Looking for a fun and easy family adventure just over an hour from Greenville? A day trip to Asheville is calling! Kidding Around team member Crystal spent a full day exploring by trolley, tasting treats, and learning how chocolate gets made with her teens, and they came home with full bellies and had a blast exploring the downtown area. Learn how you can make a day trip to Asheville perfect, with tips for a day full of fun.
We kicked things off with the Gray Line Trolley Tour, which starts at the Asheville Visitor Center, bonus: free parking! The narrated 15-mile loop includes 8 stops, and you can hop on and off at your own pace in between learning about western North Carolina and Asheville. We rode the loop and hopped off at Stop 6 at Grove Arcade to explore, but all 8 stops have some pretty great things for you to explore with your kids.
Overall, the trolley tour experience takes about 1.5 hours if you do not get off at any of the stops. You learn a lot about the city, the architecture, and it’s just fun to ride around sometimes. No matter what you choose to do during your stop, just be sure to plan out your time so that you can make it back to your car on time with the trolley if you have plans for other adventures like we did (We visited the French Broad Chocolate Factory as well).
Stops on the Gray Line Trolley Tour
Asheville Visitor Center Start your day with free parking, clean restrooms, and plenty of maps and advice to make your visit easy and fun.
Omni Grove Park Inn Walk the grounds of this historic mountain resort and soak in the stunning views, perfect for a quick photo op or snack stop.
Renaissance & Four Points Hotels A central jumping-off point for downtown walks, with nearby shops, restaurants, and spots to stretch little legs.
Pack Square This open plaza is great for kids to run around while you enjoy public art, splash fountains (in season), and local street performers. The drum circles here are pretty electric, and their is regularly live music.
Haywood Park Hotel Located in a lively shopping district with easy access to unique stores, coffee shops, and places to grab a family treat.
Grove Arcade A gorgeous 1929 indoor mall filled with local shops, sweet treats, and beautiful details that make it fun for curious kids and adults alike. We highly recommend checking this place out.
River Arts District: North Families can peek into artist studios, watch pottery or glassblowing, and enjoy murals and riverside strolls.
South Slope Brewing District While known for craft breweries, this area also has laid-back pizza joints, murals, and a casual vibe that’s stroller-friendly for a quick bite.
I felt like sitting on the left side of the trolley allowed us to see things better, but if you get off and on, you can always switch sides to optimize the experience
When taking the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour of Asheville, you can get a free 2nd day during certain times of the year, so be sure to check with them if you plan on using the trolley for more than a 1-day visit.
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville 36 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Cost: Approximately $19/child and $41/adult
Grove Arcade + Lunch at Huli Sue’s
Inside the beautiful Grove Arcade, we took in the ornate architecture and charming small shops. Grove Arcade is over 100 years old and is a stunning historic building packed with local shops, restaurants, and artists. Plus, it has AC and is fully enclosed, so you can escape the heat or mountain showers. There is a stunning bookstore called Battery Park Book Exchange along with several other shops and restaurants, plus some really unique architecture to show your kids. It’s a perfect place to stop during your day trip, and also has restrooms!
Right outside the Grove Arcade, you can also grab lunch at Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill. We chose the Poke bowl, a pulled pork plate, and the creamy mac salad. Everything was absolutely delicious, super fresh, flavorful, and filling.
Grove Arcade 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC
Sweet Stops: Asheville Bee Charmer & French Broad Chocolate Lounge
After lunch, we popped into Asheville Bee Charmer just a short walk away—yes, free honey tastings are a thing and yes, they’re awesome. They have lots of honey-inspired products, from hot honey to soaps, which all make a fun gift idea.
Then we couldn’t resist stopping at the nearby French Broad Chocolate lounge, where we shared drinking chocolate, Chocolate crème brûlée, and ice cream. Let’s just say, it was my dessert dream come true. The lounge has a fun, relaxing vibe, and the staff are super friendly. The lounge has lots of teas and chocolate items to choose from, plus cakes, espresso, cheesecake, liquid truffle, and so much more!
French Broad Chocolate Lounge 10 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC
Factory Fun: French Broad “Bean to Bar” Tour
Just a 4-minute drive from downtown, we headed to the French Broad Chocolate Factory & Café for a scheduled “Bean to Bar” tour. We recommend booking at least a week in advance, these fill up fast! The tour was fascinating, our kids loved it, and it was full of everything chocolate. They also have other treats and ice cream in addition to chocolate. Check out our full review of the French Broad Chocolate Factory, and find out everything you need to know to plan a trip to this fantastic experience tour.
Here’s what we loved most during our tour:
We got to taste three chocolates and a raw cacao bean
Learned about ethical sourcing and the full chocolate-making process
Walked through the amazing “aroma shower”
Ended with a Wildflower Honey Caramel Bonbon
Got a 10% discount in the shop (which you can use at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge later on if you choose to do the chocolate factory tour first).
French Broad Chocolate Factory 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC
Been to Asheville with your family? Tell us your must-do stops in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more adventures, check out our Day Trips From Greenville Guide!
An Asheville day trip is unique and fun, and something your entire family will love! We took a trolley tour that led us around the downtown area, where you can stop and explore! Plus, we visited a real-life chocolate factory, and so can you!
Planning a tubing day trip? Bryson City, NC is home to Deep Creek tubing, a popular river tubing destination. With several places to rent tubes, plus local campgrounds, Deep Creek tubing is a great choice for a tubing adventure.
