Family Mountain Activities And Information Guide

The Western North Carolina Mountains are brimming with activities. Mother Nature has provided the backdrop for unlimited outdoor education. If you want to build strong family bonds, join in the adventures below. While some activities are aimed strictly to the youth, there are also those for the young at heart. Plan special family outings….put the kids in camp and the two of you explore while the children learn… The Mountain itself is the best education that you can share with your family.  Explore it! Enjoy it!
Download a free map here - A must for the driver and the navigator.  Also great hikes to various waterfalls for those favorite snap shots.

Please be patient when you click on the web sites below as some will take longer to download than others and may even require you to refresh the page.  It may appear as though it does not come up, but click again.

Children's Camps
Fly Fishing
Gem Mining
Golf
Hiking
Horseback Riding

Tennis
Train Trip
Sunset Rock

Whistle Stop Antique Mall: The largest and oldest mall in the area. 60,000 square feet of space. From good collectibles to fine quality furnishings.

1281 Georgia Road Franklin, NC 28734-9275

828-349-1600

Main Street

Brevard, NC 28712

866-ATV-TOGO

Enter this wonderful colorful and picturesque ride off Hwy 64 and Hwy 215 just south of Rosman, NC

Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, and Mountain Bikes

2091 Yellow Mtn. Rd.

Cashiers NC 28717

828-743.2052

Rentals available or if you are a member of FFSV you can store your boat for $20/year.

828.743.7663

Canoe, kayak, fly fishing, guides or unguided tours, gift shop-extensive fly fishing gear.

Hwy 64 & Hwy 215

Rosman, NC

828.884.3357

10223 Hwy 107 Tuckaseegee, NC

828.293.5110

Camp centered around horses for those that love horses and for those that need the love of horses.

544 Western Rhodes Dr.

Highlands, NC

828-526-4752

Learn about the Cherokee and the pioneers by reenactment of the 1840’s way of life. Learn nature skills, zipline, high ropes, hiking, fishing and much more.

1600 Golden Road

Lake Toxaway, NC 28747

828-862-4207

Study Nature the fun way...hands on. Camps based on sound ecological practices for all age groups.

888 Horse Cove Road

Highlands, NC 28741-8470

828-526-2623

Day Camps for summer activities including swimming, tennis, basketball, softball. Call for times and various age groups

Hwy 64 and Laurel Street.

Highlands, NC 28741

828-526.3556

Interested in Drama -  Special youth classes

310 Main Street Highlands, NC 28741

828-526-1687

Ages 5-12. Half, Full day, and weekly sessions. June thru August. Monday thru Friday 8-5. Swimming, fields trips, tennis, kids games, slip & slide on the slope, and lots more.

Fairfield Sapphire Valley Resort

828-743-1169

Classes year round for all ages

Download a yearly program here

323 Franklin Road (Hwy 64 W.)

Highlands, NC

828-526.4949

Boys, Girls, or Coed Camps.  Bring your children to the camp and enjoy your time checking out the mountain while they attend camp. Time varies from several days to weeks.

Buy a fishing license on line.   Check for agents in Jackson, Macon, or Transylvania if wanting to know where to buy on the mtn.
Website for all questions on NC hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Brookings Orvis
Hiking and fishing gear. Guided tours, Fishing Licenses  
3 Chestnut Square Hwy 107 S

Cashiers, NC 28717

828.743.3768

Canoe, kayak, fly fishing, guides or unguided tours, gift shop

Hwy 215 & Hwy 64

Rosman, NC 28772

828-877-3106

Hiking gear and then some… guide books, free information. 2 locations
601 East Main Street Highlands, NC   828.526.5298
Crossroads of Hwy 64 and Hwy 107 Cashiers, NC 28717  828-743-1668

WhiteWater Fly Fishing
828.966.4761

142 Whitewater Rd.

Sapphire, NC  (Corner of Hwy 281S and Hwy 64)

828.966.4273

9770 Highlands Rd.

Highlands, NC Hwy 64W 8 miles west of Highlands

828.524.5850

(open year round) guided horse rides and inside gem mining

6420 WhiteWater Rd. Sapphire, NC 28774  Hwy 281 S

828.966.9646

Golf and tennis available for hotel guests

1525 Highway 107 South Cashiers, NC 28774

828.526.4185

67 Cherokee Trail Sapphire, NC 28774

9 whole executive course. Open to the public

Fairfield Sapphire Valley Resort

828.743.1991

Open to the Public. Hwy 64 & Trays Island Rd.

50 Slicers Ave.

Sapphire, NC 285774

828.743.1174

Enjoy our many mtn. trails.  Take a map, stay on the trail, take water, and treat Mother Nature with care.

From Main to Georgia.  For information from a local source that has hiked almost the entire trail, please email us at info@ncmountainlife.com and we will put you in direct contact for first hand infromation.

