Summer Road Trip 2016

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

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Cherry Springs State Park is a relatively small state park in the northern part of Pennsylvania. There are no major cities for over a hundred miles in each direction, allowing the park to have the darkest skies on the east coast.  In 2007 it was designated as an International Dark Sky Park and has since attracted astronomers from around the globe.

The campgrounds and big, blue sky


Highlights:

  • Stargazing: Visitors come to Cherry Springs for one thing: to view the night sky. At 2300 feet atop the Allegheny Plateau, stars, planets, and even the shadow of the Milky Way is visible.  There are two observation fields. One is for serious astronomers and photographers, the other for the general public. The night we visited was clear, and we layed out on a blanket for hours, just mesmerized by the expansive sky. It was an experience that I won’t soon forget. Photographing the sky requires talent and equipment that I don’t possess, so these photos have been borrowed from internet sources but were taken at Cherry Springs.
  • Nature Trail: The sky is definitely the main event at Cherry Springs, but there is a picturesque nature trail with a varied scenery, wild life, and lots of berry bushes with ripe raspberries and blackberries. The whole family enjoyed the short, but pretty trail.

Travel Tip: Unless you are a hardcore camper, consider staying at some of the other state parks in the region and driving up at night for stargazing. Although the campsites were huge, the campground is very rustic with latrine style toilets and no running water. There also wasn’t much to do during the day, with the exception of the short nature trail. So although we had planned for two nights, we left after just one.

Huge campsite!



For Kids: It’s tough for little ones to wait patiently for the stars to appear, but enjoying a beautiful sunset with a campfire and some smores helps pass the time. Fun for parents too!



Until planning this trip, I had never heard of a “dark park”, but after experiencing the awe-inspiring views of the sky from Cherry Springs State Park, I know we’ll be back!  



Watkins Glen State Park, New York

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We visited many beautiful places this summer, but none quite like Watkins Glen State Park.  Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, near Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is a 400 foot gorge through which the Glen Creek flows. The natural stone path leads visitors along a breathtaking trail, with stunning views around each turn.

Some of the many waterfalls seen along the trail



Highlights:

  • Gorge Trail: This 1.5 mile pathway offers the best views of the entire gorge. Magnificent rock formations, waterfalls, and moss covered bridges provide beautiful scenery the entire length of the Gorge Trail. 

The Narrows

The Heart-Shaped Pool

Seen along Gorge Trail


A beautiful bridge along Gorge Trail

Sunlight shining through the rocks



Travel Tip: Although this trail is on the shorter side, be sure to wear appropriate footwear. The rocky trail can get wet and slippery, and there are 832 steps along the trail. And if a round trip hike sound like too much, a shuttle at one end of the gorge will bring you back to the main entrance for $5. 

Liam and Grampy on the Indian Trail

A great walk for all ages!

Climbing stairs with Grammy

A portion of Gorge Trail



For Kids: Not only are there 19 waterfalls along the Gorge Trail, the path even goes behind two of them! Kids will feel the spray of the water as they pass behind Rainbow Falls, and can reach out to feel the cold water pouring over the rocks. It’s exciting for children of all ages!

Jack touching the waterfall

Family photo under Rainbow Falls


Another beautiful view of Rainbow Falls

Jack and Ashley in front of Lily Pond


Watkins Glen State Park is a gorgeous, almost magical place. The scenery is varied and picturesque. Combine it with a trip to nearby Letchworth State Park for a wonderful few days enjoying the natural beauty of upstate New York!

Letchworth State Park, New York

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Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth State Park is a 17 mile stretch of natural beauty. The park is located 35 miles southwest of Rochester, and has recently been named the #1 state park in the U.S. We spent four days camping, hiking, and enjoying all that Letchworth has to offer.


