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!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Winston-Salem!

By Katie M

You can live 15 minutes away, 45 minutes away, or within walking distance to downtown and there is always something in Winston-Salem worth visiting time and time again. I've only lived in this beautiful city for less than six years and my family and I are constantly discovering new things to do or to see. I love having friends and family come visit so we can show-off our city. The influence of history, culture and arts, along with its appeal to families with children of any age, makes Winston-Salem a fantastic place for a day trip.


Without a doubt, my favorite stop in Winston-Salem is Old Salem Museums and Gardens. Not many cities can boast a living historical center (plus gardens and museums) just steps from the skyscrapers in downtown. No matter when you go you can be assured you'll see something interesting. Whether you stroll the shops (and sample treats from Winkler Bakery - yum!), or just pitch a picnic in the center courtyard, you might discover a horse and buggy drive by, or witness workers sowing fields in turn-of-the-century garb, or happen upon one of the many historical events it sponsors year-round.

You can literally start your day trip tour at Old Salem, and then walk up either historical Main Street or beautiful Old Salem Road to the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem. This museum is a must-stop for all young families in the Triad. In addition to its many weekly events, the Children's Museum also hosts traveling exhibits which make your visits new and exciting each time.


You can continue a walk to downtown (although with kids I highly recommend driving from here on out for the rest of your visit). Just within the past few months to a year, a bunch of new restaurants and shops have opened along Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem (the main drag). Stop by Mellow Mushroom, Wolfies for frozen custard, Skippy's Hot Dogs, or walk a little south on Marshall Street to check out a fun ampitheatre area (site of many downtown music events) that has a fun pond area for kids. Or go north to where Sixth and Trade Streets meet and stroll Winston-Salem's arts district - complete with art museums, restaurants and quirky shops.

Go west on Fourth, cross Broad Street, and grab a seat outside at the Old Street Filling Station or across the street at West End Cafe (both are excellent lunch and dinner restaurants and are great for the kids too). Next to both restaurants is Grace Court, a perfect park to stroll after you dine!




A little further out from downtown and the West End District is Reynolda House, Museum and Gardens. Not only is this an amazing house to tour (check web site to confirm days and times tours are offered), but the grounds surrounding it are just as impressive. Let your kids run free in the front lawn or fly a kite. Take a walk down the path to the lake and old lake house and look for frogs. Lose yourself (but not literally!) in the breathtaking gardens. Stroll the shops at Reynolda Village, dine at the original Village Tavern restaurant, and finish up with an ice cream cone at Mayberry's!


And this just covers the downtown area of Winston-Salem. There are so many other great attractions that are worthy of their own day trips. You might remember our blog on favorite parks in Winston-Salem. A whole day could be devoted to just Tanglewood Park (visit the public pool, climb the life-sized old-fashioned train, pet and feed the horses, etc), or Salem Lake (where you can feed ducks, walk the 7-mile loop around the lake or rent a canoe or boat).


Winston-Salem is also home to SciWorks, one of our area's largest hands-on science museums, and Dixie Classic Fair, the 50th largest fair in North America and the second largest in North Carolina that averages more than 325,000 visitors every fall!

And if you have the time and are seeking some real local flavor, there are a few "best kept secrets" of Winston-Salem you must check out. First, Rachel H says you must visit Sam the Dot Man's house and store on Northwest Blvd. Or take some time to stroll the historic town of Lewisville which is just west of Winston-Salem, where you'll find the Kaplan store - a fun place to shop for educational toys, games and learning tools. And if you have a young daughter, take her to Simply Sassy on Jonestown Road for an impromptu pamper after a long day of touring Winston-Salem!

I know I just skimmed the possibilities of Winston-Salem. Tell us what your favorite thing is, and what's a must-do for families day tripping to Winston-Salem!

Photo Credits:
Wake Forest University (Reynolda Gardens, Reynolda Village photos)
City Data.com (Salem Lake image)
Salem Academy (downtown Winston-Salem image)
Museums of the Triad.org (Children's Museum of Winston-Salem)
Ci.Winston-Salem.NC.US (Dixie Classic Fair picture)

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Burlington

By Guest Blogger Ashleigh Brown

It’s a beautiful day here in Burlington and as my girls wake for the day they immediately ask, “What are we going to do today?” Today we are continuing the Smarty Day Trip Series by focusing on one of our own Triad cities, which has so much to offer for families!

There are many fun activities to choose from and we each have our favorites. Here are some of the regular requests and fun things my family likes to do...

