The top cities between Townsend and Charleston are Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Asheville, Greenville, Cherokee, Columbia, Hendersonville, Sevierville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Maggie Valley. Gatlinburg is the most popular city on the route. It's less than an hour from Townsend and 6 hours from Charleston.
Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination located in eastern Tennessee, known for its mountain town vibe and numerous attractions. One of the most well-known spots is Dollywood, an Appalachian-themed amusement park created by country singer Dolly Parton, which includes thrilling rides, a water park and a museum featuring her costumes and memorabilia. Travelers can also enjoy various country music shows like Smoky Mountain Opry or dinner theaters such as Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.
97% as popular as Gatlinburg
6 minutes off the main route, 8% of way to Charleston
Sevierville is an eastern Tennessee metropolis that boasts plentiful forest trails and cascading waterfalls within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies to the south. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation, containing a collection of vintage planes, including two rare P-47 Thunderbolts, can be found in downtown Sevierville. A beaux arts-style courthouse erected in 1896 stands nearby, featuring a statue honoring country music icon Dolly Parton, who hails from the area.
17% as popular as Gatlinburg
2 minutes off the main route, 8% of way to Charleston
Need a place to stay?
WhereWhere are you going
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Gatlinburg, located in the eastern part of Tennessee, serves as an entry point to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spanning over 520,000 acres. This mountain town provides tourists with numerous attractions that offer panoramic views of the park surroundings. Among them are a 407-ft Space Needle observation tower and a 2.1-mile Sky Lift cable car that takes visitors from Downtown to Ober Gatlinburg - a well-known amusement park and ski resort destination.
Most popular city on this route
11 minutes off the main route, 11% of way to Charleston
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park located in the U.S. states of North Carolina and Tennessee, with over 800 square miles of beautiful forest, mountains, rivers and ridges. It is well known for its diversity of nature - including hiking trails to the summits of the mountains, viewing gorgeous waterfalls, or learning about history from old structures on the property.
This amazing park is home to a thousand black bears. In winter when I went the bears were hibernating, so ducks, deer and elk were the wildlife we saw. Winter here makes the park as beautiful as in other seasons but with completely different and unexpected views of nature and the landscape. Amazing!
Eduardo Mace — Google review
Loved the mountains!!! If you have time wished I did would loved to explore the surrounding trails. Very beautiful place. Peaceful and relaxing. We came through on a week day so traffic was good. If you see people with cameras and huddled you may be in for Elk seeing!!!
Explore With Who — Google review
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provided my family and me with an unforgettable experience of natural beauty and tranquility. As we entered the park, we were immediately captivated by the breathtaking vistas of rolling mountains, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The park's serene atmosphere created the perfect setting for us to bond and reconnect with nature.
Exploring the park's numerous hiking trails allowed us to immerse ourselves in the peaceful surroundings. Each step we took revealed a new wonder, whether it was a hidden stream, a vibrant wildflower, or a majestic wildlife sighting. The diversity of the park's ecosystem was awe-inspiring, and we were constantly amazed by the wonders that unfolded before our eyes.
One of the highlights of our visit was witnessing the sunrise from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. Standing atop the observation tower, we were treated to a panoramic view of the mountains as they were bathed in golden hues by the first light of day. It was a moment of pure serenity and a memory that will forever be etched in our hearts.
Overall, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provided us with a remarkable and memorable experience. Its beauty and tranquility rejuvenated our spirits and allowed us to forge lasting memories. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or quality time with loved ones, I highly recommend visiting this extraordinary park.
Rosanne Cifani — Google review
LOVE the Smoky Mountains!! It’s a must see during all the seasons especially summer and fall! Plenty of pull offs for picture taking, enjoying the scenery and hiking. We live less than 2 hours away and frequent here several times a year and we still can’t get enough of the beauty! Also great towns all around with plenty to do and eat!
Mindy B. — Google review
What can one say about a National Park?
More than I can type here. Everywhere we went was kept very clean and had no issues.
The hiking trails are generally well kept and safe.
The rest areas have clean bathrooms and the roads are excellent.
We enjoyed our time in the southern part of the park very much and will be back again.
Be ready to use your brakes and steering wheel a lot while traveling the mountainous roads!
Jason Olson — Google review
One of our greatest National Parks to be sure!
The Elk are out in full force this year! Such a beautiful sight to see.
Did you know…?
A parking pass is now required for anyone sitting still for more than 15 minutes.
The passes can only be obtained in the park at the visitor’s centers by kiosk with a credit/debit card
Chris Powers — Google review
It was so spectacularly beautiful! Cade's Cove was awesome! We saw a couple of bears, deer, and other small critters. Loved the stops at the churches, cemeteries, and home/farm remnants from the 1800s settlement. My old phone doesn't do it justice. Can't wait to return to this part of Tennessee!
Jennifer Johnston — Google review
We really enjoyed our short trip here. Our first time, so we were just taking in the beauty of nature. The visitors center was great and many gifts for sale at reasonable prices. The staff was very pleasant, knowledgeable and professional. We can't wait to come back and explore much more with weather that is a tad warmer. It was 23 degrees the day we went, but barely noticed with all the surrounding beauty to behold!!
Jim Melton — Google review
This is an amazing park with so much to do. It’s no wonder the park is packed in the summer.
We were here in the spring, mid-April, and it was amazing. The green undergrowth was amazing and provided an assuredly different view than if we’d gone in summer or fall.
The park staff was amazing at each encounter, especially the volunteers. Every hike we did provided different experiences and views to enjoy. And best of all, despite all we did there was so much we didn’t do and look forward to future returns to tick those things off.
If you’re planning a visit, be sure to pick up the guide pamphlets for $1 or so each, the wealth of information is amazing in helping to plan your experience. There are also plenty of picnic areas to choose from, so packing a lunch to enjoy at them is a great idea.
We can’t wait to go back.
Mark Hamilton — Google review
Great smoky mountains National Park if full of adventures. A few days are not enough to explore its beauty and vastness.
We could see some great sites and will definitely come back to see more. Good infrastructure in the area. Various options of accommodations for all prices range from cheapest to higher side. It is difficult to express my feelings here. It is a must go site for people loving fun and exploring mesmerizing nature out there.
Abdul Basit — Google review
Due to its size, this national park offers so much to do and explore. From quick hikes and glamping for weekend warriors to more rugged outdoor activities for more experienced people. There is really something for everyone, provided you are even remotely interested in the outdoors.
Please click the Like button if you found this review helpful.
Slim Guy — Google review
I didn't want to leave. It has to be one of the most beautiful, peaceful places I've ever been. I cannot say enough about the place. The only wildlife that we saw were a few turkeys and geese but it was still a beautiful place and experience. If you haven't been, you should plan to go. ❤️❤️
Selena Black — Google review
Awesome place. It was bit crowded but the we were on the perfect time. It got all colors and awesome views and weather. Was able to see bears live. Enjoyed a lot with family
dilip kumar sahu — Google review
Popping fall colors! Spent Halloween at a cabin, tucked away in the Smoky Mountains. Beautiful scenery!
Def recommend the hiking trail to Laurel Falls, easy for beginners and families. So happy we saw Mama bear & 3 cute cubs close to our cabin!
Travel Babe — Google review
Besides the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, we encountered a herd of 23 female Elk who just crossed a nearby stream to graze in the nearby freshly growing grass. My Grandson, wife, and 2 young children stood behind that old rugged fence watching quietly and in awe of these beautiful animals. At one startlingly moment, I turned around, and not 6ft. from in back of us, stood this gigantic male bull staring at us. We all froze hanging onto the fence, and prayed, as the3 and 5 yr old sat on their parents shoulders. I had on a bright green jacket and could feel and hear him breathing on it. Thank God, the kids were warned in time to be extremely quiet. 🙏🏼 Thankfully, the big guy left as quietly as he came. My Grandson was in tears as he explained that through the corner of his eye he could see the big Elk back up behind me and put his head, huge antlers down in an attack mode. THANK GOD, I guess he realized we weren't a threat to his Harem of some pregnant females,and slowly walked away. I asked my Grandson if he was able to get a picture of him. He said, Gram, I didn't dare move an inch. I thought we were going to have to take you to the hospital, or worse!!!!! SMART THINKING 🤔 👍 SO, as you enjoy the beauty of the land, also be aware of the dangers that could creep up on you!!!!! God Bless!!!!!
Dot Cambern — Google review
The views were good but when we reached there the peak was over. So I could not see the best of fall colors. We did not go to top of mountain we covered half way. In some places there is elevation.
There are small walkway bridges which are very good and best for taking our pictures.
Shilpitha — Google review
GSM is an absolutely beautiful preservation of the mountains. The trails, picnic videos and ranger stations we visited were all maintained, clearly marked, accessible and fun to visit. Trails along the creeks were especially beautiful. Driving, walking or hiking are all great ways to experience the views. Most trails and wildlife areas in the region are park of the park, so buying a parking or visiting pass is a good idea. They are mostly reasonable at around $5.
Jess Hogg — Google review
26% as popular as Gatlinburg
44 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to Charleston
Cherokee, located in western North Carolina, is a town on the reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Visitors can experience the 18th-century Cherokee lifestyle at Oconaluftee Indian Village through live demonstrations and watch the tribal story unfold at the outdoor Mountainside Theatre during summer performances of "Unto These Hills." The nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers campgrounds and Appalachian hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
13% as popular as Gatlinburg
21 minutes off the main route, 25% of way to Charleston
I'll never travel to Charleston without this trip planner again
Nestled in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina, Maggie Valley is a charming town located on the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can explore the park's natural beauty, including wildflowers and black bears, along trails like Deep Creek Trail with its stunning waterfalls. For winter sports enthusiasts, Cataloochee Ski Area offers slopes and trails for skiing and snowboarding. History buffs will enjoy the Wheels Through Time Museum's collection of vintage motorcycles and rare cars.
3% as popular as Gatlinburg
14 minutes off the main route, 29% of way to Charleston
Asheville, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, is renowned for its thriving arts scene and historic architecture. The city boasts grand landmarks like the Basilica of Saint Lawrence with its striking dome and also the 19th-century Biltmore estate, home to priceless artworks by masters such as Renoir. Asheville has a lively Downtown Art District filled with galleries and museums, while the River Arts District houses artists' studios in converted factory buildings.
31% as popular as Gatlinburg
8 minutes off the main route, 35% of way to Charleston
Hendersonville is situated in North Carolina, located south of Asheville. The downtown area features the Henderson County Heritage Museum showcasing Civil War relics and a replica of a 1900s general store. Meanwhile, Jump Off Rock provides an excellent view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Mills River Park is equipped with dog parks and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
4% as popular as Gatlinburg
6 minutes off the main route, 39% of way to Charleston
Located in South Carolina, Greenville is a bustling city that boasts a rich cultural history. The Greenville County Museum of Art showcases an extensive collection of artwork by Southern artists from various centuries. Meanwhile, the Upcountry History Museum takes visitors on a journey through the interesting and diverse history of upstate South Carolina. Those who love nature will enjoy visiting Falls Park on the Reedy, where they can take in stunning views of waterfalls and gardens along the river's edge via suspension bridges.
14% as popular as Gatlinburg
15 minutes off the main route, 50% of way to Charleston
Columbia, the largest city in South Carolina, serves as the state's capital. The area boasts a number of notable attractions including the South Carolina State House, which is characterized by its Greek Revival architecture and accompanied by an array of monuments. For those interested in wildlife and nature, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden offers expansive animal enclosures as well as stunning botanical gardens.
11% as popular as Gatlinburg
7 minutes off the main route, 70% of way to Charleston
Best stops along Townsend to Charleston drive
The top stops along the way from Townsend to Charleston (with short detours) are Dollywood, Sugarlands Distilling Company, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Other popular stops include Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) Rafting, Falls Park on the Reedy, and Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort.
Dollywood is a theme park that epitomizes the spirit of the Smoky Mountains. The park's cheerful atmosphere, rich history, and unique rides make it an iconic destination for tourists from all over the world.
We really enjoyed Dollywood, our first visit. 9 of us went, ages 2 to 60, and we all really had a great time. From roller-coasters to shops and shows....everyone was happy. Practically no wait times today at all. Dollywood is gorgeous from the mountains to the flowers to adorable plant sculptures.... Music is always playing somewhere and the family atmosphere is so cool.
Gary Powell — Google review
First time going and let me tell you what, it was great!!! ALL the roller-coasters were great. We even rode some of them twice. That is also how fast the staff at Dollywood is working to get people on rides. The staff is also so helpful if you need help finding food or a ride. We loved this place so much that we are going back for a second day. I would definitely recommend that you come here whether you have kids or not.
Jena Harnish — Google review
This was such a cute amusement park! The rides were fun for the whole family, food was fantastic, and there was plenty of other attractions to keep you busy! The lines were relatively short, and after getting rained out we had no wait at all. All of the staff members were so friendly and I cannot wait to go again!
Ashley Nelson — Google review
This was a visit I won't soon forget.
At Mountain Blown Glass you can make your own ornament for a lasting memory.
Definitely recommend people to visit.
If you go make sure to stop at the Grist Mill and pick up some hot cinnamon bread@
This is the ONLY park I have ever visited that sings the national anthem when they open!
That alone is worth five stars.
I would give them more just for that if possible!
Greg Wielock — Google review
My first time here! Excellent time! I loved the shoes and the roller coasters! The water rides were wetter than expected, but that's all the fun! Free refills with a souvenir cup purchase. Locker rental for the day is only $12 and you can transfer your locker from one location to another multiple times. We went in early spring with no wait times on the rides, but a Time Saver Pass is available (we had one but only used it once). I recommend it for busy time of the year. It's a waste of money any other time. We ate at the buffet. It was delicious. We ride the train. Lots of gift shops, thrill rides, kid rides, something for everyone. There's an aviary, and we saw weeks turkeys on the train ride.
Julie Wallace — Google review
We arrived at Dollywood on a Tuesday around 10am.We prepaid for parking and the parking lots were full up to lot D, where we Parked. The Tram was the longest thing to wait for but it was clear the staff was moving as fast as they could, and it was organized. Getting into the park after the tram dropped us off took no time at all. We prepaid for tickets and highly recommend you do the same. I screenshot my tickets and they scanned my phone. I picked up a "Happy Birthday" button from a bin right near the maps. I got a map but I used the Dollywood App mostly since it works like google maps and has all ride wait times. Wait times were not too bad most of the day. The park is very walkable and you can go to the lesser wait times and keep an eye out on other rides. The biggest downside really was their credit card machines going down around the park. I recommend bringing cash, I have come to learn it is very helpful to have. All in all though, Dollywood did not disappoint!
Paige Shorter — Google review
One of the best THEME parks. Loved the Harvest Festival with all the pumpkin displays, Halloween decor and music - so much talent and love the music here. Lots of themed food and drinks. The hot cinnamon bread was a treat. Ride the Dollywood Express that circles the park, see Dolly's childhood home replica, escape to a bygone beaut of a place, and ride great themed rides like the Tennessee Tornado and Wild Eagle... the eagle ride really does make you feel like you're soaring!
Becca Nicholson — Google review
We had the most amazing time despite the rain. Our children were finally tall enough to ride the big rides and even though that was all they could really do they enjoyed every minute we were there. The shops were adorable and incredible. All of the staff were absolutely wonderful! We were able to be present for the drone show at the end of the night! All in all an excellent time and memories we'll never forget!
Cassie Flory — Google review
This was our first time to visit Dollywood, and it was such a fun experience! Parking was easy. The tram was wonderful. There were so many that we didn't have to wait at all. ALL of the staff were friendly and helpful. ALL of the park was very clean and had tons of places to rest in the shade. We loved the rides! Lighting Rod was our favorite roller coaster. There are tons of places to eat. The hamburger was mediocre for the price. The Nathan's hot dog stand was delicious! Make sure you stay for the drone light show at the end! We've never seen anything like it! We should have planned to be in this park for 2 days so we could have seen the shows as well.
Samantha Herbner — Google review
During mid-September, I went with my sister and my autistic nephew, Anthony, to the Dollywood Amusement Park. Although I'm not typically a fan of amusement parks, I thoroughly enjoyed observing Anthony's reactions to the rides and the lively atmosphere. Fortunately, the park wasn't crowded on the day we went, so we didn't have to wait in line for any rides and even got to go on some of them twice. However, the downside was that most of the rides were either geared towards extreme thrill-seekers or very young children, leaving few options in between. The majority of the roller coasters had upside-down loops and were quite bumpy, which may have been enjoyable when we were younger, but not in our 60s. Our personal favorites were the log flumes and river rafts, despite getting wet from the rides. The food choices were typical fair food, expensive and mediocre.
Donna Bollenbach — Google review
I will start with the only bad thing I experienced. I wish they had more scooter rentals at the front or offered shuttles to the inside rentals. Being handicap has it challenges and renting a scooter shouldn’t be an extra problem.
Now, Dollywood is beautiful! It was very clean and decorated wonderfully. We had to stay until dark just to see all the pumpkins lit up. Trying to take pictures of some displays was difficult because people walk right through as you try.
We ate at one of the restaurants near the front, the food was good and the wait went fast. We also got a harvest food tasting pass. What a great adventure. It was fun to taste everything fall Dollywood had to offer.
We bought season passes to try and come back again for other seasons.
Traci Tallman — Google review
Dollywood is fun for everyone. From the moment you walk in, it's just instantly exciting. It was my daughter's birthday, and they had birthday pins at the front entrance, which made her feel even more special on her big day. We were lucky and went during the fall fest. The pumpkins and fall theme made for such an inviting and warm feeling. We ate at one of the little restaurants, and the service and food were nothing short of amazing. The fried green tomatoes were absolutely delicious! We only went on two rides, but they were so much fun, and the wait wasn't too bad. The shops are so cute and pretty affordable. ALSO, one thing that was huge for us was that they had medicine (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, tummy meds, etc.) for sale at pretty much every shop. It is a lot of walking, but it is totally worth it, and there are a lot of places to stop and rest. We only got a day pass but could definitely have used an extra day or two to explore the entire park. I would highly recommend taking a trip, so many memories to be made here!
Stephanie Finney — Google review
We went to Dollywood on Good Friday so it was very busy. We did buy our tickets in advance. I would recommend you do that because the lines for the tickets were extremely long. Definitely a lot of different things to do. We did not do any of the rides had no children with us, so I’m not sure if those lines were long, but there is an app so you can keep track of the wait time. My husband and I did a lot of the shows which were all amazing. Definitely a place for family fun and don’t forget to ride the train 🚂🚂🚂
Laura Nork — Google review
Living one hour from Hershey, PA it's only natural that Hershey Park is my metric for other amusement parks. I've heard about the shows at Dollywood but they weren't showing when we were there. The layout of the park is decent enough but it seemed to be lacking in thrill rides. They have 9 coasters where Hershey has 15. I have no issue with the quality of the rides but when you have less rides the wait times will inevitably rise. Although I will give them props. The pretzels were awesome. 10 bucks a pop but they were huge. At least twice the size of Auntie Anne's. I noticed quite a few booths were empty and there were no open photo booths after the coasters. Maybe the worker shortage or all considered the off season. I had fun but $90 is way too much for what is offered. Hershey is only 55. I downloaded the app called Dollywood and it worked great for the first 1-2 hours but it stopped reporting wait times before lunch which made it hard to plan. Still, as always, you should check out and decide for yourself.
Greg Walter — Google review
We have annual passes to Dollywood. Each season brings new experiences for all to enjoy at the theme park. This trip, we appreciated the free water to keep us hydrated in the sunny, 90-degree weather. The train ride was fun and provided a nice breeze to cool off and relax. In the evening, the dance parties were a lot of fun. They really drew in the crowd. The fireworks show was beautiful. What made the day stand out was the drone show. I have to say, it was amazing! There were so many drones! The pictures they created in the sky were fabulous! Make sure you add Dollywood to your vacation destination this summer.
Darlene Kemp — Google review
We love Dollywood. We are an older couple so the roller coasters are no longer the main attraction for us. We did have to try the new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, and I think that it was a perfect choice for this area of the park. Because they didn't go crazy with loops and the like. They can allow fairly young (short) kids to enjoy it with the family. It is very long and incredibly smooth and just seemed like the perfect fit for this area. Food is great, Fireworks and Drone show was amazing. All in all a great day in the Smokies!
Jeff Grande — Google review
Typical theme park, but I appreciated the variety of events and rides so that all ages could be satisfied. Not very long lines. Fairly priced kids meals. Kids three and under are free and almost all rides allow shorter kids to ride if they have someone over 14 with them. Drone show was cool and worth long line leaving park after it. Don't leave without trying the cinnamon bread.
D. M. — Google review
We had the most amazing day at Dollywood!! We had our 2 and 4 year old Grandchildren, my 77 year old Mother, and my adult children. There was something for everyone. It was decorated beautifully for Halloween. Entertainment was amazing. There were amazing roller-coasters, and children's rides were great too. The food was very good and reasonably priced. Can't wait to go back!!
Gerri Patten — Google review
I've been to many amusement parks and this one is amazing! Clean, employees are friendly, so much to see. Cinnamon bread is a must, but stop first thing. You can leave to eat or rest, so get a stamp on the way out. Loved the fall displays. The evening was crowded for the fall displays, but still worth it. The food is great, bathrooms are clean, and other patrons were very polite. I didn't ride anything but the atmosphere is unparalleled. I didn't think I could love Dolly anymore, but it happened. Also being surrounded by fall foliage in the mountains was breathtaking. Eagle sanctuary was a nice surprise, also.
Penny Albright — Google review
Lots of fun rides. Great entertainment for the whole family. Different class rides for all types of people and all ages. Managed wonderfully. Flow of traffic and people is well maintained. Parking is convenient. Security is present and consistent. Lots of shopping, junk food, good restaurants etc. Wonderful experience. Can't wait to come back.
Seth Stoke — Google review
Friendly Employees all over the park. Also helpful if you need anything just ask and they are more than happy to help. The food is pretty good and the refillable souvenir cups are a fantastic deal. Plenty of shows at different schedules so you can see most everything you want to if you plan it out right. We didn’t do any of the rides other than the free fall ride, I can’t remember what it’s called, but it was fun. The park was moderately crowded around 60%. I would say. The ride times we noticed were anywhere from 20 minutes to 65 minutes for some of the popular rides. We went to see the harvest festival, decor, and the pumpkins looked amazing. I wish there were more lights and other areas similar to the way they do Christmas, but overall, it was a great experience. We are season passholders and this was the first time we were able to experience the fall harvest. For the themed seasons, the tasting pass is a great value. For $35-$40 you get to sample five different things in there are both food and drinks to choose from. The drinks are a little less expensive so I would save the tasting pass for the food and just purchase the drinks.
Dave — Google review
My favorite theme park ever! Wait times were reasonable for rides. Easy to rent an electric scooter. Loved the vibe, rides, and decorations. Parking was easy and the tram was closely accessible. We stayed from 11am-8:30pm and shut down the park! I've been to about 15 different theme parks. This was definitely one of my favorites, top 3!
Constatine Stinson — Google review
We had a great day today at Dollywood from start to finish. We’d especially like to thank ‘Lane’ who greeted us at the gate with so much kindness. We appreciated your helpfulness, thank you. The park was very clean and tidy. No queuing, a good selection of rides for all ages. - UK 🇬🇧
Dawn Towns — Google review
This is a pretty fun park. They have a lot of rides. If you are a bigger person you may not fit all the coasters. They do have test seats at the entrance to each ride though so that will let you know. They have good food choices and you can get refillable drink and popcorn containers.
Tamatha B — Google review
We had a really good time at Dollywood. Yes, it's expensive and parking for $25 a car is ridiculous. The rides are fun,but expect to wait in line an hour or more for each one. They offer a fast pass, but it's an additional $60 a person and you still might have to wait depending on how many other fast pass users are there that day. We only spent one day here and mostly just rode the roller coasters, but there's enough here to spend two full days - especially if you want to catch any shows.
Mountain Guide — Google review
Been a while since I went to an amusement park but this one ranks top 3! Super organized from entrance to exit. They have a helpful free app with maps and wait times for rides. So many high quality coasters. CINNAMON BREAD. Easily walkable. Beautiful scenery. Well done, Dolly!
Reese Dewey — Google review
4.6
(48367)
•
4.5
(18881)
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
The Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg is a popular tourist destination where visitors can sample different flavors of moonshine. The distillery is also licensed by the federal government and manufactures signature flavors such as Maple Cream and Butter Pecan. There are also live music performances and a gift shop on site.
Great staff and HUGE selection (27 moonshine ranging in proofs of 40-150%) We did a tasting of about 8 flavors, took some back to the cabin! We liked the butter pecan and Java in our coffee as well as the blueberry pancake flavor. Went down way to easy! We also thoroughly enjoyed the live bluegrass band just outside!
The Jacksonville Baby Company — Google review
Great place to check out. They have $5 tryouts which are totally worth it. Servers are entertaining and give cool facts about the drinks. They have large area covered with live music and sitting space. Must go place if spending time in downtown
Jitender Bhati — Google review
Great Tour! We had a fun group experience with the Redneck Bus Tour that stopped here. We all enjoyed free tasting and coupons. Great spirits and views of the distillery in action! Awesome
Michelle Haley — Google review
Ole Smoky Distillery is always a good time. We stopped in this past week while on a girls trip. You have to participate in a tasting, it does not disappoint. The flavors of moonshine are always surprising. The combinations that they come up with are not something you'd think of, such as the lavender blueberry moonshine, which was delicious...mix it with lemonade and Wow!
M.K. Stabley — Google review
Southern hospitality at it's finest. The midwest could take a clue from the South. My husband and I have Southern backgrounds and we long to move back South. Tasted most of the flavors. Shots poured for everyone! Everyone was very nice and even met some drinking buddies. We purchased over $400 worth of moonshine and Whiskey. We will be back. This will last for awhile. Take the private tour with Tim!!!
D.Y. H.W. — Google review
One of the best parts of our trip! We scheduled ahead and do the behind the scenes tasting tour! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Beyonce;) did our tour and made our time incredibly awesome! She was SUPER knowledgeable, fun, and kind!! It is really neat to see how the moonshine is made and hear about the history and future of the company ! We then had VIP tasting which was super fun- you even get a Tshirt on the way out! The place was clean and organized well!
Alexis Warren — Google review
This is a moonshine store that has taste testing for $5 and a wide variety of flavors. There’s a distillery on-site that’s very interesting. They also have a stage and bluegrass bands perform in the afternoon and evening. The music is free with rocking chairs arranged in front of the stage for anyone to sit in and enjoy the show. We saw 3 different groups and they were all very talented.
Danuel McGatha — Google review
Surprisingly great fun. You get a $5 coupon if you do the tasting. There is also a huge Gift shop and live music played outside in a beautifully decorated area.
Allan “Keep Life Simple” Sensenich — Google review
We did a lot of moonshine tasting when we were in Gatlinburg and Jen by far was the best she was nice. She was knowledgeable and made the tasting a lot more fun. We were able to get the specialty flavors we were looking for and use our coupons because we did the whole moonshine trail with the old smoky locations we got our free T-shirt and the guy that helped us Was really awesome. Jeff just moved here from Las Vegas so you know who you are thank you for a great time and this is a great location. They don’t have any restrooms in the location. You have to take the elevator to go upstairs, but the experience was definitely worth it 10 out of 10 totally recommend this location and ask for Jen. Thank you Jeff!
Lisa Smith — Google review
This place was on my short bucket list and I was not disappointed at all! Made a special trip over there when I was vacationing in North Carolina. Went all out with the Behind the Stills tour (free special tshirt when you do.) Brooklyn (not Beyonce😉) was awesome as our guide! We definitely took advantage of their amazing selection and sales. Got a pack of 12 (2 free bottles) with the large cooler free and got the 3 pack with the free small cooler. I wish I had read the passport before ending vacation and visited all 3 locations for another free shirt. Definitely keeping it on hand next time I'm there, which will hopefully be next year.
Shan Fitz — Google review
Second tasting and had a great time taste testing the moonshines of the day! $5 tasting and the flavors were great, bartenders fun, and comical even through their sales cooler pitch! Minimal wait to get to the bar top, but it was a full bar! Store is huge so many different souvenirs and shines to pick from, everyone is super helpful, and don't forget to use your coupons! Take it all in, throw the tasting back and just have fun!
Ashley Dowdy — Google review
I would say overall 4.5 stars is where I would put it. The atmosphere is neat with live music outside. The shine tasting is nice but I don't agree with the sign everywhere saying free tasting when it costs you $5 but I understand the city forces that fee and not the establishment. However you do get a $5 coupon for merchandise in the store with the tasting. Overall fun experience I recommend do your shopping before the tasting or you will spend a lot more after you do the tasting lol.
Zac — Google review
This was more than I imagined and certainly an experience I recommend for those of age. Bring your wallet!
First, the moonshine tasting is $5, but you get a $5 coupon to use on your purchase and you're gonna purchase something. They served 9 flavors with two of them being edibles and two being cream liquers. Second, get a tasting with Buzz! He is hilarious and so much fun.
Lastly, have fun! There are so many flavors and Ole Smoky Moonshine merch. I wasn't ready. And they have specials, so take advantage.
When you're done shopping, step outside for some entertainment. The rocking chairs are comfy and the music is great.
