Travel NC With Kids: free things to do in nc

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Saturday, July 8, 2017

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area - Beautiful View!

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area © Katrena

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, located between Jefferson and West Jefferson in Ashe County, offers visitors quite a few opportunities to see the surrounding areas from a higher elevation. The park can be seen from the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. There is no charge to enter this park. This destination was a planned stop for my crew on the way to Boone, North Carolina.

Hiking Trails Near West Jefferson, NC © Katrena

The park offers several hiking trails; those with mobility issues will be delighted to find that the road offers several viewing area overlooks that can be seen from beside the road. Please note that the climb in elevation can be pretty hard on a vehicle with a small engine. Mine has a 4-cylinder and only made it to the first parking area. If you are traveling with a heavy load or small engine or both (as I was), I highly recommend stopping in West Jefferson for a few hours to cool the engine before attempting the climb in the automobile.

Beautiful Hiking Trails at Mount Jefferson in NC © Katrena

The park rangers were awesome at Mount Jefferson. They were very welcoming, offered water for my radiator, gave us info and a map about the park trails, and were very nice to my daughters. We visited in early July and the weather was wonderful with temps in the 70s and 80s with much lower humidity than our home town.

Plants Along Hiking Trail at Mt Jefferson State Natural Area © Katrena

The folks working at Mount Jefferson did mention there had been some black bear activity a couple of days before our visit but that the bear had not approached any people. We opted not to take any food with us on the hike due to this information, deciding to only carry water bottles. No, we didn't see any bears while visiting the park. Black bears aren't typically aggressive like grizzly bears, but any time you visit a state park or any outdoor area, it is always best to respect nature and to be aware of your surroundings.

Sunrise Overlook at Mount Jefferson © Katrena

I'm not sure the name of the first trail - I believe it has recently been built. It started at the lower parking lot and Welcome Center and wound its way up to the Sunrise Overlook. The trail is easy to miss unless you know where to go; simply walk to the main park sign (see photo at the top of this article) across from the parking lot and the trail begins immediately behind the sign.

Sunrise Overlook at Mt Jefferson State Natural Area © Katrena

This first trail is fairly narrow, allowing for a single-file line, but it is well-maintained. Although the trail works its way up the mountain, much of the trail is pretty level as hikers walk for a while and then turn and go up a ways and then walk in the opposite direction, similar to the way roads are designed when climbing a mountain. The trail was shaded, and we saw some beautiful plants and some large snails - I wish I had thought to take some pictures of the snails!

Sunrise Overlook at NC Park Near West Jefferson © Katrena

The first trail ends at Sunrise Overlook, an area beside the road offering a pretty view of the area. There are several picnic tables at the overlook. This would be an ideal place for a picnic with a nice view. On the day we visited, there was very little traffic on the road and only a handful of hikers that we saw.

View from Sunrise Overlook at Mt Jefferson © Katrena

The other trail we traversed was Spur Trail. If you are standing at the Sunrise Overlook and turn your back to the view, you will find the trail head of Spur Trail directly across the road. This trail would also be easy to miss, but once you are on either of these trails, it is very easy to stay on the trail as they were marked and maintained. There was one place where the Spur Trail split - stay to the left if you want to go to Sunset Overlook.

Spur Trail at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area © Katrena

The Spur Trail was very similar to the first trail. The vast majority of the trail was shaded, and it was also narrow, allowing for a single-file line. I think this one did not climb as much in elevation. There must have been a significant microburst or something as we could see a few trees that had been blown down on this second trail in one section.

Seed Pod that Looked like Starfish at Mt. Jefferson © Katrena

Both trails included several steps made from stones, so these trails would not be a good choice for someone with mobility challenges or for a stroller, but you can opt to drive to the lookouts. We saw a pretty bird nest on this trail and some seed pods that looked sort of like starfish. The ranger would have likely been able to identify those seed pod, but I forgot to ask when we arrived back at the Welcome Center.

Hiking Trail at Mt Jefferson © Katrena

The second trail ended at Sunset Overlook, which was also flanked by a road; this one included a larger parking area. We saw a bench dedicated in memory to someone who must have been very special and also an information board. The view here was impressive and expansive as well.

Sunset Overlook at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area © Katrena

Both of the trails were one-way paths, so we hiked the opposite direction to get back to the parking lot at the Welcome Center. We invested about two hours hiking while taking our time to stop and enjoy the scenery. I believe we only saw about the lower half of the park - several trails were above where we hiked that also had parking areas, picnic tables, and bathrooms fairly nearby. According to the web site, the trails are all moderate or strenuous.

