The Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce hosts a new annual fall event, Greer Arts & Eats Festival. The festival is an opportunity for guests to enjoy what Greer’s businesses have to offer families year-round. The Greer Arts & Eats Festival will be held in downtown Greer Saturday, October 7th, 2023 from 10 am to 8 pm!
For more info about the Upstate City of Greer, SC – Check out The Kidding Around Ultimate Visitors and Locals Guide to Greer, SC.
Are you looking for a day trip that is a little more spooky? These Halloween trips are worth the drive! You will find special Halloween-themed events in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee that will make for a memorable time with your family. These events go all out with spectacular light shows, costumed characters, and out-of-this-world Halloween displays.
Let us know how you’re celebrating Halloween in 2023 in the comments.
We found some great day trip activities to celebrate Halloween this year. They are not only entertaining, but they will get you exploring a new town. These festivities make a great day trip or a weekend getaway! We’ve compiled extra info if you decide to make a trip of it!
If you’re thinking of making a weekend out of Halloween this year, check out our Guide to Travel in Georgia for ideas to fill out your itinerary.
1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain GA
The Glow By Night Experience is a journey through a storybook tale that comes to life with thousands of glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, bubbles, fog, and plenty of kid-friendly, glow-in-the-dark adventures after dark.
275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell GA
In addition to all of the fun Six Flags Over Georgia normally offers, guests will experience Halloween-themed extras. Live character interactions and shows top off the list of themed things you can expect. Kids Boo Fest is spooky fun for all ages, including trick-or-treating, family-friendly rides, and other fall activities.
Check out a local dad’s review of Six Flags Over Georgia.
Downtown Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is hosting its annual historic cemetery tour. Notable “spirits” come to life! This ghost tours aims to increase awareness of Augusta’s past by connecting current residents and visitors with the people and places that still influence us today through their contributions to Augusta’s cultural legacy.
Tickets may be purchased on the Explore Historic Augusta website.
If you’re thinking of spending Halloween weekend in Tennesee, check out our Ultimate Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for some excellent lodging options, things to do, and places to eat.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dollywood guests will be invited nightly to glow with Great Pumpkin LumiNights. This event was named the “#1 Theme Park Halloween Event in 2019″ by USA Today.
14523 Carowinds Boulevard Charlotte, NC
SCarowinds is one of the Carolina’s biggest Halloween events and a top Halloween themed destination, happening September 15, 2023 through October 29th, 2023. The theme park has evening events that contain haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment, and more. It is a scary event, not for small children!
Carowinds’ fall and Halloween event for families, the Great Pumpkin Fest has all the regular Carowinds fun, plus great fall and festive Halloween activities with just a tiny bit of spooky. It’s happening Saturdays and Sundays September 16th, 2023 through October 29th, 2023. Enjoy a haybale maze, craft corner, soapy mummy pit, trick-or-treat trail, festive games, live entertainment, and lots more!
Here is more information on Carowinds.
Head to Brevard, North Carolina this October for this annual, family-friendly event! Pumpkin Fest runs from October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28, 2023, and features displays of lighted carved pumpkins, local musicians, fun and games for the entire family, food trucks, storytellers, face painting, a tour of the mansion, and of course, a white squirrel scavenger hunt! The event is sponsored by Friends of Silvermont, and admission is $7 per person ages 13 or older, and $5 for ages 3 – 12. Ages 2 and under are free.
110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC
Hop aboard for a train ride to the pumpkin patch! When guests arrive at the patch, kids will choose a pumpkin and decorate it with provided supplies. There will also be a maze and games at the patch to enjoy for about 40 minutes before heading back aboard the train to return to the museum.
Visit the SC State Museum for a special kind of history tour full of spooky legendary tales from South Carolina’s history. Tours are self-guided and are available every day, or you can attend an educator-led guided tour any Saturday in October at 10:30 am or 2:30 pm. These tours are included in regular museum admission.
If you are looking for a fun, family-friendly activity that is great for younger children, then the Silva Terra Not-So-Spooky Halloween Trail in Liberty, South Carolina is perfect! The cost is $9 per person, with games, photo ops, and lots of interactive activities. You can even visit Casper’s barn and visit with the farm animals.
