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Discover Gold and a Nugget of History at Reed Gold Mine in Midland, NC

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Have you heard about Reed Gold Mine in Midland, NC? The very first gold ever discovered in the United States was at Little Meadow Creek and what would soon become the Reed Gold Mine. Visit Little Meadow Creek, tour the underground gold mine, and try your hand at panning for gold. Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site is an amazing place to visit. Admission is totally free. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own visit to Reed Gold Mine.

Bridge over Little Meadow Creek

Watch! Come along on our visit to Reed Gold Mine

We learned to pan for gold and ventured unground into the mine!

History of Reed Gold Mine

Where was the first gold in the United States discovered? Right in Cabarrus County, NC at Little Meadow Creek. Really! In 1799, 12-year-old Conrad Reed skipped church to go fishing at Little Meadow Creek where he found a 17-pound gold nugget.

He brought it home to his father but no one realized it was gold for another 3 years when Conrad’s father, John Reed brought the nugget to Fayetteville and sold it to a jeweler for just $3.50, a single week’s wages for the farmer, even though it was actually worth $3,600.

Shortly after this John Reed partnered with some of his neighbors and started mining operations at the creek and surrounding area.

The whole thing sparked this country’s first gold rush. Who knew!? I love discovering new things with my kids.

Seriously cool history happened at Reed Gold Mine and you can see it for yourself!

Reed Gold Mine sign
To the entrance of the underground mine at Reed Gold Mine

Things to See When You Visit Reed Gold Mine

When you first arrive at Reed Gold Mine you’ll pull into the gravel drive and park in the large lot. Then, head to the Visitor’s Center building. Here you’ll be able to grab a free map for a self-guided tour of the mine, both above and underground. If you are interested in panning for gold, this is also where you can purchase tickets for gold panning.

Panning for Gold

If you’d like to try your hand at panning for gold, purchase your tickets at the Visitor’s Center upon arrival. Tickets are $3 per pan of dirt. We were told about 1 in 7 pans actually contains gold. But, each of my 4 kids panned and 3 of them had gold in their pans!

Just take your tickets down the gravel path the short distance to the panning area. There you’ll be given a pan of dirt from Little Meadow Creek. While you won’t find any 17-pound chunks of gold like Conrad Reed, there is still gold to be found and a lot to learn.

The gentlemen who helped us with the panning were a wealth of knowledge about panning for gold and the mine. For example, did you know the phrase “get down to the nitty-gritty” comes from gold mining? The “nitty-gritty” is the pile of rocks and gravel, and maybe gold, left after the dirt is washed away. The gold is denser than the dirt, so even small flakes stay with the “nitty-gritty” as the dirt is swirled and rinsed out of the pan. That makes the nitty-gritty the important part in your pan, hence the saying “get down to the nitty-gritty.”

If you do find gold in your pan, the gentlemen at the panning area will put it into a small vile for you to bring home!

The Reed Gold Mine Tour

Pick up a FREE self-guided tour brochure at the Visitor’s Center. It has an easy-to-follow map of the underground and surface mining areas of Reed Gold Mine, with numbered stations. Just read the short text at each stop and you’ll be learning a lot of gold mining history.

Underground in the Reed Gold Mine

On your tour, you will actually be able to go 50 feet underground into the mine. There you’ll see quartz veins that were followed in search of gold as well as old mining equipment. You’ll also learn about how mining was done in Reed Gold Mine and North Carolina. The self-guided tour page will be extremely helpful as there is nearly no explanatory signage within the mine beyond labels that match the tour sheet.

Things to Remember in the Mine

A note for parents: This is NOT a place to let kids run on ahead. There are old sections of the mind blocked off with boards such that you can see into the old tunnels, but small kids could squeeze through. Stay together.

Worried about being underground? I am not a fan of small spaces so, I was a little worried about going underground. But, really, it was so cool, I didn’t care. The mine is well lit, the paths are gravel and clearly marked, and you don’t need to be underground for a really long time to see everything. That said, I was glad to see the sun again, and it did make me think about the people who spent many hours underground mining quartz veins for gold right in that very spot.

When we are in the area again, I’m definitely going back.

Continue the Reed Gold Mine Tour Above Ground

The tour continues on the surface with a trail that takes you past the surface equipment at the top of the mine shaft, through the area where the small mine town of Brunerville stood, and past mill stones and a stamp mill showing how mining in methods at this site changed over time.