KAG’s Kristina Hernandez spent a day tubing with her kids. Here’s how her day went tubing at Deep Creek, plus some tips for planning your own tubing adventure.
Nestled in the WNC town of Hayesville, NC lies the Magical Mountain Resort, a whimsical and fun world where fairy tales come to life in cottages set in a forest and along a mountain stream. If you want to add a little magic to your trip, this is the place to do it in Hayesville, NC.
I’ve always enjoyed the whimsical aspect of stories – enchanted forests, drinks that make you grow tall or shrink to fit through minuscule doors, exaggerated characters like the Queen of Hearts, time travel, and gigantic mushrooms and flowers. All of that and so much more greets you at Magical Mountain Resort in Hayesville, North Carolina, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Greenville. Plus, it is a great location any time of year! Our most recent visit was in February, and it was wonderful.
About Magical Mountain Resort
Set in 11 acres that back up to Nantahala National Forest, the Magical Mountain Resort has multiple options for lodging, some of which are still in progress. The owner, Shannon, bought the property after selling investment properties in Florida. She moved the day after Hurricane Ian hit and looked for properties with cabins on them in the woods.
Once she bought the property in Hayesville, North Carolina, she set to making her whimsical fairy tale dreams a reality. And $1.5 million later, she’s well on her way.
I’ve met a lot of creative and innovative people in my life, but Shannon ranks pretty high on that list. I was floored at the intricate details that are the hallmark of the property. Literally, no detail was overlooked from the giant mushrooms at the entrance to the property to the glow-in-the-dark teacups high in the trees next to the cottages to the hand-painted and hand-carved signs that tell you where to go around the resort. And that’s just on the outside. Wait till you see what’s inside all the cabins!
Sometimes I think that when one seeks to make their dreams a reality when it comes to fairy tales, it can come off as overdone and cheesy. Not this place. When you visit Magical Mountain Resort, you’re leaving your life behind for the time you’re there and get to step into a world that makes it easy to get caught up in the details of another time and place.
Places to Stay at Magical Mountain Resort
At the time of this writing, there are four cottages and one bus to stay at: Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, Alice’s Queen Cottage, the Caretakers Cabin, the Snow White Cottage, and the MidKnight Buss. All have bathrooms and kitchens. The Snow White cottage is the smallest and the Caretakers Cabin is the largest. During our first trip, we stayed in Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, which was amazing. I’ll get to that in a minute. We had the opportunity to stay in Alice’s Queen Cottage as well more recently, and the attention to detail was stunning!
There are now an additional 5 RV slips available! The pull-in spots are perfectly situated along the creek, so you’ll have the wonderful sound of the water flowing while you camp. Each slip has a picnic table creekside, and a small firepit, and is close to the family-friendly area where your kids can play giant chess, create a fairy mini world in the fairy garden, or relax in the hammocks strung amongst the trees.
Stay in a Bus
Shannon is a collector of very interesting items at Magical Mountain. The double-decker bus on the property, the MidKnight Bus, she has outfitted into a Harry Potter-inspired stay was once owned by Disney way back in the 1950s. The history of it alone is worth its own story but the short version is just that this bus is really darn cool. It is decked out with three beds on the lower level, stained glass windows, a kitchen, bathroom, and a lounge area. There’s a magical fire pit outside plus a deck and chairs to relax at while you contemplate how cool you are that you get to stay there.
Shannon has three other buses she is either currently renovating or that she’s expecting to be shipped in, including a Magic Schoolhouse bus!
Stay in a Candy House
Remember the game, Candyland? Shannon has outfitted two cabins to look like they belong in that game. I felt like Hansel and Gretel coming up on the enchanted candy cabin in the woods (thankfully no witches here that eat kids).
The outside has steps that look like gumdrops, gingerbread people that greet you, and lollipops that you can see from the front steps. These are camper cabins and will not have bathrooms, but they do have a mini-fridge, and microwave, and are outfitted with heat and air conditioning. The resort has a dalmatian-themed bathhouse.
Stay at Alice’s White Rabbit Cottage
While I got to see most of the accommodations at the resort, we stayed at Alice’s White Rabbit cottage, based on Alice in Wonderland. From the moment you see the pink house with white railings, glass flowers, teacups and teapots in the flowerbeds, and a hand-carved front door, you will absolutely forget you’re in the real world.
The cottage is outfitted with a small kitchen, full bath, queen-sized bed up in the loft, and a pink leather pullout bed on the bottom floor. The light fixture has teacups on it and all the plates and cookware are the same color pink as the house. The coffee pot and tea kettle are pink and the bathroom has a white rabbit painted on the pink toilet seat while there’s a pink clawfoot tub if you want to enjoy a soak.
Outside, you’ll have your own private porch with flowers that have faces from the movie: the Cheshire Cat, the white rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts. While you enjoy the babbling stream right in front of the cabin, your kids can color or enjoy a snack at the glass table and pink and white bouncy chairs.
At night, the trees behind the cottage light up purple, and the tea cups suspended in the branches glow in the dark. Solar lights line the pathway to the door and the flowers also light up.
No detail was overlooked whatsoever. I have zero knack for design or creativity when it comes to decorating and I’d never ever come up with something as neat as this place.
Alice’s Queen Cottage
Much of the same amenities are available in the Queen’s Cottage as in the White Rabbit Cottage, except the decor is stunningly royal! Lots of red and black take over the theme, even to the tiniest details. The clawfoot bathtub was stunning! Our family of four was able to sleep cozy in the cabin, with my oldest daughter and I taking the queen bed in the loft, while my husband and two-year-old slept on the pullout sofa downstairs.
