I love it in the fall when you gather your family and visit a farm. There is something fun and nostalgic about it but what if you could get that same feeling in the spring and summer too? That is what I found by visiting Paradise Acres in Johnson City, Tennessee. This family fun park encapsulates all of the fall festival joy and spreads it out across three seasons while being a wholesome place for people of all ages to have fun together.
The story of Paradise Acres is a heartwarming one. The McCarty’s have a large and dynamic family in their home and their extended family in the surrounding area.
They wanted to create a place where they could all get together and have fun. So the idea came about to build a family fun farm right in Johnson City and the response was a big hit. Tennessee is filled with great people so when you create a place for locals to congregate the experience becomes like paradise.
Clever entertainment options throughout the property can be found like the aptly named “Hayground.” This play area is exactly like what it sounds like: a playground built out of hay bales. Your little ones will be delighted to slide down the slides, jump in the bounce house, and in the process be covered with hay. What’s not to like about that?
The pride and joy of Paradise Acres is the mini golf course. The husband and wife duo differ in interests: he loves the mountains and she loves a tropical beach setting.
So the mini golf course represents both in a seamless blend of the pair's preferences. One half of the course has bears, Appalachian culture, and mountains; the other half has a tropical waterfall, exotic flowers, and pristine white sand. You can play mini golf during the day but when the sun goes down the mini golf course offers up another unique experience.
Glow golf is one of the best ways to enjoy the game. We went with our friends when they came into town and had a blast! You gather your putter and ball like usual but then you have to bounce your ball on the ground to activate the light and these illuminated orbs make the game so much more fun.
The ball cannon is another must-do activity on the farm. This high-powered launcher will shoot tennis balls over 100 yards away!
Step up to the cannon to feel the high-powered blast and test your aim with a sasquatch target, stop sign, and more. That's not the only blaster on the property though -- bring a group of friends and family for a game of outdoor laser tag. There are a variety of games and challenges to play as you work as a team to come out the other side with the victory.
Of course, there is still a wonderful agricultural component to this farm as well. In the summer and into the fall you can meander around the flower maze. Large sunflowers dot the landscape and you can see a variety of wildflowers and butterflies as you take a relaxing stroll through the field.
Another seasonal activity is the u-pick flower field. When the colorful array of flowers begins to bloom, guests can walk through the field and pick a stunning bouquet to take home with them. This makes a great gift or a fun way to spend the afternoon. During the fall they will also offer a pick your own pumpkins to decorate for the season.
Paradise Acres in Johnson City has encapsulated the fun of a fall festival and made it accessible all year long. When you are looking for fun things to do in Johnson City this farm should be near the top of your list. Go play some mini golf, pick some flowers, and challenge your friends to a game of laser tag all in one place. For tickets and event information please visit the Paradise Acres website.
Stick around the Tri-City area for a while and book a night stay at this luxurious Greek cottage in the woods. This unique stay showcases some of the picturesque beauty found in this corner of Tennessee.
If you love farms then there is another local place I have eaten at that I would recommend bringing your family to. The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm is a beautiful farm with fresh family-style meals, make sure you check it out.
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