Paul’s Pastry Shop in downtown Burlington is always a family favorite in starting our morning. We love their fresh, warm, YUMMY, glazed donuts and donut holes. They also have a great variety of other donut choices as well as cookies and cakes. Paul’s Pastry is located in downtown Burlington and has been in business since 1943.
822 S Church Street
Burlington, NC 27215
336-226-4757

Now let’s go visit one of our local farms. From April to October, Iseley Farms is a wonderful place to visit.
Our family picks strawberries in April, visits the barn throughout the summer for the freshest of vegetables and fruit and returns in October to choose just the right pumpkin for our front porch. And if that’s not enough, during those HOT summer days, Iseley Farms sells homemade Strawberry Ice Cream to cool any kid off, even the big kids! For a complete listing of everything they offer visit their website at www.iseleyfarms.com.
2960 Burch Bridge Road
Burlington, NC 27217
336-584-3323

Time to Eat! We can’t think of a better place to head for lunch than Blue Ribbon Diner. (Pictured at the top.) With the classic diner feel, Blue Ribbon is sure to take you back in time! We recommend the Apple Jack Chicken served on a bun, salad or with a side of southern style veggies. And don’t forget the Endless Fries! Whether you choose chicken, a hamburger, fried pickles or a creamy homemade milk shake, you are sure to leave satisfied!
2465 South Church Street 1004 Mebane Oaks Road
Burlington, NC 27215 Mebane, NC 27302
336.570.1120 919-563-7020

Last on our list is a stop at Burlington City Park. The City Park, located in the heart of Burlington, is home to five athletic fields, an amusement area featuring an extensive playground and courtyard, the Historical Dentzel Carousel, a train, a walking track, twelve lighted tennis courts, and a year-round aquatics facility. The carousel and the train are our favorites! If you are watching or choose to ride it is always a treat to see the beautiful, hand painted animals gracefully circle around to the sound of the old timey organ. You can read more about the park here by reading Katie's Day Trip blog.
1333 Overbrook Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-222-5030

These are just a few of the local places our family likes to visit, but Burlington and surrounding areas have so much to offer! Here are a few additional events and venues your family might enjoy ...

• Saturdays in Saxpahaw is held May – August from 5 pm to 8 pm. Festivities include performances by local bands, a farmer’s market, handmade arts and crafts and exciting events and activities for children. Admission is free, donations are appreciated.

•Lake Mackintosh and Marina features many activities for the family that enjoys the outdoors and water! The lake includes paddle boats, picnic sites, fishing, shelters for rental, a playground area, row boat rentals, sailing and a clubhouse overlooking the lake.
2704 Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-538-0896

•Zack’s Hot Dogs is another local favorite of ours! Zack’s has been serving up tasty dogs in downtown Burlington since 1928. The Touloupas family serves great food … FAST! I’ll have two dogs, mustard, slaw and chili, fries and a bottled Coke. CLEAR!
201 W Davis Street
Burlington, NC 27215
336-226-4746

Be sure to add your own favorite spots to visit in Burlington by commenting below!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own Greensboro

By Rachel H and Guest Blogger, Lori Redding

This week we are continuing our Day Trip Series by focusing on enjoyable venues for families right here in our own Triad area. We have run numerous Day Trips about adventurous places to take your family outside of the Triad area as well, so be sure to check out our Day Trip category to view archived blogs.

Today, Lori has highlighted some of her favorite family spots in the Greensboro area. As we all know, you could spend months in the Greensboro area and never run out of new places to visit, so be sure to add any ideas that you think our readers would enjoy! ... Rachel H


You may hear teenagers poor-mouthing about how there’s nothing to do in Greensboro. Chances are slim, though, that you’d ever hear a similar line from parents of young children in the Gate City. In fact, there are so many great spots to hit that you could never get to them all in one Smarty Day Trip.

The Greensboro Children’s Museum is a perfect place to start. The newest highlight is the Edibile Schoolyard. This large outdoor garden is perfectly cared for and is an amazing educational opportunity. From rows of beautiful vegetables to a chicken coup and fish pond, the Schoolyard offers children the chance to learn about farming and where their food comes from. You might even get to do some hands on picking, planting or tasting while you’re there. To beat the heat, step inside and enjoy the many great exhibits the kids will love.
220 North Church Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 574-2898

If it’s near lunch time, don’t miss a chance to drop by Brown-Gardiner Drug Store. One of Greensboro’s favorite lunch spots, the lunch counter has great sandwiches and a quaint charm to take you back to days gone by. It’s perfect for kids, too, featuring fresh-made menu items like grilled cheese, hot dogs and orange-aid. You’ll love it!
2101 North Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27408
(336) 273-0596

