38 Best Stops Between Bryson City and Bristol (2024)

1 list

Absolutely amazing! The stairs to get the better view are completely worth it. There doesn't seem to be any path to the bottom of the falls, so you don't get the chance to get close to them, at least that we found. If I were in the area, I would go back. Parking is $3 using the envelope system.

BEAUTIFUL!!! This is a nice little hike, or it can be a long hike. There is a nice size parking lot. It is $3 per vehicle or $1 per person after 7 people. The path to the waterfall is paved. You can view from up top, or if you are able and willing, you can take the stairs down to another viewing area! It is so worth it. There were quite a few people there, so it was a wait to get a picture of the fall from the viewing platform. There is a path off of the viewing platform that consists of stairs, stairs, and more stairs. Lol Different kinds of stairs too...wood stairs, rock stairs, tree root stairs.... there were probably more kinds if we made it all the down! Although I was completely unprepared for that kind of hike, carrying my 6 year old and her teddy bear strapped into it's adorable little teddy bear stroller that she just had to bring, it was quite beautiful. If you're not looking to exert a bunch of energy... skip that trail and just enjoy the view of the waterfall from the platform!

Whitewater falls is amazing view point. You cannot reach the water by any source. 1st view is with road path which is less than .5 mile… then there is a .1 stairs down less than 100 steps to get a full view of waterfalls… looks awesome! 3 dollar ticket for car parking!

Beautiful but not sure how to get close. There is an overlook 1/2 mile from the parking lot, and then another down the stairs. Both afford about the same view. Take the trails because they are awesome and extensive, but still none get close to the falls.

Beautiful! The highest waterfall East of the Rockies. In the Nantahala National Forest. Fee is $3 per car. Restrooms on site. Paved trail to the upper overlook (handicap accessible). Stairs down to the lower overlook. Family friendly.

This is a very nice area. They do have few picnic table you can come and enjoy with the beautiful view. If you go through the trail. Be careful as it can be slippery in some of the steps. It was a little wet when we went. Beautiful waterfall though.

Beautiful falls but only gave it 4 stars because it's the kind of place that you get to it, take a picture, and leave. After walking down wooden stairs, you end up on a viewing deck. The waterfall is in the distance. It's a fairly easy hike. Getting there is easy but after you do have to walk back up the stairs but there is a bench at the halfway point to take a rest.We did this along with Silver Run Falls, 9 miles away. Both of these hikes are fairly easy and would be good for small children and/or dogs. I recommend doing both of these falls on same day because you can easily do both within 90 minutes.

It was a very short walk to get to the first viewpoint of the waterfall and a few great views of the mountains and the water on the way up. There's also a closer vantage point of the waterfall that you can get to by walking a couple flights of stairs and there's a trail that goes down past the waterfall but there are no more views of the waterfall from that point and there is no railing or guard to protect you from falling on the trail down the mountain so be very careful if you do decide to head down that trail.

Amazing views with multiple trails, if you're noy much of a hiker or don't want to go up and down small trails through woods you can park at "upper whitewater falls parking area" and walk the .5 mile paved path to the falls overlook. But if you love hiking and want great views whole time I suggest parking at the lower falls parking area and hiking your way up to the overlook. There is also multiple trails on that path that lead to other falls if you choose to hike more.

Awesome hike! 10/10 short and sweet! So worth the decent! I definitely had to do some rock hopping to get to the bottom of the falls but so worth every minute of it! Enjoy

Terrific views from the top.You can either walk down the first set of steps until the first lookout suitable for kids or elderly and if you’re more adventurous and fit you can keep going down the steep trail, remembering that you’ll have to walk everything back up but the nature walking down, arriving to the bridge and river will take you with great memories.

Whitewater Falls is incredible beautiful! You do have to pay to park but it’s only $3! If you paid at Dry Falls then you have access to this waterfall! And if you paid at this waterfall then you have access to Dry Falls! It’s a short trail that is paved! Then you do have to climb down stairs to view the falls and then of course climb back up! Definitely recommend seeing this waterfall if you are in the area!

Beautiful area 2 great viewing spots.There is a 3rd path that leads to the top of the falls but it was closed and covered by down trees and such so if you want to see the falls up close I don't think it's "allowed" at the time I went. Overall it was beautiful I didn't take the trail but parking is only $3 a day at the time I went and it looks like a good family outing time

This fall was within an easy walk from the parking lot. The walkway and steps looked new and were well designed. The viewing platform was plenty big enough for many people to comfortably stand, take selfies, and enjoy the view.

Amazing must visit. Paved path at the top if you cannot do the stairs, stairs to get closer and a more off the beaten path for hikers.

Gorgeous waterfall! Easy “walk” on paved trail which leads to 2 different look outs. I suggest you plan your day and research other places/waterfalls in the vicinity bc this isn’t a hike but well worth the trip!

Pretty short walk up the paved hill for a beautiful view of the falls. There is a pay for parking but I did not have any cash or wifi to scan the QR code to pay. You just have to be mindful to stay on the trail, as there have been casualties from people going off on their own.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity and pleasure of viewing these falls! Beautiful pretty well sums it up. Stunningly beautiful during the Fall season. Accessible by walking for approximately 1/2 mile on a relatively flat, asphalt pathway. Handicapped friendly to reach the viewing area. You can walk down a steep, well-constructed hiking trail to reach the bottom portion of the Falls. The hike back up is somewhat strenuous!

One of the most blessed places in the Carolina. Some of the prettiest colors in the world enjoyed the day there everybody needs to stop and see this place take the time this place makes memories beautiful memories Kodak moments

It's a really cool place. The waterfall is big and beautiful. Better to visit during the waterfall season.

It is located in a very accessible NC State Park that costs 1.00 per to enter. It's a system of honesty, so be honest. It's really worth it. Great place to have a picnic with all the covered tables and clean restrooms. Handicap accessible all the way up to view the falls, then if you want a better view, a short walk down about 50 or so wood steps. Great place to stop for a picnic and take a break with a great view. Some hiking in the area with clean restrooms!

4.9

(1584)

4.5

(466)

Cashiers, NC 28717, USA

16 lists

We loved this park. My son had a great time on the river. People were really friendly. I sat with some local ladies whom kid's were playing and diving in a cove my son played with them, they were nice informative and friendly.Worthwhile! Great for a day out exploring nature!

I absolutely loved spending time at this river side park. It is well maintained and clean. There are restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and benches to rest on. The river is so peaceful and relaxing to just sit beside. The concrete pathways are very nice. I walked the whole thing and loved it. I wasn’t expecting the bamboo forest! It was really unique. If you are looking for a nice, safe place to get some exercise or just sit beside the river and read a book, this place is perfect.

Beautiful park. Well maintained. Signs indicate swimming permitted at swimmers risk. Nice park for a picnic and quiet evening. Loved the bamboo forest

Very pretty walk right by the welcome center. We hit the welcome center first to get our bearings and check out the location of the two EV chargers.The park itself is bordered by running water and has plenty of places for kids and family to fly fish, enter the water, and enjoy the outdoors.A very pretty, short walk that gets you to a craft fair type area on your walk to the souvenir shops.

The park is beautiful with easy access to the river. Walking and biking paths are available and paved. Nice covered picnic areas. Excellent conservation efforts in place. A great place to spend a day.

This is what truly beautiful spot. We spent hours just enjoying the sound of the river, walking around the park. Taking pictures of all the beautiful flowers and the sound of the water. There were families and couples walking along enjoying the beautiful weather and the absolutely stunning mountain views. This is a great spot to relax unwind and really take in the beauty of the mountains.

This is such a great little park. We love to come here and let our little pups stretch their legs. It's right next to the water and has the coolest bamboo forest you can walk through. Great spot for a picnic.

I'm so glad I took time to go visit this place before I left there. The fall colors of the leaves and the water with the sun glistening on it was absolutely serene and beautiful. Loved to take pictures here. I wish i would have brought my camera! . I had my phone but my camera would have been nicer.

Fall looks beautiful on the mountains. This a nice place for a picnic and a walk, and to enjoy nature and the mountains. There is a little bamboo forest walk and different things to do and enjoy depending on the season. It's a short walk from most shopping and dining spots in Cherokee NC.

Very pretty park with restrooms and foot bridge. Deep enough for bigger kids to play in, but not so deep younger kids couldn't enjoy it. Some little sandy areas for lawn chairs or little ones to play. Great place to spend time on a warm day!

We took our three year old to the children's trout derby. There were so many kids running around. It was fun. They even gave us free lunch a snow cone, free T-shirt for Ben, a hat, and a fishing pole!💙

Beautiful space adjacent to a large creek. The open space affords the possibility of elk sightings in the morning and late afternoon. Plenty of parking. An authentic homestead is on display for the public.

My visit to Oconaluftee Island Park was delightful! We spent the day trout fishing and picnicking in the serene surroundings. The park is impeccably clean, with numerous trash bins and picnic tables scattered throughout. Fishing options abound, with several spots along the riverbank and a convenient pier. One highlight was the charming bamboo forest, adding a unique touch to the park. Public restrooms were a welcome amenity. The only downside was the crowded parking situation, indicating its popularity among visitors. Overall, a wonderful park for a day outdoors.

I give 4 stars only bc they don't have a playground if they did it would be absolutely perfect! Its very beautiful anytime of year and nice area to swim just sit in Peace or exercise.

Our dogs had a blast, leaving the great smokey’s we stopped here to let our dogs out and they really enjoyed the walk as well as getting in the water. Really dog friendly majority of the people here had their pups.

What a beautiful park for picnics, wading, and gentle tubing in the heart of Cherokee. We had a reunion of family there with five young kids who all managed to find something fun to do.Depending on water levels, there is a current to be aware of and adult supervision is highly recommended, but there plenty of shade and shallow water to stay safe. Check out the bamboo forest. It's awesome.HIGHLY RECOMMEND this local favorite.

Beautiful park and we bought lunch at Dairy Queen and enjoyed a picnic at a table by the creek. The geese were very peaceful as they floated by. We could see children enjoying the playground.

Beautiful park to spend time with the family or walk your dog . Always kept so clean and people are friendly.

The town did so good making this a real family draw, a place to get away and cool off. The sidewalks, walkways and bridges... And parking make this a great place to picnic, relax, mid day getaway. Or all day. Nice place to ride your bike around too. So many great memories here...

Beautiful place! They keep it really nice and clean. One of our favorite places ever.

It was very nice to walk around here:)

I have been coming to Cherokee since I was a baby. I come with my husband and children now. The area is beautiful and we love playing in the creek. We were on the side closest to the road but there are covered picnic areas on the other side, if you cross the bridge. I think we will bring a picnic next time!

4.8

(3432)

4.5

(461)

US-441, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA

1 list

The brand new RV campsite is as phenomenal as the park. Very easy access and luxuriously big RV sites with concrete pad, rock area with fire pit and picnic table. The bathrooms are shockingly nice, when you walk in it feels like you’re walking into a hotel bathroom, so well done. They can’t post is very friendly and there’s even firewood you can buy on site which is a lifesaver if you have kids and they start asking for a fire and you don’t have any firewood! From the RV site rainbow falls is but a short walk. I highly recommend this park and definitely this campground.

Satisfying visitor center and facilities. We hiked the Rainbow Falls trail. The waterfall is awesome and worth the hike. The kiosk is a bit misleading. I think it is more than a mile and a half. The trail is difficult when you get past the sign that says no leaving the state park. Pack smart and please pick up after your dogs! Most of the trail smelled like poop. I think I’ll come back on a cooler and less crowded day.

The only way this park possibly get any better is if it had a small dog park. This park otherwise is darn near perfect! The camp host Dale is very nice and extremely helpful. The office workers are awesome and it is a beautiful building with a great deal learning displays and actually have an amphitheater big enough for about 60 to seventy people to sit and watch the educational video about their parks in North Carolina. I highly recommend this park to everyone. It also has many hiking trails to some great waterfalls if your able.

So beautiful! The hike was pretty long and tough but to be fair we were on a time limit with the school. Getting to Rainbow Falls 🌈 was amazing and you will be happy you went. ❤️ I also was able to capture some once in a lifetime exquisite shots with my Canon R6!

What a beautiful, beautiful park! We visited to make the hike to Rainbow Falls on a gorgeous autumn day. It was a tough, 4 mile hike for this 70 year old but we made it! The falls are beautiful and well worth the effort. The park has other falls, picnic areas, camping and a beautiful visitor's center. Make the trip!

We camped at Gorges State Park for the first time this April. The campground is brand new so everything is in tip top shape. There are a variety of site types that include tent only, RV or camper, and even a couple little cabins that you can rent. There is a wood shed where you can purchase pre bundled firewood on the honor system. While this is very convenient and helpful, I do suggest bringing your own since the bundles are small and of course over priced. Also you are not allowed to take or use any sticks or limbs from the property even if it is on the ground dead and not attached to anything living. This is my biggest reason for the 4 star rating. I have never stayed anywhere that has not allowed campers to harvest the already dead and fallen sticks and branches that litter the ground and I have stayed at a lot of different types of campgrounds in different areas. I'm not talking about anything that needs to be pulled on or axed either as I would definitely not expect that to be allowed. Park Rangers did roll through regularly during all hours. Even though it was a weekend and pretty much every site was occupied it was very calm and quiet. The sites are a decent size and you don't feel like you are on top of your neighbors. The bathhouse is very nice and spacious which isn't surprising since it is brand new. Showers looked decent as well. Depending on where you're staying will depend on how far your walk to the bathroom will be so it can either be very convenient or quite a hike. The only other thing I can say I didn't love was how long the road is to the campground once you get into the park however this is also a plus because it puts you way back in the woods which makes for beautiful views and a peaceful, quiet atmosphere! You also drive past/over a pretty waterfall so it is a great way to start your stay. Overall I definitely recommend checking out Gorges State Park and it's campground. There are also numerous hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty and length and plenty of amazing views and waterfalls.

Great park with nice trails with waterfalls, really great camping sites to reserve and even cabins you can rent. Perfect place to get away and enjoy nature and beautiful scenery.

Beautiful #StatePark in Transylvania County, NC. Could’ve stayed a week. The weather was a bit overcast but cleared up by mid morning. The hike through Rainbow Falls was great and well worth it. The water streams and Rainbow Falls Waterfall are stunning. Make sure to wear a good pair of hiking shoes for the trail and lots of other trails located around the park. There’s no entry fee to the park and maps of the park are FREE (yippee). Love the campground area, back country campsites and the bathhouse, restrooms are very clean. There are (5-6) small adorable cabins, too. The park is spacious, peaceful and laidback with a very nice visitors center and great staff. So much to do and see around the Gorge. Lots of tails, multiple picturesque waterfalls 🏕️, 🥾,🎣,🚴🏼,🏃🏽‍♀️,🚤.Would love to return to see remaining waterfalls.Gorge is a beautiful place. Y’all should go visit. Chop, chop!#GetOutAndPlay#NCStateParks#SupportStateParks#HappyPlaces❤️

Amazing park engaging history. Hike to rainbow falls was amazing once you get river side. A little on the wet side, not a hike for people who don't hike as the steps are a little eroded so there are some more difficult parts. It is worth the hike though, epic doesn't do it justice.

This park and rainbow falls had been hyped up to me from many people I've met. I looked at the Alltrails options and some photos and I just didn't really get it (there are so many waterfalls and hiking options nearby). Well now I get it. The beautiful visitor center has spectacular views and Rainbow Falls is unlike any other we've seen. And it's all free! North Carolina state parks are fantastic.

The campgrounds are rather new, beautiful and well maintained. The visitors center is great with a lot in the gift shop. The waterfalls are worth the hike with proper footwear. Did see two timber rattlers in the park not on the trails.

Gorges State Park is a family friendly Park with extremely clean restrooms, picnic areas, short hikes, or even long moderate challenging hikes. Beautiful waterfalls and scenery everywhere. I will be back for a longer hike.

My husband and I loved this place 🥰, very nice hike. The view was spectacular. Rainbow Falls is the best waterfall I’ve seen in a long time. The bathrooms at the visitor center were clean. just be careful and make sure you follow the signage instructions concerning slippery rocks and messing around near the falls.

My husband and I and out 4 kids stayed in one of the cabins. The cabins have a back room with 2 sets of bunk beds (sleeps 4) and the front room has a queen size bed. They have electricity and space to put your stuff and food inside. The bathhouse is right across the street from the cabins and is super super nice! Probably the best I have ever seen! There was firewood available at the campground for $8 a bundle and you can pay via PayPal which was nice. We hiked rainbow falls with our kids (ages 8,6,4, 2.5) and it was totally worth it, roaring waterfall. We are in decent shape so the hike was not what I would consider strenuous but it is more uphill coming back. The nature center is super nice with a great view, there isn't a kid playground but the roads in the campground were all well paved so the kids could ride and scooter around those, we will be back!

We went again the other day and walked the easy trail below the park museum and info center. It has viewing platforms that I didn't know were there before. And in the fall just wow they are stunning. This is perfect trail for toddlers, littles learning to walk, strollers, etc. It's a pretty decent trail. My son was adequately worn out after and had fun exploring and reading the signs along the way. Very informative infographics too

Gorges state park is truly gorgeous. From the waterfalls and wildlife, to the people on the trails, it was one beautiful moment after another. Rainbow falls is one special place that needs to be preserved for future adventure seekers.

There's a reason why this hike consistently gets rated as one of the best in NC--with three waterfalls to checkout on this moderate out and back hike, it is a popular destination for families and hikers with pets.There is ample parking, clean restrooms, and plenty of nice picnic areas.

We went on the trail to see rainbow falls. It was a very beautiful trail. There are some difficult spots towards the end that I could see an older person struggling with but overall a wonderful hike. The waterfalls were also beautiful.

Great park w/ lots of hiking trails and waterfalls to hike to. Campground is brand new w/ generous concrete pad RV sites, full hookups, picnic tables and fire pits. Only slight negative was the price of firewood bundles. At $9 each seemed a bit pricey.

The most perfect park to stay at. Pads are cemented with water, sewage and electricity. Off to the side is a gravel area with fire pit and picnic table. Restrooms have the most amazing showers. There are cabins for rent and an area for tents. Area is so clean and trash is picked up day a couple of times.

So beautiful. We did the hike to Rainbow falls and ate lunch at the picnic area.

4.8

(1220)

4.5

(326)

976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774, USA

+44 other lists

This visitor center is among the best I've ever visited. There's a terrific museum here, showcasing old farm buildings. We were lucky enough to visit when the blacksmith shop was being worked, and our girls got to take home a square nail forged by the ranger. Another treat came in the way of several elk appearing at the visitor center in the afternoon; we got to see two calves, 6 cows, and a bull! What an amazing experience that was! Highly recommended!

This visitor center is the main visitor center for the south side of the park. The interior is fun and filled with souvenirs that kids and families will love. There's a small wooden township just next to it that shows what life was like back in the 1800s. This area is also hugely popular for elk viewing. Just be sure to give them plenty of space.

The first visitor center you will come across on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the early morning, expect to be greeted by the Elk herd. At this time of the year in late July, there were many does with their calves. The visitor center is close to the Cherokee entrance that also is the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the visitor center, there are many helpful faces. They are able to answer questions about the park and give ideas and insight on how to maximize your experience at the most visited national park in the system. They do have parking machines near the parking lot. For the daily parking, it is $5. The ticket is tied to your automobile license plate.

We love visiting the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Farm Museum. We enjoy the self guided tour around the old farm the most. They still have chickens running around free range, but haven’t had any hogs there for a long time. I like to read all the plaques every time I go and it never gets old. There are many places to site beside the Oconaluftee River. The sound of the water rushing by is so peaceful.

Absolutely lovely! The volunteers are so sweet here. The park itself is enchanting.The Smoky Mountain National Park has $5 parking passes and free admission... You can get them here, along with maps and stuff.THERE ARE ELK, and they're lovely.

I love this visitor center. We have been a few times. There is a trail there that is one of the only 2 trails in the GSMNP where dogs can go. We used to take our pup there (RIP Lucy), but now we go to see the Elk and walk the trail. Our cat loved it too.

Located in Smoky Mountain national Park Cherokee North Carolina this is a great place to go view elk. It all sounds trails along the river. A cool little settlers village that you can visit. Also if you're all hot tired sweaty and dirty you can take a dip in the River and is very invigorating. Bathrooms and vending machines located here as well. Going to The visitor center proper for some cool swag.

More than just a visitors center. This little stop had a miniature museum filled with information about pioneer living in the Smokey Mountains, a gift shop, a pioneer farm grounds to walk, and, if you're lucky, real wild Elk. This is my 3rd visit to this location since 1977. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. It was a nice break from all the driving.

We just went driving through the smokies traffic was a little backed up due to the fact that some elk were out. We saw 7 it was really cool to be able to capture pics of them . We also walked around the structures they had an apple barn a hog pen and old barn. If your ever in the area you should stop and take a walk around we were also able to see part of the river running behind the property. Pictures don’t do justice

Very nice to place to stop, after driving through the mountain. There are several elk in the area. A beautiful creek runs around the visitor center. Check the visitor center for road conditions and potential closure times, while there. They have a gift shop.

Great selection of souvenirs within, decent prices though we did spend a lot all together. Staff at the visitor center were friendly until we declined to purchase a national park pass, then became excessively rude. Very beautiful visitors center with plenty to do around.

My husband and I love this place! It is a must see to view Elk just roaming around. Sometimes you have to walk a good bit to find them but other times they are all just in the front yard area or on the sides of the roads. We put in like 4 miles or more in 2 days and found tons of them!

Absolutely loved the Ranger led programs! Ranger Smith is a craftsman who shared his broom making skill and totally impressed me! I would take a class with him in a NY minute! Ranger Parker was a knowledgeable and friendly guide on our hike and we were sorry we missed his black smithing demo. They helped make our trip to the Smokies enjoyable!

Went to this visitor center while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in fall 2020.There is a big parking lot in front of the visitor center. There are restrooms too. There is a museum too. This is the visitor center near Blue ridge parkway. This one is in far better condition than the Sugarland one. While going there, we saw a group of elk roaming around.

The village looked great for learning about life long ago. But we couldn't go through the exhibit because our dog was with us. Dogs are allowed on the path but not in the exhibit. So we walked along a great path that went beside the little village and then down to the Oconaluftee River.Beautiful river walk! We went by a bull elk and his herd of cows hidden in a thicket along the path very quietly, mindful of the ranger's warning to keep our distance and that they were dangerous if disturbed or up walkin around. We were 20-25 yards away.We didn't go all the way to the end of the path to the waterfall because of time commitments elsewhere, but we would have loved to spend more time there. We will go back.

The Oconaluftee Visitors Center is a great place to stop. Several comprehensive displays of mountain life are on display. The park rangers are super friendly and very knowledgeable about the local area. They also have several very clean rest rooms and a very nice gift shop.

Visiting center had great great views of park area. We were able to capture pictures of Elk grassing in open fields. There is a long path goes all the way around the park area and along a river. Beautiful sites to take in. Visitors center is clean and well kept. Old homestead buildings to check out and visit. Dog friendly place. Love to go back there. The Elk are everywhere around this place.

It is the gateway to one of the most magnificent and well kept national parks in the USA (Smoky Mountains National Park). If you go between September and early December, you will see elks roaming nearby. Inside the center you will find help if you want to know more about the park and its trails. There is a small store were you can buy many little things including preserves from the area (highly recommended). Restrooms are always clean. You can even walk by the river and enjoy the surrounding nature.

The visitor center was closed when we were there. It does look new and modern. There's plenty of historical buildings behind the visitor center that are very interesting to see. The log home has some of the largest cut logs I've ever seen on a home of that era. Also, a beautiful creek to hang out at. Elk are in the area and were in fields by the visitor center the evening we were there.

Out of the three visitors centers we went to during our trip to GSM National Park in late March, Oconaluftee was my favorite, mainly because it was the least crowded! This is surely because of the distance from the more popular sites in the area, but its definitely worth the drive (which is absolutely beautiful, with a ton of great pull-off areas for photos)!! There was plenty of parking, which was a huge relief after having to loop the other VC parking lots a few dozen times waiting for parking spots to open up. The elk that freely roam the field behind the visitors center were very cool, and we had fun watching a whole herd of them stroll along the road like they owned it 😀 There is a beautiful trail along the river that was somewhat stroller friendly and very low level of difficulty. I highly recommend stopping here when visiting the Smoky mountains!

