A fantastic museum, organized chronologically through major conflicts. The exhibits feature everything from small arms to armored vehicles and aircraft, with vivid dioramas depicting Marines in action. The layout is well thought out and honors the service members who sacrificed their lives in each conflict. Knowledgeable volunteers are present in each area to provide detailed explanations. Truly enjoyed the visit.

This was a fantastic museum. We were told it would take about 1.5 hrs but we took 3 hrs & we still missed things. As we walked in we were talking to a guy who was a volunteer there so he ended up walking with us & giving us lots of information. We had an amazing visit.

This has been one of the most impressive museums I've ever seen. The interior design, the organization of the exhibits, and the architecture of the building itself are simply marvelous. From the moment you enter, the staff is incredibly friendly, and in each area, there are well-trained personnel who explain things or answer any questions you may have. I spent two hours exploring the exhibits and left completely amazed. I have to go back with family and friends to experience it again.

The Marine Corps Museum is beyond awesome! AND IT'S FREE...if it is not THE best museum that I've ever been to, it's at least tied. It feels like you are almost in a theme park. I strongly suggest planning to spend hours there...I wish we had planned on two half days because there is so much there that it is simply overwhelming. I highly recommend that all go that have a chance -- and whoever gave this less than 5 Stars is...

This place is filled with education and dedication! Definitely plan to be there at least 2 to 3 hours to see everything. The layout is perfect and you easily move from one section to another. Highly recommend checking this place out, it's free to get in!

This was probably one of the best museums we have been to and we've been to a lot. The kiddos loved it too with all the displays, hands-on activities, and play area. We also ate at Tun Tavern which was delicious! Overall it was a phenomenal experience!!!

As a Marine, visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps was nothing short of incredible. The moment you walk in, the design of the building and the atmosphere make it clear that this is more than just a museum—it’s a tribute to our history, our sacrifices, and our brotherhood. The exhibits bring Marine Corps history to life in a way that words alone can’t capture. From the Revolutionary War to the modern-day fight, each gallery is immersive, detailed, and respectful of the Marines who served in those eras. The attention to detail in the uniforms, weapons, and recreated environments made me feel like I was stepping back in time. What stood out most to me was how the museum honors every generation of Marines. It’s not just facts on a wall—it’s stories, images, and artifacts that remind you of the legacy you’re part of. Walking through, I felt a deep sense of pride, respect, and connection to those who came before me. If you’re a Marine, a veteran, or someone who simply wants to understand the heart of the Corps, this is a must-visit. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave. Semper Fidelis.

Unless you take the tour, there really is not much to see on the self-paced tour; however, there are information placards along the trail. Much of the battlefield is now a residential area. We visited this location in 2006 and took the tour. We recently stopped again in 2025, and not much has changed, so we just walked along the trail ourselves without taking the tour in the heat. It appeared that the grounds were being taken care of, and there were a lot of people walking around. We took our time and pursued our own interests. We wanted to go back and focus more on the sunken road this time. If you are in Fredericksburg, you need to add this location as a stop so that you can find out the history about the battles and the cemetery.

Not much to see. All of the artifacts have been removed from the visitor center for building renovations. The grounds are pretty sparse. The short trail takes you to a small cemetery and one house. The other houses are private residences and not open to the public. I was hoping for more history, actually going to the battleground area, artifacts & exhibits. They said at the top of the hill is a great view of the city, it's blocked by trees. Best part of the visit was the friendly kitty that wanted pets.

The visitor’s center was closed when I went, but the gift shop was open, which had a lot of information. The staff in the gifts shop were very cordial and helpful. The battlefield near this portion was a short walk around and worth seeing. The sunken road has been restored to look as close as possible to what it would have looked like during the battle.

Big fans of our National Parks and the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania parks do not disappoint. The park was clean, friendly staff, and history rich. We were extremely happy to pay homage to the sacrifices made here and learn for a better future. We also got lucky with the visitor center still being open contrary to what was posted online. Not so lucky with the mansion but it was still so beautiful to walk around and enjoy!

Really enjoyed Fredericksburg and the drive to get there. You can feel the historic nature of this place.

Site of the 1862 battle between Lee's Confederate forces and Burnside's Union forces. The visitor center is going through a renovation so many of the displays were empty. There is a driving trail where you can see Lee's Hill, Horizons Hill, the Union Breakthrough, and Prospect Hill. You can also walk the Sunken Road area and National Cemetery. National Park passport stamp is located in the gift shop.

Great spot for a quick walk with your dog! Large parking lot! Plenty of trash bins for your garbage or dog potty bags. Mobile restrooms during the govt shutdown on-site.

I am so glad we choose Jamestown. We had an incredible day and learned so much. All the employees are very helpful and knowledgeable. So much to see and do, my kids loved the hands on exhibits and learning from those who were dressed in colonial times outfits. We spent a full day exploring here.

I really enjoyed Jamestown Settlement - it's an excellent museum with state-of-the-art exhibits and lots of film presentations to move the narrative along. There's a big building with ticketing, a restaurant and gift shop, then a long corridor of exhibits that take you through time and introduce certain historical characters. At the end of the building, you go outside to see a native village, a large European settlement, and three ships docked down on the water. It's all really well done with lots of folks around to explain anything you want. You can go inside the buildings and they're all kitted out as if someone were really living there, and you can go below deck on the ships. It's really fun for all ages. First, don't confuse this location with the National Parks Service site of Historic Jamestowne, which is the actual location of the original settlement. This is more the touristy museum recreation of it all. Second, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are sister sites and are set up very similarly. Jamestown is the bigger of the two and you can buy a discount ticket for both here. If you buy it online, you get a week's access to both for the same price. Third, when I visited, I mostly wanted to walk around outside, so I did a loop of all the outside parts, then worked my way backwards through the exhibits. I don't recommend that, but you aren't locked into one way of seeing everything. Bathrooms are at the ticketing area, at the end of the exhibit hallway, and at a restroom & snack stand nearer the boats.

Beautifully crafted and well-versed staff with a phenomenal experience of where everything started and how history effects are every day Lives. You don’t have to be a history buff to come here to explore. well worth taking in the past so we can help understand the future. Especially enjoyed the recreation of buildings Otterson tools must get firing and in-depth knowledge of characters and staff on premises. Cheers.

Had a good time at the museum. It was a nice walk out to the boats thru the villages. The people dressed and worked like they were from that time period it was really neat to see. The only thing I would have changed would have been someone giving out information about what building you were at as you walked by. For any information you would have to ask the person working nearby and it felt as if you were interrupting them from their work, although I'm sure that was not the case. The place was filled with lots of different things to look at and places to go into. We also went inside one of the ships. I saw a couple crew members climbing the mast to let the sail down. That was scary to watch and I thought that must have been scary to do on the open ocean a long time ago. I am thankful my son is into history and wanted to visit this place. We had a good time here. We also got some souvenirs in the gift shop. The gift shop was big and had lots of items to choose from.

My family had so much fun at Jamestown, my oldest and I could have stayed twice as long reading everything inside the indoor museum portion and questioning all of the reenactors but the younger ones got bogged down after a bit. They did however really enjoy all of the outdoors exhibits! It was a lot of fun for those aged 5-40!

We brought our kids (ages 13, 10, 8) to this place because of the living history component. It was great! Clean and easy to follow the paths. Plenty of activities and guides explaining them. The kids stayed entertained the whole time. The museum was AMAZING. I didn’t expect it to be so nice inside. Well done!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the history that is present here! This is a great place to expose children and history enthusiasts to some of the original history of our great nation. The only thing that I would have liked to see more of is perhaps more reenactment of daily life during the time period portrayed.

Visiting Historic Jamestowne was such an incredible experience! Walking the grounds where America’s first permanent English settlement began truly felt like stepping back in time. The mix of history, archeology, and storytelling makes it both educational and inspiring. The exhibits and artifacts bring the past to life, and the staff/volunteers are so knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history. It’s amazing to see history being uncovered right before your eyes! Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, Historic Jamestowne is a must-see. We left with a whole new appreciation for the roots of our nation. 🇺🇸

We enjoyed everything about this area. The Powhatan village is interesting because it let's us see how they may have lived during this time. The ships are cool. One of the ship captains actually had a pair of prescription glasses made to look like what would have been worn during that period. The settlement area was great with live features like the blacksmith, cooking, setting and musket firing. Absolutely loved the museum! It's informative and well designed.