Next stop is the Natural Science Center of Greensboro. Just a quick drive up Lawndale Drive brings you to another learning lesson. Now instead of fruits and vegetables you’ll be learning about animals from all over the world. Indoors you’ll find lots of interactive exhibits including full-sized dinosaurs and aquariums housing a nurse shark. Head outside for a quick trip around the globe. There are alligators, lemurs, snakes and much more. Our favorite areas are the tigers and maned wolves. Seeing these awesome creatures strut within just a few feet helps the kids (and the moms) gain a better appreciation of their power.
4301 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455
(336) 288-3769

Now that you’ve experienced the natural world, why not go grab some books to continue the learning? A short trip out New Garden Road brings you to Price Park, one of Greensboro’s crown jewels. The Park was acquired by Piedmont Land Conservancy in 1999 and conveyed to the City to become a nature-focused park for the people. It contains hiking trails, a butterfly meadow and a native grassland under restoration. For nature lovers it’s the perfect place to explore and see their favorite wildlife. In addition, Price Park is home to the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library. The library is the most visited in the Greensboro Library system. It contains a wealth of educational materials to help kids learn more about the natural world just outside its doors.
1420 Price Park Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 373-2923

If you’ve still got a few hours or want to plan another Smarty Day Trip there’s much more to be found. Bur-Mil Park has fishing opportunities, a public pool and great trails for the family to enjoy. You can check out TSP's list of favorite Greensboro parks here.The Bog Garden near Friendly Center is a great place to stretch your legs, feed the ducks and take a stroll. Afterwards you can swing through Friendly Center where there’s something for everyone – Great Outdoor Provision Company for dad, Toys & Co. for the kiddos and the moms will love a few quite moment in Simply Meg's to catch up on all their fashion needs.

Lori, we thank you for all your ideas! I am so excited to check out the drug store and let my kids order some classic food! Speaking of food, all my friends know that I have two favorite reasons for visiting Greensboro on a regular basis - PF Chang's and The Melting Pot! YUM! If you have not been to either of these, you have GOT to go! (Take note, that The Melting Pot is actually a better venue for a date night instead of a family spot. On the other hand, Chang's has a great kids' menu!) What is your favorite thing to do in Greensboro?

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Our Own High Point!

By Rachel H and Guest Blogger, Alison Nolan

Thus far, we have run numerous Day Trips about exciting, educational, and adventurous places to take your family outside of the Triad area. For the next few weeks, we are focusing on activities right here in our own Triad area!

This week, we will start with a blog written by Alison Nolan. She has highlighted some of her favorite family spots in the High Point area. We hope you'll make a day out of it and visit some of these places. At the end of the blog, be sure to add any other family-friendly venues in High Point that you think our readers would enjoy! Then stay tuned throughout the next few weeks as we hit other Triad cities! ... Rachel H

You may think of High Point as that little town that has Furniture Market – but there are also plenty of really fun things to do here! I have listed a few below that maybe you’ll look into because you just didn’t know about it before!

One of our most favorite parks in which to play is High Point City Lake Park – mailing address is in Jamestown but the name is High Point so we can claim it! (The link for the park is currently not connecting, but I am in hopes it will be fixed by the time this blog runs!) This park has so much for kids of all ages to enjoy. Want to wear the kiddos out? Bring them here and enjoy a very large playground area for big and little kids, amusement rides (a carousel!!), a fun train ride and more. The pool and waterslide opened for the weekends on May 29th and will open daily on June 14, 2010. There are fees, which are noted on the park website.

Park Description: 340 acre lake with boating, fishing, paddle boats, picnic areas with shelters, fishing boat and canoe rentals, amusement rides, train, waterslide, largest outdoor swimming pool in the state, miniature golf, gymnasium, playground and excursion boat.
602 West Main Street
Jamestown
336.883.3498 and Pool Phone 336.883.3501

Another great park in the area, which is a little smaller, is Gibson Park which is right off of Wendover. They have a small playground and some great walking/hiking trails. Bring a comfortable pair of shoes because you’re in for quite a hike. Warning - if you take your little ones and walk too far, you may be carrying them back! My little (Aaron) looked up at me and asked if I could carry him back because he was too tired which was about ½ a mile – there was a lot of whining on the way back…by both of us. There are also two baseball fields if you’re in for a friendly game or just a little practice.
5207 West Wendover Avenue
336.454.0259