Highlights:

  • Scenic Views: The first glimpse into the gorge is shockingly beautiful. There’s nothing about the surrounding landscape to suggest that such a remarkable natural formation is hidden in the midst. And you don’t need to be an avid hiker to enjoy the views. The most impressive areas can be seen from parking areas right off of the park roads!
  • Waterfalls: Letchworth State Park boasts three gorgeous waterfalls, appropriately named Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls. Each can be seen as part of the scenic drive or from the popular Gorge Trail. Just don’t forget your camera!
  • Hiking: There are few things that I find more relaxing and enjoyable than a walk in the woods, and with over 66 miles of hiking trails, Letchworth provides plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the area. We spend much of our time hiking different areas of the park – even in the rain!
  • Family!: After spending a month on the road, it was awesome to have two of my sisters join us for the weekend at Letchworth! The boys especially enjoyed games of Old Maid, trips to the playground, and making smores with Aunt Ashley and Aunt Amanda. They drove almost three hours to see us, and we loved every minute of the time we spent together!

Travel Tip: Although the hiking and nature walks are some of the best activities that Letchworth has to offer, their trail system can be confusing. The gift shop at the visitors center sells a $7 book that gives a detailed description of each trail, provides suggestions for connecting trails to make loops, and contains a laminated trail  map, which was especially handy during our morning walk in the rain.


For Kids: Just a month before our visit, in June 2016, Letchworth unveiled a 7 million dollar Nature Center. Designed as an educational space, there are interactive exhibits and staff who are eager to share hands-on items like animal furs with the kids. They even have a butterfly garden, a playground, and a 1 mile Storybook Nature trail with 14 stations, each a page from a story about the environment.

Letchworth is well-deserving of its title as the top state park in the nation! They have it all here: A museum, a visitors center, a nature center, scenic drives, amazing hikes, plenty of picnic areas, and there is even a hotel within the park if camping isn’t your thing. Despite it’s remote location, it is absolutely worth the travels to witness the beautiful gorge!

Niagara Falls, Ontario

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View from the top of Skylon Tower

Niagara Falls is an absolutely breathtaking natural beauty, attracting tourists from all over the world. At 180 feet, Nigara Falls is the second largest waterfall in the world, and the amount of water that pours over it is amazing. The entire town of Niagara Falls is focused on the waterfalls, and there are plenty of options for viewing it. With everything from ziplines to sunset cruises there is something for everyone! We purchased the Adventure Pass, which included a Hornblower Cruise, the Journey Behind the Falls, the White Water Walk, Nature’s Fury 6D Experience, and 2 days of unlimited rides on the WeGo bus. It definitely kept us busy! 

Jack and Liam checking out the falls from the window of the Visitor’s Center


Highlights:

  • Hornblower Cruise: It’s the quintessential falls experience to get a poncho and join the masses for a boat ride that takes you right up close to the falls. It’s an experience for all ages to feel the mist and hear the roar of the falls. And you WILL get wet!

    Rocking the red ponchos

    A view of the falls with a Maid of the Mist boat

    A close-up from the Hornblower

  • Journey Behind the Falls: An elevator ride took us down into a series of tunnels that lead to lookout points where we could see that we were actually behind the waterfall! My favorite part was the observation deck with great views super close to the falls!

    The tunnel behind the falls

    A view of the falls from the observation deck

    Jack getting sprayed by the mist

  • Skylon Tower: We debated about spending the money to ascend the tower after spending a full day viewing the falls, but I am so glad that we did! We actually ate dinner at the buffet restaurant up there, which was pricey but also allowed us to visit the observation deck after dinner. This was my favorite spot to view and photograph the falls. You can fully appreciate their magnitude and beauty from the top of Skylon Tower.

    The boys all ready for dinner on top of Skylon Tower

    My boys and I at the top

    The American Falls from the top of Skylon Tower

    Travel Tip: Make time to go see the falls at night, as they are colorfully lit. They even have fireworks and live music on some nights! 

    Night falls!

    Nigara falls is all lit up!


    For Kids: My boys really loved Niagara’s Fury, though I wasn’t overly impressed. It starts with a cute film on the history of Niagara Falls told through cartoon characters and then moves into more of an IMAX type of experience that includes water flying around. I think he’s crazy, but Jack says it was his favorite thing. 