It was so much fun exploring both the inside and outside of the cabin to see all of the neat things we could find. Around the perimeter of the cottage, there are lots of trinkets, glowing flowers, delightful seating by the creek, and lots of hidden gems to find.
Bring your Own RV or Tent
Magical Mountain Resort has five RV slips available. Campers who want to use a tent are welcome to book those sites and just camp out in the field if they like as well. The RV slips have a wonderful location along the creek side, close to the fire pits, and right near the hammocks and fairy garden for kids to play at.
Things to do at Magical Mountain Resort
While there are lots of things to do in the area, you won’t run out of fun activities at the resort. These are all located right next to the creek and just a short walk from the Queen and White Bunny cottages.
Relax in a hammock
There are multiple hammocks on the property along the creek, which is just so nice. You can relax in a big hammock that was handwoven in Nicaragua and listen to the creek, read a book, or just chill out while your kids play nearby.
Swings and Fishing
There are a few swings and swinging benches also along the creek, including a baby swing. Again, just another invitation to enjoy the serene setting!
Shannon also has fish bait and a fishing rod that you can use to try your luck at catching trout in the stream.
Lifesize chess and lawn games
There’s a life-size chess game that you’re welcome to play while you visit the resort. Shannon can tell you how to play if you don’t know how. They also have checkers, corn hole, and croquet.
Play in the creek
You’re welcome to get in the creek to cool off. Most of it is really shallow, and some parts are maybe hip deep, which is perfect for bringing tubes and getting wet in the chilly water.
Roast s’mores with a magic fire
Thanks to our neighbors who started a roaring bonfire, and thanks to our other neighbors who had kids the same age as my kids and who brought stuff to make s’mores, we all enjoyed pretty awesome s’mores the night we stayed at the resort. It was so much fun! Shannon leaves guests with a packet of magic fire dust that you throw on the fire and which turns the flames blue. See? No detail was overlooked.
Fairy Tale Farm
Fairy Tale Farm is a complimentary part of every guest’s stay, but you can also purchase tickets to visit this farm even if you aren’t staying on the property. For only $10 per ticket, you can see ten animals, which include a mini donkey, mini horses, Dwarf goats, pigs, and more! You can pet and feed the animals.
Make it a weekend trip: Things to do Near Magical Mountain Resort
One of the reasons I really liked Shannon is that she does all the things that she recommends to her guests (like us!). I’ve spent some time in that area and have done a lot of cool stuff, which I mention here, but Shannon has made it a point to explore the area and do things that she thinks her guests will love, so I’ve listed those as well.
Marina Station Water Park
Readers know how much my kids and I love inflatable aqua parks. Well, there’s one just 23 minutes from Magical Mountain at the Marina Station on Lake Chatuge. It’s $18/person for an hour of fun. We did this on the way home from Magical Mountain and had a blast. It was the perfect thing to do to cool off and you can hang out afterward at the little beach or go to town for some lunch.
Andrews Valley Rail Tours
I have not done this one but Shannon has and it looks super fun and unique. Andrews Valley Rail Tours takes visitors along a 10-mile trek through beautiful scenery, including a hand-carved tunnel from the late 1800s and railroad bridges – all on a railbike! Guests must be at least 4 years old and tours are currently $59.99/person and last for two-and-a-half hours.
Hiking
There are some great trails nearby, including beautiful hikes to incredible overlooks at Bell Mountain (32 minutes away) and Brasstown Bald (40 minutes away), both of which are amazing for sunrise and sunset. Less than a half hour away is Leatherwood Falls, a great spot for a picnic and splash in the falls. It’s less than a mile roundtrip. Pickens Nose is a favorite of mine (watch the kids though – steep rocks at the overlooks) because the views are outrageously gorgeous and the total hike is less than two miles. It’s about an hour from Magical Mountain.
Helen, Georgia & Blairsville, Georgia
This quirky and adorable Bavarian-themed town is a favorite of our readers. There’s a lot to do all year round. See our story on Helen, Georgia for ideas. And the cute little town of Blairsville, Georgia is only a 30-minute drive from Magical Mountain. There are some fun things to do in Blairsville as well!
On the drive home
During the summer, you can easily stop at Bull Sluice on the Chattooga River on the way home. There’s a little beach along the river and you can take a dip or hang out. If you go upstream just a little ways on the paved trail, you can watch the rafters take on the rapids.
Also during the summer, if you want to take the northern route back home to Greenville, you can stop at Cashiers Sliding Rock. It’s a really fun natural waterslide with a sandy beach. There’s no fee but also not much parking. You can also stop at Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, both roadside waterfalls that you can walk behind which we think are beautiful.
Overall Mom Review of Our Adventures in Wonderland
I’d love to go back to Magical Mountain Resorts for several reasons:
The place is just really cool with all the details that make it so fun and enchanting
I loved the play areas that make it easy to relax and have fun with your family
The location is ideal for outdoor fun and adventure
The resort is super family-friendly, and kids will love exploring all the little things!
The field behind the cottage had lots of fireflies and my daughters, who met friends their age right next door when we stayed there, went and caught the little bugs. It was one of those idyllic experiences that I was hoping my own kids would have as I did in my own childhood.