There is also a campground in our area, Oak Hollow Campground, if you’re looking for a short and not too distant camping trip. I have to say I’m not much of the “camping type” but I hear it is very nice. It’s also close to the Reitzel Tennis Center if you want to walk just a short way to play a game. They even have “some sections with cable TV” in their description – I guess you can “rough it” and watch The Backyardigans, too?
Over 100 full service campsites along Oak Hollow Lake, featuring modern bathhouse, showers, play area, pool, some sections with cable TV.
3415 N. Centennial Street
336.883.3492


Do you have kids that are nature and animal lovers? Then you’ll want to check out the Piedmont Environmental Center. They have classes, camps, walking trails (on over 376 acres that have been preserved and protected) and more activities going on throughout the summer. I called and spoke to the Director, Dick Thomas, and he told me that they have been holding their summer camps since 1975 and shared that they have some of the best (if not THE best) camps in the state. The membership costs are fairly low and give a big discount to their programs and camps. There is NO FEE to walk through their building, which is made of 60% recycled materials, or to walk the trails and explore.
Center Open: Monday - Friday 9-5.
Building closed Sat. & Sun. but trails remain open.
1220 Penny Road
336.883.8531


All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm is a cool place where kids learn about all of the stages of the butterfly’s life cycle. Girls AND Boys of all ages will be in awe of how they change from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. The farm gives them the opportunity to have the butterfly placed on their hands or clothing and then they fly away, the butterflies not the kids! The program is interactive and fun for kids of all ages! You can read Katie's Day Trip Blog about All-A-Flutter by clicking here.

Open April through October 9th for Family Days on Saturdays from 10-11am and 3-4pm and Sundays from 2-3pm (just show up about 10 minutes early). Admission fee is $6 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors 65+. If it’s raining at 8am you’ll want to call before heading over there. There are times available during the week, but are for groups only.
7850 Clinard Farms Road
336.454.5651

Thank you for these fun ideas, Alison! I also have to throw in the fact that High Point has some great shopping, so if your children can hang for some extra "mommy-time" I highly suggest checking out some local businesses including Poshh Boutique (You can get 20% off any one item by mentioning Smarty Pants!), The Gilded Lily by Patra, Kits Company, and Hang-Ups. There are also some fabulous places to shop for furniture (of course!) and fabric. We have quite a few listed on our Best Kept Secrets blog for great deals in the High Point area. You can also check out our blog on the High Point Museum here. We would love for you to share more of your favorite spots below!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Discovery Place

By Ashley H, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Looking for a fabulous family activity that everyone can enjoy? Discovery Place in Charlotte is the ticket, Smarties!! Visitors have made this one of the top attractions in the Carolinas and one of our nation’s premier science museums. Discovery Place is conveniently located in the heart of uptown Charlotte (about an hour's drive from the Triad) close to dining, the Light Rail (kids LOVE catching a ride on the Lynx) and so much more. Step into a world where science is brought to life featuring more than 300 interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Experience the past and visit the future through world-class traveling exhibitions, groundbreaking IMAX® Discovery Films and the latest release Full-Length Feature Films.


This Queen City gem is nearing completion on a $31.6 million renovation that should be completely made over as of June 27th with the opening of World Alive and Fantastic Frogs, the final two in a brand series of brand new original exhibitions. Also, see the new aquarium, wander the rainforest or have an eye-popping experience in the 3D theatre. Don’t miss, KidScience, one of Discovery Place’s newly renovated areas that is 3,300 square feet of learning fun! Complete with areas like the water table, color wall, rocket launchers/wind wall, toddler corral and The Tinkertron, KidScience has everything to delight kids ages 0-7.

I took my family to see what KidScience was all about and let me tell you we all LOVED it! They did a great job with the new renovation…the room is so inviting, full of color and light and offers tons to tempt the young scientist in your child! Fallon and Cannon particularly loved the water table, color wall (looks like a giant light bright) and rocket launchers/wind wall back in the air section near the new windows that bring in so much wonderful natural light to that room. For those of you with babies/toddlers under 3 they also offer a gated play area perfect for some explorative tummy time in the soft play area, Adventure Bridge, playhouse and more.


We also spent a little time in the theater next door to KidScience taking in a 15 minute 3D turtle movie that my twins are STILL talking about! It was their first 3D experience and they loved seeing the snake and alligator on the turtle adventure. Plus the fact that it was only 15 minutes was perfect for busy toddlers on the go.

