One of the best and Amazing place to visit. We visited on 2nd Sunday of august, there was a racing event in the top , so we had to wait till 10.30 on that particular day. Weather was partially cloudy when we started. I heard that there will be lot of crowd or car lines for ticket and it takes time to go up to chimney rock itself. But for us it took around 15 min to reach the parking lot . There is two way you can go up to the top either elevator or steps. If you have time and energy to climp up to 500 steps you can take the steps. But we took elevator and is equivalent of 26 floor rise. Elevator ends up to gift shop and there is a clean restrooms available at the store. Refreshments , small food store, ice creams are available too. Store size is moderate , prices of souvenirs are average and not costly like some places. From dining area you can have the view of mountains and lake lure. From the gift store you can walk to chimney rock. The view is AMAZING and Mesmerizing. From chimney rock you can take a little hike for observation deck , devils head and some extended trail to top of the mountain look as wells as top of the water falls (hickory nut waterfalls) , yes waterfall is there in the park. Dress up well for moderate hike , so comfortable shoes are much needed, if you are having a baby plan accordingly for waterfalls hike. We had 12 year girl and 4 year boy. Both were able to manage to do the hike to devils head from gift shop. To go to waterfalls bottom you have to come down from gift shop using elevator. we took the wooden steps to waterfalls trail. There is a restrooms , water fountain , water bottle vending machines located at the visitor center at head of the wooden steps for the falls. In the trail to waterfalls you have resting benches , it will be moderate hike about .5 miles approx. distance is not too far but some places it is little steep, but not dangerous though. Kids can do this trail too but consider if you have taken the steps to chimney rock , devils head etc., . Once you reach the bottom of the falls the view is amazing, little misty water will give you an calmness. There is moderate number of uneven rocks near to falls so careful there. But you will be able to touch the falls and not lot of water will hit the ground due to the height. Swimming and wading is prohibited. Emergency staff can be able to reach the falls using the ATV. All in all I will definetly recommend this place to anyone.