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Find Delicious Pies for Your Holiday Meal in Spartanburg and Greenville, SC

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Wondering where you can purchase the best pies near Greenville, SC for your holiday meal?


Where to buy pies in Greenville, SC

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!

Ordering Pies For The Holidays

Are you looking for an easier way to celebrate the holidays? This year has been 36 months long, and I don’t know about you but rolling out fresh pie crust is just about the last thing I want to do, even if it means homemade pies.  

Don’t get me wrong. I still want to eat pie, just not have to cut, chop, mix, bake, and clean to get that yummy bite of pie. Thankfully, Greenville has a bunch of places willing to step up to the plate and do the work for me (and anyone else). 

Pumpkin, Custard, Pecan, or fruit-filled- there’s a local bakery with a pie just waiting to be invited to your family meal! 

Where To Buy a Pie In Spartanburg, SC

Blue Moon Specialty Foods

Not only can you enjoy a pie from Blue Moon specialty foods, but they’ll also prepare your whole entire meal! They have a huge selection of items to choose from for your holiday meal, including these pies.

Blue Moon Holiday Order Form

  • Chocolate Chess Pie (Chocolate custard with a hint of raspberry) – $19.99
  • Hub City Pie (Chocolate Chips, Pecans, and just a little bit of bourbon) – $22.95
  • Peanut Butter Pie – $19.99
  • Lemon Chess Pie (Lemon custard) – $19.99
  • French Silk Pie – $19.99

Wade’s Southern Cooking

A staple for a lot of Spartanburg residents, Wade’s has been invited to many holiday meals! They are very popular during the holidays, so make sure you check out the holiday ordering facts sheet online before you head that way.

  • Derby Pie, Pecan Pie, Lemon, Peanut Butter Pie – $14.99
  • French Silk Pie – $21.99

Where to Buy a Pie in Greenville, SC

Ready to purchase holiday pies? Greenville, SC has quite a few options.

holiday pie Greenville SC

Green Tomato Buffet

Green Tomato Buffet in Greenville offers catering options that include pies, cakes, and other desserts! The pies are $12 each and flavors include:

  • Pumpkin
  • Sweet Potato
  • German Chocolate
  • Egg Custard
  • Butter Coconut
  • Lemon Chess

Strossner’s

Strossner’s  gets really busy during the holidays, so you need to get that order in early if you want them on your holiday table.

  • Fruit Pies -$20
  • Dutch Apple – $20
  • Pecan, Chocolate Pecan Bourbon – $22
  • Chocolate Cream, Coconut Cream Pie – $22

Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery

You could find everything you need to pull off a spectacular holiday meal at Swamp Rabbit Cafe! They even offer gluten-free pie crust, so that everyone can enjoy some dessert! If you haven’t tried chocolate chess, you’re missing out. 

Swamp Rabbit Cafe – Fresh local ingredients and delicious! I think they usually host a pie tasting and oh man that sounds good

Kerry M.M.
  • Streusel Apple, Bourbon Pecan, Chocolate Chess, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Cream Pie offered in both traditional and gluten-free versions, starting at $30

Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop

Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop specializes in pies, and we’ve heard only good things! Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop would be a great place to stop if you need an assortment of pies for the holiday season. 9″ pies are $35 each.

Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop has individual mini pies of a variety of flavors!!!

Crystal L.

What’s your favorite kind of pie?

Fill your table with amazing food for the holidays from local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and more. We have full meals, desserts, sides, charcuterie, take-home kits, and so much more! Here’s all the amazing holiday food available to order for Thanksgiving from restaurants in Spartanburg, and Thanksgiving from restaurants in Greenville. Our 2025 lists are being updated regularly!

Looking for more fun things to do for Thanksgiving? We’ve got everything you need to know about celebrating Thanksgiving around Greenville and Spartanburg, SC.

Discover A Relic From The Ice Age at Nine Times Nature Preserve in Pickens, SC

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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.

Nine Time Preserve in Pickens, South Carolina

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!

About the Nine Times Preserve

The 560-acre piece of land was purchased by Upstate Forever from a real estate company to keep it from being transformed into a housing development. It is now managed by the Nature Conservancy. The preserve was named for the nine bridges across a small creek that were needed to gain access to the property. 