I was also super impressed with the new Community Café that is just across from KidScience, it is a great lunch option for those of us wanting healthy food for our kids while eating out. It’s catered by Something Classic with many organic and NC homegrown options (NC jellies/jams, organic snacks like raisins, crackers and blue corn chips). There’s even a cupcake corner!


No matter your taste, get your fill at Discovery Place. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that this is one of the best Smarty playgrounds in North Carolina! Open daily; be sure to visit our friends at Discovery Place!

Discovery Place
Address: 301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704.372.6261

Summer Hours (beginning Tues, June 1):
Mon-Fri, 9a-5p
Saturday, 10a-6p
Sunday, 12p-5p

Regular Hours:
Mon-Fri, 9a-4p
Saturday, 10a-6p
Sunday, 12p-5p

Discovery Place is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
Movies at the IMAX® Dome Theatre are presented during museum operation hours. Click here for showtimes.

Have you been? Let us know if you have other smarty tips to share!

Don't forget to register to win a pair of Orthaheel flip flops - a generous offer from Fleet Feet of Winston-Salem. You must be a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber to be eligible to win. This promotion ends Friday, June 25 and TWO winners will be announced shortly afterwards - just in time for you to sport these sandals at the pool!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: NC Transportation Museum

By Katie M

When my then-two-year-old son witnessed a true-to-life Thomas the Tank Engine turn the corner, race towards him with a loud clackety-clack and let out an ear-piercing “Choo Choo,” I thought I might have mistakenly ended his innocent obsession with all those funny faced locomotives. Instead, it turned out to be one of the most magical moments for him. I honestly believe he thought we arrived on Sodor Island. And while he will never forget that surprise visit from Thomas, I will always cherish the priceless expression on his little face.

Day Out With Thomas (which takes place every September) is just one of many events at the NC Transportation Museum in Salisbury. In fact, there are a bunch of great exhibits and celebrations to note this summer (see calendar below). And with it located just an hour’s drive south of the Triad, it makes a perfect day trip for families with kids of all ages (even my very girly, girl daughter had a blast!)


The NC Transportation Museum sits on a historic 57-acre site. Except for the 25-minute train ride (which offers a narrated tour of the 57-acre site and is pulled by an antique diesel engine, or Thomas himself) be prepared to walk and spend a lot of time on your feet. The museum exhibits are housed in three buildings which spread out over a quarter of a mile.

One building is the Bob Julian Roundhouse, where you can view more than 25 restored locomotives and rail cars along with exhibits tracing the history of railroads in NC. Another building is called Bumper to Bumper, which was built in 1924 and offers a history in lesson of the automobile. And third, the Wagons, Wheels, and Wings building, built in 1911, gives a history of NC transportation including a dugout canoe and a 1922 fire engine. In this building you’ll also find the Gift Station which sells a variety of transportation-related collectibles, books, toys and gifts and a full array of Thomas the Tank Engine™ and Jay Jay the Jet Plane™ merchandise.


We did a quick scan of the museum buildings after our Thomas train ride, and if we were not short on time, we could have spent a lot of time in each. There was also a great kid-area outside the Gift Station where kids could get temporary tattoos and play on giant Lego replicas of Thomas. (This area might be available just during Day Out With Thomas). In addition to this play area, the grounds near the parking lot were covered with tents for food or visits with Sir Topham Hatt, gigantic blow-up inflatables, and there was even a small playground.


In addition to Day Out With Thomas, the NC Transportation Museum also has Rail Days, Halloween events, and Christmas events. Rail Days takes place this coming June 12 and 13. The event includes train rides, model trains, live music, children’s activities, the Rail Days Chili Cook-Off and more. Also happening that Saturday (June 12) is “2nd Saturdays.” Visitors will be able to explore railway transportation while watching and admiring the work of metal works, landscape artists, and photographers, among others.

For a complete calendar of events, click here. (Note to all: The Pumpkin Patch Express on October 30 looks pretty spooktacular and will be a must for our family this coming fall!)


According to the NC Transportation Museum’s web site, you can purchase your tickets for train rides and get information on exhibits at the Barber Junction Visitor Center, an authentic train depot built in 1898. However, tickets go fast so we bought ours by phone (you can also order tix through its web site) and picked them up at Will Call. The Will Call stand was stationed between the parking lot and train ride for the Day Out With Thomas event.

The NC Transportation Museum follows this schedule on dates and times:

Regular Hours (May 1- Oct. 31)
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
1-5 p.m. Sunday
Winter Hours (Nov. 1-April 30)
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
1-5 p.m. Sunday (1-4 p.m. Sundays in January and February)
Closed Mondays, on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving holiday, and Christmas holidays.