    Even the movie requires ponchos!

    And if you want something that doesn’t require a poncho, both of my boys liked looking for rainbows in the mist.

    Rainbows never get old



    We had a great time in Niagara Falls. It is one of those places that is just overwhelmingly cool, agood item for a bucket list. The only downside for me is that the town is super touristy and we visited during peak season, so there were lots of crowds and long lines. Two days was plenty, and we were ready to head back into the wilderness!

    Presque Isle, Pennsylvania

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    Sunset on Lake Erie

    Presque Isle is a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie that has been designated as a state park. With 13 miles of roads, 21 miles of trails, and 13 public beaches, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a few days of summer!

    Presque Isle location



    Sara’s Campground on the Beach

    There is no campground located inside Presque Isle State Park, but Sara’s Campground is located right outside the entrance. The coolest thing about this campground (and one of our deciding factors in visiting Presque Isle) is that you can camp right on the beach! Our campsite was about six feet from the water’s edge on a sandy beach. We spent a much-needed couple of days swimming, lounging, and finishing each night with a campfire, smores, and stargazing. This truly is a beautiful place!

    Beach bums!


    Highlights: It was all about the beach for us! The boys spent hours in the water each day, barely coming out for a break. The water wasn’t too cold, and the bottom was nice and sandy once you got out past the rocks. 

    The boys swam for hours!


    Travel Tip: You can’t book a site on the beach, and they fill up fast on the weekends. If you have your heart set on setting up your tent on the sand, plan to arrive early on Sunday – Wednesday. We got there at noon on a Sunday and had our pick of waterfront sites. 

    Making smores (and memories!)

    Our campsite on the beach


    For Kids: The weather can greatly impact the size of the waves on Lake Erie. The water was very calm on the day we arrived. Liam could swim freely, and I was comfortable watching from the shore. There was a quick storm in the morning of the second day and the waves got huge. It felt like a freshwater ocean. The older kids on the beach were having a blast body surfing and using boogie boards. The experience was very different each day, so it’s something to keep in mind when planning a trip.

    The calm waters of Day 1


    Liam playing with his new floatie

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    Presque Isle State Park

    We only peeled ourselves off the beach for about a half day of exploring Presque Isle State Park, and I would love to go back some day to do more. They have nature trails, bike rentals, free pontoon boat rides, 13 beaches and more that we’ll have to check out next time. Here are the things we enjoyed during our short visit.

    View of Perry Monument from the boat



    Highlights:

    • Lady Kate Cruise:  This is a scenic boat tour of Lake Erie that includes views of several lighthouses, the skyline of Erie, and views of Presque Isle from the water. It was a pleasant ride, even as a storm was brewing.

      The Lady Kate

      One of the lighthouses seen on the boat tour

    • Lighthouse Tour: There are three lighthouses on Presque Isle, but only one is open for public viewing. For $6 a tour guide will bring you to the top, sharing the history of the area and interesting stories about the lighthouse.

      The Presque Isle Lighthouse

      The view of Lake Erie from the top of the lighthouse

    Travel Tip: Pack a lunch if you plan to spend the day in Presque Isle State Park. I didn’t notice any concessions, but there are dozens of great picnic spots!

    A section of park road


    For Kids: There are 13 public beaches with lifeguards! If you need a break from the water, the park offers free pontoon not rides through the lagoons daily, and 11 miles of paved bike trails (bike rentals available). There’s plenty to keep children of all ages happy!

    Sand castles!!



    I wish we had planned more time in Presque Isle! It is a great place for inexpensive family fun and we had a great time relaxing on the beach after a very busy few weeks of travel. And the sunsets are breathtaking!


    Hocking Hills, Ohio

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    When planning our trip, we tried to keep the driving times between places under five hours in order to maintain our sanity. As a result, we needed a stop or two between Mammoth Cave and Niagara Falls. We thought about Cincinatti, but cities aren’t really our thing since we live in arguably the best one in the world. So I googled “most beautiful place in Ohio” and Hocking Hills came up. It was a perfect location for a stop over, and it is a great place for hiking, photography, and enjoying nature. These were the beauties that we explored during our short visit.