Beautiful View from Mount Jefferson © Katrena

If you would like a map, directions, hours, history, or to learn more about this area, visit the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area web site. They also offer events such as Painting in the Park, Backyard Pharmacy, and more at Mount Jefferson. If you are visiting NC State Parks, I highly recommend the NC State Parks passport program - children and adults can get a "passport" and get it stamped as you visit the various parks.

Bird Nest Along Spur Trail at Mt Jefferson © Katrena

Thanks for visiting Travel NC With Kids! You may wish to read additional articles about other state parks we have visited such as:

Berries Along Spur Trail in Mt Jefferson NC Hiking Trail © Katrena

Thursday, May 22, 2014

14 Fun Family Freebie Summer Activities in North Carolina

Looking for fun family activities and boredom busters that won't break the bank? I've got you covered! These activities do not charge an admission fee, so the main cost involved would include gas money and any extras you might want to purchase. By saving money on free admission, you might consider supporting some local businesses while you are out!

Here's my quick list of free and fun family summer activities in 2014 in no particular order – feel free to mention your own favorite free summer activities in the comments section below!

NC State Parks - free summer activity © Katrena

Go hiking at a NC State Park

Hanging Rock State Park offers trails to three waterfalls, several trails that go up to peaks or meander around the beautiful scenic area. South Mountains State Park offers a very fun, interactive educational welcome center and a really nice handicap accessible trail by the water. My kids loved the climb to get to see the beautiful waterfall up there. There are nearly 40 state parks in North Carolina – it is pretty likely that one may be near you!

NC Museum of Natural Sciences - Photo by Mark Turner

Visit the NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Yep - admission to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh is free. They have exhibits, collections, educational programs, and more. If summer days are sweltering or rainy, it's also great to have an indoor activity on the potential list of fun freebies! You might also catch one of their traveling educational programs in your area.

Summer Reading Programs at Public Library © Katrena

Sign up for your public library summer reading program

The library is chock full of so many resources! Of course they have books, but you can also check out music, books on CD, movies, and many now offer eBooks that do not require something like a Kindle to read. Our area library provides a password to access NC Live, a huge database of resources with web pages that one would normally have to pay to access. While signing up for the reading program, check out their schedule of programs – we've seen a wide variety of programs from Mad Science to musical programs to magic shows and about everything in between. Kids that continue to read all summer feed their brains even when they are out of school!

Check out your local Smart Start office

This program is not Head Start – for years I thought they were the same, but they are not. Your local Smart Start office offers all sorts of educational and fun resources for parents, caregivers, and kids. If you are searching for childcare options, this office may provide quite a few tips for helping you to make a wise choice. Our local Smart Start office has a toy library where people can check out toy kids for the kids sort of like one might check out library books. You might find information there or at the library about Dolly Pardon's Imagination Library program in which kids receive a free book in the mail monthly up to age five.

Lewisville NC Free Outdoor Drama © Katrena

Go out to an outdoor drama

Wait...an outdoor drama is not free, or is it? Well, you'll have to pay an admission price for most outdoor dramas, but there are a few free ones out there. Lewisville is offering a free outdoor musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in early to mid-June. Asheville features Montford Park Players, a non-profit production that relies on donations as people enjoy Shakespeare productions. You might have to do a little searching, but there are some free outdoor dramas out there.

Mocksville Cruise In Free Car Show © Katrena

Cruise over to a car show in Mocksville

Don't they charge admission to get in car shows? Well, some do charge, but Mocksville offers a large free Cruise In on the first and third Monday each month during warmer months. Listen to some older music and check out some cool rides. Lots of folks will give you a little history about their vehicle if you ask. Here are the Mocksville Cruise In 2014 dates.

Hunt for barn quilts in Iredell County

Barn quilts are becoming quite popular in the Tarheel state. Iredell County is dappled with splashes of colorful barn quilts throughout much of the county. I believe the Quilt Trails facebook page is still available with pictures, but I'm not sure that the page is active. We found a helpful brochure at our local Chamber of Commerce that provided pictures and directions for quite a few barn quilts in Iredell County. If you go to your local Chamber of Commerce, you might get some excellent tips for additional fun family activities in your area. You decide to visit Iredell County again in October to see their Balloon Festival and Night Glow.