There is no charge for admission to exhibits, but donations are appreciated to help maintain and improve our collection. Admission may be charged for special events, and there is a small fee for the train and turntable rides. Parking is free.

And the Train Ride Schedule (with rates) is as follows:

March-Memorial Day and Labor Day-December 31
Thursday – Friday: 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.; 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Sunday: 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Train Ride Fees:

• Adults - $6
• Children (3-12) - $5
• Seniors (60 and older) - $5
• Children younger than 3, who will not occupy a seat, ride free.

Have you been? What’s your favorite event or exhibit? And do you have any other smarty tips to share for this day trip destination?

*Lots of information courtesy of NC Transportation Museum web site.

Our June Giveaway is still running! Register to win a free birthday party for your child at Funigan's! Please be sure you are first a newsletter subscriber (enter email address in the box in the upper right corner). Then you can click here to read about the giveaway and register!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Great Wolf Lodge

By Rachel H and Guest Blogger Kathie Harper

First of all, I guess I need to preface that Great Wolf Lodge is not really a one day trip. It is a one night trip, which includes two days of fun at the waterpark! In other words, when you purchase a night at the lodge, your family gets waterpark passes for most of the day prior to and the entire day after your night's stay.

My family visited the Great Wolf Lodge in April, and our guest blogger, Kathie, took her family last year. The children's ages who went were 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4. All can swim fairly well, but it was not a problem finding things to do! Kathie's account of her trip, along with a few photos and information from Rachel is included below.

Great Wolf Lodge is located in Concord, NC, which is an hour's drive from Winston, a little less from High Point, and a little more from Greensboro. We arrived at 1:00 on a Monday. Even if your room is not ready, you can check in at 1:00 and start the waterpark. You can then get into your room at 3:00. We were able to get right in our room and we were at the waterpark by 1:30. The price of your room includes lodging and the waterpark - from 1:00pm the day you check in and the next day until it closes. You may have to pay a little extra if there are more people in the room than allotted, but it is still a great deal. The basic family suite has 2 queen beds, a pull out sofa bed, a small refrigerator, a microwave and cable tv. This is for 4 people and ranges from $190 during the week to $270 on a weekend. Remember - this is lodging and one and a half days at a waterpark. In my mind, a pretty good deal.

The waterpark is in a huge room, heated, with heated water and great changing rooms. They provide the towels. They are not huge but you can get as many as you would like and they are very warm. The lifeguards measure the children as you go in to see what rides they can go on. There are lifeguards everywhere. They are always moving, always watching and they change stations a lot. I felt that it was very safe and very clean.

There are 4 waterslides:

Howlin' Tornado - must be at least 48". Sorry, I did not go on this because I do not do well if there is a lot of spinning. I did ask around and it was by far, the favorite ride!

River Canyon Run - must be at least 42" to ride; 42" - 48" must ride with an adult. This is great! It is four to a raft and you sit down. It does not spin you, but rocks side to side. My eight year old and I spent a lot of time on this one!

Alberta Falls - must be at least 42" to ride; 42" - 48" must ride with an adult. This is great! You sit in single or double tubes and go down. Also, a favorite with my eight and seven year olds.

Mountain Edge Raceway - must be at least 42". You lay face down on a mat and race 3 other people. It is great! My seven year old especially liked this one!

Other than the water slides, there are: (these are the ones the four and five year olds liked)

1) Beaver Tail Lake - a fantastic wave pool that is calm and then makes waves about every 10 minutes. This was loved by all my kids. You can swim or float in single or double rafts.

2) Cub Paw Pool - for little kids under 48". Older children can take in younger children. This is an enclosed water pool with great spray and play items. There is a maximum depth of one foot, so it is very safe.

3) Fort Mackenzie - a four story treehouse that sprays you as you walk around. It has two water slides which are great for children who are not skilled swimmers or who may be a little hesitant to ride the larger slides.

4) A deep water (up to 5 feet) pool with basketball and ropes/lily pad courses. It is great fun to swim around.

We stayed in the waterpark five hours the first day. We did take a break and get Edy's ice cream. The Edy's Lil Scoop was huge and more than enough for a hungry child or adult. It was a blast and we were already excited about going again the next day.

We went to the room, changed into dry clothes and headed out for dinner. There are two restaurants in the lodge - a buffet and a sit down. Because we were there on a Monday night, only the buffet was open. It was very good and reasonably priced. There are also numerous restaurants within a mile of the lodge if you want to get out for a while.