I give it a 4 star because you don't know that if you want to view old Jamestown (Jamestown Rediscovery, $15 per adult) you have to also purchase the park pass which is also $15 because you have to walk slightly through the park to get to it. They should just say $30 per adult and separate it in the system automatically (2 different entities are being paid). Now that's out of the way. Family had a great time, daughter enjoyed learning Halberds with Captain Brewster. The dig sites were neat to learn about. Ren was our archeological tour guide and seemed to have recited everything I read in the museum verbatim, she knows the timeline well, was friendly along with the rest of the staff, and had a good speaking voice for large outdoor crowds. The history of the place is awesome to learn about. We then went to the main museum and was awed by the size and the technology they put in this museum, better looking than the Smithsonian! Past the main museum is more historical replica outdoor buildings with staff dressed in the time period and showing people how different things were made during that time. There was also a musket rifle firing demo, which is loud. We also looked at the 2 ships at the end of the walk on the pier, which were also well maintained and fun to explore. We did not do the glass blowing house, but will go back and do it again.

This is an amazing place! This is a place in a place in a place. If you come here this gets a little pricey. Jamestown is broken into 3 pieces, there’s the more touristy Jamestown that’s not in the original spot, there’s the actual Jamestown where they are doing archaeological digs and have the original church and where you can see actual artifacts found from the digs, and then finally there is New Jamestown which is from the 1700s and is just ruins. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! It’s beautiful and educational but not for someone who can’t do a lot of walking. This will also take a lot of time, maybe 5 hours or more to do all 3 places. There’s parking at Jamestown museum and then at original Jamestown. All three places you have to pay. I didn’t mind paying for Jamestown museum ($20 a person) and the Original Jamestown ($15 a person). I was annoyed about paying for New Jamestown ($15 a person). You have to pay for new Jamestown and Original Jamestown together. $50 for all of it was a bit much. The only reason I’m ok with it because it helps fund the projects on the 2 sites.

Such a great experience! We saw many historic places as well as a lot of nature! There’s plenty to see so come early! Make sure you took your national parks card if you have one!

This was our first time to Historic Jamestowne. Since we are able, we went ahead and bought the lifetime NPS annual pass, which is valid for admission at all US National Parks. We actually visited two days in a row, the first time to go through the brick and mortar museum and the second day to tour the grounds. Please be aware that there are two sites, the "Old Towne" is owned by the state of Virginia, and the "New Towne" is owned by the National Park Service. Both require separate admission fees. The museum buildings and grounds are well maintained. The museum also has a nice 15-minute overview movie of the origins of the site, including artifact displays. What's interesting is that all of the Native American artifacts have been removed from the exhibits. The walking tour is self-guided. Guided tours are available for an extra cost. Our only mistake was going on one of the hottest days of late June, temps in the upper 90s. The museum has site maps available. However, there are enough placards throughout detailing people and events. Don't expect to see any buildings or recreations that's over at the "Old Towne." The only standing structure is what's left of the Ambler House. Otherwise, you'll only see the foundations for over a dozen structures. With a bit of imagination, one can visualize what it may have been like at the settlement over 400 years ago. We accomplished the walking portion in 30 minutes. If you have time, please take the driving tour on Island Drive. From the NPS Museum, simply take a right out of the parking lot. It's well worth it if you enjoy nature. There's also the 1608 Glasshouse that's available to tour. Check before you visit for times as they have live glass blowing demonstrations. Enjoy!

You just cannot put a value on our historic places. Everyone should see tour the Historic Triangle. We had a great time. We went off peak season so it was very peaceful without being extremely busy. A lot of this is outdoors so prepare accordingly. So worth it!!

Very Nice place to take the little ones. Clean, and Fun. Extremely Over Priced for Food, and Drinks. I recommend bringing a cooler with food, and drinks in it. You can exit the park, and eat at the picnic tables near your car, then go back into the park when you are done eating. We bought a Large Cup at the gift shop, and then paid another $8.00 to fill up at any drink station around the park. The cup was $25.00. Crazy prices. The games to win a stuffed animal is 15.00, or 20.00, for 3 chances to win. Again, WAY Over Priced. The Rides are Amazing, and it is a Fun time for you, and your family, but bring Lots of Money. Oh, and they do NOT Accept cash in the park anywhere. You have to purchase a card, and load it with your money, to purchase things inside the park. I did not like that. Have Fun.

This place is so nice. So much shade. There aren't any of those blacktop pathways which is good. The rides are great. I didn't get to go up the Eiffel Tower. But I've heard that the views are great form up there. I would definitely visit this place again whenever I get the chance to.

Great place for kids and thrill seekers. Good roller coasters and some rides like Delirium and Drop Tower, that will have your stomach in the back of your throat! Twisted Timbers is a newer wooden coaster, but is smooth, fast, and is a decent length for the time spent waiting in line to board the ride. Their are rides for younger children in their Snoopy Land section of the park. I visited most recently during their Halloween Haunt and walked through few of the mazes. The people they have acting the parts of the spooky/creepy/scary characters were pretty good. Though having a rather intuitive nature, those types of mazes generally don't surprise me, I did see a good number of guests being taken off guard and scared. One disappointment of this visit was the Dominator, roller coaster. Not because it wasn't fun or thrilling, but because it was closed for repairs/maintenance every time we tried riding it(both on Friday and Saturday) The real disappointment was on Saturday after waiting in line for an hour to ride that particular roller coaster and having the ride closed as soon as we were sitting in the car strapped in and ready to ride! One other roller coaster, Racer 75, was also delayed as we were waiting in the staging area, after waiting in line to ride.

I haven't been to KD in over 10 yrs but I took ny teenage daughter ans some friends to Haunt.. I brought a No Boo Light for me but it was kind of scarey. We arrived at 8 and left when the park closed. The kids had so much fun that they wanted to go back on Sunday🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️. I can for see we will definitely be utilizing our season passes alot in the upcoming year.

We bought all day tickets and we mainly went for the haunt, but there really wasn’t too much scary they did still have the rides going at night time. The haunt didn’t start till 7 o’clock I believe it was. The food and drinks are very expensive outrageously expensive. I usually don’t say stuff like that but it’s best to buy season passes. If you go get the best ones that you can get to where you get food all day and drinks every 90 minutes plus pictures on rides that do take pictures that’s the best deal

Soooooo much fun! The haunts were clever, the atmosphere was cool. Drinks and food readily available with gluten free options all over the park. The rides were fantastic and the shows were exceptional, well practiced and timed.

First time going to an amusement park and it was definitely worth it. I had so much fun especially on the roller coasters and the wave pool. Depending on the rides, the lines weren't too crazy for some of them. Get a yearly pass is a great option, especially if u live close by because there is so much to do that you'll need more than 1 day to complete. Will definitely come back again for the rides I didn't have time to do😁

What a great visit! Our tour guide was pleasant, knowledgeable and funny too. We ordered our tickets online the night before but you can buy at the door too. A lot of walking after the house tour so wear good shoes. George the cat was an added extra tour guide. Recommend, we learned some history and enjoyed our visit. We’d go back.

This is a great place to stop and see some British/ American history. The staff are wonderful and did a fantastic job. Beautiful location. What amazing history can be found. If your in the area or on 295. Take a short detour and stop. You won't be disappointed.

This was a fantastic place to visit and the tour was top notch! Really awesome, informative and beautiful. Highly recommend and please make sure to give George the cat a snuggle too.

Wasn't planned but so glad a local man in Williamsburg recommend the Berkeley Mansion. Lots of interesting historic insights into Virginia life around William Harrison and Benjamin Harrison Must see this plantation.

One of the best tours I have ever been on. I wish I caught his name. An older black gentleman. He was incredible. He was so full of knowledge and the way he talked to us was just so wonderful. He shared so much about the history of this home and he said he loves history and you can definitely see it. He works directly for the owner of the plantation. I can't say enough about this house if you are interested in plantation life and our country's history and our founding fathers. I would so do this again

Great place to explore history. Wish there was more to look at in the house and kitchen quarters. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. It was like a step back through time. George the resident cat was a treat. Glad we stopped on our way out of Virginia.

