Tag: fall family fun

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Tour Apple Hill Farm near Grandfather Mountain!

Most recently updated July 7th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes

I found Apple Hill Farm  – a working Alpaca textile farm – when I was hiking out in the Grandfather Mountain area  few weeks ago.   

I was looking for an activity to take a break from hiking (uphill!) in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but was still outdoors.

Apple Hill Farm was the perfect find!   It’s a working textile farm on the site of an old apple orchard that offers farm tours, and even has a fiber gift shop on site.

Alpaca graze at Apple Hill Farm.
Alpaca graze at Apple Hill Farm.

The farm was started in 2002 by a single Mom (and cancer survivor) with just 2 pregnant female alpacas and one young male.

Today Apple Hill Farm is home to 9 kinds of animals:  alpacas, llamas, angora goats, zebu cattle, horses, pigs, donkeys, chickens, and livestock guardian dogs.

The farm site includes 15 fields, 4 barns, and a farm store on 43 acres of land. 

They’re still a working textile farm, and lucky for us, they now also give visitors educational tours of the farm all year round. 

Read on to learn about my tour, and how you can visit too.

Continue reading Tour Apple Hill Farm near Grandfather Mountain!

Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Most recently updated October 7th, 2022

Signpost on the Green trail at the edge of the NCMA park.
Signpost on the Green trail at the edge of the NCMA park.

The North Carolina Museum of Art Park has been a tremendous gift to the whole Raleigh community.

The park’s trails and open lawns, ponds and pools, larger than life outdoor art, plus the amphitheater and outdoor movie screen provide a beautiful open air gathering place for everyone.

Don’t Miss the Grand Re-Opening Celebration!

Several new collections are opening this October, along will all of the re-imagined NCMA galleries.
Several new collections are opening this October, along will all of the re-imagined NCMA galleries.

This October, the NCMA galleries will re-open after an amazing update with a weekend full of family-friendly (and free!) activities.

READ HERE ABOUT THE UPDATED GALLERIES!

Visit ncartmuseum.org/peoplescollection for a full schedule of opening weekend celebrations.

I’ve gotten a lot of good use from the safe – and inexpensive – outdoor activities for kids the Museum Park has made available over the years.

From the time my daughter was in kindergarten through her college years  – and even now as a young adult in the community –  the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and the Museum Park events and grounds have been a big part of both of our lives.

Continue reading Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

A few months ago, I decided to do a tour of local farms and animal rescues that would be fun outdoor activities for kids.   

I planned to visit and preview the places, then post outdoor activity ideas for families to use during their kids’ school breaks.

Entrance sign at M&M Alpaca Farm
Entrance sign at M&M Alpaca Farm

So, I tapped into the Facebook hive-mind for some local outdoor activity ideas. 

My friends came back with all sorts of great recommendations – most having something to do with goats, llamas, and alpacas –  but also a lot of breweries, wineries and meaderies.   Hmmm.  Anyway…

So, I trimmed out all of the adult beverages (that will be a different set of posts!) and made a list of places to go see.  

For my first visit, I narrowed it down to alpaca farms near me, specifically looking for an alpaca farm tour.

And that’s how I found M&M Alpaca Farm.  Although M&M offers free self-guided tours of the farm,  I opted for a scheduled guided tour for just a few dollars.  I’m very glad I did!

Continue reading Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!