Searching for your perfect beach to visit this summer? Surf City, NC is a quiet coastal town that offers tons of family fun, great places to eat, peaceful beaches, and more! They even have a turtle rehabilitation center that your family can visit. Local mom Jennifer spent some time in Surf City with her family and had a wonderful time. You can check out her review below.
We are beach people, but we are quiet beach people. My family prefers to rent a beach house for a week rather than stay in a hotel. We like beaches where there is some space between your beach chairs and umbrellas. This is how we ended up in Surf City, NC for the first time this summer. And, we fell in love!
If you haven’t heard of Surf City, I’m not surprised. This is a small township located on Topsail Island. Maybe you’ve heard of Topsail Island, which is a 26-mile-long barrier island off the coast located close to Wilmington, NC. Whereas Topsail Island is 26-miles-long, Surf City is a small, walkable section of the island. And, it is where all the action happens.
Looking for other beaches to explore in the Southeast? Check out our list of 20+ Amazing Beaches in the Southeast that are family-friendly and waiting to be explored!
What to Expect at Surf City, NC
Surf City is full of vacation rentals instead of large hotels. There are a few hotels on the island, but far more townhouses or beach houses for rent. Since this is a small township, almost everything was within walking distance of our rental. It was fantastic! We could walk to get food from restaurants, pick up groceries, or shop.
Another fun part of staying in Surf City was the number of surfers! While we didn’t see many large waves, we did see a large number of surfboards in the water each morning. And, the local Surf City Surf School offers daily surfing lessons to tourists.
Surf City is quiet during the week, which was perfect for my introverted family members. But, it is much more crowded on weekends. This is because the locals head to Surf City on Topsail Island because it has several public beaches, as well as a beautiful pier. On the weekend we visited, there were lots of people around; however, there were still far fewer people than you find at other beaches that are tourist destinations.
Stay in Surf City, NC
Find the perfect place to stay in Surf City using the map below. Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through the map.
Things to Do at Surf City
Surf City is a quaint beach town, so do not expect to find a ton of tourist attractions. Instead, plan to spend your days enjoying the beautiful beach. Take time to explore the town on foot. Visit the pier, shop the various boutiques and beach stores, and try out the restaurants. My favorite thing to do was walk across the street from the beach to the local bookstore.
Topsail Island is close to Wilmington, NC, and Carolina Beach, NC. My family took a day trip to Carolina Beach and visited the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the Carolina Beach Boardwalk amusement park.
Where to Eat when visiting Surf City
Since we were on vacation and could walk to multiple restaurants, we ate out a lot. And, I do not regret it one bit! The food was excellent. In particular, I grew incredibly fond of Shaka Taco, a fun taco restaurant connected to the Surf City Surf School. I ate there three times in a week. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I am still dreaming about their Shaka Nachos. Plus, there were several other local restaurants that my family enjoyed while on vacation, such as Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille and Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar.
Why We Plan to Go Back to Surf City
I love going to beach towns that feel like authentic beach towns, and this is the case with Surf City. It is not commercialized. It is quiet and quaint. My family felt safe enough there to walk everywhere. Plus, it was beautiful. Honestly, I would drive the five hours so that I could walk from the beach to eat at Shaka Taco again.
What’s your family’s favorite nearby beach to visit?
Thinking about a day trip to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC? KAG Guest Contributor Lauren Justus visited to the Nantahala Outdoor Center with her family. She’s telling us all about their adventures, with recommendations on things to do and where to eat near the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
I want to tell you about the perfect family day trip to the NC mountains. We left Greenville, SC one Sunday morning, heading toward the Nantahala Outdoor Center Website (NOC) in Bryson City, NC. This was exactly a two-hour drive for us. It was most definitely worth it. We spent the day enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of the NOC campus, restaurants, and outfitters store and ended our day with an adventurous tubing experience.
If you are hanging out around the Davidson River, tubing in Brevard in the summer months is the way to go! Pick up your tube for a small fee at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and a full day of floating fun awaits. If you’re looking to do a little summer tubing, Brevard, NC is a great place to be.
Photo Credit to Kevin Stinehart
Note: As of June 2025, we have learned that the river is doing well after Hurricane Helene (minimal damage or debris), and the abundance of rain this season has kept the water levels good for tubing.
Have you ever wanted to walk the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz? Well, your chance to walk that Yellow Brick Road, meet Dorothy, and so much more about three hours from Upstate, SC. We have all the details on what to expect, where to eat, and where to stay when you head to the Land of Ozthe last three weekends in September 2024.
This review is a combination of trips in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Thank you to the Land of Oz for providing media tickets so we could write this review.
Inside: A parent made list of places to go river tubing near Greenville, SC, complete with parent tips and Kidding Around reviews of a variety of tubing spots. This list includes river tubing spots in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
If you are looking for a summer adventure with your family, then try out river tubing near Greenville, SC! Locally, there are a few great spots, but there are several throughout NC, TN, and GA worth traveling to. Wondering, “Where is the best river tubing near me?” Fortunately, you’ve found this HUGE list of places to go tubing near Greenville with your family. You’re sure to find one or two you’ve never even heard of that you’ll want to try out for yourself.