Enjoy a movie under the stars

Several county parks and recreation departments now offer family-friendly entertainment options, including movie nights under the stars at a park. Many of the movies are fairly new – for example, Salisbury Parks and Recreation is offering Frozen, Despicable Me II, and the Lego Movie in 2014. There's nothing like the excitement of watching a movie on a big screen with a group of family and friends! Many movie theaters offer summer movie programs in which you can enjoy lower prices and some air conditioning. One of our favorite movie theaters in the state is the Gem Theater, an old theater in Kannapolis with an upstairs balcony that is very near Village Park, which also shows movies in the park and has fireworks on select dates.

Peer at a meteor shower

Pull out the lawn chairs and hang out with the kids in the back yard. Meteor showers can be a blast to watch, especially if the kids see lots of those shooting stars! It looks like early morning on May 24 and the night of August 12 would be the best bets for the summer of 2014. If you are enjoying a staycation with the kids, you might try setting up a tent and camping in the back yard or visiting my Wildflower Bouquets site map for my scavenger hunts, printables, and fun game ideas.

Visit a local park

County parks often offer a wide range of recreational activities. Some recreation departments will let folks check out balls, Frisbees, tennis rackets, etc. Even if you aren't really into sports, this might be a great time to practice or learn a sport with the kids or to enjoy a picnic lunch and simply play outside. One of our favorite parks in Dan Nicholas – it features quite a few free and low cost activities for the family.

See World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point - Photo by Cmalaspina

See the world's largest chest of drawers in High Point

You might expect to find all sorts of things near a busy intersection, but seeing a nearly 40-foot chest of drawers is a rather memorable experience. This unusual attraction and unique photo opportunity just might knock your socks off and leave them hanging from the middle drawer!

Go to a 4th of July Celebration

One of the best known 4th of July activities in North Carolina is the Faith 4th of July Celebration, but many other communities offer a parade and fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. You might even try your hand at some fun ways to fix watermelon or fire up the grill and enjoy a meal together.

Visit the Ashe County Frescoes

These unique fresco paintings are found in area churches in St. Mary's in West Jefferson and Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs, and the public is welcome to tour the churches. Donations are accepted. While in this area, you may wish to enjoy a great family-style meal in Glendale Springs and a tour of the cheese factory.

God's Acre at Old Salem in Winston-Salem NC © Katrena

Visit Winkler's Bakery & God's Acre at Old Salem

Although tours of Old Salem do include an entrance fee, anyone is welcome at the bakery and God's Acre at the historical Moravian village without paying a fee. If you time your visit well, you might have the opportunity to see goodies baking in the old oven and perhaps even be treated to a free sample. The cemetery called God's Acre is a place that lends itself to quiet contemplation.

So, how many of these places and activities have you enjoyed or plan to enjoy? I hope you will find these free ideas helpful in making your summer plans. North Carolina also offers quite a few low cost options for entertainment. I have included links to web sites that you might find helpful within this article. If you would like to see more of my articles, simply hover over "pages" near the top and you'll see a link to my site map and other pages on this blog. I hope you and your family have a great summer!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Ellis Park Has Playground, Nature Trail, Circuit Exercise, Sports and More

Ellis Park in Rowan County NC © Katrena

Ellis Park, located in the Franklin Township in Rowan County of North Carolina on 3541 Old Mocksville Road, has been supported by community efforts since the site was chosen to serve the people in the surrounding area. As part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" program, the site was first developed as a school site. Some local residents cut trees from their own property and donated the lumber that would become Ellis School in 1933.

Free Playgrounds in Rowan County NC © Katrena

That school building would be transformed into the Ellis Park community building in 1971. Local neighbors of the Ellis Community once again rolled up their sleeves, many volunteering to help refurbish the property into one of Rowan County Parks and Recreation's many community parks.

Fun Family Activities in North Carolina © Katrena

Park admission is free. Some classes and sporting activities are offered for a fee. Our family has visited Ellis Park quite a few times. Although it is very near to the hustle and bustle of Salisbury, the park atmosphere is serene and feels like a park far removed into a country setting.

Outdoor Family Outings Near Salisbury © Katrena

My kids were immediately drawn to the playground directly behind the community building. The playground area offers a nice variety of equipment, including swings, slides, monkey bars, a tunnel, and a small climbing wall. The hanging rings and bar were a big hit with my second oldest.

