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Author Archive

Follow Our Upstate Donut Trail & Find Your Favorite Donuts

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Are you craving donuts? Greenville, SC and the surrounding area are full of melt-in-your-mouth delicious donuts. We’ve researched the local donut shops, and of course, taste-tested. All that’s left is for you to hop on the donut trail. Choose one to try or visit them all. Let us know where you found your favorite Greenville donut.

Donuts: Greenville, SC

National Donut Day is June 2nd, 2023. Jump down to National Donut Day Deals to see where you might be able to grab a free donut in Greenville!

You’d be lying through your teeth if you said you don’t crave a donut every once in a while. I mean, we’re all human and want sweets in our life, so grabbing a donut every now and then is perfectly fine.

Plan Your Donut Trail Route

We’ve compiled a list of places for you to check out and eat until your heart’s content! Based on your location and donut preferences, pop a few of these addresses into your map app and get going. Don’t forget to let us know about your favorite donut spots.

Don’t want to decide? Follow our 5 Stop Donut Trail in Greenville, SC. Just click the box in the upper left hand corner of the map below and follow the blue directions on the left.

Amazing Donuts: Greenville SC

Mochinut

1300 SC-14, Greer, SC

A mochinut is a variation of a traditional donut made the rice dough called mochi. The result is a light and chewy flavorful dough, that comes in a few daily flavors that vary. We really liked the strawberry shortcake, blackberry funnel cake, and rice krispy treat mochinuts.

Duck Donuts

3935 Pelham Road, Greenville

Duck Donuts in Greenville offers made-to-order, mouth-watering donuts. Each donut can be customized with a coating, topping, or drizzle. Or you can try one of their fan favorites such as Bacon in the Sun, Chocolate Caramel Crunch, or Strawberry Shortcake. You can even place an order online and pick it up if you’re in a hurry.

Farm Fresh Fast

860 S Church Street, Greenville, SC
109 SE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC

Located on Church Street in Greenville and Main Street in Simpsonville, Farm Fresh Fast serves gluten-free, vegan and sugar-free donuts. They bake their donuts fresh in-house every morning. They’re dedicated to covering a wide variety of food allergies and diets.

Some of the flavors they offer are Cookies & Cream, Red Velvet Cake, S’mores, and Caramel Delight. They don’t offer every flavor every day, but you’re sure to find a unique flavor during your visit. Bottom line: these donuts are a healthier alternative to most other treats!

Funfetti donut from D’s Nuts out of Farm Fresh Fast

Scout’s Doughnuts

A pop-up doughnut shop that will likely have their permanent home at 1700 E. North Street, Greenville later in 2023, Scout’s Doughnuts is run by a husband-wife team and is a creative take on doughnuts and flavors.

Some of their doughnuts are so fluffy and are actually cronuts (a cross between a doughnut and a crossaint, which, really, you can never ever go wrong with).

Follow them on Instagram or sign up for their email newsletter to get the latest info on where you can get their doughnuts.

HenDough Chicken & Donuts

126 Augusta Street at Gather GVL

Prepared daily, HenDough offers a changing variety of donuts. They offer cake donuts, yeast donuts, filled donuts, vegan donuts, bear claws & fritters. Donuts are priced individually, but a purchase of a dozen donuts will receive a 10% discount.

Want to know more about the unique, family-friendly venue that HenDough occupies? Gather GVL is one of our favorite venues in downtown Greenville that we can’t get enough of!

The Mad Batter Bakery and Cafe

8590 Pelham, Road, Greenville, SC

You can try flavors like red velvet with oreo at The Mad Batter Bakery and Cafe. Their strawberry sprinkle doughnut looks so delicious and is giving us major Homer Simpson vibes. (Closed through Father’s Day 2023)

The Donut Wagon

Food Truck

Who doesn’t love food trucks? After the pop-pop shop, it’s time to check out The Donut Wagon. Since 2018, this mobile food truck sells made from scratch glazed donuts along with handcrafted soft pretzels.