Nine Times Preserve is one of the most biologically significant properties in the southeast, harboring more than 100 species of native wildflowers, black bears, trout, birds of prey, and more. You may even spot a peregrine falcon or two soaring overhead. There are even seven distinct forest types packed into the preserve!

Sign for Nine Times Preserve

Hiking Trails at Nine Times Preserve

There is a total of 1.7 miles of trail within the preserve that you can hop on to explore. The Trillium Trail is the easiest, with a one-way .25-mile hike. This bio-diverse wonderland runs along parts of the Little Eastatoe River. The Trillium Trail is where you will find an abundance of wildflowers in bloom, especially in late spring and summer. You will want to park in the Ephemeral Trail parking area. Then, head across the bridge to access the trail.

If you are looking for a more adventurous trail, then the Rocky Bald Loop Trail and the Cedar Rock Trail are excellent options for more advanced hikers. Both are moderate to difficult and a little over 1/2 a mile each. You will want to park at the Cedar Rock parking area to access the Cedar Rock trail. You can also access the Rocky Bald trail here, but there is a Rocky Bald parking area if you want to enter at the trailhead.

Flowing water through a creek

How to Get To Nine Times Preserve

The preserve is found right near Table Rock State Park and the Jocassee Gorges Management Area off Highway 11 in Pickens, South Carolina. GPS might try to take you the wrong way and lead you to a dead-end at the private property. Apparently, this happens frequently. The easiest way to get there is to put the intersection of Eastatoe Creek Road and East Preston McDaniel Road into your GPS, or these coordinates: 

Lat: 34.95337162792310
Long: -82.80727305992451

Things to Know Before You Go

  • Pets are allowed on the trails but must be leashed at all times. Also, please pick up after your pets!
  • Hunting and Fishing are allowed at the preserve. However, you have to follow the strict guidelines SCDNR for fishing and WMA regulations. The preserve does recommend hikers wear orange during peak hunting seasons in April, October, and November.
  • Camping, campfires, bicycles, motorized vehicles, or horseback riding is not allowed at the preserve
  • While hiking the trails, please do not damage or remove native plants. They already struggle enough, so let’s help them flourish by leaving them alone!

What awesome things have you found on nature hikes in the Upstate?


Day trip idea for Pickens, SC

Spend the Day in Pickens, SC, with our handy guide of things to do during any season, places to eat, and where to shop!


Places to Enjoy Go-Karts: Greenville, SC

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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.

Karting venues in Greenville, South Carolina
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Create Something Amazing at Spartanburg County Public Library’s Maker Labs

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The Headquarters Library in downtown Spartanburg, SC offers some of the most incredible resources for aspiring crafters in its Maker Labs! With two different Maker Labs for kids and adults, anyone can unleash their creativity and learn a new craft these cool new spaces.

Maker Lab at Spartanburg Library

Have a project idea you’ve always wanted to try, but don’t have the tools at home? The all-new Maker Labs at Spartanburg County Public Libraries are a dream come true for creators of ages and abilities! And they are available to the public through taxpayer funding, so most of the projects and equipment will come with no additional cost for library patrons.

Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just dipping your toes into something new, the Maker Labs offer state-of-the-art equipment, take-home kits, and live instruction to help you bring your ideas to life.

What is the Maker Lab?

Located upstairs in the Headquarters Library in downtown Spartanburg—just steps away from the new Planetarium Learning Center—the Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab is a creative workspace designed for teens and adults ages 12 and up. The space is open during regular library hours, and skilled staff members are on hand anytime the library is open to help you learn how to use the equipment or troubleshoot your projects.

Kitty Black Perkins Exhibit
Kitty Black Perkins Exhibit

Got younger creatives in your crew? Head downstairs to the Junior Maker Lab, located in the Children’s Department of the Headquarter Library. This kid-friendly space is designed for children under age 12 and is open Monday through Friday from 2 to 6pm (closes early at 5pm on Fridays). It’s a perfect spot to let kids experiment with early STEM and craft tools, and no reservations are needed.