Beautifully kept. Bathrooms are clean. The entire area is clean. There is a dirt walkway to take your fur baby on and go along the river. Elk came down later, more towards evening.

Very nice visitor center!! Rocking chairs on the porch, especially nice for elk-watching. Good spot to plan for the surrounding area of trails and drives. Nice little gift shop and a nice - if a little outdated - museum section of the area. Very helpful staff :)!

This is a nice place to visit and see the Elk! We came during spring break and the herd was not all out in the fields yet. We enjoyed seeing them and enjoyed walking down by the river! Make sure you pay for your parking permit and please respect the wildlife!

Nice place to stop an see the Elk. Also to use the restroom. It could have been cleaner. You can also purchase your Parking Pass here at a kiosk. As of February 2024 $5 a day

Absolutely loved this place, parking was a bit difficult but other than that we loved it. we stopped over by the blacksmith cabin and they answered all my kids questions and showed them how it all worked. We will definitely visit again

Beautiful place! Great visitor's center with lovely porch, walking path, and public restrooms! We saw a small herd of elk in the evening!! Perfect!!

The staff was kind, and had some historical artifacts inside as well. The mountain farm was pretty cool, it's a nice walk out back and is next to the river. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the elk.The only bummer we had was the gift shop was closed for 2 days in a row for restocking of inventory.

4.8

(6993)

4.5

(1097)

Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA

+2 other lists

This was my 1st time visiting Cataloochee Ski area to snowboard and it was awesome. I did a day session and a night session two weeks ago and everything went perfecto.. The night session was a little better since there was no waiting in line for ski lifts vs during the middle of the day on a Holiday weekend it got to a point where some of the lifts it was a 20 to 30 minute wait. I have a cabin that's less than 1 mile from the Ski Area so I cant wait to see you all next year :) I had all of my gear so all I had to do is buy my ski lift passes which was super easy and I was off Snowboarding and ripping up the slopes.

Oh wow! Where do I begin? This was our first time skiing. From the warm welcome to the slopes, Cataloochee Ski Area exceeded our expectations. The smiling faces and helpful staff created a fantastic experience for my family. The camaraderie among the skiers added to the enjoyment and fun. From the moment we arrived, everyone was nice and welcoming. We had a great time. I highly recommend.

I recommend. Buy your tickets online days before and you will have a very comfortable day! Excellent organization compared to other mountains in NC, service divided by squads and short lines. We visited in Jan/16/22 and even with a lot of snow due to the storm, everything worked very well! Thanks Cataloochee team

I took my 8 year daughter for the first time and signed her up for group lessons. She was the only one so got great one-on-one lessons. The instructor Cullen was so helpful and encouraging. He had her on a Blue Diamond within 45 minutes of her first time ever! We were blown away. She had a perfect first experience skiing and much of that is thanks to Cullen. The resort is easy to access and affordable. We love going.

We had a great time for our honeymoon. We both went snowboarding and had lessons. The instructors were awesome Mark and Ryan. They really took the time to help us understand how to snowboard. All in all had a great time. The process was easy. Thank you We will be back

Read the other reviews and felt I should add my own:It’s a nice little ski slope that’s convenient from Atlanta, Greenville and other cities in the southeast. I pulled in around 8am and got a parking spot right up front. It doesn’t look like it at first but there’s a few different lots you can park in past the main building. I preordered my lift ticket online and already had my gear. There was no line at the window at 8:15am and I was the 3rd chair up to the top. Highly recommend doing everything online beforehand as I heard they sold out at some point that day.I’ve seen numerous reviews complaining about long lines to get lift tickets and rentals. Look, if you go to the slopes during peak season and show up at noon with no lift ticket or equipment you’re gonna wait in long lines... And boy were there some lines. Seemed like they really started getting backed up around 11am. By about 2pm the slopes were pretty packed and I decided to call it a day. Overall the snow was decent and I recommend hitting the cat if you’re in the area!Tips: Order your stuff online beforehand, get there early, beat the crowd, have patience and have some fun.

We went on a quiet Thursday. We had repurchase tickets and our rentals and the pickup process was easy and seamless. My husband and oldest did a private ski lesson that they seemed to enjoy. I like that they have two magic carpet slopes for new learners. The weather has clearly not been ideal and by midafternoon it was slushy, but it didn't dampen our enjoyment. I do feel like a busy weekend would have made it feel overcrowded, but we were very pleased with our experience.

We visited the week of Thanksgiving and we were a little nervous based on reviews. I like to give honest reviews to help others because I use a ton of reviews to guide my decisions.We got to the resort very early. The ticketing process is very slow. One line open. Getting equipment was a little ridiculous. I've never seen having to walk to multiple buildings to get equipment, especially having to wait in line multiple times. It did move fairly fast but still annoying.The lift lines were never long, even during peak hours.My kids took lessons to freshen up and they enjoyed them.I was baffled that there was NO outside seating. Very strange!!!The food options were also terrible. The only lunch option was soup or chili, delicious but my small kids were NOT pleased. I understand this was opening week but still...some grab n go options would have been appreciated.Overall, I plan to return..great small ski resort.

This is definitely one of the better ski resorts in west side of NC due to the elevation and terrain parks. There was amateur ski racing going on when I was there as well.pretty cool.i should have signed up would have been a dope FAIL video😆. I have been here multiple times and will be back in the future.try all the ski resorts in NC for a good judgement yourself😉.all kids of folks there too. But do expect to run into a lot of kids and locals.When I was there my last time there was actually some younger adults causing some ruckus,being snowboard DI$&S .letting there ego get the best of them(they got kicked off the lifts).food is better here then at wolfridge definitely,but IT IS WHAT IT IS.we drink,eat just enough,and eat trail snacks anyways on boarding days🤟🏽😉😆.Local enough ..black/latin snowboarder🏂🏽💪🏽

Overall, I had a great experience. When there were lines inside for gear and food, they were extremely short. The lifts had quick lines of a minute or two wait at most. This was my first time snowboarding and I took a private lesson. Dylan, my instructor, was super friendly and taught everything in an easy-to-understand way. I only snowboarded on Beginner’s Luck (that’s where the lesson was given), Easy Way, and Rabbit Hill. The runs were not overcrowded at all and I had tons of room to mess around with. Nobody was being aggressive on the slopes, either. I went on a Tuesday afternoon. The weather was scheduled to be worse than it was. It drizzled lightly a couple of times which did not seem to affect very much. Visibility varied but was never very bad; the worst is shown in the video.

Very over crowded. I would have given it two stars had I not had fun, but I was in a good mood so it wasn’t terrible for me. There is a good amount of parking but back up parking is pretty far away and they have a shuttle there and back. When you get to the lodge, you go through 3 checkpoints to go ski. First you purchase your tickets (buy online ahead of time to decrease chances of being sold out), then you get in line for boots and helmets. We were in line for at least 30 minutes for this step, then we had to get in line for our ski/snowboard rental which was like 15 minutes.After that you go and you’re able to ski but to get to the hills you first have to go on a lift, there’s only one beginner lift and each time we waited in line for it we waited at least 30 minutes (very bad crowds) one reason for this is because they have to stop the lift a bunch because so many people fall at the top of the lift. Employees are very kind and quick to help us off the ground when we fall (will Happen). Slopes get pretty icy near the end of the day and the most crowded time is around 11-1. Gets less crowded around 4ish and I’m sure night skiing is a better option to miss crowds (but snow will be icy and slick).We got here around 11 on a Thursday but didn’t start skiing till 4. Employees are very kind except one man at the boot rental area. I think the processes could be quickened a lot more to reduce crowds. Also a kiddie area with little slant.4 hour pass is plentyBring snacks, lodge food is overpriced and lines there are veryyyyy long, have to wait in whole line just for water bottle (3$)You will probably fall a lot so wear waterproof clothing.Look online for tickets, live cams, etc.Overall I would not return because of extreme lines that are not necessary and you will not find them elsewhere.

Very conveniently located in Maggie Valley. Very safe and fun for the family. Quite crowded but very well run. Delicious on-site Cafe with full liquor bar. Safe and secure property very family friendly. All the equipment you need is rented on site. Night skiing was a lot of fun.

Older and quaint ski area(established in the 60s) with facilities that are in large need of updating. Early season is a bit rough as they only make snow on 3-4 trails so it gets really crowded and somewhat dangerous on the weekends. Despite a peak of 5200' you only have about a 600-700' vertical drop here and the runs are extremely short. Moving at any kind of pace you'll be down to the bottom in about 3 minutes and then have about a 10+ minute ride back up, depending on how many noobies are falling trying to get on the lift that goes to the top where they shouldn't be going yet.Skied this past Saturday and it was downright dangerous at times with the crowds. Throngs of beginners going to the top and then stopping on all sections of the trail clogging it up for anyone trying to get through. Ski patrol had the entire right side of Omigosh tied up with training which made things even more difficult. Trails here are incredibly narrow, which adds to the danger when it's crowded. Saw at least 2-3 people get hurt and taken down off the mountain, and one spot near midstation where there was massive blood splatter all over the snow. If you want to go and you are a more advanced skier, hit it up during midweek so you don't have to deal with the crowds of new skiers on the most difficult trails.Lift passes are a bit overpriced for what you get, $70 for a 4-hour pass with slow lifts. Cafeteria and gift shop are also overpriced, but typical for your average ski slopes. The drive in to this place is also on an unpaved road with some drastic changes in incline so if it's snowing/icy, you will need at least a FWD vehicle. They do have online passes available, where you can bring your QR code and just print your lift ticket at a kiosk instead of waiting in the long line in their small office, so that is one plus. The views off the top of the mountain and while riding the lifts are also pretty great if the weather is clear.This would be a good midweek day trip if you live in GA, TN, NC, or anywhere within 2-3 hours, but just keep in mind if you come on the weekends it's going to be way overcrowded, especially if they don't have any terrain open. I will try to make it back midweek to see if things are any better without the crowds. They do also have some nice "learning" areas and the main green trail is wide and has enough of a slope to get the basics down. Good place for families with kids or new skiers, as long as they realize they shouldn't be heading up to the top of the mountain after 2-3 runs down the learning slope.Edit: 3/11/2024Hit up Cataloochee for a late season day trip and the mountain was in fantastic shape! Great job by the mountain ops team to keep snow on the slopes when it's 60 degrees out! Zero crowds(as I mentioned in prior review, it would probably make a much better midweek trip) on a Monday and overall it was an awesome last day out(for me) for the 2023-24' Mid Atlantic ski season.

Decided at the last minute to drive up from Birmingham and shred for a day. Although it was late season (March) and temps had started melting some snow, I still had a blast…..so much that I decided to upgrade my pass and stayed for the night sesh.This was my first visit, but it won’t be my last. Next time, the whole family is going!

For skiing or snowboarding in the south, this little resort does a great job of curing the itch. They have even updated to an online booking/ticketing system so you’re not left wondering while you drive X hours if your kid will be able to enroll in lessons. I highly recommend you take advantage of the online option to buy lift tickets and schedule your lessons. We always arrive early (8-815am) and the process is very smooth. The later you wait in the day to show up, the more crowded and difficult it becomes to park and get rentals because of the volume of people. We usually get in 8am, ski for a few hours and take off at lunch time 12:30/1 when the resort gets crowded. They also updated their lockers to electronic lockers, which are really nice compared to many outdated places ($5 for a small locker for the day). I’ve been really happy with this little ski area and the improvements they have made over the years and will continue to visit. Their prices are very reasonable, especially if you go during the week. I highly recommend you avoid the weekend rush if you’re able to, to have the best experience!

It was a fantastic experience! We visited on a weekday, and what made it even better was the lack of crowds. I decided to take a snowboarding lesson, and because it was a quiet day, I ended up getting a private coaching session for a very reasonable price of $40. It was a win-win situation for me!

4.0

(1021)

3.5

(448)

1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA

6 lists

We’re from Ukraine and lot of our friends from USA recommended us this company. Smokey mountain outdoors rafting was the best place I got unforgettable emotions for whole my life. We were so pleased with my husband with all services from booking to trip. We had an Upper trip and it was funny. Especially when we pass the falls. Our guide was very polite, explained all the nuances and we got an amazing rafting experience. Everything was safely and comfortable. I truly recommend this place for visiting for everyone. You'll be happy with the whole process, promise you!

SO AMAZING!!! ❤️..I booked our group here. I'm so glad I did. We had 32 people, and everyone had an amazing time. It went smoothly. Even the little ones had a blast. We did the upper, and I was nervous for my 11 yr old grandkids. They loved it so much! Our guide was amazing, California girl (Ace). Thank you so much for showing the kids a great time. They talked about it for 2 days.. I wanna thank all the guides.. Everyone loved them.. we're booking our next trip and we've decided to come here again!!!

such an amazing experience!! my lady and i did the extreme version of the tour, and it was awesome! we got a smaller boat, so we were able to move quicker and whatnot, making for a super exciting experience! our guide was Gabby, and she did an amazing job! if you can, request her for your tour, and you won’t regret it! thank you SMO for an amazing experience

Amazing!! So worth the price. It was cold out and very windy but it was such a great experience. I suggest to not take lazy family members as It’s a good amount of physical work (6 miles worth of rafting). My family got stuck with a family who did not participate and we ended up doing all the work & the instructor was not too fond of them either. Overall, it was very fun and we are definitely doing it again next time we visit TN!

An extremely well organized and disciplined company. The kindness shown by the Security Staff as i got down from our car and he saw me limping was commendable. He immediately asked me to get in and allowed us to park closest possible to the Office. This speaks volumes about their commitment. Even the time slots allotted were followed perfectly. Our guide Ms. Tia was phenomenal. She looked after us and our grandchildren with dedication and tenderness. It’s much appreciated. Overall an unforgettable experience. To those visiting this area make this spot as the number one place for your River Rafting experience.

MUST DO!! This was definitely the highlight of our trip. We had so much fun. My group was made up of people 10 years old through 55 years. It was great for all ages (Upper Pigeon Forge but not the extreme one). Our guide Tia was great. Very knowledgeable, funny, most importantly safe! We got to jump out of the raft and swim a little on a calm part of the river. My 10 year old even got to ride on the front of the raft with his feet hanging river through rapids. All though I was a little scared about that, he had so much fun and was completely safe. Would definitely recommend for all ages.

First time rafters here and we were super happy with how it all went. Be sure to check in with plenty of time as they have a gift shop and you will want time to get on sunblock and use the facilities. You can rent a small locker for $2 otherwise leave most items in your vehicle. Upper Pigeon trip was not too hard or scary even for kids but it was still very exciting and beautiful. Josh was our guide and he was great! You can wear caps but sunglasses need a strap unless you don't mind potentially losing them.

This is a MUST DO! When we got there we were like omg how are they gonna handle all these people? The service was very well managed. We were taken out for our float trip in a very well managed timely fashion. SMO has approximately 90 tours guides for the visitors to not have to wait very long. They have lockers available for $2 if you need to put your car keys up. They also sell waterproof packs and have a gift shop available. There are a few food trucks available at the location if you get hungry. Also in the bathrooms they have changing rooms, and showers available not to mention blow dryers for the women. Our tour guide Alex was great! Would do this again without a doubt if back in the area. Definitely if given the chance "ride the bull" aka on the front of the raft with your legs over the raft. My nephew who is 13 had the time of his life on this vacation.#ALEX

Ya'll have to try this at least once! Because after that you'll want to go again and again!When we went (4.6.24) the water was cold, but that is the only con I can think of. The experience grossly out weighs it being cold. Plus don't like the cold plan for a summer trip.Our guide was very knowledgeable and guided us safely down the river. I believe his name was Josh but I'm bad with names...I highly recommend checking them out! I'm definitely going to be going back!

This was a really fun experience. The guides were great and it had been raining for several days, so the experience was a great combination of challenging and fun. Would definitely do it again, and I recommend it to others!

This was a great experience for our family during our Spring Break vacation! Prior to booking, the lady who answered the phone was very helpful answering all our questions. Getting prepared to board the buses and was very organized. Our guide, Nila, helped all of us to feel totally comfortable before starting, and she was very entertaining. The kids, and my husband and I had a great time. The water was freezing, but it was really awesome!

Great time with my daughter on the lower section. Because the water was moving so fast we were actually taken up river a bit so as to extend our trip. Judo was a stellar guide! We will definitely be back for the upper section. Worth every penny.

We were a party of 9, all first time rafters and did the Upper river. We were in two boats (6 & 3) but were within sight and sound the whole trip. This was one of our favorite activities done for the week. It was so exciting, fun, and safe. We did not see a single person flipped into the water and there were lots of rafts. Our guides Geoff and Garett were amazing! The entire event was so smooth... Check-in, meeting the guides, gearing up, riding the bus, getting on the water, riding the river, departure and equipment removal all we're so seamless. We loved our experience and highly encourage it to all.

We did the Upper & Lower River experiences and both were equally great! Our tour guides were Tom & Slim and they made the day so fun. Staff was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions we had about the Smokies while we were floating down river. Great experience and rapids weren’t anything too crazy, would recommend this experience to families with kids as well.

Decided to take our boys rafting for the first time. This is the perfect river for someone who has never been white water rafting. It has good rapids but nothing that will scare the pants off newbies.

We used multiple companies on our trip and we had a few issues, although overall experience was nice. So first of all, it was off season and guides were training. Everyone has to start somewhere but our guide (I think it was one of her first times out) dodged most of the rapids. I appreciate that learning is important but other companies put their trainees in their own raft which doesn’t effect guest experience. I was disappointed that we missed 80% of the rapids due to the guide being hesitant to go through the rapids. We also had to paddle a lot because of the guide steering the boat around the rapids and then we would have to paddle backwards because we would get too close to the boat in front of us. I feel it’s the trainers duty to guide the trainee and make sure they learn how to hit the rapids right and guide the boat. Additionally, you have to pay 2$ for a locker for your car keys and then take your locker key on the river with you. And it’s 10$ if you lose your locker key. Other companies hold your car keys for free at the front desk. Just seems counter intuitive to bring something you don’t want to lose on the river.

It was a fabulous and fun time. Ziggy was the best guide ever and such a great sport! We were 3 Seniors with some mobility issues and Ziggy was so patient and helpful! Recommend for an anyone looking for a fun day.

If you take their rafting trip ask for Shawn! I knew by his laugh he was going to the best tour guide! Dude was determined to have a good time, there wasn’t a dry seat on our raft.The views you get from the river are spectacular and you won’t see this in the tourist areas!!This company also offers a package to zip line as well!Highly recommend doing it!2.5 hours rafting and 2.5 hours zip lining.This was our honeymoon trip and it was absolutely incredible!

THE BEST!We had an amazing time rafting the UPPER PIGEON. This was the first rafting trip for my 8yr son, and I had booked a lower pigeon. We got there and talked at the check-in office - got it changed to upper pigeon - the best decision - my son thoroughly enjoyed it!Staff at SMO are extremely friendly and supportive of any changes (availability and best interest).It was a packed day, but they handled it well - they are very well organized and structured, a big shout out for people at parking, at the check-in office, they help run the place efficiently. Our trip guide Tyler was phenomenal. Took approx 90 minutes for the upper region, and I believe it is the same for the lower region, too.They have approx 84 tour guides onsite, very professional - ensure the trip is fun and safe for everyone. Ample parking, clean amenities onsite - shower, bathroom, changing station, locker ($2), etc. are well maintained.The only downside is the pricing of the pictures taken, which is a bit expensive for what you get.It's a MUST try activity for all ages, and these guys are absolute pros and make the entire trip fun!

It was first time for many people in my group. We all enjoyed. Guide was very good. When we went it was class 3 rapid at one place. Rest of the places are two or below. It for kids and old age people it awesome. Lot of parking and very well managed.

what a perfect adventure. Our guide was Bart, he was GREAT! I highly recommend this company. This was my fourth time white water rafting and this place has been the best so far. they are very organized.I wore crocs with the strap (sport mode) and they stayed on the whole time.

I went here leading a university group over spring break. The management was patient as I needed to communicate things to the group before making the decision about purchasing photos and was very accommodating when I needed a receipt for providing a tip to their guides. The guides we rafted with was Josh and Miami, which were both a hoot and provided us with an amazing rafting experience, letting us bull ride and spin through some rapids. All my students who participated in our spring break trip said this was the highlight of their trip. Thank you for this amazing experience and we will most definitely be coming back again in the future.

Me, my husband, and two kids (9 and 14) rafted with Stoney today. The river was pretty calm but it was a great intro to rafting for my boys. Stoney was awesome, super knowledgeable, and probably the best of the bunch! ;) we’d definitely come back!

We loved river rafting. Our 4 year old had a blast, this was one of the only places that allowed little ones to enjoy rafting. Lauren our guide was awesome and super sweet. We had a blast!

4.9

(1990)

5.0

(5982)

3299 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 37753, USA

This was, by far, the best part of our trip. We loved every moment from beginning to end. We left wishing we would have booked another tour. Thank y'all so much for the memories. And we had the best guide ever! We will definitely see y'all again.

We had a WONDERFUL time on our trip with Raft Outdoor Adventures! We had a large group of 14 (so 2 rafts). Both guides (our guide was Zack) were knowledgeable and made the trip so much fun. They were so accommodating and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Some of us aren't swimmers, but we were reassured that it would still be an exciting and safe adventure. And they were absolutely right. Book them! "GIRLS RAFT PLUS ZACK!"

My trip in 2023 was amazing. I took my three children along for a ride on the lower pigeon river, and we all had a blast. It was adventurous, but me and my kids were able to handle the rapids. At the time they were 12, 10 and 6. Our guide was amazing.

My family and I had a blast!! This was my kids first time to go white water rafting and they loved it! Our guide was wonderful and everyone there was so great and helpful! We would definitely recommend Raft Outdoor Adventures to all of our friends and family and plan to go back again someday!

My family and I had the best time on our trip with this company. I highly recommend this company for a fun and safe trip. The instructors and staff are great and friendly, they make you feel welcome. The rafting trip is super fun and exciting.

Truly the best whitewater rafting experience! AJ was a great guide and enjoyed the trip down the river. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. This was the most memorable part of our vacation and very much glad that we booked it.

So much fun! We had a blast even on a colder day. I will suggest renting wet suits if the weather is colder. It helped a lot! Sam was an awesome guide. Very knowledgeable and handled being peppered with questions the entire time. He was also great at adjusting the experience to our group and making us comfortable. My wife was very nervous but ended up having a great time!

I have nothing but great things to say. The registration process was easy. The office staff was nice and understanding. I was so scared but I am glad I chose to do this. Our guide Sam was the absolute best. He joked. He explained. He was a great tour guide. The experience was everything. If you’re looking for a wonderful experience this is the place to go. Book now!!!!

We loved the white water rafting experience. Our guide was Halie. She did an awesome job and was very friendly. I love how she gave us lots of info and history about the Big Pigeon River and she was very knowledgeable about rafting. We arrived plenty early and the staff was good about telling us what we needed and what needed to stay in our car. There were several groups that arrived late and caused us to have a long wait to begin the adventure. When it was over, we were able to change in the nice bathhouse. However, I was disappointed with the availability to purchase photos of our adventure. I wanted one digital copy of one picture. They would not allow me to purchase one picture. The only option was to purchase all 12 digital pictures of our raft for $35. I would suggest taking your camera in a waterproof case around your neck and taking your own pictures. We will do it again!

I booked a trip with my husband, my 12-year-old daughter, and my 75-year-old mother with Raft Outdoor Adventures. The staff was extremely friendly, even though they were much busier than I expected them to be. I had no idea how many people would be out rafting on the river! They took good care of us, explained everything well, and everyone had a great sense of humor. We all enjoyed the trip, got a taste of the rapids even though we were on the beginner trip, we got a little wet - make that a lot wet!! Benny, our guide, was adorable and made sure we all had a blast. Thanks for an amazing trip we won’t soon forget!

This was a great experience! Very professional crew and we felt like we were in good hands. Beautiful ride with the mountains and nature as the backdrop and very family friendly route...great for all ages.

We had a party of 15 with some younger kids so we chose the lower river. We all the best time and want to go back for the upper river. Our guides were fun which made the float ever better. The office staff was super nice and helpful even when we were running late. Thanks so much for helping us make some of the best memories during our vacation!