Once a week, they visit local towns, events, festivals, and farmers’ markets to serve their products. You can follow their schedule on social media to find out where they’ll be next!

Delicious Donuts in Easley, SC

You Drive Me Glazy

122 Folger Avenue, Easley, SC

You Drive Me Glazy offers gourmet mini donuts and customers get to custom-create each one they purchase.

Spartanburg, SC Donuts

Downtown Deli & Donuts

147 E Main Street, Spartanburg, SC

Offering delicious donuts along with a breakfast and lunch menu, Downtown Deli & Donuts is a great place to go for a meal or just a yummy donut snack. Their donut flavors rotate weekly.

Downtown Deli & Donuts

Due West Donuts

Mama’s Sweet Shoppe

205 South Main Street, Due West, SC

Go early, because these delicious donuts from Mama’s Sweet Shoppe will sell out.

Mama's Sweet Shop in Due West, SC

Donuts in Simpsonville, SC

Lickin Good Donuts

926 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC

Lickin Good Donuts has some of the most unique flavors and yummy donuts, including ones covered in fruity pebbles!

Big Apple Donuts and Cafe

219 West Butler Road, Mauldin, SC

Hand-made, gourmet donuts with a wide variety of toppings and fillings, plus breakfast sandwiches, is what you’ll find at Big Apple Donuts.

Maverick’s Donut Company

117 Batesville Road, Simpsonville, SC

Classic, fresh donuts, apple fritters, filed donuts and more at Maverick’s Donuts in Simpsonville.

Delicious Donuts in Gaffney, SC

Sunny’s Donuts

720 S Granard St, Gaffney, SC 29341

Make your way to Gaffney to find more scratch-made donuts at Sunny’s Donuts! From apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, apple bear claws, jelly-filled donuts, to old-fashioned dour cream donuts, this donut shop serves homemade donuts to will leave you yearning for more than just one.

Donuts in Hendersonville, NC

McFarlan’s Bake Shop

309 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC

McFarlan’s Bake Shop is an old-timey bakery filled with delicious cookies, pastries, pies, cakes and donuts. Try the Boston Cream or Glazed. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed. These donuts practically melt in your mouth.

Expect a long line, sometimes stretching out the door. But don’t worry, it goes pretty quick. Go early for the best selection.

By 1 pm on Saturdays, there are usually very few donuts left, which is what happened in the picture below!


Celebrate National Donut Day

Wondering where you can celebrate National Donut Day? Celebrated on the first Friday of June, this day was originally started by Salvation Army in Chicago as a way to honor their members who assisted in WWI by serving donuts to the troops. There are a few places in Greenville where you can grab some donut deals in celebration of National Donut Day.

We recommend checking with your nearest location to ensure that they are participating. In years past, there was local participation.

What is National Donut Day?

You can even show your kids how intelligent you are by telling them some fun facts such as:

  • National Doughnut Day commemorates the “donut lassies,” female Salvation Army volunteers who provided donuts to soldiers on the front lines in WWI.
  • Donuts were actually fried in soldiers’ helmets! (Talk about using what you have!)
    -The donuts were fried seven at a time.
    -The Salvation Army started National Donut Day during the Great Depression. This was a way to raise funds and bring awareness to The Salvation Army’s social service programs.
  • Rations were poor, so the donut idea was conceived as a means of bringing the soldiers cheer.

Grab A Freebie From A National Donut Chain On National Doughnut Day- June 2nd, 2023

Krispy Kreme

Participating Krispy Kreme locations will be offering a free donut of your choice on National Doughnut Day!

Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ is offering a free classic doughnut with the purchase of any beverage on June 2nd to celebrate. Find a nearby Dunkin’ location.

Duck Donuts

Stop by the Greenville Duck Donut store and get a cinnamon sugar doughnut. No purchase is necessary. This promotion is only available in shop.

