Le Petit Croissant is Picnic Perfect

There is something romantic and precious about artisan-made desserts; not only do they taste good, but they make the sudden surge of calories quite worthwhile. At Le Petit Croissant, pastry chef and owner Vincent Cardonna can be seen working hard in his kitchen on a daily basis. The croissants are churned out fresh each morning accompanied by beautiful and delectable handmade chocolates and fine petit fours that beg for tea time.

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Looking for more good restaurants? Here are the best restaurants in Greenville, SC.

Our visit to Le Petit Croissant

On our first visit, we went for a classic selection and filled our Eclipse picnic basket with croissants, éclairs, raspberry tarts, and quiches. Needless to say, the pastries didn’t last the 2:30 pm show time and were gobbled up by kids and adults alike. We promised ourselves we’d be back.

Le Petit Croissant describes itself as a bakery making European-style pastries with a twist. Recently, after a hearty lunch downtown, we walked over to the bakery to have our dessert. My petit four was called Butterfly Cake with its changing hues, and hubby had the Raspberry dome. Once again, our sweet craving ended on a high note.

Le Petit Croissant candies in Greenville SC

And finally, about the chocolates. Have I told you about the chocolates? Cardonna is a master chocolatier. His creations are always infused with a unique combinations of flavor. You can build your own box, pick from their seasonal choices or purchase a chocolate or raspberry syringe for that quick boost! Le Petit Croissant is also fast becoming known for its Macaron, Pizza, Tarts or Croissant & Bread Workshops that are often sold out. You can sign up or form your own group at $40 – $65 per person, depending on the course. Also in the works are chocolate workshops for kids.

We are well aware that Greenville has no shortage of fabulous bakeries that make flakey croissants and unforgettable homemade pies. What makes Le Petit Croissant stand out is the purveyor’s willingness to offer something new: delightful fine desserts minus the stuffiness. It’s not a place to buy good ol’ birthday cakes in a flash. But it’s still a mom-and-pop shop, where the same baker who wakes up to churn fresh pastries is the same one who fashions whimsical chocolates for your little ones, and just might be the same person serving you. Whether it’s a craving for something sweet or savory, this little shop has given us something to look forward to on our strolls downtown at the Historic West End.

Le Petit Croissant Greenville chalkboard

Visit Le Petit Croissant for yourself

As in any bakery, expect items to run out. Best to go there for breakfast or lunch. They open at 8 am every day except Mondays; they are closed on Mondays.

Le Petit Croissant
640 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601
864.520.1555
Have you visited Le Petit Croissant yet?

Here’s How You Can Get Behind the Scenes at The Greenville Zoo

Note: The Greenville Zoo is not currently offering behind-the-scenes tours. We will update this article if they begin offering the tours again.

Have you heard of Greenville Zoo’s Behind-the-Scenes Tour? KAG Contributor Anna Artz and her family attended a behind the scenes tour of the zoo. She’s written all about the experience here, so you’ll know what to expect if your bring your crew.

The Greenville Zoo is a well-loved downtown attraction in our family. Our kids will never get tired of walking around the zoo, from saying hello to the ant-eater and trying to spot the lions and leopards, to waving goodbye to the pigs and goats at the Farm section near the exit. Whenever the sun is out, a trip to the zoo is always on top of our list. ~Anna Artz, KAG Contributor

What is The Behind the Scenes Tour?

If your family loves animals as much as we do, there’s a special way to visit Greenville Zoo. The Behind The Scenes Tour of Greenville Zoo offers a rare chance to walk behind the zoo’s exhibits and visit to the zoo’s commissary. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a zookeeper? Or what the different animals at the Greenville zoo eat? Or why a giraffe’s tongue is brown? All of these questions and more can be answered by signing up for this tour.

Our family recently attended a Behind The Scenes tour of the zoo, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We learned a lot about the inner workings of a zoo and we also gained knowledge about the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts. Below are some highlights of our visit.

The Commissary

The tour began with a warm welcome from our guide who was accompanied by a docent volunteer. We then proceeded to the zoo commissary. This part of the tour was learning about the contents and preparation of various animal’s diets. We learned that the zoo’s nutritionist feeds the animals organic vegetables and tries to get the best produce for them in the same way we shop for our own vegetables. We got a glimpse of the kitchen and the menus for each animal. We learned that some ate more frequently than others. While the alligators were known to go several months without eating, the orangutans ate four to five times a day. We were also shown the leaf-eater biscuits, a favorite giraffe snack, which was edible even to humans. We were offered a chance to taste a biscuit and my daughter gamely volunteered and ate the whole cookie! She said it tasted like grass.

The Animals

The next part of the tour was a visit to the giraffe barn. We entered from the back, where keepers would usually go. We had one of the zookeepers talk about the habits of the giraffe, and we met Autumn, a Masai giraffe, who came by to say hello. She was so close we could see her very thick eyelashes.

giraffe at Behind the Scenes Tour Greenville Zoo

As we walked behind the exhibits, we observed that many of the exhibits had an area where the animals can enter and be by themselves. Needless to say, we saw the multiple gates and locks for the lion cage. The zookeepers carry lots of keys!

