This was the best part of our mini vacation. All employees are sweet and very nice. They truly appreciate our business and our visit. It truly shows. The gardens and views are also great. Recommend to all young, old and small. Lots of benches for resting if you need it.

My visit to the Arboretum was absolutely lovely! 🌻The stroll through the gorgeous gardens was so relaxing and refreshing. I love how they’ve managed to find the perfect balance between manicured and wild. There are plenty of spots to relax and well placed restrooms throughout the path. 🌳 To our surprise and delight my friends and I had a close encounter with a precious deer along one of the trails. 🥹Everyone should come and enjoy this little paradise. 🥰 I will definitely return!

If you love nature, Christmas lights, nice people, and plants, this is a must see!! If you are a solo traveler who loves to be outdoors but is concerned about lost or hurt on a trail, this is the best place ever! Well marked trails, emergency call boxes, beautiful gardens and bonsai, Christmas train display, lunch cafe, dulcimer music. educational placards on the trails…plenty of miles of trails with enough safety items that a solo traveler can comfortably enjoy the day and not worry about anything. As a solo traveler, I want to be hiking on the trails in the state parks but realize I could get injured and it would be awhile til I was found, this place had good trails and people and call boxes so I felt like I could hike all day there!! Can’t wait to go back!

A lovely park and public gardens! Definitely smaller than we expected but still enjoyable. All the water features were off for the season and a few of the outdoor interactive elements were broken which was disappointing. The signs around the park were very informative and interesting! Our favourite part was definitely the bonsai exhibit. So cool!

Came here in the evening for Winter Lights. There was a line of cars waiting up to an hour to turn into the arboretum for Winter Lights. Perhaps it was because it was opening night. It was a really fun atmosphere. The trolls were so charming. The lights were fantastic! Go into the Winter Lights gift shop to see the animatronic animals singing Christmas songs. Admission price is per carload. It’s a great deal if you have a big family, not so much for a couple. You can save $5 on admission if you are a member and get free parking. Parking is $20 for non-members. It was a fun experience!

We were anxious to visit and explore the extensive grounds of the North Carolina Arboretum on a slightly warm Fall day. We were lucky enough to catch the groundskeepers and staff in the midst of constructing the Winter Lights display for the upcoming holiday season. The Arboretum still unfortunately shows signs of extensive damage from Hurricane Helene (visit was October 2025), but the recovery efforts are clearly underway and appear to likely be finished within the next year. Despite the damage and closure of several areas of the acreage, there are still several miles of wonderfully pleasant hikes available to visitors, and the main buildings highlighting the central gardens and bonzai display remained undamaged. The Arboretum offers a beautiful respite to nature, and we look forward to our next visit.

Absolutely loved this place!!!! Visiting from Orlando and was submerged in gods beauty. The bonsai garden was unique and cool to catch. We fortunate enough to experience the gardens in the day and winter lights at night which are mesmerizing. Loved this place

Trying so hard to recover. Many places open and ready to serve and delight! Always great shopping, creative places, and great food. Spend plenty of time exploring!!

It was my first time. Only came for a day but will be coming back for longer next time 💖 Such great people, artist, energy was 10/10. I’m from NY so it was refreshing to experience art in a new way. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Also the food at 12 Bones Smokehouse was very flavorful!

I don't know what to say, Helene has hurt the Arts badly. But what is still there is definitely worth seeing. Oh hey there is this new art that you look at, then hold your camera up and it comes alive! It's wicked!

Very nice park to play and or relax. Lots of places to sit by the river. The have picnic tables and benches up and down the sidewalk and plenty of trees in the park or by the river bank to hang a hammock. It's a cool place to go to enjoy hanging out at a park that has all kinds of things to do or not doing anything at the same time. Tubbing the river, fishing, swimming, walking, running, reading, sunbathing, napping, having a picnic, or like I did showing off my artwork. Not only there are all kinds of people visiting from outta town, there are locals enjoying the same stuff to do too. Pretty cool vibes and very friendly smiles. I would definitely come back and enjoy this beautiful park again.

Loaded with shops art, music, restaurants, excellent beer garden, and a nice little cinema. Good restaurants too. Looks like they are building some nice apartments, this area will flourish even more. Right by the French broad river with a walking path along the river.

As tourists, my family and I have been excited and curious to explore many popular things to do in Ashevile and this place popped up in the search. We were really glad that we came. This place is huge and we had a chance to explore only small part of it. The local artists are so talented. The next time when we spend our vacation in this city again, we'll definitely explore the rest of this amazing place ☺️

Great place to go. Very energetic and expiring. When you walk in various studios, you will see the artist and their friends actually doing their art. You can actually see the love for their art and the love for meeting new people. Many artists studios that I went in the artist was there creating the art right there. They will stop and talk to you. Walk you around the studio. Show you the prices of the art. Let you know what went into it and everything. It is a great experience just seeing people doing what they love to do. Moreover, just take a stroll and take your time. It's also calming for your soul. You will find very various food places in adult beverage spots to go to as well. You even find a record store which is also fun. You can park and you can walk. You'll probably have to do both, but one thing you will do is enjoy.

Beautiful church! The woman inside was very informative and told us some information about the Church

Remember to check the visitor schedule. Since it is open, just for someday if the week and in a specific time. But I truly recommend visiting the Basílica, the place brings calm and gives you peace. It's full of history and art wherever you look. Love my time at the Basílica

A small basilica worth the trip for several reasons. The priest that celebrates mass is very reverent and one can see him shortly before mass, praying on the side altar. Always a sign of devotion, at least I like to see priests praying. Check the schedule directly with the church as the times do not coincide with the ones posted online.

You can definitely feel God y la Virjencita when you walk in. Love it. Priest was great, and the lady's up front made me feel welcomed. Thank you

Beautiful church and the guy at the door was very welcoming. You do need to pay attention to the visiting hours. Self guided tour and the informational sheet was full of helpful history and pointed out awesome details.

Beautiful building, closed on the day we went to visit. Perhaps another time.

Beautiful. Undergoing renovations so check their website for changes to Mass times and tours. Great Jubilee 2025 stop if you are interested.

Beautiful property. Well maintained. Lovely and knowledgeable staff. Loved the audio. Listen at your own pace and the extra tidbits of information we learned on the audio before entering a new room. Very interesting.

I had my bridal luncheon here and it was amazing! Vanessa and Cole were so sweet and kind. I also really appreciated that I forgot to tell my aunt who hosted, that one of the bridesmaids was gluten-free, dairy-free, and pescatarian. When I asked Vanessa, if it was just possible for them to make one salad without the dressing so she could eat, she took initiative and made sure to prepare a whole meal for her to be able to eat lunch with the rest of us. That meant a lot to me to know that someone I love dearly could partake in lunch with us even though it was an error on my end. Overall I absolutely had the best time, the scenery is beautiful but the staff and service is a quality like no other!

Highly recommend! Everything was perfect! Excellent service. Our room was beautiful, spotless and the bed was so comfortable. The view from our room was over the top! We loved morning breakfast. It was outstanding. Drinks and music on the main floor was a delight.

A fabulous stay! I recommend it highly! They have excellent staff, rooms and food! The Biltmore is beautiful!

Loved staying at the Biltmore Inn. We had one of the newly renovated rooms with a fantastic view. The room was very clean and comfortable. We had the package which included the buffet breakfast and private morning tour of the house before they opened. The private tour is a must. We had a group of 5 plus the guide. It was quiet and you could really ask questions and go at a pleasurably pace. We also had a pass for the length of stay and we went back to the house after lunch and it seemed like there were several thousand people in the house. It was noisy and hard to maneuver through the rooms. The grounds of the estate were the most impressive to us. I highly recommend staying at the Inn where It’s easy to experience the entire estate.

Probably the worst experience I ever had . Beth the Director of Reservations and Dina at the front desk were very difficult and condescending.

Most marvelous place to stay. Take an extra day to truly enjoy the experience.

Lovely time to come visit the Folk Art Center. We visited last winter when NC had been severely damaged from the Hurricane Helene and it is wonderful seeing all of the beautiful crafts on display in the center and seeing the artists who made them. So happy to be able to support local artists and to support the reconstruction of the Blueridge parkway. Thank you for all you do!

This might be an interesting stop at the start of Blue Ridge Parkway. The exhibits at this center change, and we found some lovely wool works. They were very cute and made us smile. There's a wonderful gift shop, which already had a lot of interesting and truly beautiful Christmas tree decorations in October. I can only imagine what luxurious Christmas tree decorations will appear here in November and early December! We didn't buy anything because the prices were too high for us. But if the prices had been a little lower, I would have left with three or four purchases for sure!