Maker Lab Equipment

Because your time may be limited, depending on which crafting equipment you want to use, it’s best to go in knowing what to expect. Many of these machines are available on a drop-in basis, but some equipment may require reservations or orientation before use. We highly recommend calling the Maker Lab at (864) 216-7554 to inquire about specific equipment before your first visit.

Here’s a quick list of some of the awesome tools available for use in the Maker Lab:

  • 3D Printers (FDM & Resin)
  • NEW! 6-Needle Embroidery Machine
  • Sewing Machines
  • Long-Arm Quilting Machine
  • Laser Cutter
  • Sublimation Printer
  • Heat Presses
  • Button Maker & Bedazzler
  • Laminator
  • Cricut and Silhouette Machines
  • Computers with Adobe Suite, Canva Pro, and more
  • VHS-to-DVD and DVD-to-Digital converters

A full list of the equipment in the Maker Labs can be found online.

For many of these machines, you can find appropriate design files online at home, load them on to a flash drive, and bring them with you for use once you get the library.

Completed embroidery at the Spartanburg County Public Library SPARK space
Completed Embroidery from the Maker Lab

Try a Class or Workshop

If you’re not sure where to start, the library offers skill-building classes in the nearby Contec Classroom. These sessions are taught by knowledgeable staff or guest instructors and are usually either free or have a minimal materials fee. Popular past classes have included basic sewing, painting, and even chainmail for beginners! You can find upcoming class information on the Library’s crafting calendar.

Take-Home Maker Kits

If you don’t have the time to craft away from home, but would still like to give a new hobby a test drive, the make-away kits are just for you. These kits include different kinds of crafting sets that can be checked out for weeks at a time and used at home.

There are various options, such as wood whittling, jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, rainbow loom, and more. The cake-baking kits are especially popular, with different character-themed baking pans in each one. These are nice to be able to borrow, because most people would not use them more than once if they bought them just for their own household. Take-home kits can also be requested for pickup at your nearest library branch if the Headquarters location is too far away or inconvenient for you.

Check Out the Maker Labs for Yourself

There are so many more things to explore in the Maker Labs than we mention here!

We hope this inspires you to take advantage of this truly unique resource at the Spartanburg County Public Libraries. And don’t worry if a project sounds intimidating. There is a patient, knowledgeable team at the library, just waiting to show you all of the crafting fun you’ve been missing!

Location: Headquarters Library
151 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab Hours:
9am-8pm on Monday-Thursday
9am-6pm on Friday
10am-5pm on Saturday
1pm-5pm on Sunday
Junior Maker Lab Hours:
2-6pm on Monday-Thursday
2-5pm on Friday
Contact: (864) 216-7554
Maker Lab Webpage

Have you taken advantage of the Maker Labs?


Free Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Enjoy life without breaking the bank with these Fun, Free, and Unbelievably Cheap Things to Do Near Greenville, SC.


Bike, Walk, Run: Have Fun on The Doodle Trail in Easley, SC

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If you are looking for biking, walking, and running all in one place, then you have to try out the Doodle Trail! Easley, SC decided to pave a route out of an old train track path, located in Pickens County, while also adding a park for kids to enjoy. If you love exploring Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Trail or The Mary Black Rail Trail in Spartanburg, you’ll want to check out the Doodle Trail.

🚲 Quick Look: Doodle Trail

  • 8.5-mile paved rail trail between Easley & Pickens.
  • Great for biking, walking & running.
  • Trailhead at Easley Doodle Park: playground, restrooms, bike rentals.
  • Family-friendly, stroller & dog friendly 🐶.
  • Restrooms only at ends, trail crosses roads, be cautious.
  • Open daily dawn–dusk.
  • Fun stop near downtown Easley (The Silos).
The Doodle Trail in Easley, South Carolina

If you are looking for more outdoor fun to be had in Pickens or Easley, Kidding Around has guides to spending the day in each town.
Spending Day in Pickens, SC | Spending a Day in Easley, SC

The Doodle Trail is an 8.5-mile Rail Trail that connects Easley and Pickens. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t learned of it until recently. That funny name kind of sticks with you once you hear it, though. The name of the trail is a remnant of the day when it was a working train track.

