We love the ‘Burg, but sometimes we need a vacation, and Chimney Pond Farm is the exact kind of lush green escape we crave. Situated in Glenville, North Carolina, Chimney Pond Farm sits on 80 remarkable acres in the blue ridge mountains. Getting there is pretty easy. It’s about a 9 hour drive from Tampa. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport also offers direct flights to either Asheville, NC or Greenville, SC, both of which are just a 1.5 hour drive from Chimney Pond Farm — and it’s so worth the trip. The picturesque oasis is a sprawling Christmas Tree Farm.
Enjoy the ultimate cabin experience inside any of the property’s available homes/bungalows. Enjoy the art of crafting toasty, melty s’mores by a quaint pond, admire the near century old brick chimneys that appear on the property, feed some alpacas (no joke), or take a 30 minute hike on the trails around Chimney Pond.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chimney Pond Farm is a hidden gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains
We enjoyed several nights on the property. The unit we stayed in featured three dedicated bedrooms, plus an upstairs space that offered two sets of bunk beds, and two trundle beds. The vaulted ceilings made the top floor unit feel massive, and the expansive breakfast nook provided the perfect misty morning views.
Up the hill is the signature mountain house that includes an enclosed patio area, and an outdoor fire pit that overlooks the lush landscape. You’ll feel like you’ve walked inside a painting.
If you’re down to drive, you can head over and rent a pontoon boat on Lake Glenville from Signal Ridge Marina. Those rentals can include add-ons such as tubes and wakeboards. 
Chasing lakes and waterfalls
Located in a beautiful mountain forest, Lake Glenville boasts pristine waters, glistening sand beaches, and three waterfalls that can only be seen from the lake. Spanning six miles in length with twenty six miles of shoreline, Lake Glenville is the perfect escape from the everyday.
Dry Falls was arguably my favorite part of the North Carolina excursion. This 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry.
It is part of a series of waterfalls on a 8.7-mile (14 km) stretch of the river that eventually ends with Cullasaja Falls. Less than a mile away from Dry Falls, drive behind Bridal Veil Falls. Also nearby are hikes to Glen Falls and Secret Falls. A short drive away on US 64 is Bust Your Butt Falls swimming hole and Cullasaja Falls. 
A BBQ tour of North Carolina
When in North Carolina, get some dang BBQ. The first savory destination we hit up was Highland’s Smokehouse. Their cheerwine burnt ends were glistening bits of meat candy topped with fried onion straws. Treat yourself to a NC-style sloppy joe – fresh brisket and house made coleslaw topped with a Highland’s Smokehouse vinegar BBQ sauce drizzled on top. This restaurant’s patio game was pure fire. The fluffy hush puppies pushed me from satisfied to full, but I regret nothing. Next time I’ll be sure to save room for the bread pudding.
Cashier’s Valley Smokehouse was the next restaurant we posted up at. The menu was exquisite, but what caught my eye was the Brisket Philly. A near footlong sammie cheesesteak-style brisket. I don’t know the specifics of how they crafted this masterpiece, but I appreciated every last bite.
Whiteside Brewing is about a 13 minute drive from Chimney Pond Farm. The brewery has a big patio, is situated right next to a cute little park, has some of the best brewery merch we’ve ever seen, and offers tons of games for the whole family to enjoy. Their wings were solid, and the potato chip nachos were an easy crowd pleaser. They also host bands on rotating nights.
The purpose of any vacation is to explore. You’re never far from something to do at Chimney Pond. Happ’s, a bar and kitchen, plus live music venue, is less than a mile from the property. If you pass the “Y’all Come Eat” sign then you’ve gone too far. 
Fairytale Weddings at Chimney Pond Farm
Chimney Pond Farms happens to be a pretty remarkable events venue. Enjoy a view of the Appalachian Mountains at the altar. Dance the night away inside a renovated barn that can hold as many as 200 guests. The property is equipped with a bride and groom cottage.
The property is currently bursting with fruit trees, and in the coming years pears, apples, and blueberries with perfume the 80 acre oasis.
We love Tampa, but sometimes a quick trip is necessary. We’ll be back to cut our own Christmas Tree, Chimney Pond Farm.
Book your stay, and learn more about the venue on Chimney Pond’s website. Follow them on Instagram for more views of the spacious escape.
Visit the property: 240 Chimney Pond Rd., Glenville, NC
What to read next:
- Inside The Werk, an art gallery and curated shop
- Bacchus owners opening new cafe in St. Pete
- Five Bucks Drinkerie is now open in Pinellas Park
- Dirty Shirley is now open in downtown St. Pete
ADVERTISEMENT