Gwendolyn R Houston-Jack — Google review
first time here and had the absolute best time. i didn’t fully catch the bartenders name…i think Karima ?? and Felicity? Their friendliness w each-other and how they interacted with customers was so awesome. They were amazing. So kind, funny and informative. The entire staff was extremely friendly from walking in to cashing out. Def recommend, super fun & moonshine is amazing of course. Do the premium tasting! Worth it and still inexpensive.
amelia walker — Google review
Really enjoyed our visit and did the moonshine tasting. Our bartender was fantastic and hilarious. Bought some cherries, and lots of moonshine to bring home. We got a free cooler for buying 3 mason jars. Honestly a great deal for us who can't buy it locally. Beautiful old distillery with a live band playing.
Catherine Jones — Google review
The worse experience we had visiting a distillery and believe me, we’ve visited quite a few distilleries, winery and brewery in all our travels around the world.
First of all, they have 2 choices for sampling which the bartender did a piss poor job explaining the different except for one had 9 tasting and the other had 11 tasting. Doesn’t take a genius to understand that by paying more you should get more choices. She could have said “with the premium tasting, you’ll get to taste our signature bourbon as well”. I tried to change or upgrade but was refused.
Then the bartender tried to explain the very strict tasting rules by yelling. If it was so strict, suggest posting it on the bar and make sure everyone reads it. Cause after 6 tasting, my wife had an emergency as it’s that time of the month, and had to quickly find a restroom. She left while the bartender was trying to sell customers the package set. When the sampling restarted, my wife wasn’t back yet. The bartender said as she left the bar, she forfeited her tasting. Even I wasn’t allowed to finish her drink. When she returned, we had 2 more tasting to finish but the bartender refused to serve my wife claiming it’s the rule.
Not sure if this is a state law or rule of the distillery. But to then charge the customer full price for something they didn’t have is a rip off. Imagine someone had to run to take an emergency phone call or go outside quickly to check on their kids. I understand forfeiting that one drink you missed out but then to forfeit the remaining of the course is crazy. Imagine you left just after the second pour. Then you’ll pay $7 for just 1 or 2 very very small sip. Or what if that person has lactose intolerance and can’t drink the last 3 sampling. Why can’t your partner or friend who’s tasting with you and paying as well can’t finish your drink on your behalf?
I’m all in for rules but again, if it’s that strict, maybe it clearly visible and post it so everyone can read. Also, was planning to pick up a bottle of their bourbon on the shelf but couldn’t find a single price on the bottle or on the display. As they keep on saying “Hell yeah, I surely won’t return and won’t recommend this place”!!!
Michael McDaniel — Google review
Amazing experience! We came from Indy and wanted to try out their testing. The pricing was very affordable and easy way to get some local moonshine in your system. It was $10 for 11 tastings of moonshine. Pretty popular for a Saturday night, and would hands down recommend!
Gabriella Heitzman — Google review
Definitely worth doing a sampler at the in store bar. I believe it was $5 and they give you mini shots to try all different flavors. They are delicious and the staff makes it extra fun! They have great merch in store aside from the moonshine. Tee shirts, hats, bags.. all kinds of things. Decent prices too.
E H — Google review
The tour was filled with awesome information. Terry was our guide and server and he done an outstanding job.when he served our tasters he also included ways to use the moonshine in cooking.learned slot of neat things and had a great time. Highly recommend the tour if you go to gatlinburg
The Ober Gatlinburg Tramway Mall is a popular tourist attraction in the town of Ober Gatlinburg, with an aerial tramway that takes passengers up to the ski resort for amazing views. The mall has a large ice skating rink open all year, as well as Slopeside Apparel & Gifts for ski jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves, and other outerwear.
Me and my wife had a great experience. Definitely try this out if you're willing to travel up higher in the mountains. There are several other attractions at the top that young children and adults would enjoy.
Isaiah Scott — Google review
This was a fun activity to do while exploring Gatlinburg. An easy way to go between Ober and downtown (10 minute ride every 20-30 minutes). You get great views. We did this to get lunch after snow tubing. My kids loved the view and mechanics. Not crowded on a weekday in January.
Bryan Ek — Google review
My family and I had a great time here skiing! I would recommend going earlier rather than later so you can ski on the fresh snow. As the day went on it got more icy towards the end, but that’s just the nature of it. The ski lifts were easy to get on and off, and all of the staff were very helpful and nice! Great place to spend the day, we took the tram up and down too and we all really enjoyed that experience.
Madison Minter — Google review
I was disappointed in every way by this place.
First, the good: the view on the tramway itself is good, but not really amazing.
Now the bad.
The first bad thing, is you can just drive to the location at the top where the tram stops. Nobody tells you that when you get to the top, you really can't see very much. Just a narrow angle, that you have to pay 50 cents to see anything through those big fixed binoculars, that are on the edge of a parking lot. Not even a viewing platform.
We thought we might try the ice rink bumper cars. But no ice in the ice rink.
So let's go to the lounge. Lounge is closed.
Take the scenic chairlift. Not open.
And it just goes on. Thank God we didn't pay for the all access pass in advance.
It's not that so much of the facility is not working, it's that they don't tell you when you are on the ground, when they try to sell you the passes. At least they offer to let you buy the tram ticket, and then upgrade to the *all access" pass at the top.
You can actually drive to the summit of the mountain from Gatlinburg (well above this place)
If you want a great view, I would suggest this.
Al Pat — Google review
Experiencing the tram 🚊 was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced with my husband. We had a great time!! Must try it. $20 Parking all day, $29.99,+tax ticket price up & down.. runs every 20min. They have additional shopping and really cool activities in the little town.
Subrizi — Google review
Took the tram to Amusement park on hill top that has ice bumper cars, ice skating with no time limit where kids had loads of fun. We missed the snow tubing, would recommend anyone to purchase tubing tickets well ahead.
Harry N — Google review
Absolutely - Positively Loved Ober Gatlinburg! Best Calm, fun amusement park in Tennessee. No rushing or extensive wait times. Associates Very friendly and kind. The shops are abundant also food stands. The Leather Shop fantastic choices, Husband got 2-leather belts (fitted) 2-belt buckles (beautiful) I got bracelets! Will absolutely return on our next vacation here from North Carolina!!!
Teri Hunt — Google review
The tram was great and the top was breathtaking and peaceful we sat outside and enjoy the afternoon! Lots of boyscouts were there enjoying it too! They have a indoor skating rink and they have a tubing on ice with lights around the tube this was our second time in 6 years and nice way to enjoy nature!
Charlene Harm — Google review
A One-of-a-kind park in Gatlinburg!
This site can be accessed either by taking the tram from the bottom of the mountain or by driving up to the site. There is a large parking lot at the bottom and a small lot at the site. I chose to drive up to the site. The drive is up a mountain road and may not be for nervous drivers. There are several items to see and do at the “mall”. There is a chairlift, icerink, Tram, zoo, shopping, and a toboggan ride. This is a typical ski area in the winter months but during the summer months, when I went, it was summertime. All of the above were open and available to include the restaurants. You can purchase tickets right inside the door as you enter. I tried the chairlift, Tram, and zoo. Both moving rides afford nice views of the mountain. The zoo was very basic but had several bears in the outdoor enclosure and smaller animals in a building off to the side. The toboggan was closed due to rain/lightning in the area so I did not get to try that. The staff was pleasant at each of the different parts (chairlift, shops, tram). Overall, it was a nice place to get some beautiful views from the mountain and do some interesting rides.
Ward Dougherty — Google review
Perfect fall foliage viewing on October 27 2023. It is definitely worth the money. Relaxed trip up the mountain where you get to take your glamour shots with the beautiful 360 view of the blue ridge mountain and the beautiful fall colors. The whole trip is just over an hour round trip.
manoj Menon — Google review
Was a really nice ride to take to the top of the mountain!!! My wife hates heights and wouldn't ride the ski lifts... but this was no problem.
Both tram operators were very engaging and the staff on the upper and lower ends were very friendly and courteous.
We just took the tram ride... but there is a rescue zoo there as well as ski lifts to take you higher up.
The place even has an ice rink inside!!
Great views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding are!!!
A MUST DO!!!!
James King — Google review
Did not know it would be so much fun. We were just taking the tram up and back. There is slot to do at the mountain mall family friend and very fun. A great way to spend time with friends and family.
Charlene Hicks — Google review
It was nice my husband and I enjoyed our visit here. The only thing was that we had to pay for snow activities separately, and the Tram was so pack we were literally smelling other people armpit 🤢 and wasn't able to enjoy the view either way.
Madeline Aponte — Google review
My wife and I rode the tram up the mountain on Aug1st 2023 and enjoyed the ride and scenery. Recommend this to anyone in the area visiting. Fun and adventurous and you may catch a glimpse of some wildlife such as bears and a few other critters on the mountain. We took the ride just before sunset and it was gorgeous. Fun things to see and do when you arrive on top. Check it out!
David Davis — Google review
The lines were insane. 40 mins just to get the worst pizza for the family. 1 hour for the rock climb. The ice skate lady was rude. Honestly a lot of time and money for little in return. If you want to do anything you would do at Ober then just go to a place that does that thing. You want to ice skate. Go to an ice skating rink. You want to rock climb go to a rock climbing place. But you pay a premium to wait an insane amount of time for sub par quality of everything.
Sugarlands Distilling Company is a distillery located in Gatlinburg, TN that produces award-winning moonshine. It features tours of their still house, tastings, and live music.
This Place is so much fun. They have every kind of moonshine you can think of. The have a $5 test tasting of a lot of the different flavors. It is also kid friendly. They give tours of the distillery. The kids love the tour. Such a fun place to hang out and shop.
Wendy Hales — Google review
First moonshine tasting and it was so much fun! We had Abbey and she's was an excellent bartender and very knowledgeable of each tasting and pairing! She was also very entertaining! We got a comedy show, several tastings, and so many laughs! Tasting space was comfortable and clean. The store was beautiful. Excellent experience, we will definitely be back!
Heather Bearden — Google review
Moonshine’s not really my thing but I recommend everyone to stop by here when they’re in the city and try their tastings. The bartenders are all funny and entertaining and they’ll make sure you’re having a great time.
Nastaran Hajia — Google review
This location has an excellent atmosphere! The staff is beyond helpful, and friendly. A special shoutout goes to Ryan, Justin, Britt, and Lissy. These special folks were full of knowledge, and make a mean cocktail. Treat yourselves to this unique experience, more than once, if you’re able.
Elizabeth Cardona — Google review
Let me just tell ya, if you want some shine, go here! Go do the moonshine tasting, it's always a blast. The servers here are the Best! If you have a wait to get in line to get in I will say that the line moves fairly quick and it's so worth it. I can't tell you how many times I've been and it never disappoints. And you never know who you might just run into while your there.
Terrie Smith — Google review
Such an awesome place you have to stop in and do the sampling, it's well worth the five dollars. you have to meet Glover, he's the Best so Awesome. He sure loves his job. I could've stood there all night and listened to Glover talk. I hadn't smiled that much in Avery long time. Thank you, Glover. I love the banana pudding & pecan shine. Can't wait till my next visit.
Tracy Fleming — Google review
Abby did a very entertaining and happy tasting presentation. Staff was very cordial and helpful. Tasting fee goes towards fee and you are allowed to stack the tickets. Definitely worth the visit.
Eric Manriquez — Google review
Joshua was our bartender this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He was a blast and we had 13 different moonshine to try. Doesn't mean you like each and everyone, but it was a great atmosphere and everyone looked like they were having a great time! They also had a very handy pour spout to be used on these mason jars! Overall a great time😊
Jeaninne Bauer — Google review
I've wanted to visit Sugarland's for a long time, and when my finace and I finally got to go last weekend, I was NOT let down! We did the taste testing with Cody as our "Taste Master," and he was phenomenal. He kept the group engaged, made us laugh the whole time, and was quite the entertainer. What was even cooler, is that after the tasting, you could use your wristband to get $5 off a jar of amazing moonshine! I had an absolute blast and I can't wait to go back!
Brandi Huffman — Google review
We had such an amazing experience at Sugarlands Distilling company! We got a $5 tasting which was absolutely great! We tried 12 kinds of moonshine + 1 bonus shot, and our bartender Steve was really fun. They offer $5 off the jar with the wristband from your tasting which is a pretty good deal. They have lots of flavors, but definitely try dark chocolate and Pina colada. I highly recommend this place!
Roman — Google review
This is a must visit. We have so much fun everytime we visit Sugarlands. The staff is knowledgeable and extremely entertaining. Be sure to visit the back room, ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.
East Texas Outdoor Adventures — Google review
False advertising and the manager that was there that night was a young girl did not care !!!
Always loved coming here for the employees that work behind the bar that pours always extremely friendly Cody Rob always make things fun enjoy coming back here when I'm on vacation numerous times but do not like being disrespected by a manager when this sign is clearly stated the price of a product it doesn't state sign they would not honor their price and she talked to me extremely rude I think she should take management classes and she wants to run an establishment I've seen brighter employees at McDonald's as managers Don't think I will be ever coming back here and purchasing products I will find other needs to fulfill the money that I spend when I come up the Gatlinburg it's pretty sad when one person ruins something you enjoy doing !!!
rob Simon — Google review
We love Sugarlands, come here twice a year when we are on vacation. Absolutely the best And so is Payton, enjoyed our tasting session with her. Go Payton!!!! 5 stars. $5 to taste 12 flavors plus a bonus flavor. They have a cocktail bar also. Amazing!!! Defiantly recommend !!! Plus you get a $5 wristband also. And our bartender Lissy was amazing also. Will be back in November.
Amy — Google review
Best tasting in town courtesy of Cody. The man is magic with a pour. A story to go with every shot. Lucky if you don't lose your liquor laughing. And loving his girly Lissy serving the special of the day back in the cocktail lounge along with Britt. This place is hands down the best in town!
Lana Morgan — Google review
Stopped into Sugarlands Distilling today, we did our tasting with Stephanie, great time, lots of laughs we had a phenomenal time. We
drink as a family so it’s all good all the time. If you’re swinging into Gatlinburg definitely stop by and see Stephanie. The pour says it all, just look at it!!!!…. Don’t forget the cocktail bar out back
Adam Berry — Google review
Absolutely love visiting Sugarlands Shine! They always have the best flavors and the best bartenders…Rob Ham is our favorite and we always try to get his sippin’ post! But seriously this is the spot for moonshine and good times!!
Kannsas Michaels — Google review
An excellent distillery when compared to Ole Smokey up the road. Place was more spacious and well organized.
They have a cocktail bar at the end were you can just enjoy their distillery if tasting is not your thing. We ended up going for an Old Fashion made with their own bourbon called Roaming Man and a Moscow mule. Both cocktails were nicely made. You’ll even get to keep their glass when ordering the Old Fashion.
We ended up buying a bottle of their bourbon for $38 to enjoy at our hotel.
Michael McDaniel — Google review
Great tasting of 12 different samples! It came with a coupon for $5 toward the store. I love this brand and highly recommend this experience in Gatlinburg! They even have a cocktail bar in the back. Would love to have a drink or two there next time!
Megan Bissonette — Google review
Great setup inside and outstanding employees. The shows… tasting bartenders are amazing! Lots of energy and very fun & funny. Loved it!
Jon Hendricks — Google review
This was the best moonshine tasting we visited while on holiday in Gatlinburg.
The moonshine was delicious, the hosts were hilarious, and I got to meet the famous Payton (who we saw on YouTube and made us want to visit!)
It was so good, we paid a second visit for another tasting and to buy more moonshine to bring back with us to the UK.
When we run out, we'll just have to fly back and buy more!
David Richards — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing ! Hands down ! We came all the way from Lubbock Texas to see this place . Great product , everything was delicious ! Shout out to Ryan and Justin for the awesome tasting experience ! After the tasting go back to the bar ! You won't regret it ! Britt and Lissy served some amazing cocktails back there ! Zach is also very knowledgeable about the whole process ! Highly recommend getting the full tour !
Devin Marquez — Google review
Spur of the moment stop and are we so glad we did! $5 gets you a tasting of 12 different flavors and a bonus shot - our bartender Josh was really great and made the tasting a lot of fun.
Your wristband also gives you $5 off of merchandise, so it's a win/win.
Will go again if we're back in town.
Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies is a large aquarium that houses more than 10,000 marine residents from around the world. It is open 365 days a year and features interactive exhibits and displays on different aspects of marine biology.
Awesome rainy/cold day place to explore and it has a large playground space for the kids to run around safely!
My daughter wandered off from us at one point and the staff was super quick and helpful in helping us find her. The boat ride is cool and worth the extra $12. The guys running it have some cool stories about the hundreds of fish in the tank.
kassie smith — Google review
We loved this place! Definitely worth the trip! They have a large play area for the kids and their gift shop is great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and things for yourself! Ha ha
They have a couple of interactive things to do and their penguin encounter is very informative. If you get a chance, don’t miss the mermaids! So graceful! My only complaint (this does not reflect on the establishment) is some forget basic manners. Let’s all be courteous people.
Jessica Sunshine ?JSHINE? Casillas — Google review
Highly recommend the glass boat tour! It is an extra add on to your ticket, but it was so cool to be above them! They also tell you all about the different sharks and fish that are in the tank! Going through the tunnel was such an amazing experience!
There was a diving show in the stingray tank! You can pet and even feed the stingrays! They also have a cute penguin playground!
Sierra Limb — Google review
Visiting Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was an enchanting experience. The moment I stepped inside, I was immersed in the awe-inspiring world of marine life. The variety and beauty of the aquatic creatures on display were truly mesmerizing.
The exhibits were thoughtfully designed, allowing visitors to witness diverse ecosystems up close. From the vibrant coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the ocean, each section offered a unique glimpse into the wonders of underwater life. The underwater tunnel was a definite highlight, giving me a 360-degree view of graceful sharks, majestic sea turtles, and colorful fish gliding overhead.
The staff was knowledgeable and passionate, eagerly sharing interesting facts about the different species. Their enthusiasm added an educational aspect to the visit, making it both entertaining and informative.
The facilities were clean, well-maintained, and easily accessible. There were plenty of interactive activities for all ages, including touch tanks and feeding sessions. It was heartening to see the conservation efforts showcased throughout the aquarium, promoting awareness about protecting our oceans and their inhabitants.
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a family looking for an enjoyable outing, or simply seeking a captivating experience, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit. It left me with a sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the marvels of the underwater world.
Jon Bowie — Google review
We had a lot of fun here. We were inside for well over an hour, and you could spend many hours here if you check out everything in great detail. There is lots to do and see. I would definitely recommend to everyone. Fun for kids and adults. We bought the aquarium + 2 attraction tickets online. It was a great deal you basically got another attraction for free considering the aquarium and museum tickets alone cost more than the combo price. Plus you can scan your phone and walk right in, no need to wait in line.
Amber A — Google review
Better than Georgia Aquarium? Not quite. F
Still a fantasic aquarium? Yes!
Enjoyed it. Especially the jellies. Didn't get to pet ones but we saw a penguin parade. Recommend for families, couples, or even solo.
Elen Supercalifragilistix — Google review
Family Friendly Fishy Fun!
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was a great place for a rainy day in the mountains. The exhibits were well laid out and featured plenty of of viewing spaces with children in mind. The shows were educational, but also interactive to keep your focus. The shark tunnel gives you a unique perspective, getting you up close and personal. They also offer opportunities to touch some of the creatures. I recommend making this a stop on your Smoky Mountain adventure.
Katlyn Boyer — Google review
My family loved the aquarium this one was so much better than the one we have where we live! The sharks were amazing to see up close along with many other animals! I feel it was a bit pricey for the time you spend there and it doesn't help that you usually have to park a little bit away and pay and walk to the attraction instead of parking there or having parking included in ticket prices.
Shauna Ford — Google review
Took the family for a school field trip. Had lots of fun. The information about the different creatures was well displayed making it easy to learn. The two different levels to the playground are conveniently located for rest points where the kids could burn off some energy before continuing on. Other features we enjoyed where the shark tunnel, penguin parade, and dive show.
Near the end of the aquarium there's a little food court. Prices are high but that was that was be expected. Its $4 just for an order of fries and $3 for a corn dog or hot dog and those where the cheapest items on the menu. Despite the prices the food was good and it was a convention place to stop for a quick bite before the long drive home since we didn't want to stop elsewhere. The whole family enjoyed being able to watch the sting rays in the giant aquarium next to the food court.
Amanda Ellis — Google review
My kids had so much fun!!! The drive was long but overall great experience. Their bathrooms need to be checked on more often. They have a really nice changing table for my younger one great play areas for my 5 year old just wish it was more toddler friendly here. Prices are a bit up there but overall friendly staff just wish the interacting with their customers more. The update features of the building are nice just wish I caught one of the shows to have a full experience. But no major complaints would definitely go again.
Kaiya walker — Google review
It was a pretty decent aquarium. Although a tad confusing to walk around towards the end. It had a lot of nice fish and creatures to look at. A good variety. The gift shop store is a little expensive but not bad and has a nice selection. Food wasn't too bad either. There was a mermaid show that the kids were loving. And scuba diving event as well. They have nice explanations and interactive stuff that is great. There is also a boat that takes you out for a small bit to look at the creatures in the tank through bottomless glass. And they gave good information on the creatures in the tank. I'm not a big fan of aquariums, but my family loved it.
Jasmine Miller — Google review
Despite being pricey at nearly $50.00 for a adult, what a great Aquarium, the exhibits were set up and spaced nicely so that you could take your time at the ones you wanted to and not be in the way of other families.
Alot of different play areas, a hands on and touch exhibit and a nice cafe as well.
Especially enjoyed the moving floor through the shark tank area where you could see everything swimming all around you, even above you.
Michael Michele — Google review
We were there for a birthday party for our granddaughter. This place is absolutely awesome. The staff is very accommodating very friendly I have never met anybody in this aquarium that is not polite and helpful. The animals and the place seems to be taken care of very well. And my granddaughter had an absolutely wonderful birthday party which was just fantastic.
Ann Vanepps — Google review
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a captivating underwater experience that immerses visitors in the wonders of the ocean. The vibrant marine life, from graceful sea horses to mesmerizing jellyfish, creates a mesmerizing spectacle. The interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff enhance the educational aspect, making it enjoyable for all ages. The well-designed layout allows for a seamless journey through diverse aquatic environments. Overall, a must-visit destination that combines entertainment and education, leaving visitors with a deep appreciation for the mysteries of the deep blue.
Hakan Akel — Google review
Enjoyed this experience with my wife and daughter as part of our Christmas getaway this year. They had festive music playing, and the perfect inside temperature was welcoming from the brisk air outside. To be in such a tight area, they have a wide variety of species to observe. Lot's of interactive displays for families to enjoy. Do be prepared for a slightly pricey concession, but that goes for everything in Gatlinburg really. Thank you Ripley's for showing us some cool sea life. We had a great time!
Lo Lovins — Google review
I wasn't sure what to expect going in but after entering I was pleasantly surprised. There is a nice variety of marine life. And the penguin parade was just adorable. And there is a tunnel under the main aquarium with a moving walkway that took you through it which was nice.
Edward Egendoerfer — Google review
Was staying in Gatlinburg with the family and decided to go here on day 2. There are pay-for-parking lots across the street as well as a parking garage that's also self-pay. It's a little walk across the busy street to get to the actual entrance. It's a busy area so keep that it mind if you're with kids.
Once you arrive at the entrance, there are 2 options. If you paid online, you can get right in line. If you are wanting to pay in person, you have to go to the ticket booth and pay, then get back in line (if you are wanting any kind of discount, like military- you need to pay in person). They offer a 30% military discount, which is great!
The line is wheelchair accessible and there are wheelchairs available at guest services, right by the ticket booth.
The gift shop is right when you enter and there's a little bit of congestion as you enter, but that gets better as you walk through. A lot to see and explore, beautiful place. We loved the penguin parade. Worth the visit.
Laura Hostetler — Google review
Awesome aquarium and very military friendly :) I’m not one to seek out a discount, but I’m always appreciative when it’s given. The aquarium has some excellent enclosures and the animals seem well cared for. The staff is very friendly and attentive in their jobs. Definitely a great spot for the family or anyone who loves aquatic life, there’s so much to see!!!
jeff valentine — Google review
My kids had a wonderful time here. (4yrs and 6 yrs) The aquiarim is very well designed and run. The exhibits are up to date and nothing is broken or out of order. Although, it's all interconnected and you can explore freely, the museum is designed, so that if you just keep walking forward, you will see it all and can walk straight out through the gift shop without the use of a map. Also, it is a great indoor activity if you need an escape from the weather.
There are so many things to see and the exhibits are beautifully executed. My kids went back to revisit their favorites before we left. I believe that the museum is designed to view entirely in 2-3 hours, but we spent about 5 hours and only left because we had dinner reservations. This attraction is well worth the price of admission. I recommend it.
Fernando Orrego — Google review
We really enjoyed our school field trip to the aquarium. It was very busy as many schools were there at the same time so it made it a little chaotic, however there was plenty of stuff to do and look at. He really enjoyed getting to touch the sting rays and going into tunnel, watching the sharks swim overhead. So overall great trip!!
Carol Harper — Google review
The family had a great time. It was absolutely packed and parking for the Aquarium was full but we ate at a place nearby and didn't have to worry about getting towed by parking there and walking 2 blocks to the Aquarium. There are many chances to get a family pic taken by the staff at a put up shack along the Aquarium walking path. There is 1 place to eat and it can be pricey along with all the gift shop items. This shop is huge by the way and you can pretty much find anything in there. We rented a stroller but it's not the greatest stroller but good in a pinch. All in all its a great place to stop for the family.
Mista Klub — Google review
In the heartland of the Smokey mountains, Ripleys is sandwiched between many businesses and hotels. Even on a Friday the parking lots were full and we paid $20 to park blocks away.
$70 for one adult and child. Do not get tickets at the automated register as there is no option for basic admission, aka the cheapest. Employee also had she/her pin on her lanyard which was disappointing to see.
Highlights included the adorable penguin walk that happened on the lower level at 1:15 and the underwater tunnel observation area with moving walkway.
Facility appeared clean and it wasn't overly crowded. The sharks were a hit with my daughter and there was a big indoor playground that was popular.
I would recommend once coming here but we wouldn't return due to the high cost.
Psalms 118:17 — Google review
Upon arriving we watched the penguin parade as the walked around the aquarium. This was an unexpected surprise. As we were leaving the penguins were being fed and we enjoyed that as well.
The coral had the most beautiful colors and I used one of the pictures I took of it as my Screensaver.
The staff was helpful. Kind and informative. Altogether a wonderful experience.
Judy Agnor — Google review
The aquarium is amazing! Beautiful, vibrant, tanks are everywhere, with elaborate details and finishes, and the animals seem very well cared for. The underwater tunnel is the best part, and everything is so clean! Some of my favorite creatures are shared a few here, but the pictures really don't do the experience justice.
Christie Hall — Google review
My family went right after the new Year on a weekday. We showed up at about 9:30 and finished going through all the exhibits at about 11. When we were leaving at 11 the parking lot was packed and there was a line down the road for people trying to get access. There was also a line at the ticket booth of people waiting to get tickets. I would recommend going first thing in the morning, or towards closing, to skip the lines and crowds. Additionally, I had bought our tickets in advance online and got to skip the line altogether, so I highly recommend it! You do not save anything by purchasing in person and your tickets are good for a year from the date of purchase.
With that being said, the aquarium itself was fantastic and it is no wonder it was so busy! If you're visiting or traveling even remotely close to this place I would dare to say it is a must visit. We do not have children, and as two adults, we had an absolute blast. The facilities are beautiful, clean, and top of the line. There were so many cool creatures and things to do. There is a touch pool for manta rays, which includes the option to feed them, there is a penguin parade where they bring the penguins out, and there are educational talks. There was also a penguin encounter, which we paid extra for, and was well worth it! It was a group of about 10 people and we got to talk to staff 1 on 1, pet the penguin, and get a great picture (included in the price). This added about another hour onto our visit.
Throughout the aquarium there were food facilities and plenty of places to sit. The aquarium also includes eye level exhibits, exhibits you can see from above the water, and even a walk through exhibit that was surprisingly long and included a conveyor belt ride, which is also a novelty.
Lastly, when leaving, we got to see the gift shop which has something in the price range for everyone. The shop even includes art done by the penguins, which is pretty unique. We walked away with two items from the shop for a affordable $25.
All in all, if you or your family are even the least bit interested in animals or nature, visit. If you're still on the fence, they had a trophy saying they were voted the best aquarium in America in 2018. If you don't go, it is your loss!
Megan L — Google review
Great experience for the kids. It was advertised as the best aquarium in the US. I don't agree, but it's definitely worth the visit. Lots of interactive things. The 🐧🐧🐧 exhibit allows kids to crawl inside for a better view.
David Miller — Google review
This is one of the best aquarium I've been to right behind Chicago's aquarium. We went during Easter and it was jammed packed. But it took us about 1hr to get through. All I can say is I wish I had a better camera so enjoy the pics
Jeff Figaro — Google review
We really enjoyed the aquarium. The price was fair enough. There is a parking garage behind the aquarium and parking is $10. There were a lot of kids there when we went due to field trips however it didn't really impact our visit, just have to be patient and wait your turn. The staff could be a little more friendly however we still had a good time takes at least 1 hour to go all the way through and that includes stopping briefly for each view of different aquatic life.