Raft Outdoor Adventures provided an amazing experience for us as for timers. Our tour guide was Sam and he was an amazing guide. The water was a bit low but by the time we were done he had us feeling like we were old pros. I felt safe in his raft because he knew how to maneuver it perfectly.

Had a blast rafting the Pigeon and would recommend doing it with Raft Outdoor Adventures. Directions to find the place on their website are very clear since GPS isn’t quite right. Great service at check in - kind and friendly. The guides all seem great. My family rafted with Sam and he was a super cool dude. The group had some rafting experience and the water levels were a little low so the whitewater wasn’t too gnarly, but instead of making our way down the river like any other group, Sam had us surfing and going down rapids backwards - whatever he could do to make it as fun as possible. I’d come back, I’d raft with these guys again, and I’d ask to be in Sam’s raft. Best part of our trip.

I brought my yoga retreat participants out for a white water rafting experience with Raft Outdoor Adventures and we had the BEST time. The guides are knowledgable and fun! We loved every minute and felt well cared for.

This was such a fun and adventurous experience! All of the employees seemed very friendly and nice, but our guide, Sam, was the best! He was very knowledgeable about the area around the route of the lower river and he kept the whole trip fun and up beat. We also had an 8yr old and 4yr old with us and they had a blast as well! Would 1000% recommend this to everyone! You won't regret it!

We had a blast! We went rafting in March so it was a little chilly but it was so fun we didn’t even notice. It was a perfect for our kids, 11 and 13. They loved it. We had AJ as a guide and he was so fun, helpful, and kind. We would definitely do it again.

We had so much fun on this rafting trip. Our Guide Kaitlyn was fantastic. My husband had been before and knew what to expect. I had not, and she made me feel so comfortable. It was a great value and a very professional company. We highly recommend it.

What an amazing thing to do. I was nervous doing for the first time, but it was thrilling fantastic. I highly recommend the staff was great especially AJ who was our guide. He was funny, knowledgeable and very responsible. I felt safe and truly enjoy the water rafting. I would recommend anyone in Tennessee to go here you would not regret and prices were good only wish they would print some pics nevertheless it was Awesome five ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had a wonderful time with Raft Outdoor Adventures! It was a first-time experience for our family of four and it totally lived up to our expectations! It was a thrill and we really experienced the power of the river, but felt we were in good hands the entire team with their friendly, knowledgeable staff.We went in mid-march, for spring break. Water was very cold, but tolerable. They offer wetsuits to help with the water temp and some of us used them.This was absolutely worth the money!

Our little family enjoyed our rafting experience very much! Our children are 9 and 6 years old and were able to enjoy this adventure just fine. Our guide, Carver, was very courteous (especially with the children), knowledgeable, and he was so much fun! We learned a little history about the town as we paddled down the river, got to learn some tricks, and also enjoyed some R&R. Overall, an excellent first time experience! Highly recommend!

We had a party of five in our raft including two men and three kids ranging 8 – 10 years old. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish, great rapids, and a fun guide as well. We highly recommend this company and we’ll definitely be back for round two if we ever make it to this next of the woods again!

This was a blast. We were a family of 9 and so they split us into 2 boats of 5 and 4 which was fine with us. We had Jill as our guide and she was wonderful. We were the lead boat and they made sure to have the rest of our family right behind us. We absolutely had a blast on this rafting adventure. She even made my nephew and daughter feel comfortable and safe. None of us had been rafting before. We will definitely come back and do it again.

What a blast!! We took our 7 yr old daughter with us and she loved it. We took one of the easier routes. If you are looking for something fun to do with the family, this is it!

We had a family of 5 tour with Sam last week. We even had our 10 year old with us. Sam was AMAZING! He provided us with so much education and we feel that we really got a lot out of our trip. The river volume was only at 310 so our trip was a lot about learning how to navigate rocks etc. we HIGHLY recommend Sam and we will FOR SURE be returning on our next trip to Tennessee from Florida 💙

We had the time of our lives on this excursion. We were a family of 5 plus our guide (Evan?) on the Upper Pigeon River. The guide was full of interesting information about the river and the area in general. He recommended local places to visit and areas worth hiking, which we took his advice and found the local swimming hole he told me about. We had so much fun on this adventure, and the kids had the biggest smiles I've ever seen in my life. Non-stop smiles on their faces. As a side note, I bought my trip online, and there was a $13 discount code per person that I forgot to enter at checkout, so I emailed them and asked if they would honor that. They immediately responded and said they would. Upon arrival they honored the code no proble., which allowed us all to rent much needed wet suits so we didn't freeze while on the river. The wet suits were a game changer. We saw other people getting out of their rafts so frozen that they could barely walk. Our guide told us it was his day off and he was glad he came in to work because we made his job easy and super fun. I 10 out of 10 recommend rafting with them!

Friendly Staff and the guides were awesome. Shout out to Mickey. Was a bit nervous about the rafting, but they made us feel at ease and safe before we left and during the ride. Had the best time!!

4.9

(3002)

5.0

(1998)

3635 Trail Hollow Rd, Hartford, TN 37753, USA

Hands down, one of the most fun things I have ever done. We had Justin and Bobbie as our guides and they were wonderful. Very helpful and very entertaining. My only complaint is that it didn't last longer haha I could easily ride the entire length of the river with these two. Very knowledgeable and very helpful to someone who had never rafted before. I highly recommend River Rat to anyone who is looking to tackle a whitewater adventure. They will take great care of you. 10/10 recommend!

Being from Texas we had no clue what to expect, but we were excited to try it! My 11 year old was pretty nervous. We got Scott as our rafting guide. He was great! He had my daughter sit by him and he assured her that she was safe with him and he would make sure of it! Scott was very informative and fun to talk to. He was true to his word and made sure my daughter was good the whole ride, while also making it fun for us adults. We got caught up on a big rock and Scott made sure to get us off of it without anyone falling in or flipping the boat, which seemed pretty impossible at the time. I would highly suggest River Rats upper river rafting adventure and if you can request a guide, Scott is your man! I can’t wait to go again!

Smoky Mountain River Rat Whitewater Rafting gave us a great trip! Our guide Bryce made sure we had a safe and fun trip. He was able to confidently steer us through the rapids. We were in a group of 6 with only one of us having prior rafting experience. We highly recommend this company and especially our guide Bryce! We will be returning when we are in the area again!

This place is awesome. Sean was great and always in control. The Pigeon River was a fun/challenging rafting experience. The team prepped everyone, felt completely safe, but make no doubt this is a challenge. I had my 12 and 14 year old with me and they had a blast, they got full instructions and were comfortable. I'd highly recommend River Rat and Sean!

We had the most amazing experience! We were first time white water rafters, but Van, Ashley and Myranda made sure our experience was extreme but also made us feel super safe. It was truly unbelievable! An experience of a lifetime and now thanks especially to our guide Van, we cannot wait to plan another white water rafting trip! He went over anything we could have dreamed of to make our trip down the rapids the most amazing memorable time possible!

100 out of 10! What an amazing time we had! We got to shoot the rapids. Surf the river! My so. Even got to swim! Shane was our guide and I would recommend him to everyone. He did such a great job getting us into the right spots and making sure we had fun! Best rafting company around! Next time we come we will definitely be a River Rat!!!

There were many Outfitters to choose from in the area. I am 100% convinced we chose the best one. From the time we arrived until we left it was tons of fun and lots of laughs. We were lucky enough to have Liam as our guide. This guy was on it. He asked how adventurous we wanted to be and we said, "Make it as adventurous as you can!" He delivered! Boy, did he deliver! We got soaked! We all loved it! We are hooked on white water rafting and are already looking at other places in the country to go. If you are trying to figure out the best rafting company In the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area I strongly recommend River Rat!

This has been a bucket list item for our family for years and we only had a small window of time to river raft during our stay in Tennessee. After reading several reviews and emailing a few companies, this company was the one we ultimately went with based on their level of communication and willingness to help as we are not locals. They were very easy to communicate with, provided reminders and gave us plenty of preparation details prior to our arrival. Knowing it was going to be cold day in mid- March, we still had an amazing time.They provided wearable gear which kept us dry and warmer than expected and we loved the pictures they captured of our family which were very affordable. We were a family of 4 with 2 kids, 10 and under, and the kids had a blast. The experience was well worth it and the staff was great overall. I especially appreciated how the staff was inclusive of the kids and explained the directions/expectations at level they understood. We loved their positive vibes and historical knowledge of the river and will certainly be back.

Our family took the white-water rafting tour while visiting during spring break. Our family had an amazing time, all the people were great! We filled 2 rafts and 1 of them had the young ones in our group ages 12 yrs to 8 yrs. Our young girls were pretty nervous but our guide Barbie was amazing with them, their fear melted away and they became excited and brave. Thank you Barbie for being so great with them, they still talk about you and the adventure! Also big shout out to Bryce, he was our guide for the adult raft. Bryce was so funny and knowledgeable! Thanks again to the crew of River Rat for a great adventure and memory! Pics were awesome!

Our family had a great experience with this company. It was easy to book online. The people on-site were very friendly. The bus ride from their site to the river is entertaining. Our guide named Chewy was fun. We had some first time rafters so he was careful to try not to flip our boat (as much as he can prevent), yet added just enough extra to make it adventurous. We would use this company again.

The best experience rafting, I was nervous at first, but once in the water all the stress is gone. The mountains are beautiful. The staff is excellent. everyone was really nice and kind. I m very happy to checked off one if my things to do at ghe Smokeys. Bring a change if clothes, there are showed in the facility including hot water💧. 😉

What a great experience for 10 friends from out of town. We didn’t know what to expect and we’re made to feel right at home the second we walked in. Our guide Matt, was excellent! Just the right amount of fun with a focus on safety and a healthy dose of storytelling about the River, the area and the rapids. There were a handful of rafting companies in the area and we are so grateful we chose River Rat!!

Was the first time water rafting and it could not have been any better! Staff all around were great and our guides were phenomenal! We did an all day pass and on our first go we had Polly who was an absolute blast! She made sure our experience was so fun and joyful, she was a blast to talk to, ohhh yeah! Our second trip was with Tito and he was beyond funny! He was just as good and he made our trip a little more extreme per our request! So many funny stories and such a delight! River Rat takes the time to truly go above and beyond which on the water it showed as we did things other places didn’t! If you want a great experience I highly encourage you come here and hope you get Polly or Tito as it was amazing we hope to come back!

Awesome trip! Our guide, Tate (Summer), was great and made the trip even better. Thanks for a great experience!

We had Spencer as our tour guide and he was absolutely amazing! We had a wonderful experience down the rafts and had lots of great laughs. The staff is positive and funny and the price of the trip was priced good. We will definitely be going back on our next trip to Tennessee!

Best experience for our kids first time rafting. Ewok was an amazing and fun guide and knew exactly how to make our trip the best

The best first experience and adventure ever we had :) Everything was so much fun and joy!!! We came to visit Smokey mountains from Virginia, Virginia Beach with a 26 people… all instructors were super professional and very knowledgeable about their skills and how to make us happy :) we all highly recommend it!!! we all are so appreciative for everything 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 It was Blast and the best positive vibes ever :)

Great experience with wonderful people! The staff and guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Booking was simple, facilities were clean, easy access to location. This was our first rafting experience and our family will definitely be back for more!!

The four of us booked the reservation online for the upper river trip a few days earlier. No coupons needed, but the best prices that we found. One word to the wise, do NOT use google maps if you are coming from the Pigeon Forge area. It took us down a one lane narrow road (I swear I heard banjos playing), like 1 car lane narrow for almost 10 miles. Get on 40E and take it to exit 447. It is right off the highway.We got there early and were able to get off about 30 minutes ahead of our time. There was gear to get on and make sure it fit properly, then a ride to the launching point, and a safety talk. The safety talk has to cover all the what ifs (including the dangers), but like flying on a commercial airliner, they have to do it.Matt was our guide (a very experienced one) and made it fun for us first timers. He even took us down a couple of the rapids backwards to check it off the bucket list as he said. He was very engaging, knew the area well, and was also very personal. It definitely wasn't a canned script. If you get an opportunity, request Matt.The photo package was worth it.

Absolutely amazing experience! Our guide Anna was very friendly and showed us a great time. I loved the panoramic moves and the rowdy tipping. Ewok was the other guide for our large group and he had excellent humor and stories as well. We got to experience a quick save of some people who fell out and the River Rat company of boats all assembled in formation to get all of the swimmers and paddles back in the other company’s raft. Steve is a changed man. Thank you to Anna for the ice cream recommendation as well, Sweet Toad was delicious!!

Nick was our guide & we had a blast!! Everyone was super fun & helpful. Would definitely book again!

Loved, loved, loved our River Rat adventure! Our guide Spencer was great with our kids and taught us so much about the river while making it this the highlight of our 2 1/2 week road trip! Also, get the photo package- you will not regret it!

We had a great time! Very nice facility with restrooms, showers and changing rooms if you come back wet. Very friendly staff and our guide Ewok made sure we had an amazing experience!

4.9

(911)

5.0

(907)

3630 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 37753, USA

We did the “upper” rafting tour. Which consists of level 3 & 4 rapids. The upper is for those who like adventure/challenge/adrenaline dumps.The “lower” rafting tour is more suited for families with small children and/or elderly people who are not usually physically active. The lower consists of level 1 & 2 rapids, with more “flat” water.Our rafting guide was Heather and she was great! Just listen to your rafting guide and you will have a fun and safe time! And yes, you will have to row a paddle but they will teach you how.

Everyone there was super nice, friendly, and welcoming. The rope course had different levels for each person’s comfortability. The guides for the rope course made sure to explain the rules and that they could assist throughout the whole course. There is a chance for rope blisters, but the staff had first aid prepared. To avoid blisters, one could ask for some gloves. The guides for the zip lining were very experienced and could show off their tricks on the line. It was cool to see and a great experience!

Amazing experience credit to our guid Patrick. He gave us a tailored experience with more excitement than the others. Hands down a great guy. Everything was organized, safe and fun. Will definitely return!

So much fun for our family! Our youngest is 12 and didn't have a problem with the rapids at all. All of the staff is super friendly and the guides playfully banter with each other as the groups go down the river. Our guide Elias was awesome! HIGHLY recommend you go with this rafting group!

Just finished our trip and had a great time! Bobby was our guide and he was great. Everyone seemed great and seemed to really love their jobs! Would definitely recommend these folks! And then go grab some amazing food from Grab It n Growl food truck a block away

Lexi was our Rafting Guide and she was amazing. Lock your feet in and follow all instructions from your guide. Zip lining was John and Eric, and they were a blast! Highly recommended!

This was our second time to go white water rafting as a family and everyone had a wonderful time.Our guide was great and answered am off our questions. The rapids were mostly class 2 but we did guy a couple class 4's along the way.We also went Ziplining as part of a combo deal we bought. The Ziplining was good, not great. The family felt rushed through the course.I am still giving the entire experience 5 stars because we enjoyed ourselves that much overall.

It's my first time doing it with my family and it was awesome. Went there 08/09/23 rafting time 1:00pm-2:30pm, our guide was Brad, he is fun and knowledgeable about the waters. He even gave some useful tips to my son as his co-captain for the boat. A definitely must do when you visit Tennessee.

As someone that can't swim and was terrified the entire time leading up to it, I truly appreciate our guide Elias! His jokes and puns and reassurance made the experience more fun. I felt safe with him as my guide!

We've gone rafting in the Pigeon River for several years and this year was the best, it was also our first time with 'Rafting in the Smokies'. All the guides get along great, good communication and an informative fun time. Isabella was 10/10 and deserves a raise. 👏 Overall I feel like it was more efficiently ran and a smooth process for checking in/getting back with this company. Bring your water shoes, and a change of clothes. There are also showers here for afterwards!

Amazing experience! My fiancé and I had never been whitewater rafting until yesterday. Koda was our guide. He was very friendly, funny and knowledgeable about the area and whitewater rafting. He was easy to talk to as well and recommended tasty pizza at a restaurant in Gatlinburg after we asked what restaurants in the surrounding areas had gluten free food. The experience surpassed our expectations and was such a blast! Highly recommend to anyone that’s considering the adventure. It’s worth it! And from hearing conversations from other groups, it appears that everyone is in great hands regardless of the guide they get! They all seem very experienced which makes a difference if you feel a little nervous/anxious trying something new.

Had a great time in our rafting trip. Our guide B was awesome and made the trip even more fun. She asked if we wanted the wild ride, or the regular. My teens opted for the wild ride and it was a blast. Splashed everywhere, bumping up and down , and even taking a swim in the (very cold) river.

TRENT was the most incredible guide!! Our entire group (kids were 5, 10, and 13!) had an absolute blast. He was fun, funny, knowledgeable and overall just a great person. You’d be so lucky to have him! All the other staff was patient and helpful. This is definitely the company you want to raft with! Hope to see you in GR Trent! You rock!

Fantastic experience! Our guide was Hobbit and he was highly skilled and entertaining. The rapids ranged from 1-4 and were lots of fun. Definitely would recommend this company! All of the raft groups were having a great time.

Great experience. We had our kids out for their first time. Stanley and Lars explained safety and put them at ease. Super friendly and patient. Great experience and beautiful river views. Food nearby or picnic tables for packed lunches.

We had an amazing time with Doug! He was super friendly and informative. Felt like he made it his mission to show us the best time possible. Everyone there was great and took care of us. 100% recommend Rafting In The Smokies!!

4.8

(1442)

5.0

(3295)

3595 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 37753, USA

+66 other lists

Excellent arboretum full of beautifully curated displays, fun for the entire family regardless of season! Wonderful outdoor trails to meander peacefully. Huge train exhibit with live plants was really neat and inspiring. Bonsai garden was pretty even though it’s off season. Lots of cool educational nature exhibits inside too. Absolutely stunning welcome center, though the staff totally ignored me, but that was fine because I was able to locate what I needed by myself. Also, great educational program with dedicated area for future outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, a great experience minus the lack of customer service inside the welcome center. Would recommend.

One of the most beautiful and well kept gardens anywhere! Immaculate care of everything. Don't miss the Bonsai Garden or miniature train area with Thomas and amazing the Bonsai plants in railroad area. Amazing and varied walking trails. Great gift shop. Nearly every plant or tree has marker description. Just amazing for $20.00 car entry fee.

We’ve been here twice and we loved it both times. So much to see! There are easy and difficult hikes. Everything is well marked. The staff is always so helpful. We love the bonsai exhibit. First Tuesday of the month is half price!

The Bloom with a View event offered beautiful displays of flowers and plants in time for spring. The trails were very easy as well. We spent about 4 to 5 hours here on a late weekday morning. Most of the visitors were older until a school bus came with about 30 kids, but they had a staff and a few other adults guiding them so they did not get in the way of the visitors.

We were in Asheville for a long weekend and I was trying not to overdo the hiking since I was trying to recover from an injury. We decided to come here for the afternoon after a short hike in the morning.I had heard good things, but this place still surpassed my expectations! It's a pretty big place and there are even more traditional trails through the wooded area.It's $16 to park, but there is technically no entrance fee so you might be able to bike in for free.Unfortunately, we didn't plan ahead and the Bonsai exhibit was closed for the day (closes at 5 and everything else is open until 7 or 9 depending on the time of year). What we could see from the outside looked cool though.This is a great spot to spend a few hours exploring. It looks really cool in the winter with Christmas lights too from what I've seen online.

Such a beautiful and well maintained place. 16 bucks to park and the rest is free unless you decide to buy some $3 succulents. The bonsai exhibit was absolutely beautiful. A miniature redwood tree? One of the cutest things I've seen. The flowers are breathtaking as well. I highly recommend this place for its awe inspiring beauty.

The Arboretum is stunning! The gardens are so peaceful and beautiful to walk through. There were musicians playing music outside the bistro, which set such a fun mood. And when the heat gets to be too much, the visitor's center and gift shop have excellent air conditioning. There's also a water fountain with a water bottle filler. We appreciated that the Arboretum was dog and family friendly.

We loved this place! The gardens were beautifully designed by Frank Law Olmstead and have to be seen to be believed. Beautiful nature trails wind through the entire area and there are plenty of benches to take a break or just take in the scenery. This place is magical. We were fortunate to spot a mother bear, her two cubs and a copperhead on the trail. The trails are well marked and pretty easy to traverse. If I lived here I would be hiking at the Arboretum several days a week. The bistro served a great lunch - The Hungry Hiker Salad with a scoop of curried chicken salad was delicious! Don’t miss the bonsai exhibit!

Loved the winter lights show! A massive amount of colored lights which was a perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. We got there early on a Thursday so it wasn’t too busy! As the crowd picked up it was still a very comfortable crowd level. Highly recommended!

We love the Arboretum for so many reasons! There are special exhibits, live music (wine), displays, trails, hiking, biking and more! You’re surrounded by nature & it’s beauty! And it’s dog friendly (just be mindful)!

This is a really nice park. I personally love walking so for me this place has plenty of trails. There are a ton of decorations around here for Christmas so I highly recommend coming here after dark during the Christmas season. They also had a really nice gift shop at the building that's past all of the decorations.

This place is a steal with only a sixteen dollar parking fee. Everything else was free to enter and explore. Give yourself a few hours to walk and enjoy the gardens and trails. The bonsai exhibit was very well laid out. There is plenty of photo opportunities and great mountain views throughout the park. I would recommend a visit here.

Amazing first visit here. We will definitely return. It was one of the nicest gardens we've ever visited. The design and layout were obviously well thought out and painstakingly built. The Bonsai exhibit was extraordinary! We could have easily spent a whole day here. We can't wait to come back.$20 per vehicle for parking, no cost for the Arboretum. You can use your parking stub as $20 towards an annual membership.

This is an absolute “must” if you visit Asheville. It was very easy to jump right in and engage in some nature walks.The navigation MIGHT lead you to a side road through a neighborhood. In which case, the road to the arboretum is two lights over. We luckily had a very nice lady who was an attendant in the campsite parking help us with directions.You pay $20 per car, and go straight up to the parking. The parking lot is right near the main education center which leads right onto a “red” nature trail that isn’t that advanced. You can do the nature hike, or start with the Bonsai and Quilt garden as pictures, as well as other curated natural exhibits, right next to the education center.*we brought some binoculars, which was fun because you will spot some red squirrels and other birds. It can be fun to try to find these critters as you navigate the hikes. We watched a squirrel build a nest from the comfort of a bench!*Gotta go to the Arboretum!

Loved shooting Brittany and Jakes's summer wedding portraits at the NC Arboretum! The relaxed vibe here is perfect for my intimate, candid photography style. The couples were themselves, laughing and having fun - just like hanging out with friends. The light, the composition, everything so inspired me! It's a dream location for any photographer who loves to tell unique love stories. And the best part? Seeing the joy in their eyes when they saw their stunning, personal images. Five stars for sure!

We had an incredible day here. The gardens are beautiful, and the bonsai collection outstanding. There was an exhibit about the manufacturing of perfume, related to flower cultivation that is a real treat for the senses. There are "sniffer" tubes set up, so that you can smell different perfume scent sources. A harp trio played in the garden, and the tranquility was so pleasant. What a place to unwind, and get in touch with your soul! Go there!

Me and my Dad go here regularly. They do a wonderful job making this place bloom. I especially love the bonsai exhibit, which is up during the warmer months. There is a toy train that runs if you get there early in the day. Christmas they do lights and it's so wonderful 😍 ✨️ all year long this is a fun place to visit and I always look forward to it.

We love coming here. So many beautiful lights. Everyone will definitely love it. There's plenty of room to walk around. The little ones will love the trains. There's hot chocolate, soft drinks, food, gift shops, and restrooms. Lots to enjoy and see .

A family favorite, every spring, summer and fall! They always have a new exhibit experience, plus the gardens and miniature train town is fun for all ages to enjoy. Easy trails to walk or longer ones if you want. Plus a nice cafe or great areas to bring your own picnic.

Had a small elopement at the Heritage garden and it was honestly so professional and lovely! Thank you so much to the staff that allowed our dream event happen. Stephanie Carter was so accommodating and flexible. She was super attentive and engaged with everything. They even helped coordinate on the day of which I am honestly so grateful for. They also drove us around to take pictures around the venue and I'm so so grateful for them because walking around in a wedding dress is hard. They went above and beyond for us! The bridal waiting area has a full size mirror, a smaller close up mirror that lights up, a place to hang your clothes, and a lot of charger which was very much needed.Overall we were so happy with the service and the location!Thank you so much!

