Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in and around Mount Airy, NC.
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1. Take them out for a special meal in or around Mount Airy, NC
Here are three of our favorite locally owned restaurants:
- 13 Bones Restaurant in Mount Airy, NC - Sunday hours: 11:00AM - 8:00PM
- The Derby Restaurant in Mount Airy, NC - Sunday hours: 7:00AM - 3:00PM
- Southern on Main in Elkin, NC - Sunday hours: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
2. Go for a walk in the woods in or around Mount Airy, NC
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails in Surry or Stokes County that are accessible to all:
- Rock Garden Trail at Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury, NC. This paved trail is an easy one way trail just off the visitor center parking lot at Hanging Rock. It's Handicap Accessible and .10 miles, making it perfect for grandparents and small children.
- Granite City Greenway in Mount Airy, NC. This paved trail is broken into 3 segments bordering several business and restaurants, the Ararat River, parks and playgrounds. Check the map to make your family plans.
- Overmountain Victory Trail in Elkin, NC. This trail is a wide (6ft) gravel trail and is wheelchair and stroller accessible on the southern section.
3. Plan a picnic in or around Mount Airy, NC
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are three great spots in and around Mount Airy, NC for a family picnic:
- Riverside Park in Mount Airy, NC. There are plenty of picnic tables and greenspace to enjoy a meal with your family. After eating, grandparents can enjoy watching the kids play on the playground.
- HB Rowe Environmental Park in Mount Airy, NC. There are picnic shelters, restrooms, and a walking track to connect with nature.
- Fisher River Park in Dobson, NC. This park is located on the banks of the Fisher River. Bring a blanket for your picnic or check in to renting one of the picnic shelters. There are playgrounds, paved walking trails, and ball fields.
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4. Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places around Mount Airy, NC
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity in Mount Airy that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Visit a museum in Mount Airy, NC together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are three great museums in Mount Airy that will be open on Grandparents Day:
- Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, open Sunday 1:00PM - 4:00PM / Tickets are $6 each, Children under 4 are free
- Andy Griffith Museum, open Sunday 1:00PM - 5:00PM / Tickets are $8 per adult, $6 ages 12 and under
7. Say hi to the animals at a nearby zoo. These zoos are worth the drive!
Grandparents probably love to see animals as much as their grandkids! Here are three places to go and see the animals around Mount Airy on Grandparents Day:
- Zootastic Park in Troutman, NC - open Sunday 12:00PM - 5:00PM / Tickets are $15 per adult (ages 12+), $13.00 per child (ages 2-11), $13.00 per Senior (ages 65+)
- NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC - open Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM / Tickets are $15 per adult (ages 13-61), $11.00 per child (ages 2-12), $13.00 per Senior (ages 62+), ages 2 and under are free
- Lazy 5 Ranch in Morrisville, NC - open Sunday 12:00PM - 6:30PM / Tickets are $11 per adult, $8.00 per child (ages 2-11), $8.00 per Senior (ages 60+), ages 2 and under are free / Bring or NC Check - no debit or credit cards
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8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in downtown Mount Airy being silly together.
9. Go for something sweet
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are three great locally-owned dessert places we love:
- Liv For Sweets in Pilot Mountain, NC - open Sunday 12:00PM -4:00PM
- Hillbilly Gluten Free Bake Shop and Creamery in Mount Airy, NC - open Sunday 11:30AM - 5:30PM
- CF Jones Cafe in Mount Airy, NC - open Sunday 11:00AM - 10:00PM
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