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Posts Tagged ‘Day Trips’

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

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 28th – 30th, 2023

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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20+ Adorable Farms & Petting Zoos: Pet & Play With Animals

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Think a fun day would be an adventure with your family to a farm or petting zoo near you? It’s hard to resist a photo of your child petting or interacting with a cute animal at a farm or petting zoo.

I know what you are thinking, “are there any petting zoos near me?”

Yes! There are quite a few! We’ve pulled together a huge list of petting zoos and farms where you can interact with animals. These farms and petting zoos are located near Greenville, SC, in Western North Carolina, Northern Georgia, as well as in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. So wherever you are, find a petting zoo near you, or a farm that makes a great day trip.

Petting zoos and farms in Greenville, SC

Our list includes places open year-round places to pet animals, plus seasonal farms, and mobile and event-based petting zoos. We have tried to make sure these are places that treat their animals kindly and with respect as well. If we missed any, let us know in the comments.

Is There a Petting Zoo Near Me?

Yes, there probably is a petting zoo on this list near you! Use the links below to navigate this list by location.

View Petting Zoos and Farms by Location:
Petting Zoo: Greenville, SC
Petting Zoo: Western North Carolina
Petting Zoo: Columbia, SC
Petting Zoo: Charlotte, NC
Petting Zoo: Northern Georgia
Seasonal Petting Zoos in the Carolinas
Mobile Petting Zoos Serving Upstate, SC

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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 seven years and they really have a good thing going there, which I’m going to tell you all about in this story.

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 for Kids Who Love Cars Across the Carolinas

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Got a kid who loves cars and looking for activities to do around North and South Carolina? Because we’re located in an area where there are many car lovers, there are plenty of things to do and see. From museums to events to drag ways and speedways, your little car enthusiast will have so much oohing and aahing over classic cars, concept cars, race cars, and so much more. We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best things to do across the Carolinas for the kid who loves cars.

Things to Do for Kids Who Love Cars

BMW Zentrum Museum

The BMW Zentrum Museum in Greer is a one-of-a-kind experience for any car enthusiast. Visitors get to experience BMW from its beginnings in aviation and motorsports to where it is now on a global scale. You’ll see BMW’s milestones, rare vehicles from the past such as the famous Isetta “Bubblecar”, and restored classics. You’ll also be able to explore current BMW vehicles through modern-day exhibits and displays. For safety purposes, vehicle doors remain locked in the museum. The museum itself is self-guided, but you can book guided tours of the plant and factory if you prefer that. 

BMW Zentrum Museum Visit Details:

  • Hours: Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Museum, Plant, and Factory close during major holidays. Please refer to the BMW Zentrum website for details.
  • Cost: Free
  • Groups in the same family are limited to 10 or less people.
  • Social Distancing and limited guest capacity are enforced.
  • Masks are optional.
  • The Isetta Café is open and operating at full-service.

1400 Highway 101 S, Greer
864.802.6000

Cars and Coffee Greenville

Cars and Coffee is an Upstate SC gathering for car enthusiasts that takes place on the 4th Saturday of each month. Visitors have the opportunity to see sports cars, exotic cars, classic cars, and more. The gathering takes place in a Michelin parking lot, so the Michelin cafeteria is open for visitors to grab a coffee and various pastries. 

Cars and Coffee Details:

  • When: Every 4th Saturday of the month
  • Hours: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
  • Cost: Free

298 North America Way, Greenville

Read our review of Cars and Coffee.

Things to See at Cars & Coffee

More Car Shows

Local car groups and organizations frequently organize car shows at local venues. They are often free and sometimes include other fun things to do like trunk or treats at Halloween or benefit charities, like toy drives around Christmas.

To find car shows near you, check online and on Facebook. In Upstate, SC, you’ll find a list of some of the upcoming car shows at Upstate Car Shows.

Greer Dragway

The Greer Dragway, established in 1957,  features a 1/8th mile concrete and asphalt strip and has Grudge Racing every Thursday and Bracket Racing every Saturday. There’s a weather radar, a concession stand, and clean restrooms on the premises. 