We then moved on to the Asian animal section. One of the zoo keepers opened the gates for us, and led us behind the leopard exhibit. As we stood next to Emerald, the leopard, we learned that these felines are very good climbers, and we were glad that their area had a steel net above. We were also reminded not to get too close to the cage since a paw could fit easily fit through the fence. We were surprised with how active the animals were. Usually, we find them sleeping in far corner of their exhibit. This time, we were in that far corner and eye to eye with a very awake Emerald.

Another set of gates were opened and we came to the last part of our tour, a visit to the two grand Sumatran orangutans, Kumar and Lana. Not only were we impressed by the size and beauty of the orangutans, we witnessed how the keepers trained the animals using sign language. The keeper showed us how they used sign language to ask the animals do things and in return, the animals received a treat.

Kumar, the male orangutan sensed a snack and approached the fence. The zoo keeper then made some signs with her hands and Kumar responded following her direction. This went on for a while, with Kumar, turning to his left, then his right, opening his mouth and so on and so forth. This gave his keeper a chance to gave Kumar a full body check-up. Not satisfied, at the end of the check-up, Kumar wasn’t quite done. He looked for more grapes, and expressed this by pushing his blanket through the fence. According to the keeper, he was trying to trade his blankie for more fruit!

The whole tour took an hour, but can be longer since the guides and the keepers are happy to answer all of your questions. It was quite a unique experience seeing the animals up-close and interacting with the keepers. Our kids left with much admiration for the zoo keepers and had lots of questions on how to become keepers themselves when they grow up. Our daughter has always talked of becoming a veterinarian. This experience showed her other interesting opportunities for kids who want to work with animals.

Tips for the Tour

Bring a bottle of water.
Bring a camera.
Wear a hat or cap since the tour is mostly outdoors except for the zoo commissary.
The tour will involve some walking and standing so wear comfortable shoes.
Be prepared to be licked by a giraffe!

Have you been on a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Greenville Zoo?

Bring on the Biscuits, Greenville’s Got a New Culinary Tour

I’ve got 4 words for you: Breakfast Tour in Greenville. If there’s anything better than breakfast, it’s having breakfast three times in one morning. John Nolan, owner of Greenville History Tours, feels the same. He’s created a culinary tour of three breakfast-focused restaurants in Greenville that will leave you not only content and full, but yearning to schedule time to go back and spend an entire morning at any of them.

Kidding Around Greenville got to try this breakfast adventure and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Culinary Tours

If you are unfamiliar with John Nolan and his culinary tours, they are easily one of the best events in Greenville. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting town, have lived here for years, or just moved in. John has mastered the art of delivering the VIP experience to guests of some of the town’s best restaurants, all the while regaling guests with tales from Greenville’s past, complete with photos.

At the Chef’s Table Culinary Tour, chefs at the restaurant stops mingle with guests, take them into their kitchens, and share food and drinks. John points out the ruins of textile mills, explains how the town was named, and shows old photos of Main Streets. I got to go on one of these tours and it was incredible. I’ve since taken my husband and the experience was just as good.

So when John reached out and told us at Kidding Around Greenville that he was launching a breakfast tour, I was all in. Breakfast is my ultimate favorite meal of the day. Game on.

Breakfast Tour

The restaurant scene is exploding in Greenville but the breakfast places aren’t getting much love. This tour highlights some of the best places in the area and wow, are they yummy.

The driving tour starts on Main Street and heads to Southern Pressed Juicery.

Founded and established in Greenville, Southern Pressed Juicery is focused on helping you take care of your health and well-being.

Their menu consists of fresh juices, acai bowls, smoothies, and salads. There’s even a Sweet Treats section with an assortment of doughnuts.

Biscuits Next

We continued on… and before we knew it, John had stopped the van at our next destination, Biscuit Head.

Truthfully, this was the place I was looking forward to the most because…biscuits. I love them. I love making them and I love eating them.

Biscuit Head opened in 2013 and has been busy ever since. Their whimsical design and creative dishes keep guests coming back for more. They even have their own cookbook that patrons can purchase.

We had a divine dish of a poached egg with lime zest, a lime crema, and a grilled chicken biscuit with avocado and mango salsa. The biscuit was so good but what pushed this dish off the charts was the jam bar.

This jam bar was crazy. It was all kinds of homemade jam, like sweet potato chai, peach, and raspberry, plus butters like the s’mores butter. It was just as tasty as it sounds. I can still taste the flavors as I write this. This was my favorite part. I should have asked for another biscuit just so I could try more jams.

And Biscuit Head sells all of their jams to go. Winner.

Oh, and the owners surprised us with a little mimosa to round out the meal. As with everything else they served, it was excellent.

