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Big Apple Doughnut & Cafe Is A Doughnut Lovers Dream Come True

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Big Apple Doughnut & Cafe has two locations for amazing donuts, filled and topped however you want. Plus, they have doughnut sandwiches for a bit of sweet and savory all in one bite. We went looking for some amazing doughnuts and we think you’ll agree – we found them. Check out Big Apple Doughnut & Cafe in Mauldin and Taylors, SC.

Big Apple Doughnuts & Cafe

See Inside: A Visit to Big Apple Doughnuts & Cafe

Come along on our visit to Big Apple.

The Doughnut Breakfast Sandwich at Big Apple

We thought the doughnut breakfast sandwich might be amazing. We were right; it was like eating the most delicious breakfast in sandwich form. If bacon, eggs, and cheese sandwiched between two donuts isn’t something you want your trainer to find out about, they have other more traditional options for their sandwiches.

donut wall and breakfast donut sandwich

The Doughnuts at Big Apple Doughnuts & Cafe

The donuts here are all left unfilled and when you order them, you can choose from eight fillings, and numerous topping choices. They have sprinkles, chocolate, coconut, maple bacon, eclairs, and sour cream doughnuts, plus a whole lot more. We found them all to be fresh and very yummy.

Big Apple Doughnut & Café Locations

Big Apple Doughnuts & Cafe of Mauldin, the original Big Apple Doughnut & Cafe:  219 W Butler Road, Mauldin, SC   | 864.807.2676    
Big Apple Doughnuts & Cafe of Taylors, the new Wade Hampton location: 3245 F Wade Hampton Blvd Taylors, SC | 864.790.8219

Locals’ Reviews: Big Apple Doughnut & Café

Big Apple Donuts & Cafe on [W Butler]! The absolute best, and they also have other delicious food on their menu.

Sasha Corbett

Big Apple is awesome! Fresh, and they fill your donuts when you order with your choice of filling

Alex Caro

Big Apple Donuts & Cafe has the BEST donuts I’ve ever tasted!! They fill the donuts with TONS of filling, the donuts are SO soft and fluffy, and they have DELICIOUS food as well. Their maple/bacon donuts are the best!!

Tia Cameron

Big Apple Donuts in Simpsonville! You have to get the Strawberries and Cream filled! Great donuts all around, but that one is next level.

Elyse Geggis

We love their bacon topped donuts!

Deirdre Smith
rack of glazed donuts

Donuts: Greenville, SC

Want more donuts? Follow our donut trail and discover all the delicious donuts near Greenville, SC.

Habit Burger Spartanburg Has Arrived

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The Habit Burger Grill in Spartanburg opens to the public on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 at 10:30 am. We got a little sneak peek and WHOA, this food is good! These burgers are no joke, two of the best we’ve ever had.

What Makes Habit Burger Special?

We got to talk to District Manager Robert Brady and General Manager Andrew, who were so friendly and welcoming. They cannot wait to open up on Wednesday.

When asked what makes this place so special, Mr. Brady’s response was: “The people.” And he’s not kidding. Everyone was so friendly.

Habit Burger Spartanburg, SC

Peek Inside! Habit Burger in Video

Want to see inside the new Habit Burger and check out everything we saw when we got to visit? You’ll find inside this video.

Habit Burger Menu

Here is what we tried and is in the photos:

  • -BBQ Bacon Char with fries
  • -Santa Barbara Charburger
  • -Tempura Green Beans with Ranch (these are the **chef’s kiss**)
  • -Onion Rings
  • -Kids Grilled Cheese (our kid gave it two thumbs up)
  • -Cookies & Cream Milkshake

Our Review: Habit Burger is Delicious

Everything is made to order and fresh with high-quality ingredients. It was a great value and absolutely delicious.

Additionally, The Habit Burger Grill is big on giving back to the community. They look for ways to give back and connect whenever possible.

Pro tip: Join CharClub on their website or app and get special discounts.

