and wonderful ideas of even more fun to be had there!

Kidding Around's Travel Guide to North Carolina

Travel more in North Carolina!
We have a whole guide for that!

The KA Travel Guide to North Carolina

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center Provides the Love of Horses Through Equine Therapy

Do you know a special needs child or adult who could benefit from a unique friendship? Did you know that the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center offers an Equine Therapy program only 40 minutes from the Upstate? The program works with children and adults who have autism and other physical, cognitive, and emotional disorders, giving them a beneficial activity to engage in.

We have information about their therapeutic riding program and the cost of lessons, so you can get your little one into their program as quickly as possible.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center in North Carolina

The FENCE equestrian center is just over the state line in Tryon, North Carolina, and under 40 minutes from most of Spartanburg. We have all the information you’ll need to see why the drive could make a world of difference in a child’s life.

For over fifty years, horses have been used as a source of therapy for people with disabilities. The relationship built between the rider and the horse helps those with disabilities lead fuller, more satisfying lives.

About TROT at Foothills Equestrian Nature Center

At the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE), they’ve been offering TROT for over 20 years. Therapeutic Riding of Tryon offers lessons in small classes and individual classes. Each rider is accompanied by multiple volunteers to help guide the horse and as side walkers for safety.

Classes are available for children and adults and strictly follow the standards of PATH, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Individuals in the North Carolina counties of Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford are welcome at TROT. South Carolina counties of Spartanburg and Greenville are also welcome in the program.

Benefits of Equine Therapy

Equine-type therapy is beneficial to so many. Horses provide a non-judgmental relationship in a rider’s life. It doesn’t take much to fall in love with these horses. Some of the challenges that can be eased by the companionship gained through the classes at TROT are eating disorders, PTSD, Autism, ADD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and more.

Child looking at horse at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center

Equine Therapy Course Information

The weekly therapeutic riding courses utilize specially trained horses, and each rider has volunteers supporting them before and during the lesson. Typically, three volunteers are assigned to each rider to ensure their safety.

These courses are based on the needs of each student. They teach riders to do everything that goes along with riding a horse from start to finish. Each student spends hands-on time with the horse before each class, grooming and learning how to saddle the horse. After each lesson, students help remove the saddle, clean their horses, and offer treats.

Courses are about thirty minutes in length and are encouraged to be taken weekly. You can choose to join one of two riding seasons TROT offers in ten-week blocks – March and early June, and another between September and early December.

For those who are unable to ride astride a horse, TROT also offers an unmounted course. These courses include caring for the horse and learning how it communicates, basic horsemanship, and relating the horse’s behavior to humans. The unmounted courses are typically an hour long.

Pricing of TROT

TROT currently charges around $250 for a 10-lesson mounted session and around $100 for a 10-lesson unmounted session. Financial assistance in the form of a “ridership” is available for those in need who meet certain criteria.

The peaceful surroundings at FENCE only lend to the therapeutic effects that the horses have. These majestic creatures are just waiting to help people feel better. For a child or adult struggling with an emotional or physical challenge – the victory of learning to care for, and/or ride a horse is life-changing.

Check out Foothills Equestrian Nature Center

3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC
828.859.9021
Visit the FENCE website.

Here is the FENCE TROT Information and registration link.

We hope you share this info with anyone you think might benefit from equine therapy!

Looking for more horseback riding lessons? These local stables offer horseback riding lessons for kids of all skill levels to learn about horses and how to ride them safely.

Special needs resources in Greenville, SC

Searching for more special needs resources? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Special Needs in Greenville, SC.

10 Fabulous Things to Do in Gastonia, North Carolina

Inside: We are sharing 10 fabulous things to do in Gastonia, North Carolina, and giving you all the details on how to have an epic day trip there!

Looking for a town to explore on a day trip? Just an hour from the Upstate is Gastonia, NC. We discovered this town is full of things to do. There is a fabulous museum, parks, and some of the best milkshakes in the country according to USA Today. Since Gastonia is so close to the Upstate it makes a great day trip!

