Kid-Friendly Activities Near Linville Land Harbor | Part 2

Part 2
The High Country is home to a numerous amount of entertaining, kid-friendly activities to enjoy. From summertime adventures to local events for all ages, there are many options to chose from. We mentioned a few that we recommend to families in our last blog post, and we have more to share.
Foggy Mountain Gem Mine
All parents want their kids to have a good time, but it’s an extra bonus when an activity is educational. At Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, you and your family can learn all there is to know about gems while searching for unique stones. After you mine through the mixture, you can pick your favorite stones to keep, and the staff will help you turn them into valuable pieces of treasure. Anytime that you visit Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, you are guaranteed to find a beautiful gem during your mining experience. All you have to do is pick a day, Monday through Sunday, and purchase a bucket full of mix.
High Gravity Adventures
For more of an adrenaline pumping adventure, head over to High Gravity Adventures! However, be sure to check out the age qualifications as not all ages can engage in certain activities. At the park, you can participate in a Ninja Ground Course, 3-Person Giant Swing, Foothills Course, Blue Ridge Course, and Zip Line Tour and Free-Fall.
The Orchard at Altapass
From August until October, we recommend stopping by the Orchard at Altapass. On Wednesday through Sunday, live bands and performers fill the orchard with delightful melodies for families to enjoy and dance along to. Plus, if you are musically talented, bring your instruments to perform in an open mic session on Wednesday nights. In addition to exciting music and dancing, the Orchard offers storytelling hayrides as well as Super Saturdays for children from ages 6 to 12 to learn heritage skills in a fun setting. Even if you’re looking for things to do during the week, they have you covered with Heritage Thursdays and Orchard Book Club meetings. Of course, being an orchard, there is an opportunity to pick delicious apples with your family during the fall. Outside of the main months that they are open, you are always welcome to hike through the various trails of the orchard year round.
Photo Credit: High Country NC
Clawson-Burnley Park
For more of a relaxing adventure with your children, head over to Clawson-Burnley Park to explore nature. Don’t forget to pack a lunch so you can enjoy a nice picnic after taking a stroll through the park. Whether you decide to bask in the sun on a blanket, enjoy a picnic, or utilize one of the park’s shelters to take a break from the sun’s rays, it will be a perfect memory to share with your family in an outdoor setting.
Children’s Playhouse
The Children’s Playhouse offers a variety of classes to learn about topics such as music, art, science, math, martial arts, and much more to kids up to the age of 8 years old. For children with special needs under the age of 5, the playhouse staff organizes facilitated playgroups. Plus, while your sweet, little ones are enjoying time during one of their workshops or events, you can take advantage of the valuable resources available for parents. From consultations to parenting books and tip sheets, The Children’s Playhouse wants to assist parents in their journey of parenthood. There are many programs to choose from so check out their calendar of events, pick something that interests either you or your child, and have an enjoyable time!
Fun ‘N’ Wheels
If your kids love rides and arcade games, Fun ‘N’ Wheels is the perfect hangout spot during May through September. As you may assume by its name, the arcade includes Go-Kart rides, bumper cars, and a ferris wheel – all of which is guaranteed to leave your children with huge smiles. In addition to rides, Fun ‘N’ Wheels is equipped with various games to play. So if you’re looking for something to do for a couple of hours, this might be a great place to visit.
We can assure you that you will never get bored while being in The High Country as there are so many things to do, especially when it comes to spending time and making memories with the family. On your way home from enjoying one of these activities, stop by the Mast General Store to treat yourself with some tasty goodies from the store’s various candy barrels.