The Folk Art Center in Asheville is a wonderful place to visit, especially if you’re driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We headed north toward the top of the mountain, and the colors were absolutely beautiful. It’s a great time to visit — this weekend was amazing, and the coming weekend should be just as lovely with the fall colors. The place is clean, well-maintained, and offers plenty of free parking. There’s no entry fee, and they even have restrooms available. Inside, you’ll find beautiful handmade crafts and artwork, as well as a few art galleries where you can purchase unique pieces. The lady at the help desk was very kind and helpful — she patiently answered all our questions and explained everything clearly. Overall, it’s a lovely stop with a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of local charm. Definitely worth visiting if you’re exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I always stop here whenever I’m in the area to see what I can find. Wide variety of gifts for yourself or others with a range of prices. If you have young children, you may want to have one parent walk around with them outside since there are lots of breakable things. There is also a small gift shop for the Blue Ridge Parkway that has some cute things for kids! There are also usually crafters demonstrating their techniques. Lots of parking as well

Outstanding collects of local arts and crafts. Here you will find a bit of everything and many offerings are reasonably priced or unique in style. This place is worth a look and your time. Great for gifts or for your personal collection of goods s.

If you're in the area and you need something to do this would be a great place to stop and explore lots of different exhibits on the folk art of the Blue Ridge Parkway lots of things to look and the way it was set up was planned out well they have a visitor center gift shop and a Folk Art Center gift shop you'll definitely find something interesting here

The Folk Art Center is one of the stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A lot of the Parkway is still closed and this is the last stop at the moment as there are barriers preventing you from going north. The Folk Art Center is free to visit. Sometimes when I visit, you can see people working on their crafts. They were during my most recent visit. The building is accessible for everyone. The first floor has restrooms, the Southern Highlands Craft Guild shop and a Blue Ridge Parkway shop and an information desk. The second floor showcases the art. I love seeing all the different types of art from the quilts to woodworking to basket weaving. I enjoyed the stained glass and a canvas that was woven. It was quite unique. I enjoy the rotating exhibits as it is different each visit. Outside there are some trails if you want to explore nature.

Great tour and very friendly atmosphere. The tour is just long enough to keep you interested and engaged. Tasting is a lot of fun as well. Best coffee flavored moonshine I have ever tasted!

Great visit and tour at Copper Barrel yesterday. Amazing building with lots of great history and very informative tour. Gift shop has tons to offer and George and his staff are amazing. Honestly, the best Moonshine anywhere! #shinetogether

This was an unexpected stop, that turned out to be a memorable time! From the moment we stepped inside Copper Barrel Distillery our senses were lit with the atmosphere that our host Victoria so graciously shared with us. From the history of Moonshine via “Uncle Buck” and George, the owners, to the tour of the distillery; the head, tail and heart. No beat was skipped here! The moonshine taste samples were amazing and smooth, all natural with sustainability in mind. You must try their adult slushies, very unique! We left with several bottles of Moonshine and cannot wait to return! You must go here!

Amazing place to go and learn local history. Anna was very informative and a wonderful tour guide. The samples at the end of the tour tasted great. My favorite was the mud slide.

Great staff, good drinks and delicious food. If you are in Wilkesboro N.C make sure you stop by for a meal and cocktail.

Very cool family run business. Authentic moonshine recipe passed down through generations and still operating by "Uncle" Buck and his neice. We were greeted by their 4 legged mascot and enjoyed tasting the cherry moonshine mixed with cheerwine next door at their restaurant.

This was unexpected stop, but well worth it. The owners were very nice and personable. The Moonshine was some of the best and realist I've ever had. This will be a Definite stop, every chance I get.

Best Lake in America! Love this place. Ramsey Creek and Jetton Park are flat out gorgeous sights and beautiful walks. Many easy access food spots on or just off the lake. The vibe is wonderful always

The Lake is absolutely beautiful with crystal clear water, but, the lake has a problem with blue algae blooms. There is currently a no contract order for affected areas. It is not recommended to fish or boat at this time.

Beautiful lake .. water sports .. fun overall

Awesome lake over 52 mi.² and 515 linear miles of shoreline. Clear water, sandy beach, islands, lovely scenery and beautiful houses.

It truly is our own Inland Sea. Grew up on the shores of LKN and now spend just about every weekend March through September on the lake. Absolutely the best sunsets around.

Place is absolutely beautiful. Great place to hang out. Been here a lot, so it’s definitely worth it. Other than the water getting dirty at times, it’s a great destination to hang out. Weather sometimes gets on your nerves, but that with everything that goes on. Definitely coming back here for my next visit.

Great family place. Kayaking, biking, hiking, or swimming, or camping you name it. You can do it all at Lake Norman. You can visit the educational center to learn all about the Lake and how far it extends throughout the state. Walk through the trails, and dip your feet in the water.

The restaurant boasts gorgeous views and the staff is super friendly. We ordered two different sets of flights. The waitress was great explaining the difference in flavors. My favorite wine was the basil strawberry! They also had vendors on hand and a food truck. We walked through the vineyard and took beautiful photos. I highly recommend visiting!!!

A Truly Beautiful Experience at Raffaldini Vineyard & Winery Raffaldini Vineyard and Winery is an absolute gem! The surrounding scenery is breathtaking, stunning backdrop for a relaxing day. The service was warm and welcoming, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The views are truly amazing—perfect for taking in the natural beauty while enjoying some of the wines. We particularly enjoyed the wine flights and prosecco, which were surprisingly good and expertly crafted. Our day was delightful, and sharing this experience with my husband and best friends made it even more special. Happy to say Raffaldini is a beautiful place to visit, relax, and indulge in great wine and company. It’s definitely worth the trip, and we look forward to returning soon!

Worth each & every penny you spend… Wedding photographer here! I can’t rave enough about this venue. They without a doubt deserve any bit of attention they get. The grounds are well kept, every direction you look, you will have your breath taken. I was so amazed at how clean, beautiful, & detailed everything was. I honestly didn’t want to leave. Driving up felt like entering a dream! If you were looking for the extra push to check this place out, here it goes… Anddddd if you are hoping to have a photographer to take along for the ride that has super unbelievable rates, it wouldn’t hurt to contact me too 😂 - Mo’elle Photography & Video

If you like dry wine this is the place to go!!! They have a good selection of wines. The views are beautiful and let's not forget about the staff. They are so nice and explains to you through all the wines they have.

My friends and I visited the winery for the 20th annual Fiesta Italiana. The grounds are beautifully kept and the wine was wonderful. We enjoyed the event and the vendors/Food trucks and will more than likely be attending next year!

Five Stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My girlfriends and I celebrated my birthday on a glorious Saturday at the Winery. Everyone is so nice and accommodating! The wine is delish and we brought our own charcuterie board this time around. We will be back for sure!

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Yadkin Valley, Raffaldini Vineyards delivers one of the most unexpected wine experiences on the East Coast. Driving up the winding mountain road, the view shifts from Carolina pines to what feels like a slice of Tuscany transplanted into North Carolina soil. The estate, modeled after a Tuscan villa, greets visitors with terracotta tones, arched windows, and sweeping terraces that overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains. What sets Raffaldini apart, beyond its breathtaking setting, is the authenticity in the glass. The family has imported rootstock directly from Montepulciano, Italy, ensuring that the wines grown here carry not only the flavor of the land but also the DNA of the Old World. It’s a surprising twist that elevates Raffaldini from a charming Southern vineyard to a true bridge between continents. The Montepulciano-based reds are bold yet graceful, showing dark cherry, plum, and a whisper of spice—a nod to their Italian ancestry, but shaped by the cooler nights and mineral-rich soil of the Carolina mountains. White wines like Vermentino bring a crisp, Mediterranean brightness that feels almost surreal when sipped against a backdrop of Appalachian ridgelines. The tasting room staff lean into this dual identity, walking guests through flights that feel both familiar and adventurous. One moment you’re savoring the rustic earthiness of an Italian-style red, and the next you’re gazing out over the Carolina landscape, reminded that you’re very much in North Carolina. In short, Raffaldini is not just a winery—it’s an immersion. A Tuscan dream reborn in the Blue Ridge, proof that with vision, roots, and respect for tradition, the flavors of Montepulciano can thrive thousands of miles from their birthplace. For lovers of wine, travel, and surprising discoveries, Raffaldini is a must.

I took my family here for my daughters birthday party an everyone had such a great time. The aquarium was very beautiful all the fish and different things to see was really nice an the walk through piece is just breath taking truly. Definitely recommend everyone to go here 100%.

The aquarium was amazing. Myself and family enjoyed it. The price was a little steep $25 per person. I thought the establishment would have been a little bigger, but overall we still had a great time. Would recommend.

Absolutely loved this place — and it’s not just for kids! 🐠 The walk through the aquarium takes about an hour, but no one rushes you, so you can take your time and enjoy every moment. So many impressions, vibrant colors, and magical underwater scenes. Highly recommend — my little princess was thrilled and couldn’t stop talking about it!

Nice aquarium! Kids and adults will enjoy this pleasant surprise while visiting the mall. There were lots of material to read on the sea life that lives here. We took our time and loved it. Totally worth a visit if you're in the area!

