Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

• Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.

• Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
  *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
  *You can purchase a pass online at America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
• 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
• Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
• Tours are limited to 6 persons.
• Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

  Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
  *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.
  (credit card only)
  $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
  $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
  Free for Children age 15 and under

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

• An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
• A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
• Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

As part of our Grandfather Presents series, meet Meteorologist Brad Panovich and learn “How the Mountains of North Carolina Affect Our Weather In Every Season of the Year”. Brad is a well-known and respected meteorologist who has been working for WCNC-TV in Charlotte since 2003. He is the chief meteorologist and hosted the weekly segment “Carolina Weather School” during COVID lockdowns. He is also an avid skier and snowboarder who provides weather forecasts for ski resorts across the southeast.

Brad has a passion for weather and science education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from The Ohio State University. He is a certified broadcast meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society and a member of the National Weather Association. He has won several awards for his work, including two Emmys and The American Meteorological Society Broadcast Meteorologist of the year in 2017. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in their Meteorology department.

Brad Panovich is not only a meteorologist, but also a social media influencer. He has over 425,000 followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, where he posts daily weather updates, videos, live streams and interactive Q&A sessions. He is known for his engaging and informative style, as well as his use of humor and emojis. He is also an advocate for environmental issues, such as climate change and renewable energy.

Brad Panovich is a proud husband and father of two children. He enjoys spending time with his family, skiing, hiking, biking and playing video games. He is also a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets.

Tickets
Buy tickets below beginning July 20, 2023.

“VIP” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the program and the “meet and greet” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included.

• $60 “VIP” Adult
• $51 “VIP” Bridge Club Member

“Regular” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet and greet” session after the event.

• $25 “Regular” Adult
• $20 “Regular” Bridge Club Member
• Children under 12 admitted for free (max of four free children per purchase)

Refunds/Cancelations
Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration please call 828-733-2013 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Schedule

• 8 a.m. | Park opens for the day and “VIP” ticket holders allowed access to the park
• 4:45 p.m. | “Regular” ticket holders allowed to enter the park and head to the Wilson Center for the event
• 5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in one of the classrooms in the Wilson Center (VIP ticket holders only)
• 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker Presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds
• 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet and Greet or Book Signing with Speaker
• 7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests

Refunds/Cancellations
Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration please call 828-733-2013 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

More About Grandfather Presents
Our 2023 speaker series at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery includes five big Thursday night events with internationally and nationally known presenters. Presented by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the series also includes two Saturday afternoon presentations focused on nature, adventure or conservation-related topics on a local or regional scale. Read more.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Find more information here. 

JOIN US EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

Come early to grab a good spot and play trivia with us before the show. Movies begin at sundown in Falls Park every Thursday in September & October. Local food trucks and Poppington’s Popcorn will be on-site.

Feel free to bring your own picnic, chairs/blanket and enjoy a cozy night under the stars!

$1 wristbands must be purchased on-site if you plan on bringing alcohol.

As an important reminder for all, please leave all pets at home, do not bring glass cups or bottles and no smoking on-site.

Subscribe to receive event information via email or text.

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Thompson Family Farms has expanded to include pumpkins this fall season, in addition to a sunflower maze and other fall crops. With over 3 acres of planted pumpkins, visitors are able to pick their own variety out of the field or select from our assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, while taking in the gorgeous fall mountain views. The farm is open to the public 10am-7pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning September 21 and throughout the entire month of October.

Our city has great architectural examples of styles that span the last 200 years and charming neighborhoods that give them context.

Our downtown is blessed with a selection of historic neighborhoods that encircle our city center, providing a great mix of the progress surrounding the Main Street area with the stability of traditional domestic living. As the young village of Greenville formed in the late 1700s, homes were naturally scattered around the region with large tracts of land tied to them. This tour traces the development of Greenville’s neighborhoods on the North and West sides of the Reedy River, taking you on a pleasant drive to see the variety of architectural styles, hear stories of their home-owners, and understand the role in Greenville’s revitalization.

Tours will take place in a comfortable Ford Transit high-roof tour van. Digital photographs will be shown on a screen to provide insights into the information that you hear from the tour guide. Your tour guide, John Nolan, is a local historian and author of “A Guide to Historic Greenville, SC” and “The Lost Restaurants of Greenville, SC

Highlights include:

• Current downtown condos and apartments

• Pettigru Neighborhood

• Alta Vista / Crescent Ave.

• Augusta Road neighborhood

• Mills Mill village

• Hampton Pinkney neighborhood

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

• Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.

• Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
  *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
  *You can purchase a pass online at America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
• 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
• Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
• Tours are limited to 6 persons.
• Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

  Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
  *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.
  (credit card only)
  $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
  $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
  Free for Children age 15 and under

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

• An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
• A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
• Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

Bring your blankets or chairs and join us for a fun night of great food and live music at Greer City Park! Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Greer Relief & Resources Agency, Inc. Valid ID is required to purchase alcohol. Outside alcohol and coolers are prohibited.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Find more information here. 

Theme Park Transforms from Wild West by Day to Ghost Train at Night

The spooktacular season of Tweetsie’s Ghost Train^® Halloween Celebration, a popular fall family tradition, begins Friday, September 22, and continues every Friday and Saturday night through October 28.

Daytime guests can still enjoy all of Tweetsie’s Wild West adventures, rides and attractions. . . but when the sun goes down, the park gets a full makeover complete with costumed characters, decorations, music and Halloween-themed attractions.

Younger children will love the dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show.

Braver kids and adults will appreciate the scary night-time journey on the Ghost Train, walking through the hallowed halls of the Haunted House and exploring the murky Freaky Forest.

And, everyone will love the park’s most popular amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival.

The park opens at 7:30 pm with the first train scheduled for 8:00 p.m. On October Saturday nights starting on the 14, 21, and 28, the park opens at 7:15 p.m. with the first train scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for children (ages 3-12) and free for children age 2 and under. They are sold in advance for a designated night with a scheduled train ride departure time. A limited number of guests will be admitted each evening, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets well beforehand to avoid missing out on all of the spooky fun.