All I can think about doing during these hot summer months is getting in the water, whether it’s our neighborhood pool, a refreshing lake, or even better, cruising down a river in a giant tube. Tubing is a great way to have fun AND beat the heat in the upstate this summer.
There is just nothing better than a slow ride down a river on a tube. This is probably one of the more exciting summer adventures I used to do growing up. It was an awesome family activity and we’ve got all the best places to do it near the Upstate, SC.
Living in the heart of a mountainous region that boasts of waterfalls, creeks, and rivers, there are plenty of places to indulge in tubing that aren’t far from Greenville at all.
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping comfortably under the stars with incredible views on top of a mountain, The Glamping Collective in Canton, NC, under two hours from Greenville, SC, is the place to go.
Thank you to The Glamping Collective for hosting us. All opinions are our own.
Situated high atop a mountain near Canton, NC lies a village of geo domes and glass cabins. You can gaze at the stars while lying on your bed or in the hot tub on the deck, roast marshmallows or grill outdoors, and then relax with your favorite book or play cards and charades with your kids.
The Glamping Collective is a 160-acre village of geo domes and glass houses atop a mountain that sits around 4,000 feet.
There are 23 luxury accommodations at the property including geodesic adults-only domes, XL domes that are great for families, and adults-only glass cabins. There are about five miles of hiking trails and views for days and days. The Glamping Collective is only about ten minutes off I-40 but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.
The vision for the Glamping Collective began in 2012 when founders Matt and Christina Bare started dreaming about a mountaintop retreat near Asheville. They went through hundreds of concepts and drawings and plans until they came up with what The Glamping Collective is today.
Our XL Luxe Dome
Our XL Luxe Dome was huge. It had two bedrooms, a bathroom, a pullout couch (the best view), kitchen with a toaster oven, two burners, fridge, dishwasher, and table. There are at least three different ways to make your coffee that I counted, which was just such an excellent way to start the morning.
Our kitchen in our dome
The bedrooms each have a king bed and the sofa bed can fit two people. The XL domes can sleep up to six people total. The best view, ironically, was the pullout sofa because it is right under the part of the dome that you can move the curtains aside to see straight out. It also had the best view for stargazing.
The bathroom is a place of absolute luxury. The floor is heated, which felt really nice in the morning when it was a little chilly. But the toilet seat is also heated. I have to say this: I didn’t know luxury until I sat on a heated toilet seat.
Outdoor Beauty
I have seen photos of places like the Glamping Collective but wasn’t quite sure they existed in real life. You know those beautiful photos of hot tubs overlooking mountain summits and sunsets, coffee in the morning while you watch the sun streaking over the peaks? Yeah, those. I’m here to tell you they do exist.
The views at the Glamping Collective are absolutely spectacular. Gazing at the mountains from the inside of our geo dome and the deck and the firepit and grilling area were just unreal. I thought I was looking at a painting most of the time. I sat and admired such beauty and immensely enjoyed it. The mountains in the distance rolled and peaked and the sun took its time setting behind those peaks.
Our private hot tub
Once night settled in, we could see the stars through the clear panels inside of our geo dome. We just laid back and watched the stars and were in awe that this was happening and that we were there at that moment. I think that was one of our very favorite parts about the trip.
The hot tub is cleaned and sanitized after every guest and instructions are given before you check in. We spent some quality time in the hot tub – which is pretty large at the XL domes – relaxing and soaking up the views.
There’s a big fire pit and chairs at each of the XL domes so it’s very private. This was great because I’m terrible at starting fires and didn’t want anyone making fun of my lack of fire-building skills besides my own kids. If you stay in the adults-only geo domes, there is a community fire pit and several grills you can use. The views there are also unreal – big skies overlooking miles and miles of mountains in the distance.
Views from the dome
My daughters and I enjoyed making s’mores each night outside at the fire pit. Thankfully, the Glamping Collective provides firewood, fire starters, and lighters for their guests so I was able to get enough of a blaze going to toast a few marshmallows.
The grills are propane so super easy to use if you want to do some outdoor grilling while you’re there.
Hiking Trails
There are about five miles of private hiking trails at The Glamping Collective. We did the Sunset Summit Trail, a two-mile round trip hike that takes you to a spectacular mountaintop that has near 360-degree views of Tennessee and North Carolina. We could see the Great Smoky Mountains and all the way out to Mount Pisgah off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
There is a big swing up top to rest at as well as chairs to admire all the beauty. The hike isn’t easy. It’s pretty much straight up the whole way. I’d say it’s a moderate-hard hike. But then you get an easy hike on the way down.
Sunset Summit Trail
I had never stayed at a place that had legitimate hiking trails, much less private ones, at the property. The Sunset Summit Trail was just as hard as many of the public trails I’ve hiked and the best part was that we got the whole summit all to ourselves! It was super cool to have that experience and be able to enjoy a beautiful walk in the woods to reach that private view.
The Creekside Trail was right outside our geodome. It was about a mile total and took us through the woods on a trail loaded with wildflowers. The way we went was mostly downhill. If you start at the bottom instead of the top, you’ll be huffing and puffing most of the way.
If you only have the time or energy to do one trail there, do the Sunset Summit Trail.
