Are you looking for a place to hike in Pickens, SC, then Nine Times Preserve is one of the places you should check out! Nestled on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains with over 500 acres of protected land and 134 species of native wildflowers to encounter, who can resist this nature preserve? Find out about this nature preserve and how to get there.
There is so much to see and do in Pickens County, South Carolina! We’ve discovered another place to explore with your family no matter the season! If you love hiking trails and hidden gems – we’ve got a perfect place to check out. You might even come across a flower that is thought to only exist in the Upstate!
Planning a day trip and need a great destination? Sitting in the shadow of downtown Atlanta sits one of its suburbs, Decatur, Georgia. It’s great for a day trip as it’s close enough to the Upstate that you can have a day full of fun but not have to worry about being too tired to get home.
There are no shortage of restaurants, shops, and other neat little finds. Plus Decatur has free WIFI!
Believe me when I tell you this is no ordinary farmers market. Whenever I get the chance to take someone there, I do. No matter how I try to explain that they are in for a surprise, they are never prepared. Since 1977 this market has been providing ingredients to local residents, restaurants, and caterers. Nothing I say will prepare you for the spectacle that awaits, so I’ll just tell you this – If you love, cook, or eat food, you should put this place on your bucket list. Just Go!
Downtown Greenville has mice, and Decatur has tiny doors.
Hidden around the downtown area are 30 doors decorated by local artists. See
how many you can find!
One of these secret doors can be found next to some of the
best doughnuts in Atlanta.
This doughnut and coffee shop offers hand-made doughnuts that are almost too beautiful to eat! But we encourage you to just take a photo and then chow down. A place that makes 10 billion doughnuts a year must be doing something right.
Decatur Toy Park
133 Nelson Ferry Road, Decatur GA 30030
This open-to-the-public park is located at First Christian Church, and super popular with the locals. Tricycles, scooters, little tykes-type play structures, and more, all donated, are what draw locals to this unique park.
Speaking of toys, towards the beginning of summer the streets
of downtown Decatur are filled with tons of sand (80 tons) and kids and kids at
heart are allowed to play and have fun at this huge beach party!
2719 East College Avenue, Avondale Estates GA 30030
In 1955 the very first waffle house opened at this location. They give tours that include free waffles, however only on certain days. To schedule your tour, call 770.326.7086.
This family-friendly gastropub is hiding a super-cool secret. It also has a comic bookstore inside that houses old pinball and video games. It’s a really neat spot, and honestly, I’m surprised there aren’t more places like this. It’s kid-friendly and where else can a young kid learn the fine art of pinball!
Can you imagine anything as comical as a Popsicle turf war? Well it happened, right here in Decatur. If you’ve had King Of Pops brand in Greenville, try Steel City Pops and see what you think. We won’t tell you who the winner was, you’ll have to guess that on your own.
1162 Fayetteville Road Southeast, Atlanta GA 30316
If you do decide to make a weekend of it, might we suggest a
stay with one of the most desired Air
BnB locations around? Just around the corner from Decatur.
Even if you don’t want to make a weekend of your trip, you can still visit this urban farm by taking a 60-minute tour. We visited the Alpacas, llamas, and their treehouse and it’s a really magical place. All the information can be found on our site. Kidding Around’s visit to the Alpaca Treehouse
2086 North Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast, Atlanta GA 30307
Part of the Fernbank Museum, this forest is included in the admission fee. This location combined with the Wildwoods attraction of the museum equals 75 acres of outdoor fun to explore.
This 28-acre nature preserve with a variety of different ecosystems. Have the kids bring binoculars and go on a scavenger hunt. The preserve has geocaching activities too! There is no fee to visit, although donations are always welcome.
This is a 154-acre nature preserve on the campus of Emory University. There are miles of walking trails where all sorts of animals can be observed in their natural habitat. A lake and suspension bridge provide plenty of photo opportunities for your family. Bring a tripod and get those holiday card photos checked off your to-do list!
This is a beautiful garden with a recently completed expansion. The gardens are free to visit and they offer lots of special events. In October, visit the gardens to find the fairy houses hidden along the path.
This community park has a nice playground with nearby
restrooms. There is a family friendly trail that leads to a historic mill ruin.