The Visitor’s Center

Inside the Visitor’s Center, you’ll find a small but informative museum on gold, mining at Reed and in the area, as well as other types of mining. It’s not a hands-on type of museum but it’s very informative and interesting to see examples of the equipment used for this work over time. The museum is also free to explore.

Reed Gold Mine Visitors Center

A small gift shop is located at the entrance to the Visitor’s Center and restrooms are located just outside the museum and Visitor’s Center.

What we loved about Reed Gold Mine & Things to Know

  • The grounds and the mine are very well maintained. And, the self-guided tour is extremely informative and interesting. This site would be excellent both as a family adventure or a group field trip.
  • Gold panning is amazing. Even if you don’t find gold, you’ll learn so much science and history about gold mining!
  • Allow about 2 hours to visit everything, more if you really want to take your time.
  • There is a picnic area on site. No food is available for purchase, so do plan to bring your picnic or snacks to enjoy.
  • Admission is free. We LOVE free things to do, especially educational free things to do. Even if you choose to pay for panning, it’s a very inexpensive place to visit.

Reed Gold Mine Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
Panning is available from April through the end of October, weather permitting.

Will you find Carolina gold?

Reed Gold Mine
9621 Reed Mine Road
Midland, NC

Take Your Family on a High-Speed Adventure at ZMAX Dragway in Concord, NC

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Thinking about a visit to ZMAX Dragway in Charlotte, NC? When is the last time you stood up to watch something go 300 mph? Been a long time or maybe never? Then you should plan a trip to the ZMAX Dragway for an NHRA National Event.

We got a chance to visit for an NHRA Nationals Events and couldn’t believe all the things we got to experience. And the best part? Kids are just $10. So your 300 mph family adventure just got a lot more budget-friendly. Here’s everything you need to know.

Watch!: Here’s our visit in one quick video

This post contains affiliate links.

The next NHRA event at ZMAX Dragway is coming soon! Get tickets now for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals: April 26th – 28th, 2024

Thank you to Explore Cabarrus County for providing tickets so we could bring our readers this review!

entrance to ZMAX Dragwa
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Lots of Winter Family Fun at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC

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Are you thinking about snow tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC? Western North Carolina has great snow tubing and Black Bear Snow Tubing is a stellar option for families! They have a huge mountain to get your winter in high gear with a fun snow tubing trip for the whole family! We took a trip up to try out that snow-tubing mountain and it was so much fun! Now we have all the details to share so you can plan your trip!

Media tickets were provided for this review and the opinions are solely those of the author.

Snow tubing at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC

While there aren’t any places to snow tube in the Upstate, SC, there are definitely options nearby and one of them is Black Bear Snow Tubing in nearby Hendersonville, NC, just over an hour from Greenville, SC. The snow tubing family-owned operation has been in business for over seven years and they really have a good thing going there, which I’m going to tell you all about in this story.

Scenes From the Slope

Take a sneak peek at this video at Black Bear Snow Tubing.

Snow Tubing at Black Bear

The slope at Black Bear Snow Tubing is 600 feet long with an 80-foot drop and it’s pretty fast. They make their own snow (unless they get a big snowstorm, which doesn’t happen too often) and the hill is well-maintained by their attentive staff.

How it works is that when you get to Black Bear, you go to a little shed to watch a short safety video, where you learn how to get out of your tube on the run and not to start snowball fights, sign a waiver, and head inside the cozy lodge to pay. Then you get your tubes and head to the hill.

They have a pulley system to get you to the top of the hill, which works by slipping the handle of your tube on a cable that takes you, while sitting inside your tube, right up the hill to the top. Once at the top, you’ll wait for a few minutes before being situated into your group by the staff and then sliding down the hill.