Looking for more fun in the area? Check Out The Ultimate Guide To Fun With Kids in Charlotte, North Carolina

Looking for more day trip ideas near Greenville, SC? We have your Ultimate Guide to Day Trips Near the Upstate.

(more…)

Take Your Family to Justus Orchard for Fun and Apple Picking

Fall is just about here and you’re probably hunting the perfect activity to celebrate the season. Local mom Kristina loves Justus Orchard and is telling us why this is one fall road trip you’re going to make into your new family tradition. After all, Justus Orchard offers tons of fun activities for the kids and tasty treats too!

There are lots of great reasons to visit Justus Orchard in the gorgeous mountains of Hendersonville this fall: the apples are delicious, the scenery is peaceful and picturesque, the family who runs the business is very kind and have been running the orchard for four generations, and the apple cider donuts and slushies are delicious. I don’t even like donuts but put one of those in front of me and I’m not going to say no.

Justus Orchards is open every weekend for U-pick through mid-November. They have their delicious apple slushies, apple fritters, apple donuts, fried apple pies, and fruits and vegetables. They also have something new this year: an Apple Cider Float with Apple Crisp Crumbles on top! Yummy!

Their big playground is also open, plus all the farm activities like the cow train and a jumping pillow. They also have a beautiful tap room, another jumping pillow, and more additions to the play area.

If you want to add on other activities in Hendersonville for your day trip, try the free train museum, the Carl Sandburg home, the Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens (closes August 31st) or the Team ECCO aquarium.

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

Looking for more apple orchards? Here are the best U-pick apple orchards near the Upstate.

I first went to Justus many years ago, only a few months after I first moved to the Upstate. Word was that if you wanted to go apple picking, go to Justus – so I took my then 3-year-old and newborn and went to get me some apples. It’s been one of my family’s favorite apple orchards ever since.

Justus Orchard play area — New play area 2024

Easy Apple Picking

I think one of the more fun aspects of actually apple picking are the awesome wagons the orchard has where you can put your kids, uh, apples I mean. It makes it easier to cart everything around.

They also have a map for you to find your favorite apple varieties and have those giant sticks with a little cage at the top so you can grab apples from high in the trees. Their Facebook page and their apple ripening calendar are updated with the latest apple varieties that are in season, which makes it helpful for timing your visit.

The orchard also sells tons of just-picked apples so don’t feel you need to do all the hard work alone or with the little ones, who may tire out before you can fill up your basket. I also thought the pricing for the number of apples was very reasonable and inexpensive. Just have a bunch of good apple recipes for when you get home!

Mid-summer, the orchard opens for blackberry picking. They also have available blueberries, some apples, peaches, and of course, their delicious items from the bakery.

Kid-Friendly Activities at Justus Orchard

Justus Orchard seeks to make the experience of apple picking a memorable one for the whole family. They have two jumping pillows, a huge playground, a picnic area, cow train, and even apple canons.

Justus Orchard Play space — Playground at the orchard

Justus Orchard has two jumping pillows plus two huge ball-throwing contraptions and corn hole. The views at the orchard are insanely gorgeous and the space is so inviting. There are places to sit and watch your kids or play with them and enjoy the orchard.

All kids activities and barn visits to the animals are $5/person, except the playground, which is free.

NOTE: The jumping pillows are open Friday-Sunday, but the apple cannon and cow train are only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

During the fall, there are a series of events on weekends, which you can learn about by watching their Facebook page.

Picking (and eating) the apples are a fun activity for children and there is lots of open space for them to run around before driving back home.

New Tap Room

Also new in 2024 is the tap room at Justus Orchard. They have locally made hard cider and beer in a totally enclosed standalone building. They have tables and chairs set up and they offer flights of cider, which is awesome.