📍1489 W O. Ezell Blvd, Spartanburg, SC.

30 Tips for Taking Road Trips with Kids

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Are you looking for road trip tips for families? And maybe you need some ideas about how to manage the kids in the car on a family road trip? Whether you need ideas for long-distance travel with the family, safety tips while traveling, or what road trip essentials to keep in the car, we have some great tips from lots of experience taking road trips with kids. Keep everyone having fun, and sane, with these family road trip tips!

travel with kids

We’ve spent a LOT of hours in the car on the road with many small children. I don’t think we are experts in many things – but we might qualify as experts on sitting in the car with our kids. The road can be a challenge for sure. Look at the same signs. Play the same games. Hear the same music. Create the same memories. However, being in the car with our whole family can be pretty amazing if you allow it to be.

Not quite ready for a long road trip with your kids? Check out these 10 Inexpensive Day Trips near Greenville in addition to our Ultimate Guide to Day Trips to start planning your next getaway! 

Well before you start packing for your big road trip, you’ll need to figure out where you want to go! Check out our Travel Guide, loaded with ideas, reviews, and information about dozens of places to vacation. The guide offers ideas based on state, city, educational opportunities while traveling, seasonal travel, and so much more!  

Top 10 Tips for Traveling by Car with Kids 

Traveling with children can quickly turn into lots of screaming and a constant chorus of “I’m hungry” if you fail to organize beforehand. You will find some of the best tips for traveling with children in our list below, so your long car ride will be full of tiny giggles, fantastic stories, and making memories!
  1. Don’t travel with children (Just kidding. Although I think I might have some PTSD from this last trip)
  2. If you are traveling with your children to places where the weather is different, dress in layers.  It’s so much easier to take a jacket on and off rather than to change a whole outfit.
  3.  Book your hotel ahead when traveling with kids, do it. It will save you (and your kids) some tears and will be more budget-friendly in the long run. And while you’re at it, try to find a chain that will give you rewards for your booking.
  4.  Pack a special bag for each child.  Your kids can put in it a few small toys from home. They can also add a coloring book and some crayons or colored pencils or Sudoku and crosswords for the older children.
  5. Pack a bag just for snacks! The natural version of Lunchables and the drinkable yogurt are an excellent way to make a road trip lunch easy and painless. Muffin liners make a great pass-around tray! (My children thought the little tray with its personalized portions of meat, cheese and crackers was super cool.  And anything cool means no whining, which I am all about.)   
  6. Play a Scavenger Hunt. Make up stuff that would be funny to your family – a personalized list – such as: a purple punch bug, three kids in a car, dogs on a billboard, a car that exactly matches ours. Decide a reward. Lots of fun!
  7.  Pack a special surprise for each day that you travel (or each hour on a short trip). These can be simple things from the dollar store, to a special candy to give them something to look forward to.
  8. Find something that will motivate them to behave in the car.  We have clips on the visor that get removed when there is naughty behavior.  If our kids’ clip is on the visor at the next stop, they get a reward.
  9.  Make sure that each child gets out at every stop and wiggles.  It makes for a long stop when you have to unload and load everyone every time, but it will be worth it.  Utilize fast food play areas when possible!
  10. Choose places to visit that will have fewer crowds. You can avoid crowded areas by visiting Quiet Beaches like Jekyll Island, the Outer Banks, NC, an alternative to Gatlinburg like Chattanooga, or SC beaches like Hilton Head. This way, you can make it a nice stop for a few hours on your road trip without having to wait in lines or potentially get lost. 
  11.  Last, but not least, take advantage of your surroundings.  If you’re passing by a Civil War battlefield, stop for 30 minutes and learn some history while getting out the wiggles.  Traveling can be an amazing learning time because children are actually experiencing and seeing the things they are learning about.

outer banks

Packing Trip Essentials for Long Road Trips with Kids

Packing for a long car ride is already difficult, but making sure you have what you need in the front of the car is very important when it comes to car rides with kids. Entertainment, snacks, emergency supplies, and things to make your children comfortable will help everyone stay calm and collected during the trip.