Stephanie — Google review
Our kids had and us parents had a great time here. I came as a kid probably 20 years ago and was so excited to bring my 3 kiddos now. We highly recommend stopping here on your smokey mountain vacation!
Brandi Hogan — Google review
Adults and kids and a great time here. The kids loved the play area pictured. The penguin parade was cute. There was a lot to do and see here. It was worth admission, especially if you have kids.
Dan Atwood — Google review
Best Ripley’s aquarium I have been to. Lots to do with great exhibits and The tunnel in the tank is amazing. Kids playground in the middle is big, you could spend a long time there. Very crowded but manageable.
Lex Calder — Google review
Really good experience! Maybe a little pricey at $40 a ticket, but the Aquarium +2 attractions ends up being a great deal! We spent at least 2 hours or so here. I was nicely surprised at the accessibility of the ASL videos & captions and how few stairs we came across. Learned a lot, saw lots of cool animals, and touched a sting ray! I'd recommend and probably even go again!
Claire G — Google review
The touch a ray bay and feeding was the BEST. I wish I'd known it was the last exhibit when following the path. Parking is available in the garage behind. The trolley drops off guests on the side of the building. The aquarium offers a 30% military discount including veterans and immediate family. Must show proof.
RJS Sweeney — Google review
This is an awesome experience, the kids had fun the entire time and never asked to leave. We like this aquarium much better than the Chattanooga aquarium. If you find yourself coming to Gatlinburg and have kids make sure you stop by Ripley's aquarium, it will not disappoint!
Nestled in Dandridge, TN, Bush's Visitor Center offers a fascinating look into the origins of America's most famous bean company. The center features a museum chronicling the history of the family-owned business since its inception in 1908 and showcases their secret recipe for baked beans. Visitors can enjoy an interactive self-guided tour with friendly staff providing useful information along the way. The tour concludes at a well-stocked gift shop and a delightful family cafe offering delicious meals at reasonable prices.
A surprisingly fun attraction. The museum (which was about to close temporarily for remodeling, a week after my visit) is about beans, yes, but it's also about history and culture -- how did the company have to adapt to changes in how Americans buy groceries? How did the can opener evolve? And so on. There's a 20-minute film which includes the production process at the factory across the street. The gift shop is fun, and the restaurant offers good Southern cooking. I don't normally order dessert at restaurants, but I had to try the pecan pie, which is made with mashed pinto beans as a thickener. It's surprisingly good, and you can get cards with the recipe when you pay your ticket. This would make a great side trip during a Sevierville/Pigeon Forge vacation.
John I. Carney — Google review
This place was so cool!!! I really enjoy seeing how products I purchase are made and this truly envelopes you in the rich Bush Family History. The staff was super friendly and helpful. If you collect souvenir pennies, you can add to your collection here. We had lunch at the cafe. Prices were reasonable and the portions were good sized.
Mande B — Google review
We stumbled upon the Bush's Visitor Center during a recent trip. What a wonderful experience. There is so much to see and learn about the Bush family. The original Bush house still stands across from the visitir center. In addition to a short video about the beans and canning process, there are exhibits and a cafe. Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat in the cafe, but supposedly they are known for their pinto bean pie. It's worth stopping by to visit.
Gina Bedford — Google review
Coming back home from our family trip we made a plan to stop at the Bush’s Visitor Center since when we first discovered them, they was closed during COVID. The visitors center is free!
To get the history on Bush’s Baked Beans was pretty cool and seeing how the make the beans and the science that goes behind making sure the beans are cooked properly was really nice. They had soooooooooooo many different flavors that we didn’t know so of course we grabbed a few to take home.
Also, we went to the cafe where we enjoyed some of the BEST and VERY FRESH chicken tenders. We was served by Ms.Ruth, who was very sweet.
Teierra Brown — Google review
I loved this museum. It's so informative and educational. The whole museum is put together very well and the gift shop is awesome. We bought several cans of bean dip . They have different cans of beans to buy. we had to pass on the cans of beans because most of them contain pork but they looked so good.
megan burt — Google review
This place is super cool with lots to look at. They have a big store with all sorts of kitchen items and some way cool bean stuff. They have a museum and lots of cool photo opportunities. Diane who works here was extremely helpful and very informative on the history. They had cute Little Duke keychains, some bean lifesavers, pants, shirts, socks, hats and even cans of beans. You can even weigh yourself in beans. This is a great family location.
Lisa Smith — Google review
I stopped by Monday morning 9:15 am on may 9th 2022! I was IMMEDIATELY greeted by Kathy. She was so helpful, upbeat, professional and just sweet as a jar of honey! Kathy made my time at the museum a pleasant experience 😊! Thank you again, Frank from Tennessee
RETIREDMCO1199 ?Guess who!? Tennessean — Google review
What a fun place to visit! The gift shop has lots of good items at fantastic prices. Easily the most affordable tourist attraction I've ever been to. The staff was fantastic and friendly from the minute you walk in the door.
Don't miss the restaurant next door. Not everything has beans in it. The food was great and very reasonably priced for large portions. My wife and I ate here for less than $30, which is unheard of at a touristy location. Definitely make this a stop if you're in town and looking for something fun to do.
Beans and Waffles — Google review
We loved it. We had lunch which was delicious. We walked around and did the gift shop. Great experience, wonderful staff
Jessica Carlson — Google review
Such a gem! We stopped on a whim while driving through TN, and I’m so glad we did. The museum isn’t huge but it’s clean, colorful, interactive, and free! The people working there were so sweet and helpful. The gift shop has a mix of country decor, food products, every type of Bush’s beans, and cute merchandise. The shirts and goodies we picked up were decently priced. We didn’t try the restaurant but will next time. Definitely worth a visit.
Melissa Ann — Google review
I was greeted at the front door by two very friendly ladies who told me about the little movie they have about Bush and how it started and a small museum within the store
I found several varieties that I have not ever seen in the stores. So you know I had to buy them. I highly recommend stopping in and checking it out they have closed towels kitchen items wide variety of things I must stop in
Karen's Watson — Google review
This was a really fun stop! The museum is completely completely free and has a great history of this family owned American company. I love all of the facts about beans and I also love the fact that most of the beans are grown right here in the United States. We decided to go to the café for lunch and the food was all delicious. We had a vegetarian with us so she had the vegetarian bean pie, the Ruben was also ordered with the thick cut spiral fries, which were amazing, a barbecue platter, and the hamburger (which was a little dry). The star of the show was definitely the pecan pie! Hands-down, the best pecan pie I’ve ever had, the crust was flaky, and there were plenty of knots, and the addition of the beans was a delicious twist. Their store features lots of their can be products, some of them that I don’t even see in my local grocery store. We stocked up on quite a few of them and look forward to enjoying them down the road.
Michelle Giraud — Google review
To be completely honest, I thought my family would be the only people there on a Friday afternoon in November. Boy, was I wrong. There were quite a few people there.. and for good reason. There are tons of photo ops, the museum is free and there is even a short video about the Bush family. We didn't have time to eat at the Cafe, but I heard it was yummy! If you're in the area, this place is worth checking out!!
Megan W — Google review
First time to Bushes Baked Beans was many years ago when I was trucking. The Visitors Center was not open then. Sad to say. Today with my parents we came to visit. We had a fun time looking at the displays, videos, gift shop and of course, beans! We were going to get some food in the cafe but there was a wait. We decided not to wait this time.
All the employees were very welcoming, friendly and helpful!
Jeff Jipson — Google review
We stopped here while driving home from Pigeon Forge and everything was wonderful. The gift shop had all things related to Bush’s Beans like shirts, decor, plushes of Duke the dog and obviously cans of beans and bean dip and the little museum was very interesting. It’s a great place if you are a fan of Bush’s Beans and it’s free!
Jen Hlavay — Google review
Such nice hospitality from every employee and so much to see and learn about. The interactive display for all the products was great. Wonderful gift shop. Lunch at the Cafe was good, too
Jenny Reilly — Google review
OMG, the staff here is soooo friendly. Fantastic tour of their museum. Wonderful gift shop. Bet you can't get through this place without buying at least a can of beans. We had a meal at the family cafe and what a great meal and very reasonably priced. We were too full for dessert but after seeing some go by our table just had to try some and just like Bush's products it was a great dessert. Check out the tee shirts, very reasonably priced as well. So happy a fellow camper told us about this place.
Mark Preston — Google review
The museum/store/restaurant were very interesting and even better than anticipated. It is a great family friendly stop to learn about the Bush's commitment to community and family. Their family Bible is on display and speaks volumes about the source of their values. It was good to see that, though faith was not mentioned in any other way. They are a fine example of American entrepreneurship.
Mandy H — Google review
Bush's Visitor Center was an unexpected find as we were in the area touring. The center has a museum showcasing the history of the Bush family bean business through the years. There are plenty of interactive points throughout. Staff provided useful information during the self-guided tour. We even found Duke hiding in various places. The museum ends at the gift shop, which provides plenty of purchasing options. As you exit, you can visit the Bush Cafe for a nice meal. Great place to visit!
Dennis Burns — Google review
Great little tour, sadly can't visit the actual factory any longer. Staff at history section were world class, closer to a family reunion than a tourist place. Nice history on how they paid fair prices to local farmers. Great place for home style lunch and dessert.
ED ED — Google review
Greeted upon entering the visitor center and was giving some background information on the Bush's history before continuing on with the tour. There is a little store attached to the center with some interesting stock of Bush's products.
Lynn Livingston — Google review
This place is awesome!!! We happened to be driving through on a road trip and we saw a brochure at a rest are and decided to stop by on a whim. We’ve been eating Bush’s beans our whole life so why not! It was amazing!! First of all, it’s FREE!! There are not many free places like this in this day and age. And the quality of the little museum is top notch. It’s interactive for all ages. The staff are so friendly and helpful. We also ate at the cafe which was delicious and very reasonably priced. They also have a huge gift shop with a lot of neat items. We really enjoyed our visit and we know you will too. I filmed a more in depth YouTube video. If you’d like to check it out, the link is below!
Bush's Baked Beans Factory Museum Tour + Cafe | FREE THINGS TO DO IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
https://youtu.be/hqWfy72az7M
Katie Loveday — Google review
Super friendly, fun place to go!!
It's a must if you are in the area. They have a pretty good menu. The employees are all nice and friendly. Service was great and didn't take long at all. We all got different dishes.
After you eat you can visit their free Bush's museum. It's a very fun and interesting museum. Not boring at all, in case you think what can be fun about beans? Lots of good information, very well put together.
You can watch a very interesting movie on how they process the beans all the way to the can... beginning in the can!
It's fun for young and old. Very clean, spacious, you can learn fun facts, play the bean tic-tac-toc, etc.
They also have a shop with fun stuff like clothing, souvenirs, a bean blanket, kitchen towels, etc. We even had free cans of beans!
Excellent place! Loved it!!!
Carla Lowe — Google review
Super cute little place! It's free which was a major draw! Unfortunately, we didn't get to eat at the Cafe due to a bus load of people but maybe next time.
Roll that beautiful bean footage.
Emily J M — Google review
Hidden gem just 20 miles from the strip in Pigeon Forge. Nestled just North west of the area, this company does a great job of leveraging the story of their heritage and commitment to sustainability in a fantastic museum for all ages! And it is FREE!!
Joe Case — Google review
Wow a great self tour of visitors center. We were pleasantly surprised. You learn the story of how Bush family started with Canned Tomatoes and branched into Baked Beans. A wonderful surprise.
Allan “Keep Life Simple” Sensenich — Google review
Absolutely LOVED our visit today. We were greeted with such family oriented hospitality in ALL AREAS. We went through the museum, General store and finished up in the cafe! Wow!! Very interesting and will definitely look at Bush beans with more knowledge. The cafe food was Excellent and the pinto bean pecan pie was DELICIOUS!!! And tasted just like a pecan pie. The family history is awesome to see. The generations learned and continue to produce a great product plus focused on family oriented business, development and marketing. Integrity! Awesome work!
Doreen Vaughn — Google review
Who knew baked beans could be so interesting. In a self- guided tour you will learn the history of the Bush family and company and the process they use to produce their main lines of baked beans. The gift shop has a great variety. Sadly, the onsite cafe was too popular the day we visited. If you’re arriving near lunch time check the wait time when you arrive. It may be better to eat before your tour.
Rob Couch — Google review
I have been to the Bush's visitor center several times and I never get sick of going there.
They offer a very nice short film about how the beans are made, how they're put into the cans, and how the sauce is added to them.
They also offer little interactive things that you can do throughout the museum and they offer a lot of little knick knacks and cans of beans that they don't carry in actual grocery stores.
The restaurant that's attached to it is a good place to eat. It's inexpensive and the food is always good and fresh.
It's neat to be able to see the original house of the people that started bush's and to see the factory right across the road from there.
The Forbidden Caverns is an underground cave and river attraction in the eastern part of the Great Smokies. It is open to the public and features stunning underground caverns with colorful lights, as well as a cave river that flows under English Mountain.
So fun! This was my first time taking a cavern tour or really exploring caves in any way so not much to compare it to but I had a great experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the different formations and history of the caverns with the moonshiners and Native Americans. The underground river is amazing and some of the formations are really breathtaking! They also have a generous military discount which is always appreciated. Would recommend this to anybody visiting on vacation!
Taylor Murphy — Google review
Great tour and experience! Fun tourist spot to check out and not too far from Pigeon Forge. The road is a bit tight and windy, we had a camper because we were leaving town so that was a bit challenging. The tour guide was very kind and educational and cavern's a unique experience. I couldn't believe how far down we traveled, the average tour takes about an hour to complete.You will walk the full thing, there are a few low spots and tight areas which the guide points out and the path is clear and easy to navigate. Our pictures turned out great when we were down there! I recommend wearing a sweatshirt/jacket and tennis/closed toe shoes. Price was $20pp. I didn't think it was bad, and it helps to support the caverns and small town business.
Ashley Dowdy — Google review
We have visited many times and every time my family thoroughly enjoys it. The staff is really terrific and it is great to visit during the summer to have an opportunity to do an activity out of the heat. It's alot cooler in the caves so we tend to linger. It is a family friendly activity that even small children enjoy. It's a very pretty place and a nice experience.
C Marsh — Google review
I really enjoyed this cave. I didn't expect much as the information suggested it was a small cave and the tour was only 0.5 miles round trip and a little less than an hour long. There were a few places where there was a low overhang but nothing too strenuous to deal with. Floor was pretty level in most places so mobility shouldn't be much of a concern. There were also only a few steps going up as the entrance and exit have a ramp.
Turned out it was much better than I expected. There were lots of different types of formations and most of them are still growing. According to the guide this cave has one of the largest Onyx drip stone formations in the United States. I didn't see much in the way of cave life but others said they saw a few frogs and other small creatures.
Due to the availability of a river running through the cave and the remote location, the caverns were used to hide a moonshine still during prohibition. There are remnants of many whiskey barrel rings and parts of a still. Not sure if the still in the photos is an original however.
The caverns were also used in the winter by Native Americans looking for shelter. Several artifacts were found inside, however they are no longer on site. The guide also said that there were flint formations inside the cavern as well that were used to create arrowheads.
Overall a nice little excursion although it could have went a little longer so people could appreciate many of the formations a little longer. Definitely worth the price of admission if you are into exploring cave systems.
Robert Bernier — Google review
Beautiful caverns. We didn't get to see the whole thing because it rained for two days before we came. But what we did see was beautiful. Staff was super friendly and full of information about the caverns
Brandy Pratt — Google review
I came here for my birthday to have fun with my family and absolutely enjoyed it to the fullest! I haven't been here since I was a kid and needless I loved it still. We got to see newts which was awesome but no bats this time. Definitely will be back and I recommend all should go here for this amazing experience!
Courtney R — Google review
An amazing little adventure to do with the family! They label the tour "moderately strenuous" but it's not too bad. We had three kids under the age of 10 and they all had a blast. There is a small part of the tour that they turn the lights off, but it's only for a second and no one's walking while they do it. The rest of the time the path was well lit and easy to follow.
Make sure to bring a sweater if you're the type that doesn't like the cold. It was 85°F outside and less than 60°F in the cave... perfect for hiking, if you ask me =)
The tour is guided (which we didn't realize until we got there) but our tour guide was very knowledgeable and let us stop and take pictures whenever we wanted.
The tour itself took about an hour, but there's also a gift shop and a picnic area, if you want to bring a lunch.
Jason Volbeda — Google review
Title: An Unforgettable Journey into the Depths: Ace's Captivating Tour at Forbidden Caverns, Tennessee
Rating: ★★★★★
When it comes to exploring the hidden wonders of the world, few experiences can match the sheer excitement and awe-inspiring beauty of a tour through the Forbidden Caverns in Tennessee. And if you're lucky enough to have Ace as your guide, prepare yourself for an extraordinary adventure like no other.
From the moment Ace stepped forward, his infectious enthusiasm and magnetic personality set the tone for an incredible journey. His expertise and passion for the caverns were immediately evident, as he effortlessly blended historical facts, geological insights, and entertaining anecdotes into a truly captivating narrative.
Ace's ability to inject humor into his storytelling was an absolute delight. He had the entire group, including myself, in fits of laughter throughout the tour. His comedic timing and witty remarks not only kept us engaged, but also created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. It was evident that Ace not only had an extensive knowledge of the caverns but also possessed a true talent for connecting with his audience.
As we ventured deeper into the labyrinthine caverns, Ace's expertise shone through. He expertly navigated us through the narrow passageways, sharing fascinating tales of the caverns' formation, ancient discoveries, and the various geological formations we encountered along the way. His explanations were clear and concise, ensuring everyone in the group could appreciate the wonders before us.
One of the highlights of the tour was Ace's knack for making the caverns come alive. With his imaginative storytelling skills, he effortlessly transported us back in time, allowing us to envision the ancient civilizations that once sought shelter within these hallowed halls. His vivid descriptions painted vivid pictures in our minds, creating a sense of connection to the history and natural wonders surrounding us.
Ace's attention to detail was exceptional. He ensured that each member of the group felt included and engaged, taking the time to answer questions and tailor the experience to our interests. His patience and genuine enthusiasm were evident as he shared his knowledge and passion, leaving us feeling enriched by the entire experience.
Forbidden Caverns itself is a breathtaking marvel, but it is Ace who truly brought the tour to life. His infectious energy, entertaining humor, and wealth of knowledge made this journey an unforgettable one. I left the caverns feeling inspired, educated, and with a newfound appreciation for the natural wonders that lie beneath the surface.
If you're planning a visit to Forbidden Caverns in Tennessee, do yourself a favor and request Ace as your guide. His charm, wit, and expertise will ensure that your experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Trust me, you'll be talking about this tour for years to come. In short, Ace is a savage. My girlfriend also was very impressed.
Alex cox — Google review
Our guide was informative, it was really cool (literally and figuratively). We didn’t feel rushed. I learned a lot! To me it was more worth it cost wise than my trip to Ruby Falls.
Mireya Moreno — Google review
This is a .5 mile hike there and .5 mile hike back. The hike is very scenery and beautiful. I have provided pictures of what you will be seeing. It is very interesting at that Elijah Oliver cabin. I am so glad that we went. My son really enjoyed it the whole family did. It was a great experience.
Christina Nail — Google review
I love this place. Very beautiful, unusual . People who work there are super nice and helpful. They tell you stories about these caves.
Tatiana Panova — Google review
This place is awesome! I can’t remember the name of the lady at the ticket counter but she was really funny and awesome! We loved her! She was helpful with the gift butterfly we bought in the gift shop and how to make it cooler by making it stand up. Angie at the opening of the tour was so sweet and fun! She recommended a wonderful Mexican place to eat which turned out to be amazing! All the guides through out the tour was very nice and informative! The caverns themselves was absolutely breathtaking! Thank God it wasn’t flooded when we went and was able to do the whole tour and we was self guided. Would go back again over and over.
Danielle Harris — Google review
Pretty interesting. Me and the wife enjoyed it. Word of caution, this place is not stroller friendly. If you have a cane, crutches or issues walking I wouldn't recommend it. Most of the ground is very uneven, or slick or both. Tour guide was every informative and funny. Gift shop was reasonably priced. I think tickets were $20, well worth it.
Justin Hupp — Google review
The wife and I went here, and we loved it. The guides were awesome. Big open areas with some tight paths. Really cool place to go and take the family. Will go back again.
steve 0 — Google review
This place was great! The tour guide had a weird, dry sense of humor, but I liked it lol. Also, I'm very fascinated by rocks, rock formations, etc. So everything was exciting to me. I really wanted to see a bat, but unfortunately that didn't happen, otherwise, everything was cool and informative!
Adrianna “Dri” Tennison — Google review
A very nice cave tour! Our tour guide, Alex, was very knowledgeable and a super amazing guide. She gave a very detailed history of the cave as well as lots of information about all the different formations. The tour itself was quite interesting and we really enjoyed seeing all the unique formations. Highly recommend!
Greta Burgdorf — Google review
Had a great time exploring the caves!! The only reason I did not give a 5 star is because I felt like the tour was short/rushed. Didn’t feel like we were there that long. But it was a great tour.
Jordan Williams — Google review
Was it worth $72 for the five of us? Yes, the admission fee could be lowered for what it is (maybe $10/person). The tour guide was nice, although with a big group it was very difficult to hear from the back (I’d recommend going with a smaller group size). The formations were impressive. My daughters had fun for their first time inside a cavern. None of us needed any extra layers for the temperature (I’d recommend solid sole shoes though, not flip flops).
Skychaser Jeff — Google review
The cave was beautiful and lots of history/information. Unfortunately it was very difficult to understand our tour guide because she said she's having "bad allergies" and her voice was off. Other than that, it was amazing!
SMO is a well-renowned rafting company that offers some of the best white water rafting in the area. With options including level 3 and 4 rapids, as well as beautiful scenery and perfect weather, this is an experience not to be missed.
Amazing experience! Our guide was Miami and he was great the whole way. He clearly had done the route many times before and easily guided us through the level 3 and 4 rapids without anybody going overboard. The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful. The run was a total of about 2 hours and was a ton of fun. Highly recommend!
Taylor Murphy — Google review
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!
BUBLIKMUA makeup artist — Google review
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!!!
Debbie Frickey — Google review
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.
Christopher Guilford — Google review
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!
Bee M — Google review
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.
Bharat Bhandare — Google review
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.
Alycia Alvarez — Google review
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.
Theresa C — Google review
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
Michaela Bennett — Google review
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!
Joella Mosley — Google review
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!
Jill Casey — Google review
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.
Matt Dubya — Google review
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.
Stormy Matte — Google review
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.
Abigail & Blake Freeman — Google review
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!
Maggie Ruiz — Google review
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.
Raghukumar S — Google review
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.
Courtney Johnson — Google review
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.
Barbara Frazier — Google review
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!
Madan Nagaraju — Google review
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.
Poly F — Google review
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!
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a historic railway that takes passengers through scenic countryside in North Carolina. The railway operates throughout the year, providing visitors with an opportunity to see stunning views of the mountains and rivers below.
Such an amazing experience. The whole trip was about 4-5 hours long and so you can buy your lunch before the trip or pack lunch for yourself. The train ride was full of scenic forests, lakes, etc. The host and caretaker of each cabin was extremely nice and helpful with little drops of knowledge provided to the whole visitors. They also have a singer that entertains people with beautiful country songs. You do stop by a kayak/water rafting area for about an hour which was nice so you can rest for a little bit before heading back. Overall a amazing experience.
Peter Miral — Google review
We booked the Polar Express train ride for Christmas Eve. The parking is free and was easy to navigate.
I was able to pick up the tickets with ease and hd plenty of time to look around before boarding the train.
The boxcar that we were on was warm and had enough space to walk around and find our seat.
We were disappointed that despite choosing seats together that initially assigned being at different at tables. Fortunately we were able to switch seats and sit together.
The train ride was smooth and there were songs and cocoa with chocolate. I was most disappointed in the scenery which included excessive trash, tires, a car with two people strung out on drugs and things that took away from the experience of being on the "Polar Express".
At the "North Pole" we were directed to look at different places related to Santa and Christmas. In reality, it was a persons house for each location with a sign in front stating what we should imagine it to be.
For the price and the distance to get there, I would not book this experience again.
Krista Asp — Google review
Wonderful trip, Kim, in first class, it was really great at giving us lots of information along the way. The young lady, (sorry I forgot your name), who sold us our tickets, was fantastic at getting us the best seats. Definitely recommend doing this trip lots of fun for all members of the family.
Andrea Sparks — Google review
It was a nice relaxing ride on a steam train with great views of the Smokey Mountains. The food served was good and the service, great. However, this experience was made possible only by our server and hostess, Ginger! She was very knowledgeable of the history around the Nantahala. I think I can say that many of us in the Harper car loved talking with her. I can tell that she loves what she does and it shows. Kudos to you, Ginger! Once again, thank you for a memorable experience (and not because the my drink was knocked onto me)!
Ed A. — Google review
This was a really amazing way to easily see the landscape of the Smokies! Great for any train enthusiast and the tour was laid back and relaxing. An easy one-hour drive from Asheville. We went in early April in the first class open-air car. Bring a sweater as it was a bit breezy, but the fresh air was fantastic.
Two things that detracted from the experience: First, on one side of the car (right as you are departing Bryson City) you face a lot of mountainside, which is not much of a view for a lot of the trip. Thankfully there is plenty of space for you to walk around the car and look over your neighbors to see the other side’s view. Secondly, a more formal spiel from the tour guide would have been appreciated for a history buff like me that isn’t too familiar with the area. This isn’t to say we didn’t learn a lot, but I think some of it got lost in the weeds.
All in all, we had a great, relaxing time taking in the surroundings. When we visit NC next, we hope to catch this later in the spring or in the fall when the mountains have more color. Highly recommend!
Oh, also, there’s a free model train museum!
Grant Lemasters — Google review
A great experience amazing staff but I do recommend if you travel during cooler/cold temps especially with rain bring a BLANKET & heavy jacket for open cars. We road today with temps and rain we froze on the open car. The layover is to short especially if you get the last train car the walk takes most of your time. But overall would recommend for people to see this beautiful scenery
Jackie Phillips (Jackie's Weight Loss) — Google review
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip! Kyle was our guide, and he was super informative and educated about the area. We had the first car with controlled climate, and has the meal service. Food was average but the train ride was awesome. No kids were on the car, so it was a nice trip for adults with some good humor to be had.
B Ten — Google review
Most excellent. Started off rainy and cloudy, but it cleared up. It was a great experience! Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Was in first class. Food was excellent.
Did the Gorge run with a Diesel engine.
They had an on board musician that went from car to car as well as a dedicated storyteller who grew up in the mountains that also went car to car.
Recommend the excursion all the way!
Heath Sabin — Google review
Such a wonderful experience! Great for people of all ages! The loading process was quick and easy. There were many rail experiences to choose from and we chose the Nantahala Gorge trip. We had an absolute blast (even the teenager)! The rail car we were in was the Jackson and it was very cool and comfortable. There was a rail car that had a cafe for snacks, drinks, and eats (which we enjoyed). We will absolutely do this again and pick one of the other rail trips to see more of this beautiful place!
Melissa Connell — Google review
What a Wonderful way to see the Beautiful country side and Mountains of North Carolina. Very enjoyable ride in the open air. The town of Dillsboro for a layover was nice lots of shops to explore and places to grab a quick lunch. Would ABSOLUTELY do it again. Our 5 year old Grandson loved it as well. All around Great experience
pamela oliver — Google review
We took the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for our daughter's birthday. We had a wonderful day. The open air car was perfect late September. The views were great, the concessions were plentiful and very reasonably priced. We stopped at the Natahala Outdoor Center to stretch our legs. The staff was wonderful and entertaining. They answered all of our questions. We will be taking this train again. I would love to see what these views when the leaves have changed to Fall colors. I highly recommend this attraction if you are in the area. Don't miss it.
Mark C (Christian, Veteran) — Google review
We booked the Sunset ride on a fairly warmer fall day in late October. We did the open air car and would recommend over an inside train car. The bench seats face the outside and you can easily get up and walk around vs the inside cars feel stuffy and seats are facing each other in the inside.
Take a blanket and dress warm for once sun goes down, but completely worth it to have the open air to have better views and experience in my opinion.
Views were awesome, ride was fun.
Food, snacks, drinks, alcohol all available.
Justin Stegall — Google review
If you love fall foliage then be sure to book an autumn train ride in advance. They fill up fast and for good reason ... the views are incredible and the leaves are gorgeous! We rode about a week ahead of peak and it was still stunning. I highly recommend the open-air cars! There are speakers on them so you can hear all the interesting stories and facts about what you see on the ride. Halfway through you stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and can get off the train for a short bit. We had blankets and jackets/hats on-hand but ended up not needing them. We look forward to doing it again!
April Emery — Google review
My experience may have been slightly different considering the theme/event selected for our train ride.
The, "Uncorked" wine tasting train ride was absolutely remarkable. There are pros and cons to every experience you'll take part in.