On the snow tube pully at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC
Black Bear Snow Tubing Pulley System

Why Black Bear is Different

I’ve snow tubed at many places in our area and I think Black Bear Snow Tubing is pretty fantastic. Here’s why:

  • You can (and should) make a reservation ahead of time, which is crucial for us in Greenville who need to travel out of state to go snow tubing. It’s quite a bummer to get to our snow tubing place and either find out that they are sold out or having to wait hours for an open slot.
  • The staff is attentive and efficient. They were always around watching the hill to make sure things were running smoothly and safely. When there was a slight backup at the top of the hill, they figured out how to manage to get us all down the hill and back up to keep snow tubing without interruption.
  • The lodge is super cozy and warm and has reasonable concessions. I got a $2 hot chocolate and it was amazing. Plus, they have food, including apple cider donuts, that is affordable and you can get warm by the wood-burning stove inside or watch on the deck if you don’t want to go tubing.
  • The setup takes into account smaller kids. There is playground next to the place where you wait in line to go up the hill so smaller kids can get out their energy and there is a big fire pit also near the waiting area where you can warm up.
  • If you forgot a hat or gloves, they have them for sale inside the lodge. I feel like us parents can relate when our kid gets out of the car to go snow tubing and forgot his or her winter hat.
  • The check-in is fast. This is important because you want to get on the hill and start having fun as soon as possible!
  • Black Bear has excellent communication. They post daily on their Facebook page about current snow conditions, which is super helpful when you’re unsure about the weather.
  • The snow is real. They don’t have any synthetic chemicals in the snow – it’s the real deal.

My kids, ages 11 and 8, and I had such a blast snow tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing. We went down the hill about 10 times (maybe more, I lost count honestly) and had so much fun together. I really love places where adults can carelessly be kids again. My kids are already asking to go back. The hill was super fast and seeing my kids faces light up with joy was special. I love those moments.

Tips on How to Enjoy Snow Tubing at Black Bear

Winter being winter, it’s usually cold when you go snow tubing. I’ve found that bringing hand and foot warmers is a really good trick to keeping everyone warm and comfortable. You can get them at Wal-Mart, Amazon, or most drug stores and they stay warm for hours.

Sliding down in a tube at Black Bear Tubing

It’s also really important to make a reservation when you know you want to go snow tubing. This is especially true during school breaks and holidays. Snow tubing is an awesome family activity on a day off but a lot of people also have the same thought. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

You don’t need to wear snow bibs or snow pants. I had on fleece leggings, hiking boots, and a couple layers of tops with a heavy coat (it was really cold when we went!) and I was fine. I saw people wearing all kinds of clothes that worked for them like pants, leggings, jeans, and sweatpants. The snow wasn’t wet at all when we went but if you go on a warmer day, you may want to bring a change of pants in case they get wet.

There are port-a-potties outside the lodge to use and no bathrooms indoors.

Double-check Black Bear’s Facebook page before heading out. Snow tubing is very dependent on weather, which changes often in the mountains. They will post current conditions and if they are open or closed most days.

Ticket Prices and Policies at Black Bear Snow Tubing

Tickets are $30/hour or $40/two hours for snow tubing. Kids must be 4 years old in order to go snow tubing. You can either sign a waiver when you get to Black Bear Snow Tubing or print one out online ahead of time. Either is fine.

While Black Bear Snow Tubing does take walk-ups, it is much better to make a reservation ahead of time instead of getting there and finding out they are full. Online reservations are fantastic for this very reason so definitely make use of them.

And be sure to check Black Bear Snow Tubing’s Facebook page before heading out to double check they are open and running. Winter tubing runs mid-December through February usually depending on the weather, of course.

And if you want to tube during other times of the year, you totally can! They have warm-weather tubing in the fall.

Black Bear Snow Tubing
373 Kerr Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.685.1155

Want to spend the day in Hendersonville? We’ve got lots of ideas on what to do in this fun town!

Things to Do in Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville is full of family fun.
Check it out!

Kidding Around Guide to Hendersonville

See Historic Planes for FREE! Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville, NC

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Did you know Hendersonville, NC has a FREE airplane museum? The Western North Carolina Air Museum is in a hangar beside a small runway full of historic airplanes. Learn about the history of the planes, how they’re made, and how they fly. There are even aircraft that kids can climb in, explore, and experiment with the controls. If you have an aviation enthusiast in your family, no matter their age, this is not a place you’ll want to skip. Let us introduce you to this amazing little gem in Hendersonville so you can plan your visit soon!

WNC Air Museum planes

What is the Western North Carolina Air Museum?

The museum consists of a single hanger filled to the brim with interesting and historic aircraft, informational exhibits, and knowledgable staff there to answer your questions and explain everything about these planes. There is also an aviation library that takes up almost an entire wall of the hanger, full of information for anyone researching an aviation topic whether it’s historical, technical, or anything in between.