Sealife: that part of the world that we, human beings, don’t really consider in their everyday actions! I took my son to show him that life is more than just go to work, take a shower, visit friends or going to the beach. Life is taking accountability for every species in this beautiful planet 🌍

We visited this aquarium on a Monday morning and found out to be a little busy but not packed, though certain spaces could feel cramped and loud if a large group was in them. Entry was located inside the mall. We purchased tickets ahead of time, which provided a small discount, but our total was still more than $40 for 2 adults. This provided us unlimited re-entry for the whole day, which could be good if it was busy during your time slot, and you had availability to come back later. The aquarium itself only had a few exhibits, and you could easily breeze through in 5 minutes if you wanted to. The thing that is most lacking is educational information, especially in the form of staff interaction within the exhibits. That said, the design is pretty cool, and there are some really fun areas to look at, like the deep sea tunnel you can walk through. While I do feel this is an overpriced experience, I did enjoy it a lot and would recommend visiting, though this is definitely a one-time thing for me.

Thought this place was small but nice Definitely nice if you have small children. There is alot of fish, star fish touching, and exploring kids can do. Great for a hot or rainy day for something to do if ur local. I wouldn't make a long trip for just this.

We took our kids to the Great Wolf Lodge for a weekend getaway. To start with the positives - my kids absolutely loved it. The location was great, close to the highway as well as a lot of restaurants. The activities were also great for the kids - they had Halloween themed activities, a quest activity for kids to run around the hotel and play, and the water park was large with a ton for kids to do. The service was also decent and check-in/check-out was super easy. The negatives - the rooms were very basic, not super clean, and some part of it in need of renovation. I would say that was the overall theme of the hotel - very basic with lots of opportunity for improved cleanliness. Also, while expected, the food was very expensive for mediocre quality. Overall, my kids loved the experience and thought it was great but from an adult perspective I’m not sure the experience is worth the cost when compared to Disney, a water park day pass, etc.

Let’s start with the pros! The staff was awesome — everyone we met was super nice, helpful, and all smiles. That alone goes a long way! I also loved the free wolf ears; small touch, but it adds to the magic. The water park was a blast, and my kid had the timeeee of his life for his birthday. Big plus that you can enjoy the park before and after checkout too. Now for the cons. First off, $19 a day for parking? Wild. For what you already pay to stay there, that should really be included. We booked a themed kids’ room to make things extra special. My son loved it — but the cleanliness? Not it. Looked like housekeeping popped in, made the bed, and said, “Yep, good enough!” Dusty phone, dusty TV, hair in the tub, and little handprints all over the mirror. It’s giving “quick tidy,” not “deep clean.” And those beds… if the theme was “Fred Flintstone’s rock collection,” then 10/10 nailed it. I woke up feeling like I’d wrestled a dinosaur in my sleep. My ribs hurt so bad I had to move to the couch. Even my 7-year-old said it was uncomfortable — and he can nap anywhere! The restaurant experience wasn’t great either — waited an hour and a half for a table and another 45 minutes for food. The tenders and burgers were decent, but my chicken Alfredo? Tasted like swamp water with a side of sadness. The chicken was so dry I think it crumbled out of protest. Chef Ramsay would’ve shut it down immediately. Overall: Huge shoutout to the kind and upbeat staff — they truly made it magical for the kids. But please, Great Wolf Lodge… for the love of comfort, upgrade those beds! Cuuuuuzzzz maaaaaaaannn!!! My ribs are still filing a complaint!

My family loves to come to GWL, this is probably our 3rd time coming to this location, its been the best one. The customer service is exceptional, every one is always smiling and greeting you when they walk by. Even the lifeguards are always making sure you’re ok. My kids never want to leave, they enjoy all the activities. Only issue is and I’m sure is everyone else’s , is the parking, pretty expensive to be charged that every night instead of a one time fee. Also, food is decent. We don’t eat everyday here because it can get pricey. Other than that, we will continue coming to the great wolf lodge.

While this was an adventurous trip to say the least, it would have received 5 stars had my 2 girls, ages 6 & 7yrs not gotten 'stuck' in the water slide. This is a raft slide that in my opinion should have a minimum weight requirement to ride. My girls had no phobia of heights nor rides but this was the first slide/ride that they went on at this establishment and was unaccompanied not just without myself but without any other riders. Their total weight wasn't even 100 lbs and the raft held 4 to 5 riders max. The staff were not educated enough to NOT allow two little girls under 100 lbs to ride this alone.. so my girls 'got stuck' spinning in the middle of the enclosed water ride hanging onto the raft not to drown for 20minutes( I was told this by a supervisor of the water park who accompanied them back to me). Not sure how the ride staff couldn't realize this was happening when the bottom of the slide staff wasnt given the 'clear' thumbs up for the next raft, nor the top of the slide staff was permitting the next raft down. I was looking for my girls for almost a half hour after they told me that they were going on the slides(had no idea that this slide had a raft nor other requirements not permitting them from the ride). It was nice that the supervisor treated my girls to a dip n dots ice cream and apologized but this has created now a phobia of water slides. I do hope that the staff have been educated beyond apologizes after the fact. Tip for guests: do your research on the water slides, save money and purchase souvenir bottles for unlimited soda refills for the stay, and be safe & ENJOY!

Lots of things can be improved: bowling area the couch is ripped open; bowling lane sometimes not working; ice cream place the actual price is $2 higher than the price shown on the sticker, which is annoying since isn’t it state law that you have to sell thing as what your price is shown? I dunno, I’m not the expert of the law, but I am not used to have the employee tell me the actually price while I am seeing the sticker price right in front of my eye. How hard to replace the price tag? They still have movie theater sign showing on the wall but the employees said it is not operating - so at least remove the sign? On the other side, Room is okay. There is no routine room service but they can come upon request, which I don’t find too bad. We liked the cabin set up. Kids had a great time enjoying the cabin. Waterpark is good. But we actually enjoyed things other than waterpark like mini golf, rope course, bowling was a big hit (that’s why I’m very disappointed on the condition of the ally). Overall, a good place for staycation, considering about the price and the distance of traveling.

Came recently for my son's birthday. Customer Service was phenomenal with my guy from Jamaica and the team meeting me know they found my phone. The kids loved the water slides and the wave pool most. I think I climbed 78 stairs about 20 times. The beds could be larger and the rooms cleaned better for next guest. A young gentleman who was in the room prior was able to come in our room shortly after we checked in. I was deeply disappointed the ice cream machine was done and been down for months. I know Great Wolf can afford a new machine in one night. I think a meal (breakfast) and arcade tokens need to be included as well.

We enjoy the GWL, couple of things to note below - Highly disappointed that parking is $19 a day, $19? Seriously? You don't get anything for that fee, same parking lot they have always had, no security in parking lot, you have to search for a parking spot, etc. I pay less for parking when I stay in the city at a Marriott or Hilton. Second disappointment recently was an issue with the room that I requested maintenance to fix, and they didn't. The bed frame is in dire need of repairs or replacement, and I wasn't asking for replacement, but when I arrived in the room, the box spring in bed had slid far enough over that three metal rails were sticking at least 4 in out of the side of the bed. All maintenance did was slide the bed back over, keep in mind that the bed slides all over the place. So all you have to do is bump into the corner of the bed, while you're walking, and now the metal rails are sticking back out. With small kids, this is dangerous, it's unfortunate that the maintenance team didn't understand or comprehend the dangers involved in this. I had to move the bed back in place multiple times during our stay. After two successful days at the water park, we were told we could no longer bring our small hard cooler into the park, it's a small Milwaukee pack out cooler, it had water and milk in it for the baby. I was told by the water park supervisor that despite it previous two days of being allowed to bring it in that it is not allowed, I did have the option to leave it in the vestibule rather than taking it to my vehicle which is what I did. And then I made trips back and forth from our table to the vestibule to get Waters and snacks. I understand the hard cooler requirement, but a size requirement makes more sense than no hard coolers. A small hard cooler that fits under a chair serves no danger, a large 30qt yeti is a different story. No reason for it to be allowed the first two days of its policy, and it was searched both days for glass - it was seen. This is a ridiculous policy, if it's corporate, it's still ridiculous. Overall we spent around $1500 for a two night visit between room, food, gift shops, and parking. Also worth mentioning that the story time needs to be looked at, it was chaotic with the story teller, the audio and all the background noise. The kids had no idea what was going on, our kids had no desire to do it again. A classic book and story would have been awesome in front of the fireplace - that's a memory worth making. Other than issues listed above our stay was pleasant, kids loved the bingo break half way through the day, the pizza was good, some would say it's costly but there is convenience of having it on site, the snack bar at the pool is overpriced, even with convenience in mind, the room was clean when we arrive and housekeeping checked the trash daily. Front desk staff and pool staff were friendly and attentive. We're on the fence if we will go back anytime soon.

What an incredibly clean track, easy to get in and out. I'm not a big NASCAR fan but went with some friends and had a phenomenal time. Also loved the aluminum table available to every seat in the stands! We paid for premium parking and it was worth it, but also don't think any parking was particularly bad.