Scout’s Doughnuts

They are going all out for Donut Day. Visit Scout’s Doughnuts at 1700 E North Street for these deals on June 2: 1. 1st 10 people in the door get a free doughnut & coffee, 2. Senior Graduates get a free doughnut, 3. Balloons and temporary doughnut tats for the kids, 4. A raffle to win Scout’s merch & Methodical coffee beans, and 5. Cinnamon sugar & coffee samples

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Still Hungry?

Find more delicious food to enjoy in our guide to Greenville’s Restaurants.

Where do you find your favorite donut in the Upstate?

Head To Trailblazer Park In Travelers Rest, SC

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Have you visited Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest? With weekly events like farmers markets, concerts, and movies, plus pop-up seasonal events, Trailblazer Park is often full of people enjoying Travelers Rest. Here’s what you’ll find at Trailblazer Park.

Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, SC

This park includes:

  • A new playground!
  • A Community Garden 
  • An Amphitheatre 
  • Sports Fields 
  • Restrooms
  • Bench swings lining the front of the City Hall building
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Things to Do This Month Near Greenville, SC

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Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!

Never be bored and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But, don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.

Things to do this month near Greenville, SC

Things to Do in Greenville, SC

For a HUGE list of things to do year-round in the Upstate, don’t miss our
Guide to Things to Do in
Greenville and Upstate, SC.

What’s happening this month in Greenville, SC?

This article includes:
Things to Do This Weekend in Greenville, SC
Theater, Shows, and Sporting Events
Free Things to Do This Month in Greenville, SC
Educational Things to Do and Events
Things to Do With Younger Kids
Our Top Picks: Don’t Miss These Events in Greenville
Travel Highlight

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This is Where Kids Can Get Free Breakfast and Lunch This Summer Near Greenville, SC

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Summer is getting close and I know you are wondering “Where can we find my kid’s free lunch near me?”. The upstate has programs in place to provide FREE breakfasts and lunches for kids in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Pickens Counties. So many families rely on the school system to assist with meals for their children. Local school districts are helping kids by eliminating the cost of school lunches and breakfast from parents’ worries.

This article includes:
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Greenville County Schools
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Spartanburg County Districts
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids in Pickens County Schools

Things to Know about 2023 Free School Summer Meals for Kids

  • ALL kids 18 and under in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greenville Counties qualify for free summer school food service breakfast and lunches, no questions asked. Your child doesn’t need to attend a specific school or financially qualify. T
  • There are some districts in Spartanburg County that require the student to be enrolled at that school, and we have notated this restriction if the information was provided.
  • Children will be required to eat their meals on-site. There will not be takeaway meals for 2023 for Greenville County Schools or the School District of Pickens County.
  • Pickens County will also offer free meals for anyone enrolled in school-age 21 and older with mental or physical disabilities.

For more assistance with getting food for your family, check out our guide to Finding Help in the Upstate

Where to find free lunch during the summer: Greenville, Spartanburg, and Pickens County, SC
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Vive Greenville is Therapy for Your Entire Family

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Vive Greenville has KABOOM! Need extra guidance with current challenges you or your family are facing? Check out this 2023 KABOOM Awards Best Pediatric Therapy Office Finalist Winner!

Vive Greenville is an Upstate psychology practice that works with all ages and strives to help others attain lasting, life-changing results. Vive is passionate about people and driven to help you reach your goals by providing the guidance and tools required to help you face challenges.

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Free 4th Grade National Park Pass: Every Kid Outdoors

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Love visiting our National Parks with your family? If you have a fourth-grader living in your home, you can get a free 4th-grade national park pass for your child. As an added bonus, the pass will cover your whole family, with free access to national parks and other federal recreation lands! We have all the details on this awesome program so you’re able to take full advantage!

How does Every Kid Outdoors work?

The National Park Service offers a free national park pass to 4th graders through the Every Kid Outdoors Program. The free annual pass is good for national parks and federal recreation areas and covers kids and their families (up to 3 adults and all kids traveling with the 4th grader).