In 1898, the train service carried passengers and cargo back and forth between the towns, without the ability to turn around on its return to Pickens. So it scurried backward from Easley like a doodlebug, hence the name. The paved trail opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2015 and has only grown in popularity over the last decade!

The Doodle Park

We like parking where the original trailhead is at the Easley Doodle Park. The park has restrooms, a playground, a picnic area, and a place to rent bicycles for use on the trail. The trailhead, a mile-long extension, is closer to downtown near the Silos. My kids love the park, and we can’t visit the trail without stopping there. 

There is a Little Free Library location, as well as the Born Learning Trail. According to the United Way of Pickens Website, “Born Learning Trails are interactive, walkable trails of signs for caregivers and children which foster early learning opportunities. Each sign suggests fun outdoor games designed to boost children’s language and literacy skills while helping families get active together.”

There are three more of these trails in the area: 

  • J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex, 111 Walkers Way, Easley
  • Jaycee Park, 149 N. Homestead Road, Pickens
  • West End Elementary School Walking Track, Easley (only during non-school hours)
Playground area at Doodle Park in Pickens, South Carolina
Doddle Park

Enjoying The Doodle Trail: Easley, SC

There are so many things to see while you’re on the trail. On our last visit, I asked my kids to pretend we were pioneers and to look for things we could forage to eat. As I’m sure you can imagine, it was interesting. Kind of like a real-time Oregon Trail, minus rampant dysentery.

We found grapes, mysteriously hanging from trees over the trail. The kids loved looking for things we might eat if we were making our way across the frontier. We found a stream to drink from (not really, PLEASE do not do this), trees for shelter, and other ways to survive our imaginary trip. My kids got so creative, and it made the trail so interesting. 

The trail is paved, wide, and very stroller and bike-friendly. We haven’t made it from one end to the other yet, but every time we go, we walk a little further before turning around. It’s made a great goal for the kids and me to go on a round-trip in one visit. 

Doddle Trail bike sign

Things To Know About the Doodle Trail in Easley

  • The only restrooms on the trail are at each end, so be sure to use the facilities at the trailhead. This way, you hopefully won’t have to stray from the trail to try and find a restroom. 
  • Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times. Dog waste bags are available at the trailheads. 
  • The trail crosses streets at several points. Please use the stop signs to keep everyone safe. 
  • Remind your children that the trail is shared by others, and a quick lesson in giving others the right of way will allow everyone on the trail to have a good experience. 
  • The Doodle Trail is open from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week. 
  • You can find a really handy map on the City of Easley Doodle Trail website.

Doodle Trail
Railroad Street, Pickens, SC


Spend a day in Easley SC

You will have a blast when you Spend a Day in Easley, SC!


Love to bike? Check out these family-friendly biking trails near Greenville, SC for a biking adventure.

Stumphouse Mountain biking trail

10+ Haunted Places Near Greenville, SC to Visit for a Good Scare

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Inside: Find a list of haunted places near Greenville, SC to explore.


If you love a good scare, then these haunted places in Greenville, SC, and the Upstate will give you the heebie jeebies. Allow local parent, Chad, to tell you about some of the most popular haunted places in the Upstate and the legends behind them. Then, you can decide if you want to summon up the courage and visit these spooky places.

The start of October always helps jump-start the fall season. We start seeing lots of pumpkin spice goodies to eat and drink, leaves changing colors, ghosts, apple farms, orchards everywhere, and cooler temperatures.  Wait, ghosts?! 

If you’re inclined to be creeped out, scared, get the collywobbles, or in general dislike the paranormal activity, then this isn’t the article for you. On the other hand, if ghost stories and other supernatural occurrences are right up your dark spooky alley, you won’t want to just skim through this post!

The entirety of South Carolina has its fair share of ghost legends. From Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach, through Columbia, and up to Spartanburg, you will find ghost stories.  For now, we’re going to focus on the Upstate. One of the fun aspects of Upstate ghosts is the huge amount of sightings and legends in Spartanburg. 