And when our neighbors at the queen cottage next door introduced themselves the evening we were there, it became such an eventful and fun night. My daughters and their granddaughters painted rocks, roasted s’mores together, lit sparklers, tried out the magic fire dust, took all kinds of hilarious photos around the property, and really enjoyed each other’s company. The whole experience was just unforgettable.
My daughters and I just had such a delightful time at Magical Mountain and I especially appreciated the massive effort that went into creating the experience by Shannon. It was one pleasant surprise after another while staying there and something that my kids will certainly remember with joy.
Booking Your Stay Down the Rabbit Hole
It’s easy to book your stay at Magical Mountain Resort as all the properties are listed in AirBnB. Look at the Magical Mountain website though first and see which stay is best and go from there.
The entire property is dog-friendly. You’ll definitely meet Shannon’s loveable and playful golden doodles, Molly and Charlie, while you’re there. Molly took to guarding my girls while they played chess and it was adorable.
If you’re looking for a place to get away in the mountains that is just a touch magical and that will leave your family with lasting, amazing memories, Magical Mountain Resort is the place to go.
Looking for more fun, themed places to stay? Here’s our list of fantasty vacation themed rentals that include Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and more!
Inside: Local mom reviews Highlands, NC, and shares all of the best spots to eat, explore, and relax! You’ll also find recommendations of places to stay and the best things to do in Highlands, NC.
We recently spent the weekend in Highlands, North Carolina, and had the best time together as a family! If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Highlands, NC, then this quaint mountain town is perfect for a weekend trip or even a day trip. Highlands, NC, is a small town, but there are so many things to enjoy! Here is what I would suggest you do in Highlands, whether you’re there for a short trip or a long trip!
The first thing I recommend you do is go straight to Downtown Highlands. Highlands, NC, is a small town, so the downtown area is where you will find the bulk of your “things to do”. This area makes you feel like you’re walking around the set of your favorite Hallmark movie. From the flower beds lining the streets to the storefronts, all perfectly curated for the summer season, it all makes you feel enchanted.
There is ample parking, although it does get busy on the weekends, and all the parking areas were free where we parked. Once you park, you can walk up and down the streets where you’ll find high-end shopping, a toy store, many restaurants, and more. Most of the shops closed at around 5 pm, so be sure to check their websites and social media pages before heading downtown. Here is a list of our favorite shops and restaurants:
Calder’s Coffee Cafe: They have amazing coffee and a large cafe where you can sit and enjoy your morning latte. I went here several times during our weekend trip.
Highland’s Pizza Place: We had lunch here, and the food was divine. The kids ordered pizzas, and my husband and I ordered subs. The subs were fresh and perfectly toasted. A great place for lunch or dinner!
Highlands Kids Toy Store: The Highlands Kids store is right on the corner of downtown on Main Street. They sell kids’ clothes, toys, games, and more.
Dutchman’s Casual Living: This home decor store is absolutely stunning. They sell everything from women’s clothing to custom drapes and home furnishings.
Four65 Woodfire Bistro & Bar: This bistro was delicious. We went there for appetizers and drinks before dinner at a different restaurant. The cocktails were really great, and the spinach and artichoke dip was delicious.
Main Street Gifts: This gift shop is quaint and offers a large selection of souvenirs and other gifts.
The Southern Way: This upscale boutique offers men’s and women’s clothing. My husband really loved this store as he found some nice work and golf wear.
Kilwins Ice Cream: We had ice cream here twice, and it was really tasty!
Churches: There are two beautiful churches in downtown Highlands. My favorite was the large white church with the red door. I am not sure if you can tour this church, but I would love to on my next trip to Highlands.
Blackbear Breakfast & Lunch: This breakfast place was really unique. It was traditional breakfast items, but made with a Latin flair. I have never had anything like it, but it was delicious.
There are so many more shops and places to eat that we didn’t venture inside, so there is certainly something for everyone to explore in downtown Highlands. We saw lots of spas and golf courses to enjoy as well.
Dine at the Highlands Supper Club
In addition to the restaurants downtown, we also had dinner at Highlands Supper Club. It was so good that I have given the Supper Club its own section in this article. When you arrive, you walk through a quaint yard with outdoor tables that leads into an old log cabin house. This cabin was built by local legend Joe Webb. Webb was a renowned home builder and carpenter who specialized in building rustic log cabins that were known for their intricate designs. The inside was so beautiful, and they have preserved the cabin perfectly. The food here was the best food we had the entire trip.
🔥Hot Tip: Order the Biscuits! For our appetizers, we ordered biscuits with honey butter and a side of the burnt pork ends. We haven’t stopped thinking about those biscuits since that evening we enjoyed them. The biscuits melted in your mouth, and the honey butter was so fluffy. If I could have those delivered to my doorstep today, I would.
We really love any kind of burnt pork ends, so they were much enjoyed as well. The drink menu had many options, whether you were looking for a cocktail, soda, glass of wine, or tea. We had water and cocktails, while the kids had Sprite. When the main courses came, they were really large portions and divine. I had fried chicken and collard greens while my husband had the elk tenderloin with cheddar grits. Then we shared a family-style macaroni and cheese as another side.
Our children ordered the kids’ cavatappi pasta with fries and said it was good. The food was so delicious that we didn’t have room for dessert, but the kids got a bowl each of homemade vanilla bean ice cream, which my husband said was fresh and delicious. This is a must-visit!
Highlands, NC is pretty well-known for its hiking trails and waterfalls. We are not a big hiking family simply because our kids are just now getting to the age where they can hang for miles and miles. This trip was a great introduction to hiking for them.