Would highly recommend visiting! We had an amazing tour guide who was so knowledgeable & friendly! The plantation is so full of history. I’ve lived in Virginia pretty much my whole life and never knew until today that this is really where the first Thanksgiving took place! Beautiful grounds and full of cardinals! I’ve never seen so many. And King George (the cat) is a very well mannered & handsome little fella! :)

The gardens are beautiful. I was very impressed by the size of the gardens as well as how well everything was labeled. There were also interesting art pieces displayed throughout. While I do not have children, there were lots of play areas and even a little water sections that would be perfect for children. Be prepared to walk a lot as there is a lot gardens to see. My only complaint would be that the butterfly conservatory was completely closed but it was the same price. I feel like that is a bug part of the experience so if it is not opened, they should adjust the admission price.

What a gem! Had the lovely opportunity to visit the gardens and discover they were hosting a concert the next day — so fun! Incredible section for children and families. Pond is a great spot for taking some Time to see what’s swimming around. Quite a bit of construction at the moment, which didn’t interfere with the enjoyment of the gardens.

We had our Elopement Ceremony at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on 5/5/25, and it was truly amazing! The entire setting was like a dream. The gardens were bursting with vibrant flowers in full bloom, creating the most beautiful and romantic backdrop for our vows. Everywhere we turned, there were gorgeous spots perfect for photos, which made capturing our special day so easy and memorable. The staff at Lewis Ginter were incredibly helpful, kind, and professional from start to finish. They answered all our questions promptly, helped us plan the details of our ceremony, and made sure everything went smoothly on the big day. We felt so well taken care of, and it allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the moment. I absolutely loved having our wedding here and can’t recommend this venue enough to anyone looking for a stunning, peaceful, and unforgettable place to say “I do.” Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden made our elopement everything we dreamed it would be!

August 2025 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is beautifully maintained, with a nice variety of flowers, plants, and walking paths. It’s a relaxing place to spend an hour or two, and there are plenty of benches and shaded spots to just sit and take in the scenery. The themed gardens and water features add a nice touch, and everything feels thoughtfully designed. KID FRIENDLY! The Children’s Garden is a hit — with a splash area, play spaces, and sand box. It’s a great stop if you’re in the Richmond area and want to enjoy some fresh air and nature.

The botanical garden in Richmond is a must-visit! It’s incredibly spacious—you can easily spend several hours exploring. There’s a beautiful variety of plants, including lots of dragonflies fluttering around and a stunning collection of roses. The grounds are peaceful and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. They also have a large café and a great gift shop with plenty of unique items. If you're visiting Richmond, this is definitely one of the top attractions to check out!

It was a lovely garden, with benches along the way to pause throughout the journey, and there was a treehouse for kids. The paths were quiet and the wind chimes added to a peaceful vibe. For people allergic to bees, the rose section was a bit overwhelming. We were a bit bothered by the noise of the construction taking place in one area of the garden when we visited (April) and I also didn’t like that the maps were only provided for members. However, the gift shop was larger than expected and full of a variety of beautiful items, and the beauty of the space brought joy to my day.

Took my mom here for her birthday as part of a Richmond trip. It rained for the first few minutes of our trip but once the rain stopped, the grounds were so pretty. I particularly enjoyed some of the shaded walking paths with streams and huge bonsai!

If you live near Washington, D.C. and have already explored all the Smithsonian museums, and you're looking to venture a bit farther, this place is worth the trip. It’s not huge, but it offers a thoughtfully curated collection — and best of all, it’s open year-round and completely free. The surrounding scenery is also beautiful, making it a perfect getaway for those who want a peaceful break from the everyday hustle. The current Frida Kahlo exhibition didn’t quite meet my expectations, as it features more writing than artwork, but it’s still worth a visit. This is a museum where you can enjoy the playfulness of surrealism and discover the hidden modernity within ancient art.

There are a lot of great works of art! More Egyptian items than I have seen other places. That was very neat to see. The Faberge eggs were very interesting. I really enjoyed the section with the black walls and the lighting on the paintings. That really made them pop! We also enjoyed the giant paintings!

Wedding Venue: We had an amazing experience planning and hosting our wedding at the VMFA!!! Beth was awesome to work with through the planning process, and wedding weekend. She was kind, helpful, professional, responsive, and we had full confidence in her executing our event! She helped provide all the critical info up front, answered all our questions through the process, provided guidance, vendor suggestions (DJ was amazing), helped coordinate details for some of the other vendors, and overall was a calming presence that put us at ease. The wedding logistics were executed flawlessly, and it was such a nice feeling to be able to have full confidence in Beth and the staff, and truly be able to enjoy the day/evening. The venue itself (Amuse & Claiborne) was perfect, and our guests were raving about it - they enjoyed the different rooms to talk and dance, and enjoyed the patios. The food was incredible (especially the mac and cheese!), we loved having so many options as a part of the station dinner, and guests really liked having the food out all evening. The bar never had a line, everything was efficient, and guest enjoyed the selection. Most importantly, we and our guests noticed and appreciated how every staff member we interacted with was so nice, helpful, and were just a positive addition to our evening. Lastly, we loved all the different outdoor options for pictures, including a private first look in the front of the building. The grounds are so beautiful! Thank you to Beth and the entire VMFA staff for everything they did to make our wedding weekend perfect, smooth, and SO much fun - we are so grateful! We could not have picked a more perfect wedding venue! Note: Photo credit Michael & Laura Photography

I visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and absolutely loved it! The Frida Kahlo exhibition was incredible, so inspiring and beautifully curated. The museum itself is spacious and elegant, with a great atmosphere for art lovers. I really enjoyed spending time there, and I’d love to go back to explore more of their collections!

Beautifully curated art spanning every era — from contemporary pieces to works thousands of years old. One of the most impressive art museums I’ve ever experienced, with such depth and volume that you’ll find yourself returning again and again.

This museum is both active and peaceful between the inside and the outside. It's a go-to for me. This is fantastic place with an incredible collection, whether you're into art or you're just checking it out for the first time.

My son and I went today. It was an incredible experience in no small part because of the wonderful people who work there. I am bad at jotting names down to remember them for reviews but.. the lady on the first floor from Texas was kind and directed us to some amazing art. The gentileman on the second floor with the nice mustache was helpful. And Mary in the cafe showed us compassion and gentilness in a very embarassing moment. Thank you VMFA y'all rock and your space is amazing. All the love from your new Texas friends we're already plotting our next visit!

It was really nice, quiet garden to walk, hang out place. You can picnic or just lay down and take nap! I went here with my husband. We walk to the down to see Japanese garden and Italian garden. We saw a lot of squirrels and deers. It was amazing. I love nature and i like the way they take care of this place except bamboos. Please, take good care of those bamboos! Bamboos symbolize very good fortune. The park/garden was not dog friendly unfortunately. That is why I gave only 3 stars just because bamboos (one of my favorite plant) and I couldn’t bring my well behave dog. I would still recommend this place, family friendly, stuff were friendly. It is also nice date idea. It is a romantic place. Oh, there is a parking lot.

Free, lots of free parking. The mansion is closed under renovation/construction but still had a great time walking around the Japanese and Italian garden. Didn't manage to walk the entire park butvwhat we did was beautiful. Went end of October and still had lots of beautiful colorful flowers. I recommend taking water and snacks.

I’ve been to this place during the day with my kids, and it is absolutely fantastic. It has a huge green meadow, beautiful Japanese gardens, and plenty of deer to watch. Everything is incredibly scenic and peaceful — a perfect way to spend time with kids and family. They also have a great play area, some cool animals, and lots of photogenic spots. I definitely recommend visiting! During the fall, they host a “Glow Night,” which was really awesome and such a fun experience.

Me and a friend stopped here to stretch our legs. Beautiful property. The Italian and Japanese gardens were very pretty. It is hilly so it may be challenging for some. Especially since some of the paths are under construction.