The new tap room also has a covered patio right next to the big play area so you can sit and chill out drinking your hard cider while watching your kids get their energy out.

New Indoor Bathrooms

Everyone can rejoice at the new addition of indoor bathrooms at the orchard! The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the kids play area and tap room.

Apple Cider Donuts, Slushies, Pies & BBQ at Just Orchard

The Bakery House at the orchard sells all kinds of delectable apple goodies that you’ll want to try while you are there. They have, among other things, fried apple pies, apple slushies, caramel apples, apple fritters, apple pies, and even coffee.

They also sell apple peelers and contraptions to core an apple.

On weekends, a BBQ food truck sets up shop at the orchard so if you forget to pack a lunch, you can always chow down on some slow-cooked pork while taking in the mountain air.

Take your family to Justus Orchard

Always call ahead before you go just to make sure no extraneous things happened that affected their hours or apples. Be ready to start an awesome family tradition at Justus Orchard!

Justus Orchard Website
187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC
Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm
828.974.1232

Visit the Justus Orchard website.
Visit the Justus Orchard Facebook page.

Have you ever taken your kids apple picking at Justus Orchard?

If you’re headed up to Hendersonville, don’t miss our huge guide to Hendersonville, NC. It’s full of things to do, where to eat, and lots of free fun ideas.

See Dinosaurs, Critters, Minerals, and More at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina

Have you visited the Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium? Located in Gastonia, North Carolina the museum makes a great day trip. Expect to have a spectacular time exploring exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, animals, critters, nature and so much more! If you haven’t been yet, you should definitely add it to your museum bucket list.

Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium near Gastonia, North Carolina

Thank you to the Schiele Museum for providing admission to the museum so we could bring this review to our readers! The words and opinions in this article are those of the writer.

Read our Guide to Fun in Gastonia, NC for more fun you can have while visiting the museum.

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WNC Off-Season Offers Budget-Friendly Family Adventures

Inside: All of the off-season and budget-friendly adventures for your family to enjoy!

If your family is looking for a quick fall or winter getaway that’s a little easier on the bank account and within a couple of hours of the Upstate, we’ve found a few options in the Western North Carolina mountains. From hiking to waterfalls to fly fishing to history, there is something the whole family will love.

Free Things To Do In Western North Carolina

WNC Outdoor Adventures

Holiday Fun In WNC

Where To Stay In Western North Carolina

Where To Eat In WNC

Just north of the Upstate lies the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Land of the Waterfalls, an incredibly beautiful part of North Carolina that is within easy driving distance for Greenville families and full of opportunities to explore the outdoors and make wonderful memories together.

The window between late fall and the end of the winter is the off-season, or Shoulder Season in some places, for the area, when leaf-peeping crowds head home and the chillier weather sets in. This is the time for budget-minded families to hop in the car and escape for an off-season getaway because prices for almost everything are so much cheaper than other times of the year.

Free Things to Do

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited in the country, is just beyond Cherokee, NC or Bryson City. There is no admission costs and while the road to the Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the region, is often closed during the winter, there are free hikes to enjoy as well as the Junior Ranger Program at the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg.

If you love unexplained mysteries, your family needs to check out Judaculla Rock, a huge boulder with unexplained petroglyphs said to be carved by Indians possibly thousands of years ago. It’s located in Cullowhee, NC.

The kids will remember a trip to the Jackson County Green Energy Park where they will be able to see glass blowers, potters, and blacksmiths all at work harnessing otherwise harmful greenhouse gas from landfills into clean energy to create their art. Pretty cool. Tours are available and the park is located in Dillsboro, NC.

Take a stroll through the Asheville Botanical Gardens. This garden is free to visit, and parking is free. They host special events and have a gift shop.

Walk around Downtown Asheville, where you will find tons of restaurants, shops, and entertainment to enjoy. The popular Pack Square is downtown and you may even catch a concert there.