The best place to leisurely experience the nature of the North Carolina words while appreciating the lengths that gardening can go to. I love this place at every season. Entrance for a car full of people for a whole year was $50. It's my favorite place to unwind, enjoy the sun, and read a book.

As a member, this is one of our favorite places to walk our dog through the grounds and trails.I usually enjoy looking at all the flowers and large planter displays.This late March visit, I was surprised that not very much was in bloom yet, the Quilt Garden was empty and the Planters were not done.So, it was enjoyable to see what little signs of Spring had popped up.Looking forward to our next visit to see the Tulip beds in bloom!

We didn’t have enough time to explore everything but it’s beautiful and well maintained. I am sure you can spend hrs if you want to walk all the trails and visit all exhibits. Entrance fees of 20 per vehicle covers parking and admission. We went there at end of March and lot of plants didn’t have leaves yet. Most of bonsai section was empty because of colder temperatures.

This is one of the most beautiful garden settings I’ve ever seen. There are many activities and educational programs that go on here.Before I start, let me tell you that dogs are welcome. However, they are not welcome inside of the Baker visitor center.there are many beautiful native trails that are surrounded by plants and trees. The trails are nicely cared for and just about anyone could hike them.There’s an amphitheater, A gift shop, dining and picnics. A waterway and a pond escape. There’s an education center and a bonsai exhibit.I could go on and on. If you love trailing, botanical things, trees,taking pictures and being outside you could spend the whole day here.Have a great adventure ♥️

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The North Carolina Arboretum, and it was a delightful experience. Nestled in the scenic beauty of Asheville, this arboretum offers a tranquil oasis for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.The gardens at the arboretum are meticulously maintained, showcasing a diverse range of native plants and flowers. Walking through the various themed gardens, from the peaceful Japanese garden to the vibrant Southern Appalachian garden, was a feast for the senses. Each garden section offers something unique, from colorful blooms to serene water features.

The North Carolina Arboretum was a wonderful stop during our visit to North Carolina. We went in late October, and the foliage was midway through its transformation. I observed lovely flowers and bonsai trees that were incredibly well-maintained and cared for. I would highly recommend this destination to anyone passing through. It was a wonderful and incredible facility.

You have to pay for parking, but entry to the NC Arboretum itself is free. I didn't mind the parking fee at all, because I'm sure it goes toward caring for the grounds and the people who work there. I took my mom through here and we both enjoyed it. I wheeled Mom around in her wheelchair very easily. There were so many different types of flowers, shrubs, and trees. There's also a small train track and town display. We could've spent so much more time just taking in all of the beauty, but it began to sprinkle, so we went inside to grab gifts and we were on our way. We took lots of photos and will have fun looking back on the memories. The bonsai tree displays had my imagination running wild!The staff were all very kind, other guests were polite, and everything was clean and well cared for. This is a must see, if you're in the area. We had a blast!!

4.8

(6557)

4.5

(2812)

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, USA

+45 other lists

Loving this River Art District in Asheville! 😍. A hub of 300+ artists collective to meet, chat with and appreciate is such a unique experience!HOWEVER, the key locations to visit are scattered and without planning ahead, I accidentally walked 30,000+ steps in 4 hours! 😥 very tired indeed!So, NOTE for future visits:START the day with ULTRA Coffeebar (great coffee and breakfast),THEN park at WEDGE brewing company to visit the studios in its building (also because they open earlier),THEN drive to lunch at 12 BONES (best BBQ in town), visit the street arts, studios, Marquee and have a wine tasting at Plēb Urben Winery nearby before youMOVE to the other side of the railway - the studios on Depot st. near the Magnetic Theatre and,END the day with a meal at Vivian (make sure to reserve a table in advance for this small and special dinner place)!AND that would be a perfect day for River Art District! 👌

Love all the street art and cute shops ! Def worth stopping by ti check out. Great spot to tak photos and check out some talented artists.

Enjoyed walking around this area. Some great art work and reasonable prices. The graffiti on the buildings is a great addition to the artisan atmosphere.

A MUST see if ever in the area. I love the painted murals all over the River Arts District. Not only was it extremely creative but beautiful to look at. All the shops and buildings in this area are covered in graffiti style art. Great area to explore.

4.5

(1414)

4.0

(1318)

3 River Arts Pl, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

1 list

Love the Biltmore Inn. The views are spectacular. Food is delicious....breakfast especially. Rooms are comfy with nice little extras. Staff is very helpful.

My husband and I decided on a whim, to pack a bag and head to The Biltmore House. Neither of us had been, and we were bored. We stayed at The Biltmore Inn. From the moment we arrived... to the moment we left, everything was amazing. We will absolutely be back when we can stay longer than a night. I absolutely love the view from the deluxe terrace rooms. So beautiful and dreamy. And dinner at the on-site restaurant downstairs was superb.

Absolutely wonderful place to stay. Great restaurants, great lounge with big fireplace as well as nice outside firepits

Enjoyed an amazing First Class Afternoon Tea in the Dining Room. The staff were top notch in thier attention and kindness. The tea was simply the best I have had of tea services I have experieced all over the world. The view was breathtaking. Splendid Holiday decor. Topped off with delicious food and tea.

A great experience, tours were so informative, professional and friendly.

We went there for our honeymoon for a week. The valet were excellent and very nice. The front desk, not so much. We were not fans of the front desk. Every person we encountered working there while on our stay was snobby and rude.The rooms are pretty basic to me. I live about 30 minutes from the West Baden in Indiana and I was just expecting more from the Inn, I suppose. I would rate the Inn a 3/5 on service and friendliness compared to the West Baden. The view is a 10/10. That is perfect and I'm assuming that's why you pay so much to stay there.Also the "Library" lounge is not a library. It's the "common area" essentially. The drinks are outrageous. We paid $63 for two drinks. Bloody Mary's are $20.. for one shot of vodka lol. Those are like $5 where I live. It was a jump scare. Don't get food delivered to your room either. We wanted a quick lunch while we were getting ready one day. So we ordered one sandwich to split and a Tito's and cranberry... $65 dollars. It's just extortion really. The food was good but not worth $45.If we come back to Asheville, we would probably stay in a cabin & getting a day pass or at the hotel on the Biltmore. The house tour, the kayaking, the trails, the E-Bikes were all really fun. We just didn't like the Inn and our experience. Also, eat at the Bistro and Cedric's! Both very good and very friendly service and staff.Also we were told the pool was heated and would be open on our stay, it wasn't. But the hotels was. So all around, I would just stay at the hotel. It's essentially the same thing but friendlier.

The inn was very welcoming. Complimentary wine every day in the lobby was a nice touch. The turn-down service was one of the best of all my hotel stays! They even tied up the phone charging plugs with a silky red ribbon that has the Vanderbilt insignia. One major disappointment is the room felt damp at all times!

Love staying here. From the rooms, the food and drinks, the absolute best.

We have had passes to Biltmore for years. Our daughter got married there. We're so grateful for one of N.C.'s greatest treasures. Sometimes, though, their reach for profit exceeds their mission and value proposition. We had not eaten at Biltmore Inn for perhaps a year or so. So we pulled up to Inn to valet park (raining hard). The valet informed us we would have a $20 parking fee for this lunch! Didn't make me very happy. This was NEW. Then we went downstairs for lunch and they informed us that they had transformed downstairs dining room into the "tea room" for afternoon tea and that upstairs in the library where high tea had been held, they were serving lunch. So we go back upstairs and were seated after long wait. They brought menu..... it was not lunch ... it was snacks and appetizers to be taken with drinks! Ugh! So at the Biltmore Inn, now, one cannot have a lunch!!!!! The Inn guests have to leave the hotel if they want to take lunch. The demand for (and profitability of) afternoon tea was large enough to move it downstairs to more capacity and lunch was eliminated, but we were inaccurately guided to library for snacks and appetizers ...... at one time there they even served hamburgers etc. NOT NOW.I expect more from the Biltmore Inn.

Staying at Builtmore Inn comes with the great perk of shuttle service on the estate.Food and service as expected for for its ratings.

Our experience at the Inn was nearly perfect from beginning to end.We stayed in the Inn @ Room 259. I was disappointed that we didn’t have a mountain view, but the room was perfect, and we did have a terrace that offered substantial privacy when sitting outside. [I assumed a terrace would come with a mountain view, and I was wrong.]The valet & bellhop were outstanding, as was the front desk, the concierge, and all of the wait staff. We were treated with the utmost respect and never got bad vibes.We took the early morning tour of the Biltmore Mansion and it is HIGHLY recommended.We ate one night @ the Inn and the experience was fantastic! The service was perfect and the meal was delicious. We started with the crab cake, and both ordered filets, then finished with the creme brulee…………like seriously - how can you complain?The $30 +/- co*cktails were pricey, but then you take in the priceless views and suddenly the drinks seemed like a fair value!CONS:The website is very confusing. The difference between the Hotel, the Inn, & the Home is not clear at all, and the room descriptions could use some work.I ordered the embroidered robe for my wife, and it was probably 4 sizes too big. I contacted guest services and they said they only offer one size fits all. It was really only meant to be a keepsake, but perhaps one of my boys will grow up to be a 2x or 3x!Great job Biltmore – we have told several friends how much we enjoyed our stay and we are proud to have been your guests.

This is much more than a place to stay while visiting Biltmore: it's an experience in and of itself. We stayed here for two nights while celebrating our anniversary last week. Everything was pleasantly over-the-top - just as a stay at the Biltmore must have been. The property, the location, the staff, the accommodations, the view, the shopping, the food. All exceeded our expectations. Definitely worth the stay.

We spent $450 for tickets, gas and food for 1 day - 2 people. NOT worth the money; gardens and art exhibit were a big disappointment. When we purchased the tickets they told us the spring flowers would be planted, dogwoods and wisteria would be in bloom. Minimal annuals were planted, in fact they were just in the process of digging up dead tulips, so that is what we paid to see. We had to seek out the dogwoods and didn't see 1 wisteria in bloom. Art exhibit was a joke. A projection of renaissance art on the walls, no actual prints to view.

4.5

(77)

5.0

(2287)

One Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

5⭐️+! This was the most beautiful trail ride I have ever been on. The staff, the guides, the facilities were top notch. We had 3 kids- 2 who have never rode before and they did great🙌. We did the 2-hour trails and enjoyed every minute!! Highly recommend Jackie and his incredible family❤️

We went on the 3 hour trail ride to the mine. It was beautiful. Nice easy ride. You do not need to have any experience to do this. They have stairs to help you onto the horse. Loved the company of the dogs. Everyone involved was friendly and helpful. Even strangers at the mine helped us find some treasure to take home!

Amazing experience at Sandy Bottom Trail Rides! We have done a few other trail rides and this place exceeded all expectations! They are so professional and gave us an amazing trail ride for 13 people! The horses were very well kept and seemed healthy and happy!

10/10 My girlfriend & I are both first time riders which led to us choosing the 1 hour ride which was perfect for us as beginners but after the amazing experience & views… we are planning to do the 3 hour ride next time hopefully with guide Paul again who was knowledgeable & made us feel comfortable the whole ride. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

My best friend and I decided last minute to go horseback riding and we had so much fun! We called and made a quick reservation for an hour long ride. It was just the two of us and the service was amazing! The guide, Josh, was really nice and respectful and talked to us the whole time. The views were gorgeous and the ride was slow enough that we had plenty of photo opportunities. We enjoyed ourselves so much we even thought about going on another ride! We would definitely recommend Sandy Bottom Trail Rides to anyone looking to go horseback riding!

Went on a 2 hour Sandy Bottom Trail ride for a bachelorette trip and had such a wonderful experience. The owner was so welcoming and kind. He even gave some of us jackets who weren’t dressed warm enough. Our tour guide Matt was informative, kind, and funny. Great price for the scenic views and the amount of time riding. Overall such a wonderful time, we will definitely be back!!

I'm from Miami, Florida, while in Ashville, My family and i visited sandy bottom trail rides yesterday and we all loved it! An amazing experience for my kids whom have never ridden a horse before, the scenery is amazing, the horses are very well trained and kept. The staff is very professional and friendly, the entire place is beautiful. I'd recommend sandy bottom trail rides to whomever wants to have a good time and wants to enjoy the amazing scenery of the mountains, in the hands of truly professional and friendly tour guides. I'd give this 5 more stars if i could. We will be back next year! Keep up the amazing work!

This place was amazing. It was amazing to have my husband (a person of color) be treated like a normal human in a "predominantly Caucasian activity", which hasn't been our experience in the past at other establishments. The views were great, the guide was great, the staff was all super kind and professional, and the experience was wonderful. I wish I didn't live States away so we could go more often.

Had a great time on the 3 hour tour. Lucas and Neil were our guided and helped us when needed. I’ve seen some complaints about a silent tour and to be honest, I enjoyed the peace and quiet which was a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Views were fantastic and the horses were fun. Thanks guys! We might be back for a fall at some point!

Wow! What a fun ride! My mom and I went on the 1 hour ride with Josh as our guide and he was awesome! He was very kind, made great conversation, gave great tips, and he made my mom and I feel extremely safe. I rode on Gracie, who was so sweet and stopped to snack on some plants on the way and my mom rode Alli, the absolute sweetest mule. The views of the property were UNREAL and we chatted with the owner, who was extremely kind and gave us some history of the business. Overall, we have a wonderful experience and the staff was SO friendly. The dogs on the property were extremely sweet, as well. Can't wait to come back next time we visit! Thank you Josh and Sandy Bottom Trail Rides Team!

My wife and I were on a trip and decided to come for a ride (she is an avid rider). Horses were well trained and well fed. And our guide, Josh, was fun to ride with and attentive. The views on the 2-hour ride were everything we hoped for as well! We’ll be back whenever we’re back in town. Highly recommend!

We did the one hour ride and this was our first time here. It was wonderful! Our guide, Heather, was awesome, fun and very nice. Family friendly. They teach you how to ride/guide your horse which is great for those who are beginners with riding. From researching multiple other horse trail businesses, this one was the only one I could find with panoramic views of the mountains and the view was breathtaking! It started snowing while we were on the trail. The whole experience was great! We’ll be back for longer rides.

My husband Patrick and I are vacationing in the Asheville area and we booked a three hour trail ride ride with Sandy Bottom Trail Rides. Upon arrival, we were met by a friendly gentleman that welcomed us. After getting some friendly instruction, we saddled up and set off for what would we a truly memorable experience. Thank you Heather for being a genuinely kind and knowledgeable guide and for engaging us in conversation throughout the ride. Keep up the good work and continue to take good care of those sweet horses!

Wonderful experience! I took my two sons, and everything was great. One of my sons rode by himself, and my 4 year old rode with me. Our guide was so attentive to my 6 year old and made sure he was safe and comfortable. Our saddles were checked multiple times, and they went above and beyond to keep our group together and remind us of what to do. We will definitely visit again! The hour-long ride was perfect for two, small kids.

Awesome hosts!! I went for the Garnet mine and it def does not disappoint. They show you what to look for and are helpful with any questions. Also they give you a well described map to make your way there. This location is easy to access and I was able to make it to the mine with a lowered sports car.

Remote in the mountains outside Asheville - friendly staff, easy riding horses, beautiful scenery. We did the 1 hour ride but kind of wish we did the 3 hour and saw the mine.

We had such a great experience with our guide, Shelby. She had great knowledge of horses and respect for them. The ride was smooth and it was a perfect day for riding. The horses were sweet and seemed well cared for. We also enjoyed the dogs who came along for the ride. Will definitely recommend this family business to others who plan to visit the Asheville area.

What a joy! I brought my daughter here for her birthday and we did a 2 hour ride. We got Matt as a guide and he was absolutely amazing. He was always asking questions and also trying to make people better riders.The place has amazing scenery and it makes it feel very special. We loved every minute of it. Thanks for making today special!

I love Sandy Bottom Trail Rides. A friend said they were going and I jumped at the opportunity. Everyone who works there are horse living professionals. I wanted Ed a gentle ride with about any drama. They gave me Lady, who truly was! Our trail guides, Matt in chaps & James in shorts, helped a young boy a lot and a sweet Ups-syndrome ride as well. And made ill six of us feel welcome. I’ll be back!They have more than 60 horses so all are treated with their best health in mind.

Absolutely fantastic experience! It was my husband and I and our kids, 11 and 12 years old, first time horseback riding. We did an hour ride, which was perfect for us beginners. They made us feel comfortable and safe because the horses were well-trained. The trail was breathtaking through the gorgeous mountain. We all loved it and would recommend this place.

4.8

(535)

5.0

(384)

1459 State Rd 1125, Marshall, NC 28753, USA

3 lists

This was a highly romantic treat for my wife and I. We arrived 15 minutes early and we're escorted to our private tub and cabana. Staff was polite and accommodating. The water was at an excellent temperature. The experience was super romantic and relaxing. There was a shower, ample seating with an overhead heater and a gas fire. Would have been a solid 5* if....Despite the sign on the wall stating (I am paraphrasing) that there would be no refund or credit for malfunctioning water jets, that they sell hot spring water.In my opinion, I believe for what they charge especially in the high end cabanas the expectation of properly working hot tubs is just. Ours had one jet that sprayed above the water line and had multiple nozzles missing. We ended up shutting off the jacuzzi completely. Maintenance is a must if you run a business, not hanging signs that justify the lack there of.

We enjoyed this overall but didn’t feel like we got the appropriate experience or customer service for what we paid. We booked 90 minutes but they came to shut off the tub 15 minutes early. They tell you it’s a “5 minute warning” but the tub starts draining and is empty within 90 seconds. Not really a warning, you have to get out right then. We unfortunately forgot to bring towels and asked them for some. They said “no we don’t do that” - so I’m just going to have to wipe myself off with my clothes in 40 degree weather at night? I mean seriously, just offer towels for $5 or something. It’s a resort, they must have towels on site. As we’re walking back in wet clothes, we approached the back door which was locked, so we had to walk back down and around to the front. Surely the employees near the spa could have let us know? For a town with tourism as the main industry, they weren’t very friendly and we felt like we were bothering them by wanting an enjoyable experience. The tub closest to us was full of people howling laughing and talking loudly, even though you’re supposed to be quieter, so we could hardly hear the creek running and really did not get a great experience for what we paid. It’s a shame because the mineral spa itself was incredible, but they’re really relying on people being willing to deal with all the other annoying stuff. We wouldn’t come back.

This was a great idea! We did the Lovers Leap hike which is right around the corner and then grabbed lunch and scheduled a 90 minute soak in the hot springs.(Don’t worry mom, we waited 30 minutes after lunch before we went in the water.)We got the skinny on this place ahead of time and booked hot spring #5 which is apparently the best one because it has a killer view.It really does.Bring plenty of water and prepare yourself to chill the heck out.

I absolutely loved my time here. My husband took me to Hot Springs, NC as a romantic suprise birthday trip and booked us an hour in the Hot Springs bath. We had such a relaxing time and will definitely be back. The hot springs baths are private, quiet and offer picturesque views. The jacuzzi style tub was so relaxing. The hot mineral water left us both feeling calm and rejuvenated. The establishment was very clean, the staff was professional and made us feel very comfortable. There is seating available outside of the jacuzzi tub to take breaks from the hot water and a fan was also included which feels great while you soak. This was a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

The location is nice. The tub was fine. The water was warm.. not hot. Maybe it's something to do with the minerals? I expected it to be hot and was disappointed. I've been to hot tubs in the California bay area which had much nicer, all wooden tubs, water so hot you needed to drink water while in the tub, towels, free drinking water in every tub space, and cost ONE THIRD of the price that Hot Springs is charging. It was fine. But it was not worth $90.

We really enjoyed our time here. As an individual with limited mobility, it was kind of difficult to make the trek from the front office to the premium tub. Once we got to Tub #5, the walk was well worth it. The tub and fireplace right on the river was very serene and relaxing. We're looking forward to coming back. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Cool little spot! Soaking in the mineral bath was lovely and very relaxing. Our bath and cabana were clean. The views were beautiful. In terms of feedback, the water was warm, but not hot. The ability to adjust the water temperature would be great. The changing rooms were super small. It also would be nice if towels were provided.

We came to enjoy the mineral tubs. It was 35 degrees, snowing and amazing!! We booked the Signature tub and got the Cascade. It was beautiful. The tub was perfect! The heater and fire helped keep us from freezing! The mineral shower was great as well. We had a wonderful experience!!!

I can only speak for the basic service. They pump water from the hot springs into hot tubs. The view is good, and it's certainly a good way to relax. I wish they had cold baths in the rooms so that you could cool off quickly and get right back in the hot springs water. As it is, you have to cool off by standing in the open air before hopping back in. Not a bad way to spend the day, and it was certainly good for our sore muscles.

We just visited the Spa. It was very nice. Easy to navigate. The area we had was clean and the scenery was beautiful. We were on the river which was amazing. The hour was so relaxing and honestly I didn't want to leave.My only Complaint was with a GUEST who decided to take their liner from their bathing suit and plaster it on the wall.. do better visitors!

Loved soaking in these healing waters. You get a private booth and the tub is filled straight from the spring waters there. Temperature was fantastic, hot enough and warm enough. Beautiful view as you soak. Only thing is that no longer have massage offered, or any other services that could nicely complement a part soak experience.

My family and I came out from Florida. We love the farm, the cabins were cute with plenty of room for three people. Holden was very nice and helpful, we even met the real Franny at the love farm while sitting around a fire. We will definitely be returning!

With my sister, my nieces and a friend, I recently enjoyed time in one of their hot tubs. The location is beautiful, along a creek. There are cabins where we changed into swimsuits, then we were accompanied to our hot tub. There is a privacy wall and a bench to sit or set one’s bags. At first, the water is quite warm but one gets used to it quickly. The setting is near the creek with trees lining the area so one can enjoy bathing in a natural environment. People are allowed to bring snacks and beverages. Our rental was by the hour. One hour is plenty! I recommend taking breaks from the water as afterwords, one can feel nauseous due to overheating. It’s a special experience! We did not experience the hotel.

Been here several times and always have a relaxing time. Nice for a quick and close by break. Love the Sandbar House because there's room for family and we can soak in the mineral water hot tub on the deck at any time of day and as long as we want. Plus, we can cook in the well equipped kitchen and accommodate various individual dietary needs.

We didn’t stay at this hotel, but we came in from Asheville just for the soak, and it was our 18 year wedding anniversary. The staff from the resort to the tub area were nice and welcoming and helpful. The lady was sure to reassure us that they never come in the tub area ever so that was cool that they work to keep it private. It’s a beautiful location and we got the “deluxe” tub and enjoyed soooooo much that we were not only allowed to but ENCOURAGED to bring our own food and drink, so we brought a cute little picnic brunch for our soak, which made it all the more special! We also loved that it included a little cafe style dining area. I was skeptical at first that the tubs actually received mineral water as some other places fill with tap water and try to pass it off as “mineral” water, but I was pleasantly surprised that they indeed fill it with real mineral water and that was awesome! Just be sure to drink plenty of water after and maybe put on lotion as the salts etc will dry ya out after a good long soak! Very pleasant experience and to us it was easily worth the price!

We have visited hot springs resort and spa twice now and have enjoyed both experiences so much. Staff is very friendly and very good at getting you scheduled via phone. I highly recommend doing the high end tubs with the fire pit for 90 minutes. Very much worth it. Tub came with a shower. Two couches, two nice seats around the fire pit. Big circle tub, private kitchenette. Great place!

A friend and I visited here during the summer on a coldish and rainy day. Despite that, we had a great time!We were able to bring our own food and wine, relax in the hot spring tub, and we even had a river view. A Blue Heron even paid us a visit!The staff were super friendly and courteous. Plenty of chairs, showers, and both a covered and uncovered area to lounge (which helped with a bit of rain cooling us off from time to time).Truly a great experience and I'll definitely come back in the future!