Romantic Getaway
The Glamping Collective has adults-only domes and glass cabins that are perfect for your next romantic getaway (or solo getaway!).
Instead of the two bedrooms in the XL domes, these adults-only accommodations have the bed right below the dome, or behind the big glass wall in the cabins, so you get views straight out into the night sky or across the vast mountaintops all day and night. These are just stunning and are really a special place to enjoy time with your loved one. The photo below is of one of the adults-only domes.
One of the adults-only domes at The Glamping Collective
Need to Know About Your Stay
Here are a few things you need to know about coming to the Glamping Collective:
The road is steep to get there and then the gravel road to the accommodations, once you enter the property, is also steep. During the winter, it’s required you have 4WD if it’s snowing. You’re not making it up there without it.
There are 4 XL domes that sleep up to six people. The other domes and glass houses are adults-only and sleep two people so if you want to come with your kids, be sure to get the XL domes.
There are accessible accommodations available.
It’s a good 15-20 degrees cooler at The Glamping Collective than in Greenville so dress accordingly. It felt pretty awesome staying there during the early summer when Greenville was already sweltering in the high 80s and we were comfortable in the 60s.
There is an Ingles grocery store right at the bottom of the mountain when you get off of I-40. It’s easy to pick up anything you may need for cooking and s’mores on your way up.
Stay on a weekday for better rates. Weekends and holidays are going to have the highest rates.
Accommodations are pet-friendly.
Except for the ADA-accessible accommodations, you are going to have to walk up short, but kind of steep, paths to get to the front door.
XL Luxe Dome
Nearby Things to Do
If you feel the need to leave your peaceful glamping dome, there are plenty of things to do in the area.
Hiking
Canton, NC is in the perfect location to get in a few good hikes and then come back and rest and recharge in the hot tub. Some of the best ones nearby, along with number of minutes they are away from The Glamping Collective are: Waterrock Knob (39 minutes), Midnight Hole (51 minutes), Max Patch (57 minutes), Black Balsam (one hour), Graveyard Fields (one hour), Mingo Falls (one hour), Soco Falls (34 minutes), Devil’s Courthouse (53 minutes), Mount Pisgah (40 minutes), and Sam Knob (one hour). There are lots more – use the AllTrails or Gaia apps to find others.
Waterrock Knob
Waynesville, NC
I absolutely love exploring small mountain towns. They always have some of the coolest shops, often with only locally-made items adorning the shelves. Waynesville has lots of these great shops plus a Mast General, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridgeway is mere minutes from the Glamping Collective. Take a picnic up there and admire the views! There are also a lot of hikes right off the Parkway.
Splash pad in downtown Canton
There’s a splash pad right in downtown Canton across the river from BearWaters Brewing at 8 Sorrells Street. The Canton farmers market happens there over the summer months every Thursday from 4-8 pm and the splash pad is perfect for smaller kids, especially if they aren’t able to go tubing yet.
BearWaters Brewing
Right on the Pigeon River, BearWaters Brewing serves up a huge Giant Pretzel and other American fare plus lots of great beers on tap. We enjoyed the pretzel and nachos and I tried a delicious Strawberry Wheat beer.
River Tubing
Over the summer, you can go tubing on the Pigeon River with Pigeon River Outfitters or Cold Mountain Tubing. We missed their opening by days when we went or else we would have certainly done this!
Winchester Creek Farm
One of our favorite alpaca and mini-horse and cow farms is right near The Glamping Collective. Winchester Creek Farm offers great tours of their beautiful farm, a gift shop, and seasonal events. Definitely check them out when you’re there!
Lake Junaluska
I have yet to explore this beautiful lake but I do know you can rent kayaks and paddleboards and pay to swim in a pool that is part of the community on Lake Junaluska.
Biltmore
The Biltmore is a 28-minute drive from The Glamping Collective and you can easily spend a day there touring the mansion, strolling through the gardens, doing a free wine tasting, and having lunch or dinner there.
Honest Mom Review
To say I was blown away by The Glamping Collective would be an understatement. The accommodations were so beautiful, relaxing and peaceful. It’s a quiet place. There are no televisions (they do have WiFi) and every aspect of the property invites you to rest and relax and forget about life during your visit.
My daughters really enjoyed our time there as well – from running around at the top of the summit trying to be Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music to roasting marshmallows to relaxing in the hot tub. It was time well spent together.
Staying at The Glamping Collective is a treat. The accommodations are on the higher end of unique stays but my goodness, are they beautiful. There are few places like this in our area and no place I have ever traveled compares to what The Glamping Collective offers.
After I saw photos from the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville, NC, I knew that my family would have to go. We love outdoor adventures and seeing animals, so I knew that my kids enjoy a visit. When we decided to finally visit, the WNC Nature Center was even better than I anticipated. If you haven’t been, you need to schedule a visit.
The WNC Nature Center reopens to the public on March 17th, 2025!
Find a place to stay near Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Why the WNC Nature Center is so cool
The WNC Nature Center focuses on animals and plants in the southern Appalachian mountains so you’ll get to see animals that roamed this area eons ago up to the present day. The uniqueness of this aspect helps guests to understand more about their own environment and animals they may see in the area.