Tour The Omni Grove Park Hotel for only $10 per person. This tour will tell you all about the history of the Grove Park. During the holidays, you can enjoy the gingerbread houses that are on display.

Outdoor Adventures

Waterfalls

Cashiers is located in the Land of the Waterfalls – we love this area and you can read more about our week-long trip to the area, also called Sapphire Valley – and there are truly beautiful waterfalls to see. During the wintertime, if it’s cold enough the water will turn to ice and the falls become a whole other kind of stunning. Silver Run Falls is essentially a no-hike waterfall, perfect for swimming in the summer but just as pretty in the winter and located right outside Cashiers.

Silver Fun Falls in wintertime. | Photo courtesy of Jackson County TDA.

Schoolhouse Falls is in Panthertown Valley and around a three-mile roundtrip hike. The falls empty into a huge pool of water that is popular for fly fishermen and you can also walk behind the falls if the water level is low enough.

Mingo Falls in Cherokee is another stunning waterfall. It’s only a quarter-mile hike to see the falls but you have to climb 161 stairs!

For a more challenging hike, head to Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, a huge 150-foot waterfall that is amazing. It’s a four-mile somewhat difficult hike, especially on the way back to the car, but totally worth it. I’ve taken my kids, ages 9 and 6, and they were able to do the hike in the hot summer weather, so it depends on your family’s abilities (and patience).

Fly Fishing

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

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

Fly fishing at Schoolhouse Falls in Panthertown Valley

Snow Tubing and Skiing

I’ve just started getting into snow tubing with my kids (partially because I’m terrible at skiing) and it’s so fun. All you need to do is get in a giant tube and slide down a mountain. Most places let even small kids do it so it’s perfect for the whole family. You can see our reviews of Moonshine Mountain near Hendersonville and Hatley Pointe in Mars Hill, NC, and learn about what to do when you go and how to prepare for all the fun you’ll have.

Up near Cashiers is also the Sapphire Valley Resort, which has snow tubing and skiing. Before your visit, check the webcam to make sure the slopes are white. Those who prefer a tube will enjoy the 700-foot, multi-lane tubing run with steep walls on both sides to allow for more control at Frozen Falls Tube Park. Lift tickets are available for $70 for adults and $44 for children 12 and under. Those interested in partaking in the adventure that awaits at the Frozen Falls Tube Park can do so for $30 for a 1.75-hour session. Don’t miss the Outhouse Races in February.

Parades & Holiday Fun

Cashiers has a wonderful Christmas parade near the beginning of December, which is the perfect day trip. We love it so much we have a story about this cute Cashiers’s Christmas Parade.

Cashiers Christmas Parade. | Photo courtesy of Jackson County TDA.

Other holiday events in Western NC are the Lights and Luminaries in Dillsboro and Christmas in Sylva.

A reader-favorite holiday activity is the Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City. They start rides in November.

It’s a holiday tradition for many families in the Upstate and something both kids and adults alike look forward to. The other fun Polar Express train runs out of the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC – our readers also love this one!

Where to Stay

Lodging options in this region include everything from cabins, hotels, bed & breakfasts, AirBnBs, motels, yurts, and even campgrounds.

I’ve stayed at homes at the Sapphire Valley Resort that was booked through Airbnb and VRBO.com. You can search for hotels and motels online – a quick search for Western NC hotels in early December came back with prices from around $89/night up through the $180s/night depending on lodging options. Almost everything will be far less expensive in summer and fall.

As a STAY22 Affiliate, Kidding Around earns when you book through some of these links.

Check out this Cashiers, NC 2 bedroom cottage, walking distance to downtown Cashiers.

VRBO Cashiers, NC cottage — VRBO Cashiers, NC, 2 bedroom cottage, Photo Credit: VRBO

Book this Cashiers Cottage for your WNC adventure

Also in Cashiers is The Wells Hotel, which is connected to Whiteside Brewing Co., so bonus points for not having to go far to dine out.