Utilize books on tape, music, and movies. Maybe even buy or borrow (from the library for instance) a few new movies that they haven’t yet seen. The Greenville Library has many movies, audiobooks, and magazines that can be checked out, or try Amazon and Audible and download them to your phone.

Pre-download movies, games, and books onto your child’s tablet. This way, you will not have to run your hotspot from your phone the entire time, and it will save you the hassle of running into connectivity issues! 

Pack a portable charger (and actually charge it beforehand). These will help keep everyone’s phones, tablets, and portable dvd players charged and ready for the long haul. 

If you are going screen-free, Keep the little ones happy and the car somewhat tidy, with a small bin tall enough for books standing up.  We used the kind meant to hold a few file folders on top of a desk.

Utilize coloring books. You can give each child a new hardcover drawing book with new super washable markers to keep them occupied. You can also purchase WaterWow coloring books for kids that are mess-free, and they are great for toddlers and preschoolers.

Use creative storage ideas to keep organized. Consider getting shoe organizers, meant to go over the back of closet doors, and hang them (cut to fit) on the backs of seats.  The pockets can hold coloring supplies, wipes, paper towels or even a juice box.  (Side note:  Even if you don’t have a child in diapers, bring wipes.  So many messes can be cleaned with wipes.)  

Pack a lot of snacks. Making sure there are snacks is key to reducing meltdowns and boredom. Try snacks that are rare but desirable, so they have a treat to look forward to. Having a combination of carb, fat, and protein-rich foods will help everyone stay full and avoid crankiness. If bringing a baby along, make pre-filled bottles of milk, formula, or breastmilk and use freezer packs to keep them cool while easily accessible. 

Pack a set of essential items for each child.  Paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, snacks, and drinks, placed all within reach while they are buckled are very helpful.  We also have a water bottle for each child

 Make sure there is a change of clothes for each child that is easily accessible (not in the suitcase).  I like to organize these in Ziploc gallon bags.  Also include some bags to use for dirty clothing.

I like to let each child take their own pillow, it’s worth it in the long run if they feel more comfortable. My children like to stuff their blankies, stuffed animals, and pajamas into their pillowcases.

Keep your emergency kit up front. Pack a thermometer, Tylenol, motion sickness medication, etc just in case along with your emergency kit. Keeping this upfront will help you avoid random stops if someone gets a cut or feels nauseated. 

Road trip with kids

Tips for Making Your Road Trip as Safe as Possible

When traveling with children, especially ones that can walk off and away from the group, its important to prepare everyone to be as safe as possible during your road trip. The tips below will help keep everyone safe while traveling. 

  1. Always Precheck Your Emergency kit: Keep a few of these necessities in the trunk: water, first-aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, a blanket, and snacks. You can find additional suggestions in articles such as this list on Popular Mechanics.
  2. Double Check car Seats are properly installed. Sometimes seats get shifted, toys get lodged underneath the car seat, and straps get twisted. Go ahead and make sure the seats are secure before you head out. Also, the current recommendation is to stay rear-facing for as long as possible, at least until age two, so following the safety protocols can keep everyone safe. 
  3. If traveling alone, try to do most of the driving during the daytime on well-used streets to avoid dangerous situations. 
  4. Utilize a child locator device if you plan to take extended stops in unfamiliar places. For teens, they may be able to easily communicate with you via their cell phones, but this can come in handy with smaller children in crowded places. Utilizing an apple tag, AngelSense and HereO GPS can ease your mind during hectic travel. 
  5. Practice Memorization of important information with your children. Make sure your children know your first and last name, phone number, or even license plate number if they are old enough. You can also write your phone number on your child’s arm or place where they can show someone if they get lost. 
  6. Use a buddy system– Never let your children travel in unfamiliar places alone. Let them know They have to stay with a buddy, whether that buddy is me or an older sibling. “Strength in numbers” is our motto.
  7. Use well-lit areas when stopping– Rest areas and large-scale service stations are the best places to stop if anyone needs to let our their wiggles or go to the restroom. Before stopping, take note of where you are (mile marker, nearby town, surroundings) and discuss this briefly with your children.