The center is built into nature with lots of shade, walkways, and natural playgrounds. It’s not huge so it’s very manageable for a day trip, especially with smaller children. The exhibits are interactive and fun for kids of all ages and the park is hardly commercialized.
What You Will See at the WNC Nature Center
You will start your visit in the Appalachian Station where kids can see a variety of small animals and reptiles. Children will also enjoy interacting with a textured wall and looking at rocks under microscopes.
Then, you will venture outside where you will follow paved and wooden sidewalks through animal exhibits. Most of the animals are behind glass or chain link fences but the exhibits themselves are large and full of animal play structures. These animal exhibits include: otters, raccoons, foxes, gray wolves, cougars, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, hawks, owls, and more. There is a brand new red panda exhibit with the cutest, fluffiest red panda ever. And the red wolf exhibit is an educational experience unto itself.
While exploring, you will also find the Trillium Nature Trail, a .6 mile nature trail to allow children to see the beauty along the Swannanoa River.
Kids will enjoy the Arachnid Adventure, a playground based on spider web jungle gyms. This playground also is surrounded by spiders hiding on the surrounding trees making a fun “eye-spy game”. There are also other playgrounds scattered throughout the park where kids use natural materials to build and play with.
Otter Falls also has a slide that kids can play on while they watch the active animals enjoy the water.
Your visit will end at the Western North Carolina Farm where kids will get to pet animals and even pretend to be farmers themselves in an interactive play zone with small wheelbarrows and tools inside the huge barn. Be sure to check out “water painting” nearby. A gem mine is also next to the barn and the buckets can be purchased in the little shop.
A new Songbird Garden is near the wolves and built like a big wall but cutouts to try to find the birds that are pictured on the wall.
Sensory Bags are available for free
For parents of children with autism or sensory processing disorders, free sensory bags can be signed out at the gift shop upon entering the center. They are sponsored by KultureCity, a national non-profit, and include headphones, a fidget toy, and a feelings chart.
Signs are posted throughout the park indicating areas to perhaps use the headphones. It’s great that the WNC Nature Center now has these available!
Should I bring a stroller?
If you’ve got small kids, bring a stroller or rent one ($10) there. There are lots of hills and little legs will probably get tired. There are plenty of places to rest and enjoy the animals and playgrounds but yes, strollers would be ideal.
Our Experience at the WNC Nature Center
We came later in the day, so we ended up missing the petting zoo (it closed at 4 pm) and didn’t have time to explore the trail. My kids had such a great time though that we hardly missed the extra activities. We easily spent two hours exploring and could have spent another 30 minutes if the nature center would have been open longer. We tend to be slow visitors to attractions, so your family may tour the center quicker especially if you don’t have small children who want to play in the play areas.
I really enjoyed that the layout and outdoor walkways seemed more like a nature walk than zoo. The animals were active in the cool fall air and most of them were easily visible. The paths were easy to follow, though it was confusing figuring out which way to turn to explore the center without missing any of the exhibits.
My kids favorite exhibits were the Otter Falls and the WNC Farm play area. I personally loved watching the cougars and was thrilled to get some wonderful photos even through glass. I was disappointed that glass and fences made it difficult and even impossible to get good photos of some of the animals, but at least the animals were easy to see in person.
Some concessions are available through vending machines and new concession areas will likely be opening in the next year. The center also has plenty of picnic space for families wanting to bring a lunch. The WNC Nature Center is also right beside a large park with a playground, picnic shelters, and public pool. The center has restrooms in the ticket access, barn near the petting zoo, at the arachnid climbing playground, and in the Appalachian Station which are wheelchair accessible.
Open: 7 days a week, 10 am – 3:30 pm Admission: $13.95/ adults ($1 off for seniors), $13.95/ youth (13-15), $9.95/ kids (ages 3 – 12) 2 and younger free 75 Gashes Creek Road; Asheville, NC 28805 828.259.8080 WNC Nature Center
Have you ever visited the WNC Nature Center? What did you think?
One of my favorite places to celebrate the outdoors with my kiddos is high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains at Mt Pisgah Campground. The campground is right off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway (near Canton, NC), and while individual sites are mostly wooded and tucked away, the entire area boasts breathtaking panoramic views of rolling green-blue mountains from horizon to horizon. Picturesque sunrises, sunsets, hikes, picnics, drives, you name it, it all comes with an incredible view.
As it sits at an elevation of nearly 5,000ft, the entire area boasts much cooler temperatures than here in Greenville. Even in the middle of summer, don’t forget a light jacket. If you’re camping in the fall, enduring the chilly air will bring the payoff of a vibrant colorscape you won’t soon forget. The campground accommodates both tents and RVs with a total of 124 sites, as well as offering drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and full service bathrooms.
Reserving a Campsite
Some sites can be reserved online and some are first-come first-serve. Campsites are just $20/night. There are no power hook-ups – so plan accordingly. And don’t forget to head down to the campfire circle for fun programs and marshmallow roasting. Ranger-led programs are offered most Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm in the amphitheater at the top of B loop.
The Camp Store
Directly across the street, through trails behind the campsites, is a quaint camp store that is always fun to visit, plus it’s got you covered when you think of what you forgot, like lighter fluid, matches, and even coffee if you can’t get that fire going in the morning. The store is open daily from 8 am – 8 pm.