Saw the Roval 400 from the club level. Also had an infield pass. It was a great time and built some core memories. Even signed the start finish line before the race. A great venue and a wholesome family atmosphere.

I took my son and grandson here for our first racing experience. It was fantastic. Easy parking and entry, staff was helpful. We were able to bring a small cooler with drinks and food. Facilities inside were also very convenient.

Class A facility. We came for the Roval and this is a fun layout of a track. We camped in the turn 1 camping. Definitely not as rowdy of a crowd for this race than others we have been too.

Actually it was the Ford Performance Racing School Mustang Unleashed Experience. That's a mouthful! It was AWESOME! Drive a Mustang in ways that aren't legal or safe on public roads safely! I learned a lot.

5/5 - Thrilling experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway's Roval! The unique road-oval hybrid layout delivers heart-pounding action, with tight turns and high-speed straights that keep you on the edge of your seat. Electric atmosphere during races, top-notch facilities, and perfect for NASCAR fans—highly recommend catching an event here!

Saw the rovel today. Really nice race venue. I'm from Iowa, so I have been to the Newton track several times, this one is great.

I can't share enough good things about our recent experience at Harvest Grill & beautiful Shelton Vineyards. Although, we have enjoyed eating there before, this time our daughter was getting engaged. Benson White & the staff all went above & beyond to make it extra special for the happy couple & our immediate family!! The table was lovely & we had the most amazing food. Everyone loved the charcuterie board!! It was beautiful & so delicious! I'm very happy we went with this location. It could not have been a more perfect evening for our family.

Shelton is gorgeous first off! We had reservations at the Harvest Grill and it was a fantastic meal! We didn’t let the drunk people beside of us ruin it - they had definitely had too much to drink when you’re stumbling through the restaurant and can’t find your friends and having to hold onto chairs- so aside from that- the ambiance of the restaurant was 10/10 and the food was delicious. My favorite wine was the dry rosé! After the meal we went over to the tasting room and enjoyed a flight of 5 wines. They had cute items for sale as well as chocolates. We really enjoyed our visit and would come back again.

Made reservations for our Anniversary. Great atmosphere, relaxed, comfortable and great service. Ashley was a great server, took great care of us and Benson the manager helped make our evening very special. Definitely would recommend as a great place to eat. We will be back.

Our server Kim was excellent. The Halibut dinner was over the top. Have dined at the Harvest Grill many times and it is always 5 star. Amanda was responsible for our fine dining experience.

Wonderful dinner at Harvest Grill . The Pork Ribeye was so tender and the special chicken parm Alfredo was amazing . Large portion. Best Alfredo sauce I have ever had . Thank you to Benson and Cortney for making our date night extra special .

We went for my birthday. The food was great as well as the service. Our server Adrianne B was wonderful. This was our 1st time, and there was a little issue with a part of our food, but it was taken care of promptly. Being a vegetarian, it was nice to have several options. We will be back in a few months for our anniversary.

We had a late lunch reservation. Our server took forever to take our orders. Then we waited an extremely long time for our food to come to the table. They were not very busy so not sure what took so long. Four orders were for hamburgers ranging from medium rare to medium for the meat. All four were well done and dry. One order was for a chicken salad and the chicken was dry and overcooked. We visit Shelton a few times a year for their wine. This is the second year in a row we ate at the restaurant and were disappointed both times. We will be eating elsewhere for now on.

Absolutely beautiful. We stopped on a Thursday afternoon and it wasn’t busy. We enjoyed a sweet white wine and a bottle of Sangria. We also had a wonderful Tuna Appetizer plate. (Can’t remember the name) and it was amazing! We sat outside and could see Pilot Mountain in the distance. I highly recommend you visit. Everyone was very friendly.

We had a great experience today checking out the winery to have lunch. The views were spectacular! Everyone was so nice and welcoming. The food was wonderful! We will definitely be returning with our friends in the future.

My husband John and I spent Valentine’s Day 2025 at JoLo Winery (wine tasting! ($35 pp)), and followed it with an incredible dinner experience at the restaurant. It was beyond De-Lish! *Nicole* was our A-MAZING Server! We’ll be sure to request her next time. We even joined the JoLo Wine Club, and benefited from the offered discounts, excitedly leaving with three bottle of scrumptious wines from our wine tasting adventure! If you can, come early! Enjoy sitting in their comfortable outdoor space, while simply gazing in wonderment at the stunning, lucious, wine-designed landscape, with a delectable glass (or 2) of fine wine! I can’t think of a better way to spend th day.

Best wine I've tasted from/in NC to date. Wonderful experience (tasting and then dinner) all around and we'll be back soon! Thank you to Levi for world class service and going the extra mile for us!!

JOLO Winery was a perfect place to have my 30th birthday dinner for myself. Every employee I spoke with was incredibly nice and made me feel at home. Everyone was extremely knowledgeable and I had such a great time. I would highly recommend everyone experience the Seasonal Wine Tasting and Dinner, I had the Chilled Goat Cheese Provincial, Amulfi Coast Pesto Haddock, and Limoncello Cake.

We adore this place! The wine is great and atmosphere is beautiful… service is always kind and helpful! We come often enough, in pilot mt there isn’t anything higher quality then this place. You can walk around the winery, eat inside or outside! There is a bar and outdoor bar too with fireplace for cool nights. That have events and tastings too! Parking is close and they have reserved as well… (This is hopefully taken as some helpful criticism) Our complaint is that… this time I was here again for my birthday, and they were out of my go to beach bubbles for appetizer… but they were offering it in the mocktails instead cause it was an old vintage we were told- witch is understandable… but then they said well we have some but it’s only for the membership people rn… so they really do care about you being apart of the membership… I think… as well as I feel your seating isn’t the best either…and Im sure there are many perks for being a member, like reserved parking.. or for instance discounts…things like that, but for the average person who wouldn’t benefit from the membership (we get sooo much wine and beer from our jobs to try…so no need for a membership) but instead we spend on bottles when we’re there for the experience… I feel like it would be nice if they have all areas for non members to enjoy too —- like example maybe on Friday and Saturday those areas are specifically for members only, and during the weekday…when it’s not busy that would be an area for guest to be able to sit and enjoy a different table spot for once …I’m kind of tired of sitting in the middle sandwich between other guests, of their outdoor dining spot every time… this is the 5x is the same spot —-especially with the sun shining in our eyes…. *sigh - a different time we sat inside next to the fireplace and it was sweltering. Even the other customers asked if we could open the side door. It was that hot in there! Maybe next time I’ll enjoy the bar area with an appetizer :/ The food is better than good, but it’s not better than Print works bistro or Ruth’s Chris steak… for instance I got the steak and au gratin and it really wasn’t that special they’re au gratin was not good at all. I did not finish it, sadly … and I added 2 scallops and that was by far better than my steak! However I usually get their scallops because I know there are on point… and their risotto is very tasty. or their beef Bourgnon with the pilot Fog!! their appetizer crab dip is very good too! That’s what I suggest… they used to have truffle fries that were pretty good, but they don’t anymore and there was another appetizer. We used to get this other app that was amazing- cheese & prosciutto on bread but they don’t have that either. Overall, it’s a wonderful place with a quality dining experience and view…we will be back im sure! Maybe I can mend my review a bit lol

Update. I stopped here with a wine tour. 6/21/25 (I'm the driver for a wine tour company) I decided to have lunch there. Nicole was my server. She was very friendly, welcoming and helpful! I ordered the chicken pesto flatbread minus the tomatoes. It was delicious! Previous post. Jolo is a beautiful vineyard. They have a nice view of Pilot Mountain. Plenty of seating inside and out. You will need to make reservations! I've never had a bad meal here. Parking can be tricky. The top parking lot is for members. The staff were welcoming and friendly. I'm not really a fan of their wines and that's ok!

This is my go to place to hike because it is literally in my backyard. Trails are maintained and marked very well. There are several trails with different levels of difficulty ranging from easy too hard, so there is something for all skill levels. I love seeing people out there with their pets and young ones. It does my heart good to see young people getting away from TVs and video games.

We made a fall trip with bunch of friends to this gem of a place. Views and rock formations were amazing. We did a few short trails. The one called Pilot knob trail is a must, it is 0.8 mile and takes just a little to go around the top. Drive from Charlotte was easy. We didn’t have to use shuttle as there were many parking spots on top of mountain but they do have shuttles from the bottom parking lot if top one is full. State park folks has maintained this park to the top notch. Some parts were closed for rock climbers while in other part we saw many climbers.

We hiked the Grindstone and the Pilot Knob Trails. Both trails are well maintained and marked. While Grindstone is rated strenuous, I would rate it moderately strenuous. Overall it's mostly moderate due to the trail surface itself being well maintained and use of switchbacks to ease the climb. One section above the 1.5 mile marker is more difficult as it's not switchbacked with a steeper pitch up the mountain and a bit rocky. The views from Little Pinnacle Overlook and Pilot Knob Trail are outstanding. The top is a bit like Mount Mitchell since you can also drive to the top. Pick your time to do the hike carefully to avoid the crowds at the top!