Encourage the Kids to Play and Use Imagination © Katrena

The playground area also encourages imaginative play with a large van, tractor, and ducks to ride. Something that this playground offers that is particularly nice for caregivers is shade. Many pieces of playground equipment tend to get hot as temperatures soar in the summer months, but this playground area is nicely shaded and adjacent to the parking lot, making this park especially nice for folks who may have mobility issues. Some playground equipment is handicap accessible as well.

NOTE: in June of 2018, this playground was updated. It is no longer shaded, but the playground is large and is ADA accessible. Click here to learn more about the updated playground.

Handicap Accessible Scenic Trails in Rowan County NC © Katrena

The bathroom facilities are also very near with a nicely landscaped flower garden along the sidewalk that flanks the building. Parks and recreation staff members are friendly and willing to answer questions and offer suggestions for activities at the park.

Walking Trails and Nature Trails in NC © Katrena

Just behind the playground area is a wooded trail that meanders behind the picnic shelter and through the trees. This trail also serves as part of a disc golf course. People can try their skills at throwing a disc (my age group would probably more readily call it a "Frisbee") into the various targets.

Of course, nature always provides areas of interest along an outdoor trail, and the various seasons provide a different backdrop for visits. You might want to bring along a field guide for identifying plants and birds or search for an online guide if you have internet connection with you. If you continue along the walking trail, you will see ball fields, tennis courts, and additional picnic shelters.

The trail ends with a surprise: a free fitness circuit training area for the adults! Of course, my kids had to try out some of the various training areas too. These fitness stations provide a great workout with opportunities for pull-ups, balance, cardio training and more. Each station offers pictures and suggestions for exercises. Before starting or changing any exercise program, one should consult his or her healthcare provider.

This is a nice, relaxing park that offers families the opportunity to have fun, play, and unwind. You might want to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while visiting. This park offers recreational and fitness opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Visit the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Ellis Park page for additional information.

Nearby outdoor recreational opportunities:

I hope you enjoy this article featuring Ellis Park in Rowan County, NC. Find more of my travel articles at Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids. If the weather is rainy or you are looking for fun family indoor activities, check out my free scavenger hunts, printables, games, and more at Wildflower Bouquets.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Dunn's Mountain Park in Rowan County NC – Beautiful View

Those who are looking for a great view, nice birding, and a short hike may find Dunn's Mountain Park in Salisbury, North Carolina to be a fun day trip with the family. This park, which opened to the public on November 29, 2006 and is located at 1740 Dunn's Mountain Road, covers quite a bit of land: more than 80 acres while offering a peaceful place to enjoy a picnic and meet some nice folks. Admission is free.

The hike up Dunn's Mountain is optional. My kids and I decided to walk to the summit and back and enjoyed looking at the foliage, butterflies, birds, and rocks along the way; however, free transportation is provided on Saturdays and Sundays during their regular business hours for those who would rather ride.

I had seen Dunn's Mountain numerous times but had never visited the park until recently. They have a nice viewing area at the summit where visitors can see Salisbury and surrounding areas. On a clear day, you might be able to see portions of Charlotte and Mocksville. They have a map inside the visitor's center showing various sites of interest from this mountain-top view.

Another nearby building displays a large number of blacksmith tools. Several shaded picnic tables and benches invite visitors to pack a snack and enjoy the nice view. Bird feeders tended to be pretty busy spots on top of the mountain the day we visited. A guide mentioned that he had enjoyed watching a family of foxes playing on the rocks beyond the fenced area in sight of the main building in 2011 and was quite willing to share information about the park and the area.

My kids loved to simply walk around and play on the rocks after taking in the view. I remember playing on rocks like that as a child – add a little imagination and they can be as fun as a playground! They do offer a few coin-operated magnified viewing stations or visitors are free to bring binoculars to get a closer look at the animals and sites. A few informational signs also offer some history and information about the park plants and formations.

Dunn's Mountain Park is peaceful and serene and became a reality through the efforts of quite a few volunteers and generous support of several local residents. People who enjoy natural beauty may find this unassuming park a great spot for quiet contemplation and a nice place for a little rest and renewal and perhaps a picnic lunch. I found it interesting to learn about the granite industry in the area as well. The park is only open on certain dates per their web site. This Rowan County park is near I-85 and you can find directions and contact information here.

Those who are interested in reading about other family-friendly travel destinations in North Carolina may wish to check out my site map for additional articles.