Great hikes from Cashiers, Sapphire, or Lake Toxaway.  This group does a spring hike off of Whitewater Falls studying the various spring wild flowers.  What a treat to see Mother Nature produce so many beautiful species.

A group group of hikers that meet in Cashiers, Highlands, or Franklin to hike the various trails.  All levels, all ages. Even a singles group.  Come join the fun.

Departs every Friday morning for a 3-4 hour hike during the summer.

Access off Hwy 64 approximately 5 miles on Hwy 64 E from Highlands, NC.  Easy and hard trails. Great parking area.  Turn in off Hwy 64 as if you were going to the north end of Wildcat Country Club. between Highlands and Cashiers.

Check out various websites for local hiking.

276 Arrowmont Trail

Cullowhee, NC 28723
828-743-2762

Open year round.

6420 WhiteWater Rd. (Hwy 281 South)

Sapphire, NC s8774
828.966.9646

Check out Brevard, Asheville, and Mills River for easy driving to specific bike trails from our area.

Check out Brevard 9 trails, Asheville 3, Asheville 1, Black Mtn. 1 Cedar Mountain 1, Franklin 1, Mills River 1,  and Pisgah Forest 1

Website for Clemson, SC hikes.

Cliffside Lake 4 miles west of Highlands on Hwy 64. Turn right at the Van Hook Park.
Download a map with camping and fishing information here   .   For those that want family fun there are hiking trails, picnic shelters, and grills available. Take a long your fishing pole and swim suit.

Fairfield Lake …to be enjoyed by those who have homes or renting in the Fairfield Sapphire Valley Home Owners Association

70 Sapphire Valley Rd.

Sapphire, NC 28774

828-743-7663

Great day camps. Bring along a picnic and learn some of their fun details while having your picnic lunch among the garden.
888 Horse Cove Rd. Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-2623

Highlands Recreation Park:   The always popular place to enjoy a picnic. Don't forget to allow some time to enjoy the playground equipment and take a dip in the pool.
600 North 4th

St. Highlands, NC 28741
828-526.3556

Main Street East out of Highlands. Across from the Highlands Biological Station. 888 Horse Cove Rd. Highlands, NC 28741
Grab a bottle of wine, bread and cheese. Kick off your shoes and enjoy a beautiful view and sunset.
A local favorite!

920 Old Hendersonville Hwy

Brevard, NC 28712
828.862.6700

207 Sapphire Valley Rd. Cashiers, NC
828.743.7663

Maggie Valley North West of Highlands about an hour

207 Sapphire Valley Rd.

Cashiers, NC 28717
828.743.7663

1525 Highway 107 S

Cashiers, NC 28717
828.526.4185

Fabulous hotel and 5 star spa. Shopping arcade, Madison’s Restaurant.
445 Main Street

Highlands, NC 28741
828.526-8008

107 Sapphire Valley Rd.

Cashiers, NC 28717
828.743.1174

Kick off your shoes and enjoy a beautiful view and sunset.  Grab a bottle of wine, bread and cheese.

Main Street East out of Highlands. Across from the Highlands Biological Station.

888 Horse Cove Rd.

Highlands, NC 28741 
A local favorite!

Download a free waterfall map. A must for the navigator for easy mountain driving.

Highest waterfall east of the Rockies dropping 411 feet. Don’t miss it! Also leads to the Foothills Trail.

Dillsboro River Co.
18 Macktown Road

Sylva, NC 28725
866.586.3797

Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Highway 19W
Bryson City, NC 28713
888.590.9266

Wildwater Rafting
Fabulous rafting on the Chattooga River
Long Creek, SC 29658
800.451.9972

Get on your hiking shoes...2155 miles of trails to cover from Maine to Georgia.

304.535.6331

250 rooms - America's largest private home on 8000 acres

Asheville, NC

Click Here to get your children's booklet on the Biltmore. Makes it interesting for younger children. 800.624.1575

Classes for all ages.

Pisgah Forest

100 South Broad Street

Brevard, NC 28712

828.877.3130
828-884-3443

Hands on...11 galleries, 12,000 ft. of all hands on activities for all ages. Mr. Bones, Science Space, Nutri Space, Tam

January 29th – May 5th 2010 Learn about our puzzling world. Stretch the brain.
Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog March 1 – May 16th, 2010  Learn life lessons to help young children navigate their worlds. Be Responsible, Truthful, Have Respect, Play Fair, Work Together, Be a Friend.