I’m going to have to agree with other reviewers on several points. I had been looking forward to this experience for about a decade. I finally booked a signature tub with some friends to relax after a hike. There seem to be two ladies who handle the phones. One is incredibly friendly, patient and accommodating. The other leaves the impression that she really doesn’t want to be there.There are numerous Hot Springs Resort signs on both sides of the road, but where to turn for the office isn’t very clear (the sign saying check in at the office is at a different driveway. The correct driveway has white fencing and no mention of the office).TUBSFirst off, the deck area was fantastic and the view was beautiful. Unfortunately, you can only see the river from two seats in the tub unless you stand up or sit on the deck.I absolutely agree that the tubs only get warm, not hot. One lady in my group mentioned that right away and it was disappointing.The soak is not for 90 minutes, which seems implied by their write up on the website. You get use of the whole area for 90 minutes, including changing clothes. That really leaves no time to enjoy the deck and fire bowl.They knocked to give us the 5-minute warning, but like others mentioned, the water immediately begins draining so it’s less of a warning that your tub experience is coming to an end and more like “get out now.” The attendant knocked two more times while the other three ladies in our group were finishing up getting dressed. For a place built on relaxation, rushing us to vacate the building while changing clothes snapped us right out of that feeling.They need to make it clear that your tub time doesn’t allow for drying off and changing clothes, even in the signature tub where a shower and changing area are provided. We never even got to use the shower.You basically have 70 minutes to enjoy everything. It’s just not going to happen. For $180, it was underwhelming, especially when we all drove 3-5 hours each way for the experience.

I've always loved coming here for a special occasion. It's worth spending the money for the nicer soaking tubs. I will say I wish the water was as warm in the winter as it is in the summer, but I'll take it! If you come here, please don't pee outside of the tubs, walk to the bathroom. Nobody wants to smell urine when they spend good money to come and relax.

Pleasant atmosphere in a quiet and secluded area. Amenities are great, the grounds and paddocks are all kept pristine. Bathrooms are easily accessible, changing rooms on site, all kept clean and in good condition. Water smells free of chemicals and the jet streams felt great. Water was at an enjoyable temperature. Will come back again and again.

Camp spots are good next to the river. The actual spring tubs are ok, warm but not very hot. Maybe 100-102... I'm sure we'll go back at some point. Why 4 stars? What I paid for 2 nights and tub for an 1hr just didn't meet my expectations. There's definitely room for improvement.

Came here for the spa and it ruined me for the rest of the day. I haven’t been so relaxed in years. Just soaking for an hour watching the water roll by and hearing the wind in the leaves - it was awesome. You pay for your soak, there is a bathroom for you to change into. You go to the attendant and he will show you to your hot tub, which has just been cleaned and is now hot and ready to go. Bring your own food and drink and just enjoy the healing waters of Hot Springs. The hot tub sits in a small enclosure, open to the river but closed on the other three sides and roofed. They will knock at 10 minutes before your time is up. They will then pull the plug at 5. It’s absolutely wonderful!

We only used the hot tubs at this resort. Changing rooms were located on site and the tubs are private, but the water is only warm. The name of the town was changed from Warm Springs to Hot Springs, but we didn't find that out until after we booked our hot tub experience. The sound of the nearby creek was nice but our view was obstructed by dilapidated wires/bridge that crossed the creek. The experience was okay, but not something we plan to come back for.

This place runs on old days fame.It's outdated, Wi-Fi do not work, no shower in our suite, no breakfast, no bar, no amenities, no laundry room. Our bed mattress was so old with no support I was rolling into the middle ditch of it at night. The place was clean.When you advertise a place as a RESORT, I would expect all the mentioned above.For sure it is a "spa" kinda place with warm waters, not hot, and definitely far from any resort standards by any means.

I took my boyfriend on a trip here to enjoy their mineral baths. We opted for the “2 person 1 hour” in Tub3, and it was fabulous! The mineral bath tub had jets, was comfortably hot, and the fan provided a nice breeze. We loved the view, and we want to book again for late October (when fall is at its peak). We brought wine, but we had such a nice time we forgot to open it. An hour is far too short. We will definitely book for two hours next time!Additionally, I loved their customer service! When we arrived, there was an older couple who had been booked for the wrong day. The lady at the desk did her best to book them, so they wouldn’t have to return another day. I thought it was great customer service. That moment made me decide to post a review! We must uplift these businesses!

We loved cabin # 5. We were told that cabin #8 has the best sunsets. Our day was both rainy and sunny. Will definitely come back. Staff was friendly. Lots of parking. Camping Available too.

I love these hot mineral springs hot tubs. . They are cleaned well between appointments. The natural minerals make you body feel great. We went two nights in a row. My only negative issue is with the price increases. It is now $60 per one hour visit. They do have upgraded premium tubs, but I haven't tried those.

I didn't stay at the spa. I just went for the mineral spring baths. Despite fact that the weather was unexpectedly warm (80°+), the mineral bath was so relaxing. I felt like butter and so relaxed when I came out after soaking for an hour. It was the perfect way to end a day. Slept like a baby that night!

Incredible! For the price and the experience, it is definitely worth the trip. We booked for 90 minutes and were so disappointed and shocked when they told us our time was up. After every session, the water is drained, the tub is cleaned and refilled with the mineral water from the spring. You can bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. I suggest bringing them from a bigger town. Hot springs is very small. They do have a small grocery store that is worth going into. Just for treats you can't get other places. And the cool part is, Hot Springs is on the Appalachian Trail.

My partner and I stopped by yesterday for a day trip. We rented the bath house number 6, and we really enjoyed it. The only downside is that the water could be a little hotter for our personal liking, but the water was comfortable enough. We had a nice creekside view.

Just look at the name of this place. Say it out loud. Yeahhhh... that's how you're going to feel the whole time you're there. We spoiled ourselves and splurged on a Suite, but you can just tell the whole establishment is going to be just as awesome and relaxing. Private hot tub filled with the therapeutic goodness from the hot springs...whenever you want...as hot as you want. The sound of the French Broad river heard as you're relaxing in that hot tub. Ohhh Yeahhhh! Great people running the place. Every aspect of the entire facility is well maintained and clean, clean, clean. We did not feel like we were in a 'hotel' but just comfortably 'at home' while we were there. The local shops and food are GREAT! Make sure you stop by the Smoky Mountain Diner for at least one meal. Odds are you'll go back for at least one or two more. Pretty safe bet we'll be going back!

Beautiful and relaxing. We had tub #5 and we could see the French Broad river. It rained and then the sun came out, but we were happy in our tub with the fire pit. Would love to come back.

4.5

(2375)

4.0

(385)

315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

This was our first time white water rafting & had the best time! So much so that we want to plan more trips just for rafting! Jim was a great guide, calm, gave great instruction & encouragement, & good advice for other places to visit in the country for rafting. The weather & water was perfect, we stopped off for a snack & also let us jump off a rock right into the water which felt great! We got an opportunity to get off the raft and float down one small rapid which was also great & felt safe. Highly recommend this company to anyone in the area! Everyone was just so nice & knowledge. Felt very safe with them.

We had to choose the kid calm white water rafting adventure because my daughter is 5. To charge us $250 for a family of 4 plus tip is ROBBERY for what we rafted ...seriously it was a lake and completely flat (see picture). There were 3 tiny/short/easy rapids for the entire 2 hour boat ride. They mentioned people tube down it to give you an idea of how gentle it is. Don't waste your money! We had a much better time tubing in Cherokee (and experienced much larger rapids in a tube)!

Had an amazing half trip down the French Broad River with my team! Pete was the most pleasant host for everyone and knows how to get a laugh. He truly loves what he does and is just as entertaining as the trip down the river! Everyone that we came in contact with was friendly and was happy to help us! We will definitely be back to try out the zip lines, e bikes and repelling! Thank you for an awesome adventure.

We had the best time with our rafting trip. Everyone was so nice and professional, they spoke very highly of the owners and how well they were treated. Richard was our comic/host, and Evan was our guide. We could not have asked for a better time. The trip was so much fun, they made a great lunch, and kept everyone safe. We will go again!

We made the right choice going with French Broad Adventures. Did the half day w/ lunch with our family (girls 15&12 and son 8). It was plenty for them to introduce them to whitewater rafting. They are ready to go again. The entire staff was friendly and helpful and our guide (Tim) was the best! Of course expect to pay $25-50 if you want a photo(s) (they have a photographer stationed below one of the class three rapids). Our photos turned out great - can’t wait to hang it on the wall!

We had an awesome time!! We did the 1/2 day with lunch and it was a blast. We had the opportunity to rock jump and swim before lunch. The experience isn’t just about the rafting it’s also the guides. Glen was so knowledgeable and made us feel very comfortable. Pete..so many jokes!! I laughed so hard (bring a joke with you to share). And Amy, our bus driver, amazing skills.

Went for a calm water tour and it was a great relaxing way to spend the afternoon. They provided splash gear which is essentially high end rain gear and way exceeded expectations. Probably the best gear I've ever been provided rafting. For once I would say weather would not shy me away from running with this crew. Rain or shine you're going to have a great time. It was only 50 deg today and we had smaller children and they even stayed warm. If you forget something they have a great store with everything from clothes to water shoes, to water socks and it's all quality items that aren't throw away when you're done. Very impressed!

The most amazing time of my life, this was by far the best experience of zip lining. Jason and Anya for fun, informative and a blast to be around. We hade a great group. Thank you sooooo much for an unforgettable adventure.

French Broad Adventures was great. The staff was extraordinarily helpful and professional. They really took the time to make sure the trip was special for each person.The river guides are very knowledgeable and friendly.We did a half day trip with class 2 & 3 rapids. The river itself was fun. My 10 year old daughter now lists it as best experience of her life.I would highly encourage anyone looking to raft the French Broad to start with French Broad Adventures.

We have been going back to French Broad Adventures for 11 years now with our high school youth group, while down for Montreat Youth Conference: and we love it every time! Very friendly staff, knowledgeable guides, and great service. Our kids love rafting down the French Broad with these guides who obviously love what they do! Looking forward to seeing y'all next summer! Ask for Shawn!

We took advantage of both the white water rafing and the zip line your. The location was well marked, the store area was clean and organized, there were changing stalls and bags for wet clothes at the ready. The guides were very personable and knowledgeable of the area. Highly recommended this company !

An enjoyable whitewater rafting trip. It was quite chilly in the morning considering it was late October and their final week of the season running the trips. Up to class 3 rapids made for a pretty easy going ride. I sat up front though, and was soaked the whole time. Guides were great.

Incredible experience for my first time rafting! Super informative and the staff was outstanding! Rocky was our group leader and made us all feel comfortable and we had a wonderful time! I will highly recommend everyone I know to use French Broad Adventures! Thanks for a terrific and fun day!

My family did the zip line & rafting. we had the best adventures you could imagine! Zipping with Mars & AJ could not have been better. They are so knowledgeable and personable, always ensuring your experience is great. Our rafting trip was also terrific! When our zipping went a bit long, the FBA team held the raft trip a bit, so we could grab a quick bite to eat. The rafting team was awesome. Shawn kept us entertained on the bus & Ally led our rafting "team". Ally displayed her expertise throughout the trip, and everyone had a blast. I would highly recommend FBA to anyone looking for a fantastic adventure. Their entire team, everyone we encountered working there, went above and beyond to ensure our experience was amazing and memorable.

Booked the whitewater rafting and zip lining. Had the best time ever. Shawn was the best river guide ever!!!! If we ever come back again we’re def booking with Shawn. He was very knowledgeable, funny, and made the experience great.Paris and Vivian the zip lining guides were also great and good at keeping the group engaged.

Never went white water rafting before but decided to go with family. It went very nice. Our guide was name Ellie and she was amazing! She was very humorous, informative, patient and guided us all the way, safety. Very fun adventure went on the half day tour (3-4hrs). The course was great for beginner thrill-seekers or anyone interested in trying something new. It was affordable and fun. I would recommend it to people of all ages. Will be back to try out the other courses :D

This place is so much fun, The staff was amazing and very helpful with all of our booking needs. The bus ride to the river to get on the rafts was the best safety talk i ever had on top of all the absolutely hilarious dad jokes told by Richard, he really could have a second career as a comedian. Once we got to the boat launch Richard gave us a safety brief then told us which guide we were going to be with for this trip. We were in J’s group, between the awesome history and jokes, we had a great time! Would definitely recommend and would definitely come back. We felt safe and like dare devils at the same time, I personally recommend jumping off the rock it was very fun, and when they tell you you can get out and swim i recommend that too. if you don’t like getting splashed a lot then don’t go in the front you will definitely get splashed. anywhere in the boat you will get splashed but especially in the front. Thanks to all the great staff! can’t wait to come back sometime

My family had a great time rafting down the French Broad River with Calvin as our raft guide. He had a lot of rafting experience, was very knowledgable of the river and made the trip extra fun. We booked the half day trip and had time to stop at a jumping ledge, float around in the river and enjoy a snack.

Absolute blast, and made even more epic by our guide Rocky. Great time from check-in, through the rapids, and the photos were hilarious! Highly recommend for a great way to spend a day.

Best water experience ever! We booked ziplining and rafting. Rafting was amazing; we had a superb guide, Jim. The weather was chilly with river and low water level. Still a wonderful experience overall.

My family and I did white water rafting. What a fun time! I can't say enough great things about this company. While we waited we looked around the gift shop which had cute shirts, sweatshirts, hats, coozies, snacks, drinks, ice cream, etc. There were tables outside to enjoy the views while waiting and to listen to the safety meeting prior to departing. I felt well prepared and in good hands. There is a short bus ride to get to the river and the trip lead was funny, full of jokes. Our guide was Losty and she was absolutely wonderful! We were in great hands. The river was beautiful and the cool water felt great. There was the perfect amount of rapids and then parts of calm to enjoy the views and relax. There was a spot where we stopped and we could jump off a rock in the water for a swim. We stopped another time for a snack and a drink of water or lemonade. All in all it was the perfect day and our family can't wait to do it again. I would recommend French Broad Adventures for white water rafting to anyone and everyone!The next day we did the zip lining with guides Olivia and Avani. I was a little nervous as it was my first time. Our guides were great at alleviating my fears and I loved zip lining! The guides were both funny and they kept us entertained as we went through the course. We really enjoyed our trip through the trees. I would recommend this course to anyone who has never zip lined before. I have spoken to others that have zip lined and this course has a great braking system that seems easier than other courses that I've heard of. It was a lot of fun!French Broad Adventures has a lot of other activities that I can't wait to try out. Truly a great place for a wonderful adventure.

4.9

(1146)

5.0

(1718)

12 Good Adventures Ln, Marshall, NC 28753, USA

+40 other lists

Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway,the Southern Highland Craft Shop is one of the oldest craft shops in America.Local artists from Southern Appalachia sell beautiful artisan made jewelry,pottery,textiles,pottery,glass and more.Definitely worth a stop !

This place was beautifully maintained with a lot to see. The gift shop was huge and stocked with art from all kinds of mediums from local artists and craftspeople. The prices were so fair too. I loved seeing the quilts and the pottery. Such a great stop!

This Folk Art Center is an amazing demonstration of the skill and craftsmanship of the over 900 members of the guild. The shop has all kinds of crafts represented from knitted hats, to glass, woodturning, quilting and pottery. All to the work if done with the best craftsmanship. In addition to the shop they have exhibition space where you can see some amazing examples of the craftsmanship.They do not open until 10:00 so we had to circle back around here at the end of our day on the Blue Ridge Parkway but were really happy that we did.

I loved walking through the craft market! They have their displays on the second floor, and the bottom floor is where you can purchase crafts from various artists. Many of the pieces were well out of my price range, but it was still nice to look at everything. The store on the bottom floor has cheaper souvenirs like stickers, CDs, and postcards.

A nice break from the heat with beautiful artwork to look at and to purchase, although expensive and for good reason.There were neat displays and even a local artist demonstration. A gift shop as well. My 13 year old even enjoyed it.It’s easy to get to right off the parkway. Signs are easy to follow. I’m terrible with directions and I was able to find it easily without maps.

A large variety of local arts and crafts, all very tasteful. It's rare I enter a place where I could be happy with almost anything there. I bought several gifts and items for my home. I'll go back next time I'm in the area!

My first stop while driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway.First impression: very pretty stop with lots of trees (it's Asheville, duh) and lots of parking. You can even have stop here to have lunch (prepare a quick meal in advance) - they have some picnic tables in the parking lot.If you want a map of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can ask the cashier for a free map.The store has many interesting crafts like bugs made out of beer bottle caps and pins, tiny little vases, handmade christmas ornaments, etc. You can find all sort of things here and they are good quality stuff. However, they are on the pricey end. One of the ornaments I saw was $115 and a (handmade, one of a kind, pretty) jacket was $900 (it's really nine hundred, I didn't add a 0 by accident).I didn't walk the whole museum because I didn't know there was more. Will do next time.

Amazing art works from all types of craftsmanship. Great to see with the eyes as every piece is very valuable. Everything is displayed well and o much to see. Be careful if u have a touchy toddler, lol. Came here for a stamp cancelation. Lots of people came with their dogs to hike in the area. Parking is great.

Excellent craft and gift store. Over 400 artist show and sell their work at the Guild. Special events like glass blowing. Call or check website for times. This is also the oldest craft store in the U.S. Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway afterwards!

Pulled in to just use the bathroom, ended up spending a good hour plus here (outside of the bathroom). So many cool things to look at! My wife and I do some woodworking and we took lots of pictures for inspiration for future projects to make. Really great spot to stop and look around. We’ll definitely stop again on our next trip and will give ourselves enough time to really explore and enjoy.

We always love to hike around the folk art center when in the Asheville area.The art/craft center is a gem, with amazing local art and beautiful furniture/home good pieces.

So amazing. It smelled good and I felt so comfortable in there. The museum was quiet and the gift shop items were so beautifully made. I love how the museum exhibit items had booklets near most of them explaining the process or showing us more detail. All I want in a museum! Next is let me live here.

Enjoyed seeing the art and the historical information. Beautiful place and beautiful work.

It's a hopping place on a Saturday! I happened upon "clay day" with potters of all different kinds, plus a glass blower out front that looks like he's more permanent. There's all manner of potter, fabric, quilts, clothes, jewelry and tons more for sale and to look at. Upstairs is a fancier gallery and some of that is for sale as well. It's a really interesting stop.

4.7

(489)

4.5

(1430)

382 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805, USA

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is a great place to spend a few hours and learn more about our 17th President. Start at the Visitor's Center. Get a Junior Ranger packet - great for all ages! Get tickets to tour the house - they are free and well-worth your time! Look through the museum at the Visitor's Center - dont miss the tailor shop! Watch the movie and then strike out for the three locations. It's a beautiful walk on a nice day. The drive to the grave site is also beautiful. Definitely worth an hour or two if you are in the area.

4 stars because of construction. Just kidding! This is a nice park and I’m one of the people who would’ve been against impeachment. Would you be as well?The park happens to have the original tailors house that Andrew Johnson worked in. Pretty neat!

Beautiful cemetery with lots of historic locations all around town! I definitely recommend seeing Andrew Johnson’s tomb and just soaking up the views from up top! Not a lot of parking but it doesn’t look like it gets that full during the day!

We enjoyed this important piece of history located off the beaten path. Unfortunately time constraints prohibited us from viewing the remote sites, but the home and museum were very interesting. Our kids enjoyed working on their Junior Ranger booklets on the porch of President Johnson's home.

A great little town with a lot of history. Andrew Johnson site is amazing and the staff are friendly and helpful. Check them out. Please consider liking my review/pictures and follow along on all my adventures. Jeff Mullins Photography. It's All About the Adventures!

Able to walk to all of the attractions associated with the park. Easy parking. Very informative and interesting! Awesome food and coffee within walking distance also. Just a great experience! Wonderful small town!

Strange to say it, but we had already visited Abraham Lincoln's grave earlier in the week and while it was impressive, this stop was better. The friendly ranger and his stories and passion made this stop well worth it.

The staff at this site is excellent. Nuanced, but bluntly honest interpretation of a confounding man who came from nothing financially yet became a slaveholder, then gave the famous "Moses" speech declaring freedom to every enslaved person in Tennessee. Really knowledgeable staff at bookstore desk. Present impeachment process in fun interactive way that lets you cast your own vote. With impressively even interpretation of American slavery, sectional strife, and the impeachment process, this historic site is a must visit.

Come & tour this informative location of Andrew Johnson! Wonderful, friendly, professional employees! Interesting!

What a pleasant suprise this place was! Knowing Johnson was an unpopular president beforehand, it was nice to come and learn more about him. My view of him definitely shifted. Great artifacts and rangers here. Definitely worth the stop!

A little gem in a very pretty town. Many sites with the same name so the NPS logo was a big help finding it. A well done exhibit with a nice movie as well. Ranger was very knowledgeable and friendly. Easy to get between the site and the burial is up in a hill I relooking the area. Very pretty. Whole town is neat and pretty. Some very nice shops. A lovely drive as well

Took our students here to explore the Beautiful History for a field trip and we all loved it. The tour guide was great! The home tells alot and is stunning!

Very well done. Extremely informative. My family enjoyed our visit.

Very interesting to see. Downtown Greeneville is a really quaint little town. Some restaurants, it’s nice to just look at some really old stuff and a nice look around.

Great park. A lot of history here. Nice Visitor Center. They have a film you can watch, it lasts about 15-20 minutes. The view is very nice from the cemetery.

This place is perched on top of a higher slope in the modest town of Greeneville, TN. Even though, it has an amazing view of the surrounding area. The centerpiece of this National Park parcel, is the burial memorial for our Beloved Past President of the United States - Andrew Johnson. His loving wife installed an amazing arch to compliment the original tombstone and to illustrate her love for him. It's uncommon.Regardless of your political opinions, it is legendary. And though statues of US history are no longer "in style" with current opinion leaders and mass media, this memorial is stunning and relevant. The tombstones surrounding it are made of marble and are engraved appropriately. I'm proud of my country's history and this is proof of our freedom. It's worth a visit and respect for our country's history.

It was wonderful. The staff was welcoming! The theatre film was informative. The whole experience showing the reproduced original house, the Taylor shop and the later house that Johnson and family lived was great to see. The story of his life from where he came from to what he became can be an Inspiration to others! Very worth seeing!

Andrew Johnson Visitor Center provided a wealth of information and artifacts surrounding Andrew Johnson. One of the highlights is the original Tailor Shop, which Andrew used. Very well preserved and awesome to gaze upon. It's highly recommended.

4.7

(828)

4.5

(241)

101 N College St, Greeneville, TN 37743, USA

My family and I had a wonderful time doing the Treetop Tour. Kat and Tate we fantastic tour guides. They showed us edible leaves, shared stories from the property’s history, but it didn’t feel like they were performing. It felt like just a conversation with friends while doing a really cool activity on tree platforms where woodland elves live. The views were stunning. We will be back to do the Mountaintop Tour.

We had an amazing experience with the mountaintop zip line adventure.You walk to three different platforms, the guides give plenty of time to rest as you hike to increased elevations, and they give history of the land and plants along the way.We had River and Spice as our guides and highly recommend them. They were engaging, funny and very professional at the same time as they adhered to all safety standards and made sure each of us was clipped in and secure at each launch point.We had a wonderful time and would do it again!Highly recommend

River and Willy were our guides for my wife and I anniversary celebration and let’s just say they definitely earned a great review. They were friendly and personable and made our special day all the more enjoyable. They even spared us from being attacked by a copperhead. Willy was being extremely cautious as he pushed the little feller off the beaten path. Needless to say they were awesome Tour guides!!! Will definitely go back again!!!

One of the best zip line adventures we have been on. What a beautiful view! Really amazing zip lines. Our guides were top notch. John and Ethan made it fun, informative, chill and safe!There is so much to do while you are waiting. ALL the staff make it so great to be there. They even made a sweet sign for our daughter’s 13th birthday. 🥳Would HIGHLY recommend this place. So worth it.

Sydney and Nathan provided us with a great experience. I've never been zip lining and had no plans to ever do it because of my fear of heights but decided to join my kids. They made me feel at ease with their professionalism and their chill personalities. Zip lining here was amazing. The views are breath taking. I would do it again.

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience for the treetop tour. . Antonio and Alex were amazing guides. They helped my son to take on his fear when he got to the first zip line . Alex and Antonio were so mindful of everyone in the group. They were obviously very knowledgeable and skilled at taking people through the zip lines . My kids can’t wait to go back and do the mountaintop tour. I would recommend the tour to anyone looking to have a great zip line experience.