For starters, the cost was reasonable to say the least. Once you're on board you have the option to buy additional beverages and snacks but its not necessary. The ride was approximately 3 to 4 hours long. You will make a stop in a small town where you can grab a beer or 5 and a bite if you're not pleased by the meals served on board.
A friendly reminder: YOU ARE ABLE TO CALL PROIR TO HAVE YOUR DIETARY NEEDS MEET!
The food was not the best but it did the job after a little salt and pepper was added. They were a bit short staffed but who isn't right now? It was a bit cold on the train so bring a jacket if you get cold like me.
There wasn't much of a sight as the ride went along outside of the river located in this area. Personally, I think train rides are soothing but if you're looking for a scenery the only one you'll get is of trash, locals waving from their porch and that river mentioned before.
It's quite the experience and if you like a little country feeling on a train, good adult beverages with some historical facts about the area thrown in the mix this is an ideal adventure for you.
Anastasia M — Google review
We went on the 5 hour steam train ride and it was great! We rode in the open air car and the speed was perfect to help keep us cool on a VERY hot day but not windy at all. So if the wind is a reservation for you, it's not a problem. It was so nice having wide unobstructed views! The only time it was stuffy was waiting to move before getting started and when leaving the NOC. Employees were all friendly! Bring on your own snacks or you can purchase from the concessions car.
Jessica S — Google review
We did the first class seats where lunch is included. I got the pot roast and it was good, but the portions were a bit small. My wife got the pulled pork, she said the pork wasn't hot (temperature-wise) and the coleslaw wasn't cool - as if the food had been sitting out for a while. The ride was scenic and informative. Overall it was a nice way to spend a day. After it was over we toured their train museum and walked around Bryson City and checked out the various shops there.
Barry Rutherford — Google review
A nostalgic and fun afternoon. We took an adult only wine sampler trip. Plenty to drink and our hostesses were entertaining and attentive.
The food portion was well thought out, but the shrimp were over cooked. Everything else was fine and we sure didn't leave hungry. In fact, don't eat a big breakfast if you book the Uncorked. You're going to start eating right after the train rolls.
Using the steam locomotive on the way out was very cool. Lots of opportunities for photography.
Mike Papais — Google review
Fun trip. The "layover" was kind of useless if you want to eat or shop since there's not much time and it can be a long walk. Depends on which rail car you're in. Aside from that, the trip was awesome. There is so much to see. It's really beautiful. The storyteller was very interesting and informative. The crew was top-notch.
Jay M. — Google review
Our host, Nancy, was amazing!!
We loved the trip and lunch.
So much fun! The lunch and desserts were good. The entertainment was a nice touch. We like the souvenir bag and mugs.
MaryKay F — Google review
Brought the kids and my mother. It was great. Although we were the loudest in our cart. We were in the Catamount and it was decorated so perfect for the occasion. Don't know if I would spend that kinda money again but glad we experienced the Polar Express.
Chrissy Josey — Google review
Such a fun experience! Train ride was relaxing and informative and the food and drinks on board were nice too! I'd suggest not even buying a boxed lunch but bringing your own or buying a hotdog or snack on the train from the little diner train car.
Also make sure to buy tickets on the correct side of the train. One side has better viewing potential. (If that side of the train is sold out, you honestly can't go wrong with either side as you'll still be able to see out to the other side.)
Sarah Peterson — Google review
The train ride was very enjoyable. We chose First Class with a meal that was fantastic. A tour guide, in the train car, that shared the points of interest including the train wreck from “The Fugitive”with Harrison Ford. The train followed the river where we saw some Elk. We looked in the tree top for Eagles but were shut out this trip. We stopped in a lovely town with several shops. Definitely worth the trip.
South — Google review
It's a really fun experience and a beautiful ride. We prefer the open air cars for the views they offer. Just be aware this can be quite cold in the winter so wear thick clothing and bring/buy a blanket. The food offered is fine but not something to look forward to.
Todd Heath — Google review
Had a very relaxing ride seeing the scenery. We booked the open car with a meal. The day was beautiful! We had been years ago on the steam engine. This time we went further and saw Fontana. The trip takes about 4 hours.
Don't worry.. restrooms and stops are included. You can also shop at Nantahala if you like.
Book in advance so you will not be disappointed that they are sold out.
They also do a Polar Express at Christmas 🎄. Check them out for themed trips down the rails. There is a variety of car options and food.
Sharon Bollinger — Google review
Our second year making the Polar Express a tradition and had a great time. They go above and beyond to ensure you have an awesome experience and get in the Christmas mood. We usually go after Christmas but still thoroughly enjoy it. Can't wait to go back next year!!
Miranda Maw — Google review
The Polar Express was a wonderful holiday experience for my son. I’m not sure about all cabins, but we got a premium one and had a great time. The staff made it truly special for the kiddos and it was an overall great holiday memory. Gorgeous scenery.
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting with "Rafting In the Smokies" on the Pigeon River, just a short drive from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Maggie Valley. Choose between the upper tour for adventurous rapids or the lower tour for a more family-friendly experience. The guides are praised for their great communication and informative yet fun approach. After your exhilarating ride, take advantage of on-site showers to freshen up.
We had the best time. Our rafting guide Jabels and Aaron were awesome and had a great sense of humor. If we ever come back to the area I would definitely go back again!
Natasha Dornbush — Google review
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.
Alia Acala — Google review
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!
Terri Tesch — Google review
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!
Laura Richardson — Google review
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!
Kara — Google review
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!
Crystal Comfort — Google review
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!
Scotty Q — Google review
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.
Brandon Pratt — Google review
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.
Pia Rivera — Google review
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.
Wortham Boyle — Google review
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.
Nicole Yull — Google review
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.
Ashley Jackson — Google review
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!
Jennifer Linski — Google review
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.
Shelby Dillon — Google review
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!!
Outfitter offering guided rafting trips ranging from lazy float excursions to serious whitewater.
This was an AWESOME white water rafting trip. There were many challenging rapids, which made it exciting and super fun! We had an excellent guide who was instructive and also entertaining. Make sure you have water shoes or shoes that are secure and can get wet. It can be challenging to get to the location, check out the roads before you trust your GPS!! Would HIGHLY recommend this trip!!
Candace Delanoy — Google review
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.
Shontelle Owens — Google review
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!"
MeShea Johnson — Google review
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!!!!
Mia West — Google review
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!
Charlotte Fosburgh — Google review
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.
Jami Hagan — Google review
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.
Dani — Google review
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!
Adrian Maier — Google review
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!
Laura Rose — Google review
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!
Teri Dickinson — Google review
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.
Emily Johns — Google review
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!
Brandi McKinney — Google review
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.
Linda Rambaran — Google review
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.
Ryan G — Google review
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!
gene parker — Google review
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.
Jill Garress — Google review
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.
Rick Ryan — Google review
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!
Diego Aguirre — Google review
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!
Trent Holmes — Google review
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.
Gwen Coombs — Google review
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 💙
Nicole Krug — Google review
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!
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian tells the story of the Cherokee people from their prehistoric roots to the present day. Exhibits include artifacts from the tribe's history, as well as items from their interactions with European settlers. The museum is located in downtown Cherokee, North Carolina.
Since my wife is part Cherokee we had to visit. Very informative displays. Move at your own pace. So much to look at. My wife learned more about her ancestors. There is a very nice gift shop. Very friendly staff. Free parking.
Scott Remy — Google review
The museum flows so well. They do a great job of sending you back in time to learn about such an amazing culture. My wife is part Cherokee so learning about her heritage and history was always intriguing. Well done.
Nick Barbosa — Google review
Great museum but the theater was still down for technical problems, and some of the displays were empty. There were also a few mannequins placed oddly around the halls like they had been removed from an exhibit and just pushed in a corner. Gift shop looks like it needs restocked as well, though the keychains with your name and Cherokee were great. Overall very well done just needs a little TLC.
Okie Doke — Google review
It was really neat, except they were doing renovations in the main exhibit which was a bummer. Tickets went from $12 to $8, which I feel like it should’ve been $5 because the only exhibit available was small and crowded. Other than that, it was nice and well maintained and I will be coming back eventually hopefully the main room will be finished by then!
Regan Benites — Google review
It was worth the $12 I spent for an adult ticket. There’s a decent amount of content in this museum, including some real people making crafts in the way the Cherokees did it. Chat with them and they’ll tell you all about what they’re doing.
Joseph Wilson — Google review
The museum needs a little love and maintenance, but if more people visit it can have it.
It is very important for Cherokee people to tell their own story and they do in this museum. It is not a huge museum but gives an overview of the history of the Cherokee people. It covers culture, history and folklore. It honestly considers Cherokee politics of the 1830s.
One topic it could cover better would be Cherokee involvement in slavery and the Cherokee Freedmen.
I really appreciated learning more about the Cherokee in their own voice and I hope the museum gets the love it deserves and even expands and adds greater depth. The Cherokee, like all indigenous Americans, are entitled to it.
J So — Google review
This is a very well done and informative museum. The exhibits are all very well done and professionally designed. You are bound to learn something new that you never knew before, and there are surprises around every corner.
Christopher Messer — Google review
I love supporting my fellow native relatives. It was a good way to give support and keep shared knowledge open to the public. Don't forget to buy Native made.
The Taino stand in solidarity.
Land back.
No More Stolen siblings.
Wanderlost Kaylah — Google review
Awesome! Had some fascinating exhibits. Also had a tribe member demonstrating how to weave a belt. Masks are still required as of 3/5/22. Highly recommend!
A Campbell — Google review
The last stop on our family day trip was a visit to The Museum of the Cherokee Indian. My niece treated all of us for the $12.00 admission fee. The people working in the building were friendly, and would ask people where they were from. The tour is self guided with several items on display. This tour reminded of visiting the Lorraine Motel(civil rights museum) in Memphis, TN of how African Americans were treated. The Native Americans were treated just as badly. One of the displays is the Trail of Tears. There’s a gift shop at the end of the tour. If you haven’t visited The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, stop by for an educational visit. The 4 stars are because the women’s restroom was dirty.
Michelle Morgan — Google review
I loved visiting this place! It has so much history, the life of the Native Americans, their legacy, their survival, and many qualities that they had. I recommend this place, because you can learn about primitive life and thus be able to understand how they lived and respect those who remain their descendants.
Dj Em 502 Barrera — Google review
There was a person viewing with us that was super aggravating but that not the facilities fault. There were alot of stops that had none of the stories mentioned being told. Supposed to have audio and theater was closed. Loved what we could read, missed alot of information with audio out.
Jennifer Parker — Google review
Disappointing experience. The museum is on renovation. We went to learn some history of Cherokee. Instead, we paid to see one temporary room with irrelevant exhibition. Random objects like a car door with stickers and a wrestler costume is not what tells the history. Nobody warned us that there is nothing to see. Their gift shop has more interesting information than the exhibition. If you plan visiting the place, make sure they have completed the renovation fully.
Eugene Glotov — Google review
Absolutely phenomenal place to visit! If u are a motorcycle enthusiast then I highly recommend this museum! It's absolutely packed with bikes/motorcycles from every era since the very first. The history is an abundance and just seeing how they've evolved from then to know is simply remarkable. Be prepared to spend some time as it's an incredibly large museum packed but worth every moment ur able to dive deeply n2 the history packed exhibits and the knowledge that's with each.
bridget meyer — Google review
A unique experience to engage with the Cherokee Heritage. A must stop when in Cherokee! Unique gift ideas and a wonderful tour thru our heritage. History Buffs must see! Artisans in premise with pieces very one of a kind like jewelry and attire. Large book section to choose from. And more! Close to eateries and gasoline!
Sandraella Call — Google review
We really enjoyed the Museum of the Cherokee People. I learned a lot about their history and enjoyed seeing the different artifacts. Nice little gift shop too!
Michelle Jolly — Google review
Unfortunately they are under renos but the lady explained to us the rebate on the ticket price was for a smaller exhibit. Still enjoyed, I'm sure the real thing is worth it.
Sylvie Bédard — Google review
The museum was great, very educational and if you take your time to read all the exhibits, takes a couple of hours. Admission was cheap, gift shop has a good assortment of items to buy.
Michael Rogers — Google review
I am rating this “museum” with a 1, only because 0 is not offered. We arranged our vacation to see this “museum” reopen after it had been closed for updates ( my term). We knew the entire museum was not reopening, just part of it. I was very excited to learn more about the history of the Cherokee nation. First, calling this a museum experience is a huge stretch. It was a large, nice gift shop experience. Its focus is commercialism. The “museum” is ONE average size room and a small alcove with a few uniforms. There were a few signs with interesting historical facts but no informational details about the fact. The gift shop is much larger.
The museum has displays about why Cherokee developed commercialism based on TV stereotypes. OK, I understand that. Why keep that impression going? I believe it was “reopened” to get people to the large gift shop area, not to create a worthwhile learning experience. There was a school field trip while we were there. As a retired teacher and administrator, it was difficult for me to see this being a day away from real learning for the students (and I completely support and encouraged valuable trips outside the classroom).
I KNOW the Cherokee nation is more than capable of making this museum a wealth of learning opportunities. I realize the “main” exhibit is still being developed. In choosing to open this now as a “museum” is, in my opinion, disrespectful to the Cherokee nation. My sense is it was opened for people to spend money in the gift shop. I resent that for myself but much more so for the Cherokee nation. This should close as a museum until a proper celebration of Cherokee history is ready. Keep the gift shop open if you choose, but label it as such!
Linda Burkhard — Google review
It was a fantastic experience to stay in Cherokee to see the Fall leaves and visit the original tribal land of the Cherokee people, and still the reservation for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee People. The Museum features many artifacts, masks and displays that describe Cherokee life from 11,000 years ago to the Trail of Tears and relocation of many members to Oklahoma. It is so wonderful to see the Eastern Band still residing on their original reservation and preserving the land of their ancestors in Cherokee, NC.
I would have given this review 5 stars except the movie that was to be shown to better explain the Cherokee People history was not running on 10/24/2023 when we visited. It would have been very helpful to learning their full story, but the museum was still worth visiting!
There is a discount admission to AAA, AARP, and Veterans.
Experience the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1948, the Museum of the Cherokee People is one of the longest-operating tribal museums in the country. Located in Cherokee, North Carolina on the Qualla Boundary, the sovereign land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and ancestral homelands of all Cherokees, the Museum shares the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people through its exhibitions, collections, and programs.
History of the Museum
The Museum opened in 1948 and moved to its present facility in 1976. In 1998, its permanent exhibit was totally renovated and a new 12,000 square-foot exhibit was installed. An 8,500 square-foot education wing was added in 2010. Today, the Museum welcomes an estimated 83,000 visitors per year and continues to grow its storytelling and educational offerings.
Operating Hours
9am-5pm year-round
Ticket sales close at 4pm. A self-guided tour of the Museum takes approximately one hour.
The Museum is open daily except the day preceding the Thanksgiving holiday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Admission:
Adults: $12
Children ages 6-12: $7
Children 5 & under: Free
Discounts: Enjoy our AAA “Show Your Card & Save” Discount. Show your AAA card and receive 10% off admission at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. AARP and active-duty military discounts also available.
Harrah's Cherokee Hotel and Casino offers slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette and other table games. Concerts and shows are also offered. Gifts are available at the Rivershops store including golf equipment from Callaway Golf Shop, clothing from Top Drawer Men's Shop, and sweets from the Sweet Stop.
We love it. We live about 60 miles away and go quit often. Run very professional, could have free drinks but other that, very classy.
Steve Hamblin — Google review
I chose this hotel because it is new and clean. The casino is fun we won many times over our 2 nights. Out biggest win was 850. We saw neighbors winning up to 2 thousand so it is fun. Everything is nearby. We drove to Bryson City for their Steam train, throughout the Smoky Mountains probably 5 or 6 times, Mingo Falls which is 5 minutes away and easy to hike, and so much more. I think about this place everyday. Loved it.
Gerardo Rocha — Google review
This resort was beautiful. We went with our two teenagers and unfortunately weren't able to go to the casino since we were told they couldn't be left unattended. That was the only down fall but other than that it was a beautiful stay. Amazing location beautiful views of the mountains and so many shops in the area. We will definitely be planning a trip here in the future!
Amanda Zielinski — Google review
Everything was fantastic from check in till check out. Our room was clean, black jack and poker dealers were so friendly. Food was excellent and had a lot of choices. I love that it is non smoking. Valet employees were great and work hard.
Susan G — Google review
Was a bit disappointed in the rooms, price was great but, there was not any bottled water in the room to make coffee. I asked for bottled water and was told they didn't provide it but there was a vending machine I could get some from. That would have been great if the vending machine would have worked but I had to go to 3 other floors just to find a working vending machine for a 4$ bottle of water. That was just the only downer of my stay. The casino was nice and food was delicious. scenery was beautiful.
Joyce Feagin — Google review
The hotel is very nice, but I also want to add that every time I came across someone on staff, they were always so friendly and pleasant. Housekeeping was very friendly as we walked down the hall…any time we walked by a staff member, they greeted us with a warm smile and hello. The security at the casino was comical and friendly, etc. I really appreciated all of that. My husband and I will definitely be back!
S P — Google review
The service was extremely slow, no sense of urgency to get the crowds down. Do eat before you go there the food selection is limited and overpriced. The casino was as expected and no complaints. The event area was outstanding. One of the better venues. Saw Blackberry Smoke and there wasn't a bad seat.
Gary Davis — Google review
Rooms were clean and uniquely designed. Service was good for the majority of the hotel/casino. I gave that 4 instead of 5 because the bartenders at Myst disappeared for awhile…not literally but did not fill our drinks even after we ordered. The location receives 5 stars due to its proximity to Atlanta.
Clay Gentry — Google review
The resort is beautiful. The staff is phenomenal. The casino is huge and very welcoming. The drinks at the bar were amazing. However we had a loud, almost banging type of noise that wouldn't stop coming from the vent in our room and we couldn't sleep. I had to turn the TV on to drown out the noise and I literally only slept 3 hours. The room was very nice, the bed was extremely comfortable. If it wasn't for the constant noise and lack of sleep, my review would have been a lot more positive. It took over 30 minutes for the valet parking to return our car. My only other complaint is food. You couldn't eat anywhere at the resort without a reservation, there was absolutely no walk in restaurants available and all to go orders were stopped early. It was still a very beautiful place.
Leslie Bailey — Google review
Beautiful hotel. I was here for the North Carolina Trucking Association Conference and Expo. Beautiful hotel, casino is huge and the expansion on the hotel is more than accommodating for visitors. I was here with my trailer for Truckers Against Trafficking and there were so many other things going on at the hotel. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was nice. If you want a quick, inexpensive getaway, go during the week. The rate change for the weekend rates is quadruple what the weekday rates are. Loved visiting during this time of year as well. The beauty of fall was gorgeous and after walking through the parks I got some breathtaking pictures.
Brandy Belton — Google review
I always enjoy my stay at the hotel, win or lose. That being said, my friend and I both had errors on our bills. For me, I was charged for a night that was supposed to be complimentary. For my friend, he was charged for a movie he definitely didn’t order. My advice is to always check your bill and not assume it’s correct. This isn’t the first time this has happened.
All that being said, nice casino. The variety of hotels are great. Staff is friendly, and the “no smoking” is awesome.
Jacqueline — Google review
Large casino with many games and tables. Be prepared to walk a great distance if you want to explore. Free coffee, water, and soda are available at beverage stations. Rooms are spacious with fridge and microwaves. Plenty places for you to eat and alternative activities if you want to break the gambling up. There's a nice little city area about a mile from the casino if you want to do some shopping and exploring. Overall...this is a nice casino.
Christopher Gilchrist — Google review
The cleanliness of the casino was the first thing that struck me. The floors were spotless, the slot machines were well-kept, and the bathrooms were spotless. I'd want to thank the workers at Harrah's Cherokee Casino. They were helpful, kind, and informed. Overall, I had a fantastic day at Harrah's Cherokee Casino. Everything exceeded my expectations, from the cleanliness to the safety to the friendly employees. I would strongly suggest this casino to anyone searching for a good time.
George Kinyua — Google review
We came for my birthday and for my first trip to a casino. The hotel is beautiful and the casino floor is something straight out of a movie. That said, I’ve been in and around the hotel industry for almost a decade and finding a used mask in our bed, used bars of soap in the bathroom, no comforter or fitted sheet on the bed as well as the shower not draining were a little disappointing to me. Amy in the casino bar closest to the sports betting area makes a mean drink with a smile on her face the entire time. The experience overall was below expectations on the room/hotel but well above on the restaurants and overall vibe of the casino. The star may go up one if I don’t get sick from conditions found in the room.
Joshua Murphey — Google review
Beautiful rooms with a large bathroom and great views. Very well maintained and clean. Friendly staff and good service. Room service is excellent. Very comfortable bed. Free drinks in the mini fridge.Valet parking and loading area. Nice shower and plenty of room. The couch folds out as an extra bedroom. The A/C works great and wasn’t loud.
Anthony Rowland — Google review
From the food (5 star) to the casino to the hotel, even the valet service is awesome. There is nothing I would change about this place, besides being able to visit there more often. Everybody is so nice and ready to help. One of my favorite places to visit for sure 🌍
jared D — Google review
I truthfully love the architecture of this hotel. It is MAGICAL and huge! It never seems to end! They have plenty to do if you are not a gambler and plenty of machines if you do. I do wish they’d get a hot tub though around the indoor heated pool. The food was fairly priced and if you’re looking for gourmet, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and the breakfast buffet was open til 11, which is a nice surprise! The hotels spa is pretty pricey, bring your wallet!
Jax B — Google review
Overall, we had a good time. But a few things could be improved. In the lobby at the check-in desk, the lamps on the counter were VERY dusty, so it made me think that housekeeping is a low priority. The front desk is the first place that you go to when you get there, it should at least be clean. The elevators need some work, they are ugly (scratches & dirty tracks). Walking to our room, the hallway smelled like cigarette smoke! But I believe it’s non-smoking or at least the room we had was, but thank God the room did not smell like smoke. We ate at the P.F. Chang’s inside of the casino & they also have a food court, but everything is over priced. I think that they were understaffed in the casino, I remember someone coming around maybe three times my two days there & then if you press that service button, it took someone forever to come. But it was cool, i would go back.
Tina — Google review
We've never stayed in their rooms, so can't give a rating on that, but we have visited the casino and the event center to see a couple of shows. The casino floor can be a little chaotic for a first timer. Once you figure out the way it all works it's not that bad at all. The event center is great. It's not too big and not too small. Not really a bad seat in the place. The food court has decreased in size and choices which is a little disappointing. Also, would be nice if food court was open all night. The casino floor is clean and well supervised/managed. The restrooms are a little dirty, especially the urinals, but with that many folks having adult beverages and using the urinal, I guess it's to be expected. Overall, it's been an enjoyable experience each time we visit.
Randall Eller — Google review
Great place to relax and have fun. Good selection of food also. Valet parking is offered for guests that stay in the hotel for free. The rooms are really nice. The games are really fun. Drinks are a little expensive, but hay, you're here to have fun. The staff is really friendly. And don't forget to tip your waiting and cleaning staff!!!
Steven Suehiro — Google review
Check in is easy and staff friendly and polite. Gambling is exactly that, I haven’t won any big money but several small wins keeps me in the game. Starbucks staff super polite. Ruth Chris filet literally melts in your mouth. Enjoy fellow gamblers!
Kim Lavertue — Google review
Very nice casino. Great food, all kinds of stuff for everyone in the family. Kind staff the drive over the mountain is fantastic views as well. Slots selection is great. There are a lot of new games. Sports book is awesome. The rooms are clean also. Pet friendly would come back anytime.
Rustan Porter — Google review
Beautiful location and building, inside and out. Everything was virtually immaculate and the valet and bell services were very expedient given the volume of people! Room was excellent, beds and bath were very comfortable. We had a clogged up drain and upon calling it in, we were almost immediately greeted by a serviceman who had it fixed up super fast! Casino was perfectly vibrant, fun, and lively. Food spots were all busy as expected, but the food was absolute perfection!
I absolutely look forward to coming back! Worth every dollar and second!
Gurdeep Kumar — Google review
What an awesome resort! Everything you could want to do in a beautiful town. Spectacular casino floor with lots of tables and slots, sports betting, rooms are immaculate and no soaring on decor. Valet parking and more. I was so impressed I’ll do it again!
A LaCount Frank — Google review
This place is super nice! If your looking for fun, then this is the place for you. Too much to do in a day. Beautiful location. Rooms are super nice and reasonably priced. Excellent service all the way around, can't wait to go back!
Jeff Mckee — Google review
We didn't stay on property, but the casino itself is great! Plenty of self-parking, lots of slots, and a good amount of table games. The sportsbook is large and really nice too. Super fun destination for a little gambling and hanging out.
John Wagner — Google review
The place is nice....the location is great! I just don't understand the logic of most of the tables having $25 minimum and they are empty, but the five $15 dollar minimum tables are 3 deep with folks waiting. Wouldn't you actually make more money by offering the options people clearly want? it's not unique to this site, but jeez, you'd obviously take more money in and have higher customer satisfaction by giving g reasonable minimums. I guess you do what you want when you're the only show in town.
Douglas Sawyer — Google review
Amazing stay at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Resort. My husband and I stayed at the resort for three nights and truly loved our whole experience. The room was great, the service was exceptional and the food/drinks were on point!
I would also really love to shoutout to Mr. Thomas Serrano who works in the casino. He was at the Roulette table when my husband and I went on the evening of 11.16 and he was fantastic! We ended up going back to the table again before he left for the evening because of how great he was!! We truly appreciated his kindness and service.
Dalia Joy — Google review
Enjoyed our first trip to Cherokee Resort. I have been to the casino several times over the last 15 years but never stayed at the hotel until this week. Was pleasantly surprised with the room size and quality. It’s a far walk to the casino floor but no big deal. They are really really hard core about checking IDs here, seemed redundant to check my ID to get into the casino floor and then Also check my Id to buy alcohol but whatever. Staff was friendly all throughout the casino EXCEPT for the dealers, which is unfortunate. All the security staff and valet and and Rewards center folks and servers were nice but hotel check-in staff and dealers were either unfriendly or just outright rude. I read about machines breaking down and unfortunately that was also the case for us. Really sucked the fun out of some times we had. We won a few hundred dollars through the course of the night and enjoyed our food and coffee from the GR food court. Hopefully the next time we come back the machines that they KNOW are experiencing issues will be fixed, and the dealers can learn some common courtesy.
Anthony Garcia — Google review
Had an excellent time! All of the staff were exceptional and went out of their way to assist from the time we pulled in until we left.
We came from Michigan and traveled to Sarasota FL. 10 hotels/resorts in 14 days. Harrah's was the #1 stay out of the entire trip!
We will be back but next time we'll stay longer.
Highly recommend.
Wendi LaForest — Google review
Always a fun time here. If I can find one thing to complain about it's the fact the rooms are a long walk to the casino floor. Longer than from the public parking garage. Other than that we love this place. We just don't stay at the casino hotel. We did stay in one of the rooms and it was excellent. Bed was extremely comfortable. Room was big and roomy. Not disappointed with the room just the looooong walk to casino floor
Ray Ritchings — Google review
Visited here with our children, and the food and atmosphere were very nice! Waitstaff in the casino was helpful with any questions and kids had fun seeing all the lights and stores, as they couldn’t gamble obviously. But still a good time, nothing won at slots to write home about, but fun time losing.. lol.
Backwoods Grading — Google review
It's a good casino to spend time (and money, of course).. They have a lot of slot gambling machines and a good amount of dealer managed tables. There are food courts available with limited options..Dedicated smoking room with slot machines is available. For a place without any other entertainment options in near 60 mile radius, this can be called a king of entertainment for that location : ) . You need to be 18 + to enter the casino, and IDs are checked at entrance. Please note that, as per NC rule , you will get alcohol only up to 2PM. So grab your drink before that.
Raghesh Nair — Google review
Nice hotel, good parking. I'm the middle of changing the food services over so that is a bit of a mess, but what you get it good. Casino is clean and nice, doing some work on it, hopefully updating it a little. Not too crowded, easy to get on a table or machine.
J W — Google review
The room was beautiful. Enjoyed the couch and chair and overall seating area. The bed was comfortable. Views from most of the hotel are gorgeous! The mountains are beautiful! Stream flowing right outside the grounds. I'm sure it's even more beautiful as spring turns to summer and fall. Our particular view was that of the rooftops of adjoining hotel buildings, so pretty sparse! Metal soap dish broken in shower. Dust bunnies on wall/ceiling above bathroom mirror. Exhaust fan in bathroom desperately needed cleaning. Coffee maker spillover. A bit pricey, but not too bad.
J Edwards — Google review
Let me say this. I travel the world and gamble. I know I’m not going to always win, but most of the time. I win BIG! However, I have never played in a casino as tight as this one. I watched people lose tons of money for three days in a row especially playing on those Dragon links at the front. The games were not paying. If you want to go have fun and play on anything under $2.50 then maybe you will enjoy it. However if you like to walk out of there winning BIG off of max bets this is not the Casino to visit. The atmosphere was great, but the winning moments were not. It was so bad I checked out a day before my scheduled departure. Then they do not give you any free play.