From Hell’s Gate to Converse College, there are no shortages of opportunities to be found. Be advised that all claims hereafter are just that. Your experiences may vary at any site, and if you visit, be sure to follow all local ordinances.

Ghost Hot Spots in Spartanburg, SC

Oakwood Cemetery in Spartanburg is considered by many as one of the most actively haunted places in SC. Known by the moniker of Hell’s Gate, the list of things that people claim to have experienced is lengthy. Cold spots, orbs, children’s laughter, rapidly drained batteries in electronics, plumes of smoke, fog, the feeling of being watched, and a young boy asking to be played with are all routine reports.

Live over near Converse College?  Well, guess what, Converse College has a large list of paranormal activities.

  • There is a legend of a friendly boy in Williams dorm.
  • Pell Hall has a White Lady ghost. It is somewhat of a hostile female ghost that has been known to lock people in rooms and be otherwise unpleasant.
  • The Evans building often has the sounds of sneakers on the basketball court, and bouncing ball sounds while the building is empty.
  • In the Hazel B. Abbott Theatre, you may find that the ghost of Hazel Abbott. Strange noises are routinely heard in the prop room, and you can get a long-lasting chill if you sit in her chair.
  • Most significantly, at Wilson Hall is a stairway up to a bell tower. This door is locked, which is good. The ghost here is reported to be very hostile, angry, and dangerous. He is also reported to have red eyes by the few that have seen him in the past.

South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, also in Spartanburg, is known to have the ghost of a woman who ran the school during the Civil War.

Foster’s Tavern, a historic landmark in Spartanburg has been known to have footsteps and sounds from empty staircases, and the sound of horses on the roof!

The Poinsett Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina
Poinsett Bridge in Greenville County

Haunted Places in Greenville, SC

The Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville has guests report noises and knocks in empty hallways and seeing an old man in their room.

The Poinsett Bridge in northern Greenville County. While the bridge is not open to vehicle traffic, it is known to be open to mist, orbs, and intense feelings of dread. It is said to be haunted by several different ghosts.

The Greenville Tuberculosis Hospital isn’t there anymore.  Some people knew it by another name, The Devil’s Castle. It was torn down many years ago.  But it has a new name and many new visitors since Herdklotz Park was built on the same site. There are many theories as to why this area would be haunted. Some claim that most of the foundation and even some underground areas remain intact under the playground. Since the park opened, it seems much of the dread people report has gone. Often now people say they just hear things when the park should be quiet.

Springwood Cemetery in Northern Greenville County is said to be haunted by a woman named Fannie Heldmann after she drowned in the Reedy River, driven insane by her father’s attempts for her to marry his business partner. This cemetery has a lot of history, so it has creepy written all over it! It is considered by many to be one of the most haunted places in Greenville, SC.

Haunted Highways

Old Bramlett Road in Greenville is said to be haunted by the ghost of Willie Earle. He was killed by a mob in the mid-1940s. People have claimed to see a dark form come out of the woods and come towards them. They also are said to have heard sounds from a frenzied group of people.

On Highway 11, just on the Greenville side of the border with Pickens County grows an old, gnarled tree. The story is that a witch was buried there around the time of the Civil War, with a seedling marking the site. The tree is said to rarely bloom, never have animals in or nearby it, and that fallen leaves don’t land on the ground under its branches. To find this tree, you WILL have to hike. The general consensus, however, is that you don’t look for it and if you see it stay away.

Old Piedmont Highway in Greenville is known as the Ghost Road in some circles. There are stories of ghosts trying to warn people of dangerous turns on the road. People have also seen lights following vehicles late at night.

Haunted Spots In South Carolina

Near Rose Hill Plantation in Union County, there is an old steel bridge, and legend has it that in the 1950s a woman threw her baby off the bridge.  Some people have heard a baby cry and others have also seen a woman yelling for her baby.

Seven Devils Bridge in Woodruff has a peculiar phenomenon attached to it.  Reports are that at midnight exactly, people are unable to cross the bridge and break down crying.  This bridge is not open for vehicles.

Cry Baby Creek Bridge in Anderson is said to be haunted because of the sounds of a crying baby that can be heard when walking the bridge at night. No thank you!

