Spring Break Ideas for Families in Western North Carolina

Spring Break Ideas for Families in Western North Carolina

Tuesday, 05 January 2021 00:28

We have had a cold winter in Haywood County, NC. Waynesville has already experienced several rounds of snow and ice. Some families cannot get enough of it, while others are ready for it to be over. Regardless, it may be hard to believe, but spring break is just around the corner for students in Haywood County. Your children will be excited to get a reprieve from classroom time, but you may be scrambling to figure out how you will entertain them. Although the weather outside may still be frightful, here are five ideas for how Haywood County families can make the most of spring break.

 

5 Ideas for How To Have a Great Family Spring Break

As a disclaimer, for the travel-related ideas, it is vital to do research and call ahead as we are still facing challenges related to the pandemic. 

1. Travel Ideas

For the families that are thinking about traveling some during spring break, here are a few relatively close destinations that are either fun, educational, or both:

  • Washington, D.C.: About 8 hours from Waynesville, Washington, D.C. has the Smithsonian, Capitol, White House, and more historical landmarks than you can see in a single trip. Watch history come alive for your children in D.C. 
  • Williamsburg/Yorktown, VA: A little over 6.5 hours away, Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown are living history exhibits that provide fun for all ages. When you finish the history tours, you can get a park hopper pass and hit the rides at Busch Gardens. 
  • Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN: Just over the Tennessee border, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer endless family fun. From Dollywood to the Gatlinburg SkyLift and everything in between, you can’t go wrong with this spring break trip. 
  • Nashville, TN: Just over four hours away, Nashville will likely be in early spring bloom by the time you arrive for spring break. 
  • Disney World, Orlando, FL: Disney has remained operational in a limited capacity throughout most of the last year. If you plan ahead, this trip can be a lot of fun with reduced crowds. 

2. Day Trip Ideas

This year might be the perfect time to try a "staycation.” If you are planning to stay close to Waynesville, here are a few day trip destinations your family will enjoy:

  • Cades Cove: Less than three hours away, you are almost guaranteed to see great wildlife. 
  • Asheville: From shopping to food, a day in Asheville in April is hard to beat. 
  • Charlotte: The Queen City offers educational sites, great food, and an opportunity to see the big city. 
  • Greenville: There is plenty of family fun, great food, and educational sites in Greenville. 
  • Fontana Dam: Beautiful views, fascinating history, and wildlife viewing await your family at Fontana Dam.
  • Beech Mountain: Why visit a ski resort town in April? There are several miles of well-kept hiking trails, an indoor playground, a dog park, and plenty of restaurants that make the highest elevation town in North Carolina a year-round destination. 

3. Spring Break Hikes

You may be thinking of getting outdoors in the area. Here are some early spring hikes that are sure to be a hit with your family:

There are thousands of miles of hiking trails in western North Carolina. If you choose to do some spring hiking with your family, here are some quick things to remember:

  • Remember to find a bathroom before the trailhead.
  • Remember to bring a map that does not depend on cell phone service.
  • Remember to bring plenty of water and snacks.
  • Remember to bring a flashlight.
  • Remember to gauge the fitness of your little ones before you go on a big adventure.
  • Remember that spring days may be warm but can quickly become frigid when the sun goes down.

4. Other Outdoor Activities

April can be a little early in the season for some outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting and tubing, but here are some that might be open by spring break:

  • Mountain biking parks like Dupont State Forest, Fontana Dam, and Bent Creek
  • Zipline canopy tours 
  • High ropes courses
  • The Smoky Mountain Railroad
  • Fly fishing 
  • Disc Golf 
  • Camping

Let us know what outdoor activities you look forward to in spring. 

5. Around the House Activities

We have a few ideas for the portion of your spring break you will spend at the house:

  • Plan your garden: Clear your beds, gather supplies, put down soil, plant what you can, and get ready to do some serious gardening this summer.
  • Do some spring cleaning: Use the warmer weather to declutter and deep clean. 
  • Find a mission project: Work with your church to find a spring break local mission project in your community.
  • Have a picnic: Take advantage of the sunshine and warmth to have a picnic.
  • Play outdoor games: Bring the outdoor games out of winter storage and have a blast.
  • Build a fire: Build a safe campfire and make some s’mores. 
  • Go camping: Your little ones might not be ready for a major camping trip, but you can always pitch a tent or hang a hammock in the yard. Plus, if it ends up being too cold, you can just duck inside to warm up.

We are just scratching the surface of spring break activities you and your family will enjoy. Let us know how you are planning to spend your time off. For more information about our Christian private school in Haywood County, contact Haywood Christian Academy. We would be happy to answer your questions and schedule a visit.