We did not the tree top canopy tour -- six zips of varying lengths through the tree tunnels and crisscrossing across the gorge. Beautiful scenery. Well worth pushing the comfort boundaries high up the hillside. Our guides, Alex and Greg were wonderful -- patient and expert, with knowledge of the foliage and the terrain. The body harnesses make for super-safe zipping -- anyone over 70 lbs, and even great for adventurous grandparents. No climbing involved, just a short hike at the end.

I visited Navitat this October and it was an incredibly fun experience. Our guides, Willy and Leap, made us all feel safe and excited to try the ziplines. Their knowledge of the flora of the area and property's history enriched the experience and made us feel connected to our surroundings. Overall it was an extremely well ran operation with breathtaking views and exhilarating rides! I am looking forward to bringing my family back to visit in the future.

Amazing experience! The views are amazing! The hike up is worth it. Our guides were Alex and Ilze and they were fantastic! So many great dad jokes and nature facts along the way. Would highly recommend. My parents did the atv tour so they could watch us and they had a great time with their guide, Willy.

We had an absolute blast!! My wife was a bit anxious before and our guides John and Alex were phenomenal with talking her through the process and calming her! They were both fun and engaging throughout the entire process from check in to exiting the experience. Would give them 10 stars if I could!

We booked with Navitat for my dad’s birthday and from start to finish it was so special! Shoutout to Nathan and Oscar, they did an excellent job explaining everything. They are also so knowledgeable of the area and the vegetation and were explaining things along the way. Overall, it was an amazing experience!

Awesome experience! Blue and Victoria were great. We went with a group of 6 and everyone had a blast! We will definitely be going back to do the treetop zip.With they had a food truck for afterwards but fantastic experience overall and already looking forward to our next adventure!

12/10 recommend! Absolutely awesome experience and felt completely safe the entire time! Our guides, Leap and Willy-D were super knowledgeable and fun to hang around too! The drive up the mountain side was so relaxing too! Our driver, Alex, took great care to cruise gently along the well maintained, beautiful trail. Couldn’t have had better guides! If you’re here for a day, or a week, this place is a MUST!

We went on a Saturday around 1:10 and did the mountain top tour with JD and Tate - they were such great guides and had some pretty good dad jokes along the way. Definitely felt very safe and the views were very pretty! I’ve done a few zip lines before above the smokies and I do wish there was a little bit more thrill or maybe a few more zip lines, there was only 3, but the guides and the pictures definitely made the experience! Thank you! :)

Our guides Greg and Victoria were nothing but amazing, and It's always great to see people who are passionate about their job and obviously love what they do! We had a fantastic time ziplining with them and learning about the local area. My group still talks about the bus ride up the mountain that I can best describe as a wild mystery machine experience. Sadly I didn't get the drivers name but 11/10 would ride again. We had a great time and are looking forward to coming back :)

Amazing mountaintop ziplining during peak leaf changing! Although there were only three zips, they were all super long, fast, high up, and fun. Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains during the autumn leaves gorgeousness. It was also nice to ride simultaneously, as they have two side by side zips. Our guides were great, and Navitat was very well organized and had a clean indoor area with restrooms, and hammock chairs outside while we waited for our tour. The only part I wasn't a fan of was the van ride up - extremely bumpy and the driver was blasting rock music. Some might enjoy this though as part of the adventure.

This couldn’t have been any better! Everyone did a great job and we loved it! My wife and I are going but I have a bad ankle and my wife has a bad back, we had no problems zip lining!!! It was a nice little hike but not too hard or intense. Our guides were Naomi, Gus, and McKenzie and they were all fantastic! They were funny and made sure we felt safe and had fun. I will do this every time we come to Asheville from now on.If you are on the fence about it, just do it! You will not regret it. My wife was a little nervous but after the first zip line, we were good and almost running up the mountain to the next one!

I’ve came all the way from France to visit friends in North Carolina and Navitat was the most fun experience! This was the longest canopy ride I’ve ever done. Felt safe all times and I was just blown away by the beautiful green mountains. We had the best guides with us. Kat and Oscar. Both of them extremely friendly, professional and knowledgeable about the flora of the area which made the experience even better. Can’t wait to come back and hopefully there are some food trucks then!

Awesome time!! Don’t think twice, just book it and go. Greg & Alex were our guides and they were the best! We felt like pros at the end of the day thanks to how informative and friendly they were. Beautiful and well set up place. Our next trip to Asheville will include another visit from the Farmer family. Thank you guys to a memorable trip!

Amazing experience, would recommend it to all friends and family. Max and Leap were amazing guides and so patient when we had difficulties on the trail. They never rushed us and always told us to take our time. This was my first time ziplining and I can confidently say because they were so patient with me I would absolutely do this again! Thank you guys for making my birthday special 💜

My friends and I were visiting Asheville for spring break and zip lining was on our bucket list and needless to say this place blew us away. Absolutely beautiful location and the most welcoming and friendly and fun staff. It was $125 each which I think was totally worth it. There were three of us in total including me and we did the mountaintop tour. We were luckily that it was just us three on the tour so we were able to get to know the tour guides, John and Victoria, a lot better. Shout out to them because they made us laugh the entire time and gave us great suggestions for restaurants and other places to visit during our stay in Asheville. I had so much fun bantering with them that I forgot to be afraid of heights lol. They did all the harness and securing stuff for us during the tour which made me feel a lot safer and they made sure to get really great photos with of our group together which we bought for around $30 for 26 pictures I believe. The views were extraordinary and breathtaking and the speeds of the zip line left our group speechless. I will say it was freezing cold so dress warm in March but the little bit of hiking warmed us up. Thank you to John and Victoria again!! Y’all were awesome.

Me and my boyfriend went on the mountain tour where we could zip line right beside eachother, I highly recommend adding the go pros we got amazing videos of eachother and the mountains! We had Guss and Naomi as our tour guides, they were hilarious and great tour guides. 10/10 would recommend 😊

Emerson and Jules were amazing guides! They were funny, but informative and very nice to hang out with! The views were amazing and I felt very safe the whole time! I also love the games/hammocks where you can hangout before your tour! We enjoyed celebrating my mom’s birthday here!

Omg GO AND TRY THIS ! This was such and incredible experience from the moment we arrived . Getting to the actual place was not hard at all , definitely rocky roads . Checking in at the front desk which is also a gift shop was no wait at all . The lady at the front was very welcoming and helpful and she holds ur keys in the front but ur phone u must leave in car . While u wait for everyone toGet ready they have boardGames outside you can play with . You are also available to purchase pictures at the end . Once you purchase pictures u get them the same day to ur email . Once everyone has their gear on as rules are explained u get into a van that takes u to the first Zip . The ride in the van is Wild lol. But very fun. I have to Shoutout Naomi our Guide person she was so awesome very beautiful personality but also she was very considerate of making sure we took proper breaks during the small hikes in between and also explained survival facts on plants in the forest we seen . If you’re doing the mountain top tour they break it down in 3 zip line rides which all 3 are incredible . But the 2 is my favorite . Such a thrill , there definitely is speed and height and views to die for . There was rain and thunder that passed by and we waited it out . We’re so glad we got to do all 3 . When u get to the end of each zip the stopping part is shocking lol I’ll say that much . 125! For a person is definitely well worth it . Definitely will be back again . They have night zip lining to will have to try .

Our group had the best time! The entire staff were outstanding and helpful. Our guides were Riah and Cat. Highly recommend requesting these two for a fun and safe trip!! The views and experience were well worth it and great for all ages. If you’re looking for an amazing adventure this is the place for you!

We had a fantastic experience, our family including teenagers loved zipping with Navitat! We did the mountaintop tour. The courses were well designed, with what I feel the right amount of thrill still allowing for enough relaxation to admire the beautiful mountain views. Their equipment appeared to be very well maintained. The tour was organized well. Staff was professional, polite and helpful - they maintained an atmosphere of safety, provided great information during the hike and added some good humor to make the tour even more fun.

We had a fantastic time on our zipline tour! Even with wind gusts and rain we had a blast! John and River were excellent guides and were very personable. If we are ever back in the area we would definitely come again!

5.0

(3042)

5.0

(2156)

242 Poverty Branch Rd, Barnardsville, NC 28709, USA

I was here in late July and it was so peaceful. The air was cool & misty and there was moss covering the trees and fallen logs. The air was so refreshing to breathe in. There was a small museum packed with information about the environment, wildlife, geology, and history of the area. The man who “discovered” it as being the highest point on this side of the Mississippi River is actually buried near the peak! He died there while conducting scientific research. The info in the museum compared the habitat to that of Canada. There are magical trails to hike and a short, wide paved hike up to the summit. I highly recommend you go and check it out for yourself! I will be back again soon!

Mount Mitchell State Park is like stepping into a postcard of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's got this awesome vibe that makes you feel like you're on top of the world, literally, because it's home to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.If you're into hiking, this place is a must-do. The trails are scenic and well-kept, winding through forests and mountain views that will take your breath away. When you reach the top, the views are insane—you can see for miles and miles of pure mountain goodness.But even if hiking isn't your thing, there's still plenty to love about this park. The drive up is stunning.Overall, Mount Mitchell State Park is a gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you're a nature buff, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a chill place to hang out, this park has got you covered with its stunning views and mountain vibes.

First State Park in North Carolina (established in 1915) and highest point east of the Mississippi River (6,684 ft). The park contains a great set of trails, an observation tower (at the summit), museum, gift shop, campground, etc. You can even drive to the top and take a short walk (only 300 yards) to the summit. Access to the park is off of the Blue Ridge Parkway so even the drive to the park is nice.

Great views! We did the short walk up, and then did the nature trail hike. My kids thought the nature trail was their favorite part of our trip. It was peaceful and smelled like Christmas with all the pine trees.

The drive to the State Park is a very twisty and scenic. It is a slow go, so enjoy the views! Tower at the summit with maps of which mountains can be seen in the distance facing each direction. A snack bar and small museum near the summit. Very clean restrooms. Tent sites available near the top. Sadly, it rained the day we were there but we managed a few views on the way up.

Gotta say--this hike was definitely not a favorite of mine, although I would come back and give it another go.To do the full hike starting at the lowest point, you have to put "Black Mountain Campground" into your GPS because the State Park & peak is about a 30 minute drive away from it.Not only does this hike include trekking 11 miles round trip (for typically 7+ hours) on rugged terrain with a punishing elevation gain--but the weather can change in an instant, the forest is very dense & there are places along the trail where it was so dark/overcast that it felt like dusk. Also, there has recently been a lot of bear activity & sightings along the trail--so be advised and be sure you're comfortable with bear safety.You'll also want to pack enough water and nutrition to fuel you on your hike as well as a rain jacket/extra layers for temperature & weather changes.Finally, keep in mind if you are hiking from the base, you will likely go long bouts without seeing other hikers, and I had no signal on my phone, so letting someone know ahead of time about your route is not a bad idea.I made it about 2 miles up before I decided to turn back and drive to the top. Another hiker said a mama bear was on the trail ahead, and given that it had started to rain and it was kind of dark too, I decided it simply wasn't worth it or all that enjoyable to keep going.So I drove to the top of the mountain & did the quarter mile hike up to the peak. Honestly, the view was a bit less impressive than I had imagined or seen at other hikes, but that could be because it was overcast, (which I'm told is common there).There is a little shop at the top as well as a museum, and place to buy coffee & hot chocolate, although the restaurant was closed. There are also several picnic areas with grills, etc.All in all, there is a lot of promise for this hike-- I likely just chose a less than perfect day to visit.

Note: the mountain is foggy most fall mornings and doesn’t clear up until the afternoon.We visited during a very foggy morning and weren’t able to see the famous 360-degree views. The 10 minute paved hike from the parking area was easy and the summit is still cool to see.There are restrooms, a museum and gift shop, and a concessions stand.

We loved it here. Beautiful views, plenty of moderate to difficult hiking options and a few easy ones too. This is the one place we've been to here in the NC mountains where we felt like we were hiking on a trail in the Pacific Northwest. The smell of pine and spruce in the cool damp air as we walked the short trail near the top was absolute bliss. And the views from the summit were incredible. On a clear cool day, I bet you could see halfway to Charlotte from there. We didn't make it to any of the picnic or camping spots this time, but I bet they would be amazing up here too. It seemed like a lot of stuff (like the restaurant and other park services) were not yet open for the season, but I would imagine they'll be open by the end of this month.

Short incline walk to observation deck. We visited on a cold, very windy March day. We dound snow still on the ground. Sky was beautiful blue and view made us forget about the temperature. Well worth the drive.

This is a beautiful park! It was very crowded, even for a weekday, but it is almost summer. There is a smooth, paved path to the summit. It might be challenging for some due to the slight incline, but it is only 300 yards long and there are benches along the way to sit and rest. Once you do get to the top, you won't be disappointed. There are 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was gorgeous!!I also took the nice Balsam Nature trail path. This had many information stations along the way that described the different animals, birds and flora at Mt. Mitchell. Don't forget to check out the museum and the gift shop. The museum is very interesting and has lots of information about the history of Mt. Mitchell.

Gorgeous park and views. Great for kids and dog lovers. The hike up to the lookout is steep but mostly paved. Bring comfy shoes you’ll be walking up steep hill. Tons of picnic areas for a great family outing. Stay hydrated!

I love the Mountains!! We drove to the Top of Mount Mitchell from Grandfather Mountain. It took almost one and a half hours for almost 50 miles as the speed limit is 35 and winding roads. Very scenic and beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway to Mt. Mitchell. I visited almost the last week of June. Last 3 miles drive to the top was breathtaking. I was driving almost into the clouds. Visibility was almost zero. Couldn't see anything beyond 20 feet. But I really enjoyed the drive. There is an overlook point, but we couldn't see anything as we were in the clouds. This is the highest peak to the east of the Mississippi River. It was quite chilly even though it was a sunny day. Just a little bit disappointed as the Visitor center was closed as I wanted to get Magnet or Souvenir.

Beautiful park. I recommend spending as much time there as you can. If you love to hike, I cannot suggest a better place. There are so many different trails to explore. The drive into the park offers quite a few stops or 'overlooks' for views of these breathtaking mountains. I highly recommend the walk up to the Observation Point. The view from here, the highest point, offers a 360° view of the mountains!

An absolutely wonderful place for an easy hike. Driving the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway to get there was lovely in and of itself, and when you enter the state park (which is FREE), you drive most of the way to the top. They have a nice gift shop, small museum, clean restrooms, and a food area for snacks and drinks. The walking path to the top observation deck is paved, with a moderate incline. We went during a foggy/cloudy day, with low visibility. But it only added to the beauty and mystery. The trails looked like something out of a gothic fairy tale. If I hadn't known I was in North Carolina, I would've thought I was in the Pacific Northwest. A must-see, in any weather.

A well-earned state highpoint with beautiful views along the way.I made the drive here as I continued my journey to hike all 50-state highpoints. As usual I started my day early and had the crisp clean air all around me as I got my gear together. Feeling the clouds up at our elevation roll through was an awesome experience. It is otherworldly and makes you feel like you are living out an epic story from a novel.It was a beautiful fall day and I didn't see one person while hiking on the trail to and from the peak. Nothing but the sounds of nature and my fellow companions of animals bustling about in the woods.Much of the trail is exposed to the beautiful vistas surrounding the mountain. You'll certainly work for the summit but is very doable for just about all ranges of hikers.

Absolutely gorgeous. The short path up to the observation deck is fairly easy but also steep. It is paved. The observation deck is wheelchair friendly but again, the path up is fairly steep. It was pretty busy when we went but there was a lot of parking. There was a small museum, a gift shop, and bathrooms. There were park rangers to assist.

It's beautiful not just at the top but getting to the top. It definitely makes you feel small.I would recommend checking the state park website and the national forest website for closers at the park and on the blue ridge parkway rd.

It was very foggy at the peak when I visited back in October! Although, I really enjoyed the hike through the fog. I’d love to go back on a clear visibility day. My dog loved the hike as well 🐾🥾🌲

Great hiking trails surrounding the entire area. Great platform at the highest park to get a 360 degree view.

Gorgeous and super walkable. Really accessible for casual visit as the paths are paved and the trails are well-marked. The summit view was gorgeous.

Beautiful and largely accessible natural wonder. The views are of course magnificent, from the summit and most areas within the park. The museum, concession stand, restrooms, and gift shop are all located right off of the huge parking lot. The viewing platform is a 300-yard walk uphill on a well-paved road. There are many hiking trails, including the Mountain-to-Sea trail. Highly recommended.

Mount Mitchell is a beautiful place where you can hike and enjoy enchanted forest. This place is truly beautiful and I enjoyed hiking here with my husband. It's not a difficult hike but in a few places you will have to climb over big boulders. We were able to see some beautiful birds there.

So glad we made a visit to Mount Mitchell! We drove all the way to the top and started by checking out the observation deck. Stunning 360 views. It’s a very short walk up on a paved path, but on a fairly steep incline.We then took one of the shorter loop trails and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Such a beautiful park all around.

While driving the Blue Ridge Pkwy, we drove up Mount Michell State Park to visit the highest point east of Mississippi. Weather was partly cloudy on Pkwy, but when we got to the top, the whole mountain top was in a big cloud. When I spoke to another lady, this was her 4th time to the top, and 3 of 4 times were like this with no visibility. So bad timing on our part as we couldn't see 50 ft.

4.9

(4948)

4.5

(804)

2388 NC-128, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA

Fun and wonderful place. I will be coming back and bringing my friends back with me. Loved the otters and the Penguins. Love feeding the camels. Easy walk smooth paved walks. Handicapped accessible to every bit of the zoo. On wacky Wednesdays half off admissions with a member you 10% off each ticket.. You will love it.

So impressed with Bright's Zoo! Traveled up from Asheville for the day and we were pleasantly surprised by the amazing facility at Bright's Zoo. Tons of unique animals to see, the giraffes were amazing and the train ride was definitely worth it! A very cool behind the scenes feel. The place was laid out so great for our 5 year old to keep him engaged, but not too much walking either. The entire place is well kept and clean. Food was really good too! We will definitely be back.

While I may not claim expertise in giraffes, I have a hunch that these majestic creatures would appreciate a lush expanse of grass underfoot, a more spacious terrain to stretch their legs, and perhaps a couple of leafy trees for some respite from the sun. But of course, I must emphasize that my knowledge on giraffe preferences is limited! In any case, I found this petite zoo to be quite charming, exceeding my initial expectations, although the admission fee seemed a tad steep given its size. Perhaps they're earmarking those extra funds for a future enhancement of the giraffe enclosure, which would undoubtedly be an exciting development!

We had an amazing time! The zoo was a lot bigger than I expected being in a small town and not very well known. I was also surprised to see so many different varieties of animals. The zoo is very clean and very well maintained, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. It was a very good deal at $22 for our adult tickets too.I would definitely recommend checking Brights zoo out if you happen to be nearby and looking for something to do with your family and friends. Our favorites were the Giraffe's and the kangaroo! 😁💜

We went for a school field trip. It was a great experience! My girls loved doing the gemstone mining and seeing all the different types of animals.

Great zoo for a small town! Lots to see, totally worth a visit with or without kids. Exhibits are such that you can get up close for some of the animals. It was not crowded on a Monday morning. It sprinkled rain for a few minutes and we sought refuge under some trees with the ostriches! I was really impressed with the variety of animals. Loved the penguins and otters and all the birds.

This is probably the best zoo we have been to. Lots of exotic animals, the grounds and animals are well cared for, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We drove in from Knoxville and will definitely be back.

Great variety of Animals. Looked to be well taken care of and fed. Would have loved tp have seem the giraffe without 4 rows of cage wire between it and being able to take pictures of it. So beautiful!! Will be back when it cools off.

This is truly a gem. One of the most enjoyable family experiences. Everything is very well kept and clean, employees were wonderful and knowledgeable, and it was easy to see the animals and many up close. A very well laid out zoo with great walkways that are shaded and lots of benches. Lots of cool and unique animals.

Good local place to take kids to. Especially since there aren't many other places in this small area anyway. Wish there was more animals but you can't beat it for the price.

This Zoo was an absolute surprise! I was a little skeptical about how much it might have to offer and if the kids were going to be excited, we showed up and there was so much to do and so many different kinds of animals! Plenty of areas to rest and get out of the sun as well and activities like gem mining was a plus! Great day trip to take from Asheville or Bristol. We will be back!

Very cool seeing the only spotless giraffe in the world, Kipekee. A little concerned for a couple of the cats that were pacing and other animals looking lethargic and bored. Otherwise, a very nicely kept zoo. Lots of unique animals to observe. The black swans were beautiful.

This little zoo in our own backyard is an absolute gem! My Mom & I went to see the darling baby spotless giraffe, and we splurged on the penguin encounter (additional charge). The penguins were the highlight of our day! Their keeper was exceptionally knowledgeable & fun to listen to, and watching her herd 3 penguins was like watching her herd toddlers - I hadn’t laughed so hard in ages! The penguins were named Alice, Dolly, and Waylon - they were hilarious & so much fun to be around. If you have the chance, check out Bright’s Zoo, and splurge on the penguin encounter. You’ll be glad you did!

Amazing family run zoo!! We arrived early and were first ones into the zoo. Pathways were wide, but could be close to animals. Animals were active and a great variety. The giraffe feeding was well done. In small groups at a time on platform, so time to get pictures. The spotless giraffe was cool to see, but kids were impressed with other animals as well. Great anteater, many types of monkey/gibbon/lemurs, undertaker bird, and many others.

First time there. Mainly wanted to see the spotless baby giraffe. That was a treat to see. They have so much more! Numerous animals I've not seen before. To me, in some ways, it's better than Knoxville Zoo. Went Oct. 15th. There was a chilly wind and some animals stayed inside. It is a great place to spend an afternoon. We'll definitely return on a warmer day.

I love zoos. I had no idea this place existed until I was looking on Google Maps for places within 1 hour from Kingsport and it came up. It's quite a big zoo for a family owned facility. The grounds are immaculate and the paddocks are huge. Very impressive collection of animals, many rare species.I'm biased as a reptile lover so I wish there was a large reptile room with more scaly friends. Hint: if you build it, I will be your reptile keeper!!I enjoyed the giraffe feeding. A lot of the animals seemed to interact with me which was cool. So at the end of the day, I bought a year pass. I will visit often.

Family owned zoo, staff very protective of animal and guest safety. Very happy animals here, recommend bird feeding and giraffe feeding! Small extra cost but worth it!

Brights Zoo was an awesome experience. Especially with the spotless giraffe, Kipekee! We were fortunate enough to see her and the other baby giraffe playing in the large pen by chasing each other. The other animals were alert and looked great in their enclosures. We arrived 30 minutes early to an almost full parking lot. Kipekee has raised quite a stir for the area and USA! Be sure to make your way here.

I took my granddaughter yesterday. The zoo is immaculate, the walkways are so nice, landscaping is amazing and the employees are the BEST! Everyone from the young man letting us in the door, the clerks, the concession workers and the zoo employees throughout the park were so friendly. You could tell they were genuinely nice, not just a customer service face. Definitely recommend! Oh and the burgers are delicious!

We recently visited Bright's zoo with our Little's first grade class for a field trip. It was a nice place and everyone had a great time.They are open from 10-5 which is plenty of time to make it through the zoo. Their parking area is kind of small but has more room than you would think.They have animal food that you can purchase for a little extra (You can feed anytime for the goats but there's a schedule for giraffes/penguins)You will be given a map when you enter but it's very easy to navigate, mostly a big loop with signs to let you know where you are, where you're going, and what type of animal you're looking at. (Along with a few fun facts along the way)There are restrooms conveniently located on both sides of the park. Everything is handicapped accessible. They even have ride- ons for rent, for easier navigation of the park.They also have a concession stand that offers a little bit of everything including drinks, Pizza, fries, hamburgers, ice cream, etcetera.No outside food is allowed. Neither are straws.Our only complaint was the honey bees at the picnic tables and concession areas. They were ruthless. Of course, it's to be expected around food and stuff and we don't blame the zoo for that.We will definitely visit again.