Maymont is a beautiful Park located in Richmond. They have beautiful gardens to walk in. They have lots of animals to pet and feed. The fee is free to get in. They have the garden Glow going on right now. It takes about 90 minutes to walk through the whole thing. We love maymont and we come here about once a month. You can never appreciate the beauty of it enough.

We only went for the Garden Glow experience and arrived pretty late in the night. It was a bit chilly around halloween, but we bundled up and had a great time. The Japanese Garden is a must see experience, I wish we had more time here. We did the hike and unless you have limitations with walking I would suggest it over taking the tram. Overall, it was a great experience and worth the money we spent on it.

Maymont is a must see Richmond landmark and shouldn't be missed. It has beautiful and unique formal gardens, an animal farm, a historic home, a nature center and so much more. Years ago I attended a wedding at the Italian Gardens and it was a beautiful ceremony. The Italian Gardens are right behind the historic mansion. In front of the mansion is a grouping of the most amazing trees that my children loved having a picnic under. Maymont has benches set up under these trees. The fact that admission is free to all of the grounds and the farm area is amazing and quite the gift to Richmond. I hope people appreciate how unique and special this is. Highly recommend this special gem of a place.

This was a really impressive place to visit but don't expect to learn much about the president. There was a lot about the house and his wife but they didn't not talk a lot about the man as President or otherwise. I left not having a feeling of the man. You get a some dates and facts but you don't get a since of the man like you do when you visit Monticello and Mount Vernon. They do have one of the best exhibits on the enslaved community subjugated there. One thing that did become clear during the visit was that Madison's wife Dolly and her son were garbage human beings that destroyed families to maintain her own lifestyle and even allowed herself to be excommunicated from her own religion to gain the wealth and comforts slavery gave her. Her son was a degenerate gambler, drunkard and womanizer and she lived above her means driving her family into crippling debt to host and entain people. I should clarify that I found the grounds impressive the inside of the home and the tour was less so. Our guide was fine and did a good job but we just didn't have enough time on the tour to see everything and ask all the questions we wanted to. If you want a really intimate tour visit his birth place at the Belle Grove Plantation. The place is not as expansive but can a more intimate experience. That plantation is also a working bed and breakfast so you can stay there but it's haunted so beware.

Outstanding house tour with extremely knowledgeable staff. This was one of the best tours I've been on, and memorable for all ages. To complement the tour, the extensive recommended reading available at the adjacent gift shop is worth a look, even if to just browse. Highly recommend this site as a key one to reflect on Virginia and US history.

Taking the tour was definitely worth it. The staff and tour guide were knowledgeable and friendly. The grounds and house are beautiful.

I visited Montpelier with my sister on a Sunday. We arrived at 10:15 and participated in the 10:30 tour, which was very enjoyable and informative. We toured the basement exhibits and the garden on our own. We packed our own lunches, but there’s also a modest cafe next to the gift shop. We briefly toured the DuPont Art Gallery. There’s a lot to see. We spent about three hours touring the property.

This is a must see if you are interested in our country's founding. It is in his house where the US Constitution and the later Bill of Rights were originated. The house tour was indepth and very informative. I disagree with the reviewer who said there was too much focus on the slave population. Inside the house the focus was heavily on James and Dolly, but you can't interpret the house and how it works without talking about the other residents who served the Madison's in that home, and it was a very small part of our guide's comments. The basement exhibit on the enslaved people is powerful and should not be missed. The video presentation may move you to tears. Keep in mind there are two parts in the basement and they are not connected. Monticello could learn a bit about how to handle their interpretation of the enslaved Sally Hemings and the others who lives there. The gardens are nice and the views are excellent. This is place is well worth your time.

Wonderful history. Great tour guide. House and grounds are preserved. Nice visitors center and gift shop.

A beautiful house and property with so much valuable history preserved. The guided tour is worth it!

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is an absolute gem and a must-visit! When we went, they were hosting a special blue whale exhibition, and it was jaw-dropping. Seeing the enormous skeleton up close for the first time was unforgettable—it really gave us perspective on how massive and magnificent these ocean giants are. The museum has plenty more to explore, too. We loved roaming through the dinosaur exhibit, where life-sized displays and fascinating details bring prehistoric times to life. Standing next to those towering models was both humbling and exciting. One of the best parts is that general admission is donation-based, so you can explore the museum at no set cost, making it accessible for everyone. If you’d like to add something extra, they also offer 3D movies at a very reasonable price: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, students, and military with ID, $4 for children, and $3 for members. It’s a fun way to dive deeper into science and nature. Overall, our visit was fascinating, family-friendly, and inspiring. We’ll definitely return to see future exhibits and enjoy more of what this incredible museum has to offer. Cheers! 🥂

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the best science museum we’ve ever visited! The first thing that impressed me was that the entire main area is free — no tickets are needed to explore all four floors. You only need to buy tickets for special exhibitions or movies. I’ve never seen such a wonderful free science museum before! Out of appreciation, I bought tickets for all three movies and the Blue Whales exhibit for three people — and even with that, it wasn’t expensive at all, just a little over $90. The museum is so diverse and interesting that we spent the whole day there and still didn’t see everything. You definitely need at least two days to explore it fully. There’s a café on the 4th floor that was full of visitors. The menu doesn’t really offer much for healthy eaters, so we skipped it, but it’s a great spot for a quick snack, especially for kids. On the 4th floor there’s also a bridge that connects to another building of the museum — it opens up to a huge laboratory area that was amazing to see. We’re still impressed! The museum has two gift shop areas, but honestly, the museum itself is much more exciting and full of variety than the shops. There are restrooms on every floor, plus escalators and elevators, so it’s accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is an amazing place to visit. There are so many interesting exhibits for both kids and adults, and the best part is that admission is completely free! The museum is clean, well organized, and full of fascinating displays about nature and science. Parking is also free on weekends, which makes it even better. Highly recommend for a family visit or a weekend trip!

What a delightful place to visit! We enjoyed ourselves from the moment we entered, until the time we left. There's lots of floors to visit. You can also walk across the bridge and visit the multiple floors at the other part of the museum! You can easily spend a few hours here, learning so many things!

The Raleigh Science Center is an amazing place for all ages! It’s packed with interactive exhibits that make learning fun and hands on. Right now, they have an incredible Blue Whale exhibit that’s definitely worth seeing. Whether you’re into space, biology, or technology, there’s something exciting to explore. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help or answer questions. I especially loved the planetarium shows truly out of this world! Highly recommend visitors to Raleigh to stop by and boost their experience while you’re in town. Perfect for family trips or a fun day out with friends!

I really enjoyed my visit to this museum. The place is huge and super clean, which made walking around really nice. The staff were all friendly and professional, and there was a ton to see and do. One of the highlights for me was the dinosaur areas, they're really well put together, with some awesome skeletons and tons of interesting info for both kids and adults. The pictures are just a little bit of the areas, you've gotta check out all the floors Whether you're into science, history, or just want something fun to explore, this place has something for everyone. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is absolutely fantastic for all ages. From towering dinosaurs and mammoths to exhibits on rocks, whales, and North Carolina’s plants and animals, there’s truly something for everyone. Many of the displays are interactive, making it both educational and fun. The museum is huge—you could easily spend several hours exploring everything. Best of all, admission is completely free, which makes it an incredible value. A must-visit if you’re in Raleigh!

The North Carolina Museum of Art is an outstanding cultural destination that blends art, nature, and community. The permanent collection is beautifully curated, offering a wide range of works from European classics and African art to modern and contemporary pieces. Each gallery is spacious, thoughtfully arranged, and enhanced with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors. The museum park is equally impressive, with miles of walking and biking trails accented by large-scale outdoor sculptures. It provides a unique opportunity to enjoy art in a natural setting, making the museum experience extend beyond the building itself. Staff and volunteers are consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming, which adds to the overall positive experience. Another highlight is that admission to the permanent collection is free, making the museum highly accessible to the public while still offering high-quality exhibitions and events. Overall, the North Carolina Museum of Art sets a high standard for museums in the region. It is a place where art and community intersect in a meaningful way, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting or living in North Carolina.