The drive from Maggie Valley was beautiful but if you don’t and can not handle lots of curves, swings, and turns. Do not come from that direction. Overall I enjoyed the people I met while we were all losing our money. Lol! The mountains were also a beautiful postcard.
Serena Vines — Google review
While the main attraction at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort is undoubtedly the casino floor, I found plenty to enjoy even as a non-gambler. The hotel itself was a pleasant surprise – mostly clean and well-maintained, offering comfortable and spacious rooms for a relaxing stay.
The resort's amenities were a highlight. The variety of restaurants within the casino was a big plus. It offered convenient dining options with a range of cuisines to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a fancy meal, you'll find something to suit your taste.
While the casino itself didn't hold my interest, the surrounding area is a destination in itself. The beautiful scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains provides a stunning backdrop. If you're looking for a getaway with a mix of relaxation and potential for outdoor adventure, Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort might be worth considering, even if the slot machines aren't your thing.
Chris — Google review
Our first time going to a casino and we really enjoyed our time! The drive to this location is beautiful! Getting there, we didn’t know where to go or how to get started and we had a lot of help along the way! Everyone seemed inviting and willing to assist us. The drinks were great. We won a little money too! We can’t wait to go back!
Located in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum is a must-visit destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and history buffs. This 38,000-sq.-ft. museum houses over 300 rare motorcycles along with related exhibits, photos, and memorabilia. The museum gained fame through TV shows like American Pickers on the History Channel. Visitors can explore a unique collection of motorcycles dating from the early days to present times, including one-of-a-kind pieces that come with fascinating stories.
How anyone can consider anything less than 5 stars is beyond me. This is an incredible ode to American motoring history.
Not only is this one of the finest curated motorcycle museums, the staff are just as excited to be there as you are. We visited on a Sunday and even got to chat with the owner, Matt. What an incredible experience that was chatting with him about the collection and watching him fire up one the bikes.
If you care about American history, be sure to consider becoming a lifetime donor before leaving. It's exactly what I did and will never regret that decision. I know the money will only go to preserving history for us all to enjoy!
Your memory and legacy lives on, Dale. May you forever rest in peace.
Ryan Richmond — Google review
We visited the museum for Father's Day. I was very impressed with both the quality and quantity of motorcycles on display. They started one of the car's on display and two of the motorcycles on display while we were there. It seems almost everything on display is in running order! And they will start anything on display if you want to see and hear it run. We had a great time and I hope to visit again. Despite spending a couple of hours, I think I missed some of the displays. There is so much to see that it is difficult not to get distracted and miss something. All in all, a great museum if you like motorcycles.
m w — Google review
So I’m not a motorcycle person in the least bit but this was cool. Especially if you like history! They have so many bikes in here. Most of them run and they will start them for you. So many knowledgeable people walking about that will tell you the best stories. Andy was the best to hear stories from. I could have listened to him all day. If you’re near and the weather is crappy outside I suggest giving it a shot. I highly suggest if you’re a motorcycle fan or gear head.
bmille88 — Google review
I knew it would be awesome, but WOW!!
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you absolutely have to visit.
You could honestly spend a full day, if not more, exploring everything.
So many irreplaceable treasures of motorcycle history.
The staff is very knowledgeable and will start many of the bikes for you as they explain all their incritracies. We will return for sure!
Steve Wealing — Google review
This place is absolutely incredible! Whether you're a motorcycle enthusiast or not, you can't help but to be amazed by the walk through motorbike history. So many beautiful pieces, a wonderful staff full of knowledge and a passion for the motorcycles they work with, I honestly can't say enough good things about our experience here. We can't wait to come back!
If you are lucky enough to meet Andy, be grateful, we had such a great time talking with him, learning about the bikes and about his incredible life story. He truly completed the experience for us 💛
Nainsi McK — Google review
I love this place, the Mecca of vintage motorcycles. This place is huge and you can spend hours just walking around. They had a couple tour guys that would walk around talking about what made bikes special and manufactures. They even started a couple of the bikes up. One tour guide name was Andy and extremely knowledgeable on the technical aspects of the bikes. He told me I gave him the stink eye when he said something about Harley Davidson haha.
Rick Brown — Google review
This place was really an incredible place to experience. They had multiple bikes from every single era from the very first one to present. If u like motorcycles then I highly recommend u paying them a visit. Heck pay a visit if motorcycles are not ur thing..the history and seeing how they've evolved since the first build is incredible and there's so much rich history!
bridget meyer — Google review
Absolutely a piece of Americana and a must see for anyone whether a motorcycle fan or not. What a rich history of innovation and human achievement that lead us to the Industrial powerhouse that we are.
For those who are fans of American Pickers, there is an episode filmed at this location because of Mike Wolfe's relationship with the location.
Jeremy Finney — Google review
An amazing find. Took us about 4 hours to look round. Staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and at hand if you have any questions. All bikes run, some are started throughout the day. My favourite was the motorcycle found in a wall !! It’s in a beautiful setting with well kept grounds and plenty of seating.
Alison Lavis — Google review
It's a 5 star collection that just needs a little more organized curating to warrant 5stars. I went with my husband who follows the you tube channel and the associations he has with other you tubers. I am not a motorcycle enthusiast but found this museum to be so unique and truly peaked my curiosity regarding all things motorcycle! From bikes with motors to the present day. Carrier pigeon motorcycle. Especially interesting are so many one-of-a-kind motorcycles. So many stories with each one. The other thing beyond amazing is the museum guides starting up 107 year old motorcycles and telling you all about them. I loved visiting the museum and highly recommend the trip.
Susan — Google review
Very clean and nice museum. Very friendly staff also. This is probably the nicest motorcycle museum that I have seen. Two levels full of motorcycles and “Money” Doug will happily crank you one up. If you love motorcycles then you need to stop and go through this place. You will be amazed at what you can see.
Doreen Vaughn — Google review
Awesome experience. Seeing the evolution of the American made motorcycle. Displays show what the motorcycle lifestyle was like through history. Most of bikes run and they will start one if you ask. Don't know if they still do the burnouts like when the owner was still alive.
I enjoyed reading the owners history and his love of all things with a engine. His museum was a labor of love.
Thanks to those that are keeping his dream alive.
Annette Nichols — Google review
Absolutely great place to see and experience the history of motorcycles. Very well set up with lots of reading to go with the displays. Everything runs they will even start some up while you're there. One supported this place for years but this was my first actual visit. I was so happy to see all of the history.
James Overdorff — Google review
If you are ever in Maggie Valley or even the Gatlinburg area and you love motorcycles and the history of motorcycles, be sure to take the time to visit Wheels through time. I’ve been wanting to go for many years and finally had the opportunity and what a great experience. Once I entered the museum the “ace” immediately caught my attention since I’m a big fan of early motorcycles and this is one beautiful piece of work. While looking at every detail I was approached by an employee whom I later found to be (Andy) and he asked if I new the history to which I replied no I have only heard about them and before you know it he began to tell me how this bike began and within minutes through his story telling he captivated the attention of nearly 20 or so people. I had only walked in the museum moments earlier and after my first 20 minutes I knew it would be a great experience. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. I’m looking forward to my next visit and trying to coordinate efforts to have some friends from Florida meet us here next time around. Thank you for your hospitality and the museum is amazing, so much history.
Keith Lincoln — Google review
We are members of the museum and have been for years. Proud to support. We were there this time to see the Motorcycle Cannonball come thru. It never disappoints, and neither does the museum.
Melinda Franklin — Google review
This is by far the best museum I've ever been to! I lost count on how many bikes I saw and heard starting and running! So cool! I met the owner, Matt, who was so personable and knowledgeable. Made me feel like I've known him forever. He was just making his was around saying hi starting bikes and sharing his what seemed to be unlimited knowledge. Will definitely return many more times in the future.
nick oetker — Google review
Best Motorcycle Museum in North America.
This really is the coolest place to go if you love all things motorcycle. The displays are absolutely amazing. The way they put the bike out fantastic. If you like motorcycles you must visit this museum.
Andy Commons in Canada — Google review
An absolute gem. Everyone is super helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. Vintage, mostly running motorcycles organized by type and Era. The largest selection of WWII service bikes I've ever heard of, let alone seen! Literally every Era and type of racing is covered. If you have any interest in motorcycles or history coming here is a must!
Russell Montgomery — Google review
My best friends father always talked about this place and always told me to go here, after losing him to a motorcycle accident last November i made it a goal to visit as soon as possible. I have to say this place is a must stop for anyone remotely into motorcycles or cars or anything with an engine for that matter. Museum is amazing. Not far from gatlingburg / pigeon-forge area and the drive from there to the museum is beautiful. I will definitely be visiting again in the near future.
Shane Best — Google review
Have always loved this place... So sad the man who started this museum is gone now but his son is doing a bang up job in his place... Highly recommend when anywhere near Maggie Valley... Well worth the the visit ...
William Dean — Google review
The museum was well laid out. Matt was very friendly and took time to answer questions . You didn’t feel like he didn’t want to talk. It made the whole trip worth it. The wife and I also got to experience the wall of death. What a show.
Steve Burker — Google review
If you have a passion for motorcycles this is a place to go !! Their staff is very very knowledgeable. If you have any questions they will answer them! Beautiful bikes all through the place !! A lot of history in one place!!
We had such a great time on our white water rafting adventure. All of the raft guides were great, and you could tell that everyone loved what they were doing. J was a great raft guide, and was super knowledgeable of the area. We loved all of the rapids, and had such a great time on the river. I would definitely do this tour again, and would recommend French Broad Adventures to anyone looking to add a little bit of adrenaline to your trip.
Sutton Holobyn — Google review
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.
Amber S — Google review
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)!
Melissa Wade — Google review
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!
Manfred Schreyer — Google review
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!
Alan Lipscomb — Google review
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!
Gretchen Highfield — Google review
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.
Andrea — Google review
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
I Simon — Google review
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.
A ?AE Kryptonite? E — Google review
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.
Neil Kennedy — Google review
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!
Robert Phillips — Google review
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 !
Stephanie Richards — Google review
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.
Tara Clapper — Google review
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
mia — Google review
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.
Nerys Turcios — Google review
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.
Christy K — Google review
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.
Teresa cody — Google review
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.
Attraction offering guided zipline tours through the forested terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Kole and Paxton were responsible, chill, quirky, and knowledgeable. Any questions we asked they had a thoughtful answer for us. We felt very safe and free. The hiking portion was enjoyable because they would stop to show us things in nature giving us a breather and knowledge to take home with us! I highly recommend doing the mountain top tour!
Emma Choplin — Google review
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.
kasey hayes — Google review
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
Marla Darius — Google review
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!!!
Charles Simpson — Google review
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!
Emily Palus — Google review
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.
Christine Cam — Google review
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.
Tracey Cavey — Google review
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.
Laura Doto — Google review
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.
Parker Vidmar — Google review
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.
Monica Cox — Google review
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!
Nathan Darko — Google review
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!
Justin Chew — Google review
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!
Steven Davis — Google review
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! :)
Cheyenne Raker — Google review
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 :)
Lauren Koerner — Google review
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.
Tara Clapper — Google review
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!
Austin Marcus — Google review
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!
Kazie Farmer — Google review
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.
Nicole Zani — Google review
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!
MaKenna Lewis — Google review
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!
Jenny Woods — Google review
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.
Christina K — Google review
5.0
(2945)
•
5.0
(2156)
242 Poverty Branch Rd, Barnardsville, NC 28709, USA
The Biltmore Inn is a beautiful, historic hotel located outside of Asheville in South Asheville. It has a wide variety of rooms and suites to choose from, as well as several great restaurants and lounges within the property. The atmosphere is romantic and inviting, perfect for any special occasion.
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did! We took the self guided tour with listening devices and were able to enjoy this with no rush.
So beautiful!
There were multiple families touring at the same time and the kids did well although I don't think it's somewhere I would've taken my own kids.
We enjoyed the drive through the estate to the wine tasting. John was great at guiding us through each option.
Shopping was very pleasant and Carl helped us decide on our favorites as well as the best way to save to get the most bang for our buck.
The gift shops were great too! We each purchased an ornament for a souvenir.
Ehsan Golzar — Google review
Love the Biltmore Inn. The views are spectacular. Food is delicious....breakfast especially. Rooms are comfy with nice little extras. Staff is very helpful.
Elizabeth Kelly — Google review
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.
Samantha Hill — Google review
Absolutely wonderful place to stay. Great restaurants, great lounge with big fireplace as well as nice outside firepits
Richy Wittmer — Google review
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.
Cynthia Thompson — Google review
A great experience, tours were so informative, professional and friendly.
John Zarogoza — Google review
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.
Taylor Fischer — Google review
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!
Ashley Biddle — Google review
Staying at Builtmore Inn comes with the great perk of shuttle service on the estate.
Food and service as expected for for its ratings.
Corey Leonhard — Google review
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.
Roger Jenkins — Google review
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.
Jacqueline Oshier — Google review
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 +/- cocktails 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.
Reed Strunk — Google review
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.
The Folk Art Center and Southern Highland Craft Guild is a place where you can see art from local and regional craft artists, as well as purchase unique gifts. It's located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina.
We stop here every single time we are in Asheville. Throughout the years we’ve bought platters, clocks, lamps. It’s a treasure. There is always an artist in house doing their craft/art. Lovely museum, store, and art gallery
RobertsMom NC — Google review
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 !
John Moore — Google review
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!
Julie Zerk — Google review
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!
Athena Reel — Google review
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.
Tawni Lamb — Google review
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.
Katie Alexander — Google review
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.
Ngan Nguyen — Google review
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.
Brady Howe — Google review
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.
GiGi Fuentes — Google review
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.
Katrina Ostrom — Google review
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.
Kaitlin Talbot — Google review
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.
Sara Beth Wade — Google review
Enjoyed seeing the art and the historical information. Beautiful place and beautiful work.
1,946-acre park on the highest peak east of the Mississippi, with camping, hiking & panoramic views.
The summit was very nice to drive up to, the road beautiful. We took the small trail between the parking lot and the summit, and walking casually it took us 20 minutes, lots of stairs and rocks. I suggest having a coat for the high wind up top! And a walking stick if it's muddy, many of the rocks get very slick. Beautiful fir trees and scenic overview at the end. Walking the trail really feels like being in another world.
Angela Berben — Google review
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!
Jen Rivard — Google review
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.
Nick Ligon — Google review
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.
Rocky Bilotta — Google review
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.
Laura H — Google review
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.
Melissa Lutz — Google review
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.
Valerie Mena — Google review
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.
Kevin Wang — Google review
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.
Jeffrey Young — Google review
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.
Laurie Simmons — Google review
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.
Carrie Hart — Google review
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!
Jake Stewart — Google review
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.
Amol More — Google review
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!
Mary Perkins — Google review
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.
Liz W — Google review
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.
Alex Radovic — Google review
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.
Kylie — Google review
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 🐾🥾🌲
Rachel Rathle — Google review
Great hiking trails surrounding the entire area. Great platform at the highest park to get a 360 degree view.
Juan Laureano Jr. — Google review
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.
Jenn Morley — Google review
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.
Definitely a highlight of our holiday vacation. Shop is loaded with all kinds of gemstones, rocks and jewelry. There's a big area to mine for gems and an area to walk and explore behind the mining area. There are even friendly goats that love to be fed!
Pat Confessore — Google review
Great family fun! Unique creations made from gems. Mining was a hit with our family! To get into the store was free, of course. However, there are various rates to go gem mining. It just depends on how many people and what type of mining you want to do. We chose the "family dream deal" which was around $108.
Angela Lesley — Google review
If I could give 20 stars, I would. I loved every second we spent here! They have goats and chickens. You can feed the goats, and they're so gentle and sweet. The buckets we did had tons of cool gems, definitely worth the money. The store inside has TONS of beautiful gems.
Our experience was made 1000 times better because of the awesome customer service. Joe was super helpful and so nice. He took the time to explain the mining process, and offered to identify any rocks we had had questions about.
Taylor White — Google review
Fantastic experience from the kids up to us as adults! Staff was excellent and helpful. What we found in our tub was nothing short of incredible and memory making worthy. If you are able we definitely advise getting the 30 gallon tub!! The store inside is wonderful as well! Nice little activity area and goats to feed as well.
Seth DN — Google review
5-star fun in Hendersonville NC! Get the green value bucket vice individual buckets. One adult can scoop into the panning trays and keep 3 kids entertained for 30-45 minutes. Tons of “gems” from the family size bucket. 5-star, friendly staff. We’ll visit again in our next visit.
Patrick — Google review
Awesome selection of crystals! Very affordable bucket mining prospecting for the family and kids! They have Goats you can feed and peacocks out back! They even have a small obstacle course too with a small river flow coming through. Very cool and unique place to stop by while your in the area or Asheville area.
Dy — Google review
My family and I have visited Elijah Mtn multiple times over the past 5 years and every visit has been just as remarkable as the first.
Since our last visit in 2021, they’ve expanded a great deal.
This visit, aside from our traditional bucket digging, we fed goats and admired so many different species of beautiful birds.
It’s a wonderful spot for a day full of fun and experiences, there’s tons of picnic tables scattered throughout for families to enjoy and watch their kids play from.
There’s a brewery now!
I could spend all day there and still want to return the next.
It’s a MUST visit!
Today will always be particularly memorable.
Thank you Sherbet, your help was beyond impactful and healing.
You’re a gem (pun intended), and truly the most precious and rare one I saw in there today. 🖤
Until next time! (Never know, it could be tomorrow 😉😆)
A. K. P — Google review
As someone who cares for all animals and rescues as much as I can, I am always worried about going to a place that has animals and how the up keep is for the animals. As soon as I saw your animals, I knew that they were very well cared for and loved. Everything was clean, lots of room for them. Had water and food. It made me so happy to see them happy. My kids also had a wonderful at the wooden play area.
Nola Friedman — Google review
We absolutely loved Elijah Mountain gem mine! We have a big family and the everyone had the best time. We had four kids and used a Groupon. Each kid was able to get a zip lock bag full of gems with just one bucket. They each got a few things from the $1 treasure island. The prices here are great and the people that work here are so welcoming and friendly. We were able to feed the goats and play outside. We will definitely be back.
Natalie Jill — Google review
This was our first time in Hendersonville but not our first time gem mining. We've been to two other places in NC and these were absolutely the largest gems we've come across. It was fun to explore the gems and the staff was engaging and fun to chat with. Would definitely recommend.
Gloria Folaron — Google review
We spent $165 for a huge tub and found so much fun soothing for rocks and gems. We found several big geodes. Cute gift shop had so much to offer. Cute joy pond inside. There was a cute playground outside and a lil petting farm goat peakcock pheasant and chickens
Tabatha Lopez — Google review
This gift shop and mining place was very beautiful and nicely arranged and decorated! A lot to see! Prices for mining was a little more expensive than Pisgah gem mining, which is right down the road but it's a more upscale place and has other things to do for the kids, (a playground area.) We didn't do gem mining there but instead, we mined at Pisgah and shopped here at Elijah mtn.
The Martins — Google review
We are so glad we happened to come across a large road sign advertising for this place! Reece and Joe were so knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and friendly. We would highly recommend visiting, shopping, gem mining, and feeding the goats at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine. Thank you, Reece and Joe, for your hospitality and great energy. Your "old" friends, Brenda & Kristi
Brenda Bowman — Google review
We had promised our oldest the We were going to take her to a gem mine since little sis had been a mo th earlier with their class to another mine. We really didn't feel like driving over an hour to go to our normal spot. My wife searched and found this place. We didn't know what to expect but went for it. We get there and my girls loved it. They loved everything. The mining was great. They have awesome gems. We got the $40 bucket and walked away with some incredible finds. The obstacle course was fun and the goats were cool. My girls loved every minute we were there. I HIGHLY recommend this place and we will be back soon.
William Teters — Google review
We had such a great time at Elijah mountain gem mining! We did the family package for our 4 little miners. It was definitely worth it! They all collected over 50 gems each! Plus lots of smaller ones on top of that! Staff is so kind and helpful. Cocoa bar is top notch and a great deal! Gift shop was phenomenal and plenty of fantastic deals for all the little geologists!
Chey James — Google review
What a cute spot! I brought the toddler I nanny for here today and he loved it! The goats are the friendliest I’ve ever met and there’s a beautiful peacock here as well. Plenty of picnic tables and a natural playground for older children. Looks like they’re constructing some walking trails/other things and I can’t wait to see what’s to come! Will be back
Madison Massengale-Roberts — Google review
Great gem mine experience and good value for everything you get. My friend and I split the Green Giant bucket and we are satisfied with our loot. Cracking the geode was really fun too! Keep in mind that this place can get crowded so you may need to come early for parking.
Sherman Norton — Google review
This place has several gym mini g stations. There is a playground and animal feeding and petting locations. The store has a lot to look at. Overall prices are good and can handle a lot of kids. Gyms in every pale for the kids to keep.
brandon dierker — Google review
#4 family friendly thing to do in the world!
$16 was fun for my daughter and she loved her gems and the experience of rinsing them off. And the balance playground was a super hit with kids! Best for kids four and up.
Lots of gifts to buy and a favorite would be the magnetic balls.
Psalms 118:17 — Google review
Great activity for kids. Indoor and outdoor gem mining area. There are great fossils and the gems are good quality and price.
Wanted to hike while staying in Fletcher when I came across this recommendation. Totally loved it!! Very nice trails. Beautiful waterfalls. Everything well marked. Not too long of trails plus, they all connect. I would definitely 1000% come back here next time I'm in the area.
Bethzaida Cohen — Google review
Extremely easy trail, at least for me. Definitely go early in the morning. We arrived there at 8 am and we had lots of parking available but once 9am to 10 am starts, the space definitely gets filled in. I recommend coming around 7:30 am to 8 am. The roads are mostly gravel and parts of the trails are very wide which is nice for groups of people. Our sheltie was pretty good, not too tired so definitely pet friendly! The most beautiful waterfall for us was high falls. Highly recommend this trail!
Peter Miral — Google review
Beautiful state forest with gorgeous waterfalls! Most of the hikes are pretty quick and easy. The hike to Triple Falls was a little steep towards the end but nothing too bad. I saw lots of elderly people doing this hike so you absolutely can do it, just take little breaks😊
Crystal Temple — Google review
What a beautiful place to spend a weekend, and gorgeous falls all around to visit and take pictures! The trails allowed for our pack llamas, and hosted our pack trials this year. We were able to see horses, and the trails were perfect for all levels of hikers and bikers. The roads were easily accessed, and well-maintained, the welcome center was helpful, and the rangers were courteous and attentive. I would 100% refer anyone to visit here who enjoys the outdoors!
Jessica Hudler — Google review
Such a beautiful place! Saw three different waterfalls all in one hike. We also went back early morning the next day just so we could catch the sunrise and have this place all to ourselves. There are unmarked access trails that will get you up close to each waterfall. Definitely a must see if you are near this area.
Ryan Costello — Google review
This is a beautiful area with lots of outdoor activities...hiking, biking, driving those unpaved state roads and admiring those gorgeous waterfalls. Be careful this time of year because the snakes are out! They blend so well into the leaves.
Melinda King — Google review
This is such a great place, took 3 of my kids ages 8, 12 and 15. They loved the view. When pulling in off the main road the parking lot will be on your left. It is a one way circle. The area to the trail is not marked well. If you head straight back if your looking at the information sign and then turn left when you hit the dirt road/ large open trail. It’s down hill to the falls. Easy grade. It’s a little bit of a walk, if you go in the summer please bring water as it will be humid. When the trail came to a end you can go right to see the lower part of the falls or left to see the upper part. We stayed in the left and it was so worth it!! The falls are gorgeous and you can see the top of the lower falls from this point too.
Please watch your kids and don’t let them wade in the water as it would be easy to slip and it could be too late to catch them. Unfortunately there were some people who were letting their kids swim despite signs that say not to.
I suggest getting there early in the morning as when we were leaving around 10/1030 the parking lot was full.
If you need restrooms: before you turn right out of the parking lot to head back on the main road you will want to turn left. Head down the road until you see a log cabin on the left and the restrooms are behind that. No one was there and it was such a pretty place.
Oh! As always wear good shoes, don’t have a careless accident over wearing flip flops. I’m an avid hiker and every time I visit a place like this there is always some one hurt or about to get hurt because of not being prepared.
Nearby there is a couple cute stores, restaurant and a cave.
Alisha T — Google review
Beautiful waterfalls. Saw the triple and high falls with our kiddos ages 0-9. At some point carried each of them, but they were able to traverse the hills and loop. Stopped to enjoy the river along the way at multiple points. Lush rhododendrons along most of the trail, which means we’re going to come back in June!
Kevin Williams — Google review
Great place for a nice hike. It rained on the day we had planned to hike, but we decided to hike any way. The hiking paths were not slippery at all. We were able to see all the three falls on the falls loop. It was a happy hike in December. Waterfalls are awesome.
Sun Dora — Google review
So many breathtaking views in a short distance! Trails are well maintained with plenty of places to stop. They also have public restrooms, visitor center and picnic areas. What a great day to hike!
Sherman Norton — Google review
Went to Asheville, North Carolina for a family gathering and we decided to go hiking here at Dupont state recreational park the Hike was fairly easy not many hills, and it had several waterfalls. I believe it took about two hours in and out round-trip, and was well worth it.
EDWARD QUINN — Google review
This trail system offers so much variety. Even on a beautiful fall day with a packed parking lot + street, had no problems riding the trails or climbing ridgeline! Love this place
Austin Darcy — Google review
God's beauty and creation! The falls were breathtaking, trails very well maintained. What a great place to unwind. Need better parking though. Had to park a mile away due to parking lot at capacity
Jeff Huffman — Google review
Great place for hiking Waterfalls. The flow of the river is awesome. From the parking lot its pretty easy access, one fairly steep ascent
Troy Miller — Google review
Such a beautiful area with amazing hiking opportunities. Many of the waterfalls are near each other and easy to visit multiple in one day. I can’t wait to go back and explore more!
Stephanie Krauss — Google review
Absolutely beautiful park. Lots of people even for a Thursday at lunch. The first parking lot we went to was the triple falls trail and was full so we parked at the high falls trail and lucked out with a great spot. Much more parking available there. Beautiful swimming spots, plenty or hiking trails, no camping allowed, and dog friendly as long as they’re leashed. Perfect for a day hike or picnic.
Madison Taylor — Google review
Great waterfalls to see and a manageable hike to get to them, however just know it is VERY steep hills at times. Not something u want to do with elderly, or with strollers.
Greg Johnson — Google review
Spent the day there in early Oct. Weather was great. Trails well maintained. Wasn't crowded but I'd bet it gets pretty busy on weekends. It's a pretty good hike. You don't have to do any scrambling but you should be in decent shape if you plan on being there all day.
Dave Isaac — Google review
Such beautiful scenery. Pete at the visitor center was very kind and gave great directions for the directionally challenged. Would love to visit again in the spring.
This iconic rock offers wide-reaching panoramic views over the surrounding parkland.
It is a bit on the pricey side to get into the park but the views are really good. The road going up is pretty narrow so beware when you drive in and out of the park. Be extra careful if you have a large vehicle. There is an elevator to go almost all the way up to the main Chimney Rock portion. We did the hike up and rode the elevator down. The views from Pulpit Rock, Chimney Rock, the Opera Box, and Hickory Nut Falls were all beautiful. Overall it’s a great park to visit and do some moderate hiking. None of the trails that we were on were super strenuous but there are a lot of stairs in several places.
Jon H — Google review
Chimney Rock State Park was a wonderful experience. There were areas marked appropriately on trails and warning signs to prevent injury like ice patches. My husband and I walked 5 trails and enjoyed our visit. Areas that we would recommend some improvements on are that some road guard rails need repair, the gift shop would've been nice to be open even if it was a Sunday. There were enough visitors during our visit to justify having it open. Despite that the eatery was open, there were rangers directing traffic and at the gate. All staff were, pleasant and helpful. Even though there was a wait - about 30 minutes or so, the traffic kept moving along. I would recommend this visiting.
Maria Georgiou — Google review
So much to do here! I suggest going early in the morning to the top of chimney rock and then doing the sky trail before it gets too hot. Then take a break for lunch and don’t skip the waterfall trail. We loved this park! Our dogs couldn’t do all the stairs so we did the waterfall trail with them and dropped them off at the cabin. Your ticket allows you to leave the park and come back all day.
Ashley M — Google review
Beautiful place! We hiked for 4-5 hours and completed all trails here . We took the shuttle both ways to get all things done in time as we had only one day here . Well maintained park, clean restrooms, drinking water fountains , nice staffs , everything good .
Anu MahapatraGupta — Google review
Breathtaking views of the lake lure and its surrounding parklands from the Chimney rock and Devil’s head. Worth visiting and hiking all trails. You can park at the ground parking near ticket plaza ($17 each) and take a shuttle, it’s few minutes ride. To reach at the top, one can use tunnel to elevator (26 stories in 32 secs)or stairs (approx 20 mins), through stairs you can see Vista view, Subway, Grotto, Pulpit Rock, Crevice Pass. It was amazing to visit Opera Box, Devil’s Head, Exclamation trail, Skyline trail, Hickory nut falls trail, waterfall and the four season trail. All trails are intermediate, not long but has stairs. This park has outdoor classrooms, kids friendly trails, sky lounge, shelters, benches, restrooms, nice parking, gift shop etc. Staff is great and friendly. Exploring this park was really fun and stunning.