Plane at the WNC Air Museum

Is the WNC Air Museum a Place for Kids?

YES! Definitely bring kids to this museum. Signage at the museum asks parents to supervise their children at all times, which makes sense since there are so many valuable aircraft and exhibits densely packed into the space.

That said there are definitely things for kids to touch, explore, play with, and enjoy. There are photo ops for kids in the form of a wooden painted plane. And your kids may also notice some stuffies doing a little piloting. Both a plane and a gyrocopter are available for kids to climb into the pilot’s seat and move the controls. They’ll actually be able to move the rudder, ailerons, and elevator. This was definitely my kids’ favorite part of the museum.

Kids lpiloting at WNC Air Museum

The staff at the museum were very kind to my kids, answering all their questions and complimenting us on their inquisitiveness and behavior. And really, what parent doesn’t want to hear things like that about their kids?

On our way out, my kids were offered copies of some aviation magazines which they eagerly accepted. Members of the Air Museum donate copies they are done with to the museum so kids can bring them home to learn more.

WNC Air Museum Stuffed Pilots

When Can We Visit the Western North Carolina Air Museum?

The regular hours of the museum are as follows:

  • April – October: Wednesday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm
  • November – March: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm

The museum may also be open for additional hours for special events, like the Hendersonville Apple Festival. Visit the Western North Carolina Air Museum website for special event information.

WNC Air Museum

Getting to the WNC Air Museum

When you plug the address into your GPS or maps app you should have no trouble getting to the museum. It’s located just a few miles from downtown Hendersonville, but the area is residential and you may feel like you’re headed off in the wrong direction. The drive is gravel and you’ll see the hanger from the road.

WNC Air Museum entrance

Western North Carolina Air Museum
1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville
FREE admission and parking

Free Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC

There are so many more free and fun adventures in Hendersonville, NC!

Here’s our list of totally free fun in Hendersonville, NC.

Huge Catawba Science Center is a Fun Day Trip in Hickory, NC

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The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC has so much to explore! See animals, build, learn about physics, space, gardens and more! We checked it out and have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day here as a day trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!

Catawba Science Center

Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips according to where my family can get in for free or half-price using the reciprocal membership benefits. The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC was on the list so that’s where we went. 

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10 Fabulous Things to Do in Gastonia, North Carolina

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Looking for a town to explore on a day trip? Just an hour from the Upstate is Gastonia, NC. We discovered this town is full of things to do. There is a fabulous museum, parks, and some of the best milkshakes in the country according to USA Today. Since Gastonia is so close to the Upstate it makes a great day trip!

Looking for more fun in the area? Check Out The Ultimate Guide To Fun With Kids in Charlotte, North Carolina

Mile high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain

Looking for more day trip ideas near Greenville, SC? We have your Ultimate Guide to Day Trips Near the Upstate.

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See Dinosaurs, Critters, Minerals, and More At The Schiele Museum of Natural History In Gastonia, North Carolina

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Have you visited the Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium? Located in Gastonia, North Carolina the museum makes a great day trip. Expect to have a spectacular time exploring exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, animals, critters, nature and so much more! If you haven’t been yet, you should definitely add it to your museum bucket list.

Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium near Gastonia, North Carolina

Thank you to the Schiele Museum for providing admission to the museum so we could bring this review to our readers! The words and opinions in this article are those of the writer.

Read our Guide to Fun in Gastonia, NC for more fun you can have while visiting the museum.

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Fall Fun for the Whole Family at Strawberry Hill

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If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family this fall in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, Strawberry Hill Farm needs to be on your list. In fact, it should probably be on your bucket list every year.

Strawberry Hill and Cooley Farms have been family-owned and operated since 1947, and they truly understand and value families. With a cafe, ice cream shop, and produce stand of fresh pumpkins, jellies, jams, corn, and more, you’ll find plenty to satisfy your cravings. Plus, the hay ride and corn maze provide more than enough entertainment and memory-making for a couple of hours.

We visited one late morning in September and quickly discovered we weren’t the only ones who found this local gem. We wandered around the Shed, took plenty of photos, and went on the hay ride. If you’re thinking of visiting Strawberry Hill Cooley Farms, I’ve compiled lots of info and details for you below, including some extra tips before you go.

