Indoor fun for kids in the winter
Cold, cooped up, nowhere to run? Sometimes cool falls and cold winters in the mountains can pose a challenge for kids who need to burn off energy but can't play outside. Here's some options available to parents for active, indoor fun.
Fun Factory
Like an indoor amusement park, the Fun Factory is a kid's dream come true. Plan an exit strategy ahead of time, as major protests are inevitable when you tell the kids it's time to go. Activities include laser tag, mini-golf, arcade, go-carts, bowling, an indoor playground good for toddlers and preschoolers, plus a steakhouse and pizza restaurant onsite.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Location: Franklin.
Contact: 828.349.8888 or funfactoryfranklin.com.
Smoky Mountain Jump House
Kids will have a blast in a collection of giant inflatable bouncing gyms. There's one of those huge slides, a big bouncing castle, plus two inflatable playgrounds. One has farm animals, a tunnel and baby slide even toddlers can enjoy. Parents can relax and watch their kids burn off energy, or are welcome to join in the bouncing fun.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Location: Waynesville. Get on the four-lane highway U.S. 23-74 and head south toward Sylva. A few miles out of town, past exit 98, look for Balsam Ridge Road on the right. If you come to the rest area, you've gone too far. Make a right into Muse Business Park (look for Thad Woods Auction) and then head up the hill.
Contact: 828.734.8647 or www.smokymountainjumphouse.com.
Waynesville indoor pool with water park features
While a bathing suit probably isn't on your packing list for a fall or winter vacation in the mountains, your kids will thank you if you did. The indoor pool at the Waynesville Recreation Center has a large waterslide, fountains, splash buckets and mushroom waterfalls. A graduated zero-entry pool has a great shallow are for toddlers who want to crawl and splash.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Location: 550 Vance Street in Waynesville. From downtown, head down Main Street past the old courthouse on your left, through a stoplight at the bottom of a hill, until the street ends at a T-intersection. Turn left then make an immediate right on Vance Street. Follow it over the railroad tracks and you can't miss the facility.
Contact: 828.456.2030.
Roller skating rinks
When it's too cold or rainy to play ball or run at the park, lace on a pair of skates and give the rinks a whirl. There are two skating rinks in the area.
Smoky Mountain Sk8way in Waynesville:
Sk8way has several specials during the week, including old-school Sundays and Monday night family nights. Open Monday and Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday from 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. 828.246.9124 or smokymountainsk8way.com.
Franklin Lanes and Skate in Franklin: Both a roller skating rink and bowling alley. Bowling alley side has bar and restaurant. 828.524.8429 or www.franklinlanesandskate.com.