Grand Canyon

Tips for Staying in the Budget on Long-Distance Road Trips

Long distance, sightseeing trips can be magical and full of wonder! A couple of years ago Maria took a family road trip with three young children across the entire country. Traveling long distances with young children can be done without losing your sanity! The family traveled to Kentucky to visit the Corvette Museum on day 1, and then on to St. Louis to visit the Gateway Arch. Then continued to travel to Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and then headed to meet up with our Traveling Homeschooler group at YMCA of the Rockies, where they spent one spectacular week.  We gathered some of the best way to keep the cost down during long-distance road trips! 

How to Keep Cost Down When Traveling Long Distance

  1. Utilize affordable hotel options. Hotels that offer affordable rooms, complimentary breakfast, and are located close to your main routes of travel can help you save money in the long run. You can also join their rewards program to rack up points to potentially gain a free night or two. Two popular hotel chains across the country that tend to have affordable rates and are well-maintained include Drury Inn and Home 2 Suites, by Hilton.
  2. When credit cards, use the ones with rewards programs. With many, you can earn points, rewards, and cash back. You can do this preliminarily in the months beforehand to help yourself earn rewards for your trip so you have some freebies or cash back during the adventure. 
  3. Use your memberships. When planning a road trip consider all the memberships you have to local museums and zoos.  Many of them are reciprocal with facilities around the country. Places like the Roper Mountain Science Center are part of a program of multiple museums and facilities across the country where their membership can be used, making your visit free!  To find out what museums offer reciprocity through the Roper Mountain membership, visit the ASTC Travel Passport Program page.
  4. Avoid heavy spending at gift shops. Gift shops are at literally every stop when you travel, but making a plan with the family to find a special, small item from each one can cut the cost while making for the perfect collection of souvenirs. Consider magnets, pin buttons, ornaments, and postcards as budget-friendly options! 

Remind yourself – your kids will literally be older at the end of the trip than they were at the beginning.

And when you strap them into their seat and you sit down into yours, you have just entered a little time machine where you get a chance to listen to your children, talk to your spouse, build up a memory bank with the people you love and redeem the day if you choose.

What’s your best tip for car travel with your kiddos?

RELATED: See our Travel page full of real parent reviews of nearby destinations!

Amazing Discoveries at Roper Mountain Science Center

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Have you explored the Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC? You may have heard the name of the Roper Mountain Science Center and wondered what in the world this is or maybe your kids attended a field trip there. But really, do you know how cool this place is?

With a dinosaur trail, a living history farm, a Marine Ecology lab, and active classrooms you can explore, you can visit multiple times and find something new and exciting at each visit! Plus, RMSC has the only planetarium in Greenville, SC and a giant 23” refractor telescope that you can look through during special events. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!

Things to do at Roper Mountain Science Center
Things to Do in Greenville, SC.

Looking for more things to do near Greenville, SC? We’ve got you!

RMSC is part of the Greenville County School system and during the week they host classes for science exhibits and hands-on learning for the public school system. However, they have greatly expanded their offerings and hours for the general public in the last several years and there several wonderful opportunities to explore this gem in Greenville. Every season offers something new and exciting at the RMSC.

This article includes:
What is at the Roper Mountain Science Center?
Friday Starry Nights
Laser Shows at Hooper Planetarium
The Nature Exchange
Afternoon Explorations: September to May
Summer Adventure
Summer Camps
Science on Wheels & Educator Tools
Membership

What is at Roper Mountain Science Center?

The Roper Mountain Science Center is absolutely the place to go for STEM activities in Greenville, SC that are fun and engaging. During special events throughout the year, Roper Mountain is open to the public, and it is truly worth a visit (or ten). From September through May, you can visit during Afternoon Explorations on Thursdays and Fridays.

You can also explore June through July during their Summer Adventure programming, during which an exciting traveling exhibit is set up. And don’t forget their year-round Friday Starry Nights at the Hooper Planetarium.

Kids of all ages will love the RMSC. There is so much for them to see and do from the Dinosaur Trail, the touch tanks in the Marine Lab, the rainforest with its small waterfall, the outdoor play area, the pirate and castle playgrounds, and traveling exhibits.

Environmental Science and Sustainability Building

There is so much to explore at Roper Mountain Science Center that we promise you’ll need lots of visits to see everything. When you first arrive, you will enter through the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. The building is dedicated to water ecology and sustainability practices and is filled with immersive experiences, a traveling exhibit (in summer), live animal displays, and more.

You can see a Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead snake mere inches away and see a Hellbender up close as well. Kids love the interactive exhibits that teach them what not to flush down the toilet (parents like this one as well) and how to lower and raise the water level in a lake. Pretty neat stuff.

One of the most popular exhibits is the Nature Exchange. Here, your child can bring in items they found in nature, including moss, rocks, shells, lichen, or other items in exchange for points that they can use to spend on awesome items like crystals, fossils, and even owl pellets.

The Environmental Science and Sustainability Building is only open to the public during special events and Afternoon Explorations and Summer Adventure.

Harrison Hall of Natural Science

As you leave the lower level exit of the Environmental Science building, you can follow the path toward the Dinosaur Trail to the left or the Harrison Hall of Natural Science to the right. I am a huge ecology lover, so I immediately gravitate toward Harrison Hall. Here you will find multiple active classrooms to explore. There are live animals to meet and even touch like docile snakes, lizards, and sometimes even an alligator.

I love the permanent rainforest exhibit since it’s nice and humid and has a small waterfall, cocoa tree, and benches to enjoy the warmth, which feels especially nice during the colder months.

You can explore taxidermied animals, bone collections, specimen collections, and living animal exhibits. Your child can touch snakes, meet a skink, and learn about ecology and biodiversity during their exploration.

The Marine Lab is super popular because you and your children will be able to touch stingrays, starfish, and other sea creatures in the tide pool while learning about them.

The Ecology Lab showcases South Carolina habitats with their native animals, which include a Mountain Trout Stream, a Beaver/Turtle Pond, a Cypress Swamp (with an alligator), and a Salt Marsh. Guests can also check out a live honeybee hive at work.

Harrison Hall of Natural Science is only open to the public during special events such as Summer Adventure.

Dinosaur Trail

If you decide to head to the Dinosaur Adventure Trail first, then your dino adventure will start with a meet and greet with a Triceratops. All the dinosaurs are life-size models, so be sure to notice the awe in your young kid’s eyes as they notice them towering above them.

T-Rex on Dinosaur Trail at Roper Mountain Science Center

Be mindful of the ropes, as RMSC does not allow climbing on the majority of the exhibited dinosaurs. There is a big slide and play area that was designed to look like dinosaur bones coming out of the ground that kids can play on.

In 2023, a brand new animatronics T-Rex was added, which moves and roars. It’s motion-activated so you have no idea it’s going to move until you (or your kids) walk in front of it.

The Dinosaur Adventure Trail is open to the public during special events, Afternoon Explorations, and Summer Adventure.

Pirate and Castle Playgrounds

In 2023, RMSC added two new playgrounds: a large pirate playground for older kids and a smaller castle playground for toddlers.

playground at Roper Mountain Science Center

Both are located next to Harrison Hall and are partially in the shade depending on the time of day. There are benches for parents to sit on as well. Kids really love these new playgrounds as they foster lots of imaginative adventures on the high seas and in the world of knights and ladies at the castle.

These playgrounds are open during Summer Adventure and Afternoon Explorations.

Living History Farm & Butterfly Garden

One of my earliest memories as a kid was visiting the Living History Farm when I was in Kindergarten. With authentic log cabins, a schoolhouse, a working barn, and a reconstructed former slave cabin, there is so much history that you can live the experience. Walking through the gardens, fields, pasture, farm pond, and farm animals certainly lend itself to easily imagining that time period.

The Living History Farm also has an incredible garden in the summer. You will find the Butterfly Garden on the outskirts of the Living History Farm. The garden has native plants that are frequently visited by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

The Living History Farm is only open to the public during special events and Summer Adventure while the Butterfly Garden is open during Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and special events.

Living History Farm, Roper Mountain Science Center
Living History Farm, Roper Mountain Science Center

Symmes Hall of Science

If you are a lover of all things STEM, then the Symmes Hall of Science will be the highlight of your trip to the Roper Mountain Science Center. Though Symmes Hall is only open during special events, it is worth it when you get to explore chemical reactions through experimentation, explore Tesla coils and solar panels, and interact with robotics.

Hooper Planetarium & Daniel Observatory

Last, but not least, the incredible Hooper Planetarium and Daniel Observatory. If you are wanting to spark a love for science in your child, this is a great place to start. The Hooper Planetarium is designed with a 360-degree dome with 4K projection and a truly immersive sound system.

The Hooper Planetarium offers special space-themed programming called Friday Starry Nights throughout the year. The planetarium is also equipped with a Laser Fantasy projection system, which is spectacular, to say the least! You can enjoy Laser Days of Summer, Halloween Laser Shows, and Special Laser Events throughout the year. 

If you’re looking for a truly magical experience for adults and kids, then head to the Daniel Observatory after your planetarium showing to look through the historic 23’’ refractor telescope. The telescope is the 8th largest of its kind in the United States! You’ll be able to observe Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and more as you climb the steps to look through the scope.

Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Science Center

You can find out everything you need to know about Friday Starry Nights in our KA review. 

Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Science Center on Friday nights is a favorite activity for many. Shows sell out quickly and RMSC suggests purchasing tickets online beforehand.

Friday Starry Nights are offered on Friday evenings throughout the year at the Hooper Planetarium. Typically, there are three showings (4:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:30 pm), with each showing offering a unique feature film themed around space. The 4:30 pm show is excellent for younger children to attend and is recommended for ages 4 and older. The 6:00 pm show is also kid-friendly and features a film that is more exploratory of space in a kid-friendly way. The 7:30 feature showing is most appropriate for older children and adults. 

Tickets to Friday Starry Nights are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. Starry Nights is free for RMSC members. The shows are generally not recommended for kids three and under (I can vouch for this – to my dismay, my toddler was scared when we visited the planetarium during an event).

Laser Shows at the Hooper Planetarium

The planetarium also features several special events throughout the year, including Laser Days of Summer, Halloween Laser Shows, Holiday Laser Shows, Pink Floyd Laser Shows, and more. I saw the Laser Days of Summer Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon a couple of years ago, and it was EPIC.

These events are fully immersive, and allow you to sit back and listen to classic albums of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Stranger Things, and more while lasers tell a story across the 360 degree screen. Regularly check the Roper Mountain Science Center website for updates about their upcoming special events and laser shows

Tickets for Laser Days of Summer can be purchased now, and the event will begin July 18th, 2024. Multiple showings are offered from Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm on most nights. Tickets for Laser Days of Summer are $8 per adult or child, and $4 for members.

The Nature Exchange

There are 12 Nature Exchanges in the country and they are like little shops for kids that focus on learning about things you find in nature and seeking out neat things that you may not otherwise see if perhaps you weren’t looking for them. 

The Nature Exchange at the RMSC is the only one in the state but it’s connected to the other 11 through a database. When your kids sign up, they are entered into this national database. As they rack up points, if they visit another Nature Exchange on a trip, they can use those points to get something from that particular place they visit. 

