Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California. Today, portions of the underground tunnels at the Mine have been restored for public access. Plus, discover exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment, a film about the first gold discovery and enjoy tours of a restored ore-crushing stamp mill.

Located in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Meadowbrook Golf Club is a 6700-yard course with rolling hills through meadows with Henson and Davis Creeks creating challenging holes on both nines.

Established in 1831, the five-generation family business has been handed down from founder Benjamin Washburn, through brothers & sons to his great-great nephew Edward Nollie Washburn III. The National Department of the Interior inducted the General Store, the family estate–built in 1913, a classic wooden barn–built in 1915, and ten other buildings as a historic district in 2002. Today, the store is a testament to American history. Enjoy a glass bottle of Coca-Cola, and have a pleasant chat with the proprietor. You can cozy up with a North Carolina afghan and rock away your worries in a NC-made rocking chair.

Biltmore Estate is a large private estate and tourist attraction near Asheville, North Carolina. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 square feet. Still owned by George Vanderbilt’s descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age. Photo by RomanticAsheville is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Conveniently located just an hour and a half from Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley in Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop, NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio, and more!

Opened in 1985, the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center is a non-profit nature education and outdoor recreation center, built around an original land grant of 112 acres generously contributed by the Mahler family, who had come to Tryon in the 1920’s. Since then, FENCE has grown to its present 380 acres and serves some sixty-five thousand people each year with programs in nature study, outdoor recreation, and equestrian competitions!

With elevations of 3,000 ft., a 60 ft. waterfall (High Shoals Falls), and over 40 miles of hiking trails, South Mountains State Park is a great spot for the outdoor explorer! Enjoy trout fishing, hiking, mountain biking, or discover the over 60 species of birds which nest in the mountains. Bonus — this is right down the road from Jellystone Park™ so it’s perfect for a day trip!

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a fall color lover’s feast, and a granite beacon for nature lovers––it even seems playfully crisscrossed with spectacular WNC hiking trails. They combine into North Carolina mountain adventures in as near to postcard perfect settings as you’ll find. Photo by Chimeny Rock State Park is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Located just 50 minutes from Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley, Gorge Zip Lines offers an adventurous experience for the family to enjoy! Zip from tree top to tree top descending 1100 feet of elevation into the Green River Gorge on 11 zip lines, a skybridge, and 3 huge rappels! Photo by The Gorge Zip Line is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Nestled in the foothills of the South Mountains, and right down the road from Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley, is Blue Ridge Distilling. Their process is revolutionizing the distilling world by taking the best of Scottish tradition and combining it with American ingenuity. With the finest ingredients and pure water from the Blue Ridge Mountains, their spirits are a must try. Bonus—they offer tours of the distillery and tastings of the award-winning American Single Malt and 100% Rye Whisky!

The Blue Ridge Parkway travels 252 miles along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. It offers plenty of things to do, from camping, biking and hiking, to local art, cultural and historic sites. In Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center features a 22-foot interactive map of the Parkway. No drive along this road is complete without crossing the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel seemingly suspended in midair along the southern face of Grandfather Mountain. Photo by Jason Rosenberg is licensed under CC BY 2.0

From boat tours, to beaches, to a cute village area with charming shops and restaurants, Lake Lure is a great destination for a day trip. When you’re not busy explore the village or checking out the lakefront, visit Rumbling Bald Mountain for a rock climbing adventure on the 1,100-acre collection of cliffs! Photo by RomanticAsheville is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A visit to Cherry Mountain Farm means a visit with their Angora Goats, whose sweet faces and curly fleece delight children and adults alike! The gift shop offers an array of eclectic items like local pottery, honey, home decor, handmade jewelry, fire-pits made in the on-site metal shop, yarn made from the Angora Goats, and so much more! Schedule a tour and get up close and personal with the animals or visit the store to say “hello” to the goats in the barnyard.

Green River Adventures offers whitewater adventures, guided hikes, rappelling and canoyneering trips for the entire family in the beautiful Green River Gorge near Saluda, North Carolina. Photo by Green River Adventures is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Discovered in 1822 by local fishermen, the Linville Caverns have since been of interest to locals and travelers alike. Half hour guided tours escort visitors through the caverns with information about cavern history, resident creatures, and the formations viewed along the way. Formed in a deposit of Shady Dolomite at the base of Humpback Mountain, Linville Caverns offer an environment for the public to explore the subterranean world of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors hear the lore surrounding the caverns, including the tale of the Civil War deserters who used the caverns as a hideout, as well as the geology of the stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations found on the tour route! Photo by David Riggleman is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Discover one of the best family zipline experiences at Beanstalk Ziplines! Enjoy 5 interconnected zips ending in a 520-ft mega zip. Bonus—guests of Jellystone Park™ can enjoy special savings! - FREE QuickJUMP with the purchase of a regular priced zipline pass ($19 value) - $10 off any regularly priced Zip Tour with the mention of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ – Golden Valley or use promo code: YOGIGOLDEN at check-out! (Promos can not be combined.) - Veteran appreciation special: $20 off Fridays & Saturdays. Use promo code Veteranlove when reserving. Photo by Beanstalk Zipline is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Housing over 70 vehicles, the Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum is a must visit for the antique vehicle fanatic. From Model T’s to Mack Trucks, a Shelby mustang, to the retired Forest City American Lanfranc Fire truck, to new additions like a 1963 Ford Mayberry Sheriffs Car Signed by Don Knots (A.K.A Barney Fife), there’s something for everyone to discover!

Located just an hour and a half from Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley, Greenville, South Carolina, is the perfect destination for a day-trip. Discover a growing food scene, shopping with one-of-a-kind shops, cultural attractions like The Children’s Museum of Upstate and Upcountry History Museum and spectacular outdoor offerings like urban parks, biking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and hiking Lake Conastee Nature Park.