Chimney Rock State Park is a 6.5 mile drive from the cabin. This is a "must see" if you have never been. Be sure to walk the Hickory Nut Trail, which will lead you to the 404 foot waterfall that is in the final scenes of the Last of the Mohicans movie. There are plenty of trails to get in a nice workout; hike Exclamation Point to reach the highest peak on Chimney Rock. You can download the trail map from their website if you like to plan ahead.
They also have an educational trail for children: The Great Woodland Adventure Trail. This is over a half of a mile long, with 12 different stops to educate children of the different animals in the park. At the end of the trail, they can visit the Animal Discovery Den to learn about the reptiles and amphibians in the area.
You can purchase tickets to the park in advance, or in person. Check out their website for any discounts, or to see if you qualify for the Family 1-Day Pass. The park has two retail gift shops where guests can purchase local goods and souvenirs.