This is a beautiful art museum! And it’s free. Except for some special exhibits. But the large portion of it is free. And stunning. The building itself is beautiful and they have some wonderful pieces. I was not expecting for this place to be so big. I will be back.

Absolutely love the NC Museum of Art! The galleries are stunning, the curation is top-notch, and the mix of classic and modern art keeps every visit exciting. The outdoor sculpture park is HUGE and feels like stepping into an open-air art adventure especially with cool installations like the Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky, which feels almost magical when the live sky appears inside. The café is pricey but delicious. Can’t believe admission to the main collection is free because the experience feels world-class. If you’re in Raleigh, this place is a must-visit. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could!

This is an amazing museum and we didn’t get to explore all of it because of how huge it is. We love art so we spent about 3 hours walking around learning & looking at African American art, European art, WWII art, Christian art, and many more other powerful artistic pieces with a historical background. The museum is absolutely free to explore which is great but no food and drinks inside the place. There’s about 2-3 different buildings to go into.

The free night event was wonderful. Plenty of exhibits . A variety of mediums. A quiet ,clean friendly atmosphere and plenty of on-site parking. The special exhibit...The book of Esther was informative and well put together. The African American exhibit was full of color and very eye-catching. The various mediums (wood, wire, paper, metal)will keep a person intrigued. There are benches throughout for time to reflect or just rest. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. There is a gift shop with a variety of items for sell such as books, jewelry, artwork and trinkets. There is also a dress up photo opportunity near the book of Esther exhibit.

Not to be missed art museum. I have seen many art museums in the world, I shall consider this as one the best viewer friendly museums. Everything is explained in English. Not very huge one but collections very good. Saw special exhibit on Rembrandt era’s collection on ‘ Book of Esther - very unusual. Whole museum is free except special exhibits. Do not miss cafe

Great experience with a plethora of art from different time periods. I would recommend designating ample time to really soak in all the pieces. The staff was present and available for any questions as well. I would definitely revisit.

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.

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.

Our tour was on 6/19/20225 at 12:00 Noon and it was absolutely breathtaking, mind blowing and thought provoking. Not only did allow me to pause to reflect but it also received how inherently out of touch my generation and my children’s generation are with a historical reality. I’m so grateful to God we had this experience and our tour guide was nothing less than exceptional with how he narrated the contextual frame and store of each segment. I would highly recommend this experience for any child no matter their race or culture.

I had an incredible experience at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro today. Our tour guide Darren made this visit truly special - he shared these stories with genuine passion because his own family member was part of this civil rights history. You could tell this wasn't just a job for him; it was personal. Our visit carried extra weight knowing that just yesterday, on September 4, 2025, we lost Major General Joseph McNeil, one of the legendary Greensboro Four, at the age of 83. Being in that museum today, walking through the same spaces where McNeil and his fellow students made history, felt like honoring his memory. The museum doesn't sugarcoat anything. Darren walked us through the harsh realities of oppression, racism, and how people were treated as less than human simply because of their skin color. As a Black American woman, those harsh realities and visualizations pulled hard on my heartstrings. Hearing these stories made me uncomfortable, and honestly, that's exactly how it should feel. If we're not bothered by injustice, we won't fight to prevent it from happening again. What really got to me was how Darren connected the past to today. He helped us see that learning about these painful chapters in history isn't meant to make us feel guilty - it's meant to make us vigilant. When we understand how discrimination worked then, we can better recognize and stop it now. The actual museum space is powerful too, especially being housed in the building where the Woolworth's sit-ins began. Standing in that same space where four college students decided to take a stand gives you chills - even more so today, knowing we just lost one of those brave young men who changed history. If you're planning a visit, ask for Darren if he's available. His storytelling brings this history to life in a way that textbooks never could. This place does important work preserving these stories, and everyone should hear them.

Great place and great customer service. My experience here was great. Highly recommended. However, I think that there should be discounted admission prices for college students as well, not just K-12. Also, it is more about "African Americans Civil Rights" than "International Civil Rights."

It help my kid understand she was in trip by writing a essay and it show all people who die or jailed or punish but no pictures I didn't take any because my kid did she didn't take anything else but this but they nice and sweet to her school rosewood middle 8 grade trip was good to her I love that she enjoyed it

In the current state of our nation this is a place everyone should visit regardless of your demographic. My wife and stopped to visit on our way up to Maryland and took a guided tour with Mrs. Jeanne. She was absolutely the best and had a wonderful singing voice, the guided tour was TOTALLY worth it. Get Mrs Jeanne if you can ;)

I love anything dealing with history. The good, the bad and ugly. This museum was so informative and I learned abt so many stories that I had never even heard of before. I opted for the self guided tour so I could be on my own time and schedule reading everything. The tour started with abt a 50min documentary then can proceeded to walk the exhibits. I spent abt 2hrs total here. Great way to learn things while also staying cool from the heat.

The gentleman at the front desk was very polite and welcoming. Our tour guides- Angela and then Darren, were very friendly and knowledgeable about each topic. You could tell they’re very passionate about their roles. Such a great experience, very eye opening! Definitely worth the time. Our tour took about 1 1/2 hours. I would go again and try the self-guided tour so I have more time to read from each board in each part of the exhibit.

Really nice medium sized zoo and aquarium. The zoo has plenty of shade. It reached 85° the day we were there and was very tolerable. There are plenty of great different animals you would not expect. There is an AMAZING sky walk adventure zip lines and aerial walks. Bigger then any I've see elsewhere. $40 per person i think. Great for kids

We had a lot of fun here! The animals husbandry was very nice and clean and the animals seemed to be well taken care of and happy. My daughter (and mom) loved everything. There is some construction going on that is a bit loud, but that’s unavoidable.

Took my 12 year old here for her birthday. Bought tickets ahead of time and arrived at opening. I hadn't been here since I was a child several decades ago. The changed are amazing and wonderful. Several animals in the zoo that I had never seen anywhere else. The museum was informative and entertaining. The aquarium was gorgeous and the kids loved the stingray touch tank. I was worried about ask the walking since I'm disabled but there were plenty of opportunities to stop and rest. Great special day trip.

What a tremendous place! There is so much to do. I recommend planning a whole day here if you're bringing kids over 6 years old. The ropes course was incredibly difficult but a lot of fun, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. My family really enjoyed the aquarium and zoo. Looks like a terrific place for school groups and field trips also.

The Greensboro Science Center is an incredible mix of science museum, aquarium, and zoo all in one! You can explore fascinating exhibits, see amazing marine life up close, and meet animals from all over the world. Right now, the Blue Whale exhibit is a must see it’s breathtaking and educational. The staff are friendly and passionate, making the whole experience even better. Highly recommend adding this to your list when visiting Greensboro, especially for families or anyone curious about the natural world! It’s about an hour and a half from Raleigh, but worth the visit.

My family has visited this location several times and each visit is just as good or better! It's the perfect day trip for small children, but there are so many exhibits and things to do for all ages. They offer concessions but also allow outside food and drink which is great. All the staff I interacted with were friendly and knowledgeable about the center and the animals/exhibits and the animals appear to be well-cared for. While a lot of things stay the same, it seems like they have a rotation of new things as well. We got to visit the new butterfly exhibit on our last trip. I love that it's a one stop destination for a zoo, aquarium, and science center. They also have a large outdoor playground with climbing ropes, slides, and treehouses. We will definitely come back and be recommending to others 😊

Great little all in one zoo-aquarium-science center for kids preschool to elementary age. My teen was a bit bored because the information was definitely geared towards the younger crowd, but he did have a great time in the special exhibir ($3 extra) doing a flight simulator. The younger kids had a blast, especially at the tree house playground. I really appreciated how the time was organized at the touch tank to keep it from being too crowded. Also, I love red pandas, so very happy to see them. And I'd never seen a pygmy hippo before.

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

Great historical tour. Get there early and tour the whole town.

It's like a step thru time. Beautiful old town.

It is a very fun and beautiful old town to visit that immerse you in history. You get to experience how things were done a few hundred years ago. The staff was amazing at every building you walked into. They give you so much information about that time period as well as the history of the people that lived there. A must see if you love history. They also have fun little shops like a bakery, coffee shop and a lounge of sorts with live music. Fun fun fun!