If your family plays Pokemon Go, this park has plenty to keep trainers busy.
Date Day-Trip to Decatur
If you are looking for a fun day-trip excursion with your main squeeze, there are a ton of grown-up places to enjoy in Decatur.
SOS Tiki Bar
Decatur Square
Decatur Square is the centerpiece of downtown Decatur and a venue for local music performances. It’s also a Marta Station, if you decide to hop a train into the heart of Atlanta for an adventure.
This restaurant is great for a romantic meal. I’ve been several times and it’s by far my favorite restaurant in the Square. Be sure to try the B.W.D.! They are bacon-wrapped medijol dates and they are so good! Everything is good, but these we order first every time we go.
Famous with locals for the Whiskey & Cola slushies they
serve. Pair it with a slider sized sandwich and the peanut ramen noodles for a
nice afternoon snack.
The south has seen it’s fair share of atrocities. This makes
it a hot bed for (alleged) supernatural activity. Whether you are a believer of
the paranormal or not, this tour led by a psychic medium comes highly
recommended.
Date Weekend in Decatur
You can do a self-led brewery walking tour in Decatur.
Save this for a weekend away from the kids – because an Uber
home from Decatur to the Upstate would not be a wise fiscal idea.
This brewery is offers weekly events that can be found on
their social media account, from Yoga to sports game viewing. This brewery is
family friendly during tasting room hours.
Tours of this brewery are offered several times a day Fridays through Sundays, and do not require a reservation. The brewery is family-friendly and on weekends has food available via food trucks to go along with your craft beer.
If you are thinking about spending an afternoon racing go-karts, Greenville, SC has a couple of venues nearby that offer indoor or outdoor karting. So, grab the kids for a bonding session, your significant other for a date, or your arch nemesis for a karting throwdown. Either way, check out this list of places where you can go karting in the Upstate.
Wondering where you can purchase a fabulous pie in Greenville, SC for your holiday meal? Greenville and Spartanburg restaurants are offering some delicious holiday pie options. Plus, our readers chimed in with their favorite local pies to help you fill your holiday dessert table!
Where can you bring your family to trick-or-treat in Greenville? When going door to door asking for sweets in your own neighborhood isn’t the right choice, where do Upstate families go? Safety concerns, a lack of other children in the neighborhood, or just a lack of anyone at all could cause a family to look to other neighborhoods for their trick or treating needs.
So if you want the door-to-door trick-or-treating experience this year but aren’t sure what neighborhood to visit, this is the list for you. We asked our readers where the most “Halloween visitor-friendly” spots in the Upstate were, and this is what they told us.
You’ll find fun events, trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treats, and lots more!
Parents, these are recommendations gathered from our readers. Please always use your judgment regarding your child’s safety trick-or-treating and consuming treats in these or any other neighborhoods.
Great Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in Greenville
Earle Street, Greenville
“Earle Street has several officers directing traffic at the red light on North Main. We usually start on one end and travel down and back up the other side. They have so many decorated houses, fire breathers, singers, bands, games, and other fun stuff at each house.
Crystal
Earle Street is off North Main in Greenville.
Botany Woods, Greenville
Botany Woods!!! The Best!….But trust me! It’s enough candy for a child. Both my twins come bk with their buckets almost full.
Glenda
Botany Woods is in Greenville, east of Pleasantburg road and behind the Ollie’s on Wade Hampton. This neighborhood is recommended year after year for trick-or-treating in Greenville!
Half Mile Lake, Greenville
Half Mile Lake subdivision is located off State Park Road near Altamont Road.
Riverdale Subdivision, Greer
Riverdale Subdivision Greer across the street from Clayton Homes off Wade Hampton Blvd
Veronica
Riverdale is located just west of the Highway 80 and Wade Hampton intersection in Lyman.
O’Neal Village in Greer
We had two readers mention
this North Greer neighborhood, located off of 101.
We love O’Neal Village in Greer.
Karyn
Subdivision off hwy 101 right before oneal Baptist church on right
Gwen
Fountain Inn
While it’s not a neighborhood, it does come reader recommended, so we are including Main Street, Fountain Inn.
I grew up with amazing Halloween memories there and they’re still carrying it on.
Susan
Neely Farms, Simpsonville
Neely farms hands down!!
Gabrielle
Orchard Farms, Simpsonville
Orchard Farms is located in the heart of the Golden Strip in Simpsonville and is recommended by several readers.
Morning Mist, Simpsonville
A few readers recommended Morning Mist in Simpsonville, saying that the decorating is amazing. The neighborhood is off of Georgia Road.
Silver Leaf, Greer
At least 3 readers recommend the Silver Leaf community for trick or treating. It’s located in Greer off of Old Spartanburg Road.
Amber Oaks Farm, Greer
Someone recommended Amber Oaks Farm in Greer by Blue Ridge High school. It’s located off Pennington Road and Highway 101.
Tymberbrook, Lyman
Tymberbrook in Lyman, it’s a big older neighborhood and soooo many of the houses are involved, lots of kids and costumes lots of people having driveway parties!!!
NJ
Tymberbrook Drive is located in Lyman, north of Wade Hampton near Lake Lyman.
Lyman Mill Village
Lyman Mill Village! Park your car and go walking all around. Most of the homes give candy and there are trunk or treats from churches. Police have roads blocked for safety!
Alexandra
North Main
The Neighborhood of North Main street just above Wade Hampton got a lot of likes from our readers, too! According to Kidding Around fans, East and West Earle Street sound like a good place to trick or treat.
Honey Creek, Anderson
The Honey Creek subdivision in Anderson came highly recommended. It’s near Arnold’s and South Main Street, and is technically in Belton.
I grew up with amazing Halloween memories there and they’re still carrying it on.
Miranda
Rose Hill, Powdersville
Rose Hill for the Powdersville folks! Almost every house is decorated and most set up tables to hand out candy! Get there early to park (not on the grass) there are 500+ easy trick or treaters every year!
Maggie
Rose Hill is a newer subdivision in Powdersville off 3 Bridges Road and Mt Airy Church Road.
Tips for Trick-or-Treating as a Guest in a Neighborhood
Local mom Dallas, had this great bit of advice for those visiting other neighborhoods on Halloween :
Parents: bring a trash bag to help pick up the discarded wrappers and random trash that inevitably happens when we visit neighboring communities for better loot. We live in a rural area and go to local subdivisions and noticed the residents are SUPER appreciative if you help out a bit and don’t leave their neighborhoods trashed.
Dallas
I once noticed something being done and have now started doing it when we visit other neighborhoods on Halloween. I bring glow necklaces and bracelets to hand out to kids walking past us trick or treating. It helps keep kids safe, we’re helping to contribute to the loot of trick-or-treaters in a non-allergenic way, PLUS everyone loves glo-sticks!
We hope that no matter where you decide to go, we hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!
More Things to Do for Halloween!
5 Things to Do With All That Candy: Halloween Candy Buyback Program: Greenville, SC & More
2023 Halloween Meal Deals and Kids Eat Free: Halloween Deals Near Greenville, SC
Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in Spartanburg, SC
10+ Haunted Places Near Greenville, SC to Visit for a Good Scare
Trick-or-Treat Door to Door in These Greenville Neighborhoods
Halloween Fun: Haunted Car Wash in Greenville, SC Gives Great Scares
The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC has so much to explore! See animals, build, learn about physics, space, gardens and more! We checked it out and have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day here as a day trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!
Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips according to where my family can get in for free or half-price using the reciprocal membership benefits. The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC was on the list so that’s where we went.
Have you visited Hand On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville, NC? It’s the perfect place for kids to play and learn with parents and grandparents. The small footprint of Hands On is great for a kid-size adventure without being too overwhelming. You’ll find Hands On! along Downtown Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street, beside Black Bear Coffee.
Hands On! Children’s Museum
Hands On! Children’s Museum has a target audience of children aged ten and under. The museum is all located on one floor which is great for parents keeping track of multiple kids.
The smaller front section contains a fire truck play area, a dinosaur dig exhibit, an art area, and a Kilwin’s Ice Cream-themed pretend play area.
Behind that, you’ll find the larger open play space where kids can pretend to shop at the grocery store, cook a meal, and pick apples. There’s also a pretend play doctor’s office with a baby care station, a dentist’s office, an engineering area, and a theater.
The middle of this Hendersonville children’s museum features a beautiful mountain play area with a fun stairway that leads to a slide in the rocks. The bubbling sounds of both a natural-looking waterfall feature and a fun water play area add to the natural mountain scene and fill the whole museum with the calming sounds of running water.
Babies and Toddlers at Hands On! WNC
There is a small area set aside just for babies and toddlers at Hands On! In this area you’ll find soft mats, a low table and chairs, many sensory toys suitable for toddlers and babies, plus blocks and puzzles.
Rocking chairs in this area overlook the mountain in the center of the museum.
Admission and Hours at Hands On! Hendersonville, NC
Your $10 admission allows you to enter and leave the museum for a full day. Every person pays admission – even adults. Infants are $4. Hands On! is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 am – 5 pm. (Closed Sundays and Mondays, except for special holidays and seasonal breaks.)
Memberships are available and if you think you would make the trip to Hendersonville more than a few times a year, a membership could be the perfect option for your family. (Remind grandparents that museum memberships make great birthday and Christmas gifts!)
Classes, Parties, and More
Hands On! offers regular classes that are often free with your admission. Classes range in topics from science to reading to crafting. Summer is filled with weekly class options – and the convenient part for parents is that one child can attend a class while the other children play. Throughout the year there are weekly classes – such as storytime and science classes, plus other weekly options. Be sure to check their Hands On website or Facebook page for all the details.
Hands On! also offers an easy and enjoyable option for birthday parties. They provide a party room for the cake and gifts and then, of course, the museum is all the entertainment you will need for your birthday guests.
More to Do in Hendersonville, NC
Downtown Hendersonville has so many fun things to do. Hop out of the museum for lunch at one of the family-friendly Main Street restaurants. Options like pizza and sandwiches and an iconic soda fountain shop across the street can make Hendersonville a great day trip destination. Right next door to the museum is Black Bear Coffee Shop with great coffee beverages, treats, sandwiches and a lot more. And, McFarlan’s Bakery is right across the street. Pick up some donuts, cookies, pastries, or even a whole pie to bring home!
Gather a few of your girlfriends and strap the kids in their booster seats. A day at Hands On! will be a day the kids will really remember and love
Are you looking for a way to escape and do a little holiday season travel? Maybe a weekend adventure or even the entire holiday break from school? We have suggestions for both! You can find holiday bliss in the mountains of North Carolina or head a little further away.
Try a vacation cabin rental for Christmas this year, enjoy twinkling lights and all the Christmas trees. Snag a cup of hot cocoa, stroll through Christmas lights, or a holiday market. There’s still time left to plan a holiday getaway, and celebrate the best time of the year! We’ve done the research and included some favorites Christmas vacation ideas to help you get into the holiday spirit with your favorite people.
Looking for restaurants in Downtown Greenville, SC? Greenville, South Carolina, has made its mark on the culinary map with a selection of well-respected restaurants. This is a list of Downtown Greenville restaurants, sorted by meals and occasions. Plus, a list of restaurants along Main Street downtown.
Diners have no shortage of choices regardless of what they might be craving! From a casual lunch to a romantic dinner date, every kind of meal can be found in downtown Greenville.
Just a 50-mile drive from Greenville is the little town of Brevard, North Carolina. With unique little shops, great restaurant options, and a scenic drive, this destination just might find itself penciled onto your day trip adventure list. Spend the day in Brevard exploring this mountain town with small-town vibes, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of Brevard’s most prized residences, a white squirrel!
Fall foliage is not the only incentive to make the trek from the Upstate to Brevard. The beauty of the mountains envelops you long before you reach the actual town. The scenic drive up Highway 25 is dotted with produce stands, complete with pumpkins, and antique shops. Highway 64 through Hendersonville will carry you straight into downtown Brevard, NC. Though a bit longer, this route is preferable to Highway 276 for me. I am not a fan of corkscrew-shaped roads.
Once in Brevard, North Carolina, there’s no shortage of things to do. Main Street is lined with eccentric shops and unique eateries. There are no parking garages, but it’s rarely an issue. Unlike Greenville, you are allowed to park in the lots of just about every public building and business. You cannot imagine how convenient that is until you are looking for a place to put your car.