Hours for the Not So Spooky Halloween Trail are:
If spending the night in haunted hotels or cabins sounds like an excellent way to spend Halloween, don’t miss our list of Haunted Cabins, Hotels, and Tours.
Join the fun at the Upstate Renaissance Faire!
Do you have an unruly bunch you need to keep entertained? Are you looking for a place to take your Lil’ knight in shining armor? Then we have the event for you! The Upstate Renaissance Faire is back for its on September 8th & 9th, 2023 at Greer City Park.
Read on to learn all the Upstate Renaissance Faire details, so your family can get in on the fun!
If your family could use an escape from reality, there’s no better place than the Upstate Renaissance Faire. The festival, in Greer’s City park, will transport guests back to the time of knights, fair maidens, and sirens who lurk in the sea. The festival will be filled with fun events for the whole family. Don’t forget to plan your day to include a meal of giant turkey legs.
The schedule is totally packed and we will highlight some of what is happening below but you’re going to want to check out the whole schedule.
September 8th, 2023: 5-10 pm
The evening events will include both fairy dancers and fire dancers. There will also be a costume contest, archery, axe throwing, and knights fighting because why not, it’s a Renaissance festival.
September 9th, 2023: 10 am – 8 pm
There will be the Columbia Marionettes show at 11 am and 1 pm. We absolutely loved this show last year. There will also be more fire shows, a dance competition, and knights tournament.
(more…)M&G, the Bob Jones Museum and Gallery, is a place to examine cultural and art history for all ages. Though M&G has been closed to the public since 2017, you can still view historic pieces of art from the gallery at various campus locations, off-campus locations, and events throughout the Upstate.
Plus, M&G still offers homeschool programs, specialized tours, and summer camps! As M&G continues to fund for a new location, we can support them through the various art history programs available.
Though the brick-and-mortar Museum and Gallery location is no longer open at BJU, there are several places where you can view Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, American, and religious art throughout the campus at Bob Jones University. The M&G Collection on View has pieces displayed in three campus locations, including:
You will also find off-campus art displays from the M&G collection at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville from April 4, 2023- October 12, 2023, at the Jerry and Alice Lenz Gallery in Downtown Greenville, SC. These art pieces explore the Baroque era and include 14 paintings as part of the Ponder Anew: Baroque Masters of the Baroque exhibition. The satellite location is used to temporarily house one of the largest collections from M&G while BJU acquires a permanent location for the museum.
The gallery is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. You can also make an appointment by emailing cfraser@firstpresgreenville.org for out-of-public hour visits.
Does history and art make your eyes glaze over? It doesn’t have to be like that! History is rich with incredible and interesting stories and art reflects that intrigue. M&G offers Scavenger Hunts that encompass everything from the signs and symbols in the art that mean something more than meets the eye to be able to identify techniques used by the greatest artists in all of history.
For 2023, Scavenger Hunts are currently held at the Ponder Anew: Baroque Masterworks of the Museum and Gallery exhibit at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville. You can grab it at the reception desk at First Presbyterian from April until October 12, 2023.
M&G also offers two print-off seasonal scavenger hunts for Easter and Christmas. These hunts are for all ages and use short audio clips and videos to help the hunter find out more information about the pieces they are hunting for.
There are also specialized Cultural Discovery Tours for kids so they can learn more about art history. These tours are from K – 12th grade, and groups of 10 or more are needed. Tours are free but must be requested in advance.
Currently, M&G offers on-campus and off-campus tours for three different exhibits, including Luther’s Journey: Experience the History (grades 6th – 12th), Benjamin West: The Father of American Painting (grades 3rd -12th grade), and Ponder Anew: Baroque Masterworks from the Museum and Gallery (1st – 12th grade). Homeschool groups and teachers can submit a Specialized Focus Tours form to find out more information about the exhibits.
M&G at Bob Jones University offers a special program for homeschoolers for their Homeschool Days, one that caters to students ages 5 – 14 years old. Lessons are 75 minutes long and are available once per month at the Mack Building on campus.
