A lot to do there. However, being the deep south, it gets hot and muggy really fast. So if you want to climb the mountain (which, I HIGHLY recommend you do!), start out before 8am, so you can get back down by 10:30/11:00. If you are not physically able to hike it, there is a HUGE lift you can ride, for a large fee. There is a water fountain on top that is accessibly any time of day, but take water for the way up. Gift Shop and snack bar (on top) doesn't open until 11am. Unfortunately, the attractions at the base don't open until 11 or noon, either, which is ridiculous for a tourist attraction, especially when it gets so hot/humid so early in the day. There is a fireworks/laser show that is fantastic for night entertainment.
Fun an quirky stop on our roadtrip. Can't be seen from road, so use Google maps and look for a muddy little pull of area along road. The paint is all but gone. The weather, and maybe disrespectful visitors, have taken a toll on this piece of public art. But still a fun 10-minute pitstop.
We had a bit of fun here. Just
bought a bucket to sift through in the troff. We wanted to go to the mine of in the creek, but they close at 6:30...not 8:00 as their website indicates (maybe call them ahead of time). We had a lot of fun and found some colorful gems to keep as roadtrip souveniers! Glad we stopped by!
Pretty sure this is just like Hawaii's Stairway To Heaven Trail --- you're not allowed to go there, legally.
I hear they have awesome beer-fests, such as the microbrew fest and October Fest. I have yet to get to those though. Just try something other than the steaks when you go to the restaraunt. We went at 7pm, on a Friday night and the place was EMPTY. I used to see lines wrapping around the outside of the building. They were KNOWN for their steaks, so naturally, the hubby and I both had steak (but different kinds from each other). They were ok. Nothing fantastic. Just didn't feel it was worth anywhere near what we paid. Unique atmosphere and some German choices on the menu that you may not find just anywhere. We might try it again some day.