Tacos…or Croissants

The last stop on your tour will either be Papis Tacos or Le Petit Croissant.

Papi’s Tacos has delicious tacos with an incredible view of the Reedy River. Their menu also features nachos and burrito bowls. And for your sweet tooth, you’ll find churros and gelato.

Le Petit Croissant specializes in artisan chocolates and pastries, but they also have a breakfast menu featuring avocado toast, B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheese), quiches, and other breakfast sandwiches and croissants.

Want to go?

Tours take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am.

I’d do this again in a heartbeat… especially as a date. As a working parent, I’d also have no hesitation to reserve a spot for a client coming into town or as a breakfast meeting. It’s such an interesting idea for a creative outing in Greenville whether you are a native or just visiting.

It’s also a great way to begin a Girls Day Out or even a special Moms Morning Out or something similar. It makes a fantastic gift for friends as well.

Breakfast is underrated in my humble opinion. John Nolan and Greenville History Tours elevates breakfast the way it should be and delivers a memorable experience at the same time.

To sign up, go to the Greenville History Tours website (you can also register for John’s other great history and culinary tours as well).

Want more tours?

We have a huge list of all the foodie, history, nature, and family tours (plus a few really unique options).

Check out the KA Guide to Greenville, SC Tours for more!

Does the breakfast tour sound like a fantastic way to spend a morning to you?

Cleveland Park is Full of Fun for the Whole Family

One of the very best things about Cleveland Park in Greenville, SC is that there is so much to do there. Kids of a variety of ages can visit the park and have a wonderful experience. KAG Contributor, Deirdre, shares with you just a few of the fun ways to enjoy the park.

Highlights of Cleveland Park in Greenville, SC

🎠 Multiple playgrounds for both little ones and big kids
✈️ A real F-86 jet on display
🚴‍♀️ Direct access to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail
🏀 Basketball, tennis, volleyball, and softball courts
🦒 Right beside the Greenville Zoo
😎 Shaded play areas

So much to do in Cleveland Park

The main playground area has three areas to play in. There is a covered climbing area for young children. Connected ramps allow children to move from one section of the area to another. Some children will love just running from one end of the area to the other. Children can exit the ramps in various ways. My son loved slipping down one of the slides.

There is a second covered area much smaller than the one for young children that has a climbing structure for older children. My son like the seats hidden in the structure.

A set of swings, a climbing web, a modern merry-go-round, and a skateboard-like structure are in between the two playgrounds.

For many of you this maybe all you have seen in Cleveland Park. There is still more to explore at Cleveland Park. Most of the other areas are a short walk away.

What you’ll find if you venture away from the main playgrounds

Just past the parking lot next to the younger children’s covered play area is a red caboose. The caboose is a great spot for pretend play or a snack break. It is also great place to sit and read a book about trains.

Maj. Anderson’s memorial F-86 Saber jet fighter plane is also in Cleveland Park. Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing the plane and hearing about the man who flew it.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a great place to stop and remember those who have served our country.

Yes, there is still more to explore. You will want to check out:

The Ramona Graham Fitness Trail is a great place to explore various exercises.
The Fernwood Nature Trail is a great place for kids to bird or animal watch.
Basketball, volleyball, tennis and softball enthusiast will want to check out the areas of the park dedicated to those sports. You may even want to introduce your children to a new sport!

Beyond the main playground area you will find other small play structure areas in the park. It is fun to drive or walk around the park to find them.

And, last but certainly not least, there is no better place than Cleveland Park to begin a bike ride. Or maybe even let you little one ride their bike while you go for a walk.

I hope you will take time to explore each of these fun and educational areas of Cleveland Park. Your children will truly enjoy getting to see more of this wonderful park.

What’s your favorite part of Cleveland Park?

parks and playgrounds spartanburg greenville

Be sure to scroll through Your Guide to Parks and Playgrounds Near Greenville for even more outdoor fun in the Upstate!

Lake Conestee Nature Preserve: Trail System Has Amazing Views and Wildlife!

Have you enjoyed the trails at Lake Conestee Nature Preseve? The 21-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail crosses through the nature preserve and offers beautiful views and opportunities to see local wildlife. This article is all about this Lake Conestee Nature Preserve portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We’re telling you how to get there and what you can expect to see!

Discover the Swamp Rabbit Trail

The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail travels 21 miles across the Upstate, and in order to help families plan their excursions on the SRT we are offering this series on the different sections of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail overview is a great place to start. Then, in this article local mom Liene, gives more detail on the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve section of the Trail. Please also visit our Lake Conestee Nature Preserve overview for more information on what else this fantastic park has to offer.

Swamp Rabbit Trail in Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Looking for a place to go bike riding this spring? One of my family’s favorite sections of the trail system is the south end within Lake Conestee Nature Preserve With a few road crossings, beautiful scenery, ample parking, and plenty of interesting stopping points, your family is guaranteed a stress-free outing.