We headed to Highlands Aerial Park to see the hidden waterfall. Highlands Aerial Park offers zip-lining, several hiking trails, and adventure courses. They have a trail that goes to a waterfall and a trail that goes to a suspension bridge, so we did both! We did not do any of the ziplining or other activities, but they did look fun (if you like heights). Each hike was a little under a mile both ways.
The BEST part of this experience was that while the kids were hiking with us, they had to look out for a very specific gnome. This gnome would win them a prize back at the base station, so they had a blast looking for him. Every single part of the trail had the most intricate detail worked into the landscape. There were so many fairy houses, gnome sculptures, and hidden faux insects peppered along the trail. It was so neat!
Other outdoor adventures near Highlands, NC include:
Dry Falls– Amazing 75-foot waterfall in Cullasaja Gorge.
We lucked out and caught the annual Highlands Motor Show the weekend we were there. It gave the town even more southern charm as we strolled through the lines of classic cars with our warm coffees in hand. It turns out that the Highlands Motoring Festival is an annual festival. It was free to attend. They had several vendors set up, and they even chose a winning car. In addition to this event, they have an extensive list of other annual events and festivals that you can attend. The Highlands Performing Arts Center is rather popular. Check out the Highlands Chamber of Commerce events page to stay current on their upcoming events.
Where To Stay
We opted for a rustic cabin in the woods and had a really great time there. There are a few boutique-style hotels downtown as well that we saw. Here is a list of the boutique hotels we noticed while walking around. If you don’t want to stay downtown, you can search for private rentals online.
Lastly, if you want to take another adventure about 30 minutes outside of Highlands, NC, you can go to Julep Farms in Dillard, GA! Read our Kidding Around Review of Julep Farms! If you visit Highlands Aerial Park, you can keep driving up the road and head to Julep Farms!
Want to see what the world looks like from behind a waterfall? A short hike, about .6 miles, is all it takes to get to Moore Cove Falls in Pisgah National Forest. The trail isn’t difficult and runs into the forest via a beautiful bridge. The waterfall is beautiful, cascading 50 feet over a rock overhang.
Walk Behind Moore Cove Falls
The coolest part, in my opinion, is that there is enough space to walk behind the falls (and take cool photos). You can even sit on either side and have a snack since there are so many giant boulders.
Since it is a waterfall, caution is always recommended, especially as you walk around the waterfall and pools. I found this waterfall to be easy to navigate and had no problems with the large boulders and walking behind the falls, although it was a bit muddy.
Moore Cove Falls Trailhead
The trailhead to the Moore Cove Falls Trails is between Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock in the Pisgah Forest on 276. If you’re coming from Brevard, the trailhead will be on your right. There is a small pull-off where you can park that holds maybe seven or eight cars. There is an information board there as well.
To get to the falls, just cross the bridge and head up the stairs to the right. The trail is well-marked and has a few creek crossings and bridges. You’ll hear Moore Cove Falls before you see it, especially during the summer months when the forest canopy is at its fullest.
The trail is about 1.2 miles round trip and is great for families with smaller kids since you don’t need to work hard to see a beautiful sight! The trail is 90 minutes from Greenville. Make it a full day and head to Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, or other great swimming holes in the Pisgah National Forest.
For directions, put into your GPS “Moore Cove Falls” or US-276, Brevard, NC 28712, and then start looking for the trail after you see Looking Glass Falls on your right.
We heard about a place called Midnight Hole in North Carolina that featured an emerald lagoon, one that would likely have mermaids, or so we hoped.
Are you looking for a romantic day trip for you and the apple of your eye? A new place to take the family for a nature-inspired adventure? This beautiful natural swimming hole, Midnight Hole, is located in the Big Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it might be just the place for your next outdoor family quest.
Have you visited Asheville Adventure Park? In Asheville, NC, this zipline course offers so much for adventurous kids. We visited the Asheville Adventure Park for some fun so we could tell our readers all about it, and help them plan their own trip!
Complimentary tickets were provided for this review in 2018, and it has been updated with 2025 information.
Last week the kids and I took the kind of adventure you just want to share with everyone you know. (You guys – it is just so fun to have big kids!) This adventure involved helmets and heights and wires and harnesses and conquering fears and pulling together as a team. And it was pretty close to home too.
The Adventure Center of Asheville is just a couple of minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. As soon as I heard about their KidZip, the first kid zip line in the country to be built especially for kids ages 4 to 10, I wanted to try it with my kiddos. (Our family received tickets for writing and reviewing and sharing about the park. Our opinions are absolutely all our own.) P
Plus, they have one of only a few Asheville zip-line canopy tours located only minutes from downtown Asheville with beautiful views of downtown. Sounds like the perfect day trip to me!
Find a place to stay in Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Our day at the Asheville Adventure Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville
We arrived a little early because I wasn’t certain how long the drive would take or the length of the paperwork process. The check-in process was laid back and simple. There was a waiver to sign per kid, of course. And this time, for the first time, I actually had my writers fill in their own info and sign their own names. Man – that made that process so much faster.
We watched zip liners climb way up high on the adult course and wondered if our zip lines would be that high. Turns out – they were not. For which all of the kids were grateful.
At the course, we were given helmets and harnesses and instructions. I’m not going to lie – the older I get the more young adults look like children to me. And a lot of the workers at the KidZip area certainly looked young. I watched closely as they harnessed my kids in and checked the equipment. I can tell you this – these young men and women were professional, calm, well-spoken, and careful about their work. I saw zero cell phones in their hands. They all kept their own helmets on and they were focused on their jobs at hand.