After dinner, the kids changed into pajamas for the Clock Tower show and story time. The younger children enjoyed this a lot!

There are many other activities at the Great Wolf - a spa, an arcade, MagiQuest which is a quest where you use high tech wand to solve challenges. As you might think, these can really add up if you decide to do all these extras. We just played in the water park and never ran out of things to do.

The second day, we were in the water at 10:00 when it opened. We had to check out of our room at 11:00 so I brought a bag of dry clothes for everyone to change into at the end of the day. You can also rent lockers for $10. We played until 3:30 with a short break for lunch. We ate at the walk-up restaurant inside the waterpark. Again, I thought the prices were reasonable - $4 hamburgers, $3.50 hotdogs, $6 chicken fingers and fries. They also have Pizza Hut and Dunkin Donuts on the property.

They also have a very nice gift shop and a swim shop. I had forgotten goggles and was able to purchase very good Speedo Jr.'s at the Great Wolf. Again, the prices were about what I would have paid at Target.

When we were finished swimming, we used the family changing room and all took showers. We were clean, and dry and tired. It was only a short drive back to our house but it had seemed like we had been on vacation a long way from home. It was fantastic!

Someone asked my eight year old if her family should go for one or two nights. My 8 year old said "definitely, one is enough". If you take advantage of the waterpark, which is what you are paying for, you will be exhausted!

Quick stats/info:
Click here for directions.
The indoor waterpark is typically open from 9am to 8pm daily
What to bring:
Swimsuit/Cover-Up
Plastic bag to carry wet suits home
Other than the essentials above, not much is needed, but some optional items could be:
Swim goggles, Earplugs, Flip flops, Aqua socks
Waterproof watch
Exercise clothing
Reading materials
Warm PJ’s/Slippers to wear to Story Time
If you’re not swimming, you may still wish to bring comfortable clothing for the 84-degree waterpark area.

* Some photos taken from Great Wolf Lodge's website.

If you have been to Great Wolf, share some of your experiences and tips with us!

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Smarty Day Trip Series: NC Zoo

By Katie M

An excursion to the zoo is one of my all-time favorite trips with the fam! I'm kind of a zoo junkie as I've been to a bunch including the Bronx Zoo, the National Zoo in DC, and even the zoo in Rome, Italy! But I have to say the the NC Zoo in Asheboro is one of the best, and I love going back time after time.

We made our visit this past spring break, and if you are thinking of going, go soon before it gets too hot. As you can guess, a trip to the zoo involves a lot of hours outside and a lot of walking. It's a trip worthwhile for all ages, but one that's most enjoyable if the weather is bearable.

It had been a few years since our last trip and I was pleasantly surprised with some of the new attractions since my last trip. So if you haven't been in a while or haven never been, below are some smarty tips you should keep in mind...


First, let me start by saying most of the smarty tips outlined in this blog - plus other information about the zoo - come straight from the NC Zoo web site (I did not bring a notebook :)). It's a great source, and I highly reccommend starting your trip with a visit to its site first. You'll find maps, directions, parking info, ticket prices, an event calendar, animal finder, animal facts, and tips on infant care.

For those of you who have never been, it's about an hours drive from Winston-Salem which means it's a shorter ride from High Point and Greensboro. The zoo has more than 1,100 animals and 40,000 plants along five miles of shaded pathways. The most popular exhibits include the polar bears, elephants, gorillas, sea lions, river otters, alligators, baboons, rhinoceros, giraffes and zebras.

The N.C. Zoo is the nation's largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo. Its African and North American exhibit regions span more than 500 acres with more than five miles of walkways. New at the Zoo is the Watani Grasslands Reserve, an $8.5 million expansion of the park's elephant & rhino exhibits. This exhibit allows you to walk out onto a long pier where they offer animal feedings at certain times of the day. We actually were there before this exhibit opened, but we'll definitely make that top of the list for our next visit.


When you arrive at the N.C. Zoo, you will see that it has two regions, North America and Africa. Each region has its own parking lots and ticket booths. After you park your vehicle, be sure take note of the parking lot number or letter for easy return at the end of your visit. Shuttles are available between parking lots. The road between the North America and Africa parking lots is about one mile. You can visit the entire Park from either entrance using one ticket.

The N.C. Zoo offers two types of free transportation for visitors: In-Park Tram and Bus Service, and a Parking Lot Shuttle Service. Both accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, however I would recommend using the smallest stroller possible if you plan on carrying one on (such as an umbrella stroller vs. a three-in-one stroller system or jog stroller). These buses get packed! And while they say the average wait is 20 minutes, it was a lot longer for us due to heavy visitation. It's worth it though, especially after a long day of walking.