Of the 21 miles of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System, 2 are within the main section of Conestee, while another 2 miles connect to the north portion of the park and to Parkins Mill and Mauldin Road, making for an 8-mile round trip that can easily be shortened as needed.

Highlights of the Lake Conestee Nature Park Section of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail:

Perfect for bikes. (Note: signs advise cyclists to walk their bicycles for the portions of the trail utilizing boardwalks).
Features calming scenery and interesting stopping points in a natural setting.
With a total of 8 miles of trail (round trip), the route is easily customized for your family.
Utilizes public roads for a short section between the north and main units of Lake Conestee Nature Park.

Start at Historic Conestee Mill

The adventure starts at Historic Conestee Mill ( 1 Spanco Drive, Conestee). While the Conestee section is not connected to the main trunk of trail (that winds its way north along the Reedy River all the way to Travelers Rest), the trailhead at the historic Conestee Mill serves as a southern terminus for the trail.

The History of Conestee Mill

There has been a mill on the Reedy River at this spot since as far back as the 1790s, but it was small scale until the 1830s when Vardy McBee purchased almost 300 acres in the region and built a much larger dam. Over the years ownership changed hands, the dam was rebuilt, and it is thought that material for Confederate Army uniforms was manufactured at the mill during the Civil War.

In 1909 Reedy River Manufacturing was renamed Conestee Mill, after the Cherokee word for “running waters.” The mill ceased production in the early 1970s and foreclosed in 1978.

A new redevelopment plan brings residential and commerical space to Conestee Mill.

Spot birds and animals from one of the several observation decks

There is a free parking lot for trail access off Spanco Drive, and the first tenth of a mile of trail winds away from the kiosk around the South Bay (named for the location in relation to Reedy River).

Right across from the intersection with the Rusty Link connector (access at South Pine Circle off Conestee Rd.) is the South Bay Observation Deck. This is a good spot to look for great blue herons and other waterfowl.

The next observation deck (overlooking Crescent Slough) has given us glimpses of muskrats, snakes and a multitude of birds. This relatively short stretch of trail sees an abundance of wildflowers in the spring, and the kiddos are almost guaranteed to spot a few turtles sunning themselves on logs at the edge of the lake.

Note that portions of the trail utilize boardwalks; signs advise cyclists to walk their bicycles on these sections.

Once the trail turns west a boardwalk goes off to the north, to River Otter Way and Froggy Bottom Link on Sparkleberry Island. Heron Spur, the small boardwalk to the West Bay observation deck, is just a short distance from this point and definitely worth the detour. This is the best viewing spot for the great blue heron rookery, and American green tree frogs, fish & turtles can usually be seen from the viewing deck.

The Sparkleberry Connector Connects the Swamp Rabbit Trail with Conestee Park

Once back on the Swamp Rabbit Trail you’ll come to a scenic viewpoint on the opposite side of West Bay, and a short distance later is the intersection with Flat Tail Trail (connects to the parking lot at the Belmont Fire Department). At this point, the SRT makes a wide loop around Marrow Bone Creek, and connects to the Stone House parking lot, Henderson Farm, and various observation points with a series of connector trails and boardwalks.

These trails mostly aren’t bicycle-friendly (with the exception of the Stone House Spur), but do make for awesome hiking adventures.

Approaching the two-mile mark you’ll find the entrance to the Sparkleberry Connector which just opened a little more than a year ago. The ¾ mile paved trail connects the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Conestee Park (Greenville County Recreation), popular for its dog park, playground, ball parks and restroom facilities.

Make sure to check out the bridge over the Reedy River; an enormous black rat snake calls the large tree hanging over the river its home, and on sunny days it can often be seen sunning itself on the branches.

Head North to Breazeale Farm

To reach the north section of Lake Conestee Nature Park follow Chatham Drive to Churchill Circle, and re-enter the park at the Churchill Trailhead.

The next 0.6 miles through the Breazeale Farm portion of the park will pass both ends of Tree Frog Trail. This trail utilizes a portion of the SRT to form a 1-mile loop.

The Breazeale Farm parcel was historically a cotton farm before being converted to a dairy farm and was home to dairy cattle as late as the 1960s.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail emerges at Brushy Creek south of ReWa’s Mauldin Road Wastewater Treatment Plant, from where it crosses the river once more before ending just short of Interstate 85 on Parkins Mill Road. The gap from Lake Conestee Nature Park to where the trail picks back up again at Greenville Technical College is only two miles.

Although long-term plans hope to connect the two sections, funds are currently being diverted to the addition of a connector that will link the SRT in Cleveland Park to ICAR down Laurens Road.

If you choose to continue, please keep in mind that the 2-mile suggested route to Greenville Tech sees some pretty intense traffic. Check out our KAG guide to the northern section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail for more information!