Great zoo, honestly it is, especially for self funded you can't beat the breadth and scope of the size of this zoo. It's truly impressive. I understand they are a breeding facility for other facilities/zoos and have several conservation efforts in place for endangered species. The only ding I'll give is small enclosures for some animals. Especially the big cats section, they paced pretty heavily back and forth as if they were miserable in their small enclosures. Also the giraffes have a little more room but not much... and it's all gravel, if the owner replies to this please explain the gravel, it's less than esthetically pleasing but maybe it plays a role for mud or something. EDIT: after a response from the zoo owner I can say that I change my review to 5 stars.. though, to mitigate confusion about enclosures maybe have a sign or 2 explaining the giraffe enclosure so people are not confused

I took my mom there for Mother’s Day it was my family’s first time we had so much fun we loved all the different animals

Wonderful local zoo with attractions to delight all ages! This zoo features a great variety of unique animals to learn about, including the incredibly rare spotless baby giraffe, Kipekee! We were delighted to see her at a young age! The zoo is well-maintained with knowledgeable staff who are eager to answer questions. Great location for an afternoon visit!

Cute family owned zoo that makes it obviously known they truly care for their animals and the staff seem to be valued as well. Animal exhibits are for the most part well kept, clean and maintained with fresh water and regular feedings. Some exhibits seemed older and perhaps needed refreshed and it seems the owners are in the process of more improvements. The staff make it a priority for guests to know the rules to keep animals and humans safe. Very knowledgeable about the animals and interact with the guests by answering questions and engaging kids with the animals. Guests can pay extra to feed birds, goats and giraffes. The giraffes are very popular right now with the birth of the very rare spotless baby, so the zoo was busy and some of the feeding spots were sold out for the day. Food options were mostly junk food (pizza, burgers, Dinonuggies) at the concession stands so I would have enjoyed some healthier options. We ate off the grounds due to the limited choices. Parking was easy and this made for a nice afternoon with the family. Bathrooms were dirty yet again place was very busy and perhaps we just went at the peak time.I can only imagine how much a family has to factor into running a zoo so kudos to this team for being welcoming and taking care of the animals very well. It was obvious and I cannot stress that enough.

4.7

(1573)

4.5

(92)

3425 US-11E, Limestone, TN 37681, USA

1 list

My wife and I were in town for our anniversary and looking for something exciting to do. The spelunking adventure into Worley's Cave was AWESOME! Andy and Miranda (our guides) were knowledgeable, personable, funny, and so patient during our excursion. We were with another group who had smaller kids and they took their time to pause to point out cave-dwelling wildlife, rock formations, and were mindful of what crystalline formations were still growing to look at but not touch! Fantastic experience - highly recommend!

Planned this trip a month ago, long overdue vacation with my wife. We scheduled a 1/2 day rafting trip, for 1:30pm. We both work late nights into early morning so getting up for the 8:30trip would have been a rough indevour. However the wonderful staff worked some magic and got us a group for 10:30am.Our guide Lauren was amazing, personable, knowledgeable and made our trip memorable and safe.At night our "Appalachian concierge" Cory was quick to get us what we needed, helpful, friendly and an all around great guy!We had a couple great evenings at the Take Out Tavern. The food was amazing, the beers ice cold, service was absolutely spot on weather it was to warm our bellies after the wonderful white water or after a few beers.We stayed in one of the domes, the pictures didn't even do it justice to how luxurious it would be. The bathhouse facility and sauna were clean and maintained daily.We had a wonderful surprise of live music by the Dirty Dead.The grounds had this amazing vibe and ambiance, it felt like I came home, it was home, and everyone there was my family.A completely magical vacation, we can not wait to go again. Already looking at the calendars!Thank you to everyone, even if I didn't get your name you were intrical to making it the best vacation, what our souls really needed.

I was charged with criminal trespassing for showing up on their property after getting my property back from my ex-boyfriend at the Nolichucky River Gorge Campground. Avoid going here. They just want your money and do not care about relationships or the truth. I am not a thief.

We stayed at the resort for two nights. Dale, Riff and the rest of the staff that we interacted with were friendly and helpful. We loved staying in the Love Shack. We were there on Monday and Tuesday night, so the Take Out and One Love were not open. We brought our own and will check that the next time we are there.We went rafting on the Nolichucky Gorge with USA Raft during our stay. Our guide, Walker, was fantastic. He is a real pro on the river. He and trip leader Loren made the trip exciting and fun. We will definitely go again.We also floated the Lower Nolichucky a couple of times while there. That is a different but fun trip. The Red Banks take out has a nice beach and is a beautiful primative campground.

Super awesome experience on the Nolichucky with Andy! He was very informative of the surrounding area and history, kept us engaged with silly jokes, and kept us on the edge of our seats! Definitely a trip worth making. Can't wait to come back!

We had an amazing time with USA Raft..A group of us stayed in the Crockett Cabin. The cabin was HUGE..it was great for covid..we all had our separate places and one main area. We spent most of our time outside enjoying the river, fishing, swimming, and tubing…we missed out on the rafting but that’s just an excuse to come back. The communal bathrooms were cleaned and stocked from tampons to hand towels, soap and more…Everything was always fully stocked and clean. We went during SOL Jam…so it was pretty packed. They made everyone comfortable with all things covid. It really was more than I expected in every way. The food was great, the people were great and the music was great. A truly wonderful experience for us all.. We love the Band Sol Driven Train and we hope to come back and see them and USA Raft again next year. Thank you, for sharing your little piece of heaven with us and all your accommodations, recommendations and making us all feel so welcomed.

We took a wrong turn coming off the AT trail after hiking 18 miles (the sign with showers and several amnenities got us overly-excited!) and ended up at the USA Rafting Adventure Resort. We were confused and asked for directions and guidance of how to get to Uncle Johnny's Hostel in the main store. They misled us by saying it was far away and telling us there was no real downtown area in Erwin (which we knew was false information) presumably to encourage us to stay there (their cabin rates started at $165). An off-duty staff member offered us a lift (all of 1 mile) for $10 and left us waiting for 20 minutes for him to return and he never showed up. We ended up just hiking the extra mile to Uncle Johnny's. It was confirmed that this facility often mislead and attempt to appeal to the hiking community but doing so by spreading false information is really dishonest and dissapointing.

Great location, great people. Horrible management.The manager, Tiffany, was rude and condescending. When I finally asked her to stop interrupting me, she yelled “OH, YOU’RE CUTE talking to me like that…” And it only got worse from there.It only takes one person to make the entire establishment look bad. Which is awful considering everyone else was really friendly, accommodating and seemed like very nice people.The Tiny House was fine as long as you can use the patio and deck area. For $285 I would have expected a few things to be nicer. For example: the cob webs along the AC unit, bleach stained shower curtain covering up a rusty water heater. The tent had 3 of its feet screwed in but one came loose and in the wind was slamming down and quite noisy!The interior was not made for lounging. The amazing view was blocked by a full sized refrigerator and countertop grille backed by a trellis. The end of the bed and corner of the room were the only places to sit and see the River from inside unless we were standing and as it was too cold to stay outside for long, that’s all we got! During great weather I bet this spot is great but great weather it was not!We never found the wifi, not in the in-room notebook which would be logical. Finally upon checking out, we saw a plaque in front of the office.Note to staff:-When cold weather is coming, don’t make the client have to call for another space heater or extra blankets. Have it in the unit for them.-Let people speak and if they want $15 worth of tubing passes for the summertime so you might redeem yourselves as a location worth peoples money and time, listen to them instead of manipulating and condescending!

My partner and I have done the Nolichucky half-day trip twice now. This isn't a technical raft, but there are plenty of fun, splashy rapids. The aspect that keeps us coming back--and we'll be back again--is the scenery. For all of the 8.5 mi downriver, you're surrounded by verdant Appalachian mountainsides. A little-used train track traces a line along the south riverbank. Two-thirds of the way through, you are rewarded with a beautiful stretch of rocky cliffs on the north riverbank. Overall, very fun and tough to beat as a tour to this pretty portion of the Appalachians.Our last guide, Ashley, was outstanding.

First time out with USA Raft and was very impressed. Had a fantastic trip down the Nolichucky with Trip Leader Loren (sp?). He was very knowledgeable about the area, and had amazing control of our raft, such that we actually had to do very little paddling relative to other trips we've been on. His safety briefing was serious but also humorous. We will definitely be going back and requesting Loren as our guide.

We went white water rafting last Friday just before heading back home to FL. Walker was our guide and he was outstanding! Great personality and a Super Guide. We all had an amazing time. This river is now in the top of our favorites. Great white water rapids! The only downside was no pics....y'all need to get those back.

Had a great time on the rafting trip! Our guide Andy kept us alive and entertained the whole time. Great guy. 10/10 would do again 🫡🫡🫡

USA Raft is truly an amazing place. I can’t express in words how beautiful the Nolichuky Gorge is. You must float the river and experience it yourself. Danny was our guide, his knowledge on the history of the area, the flora & fauna made the trip that much more special. His paddling skills were amazing, he could certainly pick a line!The campground at USA Raft is awesome as well, the Take Out Bar has a great beer selection and good bar food. You might get lucky with good music on the small or large stage!I can’t say enough about this Mountain Gem!Thanks for a wonderful weekend!Rhys

Stayed in one of the airstream camper trailers while hiking the AT. It’s 0.1m off trail and a great spot to stay dry on a rainy night. Activities look very cool, but it’s back to the trail tomorrow.

Was a great time. My sister had never gone rafting before so we decided on the half day. Had a great time and the scenery was gorgeous. Great for all skill levels and the staff was extremely nice and friendly! Definitely would recommend.

Rafting was lots of fun, beautiful sights and amazing guides. Cam and Andy were wonderful :)!!

Our group had a blast on the half day rafting trip through the gorge. It was SO beautiful, and exciting to navigate the class 3 and 4 rapids. Elliott was our guide and he was the master of the water and the dad jokes - very knowledgeable and entertaining. The location is perfect - convenient to the highway etc. We loved the resort too - so much that we came back the following weekend for the Dog Days festival. This will be at the top of our list to refer to our friends. Thank you!

Wow! Such an amazing experience staying and rafting with my family! We were able to take our 5 and 6 year old kids on the Nolichucky river and Bobby was an incredible guide. Able to give us a taste of adventure without being too scary for the kids. Cannot wait to come back and go again! The Loft cabin was such a perfect and refreshing place to crash after a day of hiking, rafting, and playing in the river. Highly recommend.

Had the best time rafting down the river with USA Rafting! Will was a great guide and got along great with our group! Absolutely loved all the corny jokes he told and how much history he knew of the River. 10/10 would recommend USA rafting! Hope to come back soon!

This is my second opportunity to stay here, and I love all the changes (additions) that have been made to include Red Banks, the bar, disc golf and more. Matt Moses and his team are amazing, friendly, and create that “family” vibe. You won’t be disappointed with a stay here, even if you just enjoy the outdoors and sound of the River.

Stayed in cabin for the weekend. Clean and comfortable. Bar/grill was awesome so we didn't have to leave the resort for food, staff was extra nice. The music (both live and recorded) was great. The overall atmosphere of the resort was so relaxing and of course beautiful being next to the river. We hope to do it again in the future.

4.8

(319)

5.0

(887)

2 Jones Branch Rd, Erwin, TN 37650, USA

11 lists

Beautiful location with lots of exhibits that allow for exploration opportunities to entertain both young and old visitors. There are some accommodations for physically handicapped individuals but the terrain is a bit challenging and some of the paths difficult to access. It is a very calm atmosphere but parking can be challenging to find and park navigation/map a bit challenging to follow.Overall it’s a nice, cheap place to stop for a couple hours but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone that has physical limitations making it difficult to ambulate.

$7/vehicle (more for buses), planetarium is $6/person, children 5 and under free with parent. Nature programs $3/ person or more for a 2-hour tour. Barge rides also cost pp. Beautiful park on a mountain, excellent trails, nice buildings, zip line seems to be a resident contractor business. Serious discounts for military i.d. Wolf pack is fed around 2 pm. Wolves have a nice large compound. Bobcats are also in a nice large commons for the two brothers. Planetarium is small but seems new, seats are reclined, very comfortable. Do not go late, they open 10 min before show time and lock doors at one minute past! On weekends there are food trucks. Membership probably worth it! That includes free planetarium and Barge, iirc. On approach drive, stay left at the fork or you will wind up in the Eastman company's private rec area.

Wonderful wonderful place to visit! I went when I was a child and now my daughter has been able to go. The gift shop is also a win win all proceeds go to help the park and animal's there. It is just a wonderful family place good for a day visit.

Went here for a Friday hike with my husband, easy to moderate trails. The wolves were feeding which was kind of cool. Free for veterans.

Nice place with a lot of trails from easy to hard. We had limited time so only did a small walk along the dam and along the lake. There is a nature area with animals such as deer, gray wolves, and a variety of raptors.

Very nice trails! The building at the entrance of the trails is great for souvenirs and a quick restroom trip. The animal sanctuaries are well kept and great for if you’re bringing kids. The fire tower was fun and looked pretty up to date while still on the rustic side. There are a few places on the trails that provide views. Will definitely be going back!

Spent the afternoon rock climbing well maintained sport routes and top-rope routes. Then read beside the lake. We made a spontaneous stop here after visiting the Smokies and were blown away by how beautiful and secluded this park felt. The nature center and animal enclosures were incredible. Never thought we'd see such happy looking gray wolves this far south! The animal exhibits were accessible and very cute. We plan to come back tomorrow to climb the rest of the routes and say hey to all the turtles 😊 🐢

Absolutely beautiful area. Went on a clear, sunny December morning with kids ages 2, 6, and 8, when it was 32°. The barge and ropes course were winterized but we nearly had the whole place to ourselves and got to see bobcats, foxes, gray wolves, and various raptors all up close. Gave it 4 stars because the website was not clear about which things were closed for the winter and which were available year-round (the welcome / visitor center was closed -- disappointing! but the gift shop was open). The person taking parking entrance fees had run out of park maps. Also, the credit card machine in the gift shop wasn't working well and took 10 minutes till it worked, and we ended up getting overcharged when it finally went through and at that point didn't bother pressing for a refund (aka more time fighting with the credit card machine). (An elderly person was running the gift shop at the time.) We didn't make it to the Planetarium this trip so we only paid the parking entrance fee ($7). Would love to go back in the spring or summer to do the ropes course. Based on our winter experience and a bunch of little reasons above, I would almost give it 3 stars, but I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt that everything is run much better during the warmer months.

One of the prettiest places I have went and hiked/walked! It cost $7 to get in but there is so much to see and do. The city of Kingsport maintains this park beautifully and provides a great map to help you navigate the grounds.

Park is in the middle of improvement, lots of trees down around the animal areas and gift shop. Hiking trails were well maintained.The adventure course is now closed.Dogs are not allowed in areas with animals.

Awesome place to hike or bike. The views from the fire tower are beautiful except for looking over the water treatment area.Animal habitat area is really interesting to work thru.Gift shop is very small with little to choose from compared to other parks' gift shops I've visited.

Great little nature center. Several snake species. Raptors and a very healthy and active wolf pack.Georgeous bay views. So glad that we checked this place out. Highly recommended.

It was a wonderful day. We hiked, watched, and learned about wolves, investigated & learned about the saved wildlife, we took the barge ride to enjoy and learn more about the area and we loved the planetarium. It was a gr8 day. 💚💙💜

Great place to visit with the family!! They have a lot of exhibits to enjoy for the small parking/entry fee of $7 for the entire car(not per person) to the park. Additional cost for the barge ride and planetarium, and a small obstacle coarse (I'm not sure if it was open, though).

We enjoyed your short visit here and glad the dogs could come along. There are restrictions to where dogs are allowed but we wanted to take a short hike on the lakeside trail. It was $7 for entry. We say a few beaver dams.

Bays Mountain Park is a great place for hiking, learning about nature and local history, they have wonderful children's educational programs. My wife and I really love hiking there.

One of our favorite places for a nature walk. The kids love the barge ride and planetarium.

The nature center is great and has tons of cool stuff for children and adults alike! The wildlife exhibits are both indoor and outdoor and include wolves, birds, deer, fish, and a reptile house. My only complaint is that the trail up to the fire tower is confusing to follow at times even with an online map.

A perfect place to spend the day enjoying the serenity of nature! There are lots of hiking trails and beautiful views.

4.7

(3004)

4.5

(546)

853 Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660, USA

What an amazing place! The tunnel is about 7 stories high and 60 yards wide. The view point is about 18th floor up and let you enjoy the entire scenery! (Just don't drop your phone...🤳🫣) The park rangers are super duper awesome as well. They accommodated my daughter's wheelchair needs during our visit, even the chairlift ride. They coordinated with the low side and got a rental one ready for free. After the return ride, a park ranger showed our kids how the chairlift works and let them push some buttons under her supervision. The rail is active and you will get to see the train if you are lucky - according to the ranger, the train 🚂 schedule is random. Lastly, one ranger had tons of animal footprint casts and let the kids pick and paint them. Ten thumbs up and Highly recommend!!! 🙌

Great state park area to visit for the day. The campground we visited that my in-laws were staying in was very well kept and quiet. The natural tunnel itself is also a sight to see! I wish I had gotten to see a train come through, but didn't expect it. The chair light was not in service at the time, but the hike done isn't too long, just a lot of steps. The small gift shop at the top has souvenirs and refreshments as well which was nice. I recommend checking it out!

Went for the Tunnel State Park Christmas event. It is highly recommended to go to the events. It was a perfect night to go, full moon and lots of pretty Christmas lights to view. I want to come back in the day time to see the tunnel. It was a little foggy to see at night. But it was a wonderful experience. Definitely do the chair lift both ways. It's a long walk if not. Very magical at night.

Extremely nice park all set up for Christmas. From the Christmas Lights, to decorations , the seats around an open fire. Christmas music playing through out the entire park , the Carter trail and cabin to the popcorn and hot chocolate along with more snacks and drinks makes for a wonderful time and getting the mood set for a glorious spiritual Christmas.

This park is a little-known gem and after one visit, it is one of my favorite Virginia State Parks. Amidst rugged (and somewhat remote) terrain, the scenery is beautiful. The highlight feature is the natural tunnel through the mountain, upon which a railroad line has been laid. Take the chairlift down to the tracks at the tunnel entrance for the best view. The park also has several well marked and maintained trails, offering nice scenery. We stayed in the campground; there are also yurts and cabins to stay in.

This is a wonderful place. I didn't make it in time to sit in the chairlift, but walking made me happy. The surroundings were clean and incredibly wonderful. When I walk past the edge of the mountain I saw that view. It was amazing. I stood in awe for a long time.

Super cool, definitely worth seeing. We hiked our way down to see the tunnel, it's off-season so the month of March the chairlift is not in operation. The hike up was challenging, good thing they put benches to catch your breath

Awesome park with very scenic trails. The cabins looked great from the outside. Campgrounds including the primitive campground looked very nice. Might have to come back and camp sometime. Plenty of other park amenities as well. The rangers are great, very friendly, approachable and quite knowledgeable.

Really cool place to walk around and see incredible views and natural beauty. Neat history to discuss with the kids. Definitely coming back later in the year when the chair lift is operating.

Stayed at “Lovers Leap” campground. The sites were not level, but not so bad that some leveling blocks couldn’t fix. Power, water, gravel site with picnic table, fire ring, and trash pole. All well maintained. There was also a decent amount of space in-between so you didn’t feel like you were on top of your neighbor. The tunnel and trails were interesting to see/use, but the cave tour was the show stealer. Such a quiet and beautiful place!

Gorgeous Appalachian views from Lovers Leap. The rock formation for the tunnel itself is pretty incredible. It's hard for pictures to do it justice--the cliffs partially surround and tower over you.The trails were easy to navigate, the public restrooms were nice as far as public restrooms go, and I didn't see any litter or vandalism.Happy I stopped by

I take 10 star to this park. It was awesome experience. It is unbelievable place. I just stay and smell weather and air. People did the same way. I can show to you this park with my bad camera and you should come here and after that you understand what I say.

Very nice in the fall. Camping facilities are clean and well kept. The weekend before Halloween, they had Appalachian storytelling and music on the platform at the base of the gorge/tunnel entrance. It was unique and fun. A lot of good, friendly people here.

I had a wonderful visit at the park. I camped for three nights. The park is so interesting with the train tunnel. I ran most of the trails which were in very good condition. I think this park has the most picnic areas of any park I have visited. The campground was totally clean and the camp host was fantastic. It's a wonderful destination and will certainly be returning.

Wonderful place! My family went here for Sukkot. The mountains were beautiful!! Our cabin was clean … cleaner than most hotels. My only complaint were the stink bugs cause we were near the woods. We hiked the mountain (which I do not recommend in flats, lesson learned, easy to hike down, had to take several stops going up) as well as took the lift (a short ride)to see the tunnel. So many nearby places to visit and see as well. I would definitely like to go again sometime.

Came for the Christmas lights experience. It was a lot of fun (fire pits, free marshmallows, letters to Santa, create your own ornament) and the tunnel is pretty incredible. I recommend riding the chairlift back up.

Beautiful place to visit! It is a switch back hike down to the train tracks, but they do have a lift for those that struggle with incline/decline hike. It is amazing to see it when you time it just right with train.

Awesome sights all around. The view from lover's leap was breathtaking and great views from below also. Alot of stairs to the bottom (lift only runs on the weekend now). And if you're lucky (I was), a train will come thru.

We had lots of fun as a family exploring and seeing the tunnel. There is also a cabin that is from 1774. It's very cool to see. Kids had fun playing in the water. We used the ski lift to go down to the tunnel and back up. They also have a small information area and a gift shop back up at the top. They charge a daily fee to come in and park $5 per car. And there is an optional trail instead of the ski lift. We opted to pay to use ski lift for both ways $5 per person. Overall, we had lots of fun and will be back.

4.8

(1522)

4.5

(161)

1420 Natural Tunnel Pkwy, Duffield, VA 24244, USA

+7 other lists

Really amazing shared use trails. Perfect for zipping around on a mountain bike while also being really enjoyable to hike along. If visiting I recommend taking a map just because all the trails can cross each other and become a little confusing. The trails are marked well and taken care of. Thank you to the volunteers who maintain the trails!

I love the duck island trail around the lake. It's 0.79 miles from my parking space. The trail is 100% paved which is great with additional paths that cut through for shorter walk. There are several picnic shelters with picnic tables and BBQ grill. I like seeing the geese in the water or just hanging out on the grass relaxing. What a life to be free from politics.

I was not sure how I would feel about this State Park. I am not overly fond of golf courses and lots of people. I actually found several trails in the park with not a single person hiking them. Thus I ended up loving my visit since I was absolutely looking for tranquility and peace on the day I visited. I found myself rejoicing in cold November breezes on the river banks and bluffs along Devils Backbone, and I was able to enjoy the company of squirrels and Winter birds on a short loop trail. I definitely plan to come back to visit to see if I can get the same relaxing experience as well as let my daughter play on the impressive playground.

This place is. BEAUTIFUL! You would never imagine it's surrounded by so much busy city. It's quite and just all around great. You can hike, swim, fish ECT.

This park is beautiful! Easy access & conveniently located to Kingsport, Tennessee. The RV sites are closely arranged & because so many people bring extra cars & toys it does get full. We would definitely return!!

We spent a few days here camping. There is so much to do. The campsite we were in was small but we fit ok. The restrooms were mostly clean but look like prison style bathrooms. The air conditioners in the bathrooms need to be cleaned and serviced bad. I don't think they have been cleaned or serviced since they were installed.The lake is great for kayaking, boating, fishing and paddle boarding. There is a boat launch and a separate kayak launch. There is a fishing pier and a marina. There is also a golf course and riding stables.

Absolutely delightful campsite for an overnight stay. Level campsite, water and electric services, convenient dump station. Not very many campers for April 1 stay, but I’m sure it gets very busy in the summer. View of the river and clean restrooms. Highly recommend.

Warriors Path is a lovely park with lots of birds and deer. It's a Great place to fish or walk. The Duck Island path is very dog friendly with trash cans and doggie bags available in short intervals. There are lots of places to picnic and the restrooms are clean. It is also a wonderful place to watch the sunset.

Had a good day out here. I've lived down here for about 13 years and finally got to visit this place. It was busy but not overcrowded. Had a great time swimming and relaxing on a warm day. Can't wait to go back which will be soon.

Nice campground along the river. Close to town. Many of the sites are short - for smaller RVs and tenters, but we had one long enough for our 36' fifth wheel. We did have a bit of a challenge leveling and unhitching due to the uneven side to side and front to back of the site, but we managed. Also had a speed bump getting into our site. For drainage control, I assume. Site was equipped with firepit and picnic table. There are nice hikes in the park as well as a marina and golf course. It is a pretty setting. Some sites back up to the river and may have a view through the trees.