Maneuvering the KidZip Course at Asheville Adventure Park
After we received our instructions we started on the kid zip line. There were nine ziplines I think and each had an obstacle before you zipped off down the line.
At first the zipping and the obstacles were easy but goodness, they got more complicated. You are always attached by your trolley to the zipline and always harnessed in but you had to maneuver your trolley over several tracks and something they called “sharks” which could be a little tricky for tiny hands and arms. The kids did a stellar job though.
At tough obstacles, they talked through them and worked together to help their younger siblings reach the sharks and conquer the heights.
If I had realized this would be helpful, I would have positioned myself between the kids differently. Once your trolley is on the zipline you can’t change orders or get off so occasionally I was several kids behind Otto and Piper and they could have really used a grown-up’s helping hand. Or – if you were zipping with multiple grown-ups you could plan to stagger grown-ups and kids accordingly. We managed just fine in the end since Berg and London and Mosely really helped out a lot.
(Actually – I think one thing I most valued about this entire experience – aside from the fabulous just plain fun factor – was the fact that the kids really pulled together. They spoke encouraging words. They laughed. They gave each other a helping hand. They were a family – up high and all together.)
The climbing wall on the next-to-last zipline was my least favorite – I seriously did not like balancing on that high-up wall and trying to pull down the sharks for my trolley to pass over. Piper almost panicked at that one, but she reigned it in bravely and conquered it.
Can you guess which little Keigley was the least afraid throughout the entire experience? If you guessed Otto then you guessed right. That little man is as fearless as they come. He was usually the leader on our excursion and would continually look back at us and ask, “Can I head to the next one guys?” with the biggest happy grin all shining out of his sweet boy face.
One thing I really appreciated about the Asheville Adventure Park was that, after we finished our zipping, I assumed we were done. One ride, so to speak. But nope – the staff smiled and said, “Want to go again?” Which we did, of course! Because on the second round, you felt more like an expert and could be a little bolder. By the third round, yep – the third round – Bergen was putting his hands behind his head, relaxing style, and zipping across like a champ. I loved that you could go round and round as often as you wanted. It certainly would make you feel as if you received your money’s worth.
The Big Courses at Asheville TreeTops Adventure Park
After we had all the zipping we could handle, we stared up in wonder at the Asheville TreeTops Adventure Park, situated right beside the KidZip area. It looked fascinating and terrifying and awesome and challenging and exactly like something we all wanted to try but were afraid to try – all at the exact same time. The TreeTop Adventure park ages range from 4 and up, though some of the higher-up and more difficult courses should be reserved for older kids and adults.
The obstacles were wild – lily pads two stories up that you jumped across, a kayak strung between trees about five stories high that you paddled across on ropes and air, skinny wires to walk on, trapezes to swing through the trees, hula hoops dangling between trees, ropes swinging for balance, a slide to come down and so so much more. We gulped and decided we’d try that adventure too.
The really great thing about the TreeTops Adventure Park is the fact that its appeal is so wide to so many ages. There are five courses of varying levels and enough dizzying challenges to frighten even the most adventure loving grown up big kid.
The hook-up and safety procedures for the TreeTops Adventure Park were a bit different. You are always attached to your harness and the wires through the use of two hooks and a cleverly designed system using tweezles. (Yes, that’s a real word.) It is impossible for both tweezles to be unlocked at the same time so you can trust that you (and your beloved kiddos) are safe and sound and secure.
There is definitely a learning curve to the tweezles and I’d say the kids got the hang of it before I did. It was certainly a big part of the challenge to switch your carabiner from side to side while balancing on a little platform far up in the trees. There were several obstacles for which I was legitimately scared. I think I would have liked to have tried to challenge myself to some of the even harder courses but time didn’t allow for that bravery. (Yep, I’m blaming time when it was probably because I was too scared!)
We could have stayed for hours and hours longer but we did eventually grow hungry and exhausted. We had so much fun and we all were steady non-stop talking about which obstacle was the scariest and how hard it was or how easy it was or how scary it was. London, my stay-at-home-every-day kind of kid, pulled me aside as we were turning in our gear and whispered, “Momma – I’m sorry for not having the best attitude about this trip when you told us about it. It was way more fun than I ever thought it would be.”
Planning Your Family Trip to Asheville Adventure Park
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park features lots of other options for adventurous souls. There is one of the more popular Asheville zip line canopy tours, a bungee-style jump, and the Kolo bike park for mountain biking with bike rentals and pump tracks.
I know I have an unusually large family. (Although, ironically, lately London says she feels as if our family is small. I think I agree with her. It’s all perspective, people.) But I know not everyone has to fork over entry fees for five kids when they take adventures.
The prices at Asheville Adventure Park seem high. It’s pricier than a movie, for sure. (Although, not by much!) You certainly do get a lot of bang for your buck. After having spent a long morning at the park though, I can guarantee, the prices are worth it!
The adventure is fun. The challenges are great. The bonding can’t be beaten. Sharing pictures and telling others what you can’t even believe that you conquered – just the perfect amount of thrill. It’s so conveniently located that you can treat it as a staycation option or as a choice for when out-of-town friends come for a weekend visit. Reservations are recommended, especially if you plan to travel with a larger group.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park 1 Resort Drive Asheville, NC 28803
I hope you decide to go.And I hope you take lots of pictures and I hope you get to make as many sweet and solid memories with your cool kids as I got to make with mine.