Chanchal — Google review
This was a beautiful place with easy to follow directions and maps. Workers were all very friendly and knowledgeable. There are AMAZING views, and the gifts shops and cafe is great. There is elevator access to those who may struggle with stairs. A lot of railings to make the walks feel safe. The waterfall was very pretty and easy to get to. Seems to be a good place for families as well, I don’t have kids myself but heard of a lot of activities and programs for smaller ones. I would definitely recommend.
Lane Hall — Google review
So proud of myself to have survived this walk. Although, you can use the elevator to go up the chimney rock but since we also brought the puppies, we opt to climb the stairs from the bottom all the way up to the falls view. The view is breathtaking. This would prob look much more beautiful if all the trees turned green. Overall, we recommend this place.
1Skash — Google review
Me and husband decided that we were not going to take the elevator and just hike all the way up. It was a fun experience but next time we will take the elevator so we can see the rest of the park. Once you make it to where the flag pole is your not going to want to hike up the rest of the way if you didn't take the elevator. There is also a bat cave but did hear or see any bats. There is also two views of a water fall but we only did the bottom view. We look forward to going back one day.
Papa's little Angel — Google review
Chimney Rock was so beautiful. The walking paths were clearly marked and wide enough in all the spots that I hiked. The park staff were all very kind and helpful. The animal exhibit was great for people of all ages, perfect for Boy Scouts or a Girl Scout Troop. I learned a lot! The bat cave was closed due to increased bat activity, but I would definitely come again to walk through the cave! Some of the outdoor animals near the animal discovery den were also removed so we didn’t get to see those. Otherwise a 10/10 experience!
Lily Tunstall — Google review
If you enjoy hiking and seeing the Mountain View’s then you will not want to miss chimney rock. There is plenty of parking , there is a fee to enter the park . There are waterfalls and also a elevator for anyone that might need assistance. There is a store at the top with plenty of seating, And restrooms that are very clean . It is a little strenuous on the legs walking up the stairs and there are a lot of stairs lol. But the views are well with the hike. There are also other trails you can walk after you finish the chimney.
If you are in the area don’t miss this stop .
EDWARD QUINN — Google review
Beautiful park and very well-organized! There is an option to hike 28 floors up to the top which we did. If you choose to take the grotto road, then you will pass through a little cave which is fun! There is an elevator almost fully to the top of the Chimney rock and it is convinient if you travel with older folks or kids! Nice store with souvenirs too!!
Olga Barry — Google review
It’s been 20 years since I’ve stepped foot on Chimney Rock. The excitement and nostalgia returned immediately. What a beautiful planet we live on. My Fiance and son adored the park. We will definitely be returning again in the near future to do some more exploring. Highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area.
Damon Watford — Google review
Beautiful place!
Make sure you arrive early so you can take plenty of pictures without many people because it does get crowded (9am)
It has a souvenir store where they also have some snacks and ice cream.
Tickets are around 17$ per adult.
Pet friendly as well.
Hiking to the waterfall is an easy one, even little kids can do that hike (of course with an adult supervision)
Laura Nj — Google review
Nice drive in. The road is very narrow so you have to be careful. There are some parts that only fit one car so you have to let the other car pass. We visited in December 23. It was very windy and cold. There's a gift shop where you park the car. There you can buy snacks, drinks, extra shirts and jackets if you needs it. The hike to the waterfall was 0.7 miles, took about 35 minutes. The waterfall was nice. The hike back was harder since we have to go upstairs while carrying a 35 lbs toddler.
There's a elevator in the parking lot that takes you to up the mountain, that was nice. Right when you get off the elevator, there is a another gift shop. There they sell more souvenirs and food. The view was beautiful. Very windy so you have to watch your step. There also a flight of stairs if you wants to hike to the peak of the mountain. I love the views. There are a few others trail you can hike. You can also take your pet on the trails.
It definitely worth the trip here.
Trini Dang — Google review
Cost is not bad for the adventure and views you get to see. They do offer a military discount (just show ID at entrance). Lots of stairs, HIGHLY suggest taking water for everyone to drink on the way up and down. They do offer an elevator as well, however today it was down. There’s even a bar cave and waterfall. Take your time going up and enjoy the view for a bit once you reach the top. I suggest going early as it’s less crowded. They open at 8:30am, we arrived around 9:30am and it wasn’t bad. It is HARD but there are plenty of resting spots when walking up. We spent about 2 hours there and as we left the parking lot was pretty full and there were tons of people. Don’t forget to check out the souvenir shop (one at the bottom and one at the top). Bottom store had more to look at I feel like. A MIST VISIT IF YOUR IN THE AREA!
Constance Jenkins — Google review
The admission fee for adults is $15, while children aged 5 to 15 can enter for $8. There are several trails to explore, some of which can be quite strenuous, so it’s important to assess your physical condition before attempting them. The area around Chimney Rock offers a variety of scenic spots with stunning and relaxing views. It’s an ideal destination for a family outing. On busy days, such as weekends and holidays, visitors will be directed to park and then take a shuttle to the elevator, which leads to the gift shop. From there, it’s just a short walk up the stairs to the top of Chimney Rock. On less busy days, visitors can drive directly to the parking lot near the elevator entrance. However, please note that to fully appreciate the view of Chimney Rock, you’ll need to climb many more stairs along the trails. Another must-see attraction is Hickory Nut Falls, which can be reached via a 1.4-mile round-trip hike of intermediate difficulty.
E Y — Google review
This is really a nice place and I would say it’s a must visit place. Once you will enter from bridge. You need to drive up about 2 miles until the park entrance. There is a ticket per person and not per car. Entry fees per Adult is $17 and $8 for the kids 5-12 years. There is no ticket required for the kids below 5. You can go on the top by elevator or by stairs. You should try both. Elevator is in the middle of the rock, you need to go in the tunnel to get the elevator. Whereas the view from stairs is amazing.
Andy D — Google review
Beautiful views of the surrounding area once you get to the top.
I suggest going when they open to get the full experience without all the people about.
The hike to the lower water fall was an easy one at just about 1.5 miles out and back.
Be prepared for steps if you journey around the chimney rock park, there are many many of them.
Jonathan Wyatt (Jon) — Google review
Great place and an iconic landmark, well worth a visit.
The hikes are accessible to every level of trekking experience, the view from top of Chimney Rock is stunning.
Hickory Nuts Forest Falls deserve a visit, especially when the sun starts to light the falls with some awesome light effects.
Enjoyed it very much!
SIMONE PIETRO SARAGOSA — Google review
An incredible place to visit! We went during Christmas break, there were a lot of people there, all ages from babies to elderly. The park was running a shuttle (busses) which is included in your admission (don't have to pay extra) to bring people up to the upper parking lot. From there you can choose to take an elevator to the top or take the stairs, which are a relatively easy climb. The stairs are almost a feature in and of themselves because the construction is so sturdy and well done, it's an impressive structure. You could spe d all day here hiking and climbing or you could make a quick trip to the top and be in and out of the park in an hour. There's a couple of cute gift shops with water and food if you are hungry. Also the entrance is conveniently located in downtown Lake Lure. Drive onto the state park's property and take the road up to the entrance parking lots. Views are spectacular.
Jennifer Bennett — Google review
The views here are breathtaking. The trail to chimney rock is relatively steep the map estimates roughly 500 steps you will climb. Thankfully for those who can’t make it up but still want to enjoy the view, they have an elevator! Hiking to the waterfall was very easy, almost completely flat and well maintained. The waterfall was beautiful!
Keep in mind some parts of trails can be closed to weather such as ice and wind. Overall I’d say it was worth the cost to visit at least once! (Kids will love it here!)
Polariss Star — Google review
Great hike. The elevator was not working so had a even longer hike. Whole lot of stairs and exercise but worth it for the views. Has a nice place near top for food and gift shop with a few tables
jeff gorelli — Google review
Good place to bring the family for some outdoor adventures. We did a lot of hiking prior to go up to Chimney Rock, so the elevator was awesome for little tired legs. Parking can be rough, guides do the best they can. Be kind, be patient!
Dirty Mike & The Boys — Google review
The park is beautiful. Wear comfortable clothes, good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. We visited during Labor Day weekend and there were record numbers of visitors that day. The wait in line for the elevator to the top was almost an hour but you can also climb the stairs to the top. Definitely worth the visit.
Melanie Nichols — Google review
I really loved this place. The drive up was nice. There is an elevator for people who don't want to take the stairs. There are A LOT of stairs but it's a good workout. The view from the flag was beautiful but you can keep going up and there is a pretty trail on top of the mountain that goes for a mile at least to a waterfall.
Christian holland — Google review
Amazing experience to see the beauty of the NC mountains! Make sure you go on a beautiful day! Nice easy elevator if need to get up quick!!
Falls Park on the Reedy is a gorgeous and peaceful urban park that is easily accessible for exploration. The park is home to gardens, walking trails, waterfalls, and art installations that make it a great place to spend a relaxing day. Passerelle Bistro in the park afterward is a fantastic French restaurant that should not be missed if you're looking for some great food and amazing views.
Absolutely gorgeous park that brings the city together as it shows the harmonious symbioticness between the river falls and skyscrapers. The extensive walking path purposely weaves everyone through the landscape with great views of the waterfall. The Liberty Bridge politely calls attention to its engineering marvel. What a great place to spend an afternoon people watching and soaking up the city vibe. Also a great place to take the pets!
Jessica Shin — Google review
Serenity found. We enjoyed an early midweek stroll and had this gorgeous place pretty much to ourselves. We had researched articles and short video history on this area so it made our visit that more interesting. History is fascinating on this area! Gorgeous and all FREE. Also public restrooms were available too.
Michelle Haley — Google review
This place is absolutely beautiful. Greenville has hands down the best looking downtown area I have been to date. There are several different walking areas and benches so you can view this waterfall. We sat on one of the benches near the bottom and sat there watching the falls for about 45 minutes as the sun was setting it was a sight worth seeing. I also recommend walking across the suspension bridge, and taking in the view from there. Will 100 percent come back to this place in the future.
Jake Young — Google review
What a beautiful and thoughtful place. We visited in the morning - the air was crisp, the water was flowing, and there were just a few people. We can't wait to come back and relax on a swinging bench and take in more of the area. We parked downtown and took advantage of the free 2-hour street parking - it was about a half mile walk. Just gorgeous!
Rachel Land — Google review
Falls park is unlike any other place in our country. It's beauty is supported by the eclectic nature of its city surroundings. Amenities aplenty including restrooms, eateries, many shops, galleries, picnicking areas, and walking paths. Dog friendly, the park is a playground of exploration for both children and fun seeking adults alike. The park IS the destination for those people in search of wonder and relaxation.
D.J. Humphrey — Google review
In the middle of the city, this is a beautiful gem with paved paths and beautiful fall views.
There is no free or public parking available nearby, so you need to park in a parking garage nearby.
It may seem like a small spot, but there are many paths you can take that takes you to beautiful spots where you can sit relax and enjoy.
Paths are a bit uneven, and there are stairs, so wear appropriate shoes.
Abeer Mustafa — Google review
The most amazingly and beautiful park in any city ever. Make sure to explore around and look for the secret staircase in the photos. Hint, you may have to cross the falls to find it. The suspended bridge is just incredible with views and energy. Plan to spend a good half day enjoying this park and walk along all the trails.
David Costa — Google review
Busy on a Saturday afternoon we found one parking space four blocks away. As we got closer there was a wonderful floral scent that grew stronger as we got closer to the park. Lots of restaurants and shops line the street leading to the park.
Beautiful falls and walkway gardens surrounding the park.
A three bathroom stall ( very tiny for the highly popular spot) is found through a outdoor patio.
A very clean, safe and family friendly spot! Highly recommended!
Psalms 118:17 — Google review
We love Falls Park on the Reedy! The waterfalls were enjoyable to listen to, beautiful views, pristine walkways and grass, the bridge was fun to walk on, and there was plenty of area to sit and relax! Our Pembroke Corgis loved their walk and all the attention they received by everyone around. Restaurants and hotels are there. We will return!
Jeanne French-Newman — Google review
While photographing a conference in Greenville I got to walk around and enjoy the park during one of the breaks. The thriving downtown area has a lot to offer. And this park is a beautiful oasis in the midst of it all!
Chris Smith (chrisandcami) — Google review
Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, SC, is a true hidden gem that offers a captivating natural escape. The park's main highlight is the breathtaking waterfall that cascades gracefully through the heart of the city. The sight and sound of the rushing water create a serene and enchanting atmosphere. The park's well-maintained trails and bridges provide scenic views and opportunities for leisurely walks or jogs. The beautifully landscaped gardens and lush green spaces make it a perfect spot for picnics and relaxation. The Liberty Bridge, a stunning architectural marvel, offers stunning panoramic views of the falls. Falls Park on the Reedy is a must-visit destination that combines the beauty of nature with urban charm, creating a peaceful retreat in the heart of Greenville.
Joel G — Google review
Falls park is very nice.
Lots of people and children along the banks and playing on the rocks in the middle of the river.
Lots of photo shoots going on and saw someone taking their wedding pictured.
Very nicely organized and designed.
The suspended Bridge is the center point of attention and curves around perfectly so you can enjoy the small falls in the river.
Over all a great place to visit.
Laura Lockhart — Google review
I will never forget the feeling of AWE the first time I saw Reedy Falls in the heart of Greenville! Magnificent, beautiful and breathtaking! The best view is from the pedestrian bridge and it also takes you to the other side of the river!
Greenville would not be such a spectacular place without the falls. We love and treasure our downtown park!
Olga Gloria Sundy — Google review
This place is so beautiful. My family was absolutely amazed to experience the falls in the middle of downtown. We took a few trails( woody, narrow stairs, bugs) that led to one exploration after another(Spill the Beans coffee has great ice cream. The Grand Bohemian very picturesque, and Gather has a ton of food options in a covered outdoor fun atmosphere) The Falls Park is really cool. You definitely need walking shoes!
DeAndrea Brown — Google review
Visited during the holiday season.. streets filled with lights and a festive atmosphere. There were Christmas decorations, live music and popup stalls selling trinkets and gift items. The highlight was the picture with Santa for free!
As this park was right in the middle of the city, there were all sorts of stores for shopping, restaurants and coffee shops.
Plenty of street parking and garage options.
V Yadiki — Google review
It's a nice walk for you and your partner. Or for you and your friends, walking over liberty Bridge and then down into Falls Park is both scenically beautiful but also just fun. There's usually someone playing music on the stone bridge. Or swings to watch the waterfall.
*pictures from several different occasions*
Callie cat — Google review
The grounds are beautiful. So many different trails to take and the vegetation/garden areas are gorgeous. I only wish it were more stroller friendly but overall, a definite must visit.
Shyann McWhirter — Google review
One time watch. At the heart of the town, this falls add to its beauty. Less crowded on weekdays but become busy on weekend. There are bench to sit at different location. No ticket is required. Other usual service such as public restroom is available.
Tej Raj Karki — Google review
The hidden gem in the heart of Greenville, Falls Park on the Reedy is everything a park should be.
We entered the park by way of Pedrick Garden at Falls Park, walked over a small bridge and down a side road to the park. We were able to get a great view of Liberty Bridge and could hear the falls.
Surrounded by restaurants, cafes and hotels all within walking distance, Falls Park boasts lush greenery lined paved walkways with benches and swings to sit, relax and enjoy the views and sounds of the falls. There are large open green spaces available for kids to play, families to picnic and relax and pets to roam.
The park was busy on the Saturday we visited, yet it did not feel crowded. There was plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the area.
A true gem for nature lovers!
Take a stroll across Liberty Bridge to get the most expansive view of Reedy River Falls. Enjoy listening to the flow of water, natural white noise. From the bridge you will be able to see adults, kids, and dogs on the rocks below enjoying the shallow areas of the falls.
We were not able to fully explore the area to our liking due to our time constraints.
So we look forward to returning for a long weekend to explore this amazing park, the Greenville downtown and the surrounding areas soon.
Danielle — Google review
This is an amazing place to visit. This park makes this city. The waterfalls are very relaxing and the park is beautifully maintained. The pedestrian sky bridge is a great place to take photos. The location is perfect for having dinner and enjoying the visit to downtown Greenville.
Paul Holstein — Google review
Well maintained, beautiful space. It was busy on a Saturday but still plenty of room to mill about. We found a parking spot not too far away.
Denise Seidensticker — Google review
Nestled in the heart of our city, this park is a true gem for nature lovers and dog owners alike. The highlight of the park is undoubtedly its artificial waterfall, which is nothing short of phenomenal. The sound of cascading water creates a serene atmosphere, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The surroundings complement the fall beautifully. The park’s design is thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing, with winding paths, lush greenery, and well-maintained flower beds. It’s a delight to stroll through the park, with every turn offering a new, picturesque view.
Dog owners will find this park exceptionally welcoming. The area is very dog-friendly, providing ample space for pets to run and play. There are also plenty of benches and seating areas, making it comfortable for pet owners to relax while their furry friends enjoy themselves.
Overall, this park is a wonderful spot for relaxation, exercise, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking to unwind by the waterfall, take a leisurely walk, or spend quality time with your dog, this park caters to all.
KC TW — Google review
What a magnificent place. Bridges, green spaces, waterfalls, shopping ,great food and art plus so much more. Can't wait to go back to this perfectly designed park on the heart of Greenville. Wow.
Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc — Google review
Beautiful city walk with plenty of picnic areas, good for walking, jogging, people watching and plenty of restaurants nearby. There is also a hotel, a Bank of America if you need cash, parking ranges between $5.00 and $20.00 for the entire stay.
Alex L — Google review
Falls Park is a beautiful place to visit in downtown Greenville. I recommend if you have the ability to; to take a journey out across the rocks and get to a place I like to call “Falcons Cove” . In the last picture I took I am on top of the rock I like to call “Falcon’s Cove” . Maybe you’ll see why if you venture to the rock. Be safe, have fun. Love, Just!
Jamie Eschborn — Google review
Beautiful city park with lots of walking paths and several waterfalls, not just the big one. The bridge over the falls is perfect - what a good idea by the city whenever they did that! Lots of great places to eat - Spill the Beans coffee, Passerelle French bistro, Carmella's dessert cafe, and the restaurant and bar at the huge Grand Bohemian. Feel free to walk inside and sit on the terrace overlooking the falls!
The Greenville Zoo is a small, no-frills zoo that offers visitors a chance to learn about local and exotic wildlife. The zoo has a variety of walking paths, playgrounds, courts, and more to make it a great place for the whole family to enjoy.
We visited on Friday 4/8/2022 - We arrived at the Zoo around 10:30 am. I did not have to wait long to purchase my ticket even though there was a small line. My daughter and I spent a good hour - hour & half, venturing around the open exhibits. Our favorite was the giraffes ! 🦒🦒🦒 The "baby" one kept running around between the adults, it was so cute! The Ocelot was super cute! The Leopard was GORGEOUS 🖤 Some animals were not present & some things were being built, so there is some construction - That just means more animals are coming , so let's be patient while we wait! 🤍 Several different playgrounds on site. Gift shop is reasonably priced as well. We didn't not purchase any food or drinks. There was a shaved ice truck also out front when we left. It was a nice thing to enjoy with my child on a Friday ! ✨️🙌🤍 They do hold special dates & seasonal events. Membership & group rates are available per request! Check out their website before heading out. I recommend the Greenville Zoo to locals & those passing through ! 🦒🦎🐸🐺🐒🐼🐆🤍✨️
Ashley H — Google review
We visited the Greenville Zoo for the first time and really enjoyed it. The park was very clean and the gift shop had a lot of neat things. We’ll definitely be back to see the animals again!
Lindsey Altman — Google review
Our family loves the zoo. It's a great zoo, not too big and we've never been when it's crowded. We get family passes every year. Everyone there is so friendly and easy to talk to. I've never had any issues with cleanliness in the bathrooms and the playground that's in the front of the zoo is great. The playground has different sections. Ones for 5 and under and the other is 5-12.
Angela Nicholson — Google review
We love the Greenville Zoo!! Beautiful location nestled in the hills, with a lot of trees for shade. Big enough but not too big and very well put together. There's even a small kids park mid-way through to stop and get some energy out. Great picnic area and additional larger park right outside the Zoo. We can definitely spend 1-2 hours here on a nice day.
Jade Lantz — Google review
A beautiful experience, with well cared for animals and clean atmosphere. Even with the little bit of renovating going on, the animals were quite relaxed and seemed happy. The kids had a blast! A great little seating area for snacks, and a large park for the little ones to let off some energy. Stay until near closing and you can get some interactions with the cats as they await dinnertime.
Amy Jeffery — Google review
As someone who has frequented bigger zoos in the past, I think this zoo is quality for the price of entry and the size of the space available. Some of the enclosures need to be updated and the exhibit descriptions are better for children than adults. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of engaging enrichment for the animals since many of them were facing the back of their enclosures (the keeper side) clearly waiting to be fed. I think there are certainly better zoos in the southeast, but again, I think this one is on par for what you pay.
Zack Williams — Google review
It was okay for a small zoo. We enjoyed seeing the leopard and orangutans the most. My grandson was thrilled because he loves animals and those were two he had not seen before. There were also lions which he always enjoys. Only one small snack bar is offered. It only takes about an hour to traverse the whole zoo so we were able to see all his favorites two or three times.
Peggy Sherman — Google review
Small but fun zoo great family fun. There are lots of different animals for their size. Worth the trip if you have small kids and are trying to entertain them for a while.
Jermaine Wilhite — Google review
Greenville Zoo is small but kept nice and clean. They have many different animals, my favorites were red pandas and baby orangutan and the leopard. Unfortunately it was a cold day so giraffes were inside and we didn’t see any, same with lions. But that means we will have to be back.
Olga Gloria Sundy — Google review
It's a small zoo but well done - most areas look new, even the sections being remodeled! So while it doesn't have a lot of space, it seems that it's got some good donors. The animals look reasonably happy and relaxed and they even have a big African lion, giraffes, and a leopard. The red pandas are super cute and active, some bat-eared foxes are super cute, and there are several birds of prey and a reptile house.
I was mainly there to take a walk on a pretty day, and it only takes about 30 minutes to do a completely circuit, pausing to look at most of the animals. I did another lap in reverse, which rewarded me with different views of some animals. It is on a hill, so you are walking (and possibly pushing a stroller) up and down some decent hills. I recommend heading uphill first, then winding your way down and around to the alligator and farm animals.
Sara Beth Wade — Google review
I love all the improvements to the Zoo. Our granddaughter had such a wonderful time. She was literally squealing with delight at all the different animals. All the animals and their enclosures were clean and healthy. The reptile exhibit was outstanding! The staff was friendly, especially the lady in the gift shop. Keep up the excellent work!
bumblegirl — Google review
Wonderful zoo! Well designed and small enough for kids to walk around comfortably but plenty to see! Took us around an hour to walk though the whole park. My kids really enjoyed seeing the alligator, giraffes, lions, and monkeys. There's also a nice park right next to the zoo.
Rocky Bilotta — Google review
Very cute little zoo. Took only about 2hrs of pittling though. There wasn't much but the few they had were cool. Expected bigger and the gift shop they have wasn't stocked and bare. Could have been better but was a good little detour. Been to the Detroit Zoo in Michigan and that's an all day thing! Which I expected but it's ok.
Jhenna Strong — Google review
It's small but cute. Perfect to go to & just walk around for an hour or so... Price is fair, too. Go early or on cooler days, as with any place with animals, you won't see much movement from them when it's really hot outside. The baby giraffe is adorable!
Tatiana Moore — Google review
Unexpectedly great zoo! For a zoo on the smaller side, it was great! The animals are situated in a way where they are easily visible and the setting is very natural. The zoo is easily walkable with small kids and all the animals were out! We even saw a lion roar!
Pia Linder — Google review
We got free tickets and went here over Memorial weekend... it was sprinkling, so they weren't busy at all. It's a small zoo and doesn't take long to walk the whole thing. The gardens are beautiful and well taken care of and so are the animals. We always enjoy the giraffes, lions and monkeys, but this time they had some sort of lizzard. He loves people they said, and he followed my grandson all over near the window. It made his day! It was our 2nd time visiting this zoo and we will definitely be back.
Lori K — Google review
A great small zoo with a really nice reptile house. Some different animals than Riverbanks or Atlanta have. Tickets are $11 for adults and $8 for kids.
Beth McK — Google review
Small zoo but very nice. Not too many animals, several different kinds of monkeys, lions, giraffe, leopard, birds, flamingos. Cost was $14 for an adult. Very clean and well kept. Easy parking.
Debra Clen — Google review
Always a good time here. Small enough for little ones but still has exotic animals. Not to mention Cleveland park and the swamp rabbit trail right in the front yard. Tickets are fairly priced but the gift shop is pricey - still the money goes to the zoo so it’s not hard to spend anyway. Not to mention, downtown Greenville is right around the corner.
Hanna Inman — Google review
We were doing recon for a family picnic. While we didn't visit the zoo, the covered picnic areas were large enough which were located across from the zoo entrance. The nearby bathroom was a plus as well.
Jo-C Coleman — Google review
Cool little zoo. Not as big as some of the there’s we have seen, but a nice place to spend the morning around Greenville. Great addition to the surrounding park area. Definitely will be back again.
Brian Gottleib — Google review
Such a great place to visit for a couple of hours. Smaller than the Atlanta zoo, but also a fraction of the cost and crowds! We always have a blast!
Courtney Guess — Google review
Really cute local zoo if you don’t feel like fighting to crowds at Riverbanks. They are putting in a lot of work to make it even nicer over this next year. I can’t wait to see everything when it’s all done.
Ali Maclay — Google review
Nice zoo outing. There is a preschool playground inside the zoo and 2 large playgrounds outside the zoo. Parking is free.
Eve D. — Google review
What a fun, little zoo! Just perfect for young children and adults alike. Loved all the play areas and I’m excited to bring my family back here to visit and play. It was a rainy day when we spent time at the zoo, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Well maintained.
Maggie Schwarting — Google review
The Greenville Zoo is small, but don't let that dissuade you! This place is a real gem! They have a large variety of animals, and everything is nice and clean!
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a family-friendly zoo with African and Australian animals, reptile galleries, a bird house, a farm, and botanical gardens. The zoo features a splash pad with rubber surfaces that has been upgraded in the summer. There are also playhouses, treehouses, a large field with toys and games, a waterfall and 2 splash pads.
Riverbanks zoo reminds of Animal Kingdom set in good old Disney World without the financial hard ship going there. Riverbanks is simply an amazing zoo. I would recommend setting aside 3-4 hours to see everything, this of course is set with a two old in mind. We stopped and saw just about everything and even petted some very friendly goats. Some stuff does cost extra, $20 on the zoo card will be more than enough for two children.The giraffe feeding stops at 1:30pm so if that is on your agenda I would get in line early. We went on a Sunday and the crowds were not too bad. We will definitely become frequent visitors. 10/10 I highly recommend.
Tai Sanders — Google review
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is fabulous! We absolutely love it here and have been visiting regularly for 10+ years. The animal variety is second to none. The layout of the zoo flows very nice to ensure you can enjoy each stop to see all that it offers during your visits. The staff do a great job of keeping the zoo very clean and safe. They are very, attentive, and provide excellent service every time we are there. The expansions keep coming and continue improving and evolving this Zoo into one of the best visits you and your family can make.
If I was going to provide a critique, I would recommend more fans through out the park. South Carolina (especially in the midlands) can get very hot and humid during the summer months and that heat can make visiting the park a less than pleasant experience if you are not use to the heat down here (heck even if you are 😂). More fans through out the park would add to the already amazing atmosphere and help create some more much needed cool zones through out.
One last add. Please visit during the Halloween and Christmas events. They are fantastic and highly recommended. For adults the Brew at the Zoo is one of the best attractions around. Enjoy!
Jacob Gillen — Google review
This was an amazing experience! The $5 parking is worth it if you are wanting to go to the botanical gardens/splash pad first or last on your visit. The prices were fair for adults at $26 for how big of a zoo it is! There were some of every animal including giraffes you can feed, a kangaroo exhibit you can walk through, and sea lions you can stand next to. Animals included monkeys, gorillas, lions, tigers, snakes, birds of all kinds, goats, alpacas, bears, otters, tortoises, penguins, tropical fish, jellyfish, sea turtles, koalas, sloths, and so much more. I even tried out the ropes course within the zoo (requires shoes w/ heel strap) which was priced at $7 for non-members. It was a good ropes course for the price! I do recommend having a parent or older sibling go up with a younger child if they're new to ropes courses. The height can be a fear factor and the way the harness is attached to the top of the course can make it harder for smaller kids to reach in order to move around the course. As an adult, it's a fun add-on especially if you're looking for some more thrill with your zoo experience. The botanical gardens were gorgeous! They were located right next to the $5 parking and the tram. Overall, I really enjoyed visiting the Riverbanks Zoo and all of the staff here were polite and happy.
Michelle Luna — Google review
Wild Nights was awesome! Really looked great from the front gate fungi/coral to the animated creatures. Went on Black Friday with family in town for the holidays. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance as another group mentioned it was already sold out when we arrived right after 5pm. The kids loved that the train and carousel were both running.