    Old Man’s Cave

    Resting up for a hike


    Old Man’s Cave isn’t actually a cave, but rather an area in a gorge where the rock was carved out by water. It created a recessed area where a hermit once lived in the late 1700’s, giving it the name Old Man’s Cave. The entire gorge is breathtaking with bridges, exposed rock walls, and even a waterfall. We spent several hours wandering the trails and taking photos. 

    One of the many footbridges along the path


    Highlights: The entire gorge area is stunning, but the magnitude of the cave makes it the star of this hike.

    Ryan and Liam in Old Man’s Cave


    Travel Tip:  The trails can get busy on a sunny weekend, so try to visit early morning, evening, or week days. This is especially true if you’re trying to photograph the area.

    Part of the hiking trail


    For Kids: Kids love a walk that includes a waterfall, although it was little more than a trickle during our visit. Climbing the rocky stairs and crossing the moss covered bridges is fun too. And if you need to bribe them, there’s a place with 24 flavors of soft ice cream a couple miles away.

    Family photo in front of Lower Falls


    Jack enjoying the trail


    Rock House

    Rock House is huge tunnel along the middle of a 150 foot cliff. It is 25 feet high and about 200 feet long, with many large holes that give the feeling of windows. It’s actually the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park!

    A portion of Rock House



    Highlights: It’s a huge rock that you can walk through with lots of “windows”. Awesome.

    The boys taking a break from climbing


    Travel Tip: It’s very dark and damp inside the rock house, so be especially careful if you have bad knees or ankles. Also, watch children closely. There are lots of ledges and rocks with a long drop off.

    Love these big rocks!


    For Kids: Let them climb and play! As long as it was on the inside with no possibility of a long fall, we let them climb and explore. Jack was convinced he discovered a passageway to go deeper!

    Jack crawling around on the rocks



    Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve

    Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve is an awesome place to get out for a walk with the whole family. There is a 1 mile Gorge Trail that follows the river through the valley or a 2.5 mile Rim Trail that makes a loop around the entire top. Both provide opportunities for viewing the wildlife and plants of the area.


    Highlights: If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a sucker for a scenic view so we opted for the  Conkles Hollow Rim Trail, a beautiful 2.5 mile hike around the top of the gorge, with plenty of lookouts to enjoy.

    View from the Rim Trail


    Travel Tip:  Free guided tours are offered here several times each week. Check in at Old Man’s Cave Visitors Center for a complete schedule. We missed it thanks to a bacon and egg breakfast at our campsite, but at least we weren’t hungry!

    My boy and I at one of the lookouts



    For Kids: Grab the area nature guide that is available at the trailhead, and then try to find the many plants and animals while you walk. 

    We we both surprised at how much there was to see and do in Hocking Hills, Ohio. It really is a hidden gem!

    Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

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    Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest known cave system in the word, with 435 miles of caves. My photos cannot even begin to capture the experience of descending far beneath the earth and traveling through the various rooms and passageways. And there is plenty to see and do above ground too! These are our favorite parts of our visit:

    Historic Tour

    The historic tour enters from a trail near the Visitors Center and follows a 2 mile path through some of the most visited parts of the cave. It’s one of the most popular tours, so buy tickets in advance if you’re visiting during the summer months.

    The entrance for the Historic Tour


    Highlights: The guide did an excellent job telling us about the history of the cave and how it has been used in the past. One of the best parts was when she turned off all of the lights and we were able to experience just how dark and quiet the cave would have been to past explorers. She even showed us some graffiti made by candles in the 1800’s!

    Cave graffiti from the 1800’s



    Travel Tip: Wear good sneakers or hiking shoes. This tour includes 440 stairs, areas of uneven ground, and 2 miles of walking. You don’t want to do it in flip flops.


    For Kids:  The kids loved watching all of the adults have to squeeze through a narrow part of the cave called Fat Man’s Misery. They also laughed at Dad for having to duck under so many rocks to keep from hitting his head.