Are your kids brave enough for Asheville Adventure Park?
Inside: Local mom visits a fairy garden in Bullington Gardens located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and shares all the tips for visiting this magical garden!
Have you found the fairies in Hendersonville, NC? Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC, just a little over an hour north of Greenville, SC has an adorable fairy garden over the summer. And it’s free.
What could be cuter than finding fairies in the woods? Finding them in a beautiful and fun trail at Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC, of course.
C.S. Lewis, a prolific and famous author of the Narnia chronicles, wrote this to his goddaughter, Lucy, in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:
My Dear Lucy, I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I shall still be your affectionate Godfather, C.S. Lewis
As a grown-up, are you ready to be old enough to read – or see – fairy tales again? If so, step into the Bullington Gardens Fairy Trail.
Watch! Here’s What You’ll See
Here are some scenes from our visit last year to the Fairy Trail.
The Gardens
Bullington Gardens is only a little over an hour north of Greenville and is a beautiful spot to stop and literally smell the roses. The gardens are public and encompass 12 acres right in the middle of the apple orchards in that part of Western North Carolina.
They also do several events and programs aimed at education and carry on the legacy and vision of Bob Bullington, who collected many unusual trees and plants. They often have school groups come out and learn about horticultural science.
I found the gardens to be just beautiful and so peaceful. The volunteers I interacted with were all so kind and helpful. It’s really a great place to visit for any occasion.
The Fairy Trail
The fairy trail is exactly as it sounds except cooler. The trail winds through shaded woods and guests are encouraged to find all the little fairy houses and trolls and llamas and bridges. It is really fun and entertaining!
The little worlds that the fairies inhabit are all unique and my kids and I just loved trying to find them all and figure out what was happening in each scene. The exhibits change every year (photos are from the summer of 2022 and 2023) but the creativity and genius stay the same.
The trail isn’t long, maybe a quarter-mile on natural, unpaved ground, but there are plenty of fairies and gnomes to find. Be sure to stop at the side trail before you get to the very end where there are lots of fairies and trolls and toadstools and gnomes doing yoga amongst the trees.
Bullington Gardens asks that guests be respectful of the fairies, only touch gently, and to stay on the trails. The trail is one way only so if you want to take your time, go for it but make room for others to pass. And please follow the rules of Leave No Trace, don’t litter, and don’t move the fairies from their little houses.
The Fairy Trail is open Mondays – Saturdays from June 2nd – August 31, 2025 from 9 am – 4 pm.
Special Fairy Events
Bullington Gardens is offering some cool fairy-themed events over the summer, like the Fairy Tea Party on June 10th, June 24th, and July 12th. In addition to that event, they also have a ton of other special events you can attend. Check the Bullington Gardens website for more info.
Per the gardens, parking is limited, and please do not park on Zeb Corn Road.
Tips on Visiting the Fairy Trail and Bullington Gardens
The gardens are open year-round but the Fairy Trail is only open June 1 – August 30, 2025, Mondays – Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm.
There is no charge to visit the fairies or Bullington Gardens (unless it is a special event) but as a nonprofit, they gladly accept donations.
I saw some people with strollers but I’d say that unless you have an all-terrain stroller, it’s best to carry your littles or baby wear. The trail is natural, so not paved, which makes it hard to roll wheels on.
Please keep your children and dogs on the trail and don’t litter. The trail is one-way only.
The gardens received a grant for new restrooms, which were installed last spring.
Nearby Things to Do in Hendersonville
There are plenty of cool things to do in Hendersonville to make your trip up to see the fairies a day trip.
All Aboard! In this post, you’ll discover: 🎟️ Details on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Kids Ride Free summer deal (and how to book it) 🛤️ Two scenic train ride options: Nantahala Gorge and Tuckasegee River 🏕️ Unique lodging picks — from cozy yurts to a real 1960s caboose! 🏞️ Extra family-friendly adventures nearby, including rafting, tubing & waterfall hikes
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has an excellent summertime deal for taking a scenic train ride out of the historic depot in North Carolina’s Bryson City. Train lovers, this is your chance to take the little ones in your family on an adventure, for much cheaper. Kids ride free on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad out of downtown Bryson City, NC this summer!
I always thought there was something oh-so-romantic about riding an old steam locomotive train. Maybe it’s just because it’s not something we do often in today’s modern world, or that the old photos of these trains often had women with beautiful, full dresses and lace umbrellas and boots – something I always thought was pretty cool.
While I don’t have a hoop skirt – and won’t anytime soon – luckily, you don’t need one to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. This is the same Bryson City train that does the Polar Express during the Christmas season. We’ve got all the details on a pretty awesome deal they have for families over the summer, though!
Kids Ride Free on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
During the summertime, they are offering a pretty amazing deal: they are offering a free child’s ticket (ages 2-12) with every Adult ticket purchased all summer on trains that run Monday – Friday. Coach and open air tickets are only available for this promotion, so first-class cars will not be available for this deal.
Tickets are valid on one of the two scenic general excursions in Standard Coach – either the Diesel locomotive power on Tuckasegee River or Nantahala Gorge. The trains leave out of the depot in downtown Bryson City.
Ticket purchases can be made to ride May 1, 2025 – September 30th, 2025. Tickets for Kids Ride Free can’t be combined with other discounts, are subject to blackout dates, and aren’t available for special event trains. However, you will be able to access the train museum with your ticket, which kids love! Also, ask about their box lunches so you can pack light!