Three Bridges Road is located in Powdersville and is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who roams the road screaming.

And again, please remember that if you want to check into any of these stories, PLEASE follow all local laws. Many locations are on private land, and it may not be safe to just wander about for many reasons.


Haunted houses and spooky things to do in Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for more spooky fun, check out our Haunted House, Trails, Woods & More Guide!

Explore the haunted history of Downtown Greer, SC with Greer Ghost Tours this October!

Greer Ghost Tour in Greer, South Carolina

Are you looking for more haunted places near Columbia, SC?

Check out our 13 Spooky and Haunted Places to Visit Near Columbia, SC post.

haunted places columbia sc

Are you ready to visit some haunted places in Greenville, SC?

Trick-or-Treat Door to Door in These Greenville Neighborhoods

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🍬👻The best trick or treat in Greenville spots for Halloween, where families can find safe streets, festive fun, and plenty of candy!

Looking for the best trick-or-treat spots in Greenville spots for your family? If your own neighborhood isn’t the best place to go door to door for Halloween fun, you’re not alone. Many Upstate families search for “trick or treat neighborhoods near me” to find safe, festive, and candy-filled areas where kids can enjoy the magic of Halloween night. Whether it’s safety concerns, a lack of nearby trick-or-treaters, or just wanting a livelier atmosphere, Greenville has plenty of neighborhoods and community events that make Halloween unforgettable.

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.

If you need a map of the best places to go, we have one right here!

Halloween Guide, trick or treat in Greenville, SC

Want to see all the Halloween and Trick or Treat Events in Greenville?

🎃 Go to our Halloween Guide!

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.

Trick or treat in Greenville SC

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.

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.

Trick or Treat near Greenville SC

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
Kids dressed up for Halloween as they trick-or-treat in Greenville

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.

Woodland Creek, Travelers Rest

Woodland Creek is located in Travelers Rest, with plenty of houses to trick or treat at. Additionally, 110 Pipers Glen CT in Woodland Creek offers a free haunted house/experience.

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. This neighborhood is very busy, so keep that in mind. Parking is best at the grocery store lot next door.

Amber Oaks Farm, Greer

Someone recommended Amber Oaks Farm in Greer near 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.

Neighborhood trick-or-treating in Greenville SC

If you’re in the east of Greenville and are venturing into Spartanburg, be sure to check out this handy map for trick-or-treating in Spartanburg, SC, neighborhoods!

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!

In addition to all the places our readers shared with us, there are many community events that you can find on the Kidding Around Greenville Guide to Halloween Events and Trick-or-Treating in Greenville and Spartanburg.

Halloween Guide, trick or treat in Greenville, SC

Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville, NC is the Perfect Day Trip

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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-sized adventure without being too overwhelming. You’ll find Hands On! along Downtown Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street, beside Black Bear Coffee.

The orchard at Hands On

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.

Fire truck at Hands On in Hendersonville, NC

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.

Mountain area at Hands On

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 $12 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.

Dinosaur at Hands On

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

Hands On! Children’s Museum
318 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC
828.697.8333

Has your family ever visited the Hands On! Children’s Museum?

Don’t miss our full guide to Hendersonville, NC Things to Do.

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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.

Guide to Downtown Greenville, SC

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Looking for more restaurants in the Greenville area? Here’s your Ultimate Guide to Greenville’s restaurants.

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Huge Catawba Science Center is a Fun Day Trip in Hickory, NC

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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 trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!

Day trip to the Catawba Science Center

Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips based on 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. 

Are you looking for more educational things to do near the Upstate? Check out our educational adventures post!

Educational Adventures near Greenville SC

About the Catawba Science Center

The Catawba Science Center is a huge, 35,000 square feet science center with two buildings. One houses the marine and space science exhibits. The other houses the majority of the energy, geology, anatomy, and physical science exhibits, as well as the traveling exhibit.

They have a planetarium also (we didn’t go to a show there when we visited), plus homeschool classes, summer camps, field trips, science programs, scout camps, and even a technology club. My kids are 11 and 7 and we saw kids of all ages enjoying the exhibits. 

