Autumn at Oz in Beech Mountain NC – Where Yellow Brick Meets the Road!

 

On the Yellow Brick Road at Autumn at Oz © Katrena

October transforms the palette of North Carolina's mountains into breathtaking views of splendorous colors. One of the favorite colors in Beech Mountain would have to be yellow. Nestled at the top of the ski lift meanders a yellow brick road.

Beech Mountain Land of Oz © Katrena

For those who love the book or movie of Dorothy and her many adventures with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, you don't have to click your heels together to get a taste of the story. You can actually tour Dorothy's house and meet the many characters while strolling down a road that really has yellow bricks!

Fun Things to do in NC Mountains © Katrena

Open only on the first weekend of October, folks from all over have the opportunity to see Autumn at Oz. My kids like to call it the Land of Oz because they feel as if they are part of the story. An old amusement park, this has become a cherished yearly trek for many who wish to follow the path of wonder to the Wizard through a nice variety of photo opportunities.

Meet Dorothy at Autumn at Oz © Katrena

My daughters love to have their pictures taken with characters....well, some of them. My youngest one prefers the "nicest" characters like Toto (a real dog), Dorothy, Auntie Em, and maybe the carriage with the uniquely colored horse. My older two daughters were brave enough to joke with the Scarecrow, banter a bit with the Wicked Witch, and play along as the Flying Monkeys tried to block the road.

Uncle Henry from Land of Oz Near Boone © Katrena

My children had their first taste of Autumn at Oz in 2012, and they were begging to go again before the week was out. Yep - they really liked this one. I would suggest purchasing tickets ahead of time because they limit the number of visitors and also provide times to go up to the top of the mountain.

Fun Family Activities in October © Katrena

 

Entertainment, vendors, and some inflatable slides are provided for people who are waiting or those who have returned. You might hear some musicians picking on the porch at Dorothy's house – we heard them play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow!" The props are colorful and can make folks feel as if they have been transported to another place for the day.

Lions and Tigers and Bears and Maybe Fog or Cold Temps - Oh My! © Katrena

Be ready for any kind of weather. October in North Carolina may feel quite comfortable and warm, but it also might seem bone chilling without lots of warm layers. I'd carry the high heeled ruby slippers and wear some comfortable walking shoes for this trip. We ended up adding more and more layers because the temperature was dropping rapidly on the day we visited.

Meet Characters from Wizard of Oz © Katrena

I hear the view from the top is exquisite, but last year fog rolled in thicker than mashed potatoes and gravy as we rode the chair lift up. I think the fog added to the magical quality of the day while we searched for lions and tigers and bears and lots more. Folks who prefer may ride a bus to the top.

Wizard of Oz Movie Memorabilia © Katrena

The characters at Oz took the time to talk to visitors and many fondly spoke of working with this nostalgic wonderland for many years. They also have a museum packed with a variety of props, costumes, and all things Oz. At the end of the trail, they also have a building with a beautiful quilt and more costumes.

Meet the Wicked Witch of the West © Katrena

Perhaps there is no place like home, but I've also never found any place like Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain! This travel destination is definitely on my kids "must do again" list. If you are interested in reading and seeing more about Autumn at Oz, I've also featured this one on my Travel NC With Kids blog.

Meet the Wizard of Oz in North Carolina © Katrena

Readers may also wish to look at:

• Tweetsie Railroad – Ride the Rails and Enjoy a Wild West Show
• Linville Caverns – Enjoy North Carolina's Only Show Cave
• South Mountains State Park in NC – Great Hike, Beautiful Scenery and More

Enjoy a Day Walking on the Yellow Brick Road Near Boone © Katrena

See Katrena's site maps for Love 2 Travel with Kids and Travel NC With Kids for additional articles, pictures, and fun family destinations.

Super Simple Games for Traveling with Kids: How Soon Can You Name the Tune

How to Entertain the Kids in the Car - Photo by Earl53

Traveling with children brings a whole new series of challenges for the person behind the steering wheel. Most of us simply were not wired to sit strapped to a seat for hours and hours, and the wise driver will stop at regular intervals and recognize that the breaks are time well invested.

When traffic is flowing and the weather is nice, putting a few more miles on the odometer can become less stressful with a few simple games. How Soon Can You Name the Tune? provides quick and easy entertainment with no supplies. You simply need to be able to carry a tune well enough for the song to be slightly recognizable.

We have played this game while being propelled to our next destination many, many times. My daughters enjoy this travel game as one of their top picks!

Fun Family Travel Games - Photo by Sten Porse

How to Play:

1. You begin to hum a tune.
2. When someone identifies the correct song, congratulate him/her - my kids will usually begin singing the whole song at this point! (I tend to pick a child to identify each tune to decrease the chance of the older kids dominating the game.)
3. Give hints if needed for those songs that are hard to identify.
4. Repeat with a new tune until you cannot think of any more songs.

Tips for Picking Tunes:

1. Choose songs that you think the kids are likely to know.
2. Select portions of a song that would be the most recognizable.
3. It helps to become interested in what the children enjoy.
4. We love Christmas music any time of the year!
5. Consider a few patriotic songs.
6. Try themes from favorite TV shows and movies.
7. You might bring along some playlists, CDs, or cassettes to play before or after the game.

Variations:

1. Reverse roles and have the kids hum the tunes while you guess the name.
2. Instead of humming, try "la la la-ing" or whistling.
3. Go for a challenge song by sounding only the rhythm or beat.
4. Slide to the silly side by having the kids burp the song, sing while pinching their noses or making it sound like they are underwater.

Simple Travel Game for Kids - Photo by choko

The joy of this game is in its simplicity, but you can easily add variety if the children are getting bored. Many kids particularly enjoy music and rhythms, and this game can help you to connect on that level. I have been surprised at how many lyrics my children can remember! I learn new songs from them while they also learn a few older ones from me while playing this game.

I hope you and those who are traveling with you enjoy this game! Find additional simple travel game ideas and find articles about many of my family's expeditions at Love 2 Travel With Kids and Travel NC With Kids.