Strawberry Hill Farm Pumpkins

The Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor at Strawberry Hill

While we personally didn’t visit the cafe or ice cream parlor during our trip, it was PACKED and had a long line out front. Clearly, it is popular with families around the Upstate. The ice cream parlor has 32 flavors of freshly churned ice cream made with fruit straight from the farm. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch and has a variety of items to choose from. Breakfast is served until 10:30 am.

The Shed at Strawberry Hill

We parked at the Shed, and our toddler was immediately excited about all the pumpkins she could see from the car. Strawberry Hill has a large variety of pumpkins in all shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from. Not to mention their large supply of jellies, jams, boiled peanuts, and other snacks. They even had 3 flavors of slushies while we were there: Apple, Blackberry, and Peach. We grabbed a Peach Slushie to enjoy on our hay ride. It was delicious!

Strawberry Hill Shed in Chesnee

If you wander outside of the Shed covering, you’ll discover more pumpkins and some other fun things to bide your time. You’ll find a couple of tractors, a swing, and stacks of hay bales and pumpkins that are styled for the perfect fall photo op.

Strawberry Hill Farm store

The Hay Ride at Strawberry Hill

If you want to go on one of the hay rides, purchase your tickets in the Shed. Each ticket includes a trip to the playground, opportunity to feed the big cows, visit some other farm animals, go down the GIANT slide, and access to the big jumping pillow. We weren’t really sure what to expect, but we’re glad we went on it!

Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll wait until your group is called, and then you’ll board the wagon. Don’t worry about getting itchy by sitting on bales of hay—Strawberry Hill has cleverly covered the hay bales in plastic for your comfort.

Strawberry Hill farm animals

The tractor and wagon will take you through Strawberry Hill’s property, giving you fun facts along the way. (Fun fact we learned: they plant their strawberries by hand every single year! This was mind-blowing to me because their strawberry field is massive).

Strawberry Hill play space on the hay ride

While on the hay ride, you’ll see cows and get the chance to feed them a little treat! Then, the tractor will drop you off at an exclusive area that’s only accessible for those who hop on the hay ride. You’ll find more farm animals to pet (Queen Victoria, the farm’s pig, was a big hit!), a sandbox, seesaws, a variety of games, several large slides, the pumpkin patch, and a giant Jumping Pillow! 

Strawberry Hill in the fall

Once you and your kids are done playing, you can hop back on a wagon to head back to the Shed.

The Corn Maze at Strawberry Hill

Strawberry Hill has 3 corn mazes: two larger ones and one kiddie maze. The two larger corn mazes take 20-30 minutes to complete, and the kiddie maze takes about 20 minutes. While they have offered the maze during the evening in the past, they are not offering night mazes in 2023.

Corn maze at Strawberry Hill

Admission Cost & Hours for Strawberry Hill

Hayride Only

  • Cost: $15 per person over 2 years old
  • September 2023 Hours: (Opens September 30, 2023)
    • Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm
  • October 2023 Hours (last day is October 30th):
    • Fridays 1 pm – 5 pm (October 20th and 27th only)
    • Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 11 am – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm

Corn Maze Only

  • Cost: $10 per person 8+ years old, $8 for those over 3 years old
  • Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
    • *Last corn maze entry at 6 pm

Hayride & Corn Maze Combo Ticket

  • $20 per person over 3 years old (Combo tickets for 2-year-olds will only pay for the hayride)

Tips for Visiting Strawberry Hill

  • Wear closed-toe shoes if you plan on visiting the Corn Maze and/or go on a hay ride. It’s sandy, dirty, and—well, there are farm animals.
  • If you plan on going on the hay ride, dress your kids in play clothes and not their Sunday best. Between the large sandbox, slides, and petting zoo, they’re bound to get dirty.
  • Use the restroom before you go on the hay ride.
  • Be prepared for lines and a wait at the Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor.
  • Keep in mind that no pets are allowed on the hay ride or at the corn maze.

Strawberry Hill Cooley Farms

Strawberry Hill Shed at Cooley Farms
3097 Hwy 11 W, Chesnee
Sunday-Saturday 8 am – 8 pm

Strawberry Hill Cafe & Ice Cream
3092 Hwy 11 W, Chesnee
Cafe Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 am – 2:30 PM
Ice Cream Hours: Monday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

Guide to Fall in Greenville, SC

Looking for more fall fun? Check out our guide to things to do in the Fall near Greenville!