The Homeschool Days theme for 2023/2024 is American Masters. During their visit, students will learn about American artists, while exploring various art styles, media, and artists themselves. Elementary and Middle School lessons are available, so your kid will be learning on their level. Children will be inspired to dream and imagine what impact they can have on history too!
Homeschool days for 2023/2024 include:
Elementary classes for children ages K5- 5th grade are on Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 2 pm or and Fridays at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm.
The Middle School lessons are for children grades 6th – 8th grade, and follow the same order of subject matters on Fridays at 10 am, noon, or 2 pm.
Registration for Homeschool Days begins in August, and you can register for the Fall 2023 classes through the Homeschool Days Fall Registration form. Registration for the second semester for Spring 2024 will open at the end of the year.
Fees are $8.50 for children and $3 for adults. Adults are not required to stay for the lesson but are asked to walk their children into the museum and pick them up after 75 minutes.
For FAQs on the Homeschool Days, see here.
If you prefer an at-home program, M&G also offers Digital Homeschool Days. These digital classes are for ages 5 – 14 years old and explore The Age of Antiquity. You must pre-register for the digital lessons and will have access to lessons on Sumer, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Hebrew, Greece, and Rome.
If you are looking for a unique way to bring the museum to your classroom or homeschool co-op, then M&G has you covered! They offer art-based STEAM units, whoo hoo! If you choose the in person option, an educator will come to your classroom or group for a 30 – 60 minute lesson. Lessons meet core SC standards, so you don’t have to stress about that.
You can also choose for grades 1st through 6th, with several lesson options available. You can find more information about the Museum on the Move program and how to register for in person and digital lessons on the M&G Museum on the Move page.
Every summer, M&G at Bob Jones University offers a Kids Create! Summer camp that will have your child exploring the world through art. Summer camps are available for children aged K5 – age 12. Your child will explore the fine arts, create art projects, play interactive games, learn age-appropriate material, and make new friends! Camps are typically a week long in June and are half-day.
Registration for Kids Create! Will open at the beginning of 2024 for the 2024 summer session.
Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University
864-770-1331
http://www.bjumg.org
https://www.facebook.com/bjumg
Have you ever taken your kids to M & G at Bob Jones University?
Homeschooling?
Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Guide to the Upstate!
Summer Camps are the Best!
We have a Guide to over 120 Summer Camps Near Greenville, SC. There is something for every interest.
There is something special, a unique vibe, about outdoor dining. Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC have dozens of restaurants that make their outdoor dining spaces worthwhile. No matter the temperature outdoors, there’s a restaurant outdoor dining option to keep you comfortable. Our list includes Greenville and Spartanburg area restaurants with heated outdoor dining, shaded outdoor dining, and simply the best in the area! Now, go enjoy your lunch and dinner in the open air with outdoor seating!
This article includes:
Heated Outdoor Dining: Greenville, SC
Heated Outdoor Dining: Spartanburg, SC
Outdoor Dining Anytime of Year in Greenville, SC
More Outdoor Dining: Greenville, SC
More Outdoor Dining: Spartanburg, SC
Shaded Outdoor Dining in Greenville, SC
Bookmark this page so you can check back no matter the weather
Whether you’re looking for highly rated restaurants in Greenville, SC, a tasty snack, or the perfect cup of coffee, this guide will be your go-to every time. We took all our restaurant content and put it right here so you can find exactly what you’re craving. You’ll want to bookmark this page for your next dining experience.
This article includes:
Top Restaurants in Greenville, SC
Restaurants by Location
Restaurants by Cuisine
Food Hall Style Dining Locations
Dessert Locations
Dining Out With Kids in Greenville, SC
Date Night Restaurants in Greenville, SC
Restaurants for the Holidays in Greenville, SC
Restaurant Week in Greenville, SC
What’s New?
We have restaurants with outdoor seating, food trucks, and delivery restaurants all on our lists at the top of this guide. Searching for a burger joint with great music, or maybe an epic fine dining experience with top southern cuisine and a fancy wine list? We have all of that.