The person at the gate was very helpful as we had multiple ticket purchases across several confirmation emails. Would definitely go again.
Jeremy Lane — Google review
A place where families can come and witness animals from around the world in a protected and safe environment. The Riverbanks Zoo rescues animals from around the globe to rehabilitate them and care for them with such love. The zoo is filled with a variety of animals ranging from tigers, lions, gorillas, and birds from all countries. This place is clean, family friendly, and caters to all ages. If you're ever in Columbia, SC, I would definitely recommend this place for a fun family outing. If you wish to take friends, you can purchase yearly passes that give you 4-8 guest passes, depending on your choice of yearly pass.
Alexander Nunez (Alex) — Google review
The zoo is well maintained, clean, and organized.
There’s a $5 dollar fee for the parking and they have plenty of parking spaces.
You can book in advance “behind the scenes” to pet some of the animals. (Check their website).
If you go early in the morning you can feed the giraffes.
There are plenty of restrooms around, some of them smell bad and are messy, specially
If the zoo is pretty busy.
The bird part smells bad but is just the smell of the birds. Just be aware.
They rent strollers
Gift shop available
They have photographers at the entrance with a giant green screen.
They have an interactive farm for kids, a carousel, and more.
Food and drinks from outside are not allowed.
Veronica — Google review
we love this place! this is my fourth time at the riverbanks zoo, and it's never failed to please. easy access, plenty of parking, affordable ticket prices (I recommend getting the extended bracelet deal, feeding the giraffes is part of it, and it's really worth it). the animals seem to be well taken care of, and if you go earlier in the day, you'll be able to see everyone waking up and hanging out (the otters were especially excited for the sunshine and company). definitely dress comfy and bring plenty of water! there's lots of shade and several drinking fountains, but it was nice to have our own on hand. this was our first time making it up to the gardens, and that was also really worth the trip up. the waterfall splash area is great for the kiddos in the heat. I believe there's a lot on the west side where you can park and the access is much easier for the gardens and play area. all around great time!
Heather Hitz — Google review
The zoo was awesome! There were a lot of nice animals, and the enclosures/habitats were more than adequate for the animals. Healthy animals! My favorite places to visit had the flamingos and the lions. They had a grizzly bear, which I had not seen before. The botanical gardens were nice, as well. Small, but nice. There is a tram that takes you from the zoo to the garden. It took me and my partner about 3.5 hours to do the zoo and the garden.
Mar Pepin — Google review
I visited her in the spring, and it was fantastic. We enjoyed feeding the giraffes. We were able to get up close to the gorillas even though their enclosure is going through renovations. I loved the sea lion exhibit. The aquarium had just recently opened back up and was super crowded. We were not able to check that out, but it looked super nice from the outside. My daughter and nephew loved all the activities this zoo offers. This zoo is very well kept, and the animals looked happy and healthy.
Marsha Dowdle — Google review
Went this past week with my nieces (1 yo) and they had a blast. There are lots of exhibits and we saw all of them and stayed for about 2 hours total. We were able to see all of the animals except the tiger(s). My nieces especially loved the aquarium and the penguin exhibit. We got to see them performing maintenance/cleaning in one of the aquarium tanks which was pretty cool. Also got to see a couple of young gorillas nursing. I would recommend bringing some bug spray and sunscreen. There’s a lot of tree cover and canopies at exhibits providing shade throughout the park but there are also areas in direct sunlight at many of the exhibits. The park overall was very clean and there was lots to do. Also recommend going during the week/off season as the temperature is cooler so you’re able to see more animals and it is WAY less busy. There were maybe a max of 5 other people at an exhibit with us. Did not see or visit the garden this time, but definitely have plans to visit next time. This was our 2nd time making the trip to this zoo and we will definitely be back!
Faith Lide — Google review
Beautiful and spacious zoo. There are unique animals that live here, that are not at a typical zoo. Lots of shade to keep you cool while viewing the animals. And very, very clean!
The enclosures have lots of space and the animals seemed happy and energetic, compared to other zoos I’ve visited. There are friendly zookeepers posted around the zoo to share interesting information on the animals. They were well informed and were able to answer all the questions we asked. My favorite part was visiting the Kangaroos. You are able to actually go inside the enclosure (while staying on the path) to view the kangaroos from a short distance without any fence or obstruction blocking your view. The experience felt up close, but was a safe distance away.
We enjoyed the trek up the trail to the garden through dense trees that felt like it’s own separate space from the zoo. The garden is well taken care of and has a calming atmosphere. We then rode the tram back down the trail where we were brought back to the zoo. It is nice the facility offers the tram at no extra cost.
Overall, we had a great time! This is probably my favorite zoo now.
Gabi Bambach — Google review
I visited with my kids here during the Christmas holidays. The weather was pleasant.
There was no wait line at the ticket counter.
The charges for kids and adults are almost the same.
It's not very big zoo but there are lots of animals and well maintained.
There are more than one lion, tiger, orangutan and many more.
There are different animal talk times for more information.
With special bands you can go near few animals like giraffe, feed birds and play games.
Sometimes the layout gets confusing but it's small enough to trace the steps back.
The alligator 🐊 was not there.
There are lots of picnic tables.
I could go near kangaroo 🦘.
Zoo rangers are always nearby and helpful with information or directions.
There are many eating outlets.
It's a good to spend with kids.
Archie — Google review
The zoo was pretty big, and had a good selection of animals. Compared to other zoos I've visited, it was ok. Animals were on the smaller size, and the one grizzly bear we saw looked like he had mange (fur was patchy in several places). The plus for me was that you can take the free tram to the botanical gardens which was included in the ticket price. That was my favorite part. Walking through the gardens was a nice outing, and there were places with seating, food, activities, and a splash park for kids. Overall I enjoyed it.
Tonya — Google review
I would recommend getting here EARLY and leaving before 1-2pm. It gets extremely busy after lunch time, but aside from that I had a wonderful time! I had to bring my service dog with me and the staff were respectful and understanding! There are some places you aren’t allowed to go with a service animal but that is understandable and totally fine! Bathrooms were kept clean and smelled fine, there wasn’t trash or debris everywhere. The animals confinements looked clean and well taken care of which was a favorite of mine! I will say it took a while to get our food when we went up to a food truck. This was at lunch time and the place was getting pretty crowded by then. I had an absolute blast here and will definitely come back.
Jayden Cash — Google review
I dropped in unexpectedly, looking to get some steps in. Lots of trails and flora. Many places to sit and take a load off.
You can walk from the garden to the zoo, it's only 3/10 mile. Zoo was a bit more crowded, but pretty cool....and they sell beer 😁.
Check out Saluda Ruins, BEAUTIFUL walk and an interesting story. I was there for about 2 hours and got in my 10k steps.
Erik Summers — Google review
Well worth the visit! I went with my wife and 2 kiddos, oldest is 9. We really liked the aquarium with a wide variety of up close exhibits. The ocean exhibit had numerous "Coming Soon" attractions. Note that to ride the carousel or do the climbing wall, you must buy extra tickets like at a carnival, but the prices are not ridiculous. When we went, the carousel cost $2 per ride. We also let our daughter try the high ropes obstacle course. This was another fee ($7 per person) but well worth it. Mom and Dad enjoyed the bridge and trails to the botanical gardens, which was included with the zoo admission. Great family outing!
Jarrod Reed — Google review
Free zoo map is available. I was able to see all the animals so close. Was also able to feed a giraffe and brush the goats. They are very cute. Don't forget to get some merchandises too on the way to the parking lot.
Andita Meilyana — Google review
I've always loved the zoo, and now I get the joy of taking my girls. I do suggest a membership as it pays for itself and tickets are pricey but it's worth it. We usually take snacks with us and we have the souvenir cups. We love doing boo at the zoo and the lights at the zoo
Angel Watters — Google review
Such a great place to bring the family to! The kids loved seeing the animals and learning about all them. Love their aquarium area too! So neat to see them all and watch the kids eyes light up with joy over seeing how they live. If you haven’t gone yet I’d strongly suggest going asap!
Danielle Ortega — Google review
Beautiful zoo, kept clean, prices are as you'd expect going to any big park these days. Good food variety, as well as snacks, drinks. Tons of animal exhibits, overall great for the fam & everyone!
Great parking options.
C Price — Google review
Took advantage of the last free Friday for this month. First time at the zoo and was not disappointed. Only spent about 2 1/2 hours but really enjoyed. I pretty much stuck to one side of the zoo this time and will explore the other half later on. Highly recommend. The only thing I wish they had was more food options but I’m not complaining because i know how that goes but I went prepared! Took my own food!
Annie Maiden Gipson — Google review
Very well put together Zoo and Gardens. There is a lot of various animals to see, such as gorillas, giraffes, kangaroos, grizzly bear, sea lions and so forth. I recommend you bring some water for your walk around this zoo you will be doing a lot of walking especially if you want to walk across the pedestrian bridge.
There are a couple different options you can take to get to and from the Zoo side and the Botanical Garden side. One way is taking the Woodland Trail beginning on the garden side. Next would be taking the walking path that runs along the Tram Road it is rather steep. Finally is the Tram with are two Ford Super Duty Pickups with three “wagons” attached behind each pickup it will take you to and from the Zoo side and the Garden side. There however is usually a wait for the Tram. We chose to walk the path along the Tram road.
This Zoo was extremely crowded. It is probably best if you try to go on a weekday. We went on a Saturday it was extremely busy. I highly recommend checking out the gift shop and buying a souvenir. This is one of the best Zoos I have been to.
Jake Young — Google review
We had a great time,animals were cool food was good and wait times were a bit long on a few things but other wise it was great, it’s very nice and nothing is to far apart so it’s not that bad when walking from place to place extra things were very affordable being 2 dollars a person just so you know the zoo does a coin system kind of so if you want to do an extra and you had 3 people it would 6 dollars with each coin being 1 dollar a piece,extras were very cool with the extras being feeding giraffes,feeding birds and other things. I would recommend getting to the zoo as early as possible because it gets crowded very fast you could get to see more things actually moving and running around and that’s just a few things to keep in mind.
Mc Bojangles — Google review
God have us an absolutely perfect day for our visit! It was 75°, partly cloudy, and a gentle breeze. Although it was fairly busy, everyone moved along through all the exhibits quickly. I'd have to say that our group's highlights were feeding the Coconut Lorikeet, walking among the kangaroos, and visiting the botanical garden (took the tram up). It's a great place for kids of all ages. The garden has quite a few play areas of all different themes and many water features. The kids were having a blast in the water activities. They even have a cabana for bathing suit changes. It's a "must see" if you're in the area. We'll be visiting again in the future.
Patricia Vasko — Google review
Came to the zoo in the morning. Most animals were out as breakfast was being served to some of the animals. It was pleasant that the weather was cool, so a light coat or long sleeves did the trick. By the time it was 11 a.m., it warmed up. Not very crowded, it was nice to walk through and take some time to see the animals starting their day. Since it was 9:30 am when I got in, not many food/drink places were available until closer to 11, so I purchased a bottle of water from one of the vending machines and kept exploring. If you're looking for a slower pace to venture, I recommend the morning, I enjoyed it.
Ari George — Google review
"Love taking the kids here! Awesome zoo with aquarium and aviaries. Large habitats are great but animals can be shy. Park lacked water due to a break on a hot day, $4 for water bottles is steep. Offering cheap bottles until boil mandate lifted would've helped. Kids enjoyed feeding birds and the sky high safari was a highlight!"
Cobey Riley — Google review
Riverbank zoo is a all day adventure for the family! I recommend buying tickets online as somedays it's packed here. Always building new and exciting exhibits for the animals. This is definitely a all day trip for all ages. Many many animals to see and multiple locations thay are indoors and cooled when you get too hot. There is also petting zoo areas and small rides like a train and carousel for the little ones. They do sell food and drinks there but they are very very expensive. We bring food and eat it outside on the benches then go back inside.
Tony Goehring — Google review
Riverbanks Zoo is always a fun day for the kids. Even after multiple visits, it never gets old. A great way for the kids to get their energy out. They absolutely love it when Waterfall Junction is open and love the giraffe feeding, too! The grounds and gardens are always beautiful!
Deanna Breivik — Google review
This is a great Zoo. Downside is make sure you get the wristbands to actually participate in feeding the 🦒 and doing a good amount of things the kids will want to do. Downside was we didn't see the large tortoise or many monkeys. There were no cats available to view either as a lot of exhibits were being renovated. The food is definitely not great, everything costs so much these days. Expect to spend at least $160 for a few hours and 2 people. Clean, well staffed and easy to find.
Ree C — Google review
Here visiting for the weekend and came on a Friday. Really enjoyed this zoo! I think it is very kid friendly and has a lot of activities for them to do, not just see the animals. We came at a good time (10 am) so most of the animals were pretty active. We enjoyed seeing the reptiles and Gorillas the most. It was definitely busy that day due to many schools having field trips to the zoo. They only really had snacks around the park, which is expected at a zoo. I do recommend doing to Tuskers if you real food while visiting though. We also really enjoyed walking the Garden trails. I highly recommend checking out this zoo!
Lauren Lowell — Google review
Other than the number of people, we had a great time. The staff was nice and all the animals were out. Can't wait to go on a weekday and be able to take our time watching the animals.
Lydia Dean — Google review
We got there at 1pm and had enough time to stop by most the exhibits, but many of the animals were sleeping. I'd recommend getting there earlier so you can go back to see the animals you missed on the first round. The zoo itself was not very big, so you can easily make a couple laps. The parking lot was hectic when we got there (1pm on a Saturday), but once we got past the entrance, we found many open spots, while others were fighting for closer parking.
The South Carolina State Museum is a large museum located in Columbia, SC that houses both permanent and rotating exhibits on a variety of topics ranging from art to history to science and technology. The museum also has a planetarium and an interactive 4D theater that are great for kids.
This is definitely a gem. They have 4 floors of exhibits. We didn’t get thru it all today. They have kid friendly exhibits as well. They have a gift shop an they also show mini movies. Today admission was $1 per person. ( First Sunday of each month).
Kimbryea Walker — Google review
Great museum with multiple levels of interesting exhibits to view. Short historical movies were free for viewing. Great lunch cafe if you’re hungry and gift shop on first floor. Would recommend to others.
Nicole McMorris — Google review
I’ve been to the museum multiple times, as I am a local. Which also means I’ve seen many different exhibits featured here. I believe the museum is well known for the massive great white shark hanging in the entrance and can be seen from every level of the museum (4 floors ). While it’s very impressive it’s also very intimidating for younger visitors as well. My most previous trip here was a random Tuesday in April. Total spur of the moment with my 4 year old son, sister and nephew (2 years old). My son thought the giant shark was the coolest thing ever and my nephew couldn’t run away fast enough (he was leashed to his momma and just about pulled her down he ran so fast 😂). After convincing him it wasn’t going to eat him we saw the cool dinosaur exhibit, explored prehistoric times, walked the many different destinations SC has to offer, learned about SC history and saw the planetarium 🪐 they are currently completing renovations on multiple floors, so many of the hands on exhibits and interactive displays were gone. Honestly the 3rd and 4th floors held very little interest for everyone. The museum is geared more towards older kids interested in history. Although it’s a great place to visit, make sure to check the website to see what new exhibits they have and if any are unable to access. In the past they have had some great exhibits, you just have to keep an eye out. All in all, it’s a great place to take friends and family from out of town or a trip to the past on a random Tuesday with your kiddos to reminisce about horse and buggy times, rotary phones, and 1970’s televisions. Definitely a must visit when in South Carolina 💖
Courtney W. — Google review
What a fun place to discover a little bit about everything. The stars, the sea, the land, technology, people. This museum has it all and everyone at every age is sure to have fun. The is a cafe for snacks, a gift shop, planetarium, and hands on activities throughout. It is four levels of fun. It is handicap accessible and elevators are handy. It is a lot of walking so if you do have mobility issues they have provided benches throughout for a rest.
S Gomez — Google review
Although it's showing its age in places (some of the exhibits are 25+ years old) the museum is clearly undergoing a renewal. Many signboards and displays have recent updates, exhibits are being tweaked, new displays are going on. It's true this isn't the state of the art museum it was in the early 90s, but it's still a solid place to pick up on state history and I still love coming here to see what's been updated since my last visit. Watching the changes from one visit to the next in almost real time has been pretty exciting!
In good weather, definitely check out the observatory. Even if it's closed due to clouds or rain, they're always happy to have a chat about the telescope and show off pictures they've taken with it, which is extremely cool. The updated space exhibits are also fantastic, as are the telescopes on display and the recent acquisitions hall. Showing its age in places, yes, but like I said it's still definitely worth the visit.
Cara C. — Google review
Staff were pretty friendly. I was with a large group of people. I believe there could of been a better explanation of how we could navigate the area. There was construction going on during this time. Like any museum the food in the cafe was over priced for the quality of food. There are 4 floors so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The hours are work friendly.
Mickeal Rhaney — Google review
The state museum really is a Columbia treasure. I've been going my whole life and now take my kids, ages 6 and 8. They are just now getting to the age where they understand and appreciate what they're seeing. I'd say any younger than 6 it's probably a better idea to check out the children's museum across the street, Edventure. This museum is definitely geared towards ages 7-8 and up, in my opinion. You can easily spend 3-4 hours at the state museum, especially if you stop to read things. There's so much rich history in SC! The planetarium theater is awesome and we've enjoyed the different shows featured over the last year or two. The 4D theater is cool, but if you have a little one scared by sudden noises, feels, etc I'd skip it. Certain films have effects where they may mist you with water, the seat may vibrate, or you may feel some other sensation. So just know that in advance. My Boys love the military exhibits, dinosaurs, and space exploration exhibits the best. There's also a very impressive telescope collection, lots of prehistoric animals, a look at transportation and daily life over the years, life of the early Native Americans, and so much more!
Beth Banco — Google review
What an absolutely overwhelming experience this museum is. We spent nearly 3 hours exploring and only saw maybe half of what there is to see. It has everything from history to science, to amazing planetarium shows that are worth every penny. I can't wait to make it back to Columbia to see the rest!
Christopher Caudle — Google review
This museum is AMAZING! 4 floors of soooo much information and exhibits. I got there at 11 thinking I’d be there thinking I’d be there just a couple hours but 4hrs later I was still there enjoying myself. Such a great way to spend a day.
Cynthia R — Google review
Great place to explore. The building itself is cool. The planetarium is a great experience. Also do the observatory. Impressive telescope and knowledgeable staff. The other displays throughout are fantastic, but there isn't much change. Still, I enjoyed repeated visits. The manually powered submarine model is fascinating. We went this last time for the eclipse. The staff members really make you feel welcome.
Jimmy Sadler — Google review
Really awesome museum! I highly recommend visiting! Probably plan on showing up earlier in the day if you do plan to go.
Jeremiah Corgatelli — Google review
My daughter and I had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits. Make sure you plan to spend the entire day as there is a lot to see. My daughter really enjoyed the fossils, space, and habitat exhibits. We visited on a Friday and had very little traffic in the exhibits. There were a handful of other guests and one field trip. Something of note, the bathrooms are being renovated so they are few and far between. We ate lunch at the cafe, which had a small wait but was fair priced.
Tonja Suttles — Google review
It is always a great place to take friends and family from out of town. Fun and educational. 4D educational films are available also. The NASA exhibit is really cool.
Dawn Skipper — Google review
Ever since I can remember I have loved coming to the museum! I love the exhibits, even the ones they've had for years and years! There's so much to see and do and I learn something new each trip. I'm excited (and also slightly sad) that they are updating some of the older exhibits. I'll miss the old classics but I'm looking forward to whatever is next!
Katie Ratcliff — Google review
Really enjoyed the museum. The telescopes were some of my favorite things but I really loved seeing a piece of the moon! Really interactive parts and a great mix of science, history, and nature! I would recommend this place to anyone and I would especially encourage checking out one of the shows in the large dome.
Milen Patel — Google review
Nice, well curated museum. It contains information mostly on South Carolina and it's history and ecology, but there is also a sound and light exhibit.
Dylan Woessner — Google review
A nice museum over several floors: 2-3 hours recommended to fully experience the site.
Free public WiFi available, free parking, and a cafe on site as well.
Ryan Smith — Google review
You can tell it's built with huge budget. It doesn't have expensive dinosaur bones.
However, they managed to make it look interesting and diverse.
It definitely shows quality and character
Ali Bakir — Google review
Educational museum. Great promotion on the first Sunday of the month, entry is $1. I'm delighted with the planitarium. You can also visit the 4D cinema. There is a cafe and children's activities.
Nat Shor — Google review
Wonderful and so full of interesting South Carolina, natural, and technology history (radio, TV, automobile) and earth science that we couldn't finish. Fascinating telescopes, a small cafe, and dioramas too. Great for all ages.
V Mars — Google review
This was a letdown in a lot of ways. The displays were vast spectacles of nothingness. Large dioramas made more to take up space and less about educational content. Many, if not all of the interactive displays were broken or in some state of disrepair.
J C — Google review
My son and grandkids live in Irmo. We were visiting from NY and found this museum and planetarium a fantastic place. We arrived for the 1:30pm show and it was OK. But the history in the museum was amazing. We only had a couple of hours to go through the museum but you really need half a day to take eveything in. When we return we will certainly come back again and spend more time.
Congaree National Park boasts an expansive hardwood forest with abundant opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing and fishing. Volunteer-led programs attract weekend visitors while ranger-led programs are more frequent during peak season. While the educational sections of the park's center are partially closed, numerous items can be purchased at its gift shop. This newly developed park caters to urban enthusiasts and is highly recommended for experiencing the firefly season.
I almost hesitate to review because we LOVED it so much and don't want it to become over crowded. This is one of our favorite hiking spots! The 2.6 Mile boardwalk was easily doable with me and my elementary aged kids. It feels like an adventure but also quite safe and clean. We also picnicked in one of the many, shady spots by the lodge. After lunch we were a bit more adventurous with off boardwalk trails. There are many and they're rated by difficulty with listed distances so you can easily determine what's the best fit for you/your group. The staff was AMAZING! We availed ourselves of the gift shop for a few items. We also picked up our junior ranger books, completed the activities during our adventures, and were then sworn in as junior rangers! Including me ☺️ We got beautiful Congaree ranger badges that absolutely thrilled them. We will return as soon as we are able! It is a little more than 2 hours each way for us and totally worth it!!
Katy Beebe — Google review
A nice national park to go to. The board walk was definitely worth it with a nice raised path and information markers along the way. A good 2.5 mile hike and took about an hour. It is in a swampy area so depending on the time of year might be a little buggy and or muggy; so come prepared with water and bug repellent. But a very nice and easy walk with great information along the way and plenty of wildlife to observe!
Paige Vickers — Google review
Very cool National Park, right here in South Carolina. Swampy and buggy, so bring your bug spray, but its nice to see nature other than beach or mountains - this is how the entire southeastern US looked before Europeans settled here and deforested this brautiful place.
kerri hatcher — Google review
I had never heard of this park before planning this trip, but I am very glad that I went out of my way to come here! Very beautiful park with the informative Boardwalk Trail and easy breezy paths around the visitor center. I'm not much of a hiker, but all the trails in and around the visitor center were very walkable.
An Pham — Google review
Free admission National park. Good for a day-trip hike. They are known for fireflies at night. There are multiple trails to hike. Some were flooded because its low altitude. Park rangers were friendly and helpful. It’s a beautiful and serene park. It’s very close to Columbia, SC. Restrooms were clean. The famous boardwalk was nice and handicap accessible.
Wind Napol — Google review
Went here and did the boardwalk trail, although much of it was flooded, so do be aware of park closures. It is a nice and peaceful walk in nature, although nothing outstanding like many of the other national parks are. Probably wouldn’t go back, unless I lived close by or in the area.
Gabriella — Google review
The park was so popular on the weekends, which included volunteers led programs. The ranger led programs are more concentrated during the peak season. The center was partially closed, mostly educational sections, however, they have a lot of stuff for purchasing and for sales. You could tell that this park is very new and geared towards urban people. I recommend to come for the firefly season. Would love to do kayaking programs with the rangers in this park too. But it's super popular and hard for accessibility.
Aaron Yang — Google review
We've visited many national parks over the years. But this was our first swamp! It was nothing like I'd ever experienced. We went late may, so the weather was perfect, and the mosquitoes were non-existent. We saw a wild hogs body, and several alligators swimming in the distance. The trails are all boardwalks, making it super easy to walk miles around the park.
Naomi Cardoza — Google review
An amazing place. Nice Ada accessible board walk. 2.8 miles. Lots to see with different animals , plants and layouts within a few biomes. Lots of hiking trails. Visitors center.
escott bergren — Google review
We always see something interesting here. This time it was 3 snakes, 4 turtles, and tons of fish. There are lots of trails and they are well marked, but it is easy to get off trail if you are not careful. Staying on the boardwalk is great with small kids. We always see water snakes in the summer, but this time we saw a Cottonmouth and a Rattler. Check the website before you go - sometimes it is flooded and only a few trails will be open.
Beth McK — Google review
Little known National Park that offers a lot of natural history of area vegetation and native wildlife. Great walking paths. The 2.5 mile boardwalk offers easy walking but not much to offer for younger kids.
Larry Taylor — Google review
This place was amazing. Part of the boardwalk was flooded about 4-8 inches which made for a really cool barefoot hike ! Weather was perfect (end of march) and this place was just beautiful. Lots of little reptiles and massive trees (100+ft) very simple hike on the boardwalk. Even saw someone with an electric wheelchair out there. Absolutely recommend this place!! And entry is free !!!
Jonathon Hutton — Google review
Took my sisters here for their first hike and their first National Park trip, and they had an absolute blast. The rangers were super kind and helpful, the hikes we found were easy to follow (especially for first-timers), and the place is absolutely gorgeous. Would definitely recommend for camping as well.
It is safe to say that I have successfully recruited them into the world of collecting National Park cancellation stamps, and it's largely due to the great time exploring this awesome park.
Aniyah Pendleton — Google review
Great hidden gem! I took my young kids and we did the boardwalk trail. Felt very safe clean and sturdy for being in a swamp. It was so peaceful. Park ranger was very friendly and informative. Will definitely come back when the weather is more cooperative to explore the other trails!
Sara Miskin — Google review
It is such a shame this is one of the least visited national parks. And its free!
This park is beautiful. The cypress trees provide great shade but it can be humid and hot in the summer. But there are lots of bugs everywhere playing bumper cars with your face!
There are many trails to hike depending on your level of experience and appetite for adventure. We did the boardwalk trail which was easy. We wanted to hike the weston lake trail but saw gators and water moccasins close to the banks of the lake and decided not to for precaution. Trails are marked throughout.
However, I can see why this is one of the least visited parks. The visitor center was lacking pizzazz. It would be better if there were more interactions between the park ranger and visitors through educational programs or ranger talks. But rangers do not approach you and try to talk to you.
I am not sure I would come back again but am glad I had the chance to stop by while in the area.
j h — Google review
We visited the park after 5pm so didn’t get to see visitor center. About 1 of 2.5 miles of boardwalk was under water but we managed to walk it all the way (barefooted, kneedeep). On the trail we saw Otters, Snakes, leaches and an Owl (real up close, see video). Despite the flood it was a great experience
maarten van Lier — Google review
We went for the boardwalk trail. It was a really nice walk. We saw a lot of animals on the way, including alligator and turtles! For those who are going first time, don't forget to take a paper trail guide as there are many interesting points a long the trail. There are available at visitor center.
Justyna — Google review
One of more unknown and underrated National Parks, Congaree was a pleasant surprise. Start at the visitor center, where there is free parking, picnic tables and grills, restrooms and the gift shop. The visitor center is a little dated and could use a refresh, especially the restrooms.
The boardwalk trail was lovely and has a lot to look at. It does get crowded on the weekends because it’s great for families. If you want more of a secluded longer hike, we did the Weston Lake Loop, which took a couple of hours but it was worth it.
Chris Listenfelt — Google review
The biodiversity is this floodplain is amazing. From trees(bald cypress) having swollen trunk base to knees(roots that rise above ground) to support trees during floods to switch canes because elevation rise by only a few inches, and tallest deciduous trees (130-150 feet) in the world, and dwarf palmetto, to how the area was used by slaves to hide away and bootleggers to make alcohol during the ban. Do hike the Weston lake and oak ridge trails to get a chance to see some wildlife.
Shalin Rathi — Google review
Such a great park!
Plenty of trails, ranging from easy to difficult, Short to long.
Very clean, nice, restrooms on site at visitors center.
Boardwalk trail is fantastic, shaded, smooth. Little under 3 miles but not bad at all. Wheelchair accessible.
Absolutely wonderful park, kept up with.
Free entry.
Campsites available
Kind staff & helpful people.
C Price — Google review
Fun! We waded through the Swamp to make it all the way around the boardwalk. Not many people. It was nice that pets were allowed.
We were grateful for the time of year we visited because I'm sure mosquitoes are terrible when it's hot!
Amanda Gresiak — Google review
A beautiful and unique national park experience - specifically if you take a canoe or kayak to explore it.. highly recommended to book a guided canoe tour, to include no worries about getting lost in the swamp!