If you are in need of some new outdoor gear but want a more local experience, then DD. Bullwinkle’s Outdoors will help you find what you need. They have backpacks, shoes, clothes, and survival gear to help you brace for your next adventure, Pisgah National Forest!
This mini-Gatlinburg is a haven for anyone who loves collectibles, trinkets, and other items that cannot be found at your local mall. Brevard is home to the original O.P. Taylor’s store. Your kiddos will love the two-tier toy wonderland.
The original O.P. Taylors
I can’t write an article about Brevard without mentioning the absolute coolest store on the block. It’s called The Children’s Center. TCC is a not-for-profit clothing store that supports children in Transylvania County who are at risk of being abused and/or neglected. This store is THE place to shop for the little members of your family. It is a special home for name-brand clothes and handmade gifts for less.
Where to Eat in Brevard
Whether eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’re certain to find something in Brevard, North Carolina to please the pickiest palate (bet you can’t say that five times fast). Our crew likes to eat a big breakfast before leaving on a day trip, so we usually snack for lunch and enjoy an early dinner. This brings me to my next recommendation.
Have you heard of The Square Root restaurant? I immediately fell in love with this back alley surprise. In addition to the atmosphere, they have one of the most realistic children’s menus I’ve seen. Your kiddos can enjoy their PB&J or corn dog while the adults at the table savor a more upscale entrée. My personal favorite was the juicy cheeseburger with a pickle and a side of fries. Don’t forget to walk across the alley to Downtown Chocolates for dessert!
Maybe you need a pick me up after all that walking. Then, head to Cup and Saucer for a nice espresso and a sweet treat. They sell fresh baked goods, but also specialty coffee, beer, and wine.
You will also find one of the several breweries in Brevard, so there is no shortage of beer if you are looking for it. Ecusta Brewing Company is pretty well known in the area, and they are pretty close to Pisgah Forest, making it a nice stop after a day outdoors. Brevard Brewing Company is just down the street from O.P. Taylor’s if you’re looking for something within walking distance of the downtown area.
Outdoor Things to Do in Brevard, NC
In addition to all the food and merchandise, Brevard has historical sites you do not want to miss and practically sits in the backyard of Gorges State Park. The park offers weekly activities as well as monthly special events. You can visit their website for a full listing of family-friendly fun.
You can also travel a quick drive out of town to Looking Glass Falls, one of the most accessible waterfalls near Greenville. There are several waterfalls near Brevard (the Land of Waterfalls is close by in Cashiers), so you won’t have to travel far for an epic adventure after your day Downtown.
One of our favorite adventures in Brevard is riding lazily down the river with Brevard Tubing. You get to ride in a hot pink tube down the Broad River, while being lazy and enjoying the beautiful scenery, sounds like a plan!
Look at how relaxing this is
If you want to continue your outdoor adventure, we highly recommend the natural waterslide, Sliding Rock. Here, you can slide down a natural rock formation and plunge into the chilly mountain water below. We promise, your kids will want to do it over and over again, and you will too.
One of the best outdoor places in Brevard is at Dupont State Recreational Forest. Here you can hike, mountain bike, and even swim. There are multiple waterfalls, and did you know that they even filmed portions of the Hunger Games at Triple Falls?
If you are heading to Brevard in October, be sure to check out Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont Park! Held annually by The Friends of Silvermont, the weekend festival offers a great adventure for little kids to enjoy the Halloween season while hunting for white squirrels through a paved trailed lit up by carved pumpkins. There is also live music, food trucks, and money raised goes to help restore the Silvermont mansion and park.
Grab your binoculars and go on a sight hunt of Brevard’s most prized locals, white squirrels. There is a large population of white squirrels in Brevard, and you will see everything from stores named after them, to souvenirs. Hopefully, you’ll catch a glimpse, because they are super cute! There are larger populations in Silvermont, around Brevard College, and Franklin Park, so pack a picnic.
The second week in September is usually the Art is the Air Plein Air Festival in Brevard. Several artists will spend the week painting all over Brevard and then showcase their work on Saturday afternoon. Be sure to visit the “wet paint” tent to see all their amazing work!
Now that I have piqued your interest, it’s time for you and your family to plan your next road trip.