I have always loved Pilot Mountain State Park! When I was little, my family would go camping here every year. I'm glad it is still thriving and loved that they have added a shuttle for more people to be able to enjoy the Knob. It was certainly busy but there are many different trails to choose from. If you bring a dog, they are not allowed on the shuttle. We took the Grindstone trail from the visitors center up to the knob (3.5 miles one way). There were definitely some strenuous sections but also some flattish sections that provided a bit of a break. Bathrooms at the top were clean and there were working water fountains outside the bathroom!

Arrived early for a star party with the Forsyth astronomy club at the summit parking lot. It became cloudy at night but I did get some sunset pictures. Great visibility. On a clear day, with binoculars, you can see the condos on top of Sugar Mountain, which is 79 miles away. Winston Salem and Greensboro skylines are easy. You can see the Charlotte skyline (80 miles away) also. If you hike the Little Pinnacle trail, you will see Hanging Rock/Moore's Wall and Sauratown mountains. The visitor center is tremendous and very informative. Learn about the history of the Saura Indians, animals, flora, fauna and geology of this region.

What a very cool park. We were looking to hike up but found a road all the way to the top and do a nice hike around a few locations. What a great view.

Majestic views. Better than I expected. The drive up to the top was beautiful with the fall leaves all around us. Then at the top there are several lookouts to enjoy the top of Pilot Mountain, trees and valley from above.

It was truly amazing. My partner is a massive Dale Earnhardt fan and travelled for 9:5hrs to see this exhibition. It did not disappoint. The staff are very helpful. The exhibition wonderful and the layout of the museum wonderful. I would highly recommend, not just for Dale Earnhardt fans but for all NASCAR fans.

It was really cool to somewhat recreate a photo me and my brother took almost 30 years ago. Now with out boys. The museum is definitely a well preserved time capsule. The staffe at the museum and race shop were first class to me and my kids! I love this sport!

Dale Earnhardt fans should not miss visiting there. It is great with many facts and memories. Mr. Childress had a fulfilled life in racing especially with his friendship to Dale. I did not give a five stars because the extra long video of Dale Earnhardt’s life was poorly prepared. It was not in a chronological order and it was difficult to follow the pieced together videos. It really needs a make over. Other than that it is truly a great Five Stars.

Can't say enough amazing things about this place! The history and memories brought back are overwhelming. To see all of these cars and displays are beyond worth the $10 admission. Very clean and well put together. You must stop!

I live in Florida this was my first time here . lots of history in this place highly recommended

I went on Saturday and spent an hour and thirty minutes taking my time to see everything. A large portion of the museum is dedicated to the late Dale Earnhardt Sr but that is very understandable as his contributions to the sport are stuff of legend. I really enjoyed my visit and would recommend it to anyone.

Amazing experience e took my dad who is Vietnam vet we were pleasantly surprised there was a wilderness museum in the racing museum!!!! I highly recommend taking your family young and old !

The museum has some interesting and fun exhibits, but the place is very run down. My toddler enjoyed the preschool play area the most, which was well kept. The videos for some of the exhibits were easily 20-30 years old. I wish I could’ve let my child play in the ice/snow themed room longer because the ice skating floor and fake snowballs were fun, but the room smelled like mold. Honestly it’s the first time I’ve been to a museum in such rough condition. I hope they’re able to upgrade it soon because the staff and exhibit themes are wonderful.

I took my 8 year old over spring break. We had a good time and stayed for a few hours. It was a little dated in some ways. We watched the star show in the planetarium and although we enjoyed it the stars were so dim it was hard to see in the complete darkness! The shows operator said they were in need of an equipment change and definitely needed some new bulbs for the projector. They will be closing this location soon to join with their sister site downtown in a new building! We will definitely check that out and are looking forward to it!

Large kids museum that has a number of great exhibits. We were very impressed with the animals especially. The staff here is very helpful and considerate. The museum also features an outdoor nature walk, garden, and outdoor learning exhibits. Highly recommend for family visits.

I used to come as a kid, when I was 5. 11 years later, I brought my 5 year old sister. I went today, and still was not disappointed, I do miss the animals they used to have and the ride-on handle cart things which they’ve replaced with the icey area. Love this place for entertainment regardless.

What a great place to visit. Lots to see inside and there is a trail outside as well. The laser show was outdated and kinda of well..90s but the kids liked it. Highly recommend coming for a visit. You'll learn some cool things too. Plan to spend 2-3 to three hours to see everything.

Excellent place to take children. Lots to do! They have an assortment of animals, like snakes, spiders, birds, and some really cool and interactive science exhibits!

I am revising my post on the Kaleideum North impart due to the feedback I had from my last post it would appear the reason why things are not getting repaired or it may look kind of unkept as far as building appearance is due to the fact that they plan on moving out of this location and it makes sense not to sink a ton of money into something that's not going to be around for them it makes me wonder if the new location is going to be more interactive and not have any animals or have a few animals needless to say as it stands this location still provides Interactive exhibits for the children to Play and Learn it is nice to see a few animals left can't wait to see what the future holds for the Kaleideum

Before heading back home we had decided to make a stop here after a night of camping. We came here on Sunday and it was pretty busy. We decided to checkout the waterfalls since they’re not long hikes. The cascade waterfall is the easiest. The other two are not hard to get too, but you will have many stairs and rocks to walk back up and it’s uphill the entire way back. But the falls were beautiful and the overlook was gorgeous as well. This is a dog friendly hike too. There is a large campground there, a visitor center and lots of places to sit and have a picnic.

Great Hike, Be Ready for the Incline (Budget Extra Time!) The logistical side of this hike is excellent. The parking situation is super great for the trailhead, and the path itself is very well maintained and clearly marked. The trail to Hanging Rock has some great, steady incline, so be prepared for a solid workout. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural spots and benches to stop and rest as needed. A note on timing: The path is 1.8 miles one way. We were really "huffing it" and managed the round trip in 1 hour and 20 minutes, but for most hikers, you should easily budget at least two hours just for the ascent and descent, not including the time you spend enjoying the views at the top. Bring water and take your time!

Definitely worth it. The drive is beautiful up there already. There are a couple of waterfalls with a very short hike (window and hidden falls). The hanging rock trail itself is a bit steep at some points but definitely doable and worth it! You can’t go wrong going mid to late October. The colors are already popping.

First off, know that they go on an hour long lunch break around 1pm and have no one at the visitor center or any signs placed on the door stating this. 🤦🏼‍♀️ There were multiple people standing around confused because of this. Secondly, if you are staying in a cabin, BE AWARE that the doors lock on their own when they are shut. 🙄 For whatever reason they did not relay that to us nor were there any signs to let us know on the cabin. We were very lucky we made it to the office 5 minutes before they closed to have an officer come let us back in. It felt that we were an annoyance due to this, even though we had no way of knowing. It’s upsetting because we were there since noonish and I asked if there would be anyway we could do an early check in to the cabin even if at 3 or 330 instead of 4 and was told possibly so we checked back a couple times and they just seemed flabbergasted for some reason?? I don’t understand why they could not simply reach out to the person who cleans the cabins and request #6 which was ours to not be cleaned last.. being that there was only 4 at the most to clean as two of my neighbors had been staying there another night and stayed the night before. I talked to them and asked if they were told about the doors locking on their own and they said no and that they had the same problem?!? It’s just totally unnecessary and exhausting when they could simply print signs out. The positives of this place is that it’s absolutely amazing. It feels like a slice of heaven and I was impressed at the cabin price 200$ for two nights and it had heat, was cute inside and clean, a fridge , oven , microwave. They only have a teeny shower that clogs very easily but overall I was impressed with the cabin. Unfortunately dealing with several of the people running the place was unpleasant and the bed was more like a mat and we only got about an hour or two of sleep so we only stayed one night. I will definitely be back at some point to hike again but the less you have to deal with the workers the better. Also, don’t forget you need to bring your own blankets , sheets and towels etc to the cabin if you’re staying in one

I try to make it to Hanging Rock at least once a year. This is one of my favorite places and it has something for everyone. Great for a challenging hike with some amazing views or a casual stroll with some lovely waterfalls. I especially like going in autumn when temps are a little cooler and the fall colors are starting to pop.

Great place to spend the day. We hiked 2 separate trails and found 4 different waterfalls. Still so much left to explore, definitely coming back a other weekend to do more hiking and find more adventures

It was amazing the view was beautiful and so amazing. The two trails we did was great one I want to say was may be a little harder then what's posted. But over all we had a blast

If you're looking for some roadside Attraction to visit just for the fun of it, then this is for you. We do enjoy seeing the world's largest whatever is as we cross the country. Sometimes they're a bit of a tourist trap but in general it's just for fun. That's exactly what this is. It is fun to see. It was easy to get to. There just isn't anything to do when you get there as far as the feature. There's no gift or souvenir shop. You're basically stopping along a city street to take a picture of the world's largest chest of drawers.