Once you’ve returned to Conestee Mill make sure to rest and refuel at one of the picnic tables situated overlooking the South Bay. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the overlooks, remember your water bottles & sunscreen, and enjoy your time on the trail.

Whether you choose to cycle or to hike, whether you complete the entire 8-mile southern portion of the trail or the 4 miles within the main portion of the park; this beautiful, wild section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail will have you itching to continue north all the way to Travelers Rest!

Maps

For a map of Conestee Nature Park, click here.

For more on the Conestee section of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, parking, overlooks and all other trails, please click here.

This article was originally published on Femme au foyer.

Has your family explored the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail at Lake Conestee Nature Park?

Escape Artist Is One of Greenville’s Best Places for Fun and Mystery

Do you think you can beat the clock at Escape Artist Greenville SC? Several years ago, some friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to meet up. When we asked them what they would like to do, they suggested that we meet up at one of Greenville’s top escape rooms, Escape Artist Greenville. We are very glad that we said yes. In fact, we had such a great time we can’t stop recommending Escape Artist to all of our friends in Greenville. Escape Artist Greenville was even voted one of the Best Escape Rooms in 2025 by Newsweek, how cool!

Looking for more fun things to do downtown? Check out the KA Guide to Downtown Greenville.

What is Escape Artist Greenville Like?

Upon arriving, we were energized immediately by owners Will and Kim Rutherford’s enthusiasm. It was impossible to not catch the excitement about trying to test our group’s wits against one of their escape rooms.

After a short explanation of rules such as “don’t tear apart the ceiling” followed by a creepy story intro we handed over our iPhones and headed into “Dr. Fratelli’s cabin”. Inside the mad scientist’s cabin, we quickly got to work looking inside and under the many objects in order to start finding clues. These clues then led to puzzles that had to be solved in order to find the special locked exit and escape the room where Dr. Fratelli had trapped us. Of course, the primary entrance remained unlocked so we weren’t actually physically locked in. It is just a game!

We were given just one hour to escape the room, but we had the ability to ask for three clues during our hour. Will was watching us through his surveillance cameras and was quick to offer the exact help needed for each clue. The puzzles were challenging but still simple enough for a group to solve.

Did We Escape?

Of course, the first question everyone asks is “Did you escape?” Actually, Will told us that only 20-25% of the groups that try the room “get out”. We made it though with only a couple of minutes left to spare and we used all 3 hints.

Will greeted us after we finished and shared his own observations of how we solved the puzzle. We then were allowed to grab our phones again so that Kim could take a victory photo for us showcasing our time.

Objects and clues at Escape Artist Greenville SC — Photo Credit: Eli Warren, used by permission from Escape Artist Greenville

Is Escape Artist Greenville Worth the Money?

Escape Artist is a little bit more expensive than most of the attractions my husband and I visit, starting at around $30/person. It was worth every penny we spent. We had so much fun working together, laughing at our mistakes, and bragging about what we solved. The room was very well designed, all of the clues were clear and worked correctly, and Will & Kim executed everything wonderfully. It’s no wonder that they have received so many 5 star reviews.

Any hints?

Well, of course, I can’t give any hints on how to solve the puzzle because that would ruin the fun, but here are a couple tips to help you have the best chances of victory:

Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue when you are stuck. It’s better to use them up than not get out!
Get started quickly. Don’t be shy about looking around the room when you enter it. The sooner you find your first clues the better.
Don’t overthink your clues. None of the clues will require knowing weird facts and you won’t mess up your clues by touching or moving objects in the room.
Playing an escape room game on your tablet or phone ahead of time will help give you an idea of the types of puzzles you might encounter.
Have fun! Don’t get too stressed out. This activity is all about having a good time.

What About Kids?

I visited Escape Artist Greenville with 3 other adults and I thought that it was a great adult activity but older children and teens would definitely enjoy it as well. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with an adult, and Will told us that he had even recently hosted a party of 11-year-olds. Will did tell us that he adapts the clues as necessary for children and that the children who have come through really have enjoyed the puzzle. All of the content in the story and inside the room was appropriate for any age audience and there weren’t any thematic elements that would scare a child.

About Escape Artist: Greenville SC

Be sure to book your time ahead of time online. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited and 2 hours advanced reservation is required.

This attraction is completely unique to Greenville. While there are other “escape rooms” in Greenville and in other cities, Will & Kim specifically designed this room and story making it a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The attraction can fit 2-8 people at a time. Your group may get placed with another group if you don’t purchase the entire 8 tickets.

In addition to Dr. Fratelli’s Cabin, there are four other escape rooms including our current favorite Starlight Motel (a spooky, interactive room for adults). You can read about Starlight Motel in our review.

There is a second location of Escape Artist Greenville, located at Hampton Station. The Hampton Station location has fewer rooms (Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby), but the proximity to dining, breweries, and shopping makes it a great activity.

The Escape Artist Greenville: SC Has Two Locations!

209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville, SC
864-509-9305
info@escapeartistgreenville.com
www.escapeartistgreenville.com
Book the Downtown Greenville location

Hampton Station
1320 Hampton Avenue, Bay 11C, Greenville, SC
Book the Hampton Station location

Have you ever visited The Escape Artist or another Escape Room in Greenville? We would love to hear what you thought in the comments!

Guide to things to do indoors, Greenville, SC

There is still fun to have indoors!

KA Premier Guide to Things to Do Inside

Enjoy great food, breweries, activities, and more at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

Things to do at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

The Best Family-Friendly Gyms in Greenville and Spartanburg

Are you wondering what gyms in Greenville and Spartanburg are the most family-friendly? Or maybe you’re searching “gyms with childcare near me”? Being able to access a gym with a quality daycare that your kids could check into while you are exercising, a gym with a pool, or a gym that has exercise programs for the whole family is an amazing thing to have. Here’s what other local parents in Greenville and Spartanburg recommended when we asked them where their favorite family-friendly gyms are!

Gyms with childcare Greenville, SC Spartanburg, SC

Best Family Gyms Near Greenville, SC

Best Family-Friendly Gyms in Spartanburg, SC

More Family Fitness and Things to Do

About this list: These recommended gyms are based on recommendations from our readers. We have updated information as we are able to but we always recommend checking the websites and/or calling to get the latest information. If you know of a gym that’s kid-friendly that didn’t make our list (or have a review to add), just add a comment at the bottom of this post.

Reader Recommended Gyms For Families in Greenville

Prisma Health Family YMCA

864.963.3605 | 550 Brookwood Point Place, Simpsonville
Childcare: Membership includes up to 2 hours of free childcare each day. They also offer Parents’ Night Out; call to check for upcoming dates.
Facilities: group exercise classes, two pools, wellness equipment, and more
Children’s Fitness and Health: After School Program, Adventure Guides, Aquatics, Summer Day Camp, Dance, Overnight Camp, and more

GHS Family YMCA definitely! They are very sweet and kind to the kids. My kids love going there. They have fitness classes for them almost every day.

Erika

Prisma Health Family YMCA all the way! They have childcare, kids classes (fit kids, sports performance, dance, swim) and have summer camps and after school programs

Natalie

Prisma YMCA in Simpsonville is good. They have a 2 hour limit each day for child watch. If you are one who enjoys a good workout and showering before leaving,you do have to be very strategic in your arrival time. I have yet to find the sauna they advertise, but they do have a steam room. The pool is outdoors and under a dome in the winter. High winds will shut it down. The waters been 72-74 so far. All instructors have been amazing.

Kelly

Kroc Center

864.527.5948 | 424 Westfield Street, Greenville
Childcare: Child watch services are limited to 2 hours at no additional cost.
Facilities: Fitness facility, gymnasium, swimming pool, group fitness, and tennis
Children’s Fitness and Health: Family fitness classes, aquatics, and children’s fitness classes

location, location, location

James

ACAC (Formerly Sports Club)

Multiple Upstate Locations
Childcare: Up to 2 hours for children 8 weeks-14 years at no additional cost with membership; otherwise, it’s $5 per day
Facilities: Racquetball, Fitness Studios, Pickleball, Training Area, Women’s Only Fitness Area, and more
Offers: Children’s Fitness Class

Caine Halter Family YMCA

864.679.9622 | 721 Cleveland Street, Greenville
Childcare: Up to 2 hours of free child care each day and a Parents’ Night Out included with membership, on a first come first serve basis.
Facilities: Cardio equipment, indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, wellness center, walking track, express fitness, strength equipment, and more
Children’s Fitness and Health: Afterschool program, aquatics and swim lessons, summer day camp, dance, Overnight Camp, and more

I love the Caine halter y. Lots of classes, access to the swamp rabbit trail and childcare is included. I will say though that I lived in simpsonville for a while and the prisma family y out there is amazing! Fantastic childcare staff!!!

Rebecca

YMCA offers similar great family programming at their other Greenville locations, and we also love that membership at many of the branches comes with a free parent’s night out each month. Find all of the YMCA locations via their website, and consider an Upstate membership for access to all of the branches.

The YMCA memberships now include access to all locations with the location you attend most often designated your home location.

Whitney

Gyms in Spartanburg are Perfect For Families

Spartanburg Athletic Club

864.582.5050 | 2420 Andrews Road, Spartanburg
The nursery is for members’ children ages 6 weeks through 9 years (no exceptions)

Spartanburg atheltic club is the best!!❤we love the weight room. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. The daycare and workers are wonderful. They have zone training which is similar to crossfit. They have unlimited classes. The managers are awesome and genuinely care about you. The locker rooms are roomy and each have a sauna in them. There’s tons of lockers. Also for tennis lovers they have tons of courts!!