    Appropriately named narrow section of the cave



    Domes and Dripstones Tour

    This tour enters a different part of the cave system, and requires a short bus ride to the man-made entrance. This tour is very different from the Historic Tour, and includes some of the most beautiful cave formations that have been discovered in Mammoth Cave.

    One of the larger rooms in this part of the cave


    Highlights: No questions about it, seeing the dripstones was the highlight of this tour. It ends near a room called the drapery room that is full of beautiful formations. There is even one called the Frozen Niagara due to its resemblance to the great waterfall!

    Part of the drapery room



    Travel Tip: Bring a sweater or jacket. It was over 100 degrees outside on the day we visited, but the cave is 54 degrees all year round and can start to feel chilly.

    Dripstone formations


    For Kids: The tour moves right along, so there isn’t much time for kids to get bored, and there are several stops with benches for times when the guide is sharing a story. And plenty of chances for curious minds to ask questions!

    How could a kid not love this?


    Liam having fun on the tour


    Extras

    The tours were the best parts of our visit, but we found lots of other things to keep us busy!

    • Sand Cave Caravan: This is a ranger-led tour that tells the story of Floyd Collins, a man who was stuck in the cave for 2 weeks back in 1925. There are three stops on the tour, including the now closed entrance to Sand Cave, Floyd’s family home, and the graveyard where he is buried. The story was fascinating, and the guide brought several artifacts to share that brought the story to life.

      Natural entrance to Sand Cave

    • Amphitheater Programs: Each night a ranger gave a talk in the amphitheater. One night we learned about different caves around the world and other nights focused on people who have contributed to cave discovery and exploration. 
    • Russell Sims Aquatic Center: When it’s 100 degrees in Kentucky, you have to find a place to go swimming. Mammoth Cave doesn’t have any swimming spots, so we drove to Bowling Green and spent $25 for the whole family to spend the afternoon here. It was worth every penny!

      Russel Sims Aquatic Center


      Jack liked the water slides!

    We loved Mammoth Cave National Park. I’m not kidding when I say that these photos don’t do it justice. It’s a must-see in my opinion!

    Cumberland, Kentucky

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    The natural beauty that exists in this country never ceases to amaze me, and Kentucky was no exception. There is so much untouched land with mountains and rivers, and the people are some of the friendliest that we’ve encountered. Here are the standouts from our few days in southeastern Kenucky.

    Cumberland Gap National Historical Park


    In the place where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet is the passageway to the west. It’s a historically significant and beautiful place. We spent an afternoon exploring the visitor’s center and some of the surrounding areas of the park.

    Highlights: Although the visitor’s center was great, the best spot in the park is Pinnacle Overlook. It’s a steep drive up followed by a short walk, but the views are more than worth it. We were able to see all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains, almost 150 miles away.


    Travel Tip: Camping is available here, but they don’t take reservations so it’s walk-ins only. We opted to stay at nearby Cumberland Falls State Park.

    For Kids: Here’s another place to earn a Junior Ranger badge, and because they don’t get as many visitors as the bigger national parks they gave the badge and certificate along with tattoos, stickers and other goodies. 

    Cumberland Falls

    When we found out that Cumberland Gap didn’t take camping reservations, we decided to stay at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park as a way to break up the drive to Mammoth Cave. This little state park turned out to be a great couple of days in Kentucky.


    Highlights: Cumberland Falls is famous for having the only moonbow in North America. A moonbow is a rainbow over a waterfall that only happens in the light of a full moon. We just happened to be visiting during the full moon, and the weather just happened to clear on the nights that we were there. We were able to witness the moonbow, and it was a really neat experience. It’s almost impossible to photograph, so this picture was borrowed from a postcard.


    Travel Tip: Check your dates if you hope to see the moonbow. It can only be seen 3-4 days each month, and conditions have to be ideal.


    For Kids: Jack liked the moonbow, but he had more fun hiking around the trails during the day. There are lots oflittle paths that perfect for small hikers.