Use your free fourth-grade student annual national park pass for a family adventure or field trip. It’s good for the entire school year your child is a 4th grader and the following summer, ending August 31st. You can use the kid outdoors pass again and again.

The process is simple. If you have a fourth-grader in your home, just visit the Every Kid Outdoors website. You will be taken through the steps that lead to your park pass. The pass is valid only when printed out. They will not accept passes shown on smartphones.

Then, go to this Every Kid Outdoors planning page and use your imagination to create an adventure.

Every Kid in a Park

When you visit your first park, simply take your printed copy and exchange it for a park pass. If there is no park ranger at the park you visit, simply leave the pass on your dashboard where it will be visible.

If the park you visit has an entrance fee, all children and up to three adults riding in the same vehicle will be free.

The pass does not cover any extras such as camping fees, boat rentals, tours, etc. State parks or local parks that charge a fee are not included in the pass.

Use Your Pass: National Parks Near You or Make a Trip

There are plenty of parks near Greenville that could be done in a day. One of our favorites is the home of Carl Sandburg up in Flat Rock, NC. If you visit there, make sure to say hello to the goats. Others include The Blue Ridge Parkway, and historic battlefields Cowpens, King’s Mountain, Congaree National Park, and Ninety-Six.

Plan a National Park Trip

The Smoky Mountains National Park is on the list. And if you’ve never enjoyed it, you’re missing out. It’s some of the most beautiful hiking I’ve ever done.

Or why not make it an incredibly memorable trip with a vacation to Grand Canyon National Park?

Huntington Beach jetty

Looking for more fun ideas as you travel with your family? We’ve got you covered with Kidding Around’s Travel Guides!

Your adventure is good for one year, expiring on August 31.  So, what are you waiting for? Check out this find your park page to see what is close to home. Or find a park that will be worth the drive and make some memories!

Keep Your Trip Cheap

More deals: As you travel to visit your parks for free, keep costs down by using Kids Eat Free Deals. The 20+ restaurants in our article offer national kids eat free or cheap deals (may vary by location, so, do check before you dine!)

What’s your favorite park to visit with your kids?


Free things to do for kids across the USA

Find more FREE fun for kids!

Free Things for Kids Near You

This article was originally written by Tina Mackey and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

Cool Off! The Ultimate List for Where to Swim and Splash near Greenville, SC

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The best way to beat the humid, summer heat is at a local splash pad or by going swimming! Greenville, SC, and the surrounding Upstate area has plenty of options. We’ll tell you all about local pools, splash pads, creek stomping places, and swimming holes. If you want to know where parents can take kids to swim or get wet near Greenville, we have all the details.

If we missed any places to swim, let us know in the comments!

Where to go swimming and play in splash pads near Greenville, SC.

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Cheap Family Movie Deals All Summer Long Near Greenville, SC

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Looking for cheap movies this summer, or a “dollar movie theater”? Many theaters offer low-cost movie deals to keep the entire family entertained throughout the summer.

So, find that “cheap movie theater near me” with the help of this list, then grab some delicious popcorn and escape the humid summer heat. These upstate movie theaters offer showings of popular movies at an affordable price.

These promotions are so cheap that even your kids might break open their piggy bank and treat you to a movie date!

Cheap summer movies for kids

This article includes:
Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Deals: Greenville, Spartanburg & More
Anderson, SC Cheap Summer Movie Deals
Gaffney, SC Summer Movie Deals
Spartanburg, SC Movie Deals
Seneca, Easley, & Greenwood Summer Movie Deals

Did you know that several of the movie theaters in the Greenville area offer super cheap movies over the summer months?

With plenty of hot afternoons ahead and cranky kids to entertain, catching one of these movies would be the perfect way to spend your afternoon. Please check with venues before attending as information may change without notice.

Also, don’t forget the fun experience of free outdoor movies and drive-in movies that the Upstate offers!