Check out our Fall Guide to Greenville | Pumpkin Patches in Greenville | Corn Mazes in Greenville

Fall Snow Tubing is a Real Thing at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC

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Did you know you can “snow” tube in the fall at Black Bear Snow Tubing? You can! No snow is required thanks to Black Bear’s super-fast tubing mat, the only one like it in the United States! We got to visit Black Bear and try this “snow” tubing and let us tell you, fall snow tubing is where it’s at. Move over pumpkins, there’s a new fall favorite in town. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to Black Bear Snow Tubing this fall.

Thanks to Black Bear Snow Tubing for providing tickets so we could bring this review to our readers.

Fall snow tubing opens September 2, 2023, at Black Bear Tubing!

Tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC

How can you snow tube without snow?

The special green and white mat in use at Black Bear comes all the way from Germany. Purchased for use at Black Bear because this mat outperforms all its competitors when it comes to speed. In the winter the mat is covered in snow, but in the fall, you can tube right on the mat.

This means even in warm winters with little snow, tubing is still an option for family fun. So, what we have learned is, snow is not required for super speedy “snow” tubing runs.

Black Bear Tubing Run

Fall is awesome at Black Bear Snow Tubing

No crowds, fewer lines, fun music, and a pretty view of changing leaves across the valley make fall an awesome time to visit Black Bear Snow Tubing. You’ll get more rides down the hill in your tubing time than in the winter. It’s not cold. It’s not wet.

You can even get yourself some apple cider donuts, coffee, or cocoa and enjoy them on the covered rocking chair back porch, overlooking the tubing hill. We tried it and we are convinced, fall is perfect for snow tubing!

Black Bear Tubing fun

Tickets for Black Bear Snow Tubing

Purchase Black Bear tickets for one hour or two hours of tubing online. Walk-ups are also available in the less busy fall season.

  • Summer tubing, without snow, runs weekends through October 29th, 2023.
  • Winter tubing, with snow, runs weekends beginning mid-December. (If the weather is too warm for snow, tubing will still be open using the mat.)
Black Bear Tubing Lodge

Visiting Black Bear

First off, we love nearby Hendersonville, NC, and the drive up from downtown to Black Bear Tubing through the changing leaves was gorgeous. When you arrive at Black Bear, just follow the signs to park and then head towards the fun!

Visit the video shed first where you’ll watch a very short safety video. It’s just a couple of minutes long and it plays on a loop. While you’re there, sign the waiver for yourself and the kids.

Bring your waiver across to the lodge where you’ll pay, get your stickers, and also where you can purchase treats and beverages like apple cider donuts, coffee drinks, cocoa, and more.

Video Shed Tubing Video Shed

When you’re ready to tube, you’ll head down the stairs, grab your tube and jump in the line for the tube tugging line that will bring you to the top of Black Bear’s 600-foot-long tubing run. Staff will hook you onto the line.

At the top, you’ll be unhooked from the line and then walk your tube to the run. Staff will help you get your tube into position and push you off down the 80ft vertical drop.

Black Bear Tubing at the top of the hill

Up to 4 people can go down the run at a time, and you can hang onto other tubes if you want to all go together. Want extra fun? Just ask the staff at the top to spin you going down.

Once you’re at the bottom, pull your tube back over to the tube tugging line and you’ll be off on another run before you know it.

At the bottom of the hill at Black Bear Snow Tubing

Clean portapotties are available beside the video shed, as well as an outdoor handwashing station.

Who can tube at Black Bear?

  • First, kids under 4, and under 35 lbs, cannot be on the slope. They can use the slope-side playground for some fun while bigger kids tube.
  • Second, kids ages 4 to 6 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Third, there is a maximum weight of 300 lbs.
Playground at Black Bear Tubing

My kids, ages 11 and 14, had a blast. Initially, my 14-year-old was a little not sure he wanted to come, thinking it was not going to be very exciting and that he was too old for such things. He was so glad he came. And, in fact, we saw lots of adults taking runs down the slope, too. I had planned to go down once or twice, just to be thorough in my review, and ended up going down a lot more because it was really fun!