Love this park. The lion the with and the wardrobe theme has my little millennial heart smiling every time I visit. There is so much more here than just the playground.

Had a great time walking dogs here and letting them swim in the lake. Great place to take swimmers.

Absolutely gorgeous - a great running spot with Duck Island, a phenomenal hiking experience, and 2 FANTASTIC disc golf courses. The picnic areas are nice also, we’ve eaten a few meals over there.

Great place for kids and plenty of room for them to run around. However they could have more swings and more learning stations for the children. While I was there I noticed it was real easy for a child to just walk off toward the parking lots. They could've put a fence around the playground so they couldn't do that as easily. Children can walk off with anyone if they wanted to if not wartched carefully.

Many hiking options here. You should be able to find one to your liking and ability. For more of a casual walk try Duck Island. Stop by the park office and get a map of trails and parking.

We camped here for 5 days in June 2023. The campground is nice but tight for bigger rigs. We have a 37 ft camper and there are few sites that will accommodate that size rig. There is a boat ramp to put in small boats and kayaks which is nice. There was not a lot of privacy, the sites are pretty close together. We had no problems with the water or power. (50amp) The lake was very calm while we were there and an easy paddle. We saw many birds and even a few deer down by the lake. The pool was not open while we were here. The bathhouse was clean, but very institutional feeling. (Metal toilet, small sink, concrete 4 ft divider between bathroom area and shower area. The bathhouse in our area was composed of 4 lockable sections each having toilet, sink and shower.)

Great park for camping. Quiet with level, finished pad sites. The only drawback is that there's no sewer hookups.2024 EDIT: The new camping area that used to be the "overflow" campground is now reservable and HAS full hookups. It's a *great* campground for the money. No pool or anything like that, but if your goal is to enjoy the nature of the park and/or explore Kingsport, you can't beat this place!

We hiked trails and enjoyed nature. Nice paths, grwat views and a friendly, safe environment

4.7

(3295)

4.5

(316)

490 Hemlock Rd, Kingsport, TN 37663, USA

We had a great time. You can always see the outside of the mountain but rarely do we get to see inside. Our tour guide was amazing! He knew what he was talking about. I recommend booking early in the day..meaning before 11am. Groups fill quickly and you will have to wait until your scheduled tour time. There is a lovely sitting area to wait, waterfall and all!

Neat to experience, but there were some downsides. The tour feels very rushed, like they are just trying to get people in and out as quickly as possible. I went with a group of 3 and you are placed in a tour group of about 14 people. We were at the end of the group as we walked, so when we went to the area to see the endless pool, we didn’t even get to see it because the whole group could not fit in the area. But we had to keep on moving since other groups were behind us. We had to stop multiple times to allow other groups to pass since some areas were very narrow. Our tour guide was funny, but again, very rushed and no time for questions. I felt like I couldn’t stop to really look at anything and the areas she was pointing out during the tour were too difficult to see from the back of the group. Seeing the caves themselves were interesting and worth going at least one time. I recommend you try to be towards the front of the group if you want to be able to take photos and take it in without the guide telling you to stay with the group. We went on a weekday and didn’t have to wait too long, maybe about 30 minutes. There was lots of parking and an outdoor area to hang out at while waiting. I could see it being very crowded on weekends though.

We had a great time exploring the cave and falls here today. We visited on a Friday around noon & only had to wait about 45 minutes for our tour. The area is beautiful so we checked out the creek & gift shop in the meantime. Our tour was about 40 minutes long & the guide was very knowledgeable. It’s first come first serve with tours leaving every few minutes so come early!

Nice cave to visit, not a huge tour kind of short compared to most cave tours we've been on. Managed to squeeze out 50 photos for ya though! Some tight places in here, they give a claustrophobia alert. Sad thing is the tightest spot in the cave you go single file down so everyone in the back does not get to see the end because you have to back out. So what they should do since you walk right by that spot again on the way out is OFFER for anyone who would like to go see it to be able to do so. Was $26 for two people multiply by 10 you got $260 for a 35 maybe 40 minute tour. Make it a few more minutes so everyone can actually enjoy the cave. Unless it's a thing to get repeat visits to see if you get to see the end of the bottomless crack that is at least 250 feet deep but they have never gone deeper, for some reason. We did get a pic of you haven't been down far enough, they're is a grate with glass underneath you can see down a little ways. Wasn't bat season unfortunately but maybe a good thing because you get dripped on enough as it is, was pretty cool to get droplets of cave water on you!

March 2022. Get there early, tours are only about 12 people at a time so they fill up quick. One site said $8 per adult but it was $12 per adult. Masks are required

This is an great experience!Do not missed the opportunity to visit this cavern, it is very impressive. The experience is like traveling to the center of hearth, it’s very enlightening to see how mother nature develop and redesign these wonderful rocks thorough out through out the years. There is also live animals inside… a small river (with fishes) that runs through the caverns and even bats that are hanging in the roof 👍It’s a great place to learn and have fun 💪

We really enjoyed our cavern tour and our kids enjoyed climbing on the rocks in the nearby stream. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Our kids are 6 and 9, and the tour was enjoyable to them as well as to the adults.

We had an amazing tour guide was was incredibly knowledgeable and very fun. It took about 45 minutes to get through the tour. It was busier than expected on a Friday afternoon but we only had to wait about 15 minutes. There were a lot of people. Not sure if this is typical but the bathrooms were in pretty bad shape. Overall it was a pretty cool experience.

If you love caves and natural beauty you'll LOVE this place ! We all had a great time! They have a rock shop with low prices and also jewelry and souvenirs. The best part is the caverns though. I have been twice and you learn something by going through the tour. Totally worth the price of admission and it wasn't expensive at all!

First ever trip to the Caverns after 40 years. Took my sons for spring break. My only complaint was the gift shop. The majority of items were just rock/gem jewelry and gifts. I wish there was a larger variety of items. The area outside was beautiful, and the kids loved the creek. As for the tour, I wish I could remember the lady's name, but she was amazing. I had several questions, and she knew the answers to each. She was extremely knowledgeable and interacted extremely well with the kids. This was a great experience that I will never forget. Tour was also on time. One other regret is that I was at the end of the line and did not get a good view of the endless pool. I wish I could have got a little closer. Lastly, the trout inside was just plain cool.

Kids (6,9,14,16 yrs old) loved it as never seen anything like and never been underneath. Too me it’s a one time to see experience. For them was better than any science lesson. Even though it was rainy and cold day outside, tour was good. Inside the caverns cold too, all year round 52F/ 11C.I loved how waiting time was organized, you didn’t have to spend time waiting for an hour in the line and freezing outside in a waiting area. You get your time when buy a ticket and you can plan and do whatever. It’s very convenient especially during winter season. I was reading reviews about lines and waiting time and that was scary in a cold season especially when you travel from Florida - an hour, hour and a half.In fact we bought a ticket and got our exact time. It was scheduled an hour from the time of purchase. We went to a tavern to warm up and get some snacks. So when we got back little earlier, we spent 5 min in the line waiting for the tour to start. Groups was small - 14 people.All tours are guided. Tours are scheduled every 15 min, last 30-40 min as I read, our was 35 min long.Overall was a very pleasant experience. Hiking was too cold for us but being in the mountains enjoying nice views, breathing fresh air was charging experience. I can assume that mountains are very beautiful in spring or summer when trees are green. Parking and entrance to the are is free. Pay for cavern tickets only. Small stone gifts and stuff available in the gift store where you buy tickets. Tickets are not sold online.Little tip - when you buy a ticket and get your time, you can reschedule it for later if you have plans to eat around in order not to get late. If you are late they may not be always able to fit you in another group.

It was nice and a great experience. However, our guide was not the worse, but she could've done better. She was informative but I felt she wanted to talk over us. We were a party of 9 and I was the only adult that spoke English. I needed to translate and my family didn't feel like she wanted to stop for me to translate. My son is handicap and there was only 1 area he couldn't go. It is great, accessible. So worth the money. Also, my mom qualified for the senior citizen discount and no one cared to inform that. One of the kids noticed after we left. The attention at the shop was not very welcoming. It smells funny and the attendants were also not very happy. There was one blonde guide that was amazing, unfortunately we didn't get her. I give a high rating because the attraction itself is amazing. Highly recommend.

Our tour guide, Alex, is the absolute best!! He was so knowledgeable about the cave and had jokes and puns, which made it enjoyable. The tour is fun for all ages. Wear a jacket with a hood as it is 52° in the cave, and water does drip in places because, well...it's a CAVE. It is absolutely beautiful and fun and decently priced also. A must-see experience for sure. The gift shop is amazing with all types of stones, jewelry etc and it's not as expensive as you would think and I was quite surprised by that. Overall, it is a great experience. Make sure you purchase tickets in advance. We got there at 12:00 and because they filled up fast we weren't able to tour till 3:20. So we left and went on a hike to Linville Falls and came back in time for the tour. It's not really a big deal as this whole place is filled with fun things to see and do. But seriously, Alex is awesome, so give him a raise.

Nice, small cavern in North Carolina. This is the oldest living cavern in the United States.Our guide was knowledgeable. The tour was a little quick. I wish we would have had another minute or two at each so to take pictures.

We went here for my birthday it was wonderful. Dalton our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I heard some of the other guides I think we had the best ones lol. The caves are a must see. Our family had a great time.

Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the tour itself was very interesting. There was a bit of a wait, but it was nice outside and there's a gift shop to browse, so we didn't mind. Cool little trip for both adults and kids!

I have lived in North Carolina almost 60 years, but had never visited these caverns until today. Absolutely amazing! Tour guides are full of great facts about what you are seeing. If you are in the area, visit the caverns and Linville Falls. Both are worth it!

Good place to spend couple of hrs. We went there on a weekday and still had almost 2 hr wait. I am guessing because of spring break off for schools. Parking lot is big but fills up quickly. Cavern is not that big. It’s a guided tour so it takes about 35 mins. Crew there is knowledgeable and explained everything really well. We didn’t see any bats but did see lot of trout in the water. Water drips from the ceiling so expect to get few drops on you. There is a store where you can buy some souvenirs and candies. Restrooms near parking lot. Totally worth the price of admission.

Very cool cave system. $13 for an ~30min tour. The guide was very informative and the caverns were beautiful! When we got there the sign said that the tours were sold out. After speaking with the gentleman working the ticket counter we learned that that was not the case. He had 2 tickets left but they were for different times. So we had 4:15pm and 4:20pm tickets, which is odd because their website says that tours run every 10 minutes but I digress. When the 4:15pm tour was called to gather up I presented the guide with both tickets. She noted the time difference but said that she would count the number of people and see if she could safely include both of us on the same tour. We lucked out and we’re both able to go together! My thanks to the staff for being so accommodating!

These caverns are very good. They are maintained very well. The guided tours are well-spaced and the explanation is good. Even though the cavern is not very big, the explanation makes it worthwhile.The spider eggs were awesome. The water was continuously flowing on the sides. During the world war, some soldiers tried to escape it by hiding in the caverns. But the smoke they generated, escaped through the cracks and people found them.They even turned off all the lights and let us know how dark it could be.The attached gift shop has a lot of items to explore.The restroom has water supply from the streams and it's very cold.It's best to explore in warmer weather as the outer ground is also beautiful.

This is a really cool experience! The guided tour provides you with a lot of information about the caverns. The fee for the tour is very reasonably priced and the staff are very friendly. There is also a small gift shop and clean public restrooms on site. Definitely recommend stopping by to check it out.

Small, but beautiful and rich with history. Silas, our tour guide was great, humorous, easy-going, informative, and able to control the tour group. Great stop and incredible opportunity to stand under a fault line that has been dormant for 200 years, and is checked every 4 for any activity. There are many other great stories shared as well, but I do not want to spoil them for you.

I have done several cave tours, and this is a really good one. There are a few tight spots, but otherwise it is an easy tour. Definitely worth the time and price.

Pretty darn incredible. Few notes: adult tickets are $13, kids $11. No online reservations. We got there and had tickets for a tour within 30 mins of arrival. Tours roll every 15 mins and last about 35 mins. I suggest wearing a rain jacket or waterproof coat as it's dripping water in most places. Don't touch the rocks and when we went there were no bats; which I'm fine with ;)Gift shop needs some love, but staff is nice. Super cool areas outside by the river to wait for your tour.Highly recommend.

4.5

(3963)

4.0

(799)

19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752, USA

1 list

Great camping experience with jaw dropping views. Everyone followed the "leave no trace" guideline, and there are a lot of cool hikes around!

Such a beautiful park. The gorge itself is very lovely, lots of hikes to choose from. Plenty of spots along the river to go swimming safely and lots of big beautiful rocks to climb on. Just watch out for snakes on the forest trails!

Wonderful wild place..in case you love being outside! I haven't been there in quite some time. But I'm sure it hasn't changed a lot! Due to the absolute rugged terrain! Be sure to follow all the wilderness guidelines and be sure to enjoy yourself!

Most of the reason we come out to North Carolina. Always fun camping out here. Trails are awesome and the views are to die for.

Great hike and destination. Boulders are enormous and water is cool and refreshing. The road to the trailhead is super bumpy. If driving a compact car just go slow and you'll get there and back.

I love this place so much!! Such a cool place to see and visit. Some of the best waterfalls in NC. The trails are great and it’s rather easy to get to the waterfalls. There are a ton of places to do primitive camping for free. Highly recommend!!

Each trail has a phenomenal view of the gorge below. The waterfalls are breathtaking and the river is a calming oasis. One of my best hikes in NC.

It's truly one of my most favorite places to go hike.

The Grand Canyon of the East! Located in the Pisgah Forest, this beautiful destination will not disappoint! Enjoy views, trails(for all levels) and the beautiful waterfalls nestled here… Great for day trips or weekend camping adventures

A natural wonderland dedicated to hiking. Full of trails, waterfalls and amazing overlooks. I only spent a day here but its easy to spend a week. Hikes of all levels and difficulty are available here but most will have you descending into the gorge or up to an overlook, or both!

4.8

(247)

4.5

(380)

Morganton, NC 28655, USA

10 lists

Awesome trail great people that walk on it. Sad thing though is it's so dirty down the hill around the 8 mile marker and so on

I enjoyed riding the trail and I think they have done a wonderful job. I think they could turn the volume down on the police presence. Nobody wants to have a good time and relax when you're surrounded by police.

Nice, smooth trail for a great family ride. The Rotary Club pavilion looks great!

All the stop signs that face the tweetsie trail need to be removed and yield to pedestrain/cyclists flashing signs need to be placed at all road crossings. Someone is going to get hit and killed at one of those road crossings. Drivers don't slow down and runners, walkers, and cyclists don't stop. Johnson City and Elizabethton need to make the Tweetsie trail safer for the people who want to use it.

Great place to take the kids for fun!

that's my review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨😀😀😀😀😀😀

Good

4.5

(11)

4.5

(173)

Tennessee, USA

I have been to Roan Mountain State Park multiple times and have not had a bad experience yet. I went twice during the Winter season with snow on the ground and twice during warmer weather conditions. I went hiking inside the park and also on Roan Mountain proper. I received good advice on weather and road conditions as well as getting a chance to prepare for my adventures. The bathrooms are clean and the staff members are very friendly.The trails I have been able to go hiking on are well maintained by the Rangers. This park ranks very high on my list of favorite parks and natural places to spend my time and photograph.

Roan Mountain State Park is a beautiful, affordable State Park! Also, it boasts dark skies for stargazing & astronomy (which I greatly appreciate, as an amateur astronomer). We had a fantastic time hiking Roan Mountain! It has absolutely amazing views and gorgeous flowers!

I came to for the Spring Naturalist Rally with friends. It was such a beautiful location & the campground is REALLY nice. The sites are kind of private & wooded compared to some campgrounds. It was also nice & quiet. Everyone was super kind & the Rally was impressive. Everyone was so knowledgeable! It was about 4 hours for us, but I'd love to go back. ⛺️

One of our favorites. We had a wonderful time here at the cabin we stayed in. So many things to do here at this park. It is a beautiful area of Tennessee. Lots of history here. Several hiking trails, a beautiful camp ground is located here. Conference building is very nice to rent out for a event. Such a enjoyable time. Thank you.

Loved our visit today. Hiked Moonshiners Run along the water, beautiful hike, and well maintained. Fairly easy trail .95 in and .95 back. My 2 year old was able to hike the trail based on difficulty but had to be backpacked due to distance. Definitely stop by the visitor center for souvenirs on your way in or out!

Water still off for the season. Despite some rough weather, this was an awesome state park to hike. The views are rumored to be great, I spent the day inside clouds so 🤷‍♂️

Such a great place! Just half a mile from the parking lot you can see amazing views into TN and NC. The hike is easy and beautiful. You can keep hiking to higher terrain if you want to keep following the AT. In the fall, it's heaven.

Mountains never fail you to empowering the looker. The wave of ranges in these blue ridge mountains is the proof that our Mother Earth is beautiful beyond words. You will definitely be recharged

I rate this as one of the nicest “state” parks I have camped in. The grounds are immaculate and the staff are courteous and helpful. The rangers are among the nicest and most helpful I have ever crossed. The park amenities are good and the location is prime being in the wilderness but only 20 mins from a large town. The nearby town of roan mountain (10mins) has grocery and restaurants. You are also at the base of Roan Mountain that is full of trails and sights. I would recommend this park without hesitation. Park fills up quickly in the summer, so plan ahead.

One of my absolute favorite spots on this earth! Come here regularly to hike the Grassy Ridge Bald trail.5 miles, fairly moderate, anyone with a decent pair of hiking boots can do it, and extremely beautiful with panoramic views! I do my best to show someone this hike every time I go because everyone should check this place out.For those who are a bit inexperienced with elevation, it's typically a bit colder up here, if you're coming from areas of lower elevation.

Just breathe taking views; try to make time to stop at each place along the park route and enjoy nature! You will want to return and enjoy the flowers later! Loved the twist and turn seeing the fall colors pop!

Had a wonderful experience. Park staff and park rangers were amazing, helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely plan to revisit the park in warmer weather.

We were in town for a family reunion and hiked Roan Mountain. Parking at carvers gap was hard as the road was closed. But we made the best of it and had a great, clear day to hike.

I love Roan Mountain. It's a great place to go if you need a break from reality. The Miller Farmstead is my favorite place on earth and the Chestnut Ridge Overlook is perfect.

The best scenery. Stunning 360 views even if you don't hike for long. I have done some backpacking around here too and there are so many great spots to pitch a tent and lots of other backpackers on the trails.

This place was amazing. Stop by the visitors center for all your info and directions. While there you can take a loop hike that starts right off the office steps. JUST MAKE SURE YOU BRING A WALKING STICK, if you need help walking, or its damp out there. It is not a stroll. Once on the trail you can take the path to the mine ( new wood steps to get there. The walk was awesome. Then drive to the top and walk up the path (lots of parking and people walking up and down to get to the top)! The view is amazing! Cant wait to go back to see the sun rise!

4.8

(1798)

4.5

(262)

527 TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA

2 lists

Great place to visit even on the off-season. There was coffee and corvettes morning. Got to meet someone who works for the track. This person gave us an amazing morning by letting us drive on the track and signing our names on the wall. Great day!

First time here was a great experience loved the The beginning with the music, troops, flying overhead and the fireworks. Very professional racetrack and drivers. Would return but not buying concessions was expecting at least the works on a hotdog for $7 was a plain wiener. Overall beautiful place!

We went to the Bristol Dirt Race on Easter. It was our first time. A friend got us tickets and we had a blast. It was awesome for the night race and meet some pretty awesome people while there.

Excellent tour for a really cheap price! We got to go in the owners suite, drive down Thunder Valley and take a lap around the racetrack. Awesome experience!

100% recommend! It's such a fun family and kid oriented place! And you do not have to worry about walking they have people in golf carts riding around that will take you anywhere. Everyone is so extremely helpful and friendly! Absolutely love bristol ❤️

We have been going to the Bristol night Race for the last 15 years couldn't ask for a better place. Absolutely, love Bristol the track. The town Tennessee altogether is amazing.

Awesome track for a first-time race goer [me]. Great food, drinks, vendors, souvenirs, and staff. No bad seat in the house. Everything is relatively easy to get to. Bus service leaving leaves a lil to be desired in efficiency. I'm not sure there's a better solution at the moment, but it took 2 hrs just to get back to the vehicle, and a third hour to get on the road. Overall, great experience! Can't wait to return!!

We went to a race and honestly I didn’t know anything about racing. I did however learn some things and really enjoyed myself. You could see pretty clearly and I feel the seating was better than NFL seating if you enjoy it.The only thing that was bad was that I didn’t know that you would have a lot of uphill walking to do just to get to this speedway. Even leaving left you with a lot of walking uphill. This wouldn’t be an issue if you are in great physical shape or didn’t have small children, however I did have children and was mid pregnancy. I watched a older gentleman also struggle with his cane as well.The race itself was great though.

Really nice track. Easy flow of parking and it’s easy to navigate around the premises. Concessions are pretty fantastic and I was amazed at how clean the bathrooms were. It’s a racetrack. A nice racetrack. Stop by for any event. Recommend it!!!!!!

One of the greatest tracks ever.Keep the dirt at a dirt track though. There are so many great dirt tracks they could go to!If you haven't been you need to even if you don't care for racing, just the experience and the atmosphere is worth it!Hope to see ya next year!!

Speedway in lights is fantastic! We went yearly when my son was little and now that I have a grandson we plan on making it a yearly tradition again. We all thoroughly enjoy the light show and the Christmas village. Santa was a big hit as well!

The speedway of lights was great but there are a lot of lights that have sections missing or lights not working. Child had a blast and as always got apple cider from Santa’s village

Oh, yeah! It’s Bristol Baby! What a great time with a bunch of people that are all just enjoying a friendly & exciting atmosphere. I expected things to be much pricier; but compared to other sports & live entertainment events the options here were respectably priced. Oh yeah, and they still let you bring your own cooler with food and beverages too!

I always love coming here for the September race. It is always a party and the people are so very friendly. There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. I would recommend staying at the Earhart campgrounds, it's right next to the track and the facilities are well maintained

Nice place to stop on your way through Bristol. Gate was open so we walked around the track at our leisure and got to see where Nascar history has happened. A must if you're a fan or not, check it out!

Nice friendly experience for a truck race. Sadly hardly any vendors open for food, no signs saying who’s open. The persons employed at gates had no clue about the layout of gates ect. We needed up in the wrong place a d walked way down only to find it blocked with a gate dividing the sections. It would have been better if all employees had to walk the entire place twice and they would know real quick which tickets need entrance to which gates.

Came for the speedway in lights. It was pretty awesome. The lights were beautiful, and being on the track was pretty cool. The Christmas village was nice to have a bite to eat and do some local shopping. It was worth the money. I came on a Monday night it was perfect, barely any traffic.

This track knows how to do an event well. You do not need a ticket for the race to enter their "Fan Zone" so you can enjoy all of the events outside the venue. Inside, there are plenty of concessions, so you do not have to wait in lines for an ungodly amount of time. I thought the prices were reasonable for food considering the situation. The seating was great. Because it is such a small track, you can see everything. Overall, I was impressed by the whole experience.

All I can say is Wow! We had a blast at the Food City 500. The facility and its employees run like a well-oiled machineIt was perfect!

Went for the spring race and loved it! Highly recommend renting the Racing Electronics headsets online before you go. No bad seats in the house!

It's Bristol baby how can anyone really complain?! Lots of activities outside the track for adults and kids to do. Any seat here is really a good seat. Be prepared to walk a lot and do a LOT of steps! The only downfall was that there were not many concession stands open. You literally had to walk half way around the stadium to get anything and it was only nachos, chili dog and soda. It was very sad to see the stands so empty.

First time ever at Bristol Motor Speedway...!!! Grew up watching NASCAR.....but we're not here for that today. Got an amazing opportunity to run with the VCTS ( vores compact touring series ). Even though it's a bit chilly this weekend, hope to have a great time watching some racing and pray to God everything goes well!!!

This was my first time at Bristol and I loved it. The place is kinda small so any in the building is a good seat.

4.7

(9220)

4.5

(666)

151 Speedway Blvd, Bristol, TN 37620, USA

4.5

(288)

Bristol, USA