Things to do around the Mt. Pisgah Campground
What else can you do? The campground offers hiking straight from the sites. If you’re feeling ambitious (and your kids are too) you can trek about two miles up the summit of Mt. Pisgah to a viewing platform that’s truly worth the effort. Our kiddos have done this many times over the years and have always enjoyed the hike.
Or drive about a mile to the trailhead of Frying Pan Tower trail, an uphill climb to an old fire watch tower with 360 degree views of the mountains.
If you want to take a dip or explore some more just head down the mountain along 276 toward home and you can enjoy Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, the trout hatchery, Cradle of Forestry, and the Davidson River among many, many others. Head further along the Blue Ridge Parkway and find yourself in Asheville for the afternoon.
One of my kids’ favorite pastimes about this camp spot is simply driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway with the windows down, and screaming their heads off in every tunnel we encounter. A warning dear friends: there are many tunnels on the BRP. Share this tradition if you dare!
Inside: A local mom hikes Bearwallow Mountain Trail in Hendersonville, NC, and shares all the fun tips and cool things to do nearby!
The Bearwallow Mountain Trail is now open follow extensive Hurricane Helene damage. Here is what Conserving Carolina says about the re-opening:
Please bear in mind that road closures in Gerton on 74-A and the lower section of Bearwallow Mountain Rd are still in effect. Hikers should only access the trailhead from the Edneyville side of Bearwallow Mt. The Hickory Nut Gorge is a very active Hurricane Helene recovery area. Be mindful that emergency response may be delayed due to road closures. Show your consideration and respect for the residents of this highly impacted area by respecting trail notices, staying off private property and only traveling on roads that are open to the public. You can find routes that avoid the road closures in Google Maps.
Have you hiked the Bearwallow Mountain Trail? This easy trail in Hendersonville, NC lends itself to incredible, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here’s everything you need to know about the hike, plus some cool things to do nearby Bearwallow Mountain!
In the 10 years (or thereabouts) that we’ve lived in Greenville, we’ve yet to exhaust the list of hiking trails within an hour’s drive from the city. Not only are we constantly discovering new areas through friends and various groups, but trails are being established in newly established conservancies and preserves through the efforts of groups like Conserving Carolina. One of our favorite late spring/early summer hikes is a comparatively new trail that leads to the summit of Bearwallow Mountain.
Hendersonville-based Conserving Carolina acquired a conservation easement on the summit of Bearwallow in 2009, adding close to 400 more acres between the summit and trailhead in recent years. At 4,232 ft. this is the highest peak in the Bearwallow Highlands range that straddles the Eastern Continental Divide.
The mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the western rim of the Hickory Nut Gorge, and views from the summit extend to Mt. Mitchell in the Black Mountains and Mt. Pisgah in the Great Balsams.
Conserving Carolina constructed the Bearwallow Mountain trail with the help of the Carolina Mountain Club, REI and community volunteers, and the hope is that eventually it will be incorporated into a 15-mile Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail, a loop that will link Bearwallow Mountain to CMLC’s Florence Preserve and the summit of Ferguson Peak. You can follow the progress of the trails in this area on the Conserving Carolina website.
On a recent warm summer day we took Poinsett Highway out of Greenville and then turned onto I-25 to cross into North Carolina. I had a momentary lapse of memory and thought I had forgotten our lunch on the counter, justifying a stop at one of the many stands by the side of the road to buy a bucket of freshly-picked strawberries. In another couple of months it’ll be peaches and apples… can’t wait! After jumping on I-26 towards Hendersonville, we took exit 49A for US Hwy. 64 east.
For further instructions see the Conserving Carolina website, but be aware that there’s a fork in the road that intuitively leads you off on N Bearwallow Rd. when you want to stay on Bearwallow Mountain Road.
Hiking up to Bearwallow Mountain Summit
The Bearwallow Mountain trailhead is at the crest of Bearwallow Mountain Rd. (Bearwallow Gap) where the pavement turns to gravel (the gravel road continues on over 2 miles to the town of Gerton, NC). Parking is along the shoulder, and the trail begins beyond the old, rusted gate.
You’ll see the trail kiosk on the right, marking the beginning of the one-mile ascent up to the summit. The gravel service road that heads off to the left meets the trail at the summit and continues on to the historic fire tower and telephone towers. You can take either way to the summit. Learn more about the hike on the Conserving Carolina website.
If you take the trail, be prepared for switchbacks and rocky stairs almost the entire way. Rhododendron and trillium distracted us from the somewhat steep climb, but poison ivy kept us on the trail. As we neared the top we passed several rocky outcrops, before emerging into a grassy meadow which has nearly a 360-degree view of the surrounding states.
The gravel road is also a hike up but wide and easy, especially if you’ve got smaller kids. Dogs are allowed on the trail but they must be on leash.
The panoramic views up here are incredible. I love taking a picnic and hanging out at the top while just taking in all the beauty. Bearwallow Mountain is perfect for sunrise or sunset, just be sure to bring a headlamp.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the grazing cows at the top but please just let them graze and don’t go up and try to cuddle with them. Even if you don’t see the cows, you’ll definitely see the cow patties so just watch your step.