Book the Wells Hotel for your WNC adventure

Up in Dillsboro is the Best Western Plus River Escape Inn & Suites, which sits right on the river and where many of the rooms overlook the waterway. It’s also only 30 minutes from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has a free hot breakfast every morning, and an indoor heated swimming pool.

Stay near Great Smoky Mountain National Park for your WNC adventure

A favorite lodging option is Sky Ridge Yurts in Bryson City. Not only are the yurts plain cool and unique, but they are also comfortable, clean, and have amazing views of the mountains. They book up quickly during prime Polar Express weekends but may have some weekday availability, especially during the winter and into January/February.

The Hot Springs Resort is on our bucket list – this is a place where you can soak in natural mineral water. Ahh, so relaxing.

Where to Eat

Slab Town Pizza in Cashiers is a favorite of mine. Their pizza is perfection and they also offer calzones, salads, and sandwiches. Buck’s Coffee in Cashiers is great if you need some hot chocolate or baked goods while enjoying the Christmas parade. Whiteside Brewing Co., also in Cashiers, has a family-friendly atmosphere with good food and drink.

And Papas & Beer near the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is fantastic. They serve affordable and tasty Mexican cuisine and are only about an hour from Greenville.

Go a bit further north and you’ll come to Guadalupe Café in Sylva and Haywood Smokehouse and Foragers Canteen in Dillsboro, which are all good options for family-friendly dining.

Ready to plan your Western NC off-season adventure?

Check out these budget-friendly off-season adventures in Western North Carolina!

Make the Best Fall Memories at Sky Top Orchard in Western NC

Sky Top Orchard has been welcoming the public since 1980 and helping families make core memories for generations. Here’s why we love them and what to expect when you visit this beautiful and fun orchard!

Watch! Things to Do at Sky Top

Experience Sky Top Orchard

The first apple trees were planted at Sky Top in 1967 and the family opened for u-pick apples to the public in 1980 – that’s a lot of time for families to make those core memories together. And that’s what so many families have done for decades.

Sky Top is more than an apple orchard to Greenville natives: it’s a place that they hold near and dear because it’s where they have memories of growing up – and it’s where they want to make those same memories with their own kids.

That’s one of the big reasons why this orchard is so unique. The orchard is truly a family-run business and even those people who aren’t family by blood, they are family by time. Some of the employees we met have worked for the orchard for the past 25 years! And they still come back year after year, which I think says a lot about the culture at Sky Top.

The orchard has more than 100 acres of apple trees, grapes, and peach trees. They offer u-pick apples and peaches starting in mid-August and run through November. They are open daily and all their activities are open, even during the week.

Things to do at Sky Top Orchard

All of these activities are open seven days a week during the season.

Pick Apples

Of course, you’ll want to pick apples while at Sky Top! They offer almost two dozen different kinds of apples, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Candy Crisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Cortland, and Mutsu. They have both pre-picked apples and bags that you can buy to go to the orchard and pick your own. The biggest bag they offer will hold between 15-20 pounds of apples and is $30. Prepay at the barn or in the orchard and then go picking! If you have a certain variety you are waiting on, visit their website to see which apples are currently available.

Apple Cannon

If I could stay in one place in the orchard all day long, it would be at the apple cannon. There’s something about shooting apples at targets that is both relaxing and exhilarating. I don’t even know why it’s so fun but it is and you should definitely do it. My daughters and I absolutely loved trying to hit the targets and smash the apples. At the end of the day, the goats are released to the field where all the shot apples are at for dinner so it’s a win-win. The cost is $7 for 8 apples.

Playground

The big playground has houses to play in, slides, and giant apples to hide in. Most of it all fenced in as well, which is awesome for parents trying to herd their kids. The play area is free to visit.

Bee Train

The bee train is adorable and kids love riding around in it and they all just look so cute and happy. The suggested age to ride is 3+. The ride is $4/person.

Bamboo Forest

I didn’t really expect a bamboo forest at an apple orchard but there it was so I checked it out. It’s fun to run around and hide amongst the super tall bamboo trees (are they called trees?). The forest is free to visit and located next to the barn and gem mine.

Gem Mining

If the kids want to sort through some dirt and sand to find gems, they can certainly do that at Sky Top. And perhaps even cooler is that there’s a history of actual Zircon mining near Sky Top, which you can read about here. The cost of gem mining is based on bucket size.

Hayride

Take a hayride around the orchard and soak up the views of the mountains against the apple trees. It’s gorgeous! The ride lasts about 10-15 minutes and cost $3/person.

Observation Tower

We loved the views from the three-story observation deck at Sky Top. You can see all the gorgeous mountain views plus get a great shot of the orchard from the top. It’s free to climb and near the back parking area.

Animal Barn

Sky Top has an unusual animal at the barn: a peacocks. Several of them actually. They are so pretty! You can purchase animal feed ($3) if you want to feed the ducks, peacocks, bunnies, or turkey.

What to Eat at Sky Top

Sky Top Orchard has added some tasty treats this year and have plans to add even more to the menu.

Apple Cider Donuts

No surprise here but the orchard churns out some pretty amazing apple cider donuts. They are absolutely delicious and hot and sweet and soft and all the good things that you would imagine a cider donut to be. Get a dozen. Or several.

Apple Pies

Sky Top makes full apple pies and crisps and also individual baked apple hand pies. Everything is made from scratch. They also bake from-scratch apple bread and cookies, including a GF Snickerdoodle Cookie.

Pizza

New in 2025 is Pie in the Sky Pizza shop at the orchard. The pizza is made at the orchard and they offer a cheese or pepperoni pizza. Karolyn has worked at the apple orchard for 18 years and she is the one who stretches out your pizza and makes the magic happen in the kitchen and just loves to serve guests. She’s loving the new pizza parlor! As a pizza snob myself, this pizza was pretty good. It was nice and cheesy and filling. Yum.

Apple Cider Doughnut Float

Also new in 2025 is the Apple Cider Doughnut Float, a cider slushie with soft service ice cream. This is absolutely delicious and is topped with a donut. Your eyes will eat this creation first as it’s so pretty. And it does not disappoint – absolutely a must-try at Sky Top.

Sparkling Cider

Yet another 2025 product is the sparkling cider made at Sky Top. I’m not a huge fan of sparkling water or soda but this….this I could drink every day. I don’t know what it was that made me want to have it all the time but it was darn good. The flavor is exactly like the apple cider sold at the orchard and the bubbles aren’t overpowering.

Farmers Market

The small farmers market inside the barn has some awesome items for sale: local honey right from the bees at the orchard, jams, and jellies. They also have pottery from local makers that is gorgeous and comes with apple recipes.

Field Trips & Private Events

Sky Top is the perfect spot for a fun field trip! The orchard also does a great job accommodating large groups with hayride tours, apple picking, and educational programs which teach kiddos everything they could want to know about how apples grow through the seasons. Their field trips are geared for ages 3-10 but they can certainly tailor the educational components to be suitable for middle and high schoolers. They can accommodate groups as large as 300!

And if you’re looking for a unique corporate event or something as delightful as a baby shower, Sky Top can host you and your group. They have a beautiful barn with plenty of seating and a stage for a covered space plus you’ve got the whole orchard to roam. Just contact them directly to arrange your event.

Accessibility & Crowds

Sky Top has massively improved their accessibility and crowd control. They have a brand new paved path that goes from the big barn at the entrance all the way down to the apple cannon. This makes managing a stroller or wheelchair a thousand times easier.

And while crowds can be an issue at any apple orchard during the fall season, Sky Top has spread out their space where you can purchase pre-paid bags at more than just one location. The pizza place and cider slushie spot are further apart and overflow parking are at multiple areas, just follow the signs.

Tips for visiting Sky Top

Be sure to check out Sky Top’s FAQs for tips before you visit.
They accept credit cards! While the donut shop still takes cash, as does the orchard, you can pay for everything with your credit card.
Weekdays are ideal for visiting Sky Top. Fall weekends can get really busy but the orchard is spread out so you may only have to wait a bit for their donuts (which is worth it).
Wear sneakers or other walking shoes that are okay to get dirty.
Sky Top has real bathrooms and a space to change a baby’s diaper in the family restroom. Yay!
Apple varieties are planted in accordance of when they are in season. They plant the earliest apples closest to the entrance and it progresses further away as the season goes on. In other words, the later in the season you visit the orchard, the further you will need to plan on walking to pick apples.
Pets on leash are allowed at the orchard but not inside the barn.

Visiting Sky Top Orchard

Here is their picking schedule (which lists available varieties). All the activities at the orchard are available seven days a week, not just weekends.

Sky Top Orchard is open seven days a week from 9 am – 6 pm starting September 1. From mid-August to August 31, they are open daily 9 am – 5 pm.

Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia, NC
Sky Top Website | Sky Top Facebook
828.692.7930

Looking for more fall fun? Here are over 30 things to do this fall near Greenville.

For more fall fun check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide and our Corn Maze Guide!

Looking for more Fall fun? Check out our Apple Orchards Near the Upstate Guide.

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

Are you looking for more fun things to do in Western North Carolina? Read our Kidding Around Guide To WNC.

Has your family experienced Sky Top Orchard yet?

The NC Arboretum Offers Much More Than Spectacular Gardens

Inside: Local mom visits The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC, and shares all the best tips for your trip there!

Have you visited the NC Arboretum? If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend the day outdoors in Asheville, the arboretum might be just what you’re looking for!

The North Carolina Arboretum is much more than a beautiful garden. In addition to gorgeous flower beds bursting with color, you’ll also find hiking trails, an outdoor miniature train display, a cafe, a greenhouse, water features, and even rotating art exhibits. There’s something for everyone in the family at the arboretum and since it’s located in nearby Asheville, you’ve got a great day trip in the making.

Looking to make a day trip out of your trip to the North Carolina Arboretum? Check out our list of Western North Carolina Day Trip ideas to have a fun-filled day!

Visiting the NC Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is located just south of Asheville, NC. Their website provides directions, and they indicate that GPS should not be trusted. I have to admit not reading that little tidbit, and our GPS directions have always worked just fine. Do be aware however that the cell signal is not strong in this area.

When you arrive at the arboretum you’ll pay for parking. The parking fee is $20 per car. There is no further admission or per-person cost, which makes this a pretty affordable family day trip. Pack some snacks or a lunch and you won’t have to spend another dime.

But if you’d rather go out for lunch, there’s a cafe at the arboretum. Asheville is also just about 20 minutes away with virtually limitless dining options.

Baker Exhibit Center

The main parking lot for the North Carolina Arboretum is at the Baker Exhibit Center. This will be where you start the day. I recommend bringing any snacks, drinks, and necessary items like diaper bags with you. Depending on where you end up exploring, it can be a long walk back to the car to get a drink.

As you enter the building, you’ll find maps to the right of the door. Grab a map. They’ll show everything the arboretum offers and you’ll enjoy the gardens, locating the things you see on the map.

Inside this visitors center you’ll find clean restrooms and an information desk. To access the gardens you’ll climb the stairs and head to the back of the building. On your way, you’ll pass a fantastic gift shop, a greenhouse, and an art exhibit space. Often there are small plants for sale in the greenhouse and artwork on display in the exhibit space.

