Born and bred Carolinians know that their states are home to the most magical experiences on Earth. But even natives may not have wandered through these fairy tale settings in their own backyards. From enchanted forests in the Nantahala to live-action medieval villages in Trenton and the world's only unicorn farm, the most magical experiences in the Carolinas are fitting for the most enthralling of fairy tales.
Extend your fairy stay at Magical Mountain Resorts in an Alice in Wonderland-themed cabin. Magic mushrooms not included! Photo credit: @magicalmountainresorts (Instagram)
Magical Mountain Resort: The Enchanted Forest
9594 Tusquittee Road, Hayesville, NC 28904
Step into North Carolina’s fairy tale kingdom, the Enchanted Forest at Magical Mountain Resort. Your once-upon-a-time moment begins with one of many magical experiences: traversing a quaint wooden bridge into a charming cottage community adorned with teapots, toadstools, and tiny nods to the most beloved fairy tales.Â
Resort amenities include magical experiences like a hummingbird habitat, a fairy garden, and a (roaring!) dragon fire pit. Compliment your magical experiences with adventures fit for a daring knight in shining armor, like whitewater rafting, zip lining, or mountain biking through the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Carolina Travelers of all ages will surely have a “happily ever after” weekend in this tiny NC mountain town.
What makes this unicorn farm even more magical? It serves as a rescue for birds, cows, donkeys, and other animals.
Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm: #1 SC Magical Experiences for Kids
108 Hidden Pasture Trail, Fountain Inn, SC 29644
When it comes to the age-old question, “Are unicorns real?” there are those of us who know the truth and those who have yet to visit Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm. Take your non-believing friends and kin to the world's first and only real-life unicorn farm, conveniently located in Fountain Inn, SC!
Home to another magical mode of transportation – South Carolina’s first Tesla plant – the town doesn’t require a driver’s license for you to saddle up with its magical unicorns. Young children will be fascinated by the unicorn stories told by equine educators. There’s even a food truck on-site on select days. Giddy up! This is one of those magical experiences you can only enjoy in the Carolinas!
Snap an epic pic in front of a dragon ensnaring a life-size motorcycle — a warning of the hazards ahead! Photo credit: @instachuckgram (Instagram)
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap
17555 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771
While you won’t find any real fire-breathing lizards at this location near the Cherokee National Forest, you’re sure to feel your hairs stand on end as you take on the 318 curves that comprise the Tail of the Dragon at Deal Gap. This 11-mile stretch is America’s top motorcycle and sports car cruising road.
Take your time admiring the views of the Great Smoky Mountains — one of the best NC magical experiences in and of itself — as you meander, or stay the weekend at one of many mountain lodges that flank the Tail of the Dragon. Spring is ideal for capturing the surrounding greenery come to life – just avoid the winding road on a rainy day.
EastWind Castle
527 Johnston Highway, Trenton, SC 29847
You don’t have to swim across an alligator-infested moat to get to EastWind Castle, located in South Carolina’s own medieval village. It’s like a Renaissance Fair that never ends!
Princes and princesses, elves and dwarves, knights and bandits – fairy tale characters who roam EastWind Castle challenge visitors to show off their medieval knowledge and demonstrate the bravery it takes to sit at the Round Table.Â
Check the website for details on the popular glow-in-the-dark Easter Egg Hunt, which drew over 800 participants in 2023, and other magical experiences. Additional workshops in archery, self-defense, brewing, and leather-working are regularly offered throughout the year. Read more about Carolina castles
Roses in bloom at the enchanting Elizabeth Gardens | Photo credit: @elizabethangardens (Instagram)
Elizabethan Gardens
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, 1411 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954
The Elizabethan Gardens – arguably unmatched in beauty by any other gardens in NC – are a tribute to the efforts of 16th-century artists who designed exquisite gardens to win the gaze of the indomitable Queen Elizabeth I. An interesting historical connection tethers Manteo to Elizabethan England, as Sir Walter Raleigh’s “lost colonists” can be traced to its beaches.
Deemed the “Outer Banks Crown Jewel,” the Elizabethan Gardens are fit for a fairy tale. Curiosities emerge at every turn, drawing you deeper into a land of enchantment. Camellias, azaleas, and hydrangeas are the “ladies in waiting” who shine all spring and into summer. Butterfly releases — one of the most magical experiences at Elizabethan Gardens — take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April to September.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
3070 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746
We can’t guarantee there won’t be a troll under the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, but we promise you’ll be spellbound by the 2,000+ species of plants that burst with color in springtime. Barely ten years old, this bridge, with its butterfly trail, magical murals, and themed garden beds draws nearly 200,000 visitors each year!
Nearby Chimney Rock State Park offers the most magical experiences in NC: views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, including a 400+ foot tall waterfall. At the base, Chimney Rock Village boasts the trappings of an eternally jubilant fairy tale town, with a smattering of shops and restaurants, a gem mine, and a brewery that extends over the rushing Broad River.