Mount Mitchell State Park
At 6684 feet, Mt. Mitchell is the highest point East of the Mississippi. Horse & hiking trails, a museum, restaurant, and observation tower all help you enjoy your view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bring your tent if you wish to camp.
NE of Asheville
828.675.4611

NC Arboretum
acres surrounded by Pisgah Forest. What a way to study NC plant life. See the rare and not so rare plants that only are found in North Carolina
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806-9315
828.665.2492 Ext.426

Car shows, NC Mountain State Fair, garden shows, tractor shows, dog shows, horse shows....Not 2 weeks go by without some type of horse event...If this is your interest, get a calendar of events. Diagonally located across from the Asheville Airport Hwy 26 and Hwy 280.
1301 Fanning Bridge Road

Fletcher, NC 28732
828.687.0401

Don’t Miss These  Park and walk to several.

Asheville Art Museum
2 South Park Square
Asheville, NC 28801-3521
828.253.3227

2 South Pack Square

Asheville, NC

828.257.4500

Astronomy---Gemology---Geology---Meteorology---Oceanography---Paleontology. "Found a rock...and don't know what it is.... free id...with museum ticket call for times
Don't miss this for getting your children young and old excited about science

2 South Park Square
Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-7162

Diana Wortham Theater
See what is happening Asheville's theater schedule. Plays, guest musicians, always a full calendar
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
828.257.4530

Asheville Hot Air Balloons
P O Box 2319
The Grove Park Arcade
One Page Ave
Asheville
828-242-5275

151 W. Weaver Boulevard

Asheville, NC 28804
828.252.5190

Blue Ridge Parkway ....known as one of the prettiest drives there is to make in the fall, you can drive for 469 miles before getting off. It goes through NC and TN. One entrance is very close to the entrance of the Biltmore…just on up the road a ¼ mile.

Grandfather Mountain
Grab your picnic basket and head for the Mile High Swinging Bridge
800.468.7321

Haunted Ghost Tours of America
12 Panorama Road

Asheville, NC 28806
828.337.0645

Linville Caverns
Come visit the fascinating NC Caves.
19929 US 221

North Marion, NC 28752
828.756.4171

Thomas Wolfe Memorial
If you are a fan of novelist Thomas Wolfe, check out his boyhood home. In case you can't remember, he wrote "Look Homeward, Angel". A replica of his NY apartment is here as well.
25 North Market St.
Asheville, NC
828.253.8304

100,000 visitors yearly
A terrrrrific place to learn about nature. Hands on...Attend the Wild Weeks Summer Day camps every summer starting in June to August. Don't miss it. The Nature Center is part of the national program bringing the red fox back to its natural habitat...NC.
75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-5600

YMI Cultural Center
828.252.4614 Learn the history of Western North Carolina multi-cultures. Attend the yearly events held in downtown Asheville...Kwanzaa Party, Goombay Festival, and the Martin Luther King Birthday celebration.
Corner of Eagle and Market Streets
Asheville, NC 28801
Email:  ymicc1@aol.com
828.252.4614

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Harrah's Casino Gambling
777 Casino Dr.
Cherokee, NC 28719
828.497.8792  &  877.778.8138

Native American Museum
Crafts, Events, Pow-Wows, Outdoor Play "Unto These Hills"
B1A Highway 441
Cherokee, NC 28719
828-497-3481

Santa's Land Theme Park
571 Wolfetown Road
Cherokee, NC 28719
828-497-9191 / 828-497-9188

Fun Factory in the Smokies
56,000 square feet of fun! Go-carts, Laser Tag, Miniature Golf, Ferris, Wheel, Arcade Games, Bowling Alley, The fun does not stop there. Also group tours for educational purposes. Restaurants.
Franklin, NC
Coordinates: 35°9'37"N 83°23'24"W
828-349.8888

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
Take a fun trip on a railroad from Dillsboro to Bryson City. Short and a longer dinner ride. Special rides offered at different time of the year on.... The Little Engine That Could, Thomas the Tank Engine, and The Polar Express
226 Everett Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
800-872.4681

Chimney Rock Park
Have you seen the film, "The Last of the Mohicans?" It was filmed in the park. The mountain contains a 26 story elevator...you can check out 75 miles away, there are nature trails to a 404 foot waterfalls...

18 miles NE of Hendersonville.

I 26 Exit 49 A Bat Cave Exit. Stay on Hwy 64E for 15 miles.
800.277.9611

Lake Lure
What every your taste in water rides you may have, you will find it here from cruises, canoes, pontoon, paddleboats, and charters. (East of Hendersonville on I 26.
877-FUN-4ALL

Fun times...May-November
890 Soco Road
Maggie Valley 28751
828.926.1140
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Produces 150.000/year for the mtn. streams  free
198 Fish Hatchery Rd.
Mountain Rest, SC 29664

828-638-2866

Greenville Zoo www.greenvillezoo.com
Fun for smaller children with the petting zoo

150 Cleveland Park Dr.

Greenville, NC 2960

864-467-4300

Dukes World of Energy Museum
7812 Rochester Hwy,
Seneca, SC 29672

800-777-1004

An interactive and Fun for school age kids as they learn how electricity is produced from uranium, water, and coal.