Nearby Things to Do
There are several nearby activities if you want to make a day trip. We have an entire story on the Hendersonville area, which you’ll want to check out, but here are just a few of my favorites depending on what time of year you hike Bearwallow Mountain.
Spring & Summer
Nearby Lake Lure has a great beach to hang out at. You can swim or rent a kayak or paddleboard and check out the lake.
Next to the beach is the free Flowering Bridge, which is gorgeous! They have all types of flowers and I think spring and summer have the most beautiful ones.
Chimney Rock next to Lake Lure has an adorable village that my kids and I love to walk around at. There’s a great place next to Chimney Rock State Park to get ice cream and you can go gem mining.
During the summer months, people really love the free Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens. There are little fair houses and trolls to find along the short path.
Fall
Late summer and fall is apple picking season and there are plenty of places to go within 20 minutes or so fo Bearwallow Mountain.
If you love apple cider donuts, then don’t miss our Apple Cider Donut tour near Hendersonville.
I think Chimney Rock State Park is best viewed during the fall because of the incredible fall colors (but really, that park is awesome anytime of year).
Did you know there’s a llama farm that you can visit most times of the year where you can hike with llamas or run with them through obstacle courses? Do not miss Ellaberry Llama Farm. It will make you happy for months after!
Winter
Go snow tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing, right around the corner from Bearwallow Mountain. They’ve got a great lodge to get hot chocolate at as well.
Moonshine Mountain is also another fun spot to go snow tubing. Just get there early since they don’t take reservations.
Have you hiked the Bearwallow Mountain Trail? This easy trail in Hendersonville, NC lends itself to incredible, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here’s everything you need to know about the hike, plus some cool things to do nearby Bearwallow Mountain!
If the idea of touring the Biltmore Estate in Asheville with your kids sounds daunting, have no fear. We lay out all kinds of things you can do at the estate – most of them don’t even involve visiting the house itself. I’ve been several times and had so many questions initially, but every time I’ve gone, I learn more and explore more of the 8,000+ acres – and fall in love with the Biltmore just a bit more.
Have you ever daydreamed of visiting a real-life castle? Touring the halls and stately rooms, being transported to a different time and place, experiencing the luxurious life? How about touring the castle vineyard, visiting the stables, exploring the renowned gardens? Well, you don’t have to hop on a plane for Europe to set your eyes upon gargoyles and ball gowns, just head to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, a picturesque castle with over 8,000 acres, 250 rooms, and a hundred years of history.
Regardless of whether you are a pass holder or visiting for the day, if you want to tour the house, you need to reserve a time online. Be sure to print out your confirmation email, since you’ll need to show the staff before they let you in. And get there at least 45 minutes before your scheduled tour time to allow for parking and either taking a shuttle to the house or walking over via the trails.
Is Biltmore Worth It?
Many parents ask if taking the kids through the house is worth it, which is a valid question. If you don’t reserve a guided tour (an extra cost), you’ll automatically be doing the self-guided tour, which you can go at your own pace but will be following a crowd. Even though the house is just stunning and seeing the grandeur of the rooms is amazing, some kids will be bored. And if you have little kids, you need to keep them with you and not let them run behind the roped-off sections.
I first took my kids to the house when they were 7 and 3 and we didn’t make it through the whole tour because one of them needed to use the restroom – which you must do before you enter the house as there are no bathrooms inside for guests. Bathrooms are located near the Stable Cafe to the right of the house outdoors.
The second time we went was a couple of years later and we got through most of the house, maybe because it was Christmastime and the decorations were mesmerizing. Now, my kids are 9 and 13 and we go every Christmas and they truly enjoy it.
The Biltmore offers an audio tour ($15) for kids, narrated by the Vanderbilt’s dog, Cedric, which they may find entertaining.
Either way, be prepared to bail if you need to. There’s a lot to do on the estate besides the house, no matter how gorgeous it is. The Biltmore ticket system requires you to choose a House ticket or a Grounds & Gardens ticket. The House ticket includes the Grounds but a Grounds & Gardens ticket does not include the House tour.
Biltmore Gardens
I’ve taken so many walks through the Biltmore Gardens and just can’t get enough. They were designed by the father of modern-day landscaping, Frederick Law Olmstead, and are breathtaking.
I thought Spring was my favorite season there as the tulips and daffodils light up the pathways. Then I thought early summer was my favorite because of the beautiful rose garden and azalea garden. Then I decided Fall was my favorite because of the colorful mums that were planted in mesmerizing patterns.
Biltmore sunflowers
But after I took walks and bike rides along the sunflower fields near Antler Hill Village in the late summer and early Fall, I just figured I’d get a season pass so I could visit whenever I wanted.
I can’t decide on when all the flowers are the most gorgeous so you’ll just have to go for yourself to see them.
Your House and Grounds & Gardens tickets both include access to the gardens, the walking trails, and the Conservatory. You don’t need a reserved time to walk through the gardens, you just go when you want.
Antler Hill Village: Biltmore with Kids
Antler Hill Village is my favorite place at the Biltmore Estate because it’s filled with lots of kid-friendly things to do and it’s all included with admission.