High Point is considered the “Furniture Capital of the World”, and the dresser was built in the 1920s as a way to highlight the city’s furniture industry. The oversized chest of drawers even has two dangling socks carved on the front—symbolizing High Point’s role in hosiery production as well. It’s become an iconic roadside attraction, often visited by tourists and furniture shoppers alike.

Very cool and a short drive from winston salem, unfortunately its having repairs made right now and theres a fence around it. You can still take good pictures though! Where i parked wasnt wheelchair accessible, but there is a sidewalk so there are places to park where it could be accessible. Since im ambulatory (able to walk short distances) i was able to get in front and snap a pic!

Very disappointed that we could not climb into at least one of the drawers. There was a selection of socks hanging from the drawer... Rather untidy if you ask me! There was a fence around the "attraction" which restricted movement around said "attraction". There was no gift shop or other rides in the immediate vicinity or other giant furniture such as a dressing mirror?? Will these be added in the future? Asking for a friend...

I love finding unique things to see across America. Between this and the large chair I couldn't stop laughing. It is worth the stop.

The original location has a dresser under construction, but is closed with No Trespassing signs. We passed what we think was a new location called Furnitureland South located off Route 29.

While the chest of drawers was cool, we thought it would be at a park or something. It was a building on thr road with only a couple spots of street parking. The area seemed a little sketchy due to boarded up house next to where we parked with people sitting on thr porch to keep cool. Not bad for a photo op, but I wouldn't plan to spend any length of time here.

I visited this place on my son's field trip. I was blown away on how massive this place was. Plenty of seating and pool umbrellas. It has 3 water slides perked on top of a slope. The swimming pools are Olympics size where you can practice some laps. It has a water splash area as well as a cute lazy river. On the other side of facility, it has a nice sprawling park where you can have picnic. The building itself is very well maintained with some nice spaces for events and birthday parties. Even though it says High Point, this pool is in Jamestown in close proximity to Guildford Technical Community College.

This is an outstanding park to say the least. A fun place including boating, fishing, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Great to spend the day for the whole family. There is a beautiful wooden walking bridge that goes across the lake. You don’t want to pass this beautiful place up. Also a great place to ride your bike.

What a beautiful park. We came to visit for a family outing and ended up at the 51st year celebration. This beautiful park features fishing, a boat ride on the lake, paddle boats, canoes, walking bridge, a train ride, a playground, beautiful shade trees, a carousel for all ages, eating areas with grills, and more. Visit this lovely park. (Closed at the time) There is also a waterside to the park with an Olympic sized pool, lazy river, waterslides, and a splash pad. There are restrooms on the premises. It is dog friendly. A great place for the family.

Nice place for kids to spend the day. I want to rent a kayak and get out on the lake to be by myself with God but I'm with a controlling person who wouldn't let me experience that. The lake looks huge and everything here is in good newish shape. Not overly crowded either

This park is well laid out. It has a lake, a little smaller than Winston Lake with rentals for kayaks, fishing boats and a tour boat. There are numerous covered pavilions, some with barbecue pits. There are water slides, and a new swimming pool, a few toddler splash areas, and a modern conference center. There is a small carousel and a miniature golf area. Now that's what I call a park!

City Lake is a treasure with a fantastic boat launch, nice sand, easy to get in and out. The scenery is so much more than you get from driving through the park. So many nice folks out on the water doing litter clean up and getting snagged fishing line off the branches in the coves. I was amazed at wildlife and flowers blooming. Then I heard a weed-eater blasting, and came back to the present 😂 The staff at the marina was so nice and helpful. Little and Alice were a hit! Change your perspective and hit the water!

A beautiful park, lots of pavilions and grills, plenty of room for multiple families. A huge pool that was way overcrowded if you ask me but everybody looked like they were having a good time, kayaks which I would have loved to have tried but it was way too hot to be out on that water. They also had boats, you are able to fish. It's just a lot to do there and there was a walking trail. It's a nice park.

Great place to see some fascinating wildlife and learn a ton. They host a variety of creatures including the Eurasian lynx, caracal, binturong, fennec fox, gray wolves, New Guinea singing dogs, dingoes, lions, and tigers. My tour guide was very knowledgeable about all of the animals. It would be a wonderful place to bring a friend or the kids. I did the adventure which is a walking tour of about two hours, but they also offer seasonal events and camping. Note that reception can be poor. The walk is mostly shaded but I recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, water, and cool clothing in the summer.

Great tour. The guides was very friendly and knowledgeable - we learned a lot about them. We were able to see many animals. It's the closest I've ever been to quite a few of them. The animals were very chill. Would definitely come visit again if I'm in the area.

Wow! We just finished the twilight tour and it was phenomenal! The tour guides brought food and enrichment toys for the animals so many of them came out where we could really see them! I want to do it again in a few months when it is cooler.

This is one of our favorite places to go. You get to be close to the animals and can talk to them. Many talk back! The staff are amazing and so caring. They truly care for the animals here. I am typically anti-zoo but this place is different. The entire vibe is different. Though the tour doesn’t go for hours, it’s still decent. Perfect amount of time. You can also go and just walk around by yourself.

Such an AMAZING experience!! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and if there was a question she didn’t know the answer to, she didn’t lie and try to give a BS answer, she just said she didn’t know. But the best part is how close you are able to get to the big cats!! Hearing the wolves howling, and the lions “talking/roaring” at each other was sooo cool to hear!!! Even the tiger spraying at us was entertaining 😜 Highly recommend!! Just wear OFF if you go 😊

My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our tour at the Animal Park on Sunday! Our tour guide Alicia was very knowledgeable about all of the animals and gave a lot of great stories and information about each one, giving us plenty of time to spend with each animal. Such a fun time! Also love what the park does for the animals, they are very well taken care of.

My visit to Animal Park at the Conservators Center was worth the drive from Clayton. The lions and tigers were what my heart needed 💓 The weather was perfect and the tour guide was enthusiastic. I only wish my photos had no chainlink fence in them.

So many stores to go to. Clean bathrooms and everything is well kept.

I visited the Tanger Outlet Center in Mebane and really enjoyed my shopping trip. The place is clean, easy to walk around, and has plenty of parking. There are many good stores like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Levi’s, Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Bath & Body Works, Columbia, and Kate Spade. I found some great deals and the staff were friendly and helpful. There’s also a Starbucks and a few places to grab a snack. Overall, it’s a nice place to shop and spend a few hours with family or friends.

This place was a lot of fun! We enjoyed the spinning top chairs! We loved the variety of stores as well. There's also a Bath and Body Works here even though it's not on the map!

This is a great opportunity to shop at a variety of stores in one location. The store choices are diverse, and it is kept up nicely. I like that you can accomplish a lot of shopping in a short period of time, and it doesn't take wasting the whole day.

Pros; Very clean. Everyone is nice…. Cons; No deals to be found. Very limited on food or drink options….. No reason to come to a place like this vs. going to the mall or even going to stand alone stores. At least at the mall you have plenty of food and drink options, and prices at the mall are actually as good or better than here at Tanger.

Great place to take the family stroll around. Buy clothes, eat and relax

Great variety of shops. Great sales. Restrooms and food easy to find. Well lit and safe. Food trucks there at times. Great for shopping or browsing.

Beauty &the Beast was awesome. If possible, the show was better than 7 years ago on the same stage. Talent & costumes absolutely incredible.

Saw a fabulous performance of Grease today. Has the feel of a local little theater with Broadway quality performing arts. The venue is celebrating 100 years since their doors first opened.

We have never seen a bad performance here. The staff are all very nice and helpful the actors are awesome. Highly recommend!

My wife and I went to see grease. It was awesome. The great thing about this place i don't think there is a bad seat in the house. Just one observation make sure you buy tickets from their website.

I purchased 6 tickets 4/20/25 for specific seats on the floor for the Beauty and the Beast show on Mother’s day. We have a limited mobility person and 2 children in our group - thus the seats we chose. The show started at 2:00 pm, we arrived 5 minutes late (2:05), they had already given our seats away! They then offered us seating that was not together and not easily accessible. I paid $180 3 weeks in advance to be sure our party could have accessible seats. Highly disappointed!! If you’re planning on seeing a show here be aware that there is no guarantee you will get what you pay for especially if ‘life’ happens and you end up being a few minutes late to get there. They did give me a refund - at least I got the email stating they did - I haven’t actually seen the credit on my card yet.

Amazing theater experiences without big city crowds, parking hassles or expensive tickets. The incredible staff here has the contacts to bring in wonderfully talented performers and to produce big theater shows all on this theater's small stage. The staff also is instrumental in local events, special guest shows and programs for aspiring young performers called Temple Teens. A wonderful night out with family or friends...or matinee performances too.

I have been to 2 of their performances and truly enjoyed both of them. I highly recommend this 100 year old Temple Theater!