It’s one of those life things that are just plain fun for anyone. Escape from whatever is bugging you to the fresh air and whip down that hill on a tube. Laugh with the kids. Enjoy them, even as teens and preteens, asking you to go down the run with them. There are not enough moments like that in the world, if you ask me.

Tube tugging line at Black Bear Snow Tubing

Our Review

We really loved the family atmosphere at Black Bear. They do not allow alcohol or any open profanity. All the staff were super friendly and helpful. When I wasn’t tubing myself, I could clearly see where my kids were at all times from the covered porch. It was really brilliantly arranged for a couple of hours of low-stress family fun.

Tubing on the mat was really fun. No heavy coats, no wet gloves. It was all the fun of snow tubing without the cold, with the added benefit of short lines and no crowds. We had a great time and think you’ll enjoy it, too!

Plan Your Trip to Black Bear Tubing

  • 1-hour tickets are $30 each, and 2-hour tickets are $40 each. (2023 prices)
  • Open until October 29th for summer tubing, and then opening mid-December for winter snow tubing.
  • Saturday: Open at 10 am, last ticket is for 7 pm. Sunday: Open at 12 pm, last ticket is for 5 pm.

Black Bear Snow Tubing
373 Kerr Road, Hendersonville, NC
Black Bear Snow Tubing Facebook


Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC.

Discover Hendersonville!

Check out all the things you don’t want to miss in our Hendersonville, NC Guide.

You Can Fly Like a Bird (but without wings) in Concord, NC

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Have you heard of iFly in Concord, NC? If you’re looking for something totally amazing to do with your family, and you’ve ever thought that it would be cool to fly (not in a plane) but like a bird, this is a place you’ll want to check out.

Your flight dreams can be a reality now at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Concord, NC. Not only will we give you all the details, but we tried it ourselves so we also have the inside scoop on what to expect and how to prepare your kids.

Thank you to Explore Cabarrus for hosting us and iFLY for providing us with this experience.

iFly

What is iFLY?

iFLY is an indoor skydiving simulator where you enter a wind tunnel that is strong enough to allow you to float in the air. In fact, experienced flyers can even perform tricks such as flips.

How does iFLY work?

To fly, you reserve a time online and sign a waiver. Kids 3 and up with a parent are allowed to fly, but it may be a little frightening for some children (more on that later).

Once it’s your turn, you will be suited up in a protective suit, protective eyewear, and helmet. Be prepared to remove all jewelry (including rings) and anything that could come off of your person. You also will not be able to take your phone or camera into the wind tunnel area (this is a safety precaution).

Your flight instructor will then go over basic safety instructions with you and you will watch a short orientation video followed by a review with your instructor. This time mostly focuses on teaching you how to position your body and what hand signals your instructor will use to communicate with you.

After you are ready, you will be escorted into the wind tunnel lobby. This area is sealed off for safety and has a bench where your group can watch the flight. Your instructor will then demonstrate how to enter and exit the tunnel.

Your instructor then allows you to go in the tunnel one at a time. He will hold you and keep you in position until you are steady enough to float. The first flight is often focused on helping you figure out how to position your body. Many people fly more than once in order to gain confidence and the ability to move around in the chamber.

We each had one minute in the tunnel. It did seem really short but it was a neat experience.

iFly kids

Will kids enjoy iFLY?

Our children were 11 and 8. Our 11-year-old really enjoyed it but our 8-year-old became frightened during the experience. The instructor noticed that she was distressed and removed her from the tunnel.

The air does blow extremely hard, and my 8-year-old felt like she couldn’t breathe. It was just the sensation of the air but it was frightening for her.

The instructor did convince her to go back in after our family had finished. They turned down the fans so that she could walk around the chamber and so that she wasn’t frightened. I was glad that they did this so that she could finish with a positive experience.

Pricing and Location

iFLY is not cheap, but it is an interesting and unique experience and we were impressed by the knowledge and care of the staff.

We only had one flight each, and I would recommend purchasing at least two so that you have a chance to get familiar with the process first and then can utilize those skills.

You can find pricing on the iFLY website. There are a number of packages that allow you to get more flights for a discounted cost.

7840 Lyles Lane NW
Concord, NC 28027

704.851.4359

Have you ever visited iFLY before? What was your opinion?