The Farmyard is a small farm area where kids are welcome to pet the animals. They have goats (baby goats come March of every year!), chickens, horses, and pigs. On some occasions, they have had border collie sheep herding demonstrations, which are fun to watch.
Next to the farm is the Pisgah Playground, a big play area with swings, slides, and climbing structures. It’s a great place to let the kids enjoy a beautiful day outside.
And up the hill a little ways from the playground is the Antler Hill Barn where craft demonstrations take place every Thursday-Sunday. I love this area as the staff are so kind and engaging with the kids. There is also a little cafe with beer and wine so I’ve had a beer while watching my kids do crafts or play there. It’s a perfect place to relax. There are also restrooms at the barn.
You can also pick up several hiking trails at Antler Hill Village right behind the barn and wander past the fields with cows and pens with goats. Grab a map at the Outdoor Center near the barn.
Also in Antler Hill Village is the Winery. We’ve actually done grape-stomping there before, which was a blast. From the village, you enter the winery in the main square and get to walk through an underground tunnel to get to the tasting room and shopping area. Adults are welcome to do a complimentary wine tasting and kids can tag along and have grape juice. The servers are generous with the wine samples so take that into consideration when figuring out the best time to go!
Get Your Adventure On
The French Broad River runs right through the estate, which makes for great rafting trips. It’s a wide river with few rapids, which makes it perfect for families. The rafting trip is about two hours long and costs $50/person.
If horseback riding is on your to-do list, the Biltmore also offers guided tours of 1-10 people with a two-day advance registration. Ages 8 and up are welcome to do this activity and it costs $135/person for an hour ride through the estate.
You probably won’t be surprised the Biltmore offers carriage rides through the estate. A 60-minute carriage ride is offered Friday through Sunday and takes guests around the beautiful estate and house. Cost is $95/person and one child 5 years and younger is free per paying adult.
Fall at the Biltmore
There are more than 20 miles of biking trails at the Biltmore Estate, which run all throughout Antler Village and up to the house. You can either rent bikes ($20/bike for two hours) at the Bike Barn, which is open daily dependent on weather, or bring your own bikes and ride them at your leisure. I’ve brought my kids’ scooters and bikes and we rode the trails from Antler Hill up to the house, to the Gardens, and to the pond, and had so much fun.
The two-hour kids fly fishing lesson is at the top of my list at the Biltmore. I really want to learn how to do this and would love for my kids to have instruction (since I know nothing about it). For a private lesson at the Biltmore, it will cost you $125 per kid.
Dining with Kids at the Estate
There are several dining options at the Biltmore. The Stable Cafe right at the main house has a selection of comfort food that’s easy to grab and eat. Families also love Cedric’s Tavern in Antler Hill Village, which has typical pub fare. Consider making reservations at the sit-down places to get your preferred time.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, the Inn has Afternoon Tea, where they serve a delightful mix of sweet and savory treats, tea, and fine cheese. Prices currently are $75/person.
Most of the restaurants near the House and Garden are open daily but the Smokehouse at the Farmhouse at Antler Hill Village is only open on weekends. During our visits with kids in tow, we pack a light lunch and treat them to ice cream at the Creamery
Also feel free to bring your own lunch or picnic and eat at the covered tables in Antler Hill Village or at any number of the beautiful open spaces around the estate.
Have a picnic by the lake, go for a hike
If you’d rather take a picnic basket, Guest Services can recommend picnic spots in their many beautiful lawns and gardens. (picnics are allowed just not around the mansion or near any of their dining establishments). Use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers, is not permitted in Biltmore parking lots or on the grounds. The Azalea garden path, Bass Pond and Boat house are wonderful choices for your a walk and a packed lunch.
We love to go biking on the trails at the Estate as well. The paths run along the French Broad River and up to the Gardens.
Seasonal Fun & Exhibits
I’ve gotten to see some pretty neat exhibits at the Biltmore like the Titanic exhibit with so many of Kate Winslet’s dresses [insert completely excited face here], a fantastic train exhibit, Christmas at the Biltmore, and Chihuly at Biltmore. These special events and exhibits are incredibly well done and worth a visit.
Christmas at the Biltmore
I have started taking my daughters every year to tour the House during Christmastime because it is so beautiful. We really love checking out the 50+ Christmas trees in the House and seeing the decorations.
They are decorated in the most delicate of glass ornaments, and most likely not shatter-proof. We admired the gorgeous velvet ribbons carefully wrinkled at the right places seemingly mimicking the damask finery found in the guest rooms.
My personal favorite was a tree on the second floor, close to the Louis XV suite. Beneath the tree, a vignette of vintage toys were carefully assembled to stir any child’s imagination of toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies. Perhaps its proximity to the room where Cornelia Vanderbilt was born, was the reason for the child-friendly tree. It was a good reminder that a family once lived in this beautiful home.
The spots for the Christmas House tours usually go fast so you’ll need to reserve your preferred time and date online. They also have wildly popular candlelight tours, which I have yet to do, but would love to take in that experience sometime. Christmas at the Biltmore runs from November through early January.
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures
The new Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures exhibit is an incredible array of replicas of what was found in King Tut’s tomb by Howard Carter back in 1922. The exhibit takes guests through the history of the region and the Valley of the Kings as well as Tutankhaman’s lineage.