Then you’ll find our lists by cuisine. Looking for tacos, no problem! Want southern food, pizza, or sushi, we have recommendations. Vegan? We have that, too.
This guide will also help you find the perfect restaurant for dining out with the kids, or for a romantic date night. We weren’t kidding when we said this was the Ultimate Restaurant Guide to Greenville, South Carolina!
Many restaurants in Greenville, SC offer some very unique dining options. Whether you looking for a place to dine outdoors, a family meal to go, or even the perfect restaurant with locally sourced ingredients, the lists below will help you out!
The KABOOM Awards are Kidding Around’s annual best of contest.
Readers say these are the:
Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Greenville, SC
Feel like dining outdoors? This is the list you want. We have restaurants with shaded patios, restaurants with heated outdoor dining spaces, and lots more!
Reader-Recommended Curbside Take-Out and Delivery in Greenville, SC
We asked our readers what restaurants they recommended for take-out and delivery. This list has their favorite restaurants that offer delivery and take-out!
Family Meals To-Go in Greenville, SC
Looking for a family meal deal? Lots of restaurants offer family meal deals that allow you to bring home a family-sized restaurant meal, often at a significant discount when compared to ordering something different for everyone.
Locally-Sourced Restaurants
If you like meals cooked with local ingredients, this is the list for you. All the restaurants on this list source their ingredients locally wherever possible.
Places to Eat in Greenville, SC with Live Music
These restaurants in Greenville often have live music you can enjoy while you eat.
Locally-Owned Restaurants
This is a gigantic list of locally-owned restaurants in Greenville, SC. They are one of a kind and delicious.
Food Trucks in Greenville, SC
Food trucks offer delicious and often unique food to enjoy. Here is a list of food trucks in Greenville, SC, and where to find them!
Looking for a restaurant in a specific area of Greenville, South Carolina, or in the Upstate? The upstate is quickly becoming one of the best hotspots for amazing dining in the United States, and it isn’t hard to see why. Here are our restaurant guides for the cities and towns across the Upstate.
What are you craving today? Sushi, tacos, breakfast? How about some pizza or nachos? Find the perfect restaurant serving up what you are craving. This category has tons of options.
Where to Get Great Sushi in Greenville, SC
Check out these restaurants for great sushi in Greenville, SC.
Best Vietnamese Pho in Greenville, SC
The best pho can be found at these local restaurants.
Fantastic BBQ Near Greenville, SC
Here is where to go if you are looking for a great BBQ in Greenville, SC.
Steakhouse Restaurants Near Greenville, SC
If you are craving steak, these restaurants will help satiate your savory-seeking taste buds.
Mexican Food in Greenville
Have a craving for Mexican food? Here’s a list of Mexican restaurants in Greenville for you to try!
Vegan and Vegetarian in Greenville, SC
The restaurants on this list are all Vegan and Vegetarian-friendly places to dine.
Breakfast Places to Eat in Greenville, SC
Breakfast time? Here’s where to go for breakfast in Greenville, SC.
Where to Get a Great Burger in Greenville, SC
Here are restaurants in Greenville where you can get a great burger.
Best Restaurants for Pizza in Greenville, SC
This list is full of restaurants with really excellent pizza in Greenville.
Best Bubble Tea in Greenville, SC
Find your favorite bubble tea in Greenville with this Greenville tour of bubble tea shops.
Favorite Authentic Tacos in Greenville
If you’re looking really authentic tacos in Greenville, this is the list you want!
Best Nachos in Greenville, SC
Find the restaurants in Greenville with the best nachos right here.
Where to Get Great Chinese Food in Greenville, SC
Craving Chinese food? Here’s your list of Chinese food restaurants in Greenville.
Best Places to Find Food for a Picnic in Greenville, SC
Needing some picnic food for your ultimate day trip? Check out these places to pack the perfect meal.
Where to Get a Frozen Cocktail in Greenville, SC
Grown-ups looking for a treat will want to check out this list of restaurants with frozen cocktails in Greenville, SC. Visit for happy hour or just an afternoon out with friends!