Alicia

Burn Boot Camp – Spartanburg

864.715.2267 | 1802 Drayton Road – Unit 110, Spartanburg

Burn Boot Camp – Spartanburg, SC hands down! Best gym I have ever been a part of. I love it and my kids love it! The childcare is the best and so clean!

Whitney

Burn Boot Camp at Drayton Mill is the place to go!!! My girls love going with me. They treat you like family. We won’t go anywhere else.

Candace

YMCA Locations in Spartanburg

Like the Greenville YMCA locations, the Spartanburg YMCA locations also offer childcare, child/parent classes, and the ever-so-popular “Parents Night Out”. Membership prices vary, but income-based scholarships and other discounts are available. Reciprocity benefits with some memberships allow you to visit any YMCA location nationwide!

Middle Tyger YMCA Family Center

864.433.9623 | 720 Shoals Road, Duncan
Parent’s night out is offered every 3rd Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.

YMCA for our family is the best deal around. Child care. Great classes. Two locations close by. The pool!!! My big kids love the downtown location with the water slide. I love the hot tub! My almost 2 year old loves to play with his friends while I workout giving me some nice me time.

Christa

Y in Duncan has mom and child yoga classes

Donita

Thomas E Hannah Family YMCA

864.585.0306 | 151 Ribault Street, Spartanburg
Parent’s night out is offered every 1st Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.

Currently the YMCA is the best fit for us – a family membership provides childcare while parents work out; indoor heated swimming pools for fun and for lessons; discounts on their sports programs; and the money we save on babysitters by using Parents Night Out (date night childcare on Saturday evenings) is amazing

Kristie

The YMCA on Pine Street. They have childcare, sports for kids are half off with membership, they are really nice, and my kids love the pool with splashpark.

Christina

Pine street YMCA has a great program and you can watch your child on a camera from your treadmill. Not to mention the water park that you can enjoy with your kids

Jennifer

Willis Road YMCA (Formerly Westside Club)

864.310.6400 | 501 Willis Road, Spartanburg
Parent’s night out is offered every 2nd Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.

Fitness Ideas for Parents with Kids Outside the Traditional Gym

Barre 3

864.627.3900 | 2815 Woodruff Road, Greenville
Price: $22 per class / Class package deals available
Childcare: can be booked in advance

Barre3greenville has play lounge for the kids during many of their morning and afternoon classes.

Amy

Total Fitness Family Center

864.295.3687 | 9801 Anderson Road, Piedmont
Childcare: Kids have their own fitness program

Total Fitness in Powdersville is awesome. Childcare included. Christian gym and atmosphere is awesome.

local mom

Burn Boot Camp

864.483.6388 | 215 Pelham Road, Suite B101, Lower Level, Greenville
864.609.7401 | 1618 Woodruff Road, Greenville
864.715.2267 | 1802 Drayton Road – Unit 110, Spartanburg

Total Fitness in Powdersville is awesome. Childcare included. Christian gym and atmosphere is awesome.

Alison

Burn Boot Camp – Greenville, SC has child care and enthusiastic women working out! We all cheer each other on! The only competition is with yourself. Our trainer does a great job of helping with techniques and form while celebrating your growth!

Lauren

Burn Boot Camp Five Forks! I have worked out a lot of places in this is by far the best! Child care is full of friendly ladies who also workout at the gym. My kids love it ,and have made lots of friends. They also do fun family camps, outside events, etc. We are a HUGE family there, and it so welcoming!

Lindsay

Burn Bootcamp Five Forks! I love it and my children do. Awesome ladies in childcare and the best community of people. You won’t find better trainers or more support anywhere else.

Jeni

Hiking in the Upstate

Hiking is an excellent physical fitness activity you can do as a family for very little money. Check out our Hiking Guide to Upstate, SC to find some gorgeous trails to explore. We have ideas for all ages and abilities!

Biking in the Upstate

What is your favorite family-friendly gym in Greenville? Let us know in the comments and we might add your suggestion next time we update this post!

Looking for even more things to do in Greenville, SC? Here are 50+ Amazing Things to Do in the Upstate.

Cabela’s Family Summer Camp is a Free Event You Don’t Want to Miss

Did you know that Cabela’s offers free summer camp activities for kids and families at their stores? Whether your family enjoys camping, fishing, archery or other outdoor activities – these are free events that you should add to your calendar. Everything you’ll need to know to plan your trip to Cabela’s Family Summer Camp is detailed below.

2022 Cabela’s Summer Camps and Sumer Family Activities Schedule is TBA.

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Get Out! Greenville Will Inspire All Your Outdoorsy Dreams

If you’d like to take a peek into some of the many outdoor activities available in our area, all in one place at one time you need to put Get Out! Greenville on your calendar. Local mom Kristina tells us why this is one event any lover of the outdoors needs to get to. Read on for a rundown of what happens at this event and when and where it happens!

For more outdoor activities check out our list of Things to do Outside.