There are several galleries that you walk through to learn about this famous – and very young – pharaoh who captured the attention of the world when his tomb was discovered.
Part of the exhibit of what was discovered in Tut’s tomb
The entire exhibit includes an audio guide for each guest as they step into truly one of the world’s greatest historical events. You’ll feel like you have stepped back in time as you learn about the culture of ancient Egypt, watch a short movie about archaeologist Howard Carter’s tireless quest to find the tomb and what science has discovered about King Tut.
Personally, I am absolutely fascinated with Egyptian culture and the history of the pharaohs so I enjoyed this exhibit immensely. While I would have loved to see the real treasures of the tomb (they are in Giza), the replicas were interesting and engaging. I had no idea what Howard Carter had to go through to find the tomb nor how the tomb was under layers of golden shrines like one of those Russian dolls that you have to keep opening to get to the smallest version of the doll.
There are over 1,000 replicas of what was found in his tomb on display at the exhibit.
My kids, ages 14 and 10, enjoyed the exhibit as well but did get bored during some of the longer audio explanations. Overall, they definitely liked it and retained some information as I quizzed them on the way home (homeschooling family here). We all love visiting the Biltmore and strolled through the gardens and played at the playground at Antler Hill Village afterwards. There is always a lot to do there.
A chariot in the exhibit
The Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasure exhibit took us about 90 minutes to go through and is at Amherst in Deerpark near Antler Hill Village. The exhibit is open now and runs through January 4, 2026. It’s best to purchase your ticket online, which must be purchased separately from your Gardens or House admissions. Ticket prices vary throughout the year. If you’re a passholder, tickets are discounted.
The entire exhibit is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. Plan to spend about an hour inside the exhibit galleries.
Where to Stay Near Biltmore Estate
Find a place to stay near the Biltmore. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
For the Grownups: The Biltmore Winery
Begin by taking a stroll underground through the historic cellars of the former Biltmore Dairy. The kids enjoyed the cool temperature of the cellar and wandering thru the exhibit. Your stroll will lead to an impressive tasting room where gracious wine hosts guide you through a complimentary wine tasting. For a nominal fee, you can sample their finest reserve. Kids had grape juice and complimentary snacks while adults enjoyed their wine. The tasting room opens up to some wine shopping, cooking ware and gourmet tastings of spreads and honeys produced in the estate.
Tip: Combine your visit with a private Wine Tasting tour such as the Red Wine and Chocolate tasting tour. There are several other tours at The Biltmore Winery as well. Book your free tasting when you first arrive at the Biltmore at the Visitors Center. Slots fill up fast.
If you are looking to extend your visit, the Biltmore has a whole list of private tours to capture every imagination. Last year, we took the Upstairs-Downstairs tour and were able to see how the 438 employees kept the mansion in tip-top shape including the use of synchronized clocks and a state of the art in-house communication system and combined with other technological marvels of the time. Staff unlike those at the Downtown Abbey mostly lived upstairs in the upper floors with hidden passageways to the Master Bedroom and guest floor.
Need-to-Know Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate
Plan to spend the day
There is plenty to see (or cut short if need be), but it would be awful to feel rushed. Many of the kid attractions close at 5 pm.
Getting around can take some time
You can drive to the Biltmore House and park in one of the several lots. Lot A is about an eight-minute walk to the house while the other lots are further away. There are shuttles to take you to the house and to Antler Hill Village. You can also take shuttles – which come about every 20 minutes – from the house to Antler Hill Village.
The Deerpark Trail from Antler Hill to the house is around three miles. You can also drive to Antler Hill and walk to the house or take the shuttle. There is a parking lot near the lagoon and trail as well if you want to park there and walk the 1.5 miles to Antler Hill or up the hill to the house and come out on the side near the gardens.
Free things to do at Biltmore
While you need a ticket to get into the Biltmore, there are lots of free things to do once there: bring your bikes and bike the trails, take a walk amongst the gardens and sunflowers, visit the Conservatory, visit the Farmyard, play on the Pisgah Playground, do a wine tasting, make a craft at the Antler Hill Barn.
Less lines mean happy kids. (Kids 16 and under are free during the summer. The rest of the year, kids 9 and younger are free.) Ticket prices start at $95 and vary depending on season. Read on to learn about the annual pass and saving money.
Bring your stroller/backpack
Strollers and backpack carriers are welcome. You will want to stick with a carrier in the house as some of the areas are difficult to navigate with a stroller.
As part of the Biltmore bag policy no backpacks are allowed on any guided tour.
Wear your walking shoes
Put everyone in comfy walking shoes and put on sunscreen as exploring the grounds is one of the best parts of the trip.
Think about getting an annual pass
An annual pass is usually $249/person and kids ages 16 and younger get in free with a passholder. They usually offer discounts on their annual pass in November (that’s when I got mine for a lot less than $249). Stay tuned to their social media and website to score a deal.
Passholder benefits are awesome, too – discounts on tickets for guests, discounts on tours, shopping, dining, and lodging, and discounts at other attractions like Chimney Rock State Park, Dollywood, Tweetsie Railroad, Mast General Store, and Grandfather Mountain.