1792 Dragway Road, Greer
864.879.4634

Greenville-Pickens Speedway

Located in Easley, the Greenville-Pickens Speedway features a half-mile of asphalt to give your entire family an experience they won’t forget. The track hosts weekly NASCAR-sanctioned races, which is bound to give any car enthusiast starry-eyes. In addition to racing, the Speedway offers events throughout the year, including the Upstate Holiday Lights Show.

Greenville-Pickens Speedway Visit Details:

800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley
864.295.5764

Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in Concord, NC, is a motorsport complex featuring a 1.5 mile quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing. Events include the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, The Bank of America Roval 400 in October, and more. Ticket prices range from event to event, so it’s best to see the Charlotte Motor Speedway website for ticket details.

5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord
800.455.3267

There’s more to explore in Cabarrus County.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

zMAX Dragway

Affectionately known as “The Bellagio of Race Tracks,” the zMAX Dragway in Concord, NC is a venue at Charlotte Motor Speedway featuring the world’s first 4-lane drag strip for NHRA races and other events. Ticket prices range from event to event, so it’s best to see the Charlotte Motor Speedway website for ticket details.

Here’s our review of zMAX Dragway.

6570 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC
704.455.3200

AutoBarn Classic Cars 

AutoBarn Classic Cars is a 60,000-square-foot indoor showroom located at the Gibson Mill community gathering spot in Concord. It’s just a 10-minute drive away from Charlotte Motor Speedway and is a great place to browse classic and concept cars. And for an added bonus, race cars and classic memorabilia are up for sale.

325 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC
800.650.1055

Morrison Motor Car Museum 

Morrison Motor Car Musem is full of sports and muscle cars. There are more than 50 cars featured in this exhibit, all from the past century. There’s also a gift shop and opportunities to buy a collector car such as a Mustang or Camaro on the property’s lot.

Morrison Motor Car Museum Details:

  • Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 am – 4 pm // Saturday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
  • Ticket Cost: General Admission $8 // Seniors and Children under age 5 $6

4545 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC
704.788.9500

Streetside Classics

This showroom carries an impressive collection of street classics. Guests can view street rods, muscle cars, vintage cars, and more. The 70,000-square-foot showroom has over 300 classic cars that are up for sale.

Streetside Classics Visit Details:

  • Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 6 pm // Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

800 Derita Road Suite A, Concord, NC
704.598.2130

Mustang Owner’s Museum

The perfect place for Mustang lovers! Mustangs grace the museum’s displays, with various modified vehicles displayed throughout the year. The museum also hosts car shows and cruise events like the “Best of the Best Car Show’ and the “Mustang Chili & Cornbread Cook-Off.”

Mustang Owner’s Museum Visit Details:

  • Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm // Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm *Closed major holidays
  • Ticket Cost: Adults $10 // Children 12 & under Free

4005 Dearborn Place NW, Concord, NC
980.439.5653

Curb Motorsports Museum

Dale Earnhardt’s No. 2 car can be seen at Curb Motorsports Museum! The Curb Museum features a collection of NASCAR and Indy cars. The museum also holds cars that wrote pages in the motorsport history book including the car that Dale Earnhardt drove when he won his first Winston Cup Championship.

600 Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Kannapolis, NC
704.938.6121

There more to explore in Kannapolis, NC.

NC Transportation Museum

The NC Transportation Museum, located in the former Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops, is a transportation lover’s dream. The museum features history about all types of transportation: railroads, automotives, aviation, and more. Visitors will see the Barber Junction Depot  (a train station built in 1898), the Bob Julian Roundhouse (the largest remaining roundhouse in North America featuring locomotives, passenger railcars, and a replica of the Wright Flyer), and so much more. The museum offers several seasonal and holiday events, including The Polar Express Train Ride.