Great place. Fun, welcoming and informed staff. Great displays and amazing animals to see. Very educational and informative. Relaxing and entertaining. Doing good work caring for these amazing cats and other creatures who cannot care for themselves. This sanctuary is amazing. One of the best places to go for a vacation or a relaxing day out. Thank you so much for being so accommodating to myself and my wife. She has mobility issues time to time and we appreciated assistance with this. Our guides were friendly and great at their job. Thank you for bringing a little brightness to our day. Your work is appreciated greatly.

Overall a great educational experience. The volunteers/staff truly care for all these animals in there care. Cute gift shop with lots of items. I wish we could have seen more animals, the website made it sound like you saw alot more, we only got to see about 6 different types of cats. We plan to go back next year when more in our group will be over 18 to do the night tour where I think you see a few more animals. I would recommend this place!

I have been trying to come for a long time and we finally were able to pick a beautiful day to go. Jan and Miriam were awesome tour guides! They were very informative and we learned a lot. The cats were just gorgeous. I definitely would love to go back and do the Twilight tour next time. Thank you for loving those babies and giving them a beautiful and safe home!

Such a wonderful place! I did the twilight tour and had such a great time. We got to see all kinds of different cats like tigers, a lion, servals, caracal, bobcat, etc. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. I loved getting to see the kitties get snacks and learn about their personal past as well about their species. Absolutely recommend!

It is awesome to be able to view such wonderful animals. And to know these creatures are getting appropriate care. The tour guides are friendly and engaging. They are wonderful sources of information on the animals.

There is truly no better place to come to learn about and appreciate both big and small wild cats (and a handful of other friends) than Carolina Tiger Rescue. (And honestly you never get to see them SAFELY this close up. Look at the size of their paws when you come!) It has a truly special place in my heart. In fact, I have been doing some mix of visiting, volunteering at, and donating to it since 2007/8. I *highly* recommend starting with a tour. From there, I know you'll fall in love and want to do more because CTR is such a unique gem in the Triangle--from the truly amazing animals to the hardworking and always thoughtful people. Book your tour NOW.

Great place, but visit if you like wild cats. Lot of them and well maintained place. The staffs are really making a difference. Looking forward to visit and volunteer.

Beautiful lake and rec area. Had a great weekend! Took a little hike and swam the days away. The day use areas were really nice and clean but we spent most of our time at the campers only beach at our campground.

I'm pretty sure that it was coming Labor Day week after families have to go home for kids' school - peaceful, laid-back, beautiful. RV camping water & electric hook-ups only. We brought our kayaks & bikes. Motor boats were here as well. The bathhouse was fairly clean and accessible. We look fwd to returning here.

Beautiful lake access with gorgeous vantage to watch the sunset. Can be a little crowded, there are excellent amenities which draw sometimes too many people for my taste of outdoors. But great for something close, accessible and romantic. It really is a magical place to fall in love

Very nice and beautiful park. Good walking trials and great sunset off the lake. It was pretty crowded over the weekend but I guess that's normal. Moderate space between sites. I've never encountered a park this strict on their check in time. The turn you around at the gate and recommend you wait at the local Hardy's or gas stations until 3.

Huge campground with many lakefront large sites. We stayed in Poplar Point/loop G. Heads up bathrooms need to be renovated. I drove to loop C where the bathrooms were newer. Beautiful lake untouched by development.

Beautiful park. Nice size beach. Visitor center staff is exceptional. Plenty of parking, picnic tables, and kids play areas

It’s a pretty lake, really nice view, I’ve been twice the most recent on the fifth of July VERY BUSY, luckly we found parking and a nice place to settle, my sister loved the playground and swing set, mom enjoyed walking along the coast. Water was a bit dirty, but expected as many people were in the water. Sadly there was someone smoking about 50 yards infront of us and the wind blew the smoke up to us :(

I’m so glad we made a stop at Raven Rock State Park. The visitor center is clean, welcoming, and very informative. A great place to start before hitting the trails. We did the 2.6-mile loop, which was an easy and enjoyable walk through the woods. The only challenging part is the staircase leading down to the base of the cliff (and back up!), but it’s absolutely worth it. The view from the bottom, and the cliff itself, make for a great reward. A beautiful park that’s perfect for a relaxing hike and a breath of fresh air!

Raven Rock State Park is a beautiful escape into nature, just a short drive from Raleigh. The trails are well marked and offer a mix of easy walks and moderate hikes, with stunning views of the Cape Fear River and the iconic Raven Rock formation. It’s the perfect spot for hiking, picnics, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the outdoors. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, so every visit feels different. Highly recommend for nature lovers looking for a refreshing day trip.

First time going here in over 15 years! Still well maintained, still a great park. We did the Raven Rock Loop Trail plus we went down the stairs and then checked out the overlook. Great for families, kids, and dogs (on a leash). I love that there's a local place like this to get outside.

What a great little park. There are multiple trails for every level of activity, from a 1/4 mile loop to a 2 mile loop. I personally would come in the evening, because the sun hits just right and really makes the trail and trees just light up!

One of the best Parks in NC that seems to be forgotten a lot of times. It's got a beautiful view of the Cape Fear at the overlook and a wonderful visitor center. The Campbell Creek loop trail has to be the most hiked but also the moderate hike you will take there unless you want to try one of their bike trails. They have four Park rangers on staff there so safety you don't have to worry about because they have you cover. The campsites are great and their primitive campsites are so great. They also have cabins you can rent for a two night get away. The Raven Rock loop trail have to be the easy one they have. Wonderful Park and wonderful staff all the way around. If you haven't been you really need to check it out.

Beautiful relatively unknown state part with breathtaking views and interesting plants and scenery. Raven Rock Loop trail is a must, but if you have extra time and energy, Little Creek Loop trail is also very good. The creek bed is made of rocks and surrounded by mountain laurel tree and other interesting trees.

Me and my fiance enjoy exploring local state parks and its my personal goal to go to all the state parks east of Raleigh before the new year. Maybe a few in the western part of the state... So in the beginning of August we went to Raven Rock state park. The two trails we went on were the Raven Rock Loop Trail and Little Creek Loop Trail. Along those trails, there is an overlook, a point of interest and the creek. The overlook was worth the walk. There are stairs that you have to climb down from and up again, so be weary of that. Quite a lot of stairs actually.

This place is stunning. A great place to visit, take pictures. Most of all learn the history of the chapel and Duke. Pray, praise and more. They have a art book for kids

Such a unique architecture. So peaceful to sit inside and/or explore the surroundings. Admission is free. To park, you can use the pay lot that is next to the gardens and walk for like 5-10 mins. I loved the smaller chapel inside as well.

stunning location with great masonry and detailing. Went for the Bach Cantata performance and it was incredibly moving. Definitely worth a visit — regardless of religious belief. Also love seeing and hearing a real 5000+ pipe organ!!

Duke University is a prestigious private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1838, it is renowned for its beautiful Gothic-style campus, world-class academic programs, and strong research facilities. The campus is home to the iconic Duke Chapel, the Duke Gardens, and a leading medical center.

Beautiful Duke Chapel is 100 years old but looks like something amazing you'd find in Scotland. Glad we were able to see the inside. A lady docent gave us information about chapel and families that built it. Great photos outside the chapel too beautiful green campus.

A gorgeous site for all to see. It looks like a castle from the outside and the inside is beautiful. You can go downstairs and see where Mr. Duke is married at.

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this absolutely beautiful chapel on my visit at Duke. It's so beautiful, serene, and reminds of various churches I have seen in Europe.

Always a fun time visiting here no matter the season. This time i went in September. Admission is free. Parking is not, but it’s cheap. There is a parking lot with walk access to the gardens. Lots of areas to have a picnic or read a book ans relax. While youre free, you can also explore the duke campus, have coffee and see the chapel.

Today evening I visited Duke University Gardens in Durham, and it was such a peaceful and beautiful experience! 🌸 I began at the Terrace Gardens, surrounded by colorful flowers and stunning views. Then I wandered into the Asian Arboretum, where tall bamboo, calm ponds, and stone lanterns created a serene atmosphere. The red wooden bridge over the pond was absolutely charming — a perfect spot for photos and quiet reflection. I also explored the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, which highlights North Carolina’s unique and wild beauty. Every corner of the gardens felt magical, from the sound of water to the sight of butterflies and koi fish. If you’re in Durham, don’t miss a visit to Duke Gardens — it’s a little piece of paradise right in the city! 🌿✨

Beautiful gardens to explore with a walk. You can spend 30 minutes or 3 hours. Lots of main paths and smaller paths that take you through the entire area. You can bring a stroller but some parts are tough to navigate. A few entrance gates around the perimeter. You can easily walk to the main campus from here.