Where to Go for Chicken Sandwiches in Greenville, SC
Looking for a chicken sandwich in Greenville? Here’s your list!
Great Family-Friendly Breweries
Enjoy local beers, plus delicious menu items, music, games, or space to relax outdoors at these family-friendly breweries in Greenville, SC.
Local Greenville, SC Coffee Shops
Is coffee considered a type of cuisine? It probably should be if it isn’t. Here are Greenville’s fabulous local coffee shops.
If you’re looking for a place to go that offers multiple restaurants in one location, these places below will do the trick. Find something for everyone at Food Halls with lots of restaurant options under one roof! The venues often have events like live music and trivia, craft events, shopping, and more.
Sometimes you want a sweet treat after a meal, or just anytime. These dessert locations can be found nearby.
Where to Find the Best Milkshakes near Greenville, SC
It is hard to resist the creamy goodness of a milkshake, and these are the best Greenville has to offer.
Best Places to Grab a Snow Cone in Greenville, SC
Looking for a sweet treat on a hot summer day? Here is a list of the best snow cone places in Greenville, SC.
Best Places for Hot Chocolate in Greenville, SC
Here’s where you can find the best hot chocolate in Greenville.
Best Customer Cookie Bakers in Greenville, SC
If you are needing an idea for dessert for an event, these custom cookie bakers will do the trick
Best Doughnuts in the Upstate
Doughnuts are the perfect sweet treat any time of year! Check out our list of the best doughnut shops in the Upstate.
Treats That Are Perfect for the Fall Season
If you are looking for pumpkin spice treats during the fall season, this list is for you!
Where to Find the Best Ice Cream near Greenville, SC
Here is a list of the best ice cream shops in the Upstate!
Dining out with the kids can be a little challenging, but we’re here to help.
Family-Friendly Meals to Go
Sometimes it is just easier to grab the family meal and go. These places have your back!
Restaurants with Healthy Meals for Kids in Greenville, SC
Trying to be a little more healthy? Here’s a list of restaurants with healthy kids’ meals.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants that aren’t Fast Food
Want to take the kids out to a restaurant but don’t want fast food? Here are some kid-friendly sit-down restaurants where kids can really practice their table manners.
Greenville Restaurants Where Kids Can Eat and Play
Wiggly kids don’t like to sit at the table all the time. Here’s a list of restaurants in Greenville where kids can eat and play.
Kids Eat Free or Cheap in Greenville, SC
This is our rather large list of places where kids eat free (or cheap) in Greenville, SC.
Time for a date night in Greenville, SC? These lists will help you find the perfect date night restaurant where you can order something delicious, maybe pop open a bottle of wine, and enjoy an evening out all to yourselves.
Favorite holiday coming up? Find the perfect meal or restaurant to dine out.
Restaurant Week in Greenville, SC is a highly popular week-long event. It happens 2 times a year in Greenville and gives diners a fantastic opportunity to try a new restaurant while supporting local small businesses.
Read more about Restaurant Week!
What new restaurants have opened in Greenville?
Who has a new menu to try?
What restaurant deals and events are coming up?
Here’s our newest Greenville restaurant content.
Got a specific restaurant in mind? These restaurants in the greater Greenville area are organized alphabetically. Looking for something we missed? Please let us know in the comments below!
Are you thinking of heading to Downtown Greenville to catch a Broadway show, sporting event, or other fun activity at one of the theater, sports, or entertainment venues in Greenville, SC? Whether you’re heading to a show at the Peace Center, a concert at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, or a Greenville Drive game at Fluor Field, we have the info you need to make the most of your night (or day) out on the town like where to park and eat at each venue.
This article includes:
The Peace Center
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Fluor Field
The Warehouse Theatre
The Greenville Theatre
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Legacy Early College Field
The KABOOM Awards are Kidding Around’s annual best of contest. Readers say these are the TOP 5 Date Ideas in Greenville, SC
If you are looking for the best fall festivals, Greenville, SC and the surrounding area has 30+ festivals to enjoy! Pumpkin spice, cornfields, fields full of sunflowers; all of these things are synonymous with fall. The greatest thing that the fall season ushers in is the festival season!