NC Arboretum Quilt Garden — Quilt Garden at North Carolina Arboretum

The Gardens at the NC Arboretum

Throughout the grounds of the arboretum, you’ll find beautiful flowers and leafy plants full of color. There are gorgeous arbors and gazebos to rest under, fountains to watch, and paved pathways to wander.

One of our favorite sections of the garden is a quilt garden, named because when you climb the stone stairs beside it and look down, it does indeed look like a quilt. The flowers in this quilt pattern change. Each time we have visited the quilt garden has been different.

NC Arboretum Bonsai Garden and Exhibits — Bonsai Garden

Bonsai Exhibit

Another section of the garden we love to explore is the Bonsai Garden. You might not think looking at Bonsai trees would be interesting to children, but my kids really like these. Each one looks different, some are themed and a lot of them have descriptive and sometimes humorous names.

The perfectly pruned miniature trees are truly works of art. The Bonsai section of the arboretum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily from mid-May through November, with additional hours for special guided tours with the Curator. The indoor Tropical Bonsai Exhibit is open November – April from 9 am – 5 pm daily.

Rocky Cove Railroad

The Rocky Cove Railroad runs Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 4 pm from April to October. It’s a G-Scale model train that runs through this outdoor garden depicting Western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century when trains first arrived.

Four different trains run through the display. One of them is a Thomas train. If you have young children who love Thomas, you definitely don’t want to miss Thomas running through this little town display.

My favorite thing about this display is that all the trees throughout the display are perfectly pruned, live trees cut to fit the size of the display.

NC Arboretum Train, Rocky Cove — Rocky Cove Railroad

Trails to Hike

The Arboretum has many trails available for hiking and biking if you prefer your gardens to be a bit wilder. In the spring, don’t miss the hike down to the woodland garden that contains the National Native Azalea Collection where you’ll find almost every native azalea species in the United States blooming side by side.

The nature trail is another great trail any time of the year and this one doesn’t allow biking so you won’t have to watch out for riders on this trail. The nature trail is TRACK trail, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program where kids earn prizes for completing different trails and activities. You can grab a TRACK Trail Guide at the Baker Exhibit Center.

Trails in the arboretum connect to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Pisgah National Forest. If you’re looking for hiking trails or bike trails in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, such as Hard Times Road, there is a free parking area at Bent Creek.

Education Center at the NC Arboretum

The second building at the Arboretum is the Education Center. You’ll find scheduled educational programming here as well as a few educational exhibits. They have continuing education courses for adults, classes for families, and youth-centric classes as well. This is also where the cafe is located.

There is a lovely porch with a plethora of rocking chairs that overlook the gardens. Purchase a snack or open up the lunch you packed, this is a great spot to sit for a while and relax.

Mom Review: NC Arboretum

The NC Arboretum is a great place for the family to spend some time. We’ve brought our children a few times, including when they were quite young. There is plenty of room for little kids to run off steam, but also a lot of interesting things to see for older kids.

The train has always been a highlight and I usually save that for the end of the trip, otherwise, we’d never see the rest of the garden.

The garden paths are paved, but if you plan to walk any of the woodland trails, know that they are dirt and gravel. You’ll probably appreciate wearing sneakers. Do bring lots to drink, especially if you’re going in the summer.

Special Events

The arboretum runs several special events and exhibits throughout the year. The biggest event is undoubtedly Winter Lights. The holiday light exhibit lights up the gardens into a winter light wonderland. We have a whole Winter Lights review for you.

To see all the special events, including live music in the summer and special exhibits, see the NC Arboretum calendar.

North Carolina Arboretum Website
Personal vehicles: $20 Parking – get $1 off if you have AAA
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
Asheville, NC 28806

Hours: Daily 8 am – 7 pm (winter hours)
Hours: Daily 8 am – 9 pm (summer hours)

Things to do in Asheville, North Carolina

Spending some time in Asheville?

Here’s our huge guide to things to do in Asheville, NC.

Check out the North Carolina Arboretum! They offer much more than just spectacular gardens!

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