My visit from noon to around 3 PM during spring was a floral delight! This 55-acre botanical gem in Durham, NC, is a must-see, especially when spring transforms it into a vibrant paradise. The cherry blossom corridor was the highlight, with its stunning rows of trees in full bloom, their soft pink petals forming a dreamy canopy. However, arriving at noon meant we hit peak crowd time, and the corridor was incredibly busy! Photographers, families, and flower lovers packed the path, making it hard to find a quiet moment or take clear photos. It felt more like a festival than a tranquil stroll at times. Fortunately, other cherry trees in areas like the Asian-inspired section offered a slightly less crowded chance to enjoy the blossoms, with equally lovely bursts of pink. The floral diversity was stunning. The historic terraces bloomed with tulips, daffodils, and camellias, while the native plant garden showcased over 900 species, including quirky carnivorous plants that caught my eye. The discovery garden and white garden added more variety with water lilies and organic vegetables. It’s a plant lover’s paradise, and I enjoyed studying the blooms with clear signs and an online bloom guide to navigate. Exploring was a joy, with 5 miles of paths winding through themed sections like the Asian arboretum and a peaceful pond. The Italianate terraces and central fountain were perfect for a pause, and the paths were accessible for strollers or those with mobility needs. Hidden gems like a zigzag bridge added a sense of adventure during our three-hour visit. The main drawback, beyond the packed cherry corridor, was the lack of food options inside. A food cart or cafe would’ve been great for a quick snack. By the time we left around 3 PM, the nearby cafe and gift shop were closed (under construction until spring 2026). We found a food court just outside on the campus, which was handy, but missing the gift shop was a bummer since I wanted a plant-themed souvenir. Check hours if you plan to shop! On the plus side, the gardens are pet-friendly (leashed pets with waste bags required), perfect for dog owners. It’s also a fantastic spot for kids, with open lawns and the discovery garden’s story circle and chickens keeping young explorers engaged. My kids loved running around and learning about plants, making it an ideal place for families to connect with nature. The free admission (with $2/hour parking on weekends) is a steal, though parking during construction can be tricky—use the temporary entrance or nearby campus lots. Despite the crowded cherry corridor and no on-site dining, this place is a springtime treasure. The floral variety, kid-friendly spaces, and inviting paths made our visit memorable. Next time, I’ll aim for an early morning trip to avoid the noon-to-3-PM crowds, especially at the cherry corridor, and I’m excited to return for another season’s blooms!

Lovely arboretum. Lots and lots of trees, shrubs and water bogs, trails to walk around and rolling meadows to relax, have a picnic, just take a book and read out there in the sun. The grounds staff is friendly and knowledgeable and willing to share. They seem to love and care for this place. The Duke chapel is the cherry on the cake, of the visit here.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is one of the nicest places to visit in the Triangle. The gardens are beautiful and really well taken care of, with lots of different areas to explore. The koi ponds, bridges, and flower terraces all make for a really peaceful walk, and there’s always something new to see each season. It’s also a great spot to just relax, take photos, or spend time with friends. Between the views, the wildlife, and how calm it feels, it’s definitely one of my favorite places I’ve visited in the triangle.

Beautiful garden with easy walking trails. Couple of ponds enhance the serenity. Mostly shaded and walking during noon would not be problem. It’s free. You have to park your car at lot “H”, parking fees is $2 per hour. You can only park in this lot only on Saturday and Sunday.

Such a fun experience! From the moment we arrived, the employees standing outside the gate were professional, friendly, and very helpful. The team played an excellent game that kept the crowd engaged and excited the whole time. To top it all off, the night ended with an amazing fireworks show that made the evening even more memorable. A great time for all ages — I highly recommend catching a Durham Bulls game!

The team is famous because of the movie but that doesn't mean they dont tet and ensure you have a great time. The staff throughout the park are first class. The tickets are very affordable and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Plenty of food and drink options and the park is right downtown. Walk around and check out the whole park. The only somewhat negative aspect I felt was that for a 100 year old ball club they could showcase their history a little better.

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is hands down one of the best minor league baseball stadiums I’ve ever visited! The atmosphere is electric, family-friendly, and full of energy. The stadium is clean, well-maintained, and offers plenty of comfortable seating with great views from every angle. The concessions have a wide variety of food and drinks, including local favorites. Parking is convenient and the staff is welcoming and professional. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan, looking for a fun family outing, or just want to enjoy a beautiful night in downtown Durham, this ballpark is the perfect choice. A true Durham gem!

A beautiful park. The Durham Bulls staff were a pleasure to meet. I was there to see the field and they were happy to help. Brady directed me to the old Durahm Athletic Park (see the Old Bull)

This has got to be the best minor league stadium I've ever been in. Great food and drink options, not a bad seat in the place, the crowd is into the game and you get to see quality baseball. Came here for the 4th of July fireworks and was thoroughly impressed.

Awesome experience. Great to watch the Durham Bulls play baseball with family. I went on firework night. Amazing!!!!

The field and location are awesome. I wish I could watch a game there.

Made our way out here for the Kevin James Comedy Tour. I had never been in this part of Durham, it is very inviting with a cool vibe. The DPAC is located next to the minor league baseball team……which I now want to make it out to a game…..restaurants all around and lots of parking decks. The center itself is really nice, clean and easy to access. Their security was a breeze and they along with the door greeters were super friendly and welcoming. Everyone was helpful and we quickly found our seats. They have some snacks for sale along with soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. We just got a soda and water because we had gotten dinner outside prior to the show. The venue is warm with lots of cozy seating. The sound and lighting were great. Once the show was over we were able to walk out pretty quickly. The venue itself is a five star. My only complaint is in the parking garage, even though they are conveniently located near the venue, they only had one elevator and lots of people waiting. The good thing is that even though it looked like a jam packed nightmare , we actually got out pretty quickly. Parking attendants have it set up perfectly and you are on the road home within minutes. Overall a great experience and definitely will try to get to more shows here!

Spectacular venue for concerts, musicals, plays, and whatever else they may host. The seating is very comfortable, well spaced, and straightforward to navigate. The lobby is really nice and has some basic refreshments available including beer and wine, and hot nuts! Not kidding. The building is beautiful inside and out, totally modern and high quality. The staff is friendly and helpful. Parking is available nearby in several parking decks and surface streets as well. The area around DPAC is also great and very cool to explore. Restaurants, hotels, the American Tobacco District, and downtown Durham all within walking distance. Such a great place to have nearby, it is a treat to see shows here. Recently attended the Sound of Music production (which was excellent!) and also a Wailin’ Jenny’s concert (also excellent!).

DPAC is a great gem hosting everything from the Broadway touring shows to cute little candlelight concerts to the Lucy Dacus concert, where I coincidentally got married on stage!! We usually get the cheap seats in the balcony but there is truly no bad place to sit in this theater. It's always clean and well-staffed with people available to help you find your seat and answer questions. I always have a great time at DPAC!

Beautiful building! Helpful Nice Staff! Easy in and out. Parking lot attached and down the street. Good drinks 🍹 Good restaurants in walking distance nearby if that's something ya wanna do before/after. Will 100% continue to book tickets here - easy decision.

I recently attended the Tye Tribbett “We Outside Tour” at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), and it was an amazing experience from start to finish! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful — everyone made the evening smooth and enjoyable. I also love that the venue is cashless, which made transactions quick and convenient. The atmosphere, sound, and seating were all top-notch. DPAC truly knows how to create a first-class experience for its guests. I can’t wait to attend another event here!

This place is actually excellent in every facet. It's a beautiful building with great, helpful, and well dressed staff. The theater is beautiful. The sound was excellent. Great views from everywhere. Far better than I ever expected.

We had a wonderful visit to DPAC. Even though it was $30 it was great to have premium parking just across the street and not in a parking garage. Everyone working the Sound of Music event that we attended were helpful and friendly. The musical was wonderful. This was the second time we attended an event here. We’ve been on the main floor and in the balcony and both were great seats.

Really fun park! There’s two separate playground areas (little kids and big kids), it’s shaded nicely during most of the day, and within walking distance of the playground you can get to the lake! There’s also a sand pit by the playgrounds that gets good shade and lots of trails to walk.

It's big!! The actual park for kids to play is a short drive in the park. You'll pass fields, parking lots and trails. There is a senior center. The whole park is so clean and nice. It's a great place for events, there is a baseball field and events center . It's one of the best places that I've gone to for walking trails.

Very clean and peaceful park. Concession stand, restrooms, and paddle boat/paddle board rentals. Lots of areas to walk, picnic, or play games/sports.

We went for boating on Sunday and there were not a lot of people so we got a paddle boat with canopy and went around the lake. Nice sunny, breezy weather for boating. Hiked a little. A very large nice grassy area perfect for kite flying. Our go to picnic area for quick weekend outing.

Another favorite park for hiking, relaxing, enjoying the fall colors and spring activities. Peaceful to watch the herons, ducks and other wildlife here.

Very nice park! There are many trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Lots of shaded trails to help beat the heat

Bond park has so much to offer and I have spent a lot of time there, whether it be playing sports, walking trails, or even voting. I would suggest this park to anyone in Cary