Family-friendly festivals celebrating apples, pumpkins, harvests, and all the other wonderful things that the fall months have to offer can be found at these gatherings. The wonderful thing about fall festivals in and around Greenville is that they are outdoors (for the most part) so you can enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons!
Looking for more fall things to do in Greenville? Don’t miss our GIANT Fall Guide to Greenville, SC!
This list is provided for informational purposes, and events may change or be canceled at the last minute. Therefore, please be sure to confirm the status of an event before heading out.
This event sells out quickly for particular demonstrations, and most of the events for 2023 are sold out. There are still several events available, but we recommend booking soon!
Where: St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Simpsonville
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023 from Noon-9 pm
What: Celebration of all cultures and food + live music
Admission: Free – tickets required for food and kids activities
Don’t miss our Pumpkin Patch Guide, Corn Maze Guide, and List of U-Pick Apple Orchards Near Greenville
Find all the Fall Festivals in Columbia, SC on our sister site, Kidding Around Columbia.
For more fall festivals and other events not listed here, check out our Events Calendar.
Looking for a mountain vacation rental to witness the colors of fall pour over the mountainside? It may seem early, but the time is NOW to book vacation rentals in the mountains for the fall season. The mountains of North Carolina are famous for their dramatic shows during fall when the leaves change. There’s no better way to enjoy it, than with a hot cup of coffee in your jammies at sunrise. Here’s a list of vacation rentals where you can enjoy the fall colors.
Are you looking for a place on the water where the whole family can enjoy fishing, water sports, and a fenced-in playground? Whether it’s spending time on the lake or enjoying a picnic in the shade we’ve found the perfect spot. We’ve included all the info you’ll need for spending the day on Lake Bowen and at Anchor Park.
For more ideas on outdoor activities this summer check out our list of Things to do Outside in Spartanburg, SC.
Lake Bowen covers over 1,500 acres and contains approximately 33 miles of shoreline. Anchor Park on the lake includes picnic pavilions, fishing, a playground, two boat ramps, and the Lake Bowen Warden’s Office.
If you plan on use of any type of watercraft, be sure to call the Warden’s Office in advance at 864.592.2240. There are office hours posted, however, the office isn’t always open during those hours. If the warden goes out on the lake, the office will be closed. This is the only way to obtain a permit to be on the lake, so call ahead.
Boat permits are issued through the Spartanburg Water system that owns the lake. Rates start at $25 seasonally for non-motorized boats. Life jackets are required and a loaner system has been set up at the boat dock if you forgot one.
If boating isn’t what you had in mind, the park has tons of shade trees and a modern playground. The play area is divided into two age-appropriate sections and is completely fenced-in with picnic shelters and a green space.
While there’s no fishing pier structure, there is plenty of shoreline to fish from. Just make sure you have your fishing license handy. Obtain one from the Warden’s Office or online at SCDNR.com. We didn’t have a chance to do any fishing this time, but I hope to do so in the near future.
This park really is lovely. There are plenty of benches and even a few that swing. The open green space is perfect if you want to bring along a cornhole set for some friendly family competition. We brought our hammock, but never had a chance to set it up. Pesky summer storms! There are plenty of trees, I just didn’t notice if any were close enough together.
If you pack a picnic, you really could spend the whole day relaxing here. There’s even an ice machine in the park to help make sure those sodas stay frosty!
I hope you’ll plan a day on Lake Bowen soon. I know we are looking forward to going back.
8515 Highway 9, Inman
864.592.2240
Visit the Lake Bowen website.
Daily park hours: 6 am – midnight- Restrooms close at 7 pm and open at 6:30 am
Office hours for purchasing land permits: Monday – Friday 2 – 4 pm
Office hours for purchasing boating permits: Sunday – Friday 12 – 4 pm, Saturday 8:30 am – 5 pm
What’s your family’s favorite thing to do at Lake Bowen?
RELATED: Renting a Boat on Lake Cooley Needs to be on Your Summer Bucket List