A few things that were new to the zoo since my last visit are the KidZone and the Adventure 4D Theatre, a 40-seat theatre located in the Africa region's Junction Plaza (a good place to stop for ice cream, food, a carousel ride, and shopping in a kid-themed gift shop!). Right now through November 30, the theatre is presenting "Dora & Diego's 4-D Adventure - Catch that Robot Butterfly." We did not catch a show, but it looked like a great idea for a break from the heat and walking!

As for the rest of your trip, here are some tips and suggestions the Zoo suggets you take note of before you plan your visit...

Arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds! The Zoo opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm (it closes at 4 pm between November and March).

It takes between four to six hours to see the entire park. There are over five miles of trails through the two exhibit regions, North America and Africa. If you arrive mid-day, you might choose to tour just one region.

When you arrive, please check the animal status boards located outside the admissions windows. The boards will give you daily information about feeding times, keeper talks and which animals might be off exhibit.

At the admission booth, you will receive a free Visitor Guide. The guide includes animals, exhibits and trail names which correspond with park signs to help you navigate through the Zoo.

And to get the best out of your animal watching experience, here are some tips from animal keepers...

•As a general rule, animals tend to be more active in the morning than in the afternoon.
•The animals will not respond to calls, whistles or tapping on the glass. Your best bet is to remain quiet and watchful.
•Some animals tend to stay in the back of their exhibit near the Zoo's closing. In large exhibits, animals might be harder to see at the end of the day.
•Many animals use “camouflage techniques,” so be patient and look closely.
•Use your senses, like hearing, to help you find an animal. In the Aviary, listen for the rustle of leaves. Look up in the canopy and near the ground to find birds.

While writing this blog, I also learned the zoo offers summer camps! Click here to get more information.

Have you been? What are some other smarty tips you can offer?

Information and photos courtesy of NC Zoo.

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Smarty Day Trip Series: Patterson Farm

By Rachel H

If you are ready for some strawberry picking, I recommend Patterson Farm, located in Mount Ulla, NC. It is very close to Salisbury, which is about an hour's drive from most Triad areas. There are numerous places to pick your own fruits around the Triad, so please share your favorites with us at the end of this blog.

We went to Patterson Farm with my son's first grade class and I can tell you that it was one of the most well-run field trips I have seen. The staff at Patterson Farm had everything so organized and they were great with the kids. (Of course we have to give props to the teachers, too!) This farm would be a perfect day trip for a play group or day care class this summer. I also read that they host birthday parties! I know some of the things we did while there are probably unique to large groups, but I am sure you would be able to do many of these things even if just you and your children visited the farm.

First we watched a brief DVD in the barn, that gave the history of Patterson Farm. It also taught the children how to pick the strawberries correctly (never touch the berry, just the stem) and which strawberries to pick (no green on the berry at all). The video was short, sweet, and to the point.

We then visited the petting zoo, where the children were able to feed the animals through tubes. It was amazing to see how cute the baby turkeys were! Yes, I said baby turkeys are cute! The kids also loved the peacock. It was gorgeous.

The classes were then loaded onto wagons that drove us around the farms. We were able to see animals on this ride as well. Again, the ride was the perfect amount of time before the kids got bored or restless!

Then it was finally time for strawberry picking! Each child was able to fill a pint container with strawberries, and of course we were able to purchase larger containers if we were interested in doing so. The kids did a great job following directions and picking strawberries that were just right! I was amazed that even though a large group of children had just picked strawberries off a certain row, we could walk down that same row and still find a ton!

We then went to the playground/picnic area, which was fabulous! There were plenty of tables in the shade for us to eat lunch. The playground itself was incredible! The kids were amazed by the large pirate ship in which to play and the large sandbox type structure filled with corn! They had a blast in this area.

There was also a market with beautiful plants, flowers and produce for sale. Overall, I was highly impressed with how CLEAN and well-kept all the grounds were. The staff was sure to wash the children's hands frequently. The bathrooms, grounds, barn, etc, were all impeccable.


You can visit their website here for additional information and directions. The website also has info on additional tours such as a Geocaching Tour, Pumpkin Patch Tours, and Spring Pizza Tours!

Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc.
10390 Caldwell Road
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
704.797.0013

Got a kid who loves soccer? Register here to win a $100 gift certificate to Triad Elite Soccer Club! Giveaway ends on Friday, May 21st.

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