Ryan Smith — Google review
Great! Went 3/21 about a week after rain. Boardwalks were fine. You could see how high the water was! A great little place for also bringing kids and dogs! If I were to go again I would want to kayak/canoe!
A — Google review
Congaree National Park was free to enter, and parking was plentiful. I went on a weekday perhaps, that's why it wasn't busy. The main attraction in the park is the board walk. It's about 2 miles, and it's a loop that ends where you began. I was pretty excited to see a swamp, having never seen one before. However, after the first few hundred feet, it quickly becomes redundant. The visitor center gives you a small map that tells you about the different numbered signs along the walk.
I believe every national park is worth visiting. This one was probably the most uneventful national park I have been to, though. Or maybe swamps aren't my thing.
Dan Stewart — Google review
Such a lovely national park. Part of the boardwalk trail was flooded out, but there was still plenty to see and experience. We definitely want to return!
Allison Rensberger — Google review
We came here during flood season but it was still fun. There's a few trails you can take while it's flooded, and it's kind of nice to see that side of the park. If you want to avoid flood season, I Believe you need to go in the summer and fall. The park rangers are so nice and helpful, and there were no mosquitos.
Dani Drugan — Google review
A smaller National Park but a unique ecosystem. This park is basically a large swamp. The boardwalk trail is 2.4 miles and is very easy to walk. You can walk through an old growth hardwood forest that includes native bald cypress, beech, tupelo, and loblolly pine. Water was high this visit due to recent storms but not quite at flood level. The great thing about visiting in March, no mosquitoes. I hear they can be quite thick in the summer. If you are a National Park enthusiast like I am, this is a great place to experience something different. Unlike other parks, there were no crowds, and we enjoyed the solitude during the hike. There is off boardwalk hiking but did not attempt because of the high waters.
Steve Karl — Google review
This park isn't going to "wow" you with views and geological structures. Enchanted forest feel. Old growth trees are amazing. Very quiet and peaceful place. Boardwalk is a great hike. Entrance to the park is free.
Middleton Place, a sprawling rice plantation on the Ashley River dating back to the 1730s, is located about fifteen miles northwest of Charleston. Once home to the Middleton family, who played significant roles in South Carolina's colonial and antebellum history, this landmark suffered damage during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Despite being ransacked by British troops and burned by Union soldiers, Middleton Place stands today as a National Historic Landmark District.
We have visited four plantations in the Charleston area. This is our favorite setting and relaxing atmosphere. The grounds are exceptionally maintained. We spent two hours walking the grounds. It is the various buildings that tell the story. One stop shows a very large number of Middleton slaves. Depicted by each location and where they determined their value to the plantations.
The house tour is self guided after a short synopsis of the Middleton family and furnishings.
We had lunch outdoors in a very relaxed setting. Salad with baked chicken breast, green fried tomatoes with sauce and corn fritters with honey butter.
Runnsun — Google review
Lovely grounds. You pull into the gravel parking lot and there is a Cafe/market to the left. Please know that is not the only place to grab a bite. You can access this, as well as the gift shop, prior to your paid entrance. We opted for a tour of the house for an additional $15pp. Not sure if I would do that again. We were maybe in there 15 minutes....maybe. it's self guided but there are volunteers to tell stories or answer questions. If you are expecting a grand southern plantation mansion, this is not it. Its a small 2 story home. The first thing you see upon entering the plantation is the large reflecting pond. Very beautiful. The next thing you'll notice is the livestock running amuck. Namely sheep. So be careful where you walk. 😉 they do have a lovely dining room. It was a very nice plantation. Lots of grounds to explore. Everyone was very nice. Just not that grand southern home. Not sure the livestock gets the best care. Which is why I gave it 4 stars.
Sherri Fischer — Google review
We visited Middleton in late September 2022. Granted, hurricane Ian provided atypical weather, but in general, it’s probably not the best time to visit. Little to nothing was in bloom. The grounds were well kept and people were friendly and helpful. There were a few animals freely roaming - a handful of sheep and some swans. They had horse stables but nothing super interactive. There are some small buildings to showcase how the enslaved lived, but it’s not very detailed. The grounds had easy walking paths - mostly sand-based so if you are wearing sandals, know you’ll get a little
dusty. There’s a restaurant on site which is nice. The beyond the fields tour … wasn’t a tour. You gather around under a tree, sit on benches and listen to a historian explain the enslaved conditions. It was informative, but different than how it was presented. There is a restroom, gift shop and plant shop in the parking area. It’s not a must-see for me. We spent about 2.5 hours here.
Cortney Ayers — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous location. The oak trees are stunning, the gardens are lovely to stroll through, and I love a history lesson. We went to the restaurant last week and enjoyed the drive out, delicious food and cocktails and friendly and helpful staff. Shout out to Maggie who helped us make memorable dish selections. Looking forward to coming back later this fall for a wine stroll. I went last year and enjoyed it so much, I am coming back with girlfriends! I would recommend it as a date or as a nice evening with friends.
BKV — Google review
Middleton Place is really special. First the staff are very helpful. And they are easy to find. Everything is well organized & with the map, it's not hard to get around. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of beaches to set and enjoy the views. It's nice the restaurant is on the grounds. Having a place to set, cool off and relax helps so much.
K A — Google review
Restaurant had a very good steak, but the locally made cinnamon ice cream, I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. The view outside this restaurant, although "wild" not tamed, alligators were ALL OVER THE PROPERTY, was Southern thick farmland and just spectacular. The property tour was very neat and the history was rich and interesting. The Inn was very different and unique, rooms had ceiling to floor windows showing the lush grounds. An interesting property worth the visit.
cyndi becker — Google review
Breathtaking! This place was the highlight of our honeymoon. The cured gardens and ponds were like a dream. The staff are all very helpful and know their stuff or will send you to someone who does. What a pleasant and enjoyable day. Give yourself a whole day to soak in the history and experience of this estate. Enjoy!
Kevin Keller — Google review
Beautiful grounds and house. Wonderful restaurant on property with absolutely amazing food. House tour was very informative as were the historical interpreters around the grounds. Very relaxing and serene surroundings.
US 1 — Google review
What a wonderful place to visit. It has great trails throughout the property, and it is so peaceful and beautiful. It is truly a step back in time. I loved the trails that were bordering the Ashley River.... phenomenal! A huge Osprey dove down, caught a fish, and flew right by us. So cool! We did not do the house tour, but I was perfectly content outside with the beautiful topography and interacting with all the animals, most excellent visit!
MA B-B — Google review
Great historical place to visit. Beautiful landscapes and the old buildings are amazing. Bring bottled water as it was hot a d humid and there is a lot of walking but, worth every minute of it.
Jeff King — Google review
Absolutely beautiful! Loved getting to walk around and explore the gardens- there were tons of free garden tours or other guides that you could listen to- to learn more information about. But overall it was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. It’s pretty far North Charleston- and tons of walking- we got there around 9:30am and didn’t get done until 12:45pm- so allocate for a good chunk of time here!
Kelley — Google review
Absolutely loved it! Amazing grounds and scenery. The house tour was really cool, lots of history in the building. The restaurant waa nice, I didn't eat there, but it smelled amazing. Had a couple drinks at bar, beat Old Fashioned I have had in years! Huge shout out to Colby H.....kudos buddy!
Gloria Worthington — Google review
We booked a tour van out to the estate which included transportation, tour of house and lunch. Self guided tour of grounds and gardens in between the timed tour and lunch.Beautiful place and well preserved house with interesting articles from the Middletons. Gardens are beautifully maintained. All of the staff were extremely helpful and kind. A must if visiting Charleston.
Bernadette Jamieson — Google review
This is a lovely place to spend the day. We went specifically to see the Middleton Oak. The ticket agent was helpful with directions to get to the oak on the shortest route. The grounds are lovely with lots of wooded, shady paths. We saw swans in the reflecting pond and alligators in the flooded rice fields, which my daughter was very excited about. The two gift shops are very nice and well stocked with a variety of items of different price points.
Rhonda Waterhouse — Google review
Visiting from Georgia and this was such a fun outing! Bought student tickets online, quick and easy. The parking is good. The whole estate is very large and worth the price. There are some small trails around the swamp, some by the water, some around the garden. It is all well maintained and beautiful. We were not able to attend any of the tours but there are plenty scheduled throughout the day. The livestock here are very nice and obviously well taken care of. The chickens ran up to us expecting food, which kind of startled my partner. I loved the whole experience here. Though I do recommend coming when the heat of summer isn’t in full affect, we were dripping sweat by the time we were done here in July.
Unknown Inc. — Google review
Middleton has beautiful gardens and grounds along the Ashley River. You can find period reenactment of many of the trades that used to exist on the plantation, along with animals that would have been present during the Middleton family's residency. It has also been the set for movies, such as "The Patriot."
The Foundation that runs Middleton does an excellent job maintaining the property and in recent years has been very open about the tragic reality that the Middleton family owned hundreds of enslaved people. It seems they are trying to do their part to preserve history and acknowledge the failings of the past.
Scott Penick — Google review
Went on a Wednesday night when they were having one of their annual wine walks. Four stations with a red and a white wine as well as a cheese board and finger sandwiches at each station. The grounds were beautiful, not a lot of colorful flowers, but lots of greenery. The ponds had alligators and turtles, made for a magical night. Highly recommend.
Jaime Kessler-Gengler — Google review
Huge property, nicely laid out walking tour of the gardens and working areas. The day we were here, they were doing guided golf cart tours of the rice field.
There is an extra cost to see the home on this site. I would suggest going earlier in the day rather than later due to heat during this late spring and summer.
Leith Britt — Google review
I have been to Middleton multiple times over the years. It has beautiful gardens that you can get lost in. Don't look at the pics here. Just get out and see it. I went to a Creative mornings event that was hosted here and didn't pay but there is usually a fee. There is a cute garden center where you can buy plants, but the big draw is the incredible southern landscape. Enjoy!
Descartes — Google review
Incredible tour with lots to do! My husband and I spent 6 hours walking around the beautiful property, ate an incredible lunch and toured the main house. So many beautiful things to look at and a lot of rich history. Make sure to say hello to Arthur, the resident stable cat!
Miranda Zook — Google review
Amazing plantation with knowledgeable guides and tons of history. We visited early October and the weather was spectacular. Did Beyond the Fields and Guided Garden Tour. Both were included in the admission price. Ate lunch in the restaurant which was wonderful. Our wait staff was engaging and attentive. (No tax on the bill!) Learned so much about slavery and history of the plantation. The trees alone were worth the visit. One was 1,000 years old! I highly recommend.
Robyn Brooks — Google review
Great way to spend the afternoon in Charleston area. This place was brimming with history but had enough to keep all ages occupied. I have 4 kids aged 12-17 and they really enjoyed the grounds. The house tour is an addition that added a lot of context. They have numerous guided tours on the grounds themselves including a garden tour and a stable tour. Beautiful place and worth the trip.
Andrew Jameson — Google review
Magnificent! You could spend all day here and still want to come back for more. The volunteers there are very knowledgeable and helpful, you can tell they love being there. A ton of history to absorb there. Animals are friendly and there is no shortage of picture opportunities. Restaurant on site is good but a little pricey.
Katie Ishee — Google review
Beautiful ❤️ and Natural Surroundings. Please check Flower Blossoms season and you will enjoy it.
Yes, live alligator 🐊 all around the place.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a historic plantation dating back to the early 1700s, with gardens which are popular with visitors for their lovely natural surroundings and fascinating history. Besides the garden itself, there are attractions such as an animal zoo and nature center. There's also a train that takes visitors around the grounds, as well as boat tours.
This was our first plantation tour. We had a great time. We did not tour inside the big house, but went on the tram tour and the From Slave to Freedom cabin tour. I recommend both very highly. After the tours we went though some of the gardens and around the ponds. Great scenery and views. We were surprised to come upon two large alligators near a walking path alongside one of the ponds. We were told there were many alligators on the property, but did not expect this encounter and left expediently. They made no aggressive moves, but we did not hang around. The rest of our walk was very nice and relaxing.
Daniel Brown — Google review
My family had a lovely visit to Magnolia Plantation. We came early on a Wednesday, and were able to quickly purchase tickets and get started with exploring the grounds.
The plantation’s massive Live Oak trees are picturesque, and the house itself is well maintained. While waiting for our tour, we visited the conservatory which was lovely. We ended our tour in the gift shop which had a wide assortment of lovely items.
We chose to pay for the Nature Tram since we had folks in our group who couldn’t walk far. It was a great choice since we were able to see the grounds and gain some historical perspective without walking a lot. On the tram we were able to see the slave houses, several rice fields, and many wild animals including alligators, birds, and turtles!
Although we didn’t go into the house or take the From Slavery to Freedom tour, I imagine these are as well done as the Nature Tram and well worth their money!
Dana B (WI - MN - TN) — Google review
What a beautiful place! So glad we went to visit. The grounds were gorgeous! There was a wedding there yesterday, so the various vendors were there tearing down their set ups. Other than that, all areas were open. We spotted many gators, so be mindful when walking near ponds and waterways. Lots of turtles too. The magnolias were so fragrant while we were walking around. We just did the house tour, but they had other tours available too. Those can be booked ahead of time right online. Lovely visit.
Lynne L — Google review
Magnolia was one of the best experiences we had while visiting Charleston. The tour guides were all very knowledgeable about the plantation. We did the house tour, train tour, and the Slavery to Freedom tour. The tour guide for Slavery to Freedom was Vanessa and she was absolutely amazing. I would recommend more then 4 hours for the entirety of the plantation. We only were able to do our tours and visit the gift shop in the four hours we were there. We wish we would have had more time to explore the gardens because this place is absolutely amazing. They also have an app that was extremely helpful for navigating the grounds and location the tours and restrooms.
Kierra Thiry — Google review
The plantation is absolutely gorgeous. The scenery and flowers were breathtaking and the farm animals made the experience so much fun for the kids. When walking the different gardens, the signs leading there could have been more clear. Most importantly, be prepared to be completely devoured by herds of mosquitos, so prepare accordingly. Otherwise, the experience was top notch! Highly recommended.
Hussein Fayad — Google review
Such a nice way to spend the day. The house is smaller than you’d guess, but the tour was one of my favorites. Full of history and interesting facts. The Slavery to Freedom tour literally made my eyes tear up with emotion, the guide couldn’t have been more perfect, it is clear that she loves her job and takes the history seriously. The grounds are beautiful. And my favorite part - the wild gators were all out and sunbathing, not at all phased by the visitors.
Kirsten C — Google review
This is a truly special place. We visited on a Thursday in late March. We took the train around the gardens and walked around some of the trails. There are many benches to sit on if you get tired easily. Bikes are allowed on some of the trails. There are so many great photo ops, so definitely bring a camera. There's plenty of parking and a bathhouse by the ticket booth. There's also a cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. You download the Magnolia app on your phone and it has a map and info on events. There's a "From Slavery to Freedom" talk and a guided tour of the house. There's a very nice gift shop in the ground floor of the house. I bought an art print, Gullah seagrass basket and a cool candy on a stick for my son.
Amber Connell — Google review
Extensive gardens and large tracks of natural habitat. The Ashley river runs along the edge of the property providing beautiful views from the gardens. There are interesting trees to be found including redwood. There is a biblical garden as well as a conservatory. There are places with picnic tables and benches to rest at. There is a petting zoo. And children's garden. We did see little blue herons, great egrets, alligators and turtles. There is an excellent presentation "from slave to freedom" that takes about 30 minutes. Takes place at the remaining original slave quarters on the plantation. Gives a good snapshot of what life was through the decades from 1850s to 1990, they were still in use by the grounds people. All these can make for an entertaining and informative day.
JMcCoy McCoy — Google review
Had a nice afternoon here with the family. It wasn't peak bloom for anything in late September but there were still plenty of flowers and the overall scenery with the Spanish moss draped trees was stunning.
We did the rice field boat tour, which was very informative. The rice fields were given back to nature and are now just wetlands with a few remnants of the old farm. We saw tons of beautiful birds and alligators. The pontoon boat had a roof, so we were out of the sun.
Definitely should be on your Charleston list. If you are a local, call ahead to learn about what's in bloom and what time of year is best to visit.
M B — Google review
Beautiful grounds and rich in history. Great stop on way to Charleston for a bit of a walk and some lovely pictures! Bring bug spray and pack a lunch. Bit pricey but if you have more time it is well worth the money.
Waterfall Yoga Therapy — Google review
It's definitely a beautiful place filled with lovely flowers, plants and trees. The slavery to freedom tour and petting zoo are included in admission. Personally, I think for the price, everything should be included. There shouldn't be "add ons."
The guide for the freedom tour was exceptional and he deserves a raise. He told the raw history which needs to be said.
Alexa Wallbrown — Google review
A beautiful old world plantation garden. The many acres of the gardens offer many photo opportunities, including the long white bridge and the bamboo garden. There is also a little zoo area with several cool animals to visit with.
Evan Bair — Google review
Unfortunately for me it was a big disappointment. I love flowering plants but the azaleas and camellias had 95% finished blooming. So little to no color except for the plantings at the entrance. Pretty much if you miss the spring blooms you are just strolling through the woods.
There were multiple bus loads of people being dropped off. I felt sorry for those standing in long lines to get food at the small cafe.
There were miles of trails, most of which were not well marked, so we wondered aimlessly until we found our way back.
There were several small ponds and bridges with a couple of alligators floating around.
The entry fee seemed very high at $35. We did not take the house tour or tram tour. Overall disappointing.
Cathie Bales — Google review
I had an amazing time here, it was super beautiful and a really enjoyable experience overall. The "train" tour is nice because you're able to see a lot of the area with a lot of wildlife. The boat ride is also fun and you see a lot of gators. There are also many birds throughout the plantation along with flowers along various paths.
Jawand S. — Google review
Our family had a great time here! It was so nice to get up close to so many animals. We enjoyed our train tour and learned a lot! I only wish it was easier to take pictures during the tour. The cafe had great options for food. The gardens were lovely! We didn’t have time to do the silvery to freedom tour, but we will definitely be back to do it.
Jess W — Google review
Beautiful Plantation with so much to see and do! We loved going over to the “look out platform” and seeing over the whole area! We also saw SO MANY alligators in the ponds! SO cool!
We also LOVED the zoo! It had the coolest animals and was so fun to walk around and see them all up close!
We visited the last week of May and noticed that none of the flowers in the gardens were blooming (could’ve just been an off and cold year for the flowers).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Bring Bug spray! We were a little unprepared and got EATEN ALIVE
- Look up the tour times! The grounds are beautiful, but each segment (ex: house, garden, train tour etc) costs money and most of the segments have specific your hours! Look up your times to get the most out of your experience
Hannah Upham — Google review
This tour provided real and accurate information about slavery. No sugar coating, Gone With The Wind, it wasn't that bad narrative. Beautiful and breathtaking gardens, swamp and scenery. We did the big house, train and "From Slavery to Freedom" tours. We spent 3.5 hours and could have walked the garden more but, the 🦟 🦟 🦟 were hungry so we left 😂 A great tour and educational experience!
Margra Ferrier — Google review
Beautiful gardens and worth the visit on fresh day, with a chance to see alligators during train ride.
From slavery to freedom tour was
disappointing by our opinion. It was mostly self tour with 20 minutes story while you have to sit in the pavilion.
Guide was rude with kids (not mine but it felt wrong), taking into account that even our kids were bored and didn’t want to sit calmly who are big fun’s of any kid of excursion.
Olga Stryia — Google review
On the west side of the Ashley river are three plantations all within close proximity to one another and around a 20 minutes drive from historic Charleston, one of them being Magnolia. While originally a working rice plantation, Magnolia has now evolved into more of a naturalistic park with a large number of pathways and various types of foliage on display. Like other plantations there is a manor home which tours are offered for (at an additional cost) as well as a complimentary tram ride around the property that is quite pleasant and offers a nice respite from all the walking you would do. A worth stop if visiting the area. Enjoy!
Craig Bromberg — Google review
Terrific gardens!
Lots to see. Excellent variety of azaleas and camellias.
Lots of trails. Enjoy the birds and alligators and snakes.
Swamp boardwalk a huge plus.
So many photo ops.
Can't wait to return!
Mark Shuford — Google review
As a nature lover this was my favorite thing I did while visiting Charleston. Absolutely beautiful grounds with lots of wildlife and flowers to see. I also enjoyed the Slavery to Freedom Tour as it was informative and gave me a better understanding of the property and the hardships slaves faced. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend going in the morning as it started to get more crowded during the day. Bathrooms are easily accessible and very clean. They have a nice cafe as well.
Morgan — Google review
I have never seen anything like this. It’s so beautiful, it looks unreal. The gardens and trails are absolutely breathtaking. We toured the house and the guide was so pleasant.
I still can’t get over how beautiful everything is!
Debbie Collins — Google review
Very enjoyable experience! We took the train through the swamp area and later returned on foot to hike the trail through the swamp. We saw many birds, alligators, and turtles. Very unique atmosphere with an almost mystical quality
Ann Telma — Google review
Visited on a Tuesday afternoon, and there were quite a lot of guests during that time.
It was $38/person to access the gardens, Wildlife Center, Slavery to Freedom Tour, Wildlife Tour, and swamps.
We enjoyed walking through the swamps - alligators, turtles, birds.
Wildlife Tour - very squeaky tram to where we could barely hear the tour guide and definitely couldn't enjoy the sounds of nature.
Slavery to Freedom Tour - very quick history from the guide + Q&A. Didn't get very deep into it and have had better experiences in other cities.
Wildlife Center - small sanctuary with several species (alligator, peacock, goat, deer, owls, racoons, reptiles, fox, turtles, and more)
Gardens - decent views and nice walking paths.
Overall, we enjoyed our day but felt it was overpriced for the experience and offerings.
Drayton Hall is a well-preserved, renowned antebellum plantation situated on the Ashley River in South Carolina. The estate showcases Palladian architecture and holds the distinction of being the sole plantation house to survive both the Revolutionary and Civil wars fully intact. As a National Historic Landmark, Drayton Hall offers visitors tranquil grounds to explore and an African-American cemetery to reflect upon.
BEAUTIFUL place. Way better than the plantation up the street that costs $80 to do everything. Super quiet during the week, especially in the morning. Beautiful and well preserved place. Self guided audio tour is awesome! They did a great job of preserving and showing the area.
Jeff M — Google review
One of very few surviving plantation homes in the area post civil war period. Took the audio tour rather than a guided one which was great as you can wander at your own pace and listen to the guide, pausing her when you want to stay in one area a little longer. Having some info is a must though, to understand what went on in and around the estate and the architecture of the building. Staff were very friendly and informative too.
Kevin Blackley — Google review
We went for a Sip & Stroll that included an audio tour of the grounds, the museum, short film, the caretakers cottage museum, and gift shop plus two drinks tickets per person - so fun and relaxing. No more than 25-30 people and we were all spaced out to where it felt like you were the only ones there on the whole plantation! Would definitely recommend and do it again next spring!
Jennie Meetze — Google review
A wonderful experience, seeing Drayton Hall is like a step back in time. The house is preserved instead of restored, the tour includes information on slaves and tenants post-Civil War, and the guides are friendly and knowledgeable. Part of the house is off limits for now due to ongoing preservation work.
Mac McCormick III — Google review
Exceptionally interesting and well-preserved area offering fascinating insights into the world of a southern plantation. Unlike similar sites, the focus here is on preservation rather than restoration, meaning the old buildings, including the main house, have had minimal work done on them since the 1800s.
The guided audio tours were informative and well-paced, guiding you both through the main house and the grounds. The only downside to an audio tour vs a guided tour would be the inability to visit the top floor of the house, although I don't think one is missing too much there.
On the Sunday I went in September, there were hardly any other people on the grounds, so crowds weren't an issue. There were two historians on site in the main house available to answer additional questions, which was a great feature. Moreover, despite much of what we know about the location coming from the former owner's diaries, I appreciated how the audio tour did what it could to speak from the perspective of the enslaved peoples forced to work the plantation, as well.
For $26 per person, I thought this was a very worthwhile place to visit.
Lance G — Google review
There has been some great improvements at Drayton Hall over the last few years. New gift shop visitor Center and bathrooms. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff
Kathy Woolsey — Google review
I visited Drayton Hall on 1/12 and I absolutely loved it as I love history and appreciate historical structures. They have a very clear introductory video and a very nice display of furniture and other historical pieces in their museum before you head to the house. My tour guide was very informative and I am just sorry that I forgot his name, but he was so knowledgeable on the history of the estate and in general the history of America at that time. The estate itself is beautiful and I can just imagine how this place looked in its prime. I enjoyed reading the map that captured the changes of the land now vs then near the enslaved cemetery and can only imagine where their houses were as there are no standing structures left. I enjoyed listening to the archaeological finds when they were doing some renovations in the basement and on the grounds, tons of history on this land even before the Draytons.
Tiffany Galvan — Google review
Beautiful plantation home with interesting history. We did not do the audio tour but explored the space on our own. The details on the home are amazing. The craftsmanship can’t be found today. It was interesting to see the graffiti from 1874. The staff is very attentive and helpful. They are currently working to put supports in so there is construction equipment on the ground floor.
Tiffany Harmer — Google review
Spent a fascinating afternoon with my son at the Plantation. Very informative audio tour, plus knowledgeable historians were on-site to answer questions. Excellent presentation, a very thorough explanation of this period in American history. We really learned a lot! Gorgeous grounds, trees, and landscape. Very friendly and helpful staff, super clean everywhere. Highly recommend a visit 👌
Wendy Graham — Google review
Tour of the house was great, plus tour guide was knowledgable and friendly! Beautiful home, and an amazing amount of history there and on the grounds. We also purchased Sip & Stroll event. The self guided tour on the phone was ok but the landmark number markers were not as clear, and overall was little lack luster. Could have easy had same experience without the small glasses of wine included and saved some money. However super cute signature wine glass souvenir was nice and everyone from gate check-in, sip and stroll check-in, gift shop gentleman, and tour guide were great. Recommend to anyone to do the house tour for a serious dose of history!
Charity D — Google review
Recent trip to Charleston and Drayton Hall was on our list. Very interesting history. Our guide was informative and was able to answer questions. Not sure if they ever intend to add gardens but I think it would enhance the visit to the property. There is a black cemetery on the grounds that is easy to miss. Our guide mentioned it and I asked for the location.
Joanne Shedrick — Google review
Our tour guide Florence provided many details and painted a realistic picture using their historic knowledge of the estate. Would recommend the house tour and to walk the grounds using the audio tour. Would go again anytime we visit, very interesting US history!
Dan Smith — Google review
the tour of Drayton Hall was my one of my favorite parts of our trip to Charleston! Florence was our tour guide and WOW. amazing! the best tour my fiancé and i have ever taken! Florence made it the best! So knowledgeable and passionate about the history of charleston
Kimmy Harker — Google review
A very historic and picturesque place by the Ashley River. The rooms of the house are empty of pieces of furniture that can be seen in a separate exhibit, but they are full of memories of the souls who throughout time spent their life here.
Alex L — Google review
I had visited Drayton Hall over 50 years ago, around the time of National Trust start for this preservation and restoration. Back then I felt I stumbled on to a hidden treasure. Now the grounds are pristine, the public entry, parking welcome center are appreciated improvements. When I found that Drayton Hall is now open with guided tours and encouraging archaeological digs in progress, I knew this tasks of preservation there were going to be immense. I've sought out Villa La Rotonda in Vincenza, Italy and even London's La Rotonda. To Palladio: you've made a big impression!
Greg Hargus — Google review
Great experience. We did the tour and our interpreter Makayla really brought the history to life. Her passion for Drayton Hall's stories was evident. The fact that the home has stood since the mid 1700s is amazing. If you are into history, Drayton is a must see.
Ken Wolf — Google review
One of the best plantations we've seen! The beauty was the original works were still in place and magnificently maintained. Our guide, Morgan, did a phenomenal job on the tour! The trees are gorgeous and the small garden was very pretty. Large grounds to tour, just watch out for the gators! So glad we visited Drayton Hall.
Lynne L — Google review
An amazing historic plantation just outside of Charleston. We enjoyed our tour with a knowledgable guide. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is incredibly friendly. Would definitely come here again!
Peter Reckling — Google review
The staff was friendly and informative! The museum and video were interesting. The buildings up front are fresh and done well!
The grounds were beautiful! The audio tour was a nice addition. There are great photo opportunities!!! We did see alligators as well! The ones we saw were little ones!
FYI
**I did not realize you could not tour the whole house without an extra fee and specific tour time. The upstairs was roped off with a sign saying it was for a specific tour only. That was disappointing, we found that out while on the self guided tour of the house. We were able to see the cellar and the first floor**
We were told the upstairs is the same as the first floor. There is no furniture in the house. They are all empty rooms. No AC but they did have fans going. It was in the 70’s when we went, the house temperature was comfortable. In the summer, I am not sure how hot it will be inside!
We really enjoyed walking around!
C U — Google review
February $10 rate for locals was a great deal. Drayton Hall was a wonderful experience. Archeological dig was very interesting, as was all the treasures found. The tour guide was unbelievable, giving an extensive history of the site, the owners, and the architecture. Every question guests had was answered in detail. Watched a brief movie, visited the archeological lab, and shopped in the fabulous gift store. It is one of the best historic sites in Charleston. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit.