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North Carolina:Waynesville/Maggie Valley, Fun in the Snow with Kids.  Slow-paced and out of the way,
Waynesville/Maggie Valley is
perfect for families wishing to experience the winter season without
having to stand in any well-disguised patron lines. With the
promise of snow and no lines I had no trouble selling the idea
to my family. As with all vacations, the next step was where to
stay?
The idea of staying on a Christmas
tree farm sounded unique.
I chose Boyd Mountain Cabins.
They have six well-equipped cabins nestled among oodles
of pine trees. Each housekeeping cabin has a fireplace and most
cabins have a sleeping area upstairs. Cabins sleep from two to
eight people in each. The rate changes on a per person basis. We
were in Cosby Cabin that sleeps up to six, but we were only
charged for four people.
When we arrived I found a note in
our cabin indicating that during the holidays, as a convenience,
guests could have chopped wood placed on the porch. A good deal I thought! We planned
to have a fire going most of our waking hours and I had sort of
wondered where the wood would be coming from and how often?
There was another option. Bundles of wood could also be
purchased on the front porch of the main house.
Only a short walking distance from
the cabins is a state-stocked mountain trout stream. I also
learned that guests may use any of the three fishing ponds
stocked with rainbow trout, bass, brim and catfish. Not in the
winter. Guests may fish without a license on the property, but
need a license for other locations. There are well-marked hiking
trails on and around the property. The trails are usable
all-year long and change with the beauty of the season. The best
one leads to the top of Boyd Mountain. During warmer days bikes
are welcome and useful because the road leading to the cabins is
paved.
Need to know:
Dress in layers is an understatement. The first
night we were there I picked up tiny pinecones to make a wreath.
I could imagine walking during any season as the hills are
filled with rhododendron and azalea bushes.
Our purpose for going to this area
was to see, touch and enjoy snow. Just outside of our cabin was
a sledding hill. Sledding discs and sheets were available for
guests to use at no additional cost. We picked them up in the
barn. Of course other families who do this all of the time
brought their own so they could slide where ever they found a
slope. We enjoyed being able to sled right from our cabin. When
snow is lacking, there is an area for basketball and volleyball
nets.
Kid’s note: I liked sledding on a hill where we stayed. There
was a lot of snow and I went down a really big hill on a sled.
Outside of our cabin I made a little snowman and I called it
Chubby. I liked our little cabin because whenever it was cold I
went inside and sat by the fire.
Another kid’s note: One of my favorite things on the trip was
staying Boyd Mountain because the cabins are all on a Christmas
tree farm. I had never seen a Christmas tree farm before and I
liked looking at all the different sized trees. Both my sister
and I each got our own bed upstairs. If we go back to stay in
the in the summer I would like to fish in the pond with the
fishing poles that I saw on our porch.
The ponds are small so no one needs a boat.
Boyd Mountain Log Cabins are
located not more than ten minutes drive from Cataloochee Ranch
Ski Area. We took time to scope out the complex. The slopes
seemed to be well maintained and they were making snow 24/7 just
in case the snow queen didn’t send enough. A quad chair lift was
just added to help move skiers to the top of the slopes more
often.
The cabin was cozy with good insulation and it
had a nice fireplace. Bonus points: Good news for families, each year
they have a kid’s ski free program. Here’s how it works. Each
child under the age of 17 may ski for free Monday-Friday when a
paying adult also skiing. Six different properties have joined
with Cataloochee Ski Area to help boost skiing. Need to know: Generally Monday through Thursday,
they offer special prices for beginners learn to ski or
learn to ride snowboard. The package is available for
first-time skiers or snowboarders age 8 and older. The package
includes a beginner lesson, beginner’s area ticket, and full set
of rental equipment. Note: During the ski season every
Wednesday is “Family Day”. This means kids 17 or younger receive a
free lift ticket for day, twilight or night skiing when
accompanied by a paying parent. The ski season is generally over
by the end of March.
 We liked the area even though we
did not have an all terrain vehicle. We had hot cocoa in
Waynesville, a small all-American town with old buildings and
brick sidewalks. The charming streets are lined with antique
stores, craft shops and art galleries. It is the home of The
Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts and nearby is an old-time
general store. People watching benches are located in key locations so when
shopping becomes too much there is a solution nearby. Spreading
oaks guard brightly painted houses and the highest point in town
is a white church spire. Surrounding the town and visible from
all directions are the Great Smoky Mountains.
Activities in
the Area.
Look for sapphires. The Old
Pressley Sapphire Mine is the world’s largest blue sapphire was
discovered here. Now it is a place to pretend. They offer a gem
mining experience in the mountains allowing visitors to flume
for sapphires and other gems. This is an activity for kids of
all ages. If you know a rock hound then this will be a heavenly
outing for them.
9 Old Pressley Sapphire Mine. Located off I-40, exit 33
they are open year-round, 7 days a week. 1(828)
648-6320.)
The mountain town of Cherokee was
about a 20-minute drive depending on the road conditions. It is
an all season town that goes into full swing during the summer.
One of the attractions is the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The
reservation spans about 56,000 acres and is open to the public.
In addition to crafts and culture this is the place to go trout
fishing.
Make a native connection with
history.
"Unto These Hills" is presented
each year at the Mountainside Theater. From mid-June through
August this exceptional outdoor drama depicts the history of the
eastern band of the Cherokee. Presented by a cast of more than
one hundred this timeline diorama is a thrilling piece of
theater. It is best suited for children more than eight years of
age because there are some very threatening scenes.
Bonus points:
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is an excellent place
to start learning about the complexities of indigenous
Americans. An extensive timeline explains the events of the
Cherokee people including the “Trail of Tears’ and the current
status of their ancient culture. Ask for the scavenger hunt kit.
Ride the rails.
About a 30-minute drive from Waynesville is the Dillsboro and
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. It is a sure bet for families
and great for grandparents traveling with grandkids. It is the
summer vacation spot for
Thomas the Tank
Engine. The time each summer varies.
Bonus points:
Each year they run a "Santa Train" winter excursion. The
three-hour train ride
takes passengers through a beautiful section of western North
Carolina with views of the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains,
winding rivers, and lakes. The excursions are offered on the
weekends from October through May and then offered daily in the
warmer months.
(The Great Smoky Mountain
Railroad. Dillsboro.1 (704) 586-8811,
toll-free 1-800-872-4681
or www.gsmr.com)
Raft a river.
Families with an adventuresome spirit may wish to try a “raft
and rail” junket. From April through October there are two
excursion choices available that combines a train journey with a
whitewater-rafting trip on the Nantahala River. One is called
“Rapid Transit” and the other “Wild Waters.” There
is no minimum age but children must way at least 60 pounds in
order to participate.
Chimney Rock Park. Chimney Rock Park is a scenic
attraction located 25 miles southeast of Asheville. The park has
spectacular 75-mile views seen from the top of the mountain.
There are numerous hiking trails, a 404-foot waterfall, Nature
Center, and picnicking. (Bat Cave, 1-800-277-9611 or
www.chimneyrockpark.com)
Cataloochee Ski Area. Kids’
Ski Program, Maggie Valley, 1 (828) 926-0286 or 1-800-768-0285
or
www.cataloochee.com
or
www.kidsskifree.com
The Museum of the Cherokee
Indian. Located on US Hwy 441 North and Drama Road. Open
Year-round, 9:00- 5:00 (September/mid-June) open until 8:00 p.m.
(June/August). 1(828) 497-3481or
www.cherokeemuseum.com
"Unto These Hills."
The season runs from June through August nightly except on
Sundays. This is a popular activity so for the best seats phone
at least two weeks in advance. 1(828) 497-2111 or
www.cherokee-nc.com
Santa’s Land. US
Hwy 19 in Cherokee, This is a theme park and zoo offering family
fun with a Christmas theme. 1(828) 497-9191.
Biltmore Estate.
Asheville is about a 45-minute drive from Waynesville, NC. And
the Biltmore Estate is just off I-40 at exit 50B. It was one of
America’s largest private residences. This 250-room French
Renaissance chateau, is open to the public. George Vanderbilt
built it in 1895. The estate tour is best suited for children 10
or older. The lavish furnishings will surprise even the most
jaded teen. The bowling alley is a surprise.
Kid’s Note:
This place is as cool as Hearst Castle. Tour includes the house,
gardens and a winery tour. The best thing to do is get an
audiotape. It will answer every question before you can think of
it. 1-800 543-2961 or
www.biltmore.com
Cherokee Tourism.
1-800 438-1601 or
www.cherokee-nc.com
Eating
Places
Stefano’s. 111 N. Main St.,
Waynesville. 1(828) 452-0027. Pizza, what else?
Bradley’s General Store.
They have an old-fashioned soda fountain that still works. Lunch
is served from April through December.
Dillsboro. 1(828) 586-3891.
Grandma’s Barn. They
serve big country-style breakfasts and might fine hamburgers
too.
Sylva. 1(828) 586-6532.
Bill Stanley’s Barbecue and
Bluegrass. This is the place to see American mountain
culture and taste the same. Enjoy ribs and Bluegrass, fried
catfish and clogging. Very casual and country this is a mountain
style dinning experience. Call to make sure the band is playing.
1(828) 253-4871. 20 South Spruce St., Asheville.
For fun, kid-friendly Hotels in Waynesville NC for Family Vacations check out Uptake.com. They search 5000 travel sites...so you don't have to!
Feature created
based on a trip taken 10/2002. Updated 1/2009. Copyright 2009.
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