$2 Movies at Regal Cinemas

Have a Regal Cinema near you? Regal Cinemas offer Summer Movie Express all summer long! Regal offers these showings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $2. All movies have either G or PG ratings.

Regal Cinema has two Greenville locations, two Spartanburg locations, and theaters in Anderson, Simpsonville, and Asheville.

Summer Movie Express Titles begin May 23rd and end September 6th. Titles include Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Underpants, Sponge Bob, Minions and more.

Summer Movie Titles

Here’s the list of movies and dates at Regal Cinemas in our area. These are fairly consistent at all our local locations. Times do vary – usually between 10 am – 12 pm start times – so be sure to plug in your location to get the correct time and movie playing.

  • May 23 and May 24, 2023: How to Train Your Dragon and Abominable
  • May 30 and May 31, 2023: The Croods: A New Age and Shrek Forever After
  • June 6 and June 7, 2023: Puss in Boots and Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
  • June 13 and June 14, 2023: Sing and Spongebob Movie: A Sponge Out of Water
  • There are more movies! See the rest of the Regal Summer Movie Schedule.

Cheap Movies in Anderson at AmStar 14

In addition to their Super Saver Tuesday, AmStar 14 has a Summer Kid’s Flicks series. $5 gets guests admission, a box of popcorn, and a soda. Their carefully curated list of kid’s films occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am and it includes fun favorites like Despicable Me, Curious George, and Sing 2.

Summer Movie Titles at AmStar 14

The promotion will begin on June 13, 2023, and will run until August 16, 2023. Schedule is below:

June 13 and 14, 2023: Chicken Run
June 20 and 21, 2023: Madagascar
June 27 and 28, 2023: Megamind
July 4 and 5, 2023: Boss Baby
July 11 and 12, 2023: Trolls
July 18 and 19, 2023: The Bad Guys
July 25 and 26, 2023: Kung Fu Panda
August 1 and 2, 2023: Over the Hedge
August 8 and 9, 2023: Captain Underpants
August 15 and 16, 2023: Home

$5 Movies In Gaffney, SC at The Big E

The $5 Summer Movie Series at The Big E in Gaffney returns in May 2023. The promotional series will begin on May 29, 2023. Movies showings occur Monday-Saturday at 10:30 am.

More than just a movie ticket! The $5 package includes one summer series movie viewing, popcorn, soda, and a $2 game card.

Check The Big E’s website for the most up-to-date information on this movie series.

Summer Movie Titles at The Big E

$6 Tickets Every Tuesday at NCG Cinema in Spartanburg

Tickets for matinee showtimes on Tuesdays are only $6. Some restrictions may apply so make sure you check NCG’s website or call before heading to the cinema.

See also Regal Cinema Summer Express for more summer movie options in Spartanburg, SC.

Kids at the movies

FREE Summer Movies! Movies in Easley, Seneca, & Greenwood

Premiere Cinemas in Easley, Seneca, and Greenwood offers free kid movie deals all summer long. Showings of movies will occur on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. with a wonderful lineup of family-friendly movies. This totally free program starts June 7th and 8th, 2023 with SC League of Super Pets. The last free movie is July 26 and 27th, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Have you been eagerly awaiting these Summer movie deals?

Want to go see a free outdoor movie near Greenville, SC? Be sure to check our guide for all the latest opportunities!

Heading to Columbia, SC? Here are the free and cheap summer movies in Columbia, SC.

Check Out Some Favorite Playgrounds and Parks in Easley & Pickens, SC

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Looking for parks in Easley? My favorite time of year has arrived, and I am so excited! Spring is working hard to break its way into the Southern summer. Recently my kids and I decided to leave the “big city” to check out the suburbs. We set out on a mission to explore some of the Easley parks and were pleasantly surprised with what we discovered!

We’ve also added some information for you about all parks in Easley and Pickens Counties, even if we haven’t had the opportunity to visit them yet.

Playgrounds and parks Easley, SC
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