Every December, a tiny town outside Charlotte transforms into something straight out of a Christmas movie… and it’s completely FREE to experience! Welcome to McAdenville, NC — Christmas Town USA — a beloved holiday tradition that has been dazzling visitors for more than 60 years.
If you’re searching for a fun, festive, and completely FREE holiday outing, Kannapolis’ Village Park should be at the top of your list. This charming Christmas experience has plenty to enjoy, but two things truly steal the show: the beautiful Christmas lights and the absolutely adorable Singing Bear Orchestra.
If you're looking for a family-friendly winter road trip that’s fun, educational, and packed with hands-on play, Kaleideum is an easy favorite—just 3 hours from Greenville, SC. This four-story wonderland blends science, art, and imagination into one unforgettable experience for kids of all ages.
Hidden at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, this children's play area is a little-known gem. Every corner of this space offers something exciting for kids, including a tree stump path, a boulder scramble, a musical wall, a water pump station, a small stream, and a giant spider web.
Get ready for endless winter fun at Beech Mountain, NC, where you can enjoy stunning snowy vistas and the thrill of a free sledding hill! With its gentle slopes perfect for all ages, this scenic destination offers an ideal spot for families and adventure seekers to slide into excitement. Whether you're a seasoned sledder or a first-timer, Beech Mountain's free hill promises laughter, fresh air, and unforgettable memories in a picturesque mountain setting.
The Charlotte International Art Festival is currently taking place in Uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne's Backyard through September 29, 2024. This breathtaking, immersive experience is free for everyone to enjoy. We attended on opening weekend and loved it; there were many amazing art pieces, along with lawn games for kids. For the best experience, try to go at dusk. I hope you all get a chance to check it out!
Chimney Rock Rd in Hendersonville is a great spot for a fall road trip, featuring plenty of orchards, pumpkin patches, and colorful sunflower fields to explore.
If you're looking for a fun-filled fall outing near Greenville, several orchards offer delightful apple-picking experiences along with family-friendly activities. With bumpy hayrides, play areas for kids, and the chance to sample fresh apple cider, these orchards make for an ideal day trip. Plus, you’ll be treated to stunning mountain vistas while you wander through the orchards, ensuring you soak in all the beauty autumn has to offer. Don't miss out on this engaging way to celebrate the season!
The forest is full of secrets. Take a half-mile hike through Holmes Educational State Forest outside of Hendersonville, NC, to discover them all. On your way, you'll come across talking trees, interactive exhibits, massive southern red oak tree ring, and plenty of wildflowers. This forest is more than just a natural area, but rather a unique educational experience.
I've been so eager to tell you about this awesome place. While on a road trip to the Smokies, I was in the mood for a pit stop among rolling mountains, serene lakes, unspoiled nature, and peace - and Lake Junalushka was the place we stumbled upon at the last moment that satisfied all these yearnings.
Looking for a gem to get away from the constant buzz of the city? Cherokee, NC, is the place to set you off on a little adventure. As the home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, it's easily the most unique town on the North Carolina side of the Smokies.
In the spring, the North Carolina Arboretum is full of natural beauty. Garden upon garden of blooming flowers, a newly planted Quilt Garden ready for the new season, a special immersive exhibit "Bloom with a View," hands-on educational programs, and azaleas in their breathtaking full bloom certainly make these gardens a great trip from Greenville, SC and the surrounding areas.
Beech Mountain, NC, is the highest town on the East Coast and is great for winter adventures. The town is popular with nature enthusiasts all year round, but in my book, it's even more impressive when visited in the winter months. This cold spot in the southeast boasts stunning mountain scenery and a free sledding hill for all to enjoy.
We love chasing the falls, but today we opted for a hike to the base of the cliffs in Norman Wilder Forest in Western North Carolina, where we were pleasantly surprised with our first “spring” sighting. The first, bright pops of wild daffodils are sprouting up along the trails. Even though the skies are still overcast and the weather will likely catch us off guard with a blizzard or two, new life is already stirring out there. What a beautiful sight to see in January.
Each year for the holidays, this community garden comes alive with Christmas lights, classic decorations, fairies, garlands, bows and so much more. This year, the garden highlights beloved classic Christmas stories you can walk through to experience a childlike sense of wonder.
Each evening, the Billy Graham Library grounds come alive with a festive celebration of Christmas and magical experiences for everyone. A live nativity scene, carolers, story time for kids, The Journey of Faith, Christmas lights, photo ops, horse-drawn carriage rides, handbell concert, and much more!