    Horseback Riding

    Cumberland Falls State Park also offered horseback riding, and for $18 for a 45 minute trail ride, Jack and I decided to give it a try. We had a great time exploring the countryside on horseback!

    Highlights: The highlight for me was doing something one-on-one with Jack. The horses were gentle, the scenery was beautiful, and it was something that him and I got to experience together. 



    Travel Tip: Speak up if you want some extra safety measures. They didn’t offer a helmet for Jack, but they provided one upon request. 


    For Kids: Children have to be six years old in order to ride. They horses were very calm and gentle, but of course anything can happen. Our guides were looking out for bears the entire time, and I can only imagine how a horse would react during a bear encounter!



    This was just the beginning of our fun in Kentucky. From here we headed to Mammoth Cave National Park, the subject of my next post. We accidentally took the long way, and the drive through the countryside was amazing! 


    Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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    The towns surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park are designed to accommodate and entertain the ten million visitors that come to the park each year. We spent three days in Pigeon Forge, enjoying this tourist town that is set up for family fun. There are hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and resorts. And the activities offered are endless. You could spend a whole day just browsing the brochure racks and planning which attractions and activities your family wants to visit. Here are the places that we chose:

    Dollywood!


    Dollywood is an amusement park owned by the country singer Dolly Parton. It has dozens of rides, fifteen shows, and even characters walking around. It’s fun for all ages!



    Highlights:

    • My boys loved the stunt dog show where dogs performed amazing tricks.

      Meeting one of the dogs after the show

    • The rides were super fun and there were no lines! We rode one of the big roller coasters 3 times in 15 minutes!

      Roller coaster fun

    • Just when it started to get hot, we hit the family water rides! 

      Family water ride

    Travel Tip: The park says that it opens at 10:00, but we arrived at about 9:15 (we thought the trolley would take a lot longer than it did) and the doors were open. Some rides were already running, and we more or less had the park to ourselves. 

    Liam approves!



    For Kids:  I don’t know a child who doesn’t love to take the wheel. Be sure to hit up the cars and let the little ones drive. Liam’s top pick!

    Liam taking Daddy for a ride


    Rafting on Pigeon River



    The best part of visiting Tennessee is the natural beauty of area. After days of hiking and driving to scenic vistas, we decided to see it from the water and booked a floating raft trip down the lower part of Pigeon River.



    Highlights: During our rafting trip it started raining. It was an absolute downpour, but it somehow made the whole trip seem like a big adventure. Jack loved getting soaked head to toe.


    Travel Tip: Buy a waterproof phone case bag to take pictures during the trip. I got mine for $8 on Amazon: Waterproof Phone Case. The photos taken by the rafting company cost over $40.


    For Kids: They stopped to let the kids swim in the rain!

    Jack taking a swim in Pigeon River



    WonderWorks


    Its an upside down house!

    WonderWorks caught the boys’ attention as we drove into town because it’s a huge upside down house. Inside is a combination of science museum, children’s museum, and amusement park. They have hands-on exhibits, a massive ropes course, and even roller coaster simulators. A great afternoon of fun!

    Highlights: The entire family enjoyed the 6D movie experience with moving seats.

    All ready for the movie!


    Travel Tip: Ask about discounts. They offered lower ticket prices for miltary families, police officers, teachers, and more.

    Trying out the rock wall


    For Kids: Everything here is for kids! There are height requirements for several of the attractions so check before you go. Liam had to sit quite a few things out, but there was still plenty to keep him entertained.

    Playing with bubbles

     
    We were sad to say goodbye to Tennessee and the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. This is a perfect place for a family getaway! 

    Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

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    Ryan and I stopped in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park back in 2009 on our cross-country trip and we promised ourselves that we would return for a longer stay. This area of the country is amazingly beautiful. My photos don’t even begin to capture the awe-inspriring landscape. We stayed in on a river front site in Elkmont Campground, and spent an amazing few days immersed in nature. Here’s a few of the things we did.

