For Friends

Pullen Park is a family-friendly spot with a historic carousel, miniature train, paddle boats, and colorful playgrounds, plus shady lawns for picnics, leisurely strolls, and a chance to spot wildlife.

A lush, 5,000-acre escape just outside Raleigh, it offers forested trails, lakeside paths, and plenty of space for hiking, biking, fishing, picnics, and birdwatching—an easy-to-reach place to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Sip locally crafted wines amid rolling hills on a relaxed tour that showcases the Olde English District’s vineyards and winemaking heritage.

A peaceful urban oasis in Spartanburg with winding trails, calming water features, native plants, and abundant wildlife—perfect for quiet walks, photography, and year-round seasonal events.

Explore BMW’s heritage at the Spartanburg plant’s BMW Zentrum Museum, where classic cars, motorcycles, and factory exhibits showcase the brand’s innovation, and guided tours reveal how high-performance cars are built with an eye toward sustainability.

Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates animals while giving visitors hands-on ways to learn and help—meet rescue animals, join educational workshops, and enjoy year-round events that promote humane care, conservation, and local wildlife.

Discover local art, science, and natural history at Iredell Museums, where hands-on exhibits and themed rooms bring the region’s past to life. Year-round programs and events make it a family-friendly stop with something for all ages.

Step into 18th-century North Carolina at Fort Dobbs, a fully reconstructed French and Indian War fort with guided tours, interactive exhibits, and year-round living-history events—an immersive look at colonial military life.

Grandfather Mountain delivers sweeping Blue Ridge vistas, highlighted by the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Drive or take a short hike to the top, explore trails from easy strolls to the rugged Grandfather Trail, and watch for wildlife like black bears, deer, and raptors—a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

Hawksnest delivers big-time thrills: one of the East Coast’s largest snow-tubing parks with multiple fast lanes in winter, plus soaring zipline tours with sweeping mountain views—fun, family-friendly, and unforgettable year-round.

Flowertown Players is a welcoming community theater in the heart of Summerville, offering an intimate setting and a year-round mix of classic and contemporary shows delivered by talented local performers for a memorable night out.

Housed in a charming historic building, the Summerville Dorchester Museum brings the region’s story to life with interactive exhibits spanning Native American heritage to Civil War history—an engaging stop for visitors of all ages.