Catawba Science Center interactive exhibit

Exhibits at the Catawba Science Center

Hands-On Construction 

Behind the front desk is a huge, open room that has all sorts of hands-on exhibits. When we went, they had building blocks and pool noodles where kids (and, ahem, adults) could let their imaginations run wild and build whatever they wanted. In the same room were a couple of tables where kids (and, ahem, adults) could construct little purses, rings, and whatever else they wanted out of duct tape. 

Children playing with blocks at science museum

Next to the duct tape were more tables that held small little wheels, blocks, and connector hickory sticks (they have these same things at the Roper Mountain Science Center) where guests can build small cars, buildings, or invent their own construction projects. 

Gross Labs

Moving on from the construction room and down the opposite hall is a fun exhibit called the Gross Labs. Kids of all ages will get a kick out of these exhibits that use kid-friendly language to demonstrate the actual work of scientists. 

For example, the “Poop Analyzer” exhibit actually demonstrates what a gastroenterologist would do for his or her work. There’s also a Snot Surveyor, which demonstrates the job of an allergist. I don’t remember what the Fart Scientist does but it was an interesting display. 

Energy Avenue

This was a favorite exhibit since it offered the chance to launch rockets indoors. They also had a pulley chair system where kids sat in a chair and used ropes to pull themselves up (The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville also has this particular exhibit). There are also all kinds of hands-on energy exhibits in this hall for kids to learn about conduction and static electricity. 

Velo-City

This is a room dedicated to physics but in a kid-friendly way. Kids can race balls down a track, build superhighways on the wall, and see how fast the balls can go down them. 

This room is hands-on and includes activities demonstrating force, friction, and kinetic and potential energy. 

Catawba Science Center Velo-City race track

Naturalist Center

This exhibit has an extensive collection of fossils, arachnids, shells, and animal hides. They even have a huge python skin to touch and feel. 

Dozens of rocks, gems, and minerals are in the same exhibit. This was super cool since my kids and I are currently studying Geology so it was neat to see all the neat gems and minerals pictured in our books. 

Naturalist center at Catawba Science Center

Little Kids Treehouse

My kids were too old for this exhibit, but it looked so fun! They have an area for kids under 5 years old to play in a little treehouse, climb through tunnels, and explore the garden and hide-and-seek panels. 

Marine Science and Aquarium at the Land to Sea exhibits

Next to the main building is the marine lab and astronomy center. The Land to Sea galleries are gorgeous and definitely worth stopping by.

The land area of the exhibit has a herpetology lab with lots of different lizards, as well as several beautiful tortoise habitats, an alligator, and an iguana.

The aquarium has both fresh and saltwater fish plus an 8,000-gallon shark and stingray exhibit with a touch tank. We got to see staff feed shrimp to the sharks and rays, and the helpful staff member shared some interesting facts and answered guests’ questions.

You’ll also see a gorgeous turtle habitat and a freshwater ray. These rooms were beautiful, peaceful, and staffed with a museum employee who had lots of information to share.

We spent a lot of time in the Land to Sea gallery and I think it was one of our favorite spots!

Checking out the Puffer fish at the  Catawba Science Center

The Planetarium and Outdoor Courtyard

These were the two things we didn’t do so I can’t say exactly what they were like. It was raining so we didn’t go to the outdoor courtyard play area, but it looked really fun and had a climbing wall!

The planetarium has a 30-foot dome and an admission ticket includes a show there.

Children playing at an interactive exhibit

Visiting the Catawba Science Center

The science center is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for ages 3 and up. Check their website for information about featured attractions.

We spent about two hours there but you could certainly stay longer if you went to a planetarium show or took your time going through all the exhibits. 

Day Trip

The science center is about two hours from Greenville, an hour and a half from Charlotte, NC, an hour from the Biltmore, and an hour to Kings Mountain State Park. We went to the Schiele Museum of Natural History after visiting the science center. It was only about 40 minutes away and was a great add-on for the day trip. 

Catawba Science Center Website
243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC
828.332.8169

Kidding Around day trip guide

Are you looking for more fun day trips? Check out our Kidding Around Guide to Day Trips!

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