    Clingman’s Dome

    The observation tower at Clingman’s Dome



    Reaching Clingman’s Dome requires a winding drive up a mountain, followed by a short but steep hike up to the top. Once at the top, an elevation of 6,644 feet, there is an obeservation tower that provides for amazing views.

    Highlights: It’s all about the view here, and there are several places to pull off and enjoy the views on the way up. Take your time and enjoy it!

    Travel Tip: Don’t go first thing in the morning. We usually try to beat the crowds, but the cloud cover needs time to burn off or you won’t have a view of anything but fog.

    Our view of the fog from Clingman’s Dome


    For Kids: The path to the top is paved, and the observation tower has a long ramp, rather than stairs. This makes it easier for small children to reach the top.

    Liam hiking up to the observation tower

     

    Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse


    The Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse is a well-preserved one room schoolhouse that was built in 1882 and used until 1936. The desks and several other artifacts from the time period were available for viewing.

    Highlights: At scheduled times, a volunteer leads a session in which she shares information about the school, how it was organized, what the children studied, and more. Even the boys found it interesting.

    Travel Tip: The road to get up to the school house is a one-lane dirt road with cars going in both directions. It is also on a hill. Luckily we didn’t have to back up at all, but it was nerve wracking. My suggestion is to leave early and hike up through the forest. There are well-marked paths leading right to the schools house.

    For Kids: The program is better for older children, with many chances to ask questions and see the books, toys, and lunch boxes from the late 1800’s.

    A table with books and artifacts to examine


    Cades Cove Hayride

    Cades Coves is not to be missed on a visit to the Smoky Mountains. It is a 12 mile loop that includes beautiful mountain views, fields of wildflowers, historic buildings and even a working mill! The loop can be traveled by car, bike, or even on horseback. Bikes are available for rent, and the road is closed to cars a couple of times each week. Because our little guys aren’t ready for a 12 mile ride, we opted for a two-hour evening hayride that was guided by a park ranger. 

    Highlights: We saw three black bears! It was a mother and her two cubs, and we stopped to watch them for almost ten minutes. We had to keep moving once they got within 30 feet of our wagon!


    Travel Tip: If you opt for the hayride, sit on the driver’s side of the wagon. This will give you an unobstructed view of the most scenic parts of Cades Cove.

    A view along the Cades Cove loop


    For Kids: The ranger was great, and even gave each child a turn to ride up in the front with him. He brought animal pelts and other items to share with the kids as we went. 

    Jack taking his turn up front with the ranger

    Liam examining a wolf pelt


    Roaring Fork Motor Trail

    A river view along Roaring Fork Motor trail

    This is another driving loop in a different area of the park. The road was quite winding and narrow, but there were some beautiful views and several places to get out and examine the surroundings. 

    Highlights: Most of the drive is through thick forest, but every so often there would be a spot where the trees would clear and the view would be breath taking. 


    Travel Tip: The Sugarlands Visitor Center sells a $1 guide for the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. It describes the changes in vegetation, identifies points of interest, and provides historical background for the many buildings along the route.

    For Kids: My boys enjoyed getting out and exploring the old homes and barns. They couldn’t believe that ten people could live in such a tiny home!

    One of the many preseved buildings along the trail

    Liam is having fun exploring!




    Laurel Falls 

    Laurel Falls


    Laurel Falls is an 80 foot waterfall accessible by a 1.3 mile paved hiking trail. It’s a beautiful walk for the whole family!
    Highlights: The star of this one is the waterfall. There are some benches at the top to sit on and enjoy the surroundings.

    Travel Tip: This is one of the most popular hikes in the Smokies and the parking area fills up fast. Get there before 9 to avoid the crowds.

    For Kids: It’s a short, paved hike to a waterfall. It’s perfect for kids. Strollers are not recommended and there are some steep edges so keep the little ones close.

    Trailhead photo


    If you haven’t been to the Great Smoky Mountains, add it to your bucket list. The national park is amazing, and the surrounding towns are chock full of family-friendly fun!