So good to learn about history in person. The mixed emotions roll through me,Seeing the beautiful buildings, town and folks making so many important things by hand. But also the sadness and unbelievable truth about smart Americans believing they could own people! Horrible part of or past we should face not hide or downplay.

Old Salem has a nice and cool visitors center to start and end your tour. MESDA has a lovely way to see how households might have looked in the earlier days of WS history. There is a lit of walking on uneven surfaces. The professional docents are kind and informative. Some of the volunteer docents clearly do not like kids and should be encouraged to remember that they have paid tickets too.

It’s always a fun experience to walk around Old Salem. Not sure if it was off-season this time, but there were very few people around. Last time I was here for fall, it was so crowded and so many shops were open. It was still nice to walk around the streets and take some pictures. Some of the museums needed tickets for entry but we didn’t have it. It feels like you’re back in time walking the stone roads and seeing the old architecture.

What a beautiful historical area! Great place to just get out and enjoy the weather <3

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.

This winery is absolutely beautiful! So many cozy spots to sit, both indoors and outdoors. They have a restaurant on-site, and while the food was decent (I’d get my dish again), the mimosa was absolutely delicious. A perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery! We truly enjoyed the fireplace as the weather was a little cool that day.

What a beautiful place! The grounds are immaculate, and the architecture is stunning. Special thanks to Devin, Savannah, and Anna L., who were so kind and helpful. They were all knowledgeable and friendly, and made our trip that much better. This has quickly become our favorite vineyards. We are definitely coming back.

Lori was wonderful! Exceptional wine knowledge mixed with charm and great pairing recommendations. The wine was delicious, the charcuterie box was a nice addition, water refills timely and a pleasant atmosphere. I've been doing wine tastings for awhile, this was my first local one in NC! We'll be back. Only downside restaurant was closed and packed. We'll make reservations in advance next time.

Childress Vineyards is such a beautiful, wonderful place to visit! I proposed to my beautiful now fiance labor day weekend. The staff was very helpful with scheduling and planning the perfect day and keeping the secret proposal on the low till the right moment. Since it was also her birthday weekend I signed up for tastings, the bistro, and the tour. All is highly recommended, Mr. Win is a knowledgeable tour guide, who really let you know how special it is what they do there. I personally would recommend this location to anyone looking for a nice date day with your loved ones. Or if you have a special moment like proposing at a beautiful location, the scenery is Devine. Thanks Childress for the lifelong memory!

Winn was a fantastic tour guide! Very knowledgeable. The vineyard is beautiful. We took family from out of town and thought this woukd be a great day trip. Bistro has very good food, portions are big, price not bad. Definitely recommend!

We visited for wine tasting. Our hostess, Erin was absolutely amazing and as smart as Einstein! We learned so much from her about wine and pairing. She was kind and knowledgeable. Also the wine was really good with quite a variety to choose from. The scenery was picturesque. Be prepared to take pics. We’ll definitely be visiting Childress again.

I had such a lovely experience at Childress Vineyards! The staff was friendly, the wine was delicious, and the setting was absolutely beautiful. It’s the perfect place to unwind, sip, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. I’m already looking forward to my next visit

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.

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.

PLEASE READ before going! It’s been a decade since I’ve been to this theater and I read that they made upgrades. I recently watched Sinners here. This was my second time watching the film, however in a different theater. The theater has the projector within the seats, in the middle, near the top few rows, which are the best seats. If you sit anywhere near the projector, you are at risk of having an obstructed view. The projector seems outdated where the visible quality looks 720p-1080p. The image also has a high contrast, where the whites are very white and the blacks are very black. The projected film is stretched out due to the Dome screen, resulting in distorted images. There is also about 20% of the film that is missing from the bottom right corners due to the limitations of the Dome screen. Please don’t watch a film here. If the director or studio was aware of these conditions, this theater would not be permitted to screen feature films.

First time ever going to an IMAX theater and all I have to say is WOW! The quality was superb and the seats were comfy and spaced out well for viewers so no one can kick your seat. Due to the large screen the theater only shows one film at a time and the film we saw was Weapons. I was a little nervous at first since this was a horror movie and all jump scares would literally jump through the screen at me, but it was honestly a very fun experience. I would definitely revisit and experience different films in the IMAX theater. I parked at a parking lot directly across the street from the IMAX.

Be very selective of what you decide to watch here. Not all movies are made for the screen. I wanted to spend time with my 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. I thought IMAX would be a good experience for the kids. JAWS was one of only 3 options available that we decided to see. Bad choice. It's an older movie in an old format and definitely not made for IMAX. CONS: *distorted images because of screen. *Seating too close to screen *Seats sit straight up which can get uncomfortable when you're trying to look up at a screen. *Limited movie choices *Expensive Pros: *Good sound quality *Not crowded *No distractions during movie *Clean *Easy parking I will take partial blame for choosing an older movie. I was under the impression it would have been reformatted for the screen. Discovery Place should only show movies made for an IMAX experience. I spent $250 for a movie that we could have seen for half that at a normal theater and had a better experience. Regardless, the time spent with my family is priceless, any amount spent would have been worth it. If you plan to go, put more thought into your movie choice than I did. The experience you get is entirely up to you. Discovery Place seems to put very little effort into it. Most of the Pros are due to a lack of visitors because of the cons.

We traveled 2 hours to visit this place and it was definitely worth it. It was a very pleasant experience and the entire staff was very attentive.

Save your money. Tickets for two adults and one 3 year old were $30, parking was $17, plus gas to get there: so the total was $50 for a 20 minute “show” that was basically a video that I could have found on youtube for free. They briefly showed Mars and that’s it, the entire video was of an AI generated “spacecraft” that said “we want to go to Mars, but we can’t.” Seriously disappointing, and of course they won’t refund the tickets or validate parking. I had more fun at the Sesame Street show at the Schiele Museum planetarium in Gastonia - and parking is free there.

Okay I went to see the conjuring SEPTEMBER 5, and let’s just say I got to view three minutes of it. The whole system failed, not to mention the speaker said this had happen previously this day. Like how are you gonna sell tickets knowing the machine is down. Now I have to call and make a refund just unfair and unprofessional. If this is how you are keeping your customer, I doubt this place gonna stay here for long. Not to mention I spend money for food and parking. That not even gonna be included in my refund, I hope you guys reach out to everyone that night.

We only went to see the movie 'F1' so the scope of this is only around feature films. The Dome is an interesting concept, the screen is curved as you would expect in a planetarium and has a projector that you would expect to find in a planetarium along with the I-Max system. This might be great for Star Fields but the image from the I-Max projector was extremely distorted anywhere not in the center of the screen. Fortunately most of the action of the film was in the center of the screen. However the keystone effect was extremely annoying when the top of a person's head would be stretched to the side. Definitely not worth the price for a film that was shot to be displayed on a rectangular screen.

We’ve been going to freedom Park for over a decade. It is our favorite park in Charlotte when we’re visiting our grandparents. We love the athletic course that was funded by the Carolina Panthers. Every time we’re there, I have to time my youngest to see how fast she can finish it. The park is well kept and beautiful. There is a nice bathroom in the center that is usually clean. There’s a cool looking locomotive and a fun playground for younger kids. There’s also ample space for picnics, volleyball, soccer, and just playing around with your dogs. When my wife joins us, we just enjoy walking around the lake and taking pictures. I highly recommend it!

An incredibly beautiful park. We took pictures to celebrate my daughter and new son in-law💍 Mature trees line the water. The bridge is great for photos. There's a playground for kids. Also very dog friendly.

This gem of Charlotte is one of my favorite places to take a walk. A place that fills my affection for mankind. The ambiance of sharing a walk with your neighbors, the ducks, and the fresh air and turquoise water is revitalizing. Parking can be challenging but I've never not found a spot. Dog friendly, kid friendly, family friendly spot. You can find all walks or life here coexisting in blissful harmony

Very nice park. Its quite lively with a huge presence of vendors selling some of the most interesting stuff. They have everything from artwork, jewelry, food/drinks, and decorative products.

