Need some good day trip ideas for the mountains

[pstall]

Taking the fam Friday. I know and love the mountains but looking for something off the beaten path.

Anybody got some cool, recent stuff they have done/seen recently up that way?

Not sure where we are going yet. Maybe this side of Asheville or Boone or Chimney Rock or Blue Ridge. If we get this cabin it's in Jefferson.

[jasonluckydog]

Hey now, I have a cabin I share with a few folks we always looking to serve new folks....I have a banjo I could play u a song.

[charlotte49er]

Pan for gold, or Emeralds.

http://www.goldcityamusement.com

http://www.huntforgold.com

http://www.castlemcculloch.com/panning.asp

http://veinmountaingoldcamp.com

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/72397/the_best_gem_mines_in_north_carolina.html?cat=16

http://www.emeraldvillage.com/gold-panning.htm

http://www.luckystrikegoldandgem.com/goldprospecting.htm

http://www.escapetothesmokies.com/attractions/cherokee/smokymountaingoldandrubymine.htm

http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/121594.html

All are within a days drive of Charlotte. At first, kids think it's lame, until they discover gold or Gem stones in their pan!

[Jangler]

shrooms are always good in the mountains.

[Davidson Deac II]

Grandfather Mountain is pretty nice. They have a small zoo there. Its about 15 miles or so from Boone and Blowing Rock. And Blowing Rock has some decent restaurants.

[boo7382]

Grandfather Mountain is pretty nice. They have a small zoo there. Its about 15 miles or so from Boone and Blowing Rock. And Blowing Rock has some decent restaurants.

The rents have a house right next to Grandfather, hes right, its pretty cool. You can hike all over the mountain or you can go up to the top and do the swinging bridge - not recommended if you are afraid of heights

theres also linville falls, you can hike all the way down to the falls which is probably great this time of year

[Jbro]

I was in Chimney Rock on Sat and saw some good deals on rooms right outside of the entrance to chimney rock.

[TheSaint]

If you go to Linville Falls, be sure and drive around to the Gorge overlook, "Wisemans View". I bet its awesome right now with the leaves changing. Its a pretty bumpy road to get in there, so take a vehicle with clearance.

You could check out Mast General Store if the kids have never been. I always like to buy Kettle Corn they make out across the street. Lots of good hikes in the Wilson Creek/Brown Mtn area.

[Doyle]

Dollywood

[LiQuiD]

Check out http://www.navitat.com

Also, Mason Mountain Mine near Franklin has always been a joy for my wife and I.

[TheSaint]

this zipline looks bad...http://www.screamtimezipline.com/directions.html

[Delhommey]

Max Patch mountain just NW of Asheville. It's a natural open top mountain. It's some the only 360 views you can get of the Appalachians nearby Charlotte.

.

[TheSaint]

Funny, Delhommey, i was looking at Max Patch just the other day. I want to go check that out.

[TarPanther9180]

http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com