Most discounts are only available by phone. Contact 800-872-4681 to complete your Kids Ride Free purchase.
The Bryson City Train Ride Through the Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains rail has 53 miles of railroad to traverse, but not every excursion uses all of those miles. There are also two tunnels and 25 bridges. Train rides roll through the majestic mountains and river gorges in an unforgettable trip. Some of the more affordable tickets even have an open-air car for the scenic train ride, with options to upgrade to coach and first class available. These Bryson City train rides are certain to make lots of memories.
The Nantahala Gorge Excursion takes guests over 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back. Scenic views are plenty on this trip. You’ll see the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers and travel across Fontana Lake surrounded by the mountains. This trip is 4.5 hours long, and a Standard Coach Adult ticket starts around $59.
The Tuckasegee River Excursion is a little shorter at 32 miles round trip and four hours total. Guests will see vast meadows and old railroad towns as they travel along the Tuckasegee River. Plus, you’ll pass by the set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford during this train ride. A Standard Coach Adult ticket starts around $59.
To purchase your tickets, call 800.872.4681 to utilize the Kids Ride Free deal.
Where to Stay Near the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
Use the map below to find the perfect place to stay near the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through this map.
More places to stay
There are plenty of cool places to stay in the area, but we recommend Sky Ridge Yurts, a beautiful little village of comfortable and spacious yurts about 20 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and on the edge of the Nantahala forest.
Interior of Yurt at Sky Ridge Yurts
Or if you really want a memorable experience, stay in a renovated 1960s caboose at Buffalo Creek Vacations– on a bison farm! It sleeps five people and has a full bathroom, kitchen, and living area. Plus, it has bison that freely roam the property.
Caboose rentals at Buffalo Creek Vacations
Other Things to Do in Bryson City
In Bryson City, train culture is huge. But so is the great outdoors! Bryson City, NC is a beautiful spot with lots to do but during the summer, there is almost an endless number of things to do with your family.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is fantastic for families. You can go whitewater rafting down the Nantahala River there (kids need to be at least 7 years old and 60 pounds), which is quite the adventure and something the Nantahala Outdoor Center is known for. But if you have smaller kids, you can also go tubing and enjoy the area. Next to the restaurant is a shallow area of the river perfect for wading as well. You can also pick up part of the Appalachian Trail there if you want to try it out.
You can also go tubing at Deep Creek which is at the entrance on the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. There are several outfitters that offer cheap options for tubing. Or you could bring your own tubes, drive into the park, and follow the crowd to where most people put their tubes. There aren’t really any rapids so it’s great for smaller kids but it’s really cold!
Another great tubing spot is in nearby Cherokee, NC at Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft. Ages 5 and up are able to tube.
You can also hike the Deep Creek Loop at the same entrance to the park, a trail that has three waterfalls. It’s an easy hike about two miles long.
If you love animals, history, and natural beauty, you may get a glimpse of the elk at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, about a 30-minute drive from Bryson City. There is an interesting homestead you can tour there and be sure to do the Junior Ranger Program at the visitor’s center. Elk are usually there in the mornings and late afternoon.
Also in nearby Cherokee, NC, Mingo Falls is a beautiful waterfall to see. It’s a really short hike, just a third of a mile, but it does have a lot of steps. The falls are worth it!
Have you visited Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC? It’s the largest municipally owned park in Western North Carolina and it has so much to offer anyone looking to spend time outdoors, including tennis courts, disc golf, lit basketball courts, a nature trail for walking or running and so much more! But, today we’re talking about the brand-new inclusive playground at Jackson Park.
We checked it out on opening day and it is so cool, with so much equipment allowing all kids to play together from supportive swings, to wheelchair-accessible equipment, to a full rubber ground cover, they have it all.
Jackson Park’s Inclusive Playground
The kid community in Hendersonville came out strong for the opening of Henderson County’s Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park. We loved seeing so many kids having so much fun all together.
Note: Our pictures are from opening day, so, if crowds aren’t your thing, don’t be scared off by these photos. We’re sure this will be a popular playground, but probably not quite as popular as it was on its very first morning open!
Space for All to Play Together
As its name implies, the new inclusive playground at Jackson Park is designed specifically to facilitate play between all kids by making playground space and equipment accessible to everyone.
Smooth, even, rubber ground covers the playground space, ramps grace playground equipment, music equipment sits at a variety of heights, and swings come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are spaces to climb, spin, roll, run, and explore.
Playground Layout
This playground includes a smaller climber lower to the ground with ramp access, a larger climber with tall slides as well as ground-level equipment, and a beautiful covered space in the middle with seating, and interactive panels.
This middle section also contains a large array of musical instrument stations and a ground-level merry-go-round.
To the side of the space is a hill with two fun hill-side slides. Kids (and parents) have the choice to walk up the smooth hill, take the stairs, or use the ramp on the sidewalk to get to the top of these slides.
Things to Know: Playground at Jackson Park
The restrooms are beside the playground at the covered shelter.
Even with the covering over much of the playground equipment, it was hot and there was lots of sun when we visited. Sun protection is a must at this park.
Picnic space is available at the covered shelter when it isn’t reserved and there are lots of shade trees and benches in the immediate area for a lunch or snack break.
Parking is free, but depending on events at this large park, like seasonal youth soccer games, you may have to walk a little bit to get to the playground.
Jackson Park 801 4th Avenue East Hendersonville, NC 28792