Beautiful park with an amphitheatre, plenty of benches to sit by the man made 7 acres pond and watch the ducks and people stroll. There's picnic tables and grills also if you choose to make a day of it. There are trails to walk and a playground for the children.

This is a beautiful park. It's great for walking by yourself or with your dogs. They also have playgrounds for children to play on. It also seems like a popular spot to fish because when I was there, there were multiple people fishing. The nature museum that it connects to is closed to construction. I was upset that I didn't get to visit it while I was in town. But I'm hoping next time I will be able to.

Freedom Park feels like Charlotte’s version of Central Park! This 98-acre gem features a 7-acre lake (Duck Pond), paved trails, sports courts, playgrounds, and a historic steam locomotive. Great for jogging, picnics, family time, or the annual Festival in the Park each September. Access the Little Sugar Creek Greenway from here. Clean, welcoming, and full of activity great for a good reading.

Smaller zoo which makes it great for toddlers! We were able to walk through in less than 2 hours. We purchased our tickets ahead of time, walked right in, and had no problems! They allow you to bring in outside food and drink as well which is always helpful with kids. The biggest attraction is the giraffes. We were able to feed them right at 10am when the exhibit opened. Would definitely recommend if you have kids in the area!

It's a small downtown zoo, so you have to have perspective. You can walk the entire thing while taking your time at each enclosure in 90 minutes. So if you are expecting the NC zoo size, then it's quite different. The variety of animals is quite good and on a calm and pleasant day you got to see everyone active. Distance to every animal is fairly close so getting pictures or seeing their movement is really easy. The entire park was clean, well laid out, and simple to navigate. Pricing was typical for concessions and souvenirs, and gate price was lower than your really big zoos which was nice to see. I was very impressed with what you were able to experience while being wedged into a near downtown area. I will come back.

Greenville zoo is a fun place for a family outing! If you can, I suggest you buy tickets online as it saves you $2 per ticket and all you have to do when you come to the gate is give the confirmation number and you are all set! I went on a Thursday and it wasn't that busy at all! I went with a friend and our young kids and they loved it! Especially the Orangutans and the Monkeys. We only had 2.5 hours to spend there including having our packed lunch which took a half hour of that time. We would have easily spent 3 hours in the zoo part and probably another hour at the park outside the zoo.

This is a small zoo. It's beautifully maintained. The animal habitats are well-designed and constructed. The exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and tortoises we saw looked in peak condition. The Barnyard exhibit is empty. It is going to be rebuilt. There was no litter or graffiti. It was our first visit. We definitely plan to visit again.

Such a fun time! Was busy but not over crowded. Went at 11 AM and left around 1 PM. Got to visit multiple areas more than once. It took us about 45 minutes to get through the whole zoo. Short sweet and cute for a quick spur of the moment, need something to do on a Saturday.

Fun day at the zoo with the kids and grands. Small zoo and some exhibits were closed. But still a cute zoo to visit. Very hot the day we went. They had misting stations around zoo, which helped cool things off.

Great spot for a family outing! We went on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn’t too busy, which made it easy to enjoy. It’s the perfect size for a 2-hour visit—you can see everything without feeling rushed. Our 3-year-old especially loved feeding Miles the giraffe, which was definitely a highlight. A fun, laid-back experience for families with young kids.

This was a very smart move the city made in creating this public environment for all to enjoy. They're lucky that they have this natural waterfall feature in their town. it's a great for the locals and a awesome place to stop as you travel. There's a parking garage nearby the charge $3 an hour we stayed for about 3 hours it was plenty of time to relax walk around grab something to eat and head on to our next adventure. The kids like going down to the water and walk on the cross the rocks. It was a very beautiful, and romantic we seen a couple get engaged there. Looking forward to our next visit there.

Amazed to see the waterfall inside the park & inside the city :) it was charming beautiful & clean. Entry is free. Fascinating to that park & surrounding areas were reclaimed & redeveloped - I can imagine it would have been such taunting task. Reedy riverside walk is awesome. Bridge adds to the beauty.

This park was so beautiful!! And it was within walking distance of our hotel (Embassy Suites). It was so peaceful here. We walked down the creek for about a mile. It was nice to see people enjoying such a beautiful green space together. There were walkers, joggers, and bikers all on the trail and people fishing in the creek. This is definitely a must visit if in the Greenville area.

It’s our first trip to Greenville and this downtown area is so impressive it makes you want to sell everything back home and move here!! So many dining options, then a great path to take an evening stroll, watch the waterfalls and the ducks. We loved it!

It’s truly a beautiful park with so much to see and well-maintained trails. You can even get into the water, and there are plenty of spots to relax or enjoy a picnic. If you’re visiting Greenville, I definitely recommend stopping by here. We parked a bit farther away, but parking was free for two hours.

What an outstanding place located right in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The river played a major role in the development of the city from its settlement days forward. The park and the immediate area pay homage to that. A magnificent curved bridge spans the river high above, allowing terrific views of the falls and the rocks that form the bed of the river. There was not much water flow the day we were there, October 18th, but my understanding is that when there is a lot of rain it is an incredible sight to see. There are a lot of activities, restaurants, points of interest, and things to see within walking distance of Falls Park, so find a parking spot and take it all in!

Wow! This place is Beautiful! I could spend the whole day there! We are visiting and my cousin took us there yesterday and we thoroughly enjoyed our time! She said on Saturday they close down the street and put up a market. We are absolutely going to go back for that!🙂

This campsite is very nice! The bathrooms were clean and spacious, which we really appreciated. There was some construction happening on the other side, and it looks like a new bathroom facility is coming soon, which is great to see. The trails were beautiful, and all the overlooks had amazing views — perfect for nature lovers. My two fur babies had the best time exploring and enjoying the outdoors! Overall, a relaxing and enjoyable stay. We’re looking forward to coming back!

An amazing state park, with great waterfalls, views, and hiking areas. I lucked out and got to visit on a perfect fall morning with high water flow earlier this month. Great loop trail. If you go down to Hurricane Falls, your legs will be burning by the time you complete the stairs back up to the rim, but it’s 1000% worth it. The suspension bridge is another iconic point in this park. A few notes - after overlook 1, I didn’t find the view at Inspiration Point to be better; it’s not that far further down the trail, but it’s also not necessary. And then the parking area has a gate that isn’t opened until close to opening hours for the visitor center. I showed up early and was surprised to find a locked gate.

Tallulah falls is a bit underwhelming compared to other places for example, Linville Falls in North Carolina. The exhaustion of the steps def was not worth the view at the end. Parking wasn’t free. Overall the trails were maintained, a great amount of diverse people on the trail. Very family friendly. Bridge was nice. If you’re under an hour way I’d recommend but if not, I’d put more time to the drive and go somewhere nicer. I’m from the mtns of North Carolina and NC’s mtns are free and definitely worth the drive and views. If you’re reading this now, it isn’t fully “fall” colored yet just slightly.

Absolutely breathtaking views! This is a must see, photos don’t do it justice. I would recommend good hiking shoes and walking sticks if you plan to go up to the higher look outs. The suspension bridge is awesome although the trek down and back up is definitely a workout. One of the best State Parks I’ve been to! Get there early on the weekends as it fills up and there will be a line to get in.

Tallulah Gorge is absolutely gorgeous, and the hike itself really isn’t difficult if you’re a pretty active person. I kept hearing how challenging it was supposed to be, but it felt super manageable and not intense at all. The trails are well-maintained, the views are amazing, and it’s an easy hike to enjoy without feeling worn out. That said, if you’re more of a beginner or not used to hiking, some parts might feel a bit tougher—but overall it’s totally doable. It’s the perfect spot for soaking in scenery without a crazy workout.

We had passed the signs so many times and never stopped...until yesterday (11/11/2025)! What an incredible experience...from the front gate person to the info desk to the gift shop experience indoors all the way to the outdoor experience! The walk down to the bottom of the gorge to see Hurricane Falls was strenuous for me (I'm a plump person and former smoker...yay for quitting) and it definitely had my heart rate going 90-to-nothing! I would definitely visit again...but after I go and shed quite a few pounds... 🤷‍♀️😂

Very cool place to visit, only $5 to park and enjoy. There is some hiking required to see it all, but there are very nice trails and suspension bridge. Also a cool museum and a gift shop. I highly recommend!!

