Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Smarty Day Trip Series: Zip Line Tours!
By Katie M and Guest Blogger Kelly S
Today marks the last blog in our series of Day Trips this summer, and today's trip idea was one we could not pass up! A reader recently sent us information and a photo from her family's first zip line adventure, and we thought this day trip was especially smarty for those who love to try new things, as well as for those trying to escape the daily heat and pool routines. According to www.VisitNC.com, there are close to a dozen zipline (or canopy tour) attractions nearby, and summer is one of the most popular seasons for swinging through NC's lush, scenic treetops.
To find out how easy, breezy this kind of day trip can be, including what's required time-wise and dollar-wise, and what ages are most appropriate for this kind of adventure, begin by reading this article on www.About.com. It's a great primer for anyone who has never done this type of activity, or for someone who has never heard of it!
And here's what TSP reader Kelly S had to say about Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour...
Whether you are looking for a family day trip or a girls' weekend adventure, my family discovered a close-to-home treasure the other weekend! Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour in Boonville, NC is sure to impress! It was approximately an hours drive from Greensboro.
This was my family's first zip line experience. My typically apprehensive eight-year-old loved it and even myself, who is afraid of heights, had a blast! The zip line is adjacent to Sanders Vineyard, Winery and Restaurant, which is a beautiful log cabin that overlooks a serene pond. The timbers for the log cabin came off of the land.
Before embarking on our zip line adventure we sampled wines and lunch at Sanders. Although they did not have a kids menu, the chef whipped up a grilled cheese for the kids. The favorite lunch item sampled by the adults was the catfish sandwich. All the food on the menu is locally grown. We knew we wanted to visit some wineries along the way so we packed a cooler filled with exotic juices (which I purchased at Earthfare) and created a fun, kid-friendly "tasting" accompanied by Nilla wafers in which to cleanse their pallets.
With a hearty lunch in us we walked across the parking lot to get suited up for our zip line experience. The zip line course was designed by owner, Brian, and two other men (Rhett and Justin) that work with him. What began as a hobby for these men has turned into a full -time business venture. Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour is the newest of many courses that Brian and Rhett have built. This course is newly opened so the equipment and platforms were all in excellent condition.
Brian is father to four girls between the ages of 4 and 10, which gave him a natural ease with the children in the group. Rhett was our other guide for the day. It was apparent that both guides have a love for what they do and enjoy the outdoors. Along the way, Rhett pointed out various things within nature that were of interest to children and adults alike. Our entire adventure (lunch and zip line) took about 3 hours. It is a day trip that I would highly recommend for all ages!
Sounds fantastic! Thanks for sending this to us, Kelly. And Big Woods Zipline & Canopy Tour is not the only place to sample a zip line tour. Check out all these other places below that are relatively close to the Triad!
Canopy Ziplines and Canopy Tour in Westfield, NC
Toe River Lodge and Cafe in Plumtree, NC
Kersey Valley Zip Lines in High Point
Scream Time Zip Lines, near Boone NC (named one of the 10 most extreme zip lines in America by About.com).
Richland Creek Zipline (near Asheboro)
U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC
Extreeme Challenge LLC, in Monroe, NC (near Charlotte)
Nantahala Canopy Tours (southwest of Bryson City)
Navitat Canopy Adventures (20 minutes from Asheville)
Zip Quest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure (north Fayetteville)
Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils, NC
Have you ever been on a zip line tour? Where did you go? What kind of smarty tips can you share for families with kids of all ages?
Don't forget to register for our August Giveaway! You could be one of five lucky readers who will win a $20 gift card to Boutique of Couture in Winston-Salem. Think new fall clothes!!! Just click here to take a short survey. You must be a TSP newsletter subscriber to win. This giveaway promotion will run through Noon on Friday, August 13. Winners will be immediately notified and announced on TSP a few days later. Good luck, Smarties!
2 comments:
My FIL (75 yrs old) and nephew (16 yrs old) went a bout a month ago and BOTH had a BLAST!!! I think it would be a SUPER fun way to spend a girls day out!!! I had no idea there were so many so close!!! Thanks TSP!!!
Hoping to do this soon! Thank you for the information.
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