There are few places I’d rather be on any given day than someplace in the outdoors of the Upstate. Whether it’s hiking the trails, splashing in the waterfalls, kayaking in the lakes, or trying out new things like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and rock climbing, I’m in. I just want to be outside. And there is an entire festival devoted to this kind of thing! Get Out! Greenville is happening this fall, and it’s totally free.

What you’ll find at Get Out! Greenville

Here’s what you can expect: rock climbing demos, a chance for the kids to test out kayaks and SUP boards in actual pools, outdoor-themed crafts, trail races (Ultra 50K, 30K, 10K, and 3K), the Greenville CX-Cup race (bike racing), an REI fashion show, frisbee toss, slacklining, and tons of games. Food trucks will also be on-site if you want to grab lunch or coffee.

Get Out! Greenville is a big celebration of the outdoors and it’s an event you really don’t want to miss, especially if you’re interested in learning more about what activities are available for families in the Upstate when it comes to all things nature-related.
I took my kids last year and we had a blast! They absolutely loved the paddling pools. My oldest discovered she has quite the skills with a SUP board. We were there for at least two hours and didn’t even get to everything that was offered.

This year, the event lineup also includes sessions on things like how to pack your backpack for camping or hiking, how to tie figure eight knots, how to identify certain plants, and how to make sure you’ve got an ideal first aid kit in the outdoors.
The exhibitors are pretty amazing, too. Places like the US Whitewater Center in Charlotte, Sunrift Adventures, The Gorge Zip Line, Mountain Goat Indoor Rock Climbing, SC State Parks, and Climb Upstate will all be there.
Kidding Around Greenville will also have a booth so come over and say hi! We love meeting our readers and introducing ourselves to new families.

If you love the outdoors, be sure to mark Get Out! Greenville on your calendar!

Details For 2021 Get Out! Greenville Event

Saturday, October 2nd from 9 am – 3 pm
2021 Get Out! Greenville | Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center @ 4232 SC-11, Marietta, SC

2021 Get Out! Greenville Event Schedule

9:00am – Adult 2.5 Mile Trail Run (ages 12 & up)
9:45am – Campfire Contest
10:30am – Kids 1.25 Mile Trail Run (ages 6-17)
11:00am – Namastay and Play Yoga Session
11:45am – Campfire Contest
12:00pm – Namastay and Play Yoga Session
12:00pm – Kids Short Track Mountain Bike Race (20 mins, ages 8-17)
12:30pm – Beginner Short Track Mountain Bike Race (30 min, ages 12 & up)
1:15pm – Expert Short Track Mountain Bike Race (45 min, ages 12 & up)
2:15pm – Campfire Contest

Park Hop End Of The Summer Celebration
Park Hoppers get to celebrate each year with an end-of-the-summer celebration, where they recieve the earned prizes. If you are unable to join us at Get Out! Greenville and pick up your prizes, please contact Park Hop to arrange an alternate pick-up. Not sure what Park Hop is? We’ve got the Ultimate Guide to Park Hop in Greenville, SC!

More Fall Fun – 20+ Fall Festivals Near Greenville to Check Out This Season

Did You Know that the YMCA Offers A Free Swim Week During Spring Break?

The lazy days of summer are right around the corner. That means lots of time at the neighborhood pool, heading to the beach, or checking out local swimming holes. But as a parent, the fun times around water are a little more stressful because accidents in the water are more common than need to be.

This post is sponsored by YMCA of Greenville.

Every year during warmer months, we hear tragic stories about accidental drownings involving children. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1-14, but formal swimming lessons can reduce that risk by 88%. The YMCA of Greenville is committed to reducing the rates of drowning by providing water safety and swimming lessons to as many members of our community as possible.

With that commitment in mind, the YMCA of Greenville has partnered with Upstate Pool Management and Clarity Pool Management to offer a week of free water safety classes over spring break to help kids learn to swim and be more comfortable in the water. Water Safety Week, which runs April 13-17, 2020, also teaches parents what to do to prevent drowning accidents and how to keep a careful eye on the little ones around water.

Trained and certified instructors teach participants basic comfort and survival swimming skills while working toward building confidence around water. While lessons focus on safety, they are also a great time for children to have fun and be active.

Classes will be held at:

Caine Halter Family YMCA in downtown Greenville
Eastside Family YMCA in Taylors
YPC Program Center in Simpsonville

Morning and afternoon sessions are available, but spaces are limited for the free classes so be sure to register online. You don’t even have to be a member of the YMCA.

Our visit to Le Petit Croissant

Visit Le Petit Croissant for yourself

There are so many fabulous coffee shops to enjoy!

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The Willow Whole Health Market: Organic Groceries & Cozy Coffee in One Stop

Qahwah Palace: Middle Eastern Treats, Lounge Seating, and Private Work Spaces

Coffee Flights Await at Unlocked Coffee Roasters in Greenville, SC

Flying Fox Gets Creative With Their Coffee

Northern Greer is Home to Scändi Tiny Coffee