If you’re looking to escape the city and breathe truly fresh air, this is the perfect spot. Nature lovers and anyone who wants to admire beautiful waterfalls must visit this place. A peaceful and refreshing experience!

Beautiful waterfalls! Note that the only way to view the falls is a .4 VERY steep hike up the mountain. The path is paved and there are a few places to rest along the way. But if you aren't in shape, it is not an easy climb. It can be done but take advantage of those places to rest! The view is beautiful at the top!

Paved trail, but up hill. Easy climb and beautiful falls. I thought the walk was beautiful until we got to the spectacular falls. The water cascading over the rocks beside the trail is gorgeous. The falls were amazing. Plenty of water due to the recent rains, but the water had settled enough to be clear and not muddy. What a great day.

Such a beautiful walk, and pretty easy too! $5 entry fee per person. Gift shop at the entrance. There's a few steep inclines but the whole thing is paved. Be careful and wear grippy shoes though if it has recently rained, as it can be a bit slippery on the inclines. Lots of interesting plant life too along the way.

Admission is $5 per person. The trail is well-paved and easy with only slight inclines, taking about 30 minutes round trip. There’s a nice view at the top, along with a small gift shop and clean restrooms. Parking is plentiful.

Anna Ruby Falls is a truly charming place. Admission is only $5 per person and well worth it. The trail to the falls is short, paved, and accessible, with a few steeper sections. The twin waterfalls cascading side by side create a breathtaking view, perfect for photos and enjoying nature. The area is well maintained, clean, and organized, with a cozy little gift shop and even a water fountain to refill your bottle. A complete and very enjoyable experience.

Beautiful! Easy walk to the falls. Benches to sit down if you need to rest

I have been a frequent visitor of Unicoi for about 7 years now. This week we got married in the park, and had a great time. I had to depart for a family emergency early and Ms. Patty was outstanding in listening and being kind. This park, it’s always clean and friendly. You can see wildlife all year round here. (Our favorite is the armadillos). If you go please be safe, keep it clean and make memories here.

Beautiful hotel and beautiful location. The two restaurants/bar are great. A little hard to get to some room with a bunch of baggage though lifts and ramps are there. We had a great view from our room and a staff member said it was the best room. Lots of places to sit and hang out outside. Fire pits available etc. There is a shuttle to take you into town and back. Super clean, great room service people. I liked it and would stay again.

Overall: great! Good: End of October, leaves changing, first frost, great time. Service was excellent: needed extra bedding, no problem. Food was great. Shuttle was good and very convenient. Take the trip up to Anna Ruby Falls ($5/person). It's a short hike, but was good. Bad: Mattress was a bit older inner spring, a bit of a hard time sleeping. Shower did need some caulk to prevent leaking. Could smell someone smoking dope occasionally; no fault of lodge. Overall, a great stay. Would do again.

Ana Ruby Falls was beautiful! First off! And the paved trail was very accommodating to my uncle who has had knee replacement. We used the “Seek” app to identify plant species along the trail. We read every one of the fact plaques along the way as well. Truly wonderful way to spend the afternoon and the company that manages the gift shop and gate employ wonderful people!

We are enjoying our stay at Unicoi State Park. Our group of 11 rented two cabins (a three bedroom and a 2 bedroom one). Chris handled our check in and was nice and helpful. We drove to our cabins and we were having problems with one of our key cards and JT (maybe one of the cleaning staff?) helped us out. He also kindly carried a case of water for me that started slipping out of my hands. We knew the cabins were rustic so that didn’t bother us. It had what we needed. I stayed at one of the barrel cabins. There are two bedrooms upstairs and a sleeper sofa downstairs. There is only one bathroom and it is located downstairs. Be mindful that that there are a lot of stairs if renting one of these cabins, from getting your stuff to the cabin to climbing to your bedrooms. We made it work but we definitely broke a sweat! The cabins are about 8 minutes from town on windy roads. I was the nights DD and you really do not want to navigate the roads after even with one drink (I didn’t drink anything).The beer hall we went to served NA beer along with other options. We were in the B cabins and the rest of our group was in the C cabins. It was a fairly easy walk between the two. Just be mindful to stay off the paved road. There was some traffic with a blind turn. I had read there wasn’t a lot of seating so we packed camping chairs and used them on the back deck. The deck has two Adirondack chairs and the dinning table had four chairs we could have moved out there. I packed all my toiletries in a separate large canvas bag and that was super helpful since we had to carry it down the steps to use the bathroom/shower. There is a hair drier but it wasn’t very strong. I was glad I packed mine from home. Water pressure and temperature was good. I read people had trouble with cell service but we were fine. Overall this is a nice option if you plan on sating in Helen.

What a great experience. The barrel cabins were awesome! Location is perfect and staff is friendly! Perfect jumping off point to visit all the trails and waterfalls in North Georgia! We loved it are going back in December!

Lovely scenery with lake. Plenty of shade from all the trees at campsites. Trails close to campground.very hilly site especially to the comfort station. Campground was well maintained. All utilities worked. Plenty of trash receptacles.

Visiting the State Botanical Garden of Georgia during Christmas was honestly such a peaceful and magical experience. The lights throughout the garden added this soft, warm glow that made everything feel a little extra special—like a quiet winter wonderland tucked into Athens. It wasn’t overly crowded, which made it easy to stroll through the paths, take in all the decorated trees and glowing displays, and just enjoy the calm. If you love holiday vibes but want something more serene than chaotic, this place is such a sweet spot. Plus, the lights reflecting off the plants and walkways made for some really pretty photos without even trying. A cozy, festive little escape that felt equal parts relaxing and joyful.

This past weekend I was visiting my alma mater, The University of Georgia. I got my master's there in 1999 and haven't really been back since. My first daughter was little when we were there and we take her for hikes in the Botanical Garden. Back then there was one little garden and the conservatory was brand new. Today the gardens have grown! Not only have the plants nature's, but there's now many different gardens. I'm not much of a gardener so I won't pretend, but I can say they're all beautiful. The conservatory is the same, but it's got a partner building that houses the most amazing and beautiful porcelain collection. Again, I'm not much into dishes or figurines, but to imagine that one person collected all of this stirs the imagination. It sounds boring, but trust me it's a must see. I went to relieve the holes we took with my daughter, and I found a wonderful fairy land of plants and new experiences. If you get to Athens GA for any reason, the State Botanical Garden is good couple of hours experience, more of your into plants!

It’s free 😀 but it would be worth visiting even if it wasn’t! Pick a beautiful day and head out for a relaxing time surrounded by beautiful plants. There are also a lot of fun facts on the signs I found really intriguing, and I’m no plant nerd. So many different types of plants and environments, with the hill of wildflowers especially amazing! Also go visit the porcelain museum—I thought it sounded lame but it is also really neat!

Beautiful gardens with plenty of parking. No entry fee, but donations accepted. There's a gift shop. What they really need is a cafe or at least a snack bar. We enjoyed our visit.

Couldn't possibly do this place justice with words. Go! Bring a picnic. Bring everyone you know. This was a revelation in what a community can provide for it's residents and visitors. I have paid large sums to have less fun and relaxation. The children's garden and flying squirrels nest are not to be missed. Perfectly manicured and curated ornamental gardens on a sprawling, truly gorgeous property.

This place is absolutely awesome! The children's area is amazing, and my 3-year-old enjoys playing there. Entrance is free, but donations are encouraged. I also took my elderly mother there, and they provided a scooter for her to enjoy (check the website for details on availability). Overall, an amazing place, and I recommend everyone visit.

It is really nice. If you like plants or just nice scenic trails to walk on, you will like this place. There are also a couple of play areas for kids that look pretty awesome too. The pocelain museum onsite is worth a visit too - it is pretty amazing, and no it is not porcelain toilets. Honestly I think this place should charge admission. The outdoor areas are on par with the Atlanta Botanical gardens in my opinion, and Atlanta Botanical is a bit pricey on the admission. I have attached a picture of the map for those who would like to see the layout. Its a pretty big place. I spent about 3 hours there.