NC Transportation Museum Details:

  • Museum Hours:
    • Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
    • Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm
    • Beginning November 11, museum hours change to accommodate The Polar Express Train Rides. Please refer to the museum’s website for details.
  • Train Hours:
    • Regular museum train rides do not operate November 7 – December 26 for The Polar Express Train Rides..
    • Please refer to the museum’s website for details.
  • Museum Visit Tickets: Adults: $6 // Seniors and Military: $5 // Children 3-12: $4 // Members and Children Under 3: FREE
  • Museum Visit + Train Ride Tickets: Adults: $12 // Seniors and Military: $10 // Children 3-12: $8 // Members and Children Under 3: FREE

1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
704.636.2889

Did we miss any other car-related activities to do around the Carolinas? Tell us below.

See Minerals Glow in the Dark at the Emerald Village Mine in Little Switzerland, NC

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Did you know Emerald Village Mine has a cave where you can see minerals glow in the dark? If you’re looking for a bucket list adventure in Western North Carolina, the Black Light Tour at the Emerald Village mine near Little Switzerland, NC is it. Kidding Around’s Kristina took her kids for this unique experience and tells us about it. 

I thought Geology was a pretty boring subject until we studied it for a homeschool science unit. I was completely taken with the cool rocks, how the cycle of minerals, magma, and sedimentary rocks form. I loved learning about the chemical makeup of minerals. And when I took my kids to the Geology Museum at Clemson, the fluorescent black light room was a favorite. So when I heard that the Emerald Village Mine near Little Switzerland, North Carolina, was offering a very limited Black Light Mine Tour, I was in. I didn’t hesitate to get tickets when they went on sale back in the early spring and good thing, because they immediately sold out. 

So start planning your 2023 adventure right now! As of January 29, 2023, tickets are now on sale for the 2023 season.

Glowing minerals
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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 Cooley Farms 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 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 11 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 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 one pumpkin from the pumpkin patch that you’ll visit on the hay ride. 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 (new this year!) 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 2022.

Corn maze at Strawberry Hill

Admission Cost & Hours for Strawberry Hill

Hayride Only

  • Cost: $15 per person over 2 years old
  • September 2022 Hours:
    • Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm
  • October 2022 Hours (last day is October 30th):
    • Fridays 1 pm – 5 pm (October 14th, 21st, and 28th only)
    • Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 11 am – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm

Corn Maze Only

  • Cost: $9 per person over 3 years old
  • Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
    • *Last corn maze entry at 6 pm

Hayride & Corn Maze Combo Ticket

  • $18 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 – Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm, Thursday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

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

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
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French Broad Chocolate Factory Tour: Bean to Bar in Asheville, NC

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Have you heard of French Broad Chocolate? The Asheville, NC-based chocolate company gives tours of their factory complete with a chocolate tasting. And while you won’t see any Oompa Loompa’s on this tour, or float down a river of chocolate on your way to rooms in the factory, you will learn where cacao beans come from and see how French Broad Chocolate turns the beans into their delicious bars, bonbons, and sipping chocolate. We attended the Bean-to-Bar tour and we have everything you’ll want to know about this educational and delicious family activity.

Thanks to French Broad Chocolate Factory and Cafe for providing complimentary tickets so we could bring this review to our readers.

Cacao Beans waiting to be made into chocolate at French Broad Chocolate
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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? Located in Gastonia, North Carolina the museum makes a great day trip. Kidding Around’s Melanie had a lot of fun visiting the museum with her children. They enjoyed 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.

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 that 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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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 hanger beside a small runway full of historic airplanes. Learn about the history of the planes, how their made and how they fly. There are evern air craft that kids can climb in, explore, and experiment with the controls. If you have an aviation enthusiast in your family, no matter they 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 intersting and historic air craft, informational exhbitis, 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 its historic, technical or anything inbetween.

Plane at the WNC Air Museum

Is the 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 densly packed into the space.

That said there are definitey 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 avaition 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 additional hours for special events, like the Hendersonville Apple Festival. VIsit the Western North Carolina Air Museum website for special events 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. Its 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

Charlotte Guides