At the Nature Exchange at RMSC, there are lots of neat items already that kids can choose from if they earn enough points. Each person who signs up automatically gets 100 points plus they get points for their birthday, also. Kids can then choose something from the big Nature Exchange wall that is the same number or less than the points they have accumulated. Or, they can accumulate their points and save up for something super cool like a dinosaur fossil plate or a pretty stone or a big bug. 

Kids will find everything from gemstones to intricate shells to mummified grasshoppers and tarantulas. The Nature Exchange is located on the top floor of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building, to the left of the main entrance.

RMSC Nature Exchange scenes
Nature Exchange at Roper Mountain Science Center

Afternoon Explorations at Roper Mountain Science Center

Afternoon Explorations is when RMSC is open to the public during the school year. For 2023-24, they will open on September 14, 2023 and be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30-5 pm. Guests will have access to the Environmental Science and Sustainability Center, the Rain Forest Room, Marine Lab and Ecology Lab in Harrison Hall of Natural Science as well as the Living History Farm when weather permits.

You will also be able to hunt for dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Adventure Trail, play in Wildwood, visit the Butterfly Garden, and play on the Pirates of the Carolinas playground.

Tickets for Afternoon Explorations are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. Members receive free admission.

Summer Adventure and 2024’s summer Traveling Exhibit

Summer Adventure dates for 2024 have not been announced as of publication. You can typically visit during Summer Adventure Tuesday – Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm. Explore all the exhibits RMSC has to offer, including a traveling exhibit that is only accessible during the summer.

The traveling exhibit changes every year, so it’s something special and unique to experience. Summer Adventure also offers special programs, including cockroach racing, the Eat a Bug challenge, farm animal interactions at the Living History Farm, period costume volunteers, and more to get children engaged and excited about science.

Traveling exhibit at Roper Mountain Science Center

2024’s Traveling Exhibit hasn’t been announced as of publication. But for 2023, the traveling exhibit theme was ‘How People Make Things’, located on the top floor of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. This exhibit is a lot of fun as kids can create different objects at various stations throughout the exhibit like a trolley car (based on Mr. Rodgers’ show), a pressed coin, or a small box made from cut-out paper.

Admission is free for members, and tickets are $12 per adult and $10 per child 3 – 12 years of age. EBT cardholders can purchase tickets for $5.

The Butterfly Garden

The butterfly garden is located beside the parking lot in front of the Harrison Hall of Natural Science.  It’s definitely something to check out, enjoy the beautifully landscaped garden, and see some butterflies.  If you’d like to make it a homeschool adventure, try some of the books, ideas and activities below.

Make it Educational

Math:  Draw the butterflies with colored pencils (maybe take pictures with a cell phone to reference later) and keep a tally count of how many of each variety you see.  Once you return home, turn your tally count into a bar graph.  Siblings can compare their graphs and see how they differ.

Science: Use some butterfly books or websites to help you name the different species of butterflies you see.  If it’s too much to manage “in the field” just take pictures and look them up when you get home.  The following resources may be helpful.

Discuss the butterfly life cycle before or after your visit to the garden.  Here’s a great freebie coloring sheet of the life cycle.

Language Arts: Come up with some super sentences about butterflies. Make them factual or fictional. Use the bright colors and textures of the insects and the garden to dress up your sentences with adjectives. Look at how the butterflies move and what they do to pick some great verbs for your sentences.

Resources

This website deals with butterflies specific to our area, and has pictures that may be helpful to you when trying to name species.

The Life Cycles of Butterflies: from egg to maturity, a visual guide to 23 common garden butterflies  (J 595.789 Burris) by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards  -This book shows the life cycle of butterflies, but also shows pictures of common butterflies and areas where they are found.  The Greenville libraries have many other fine books on butterflies with photographs under the call number J 595.789.

If you’d like to know a little more about the purpose of butterfly gardens, or the specific plants and landscaping you see at the garden, check out this portion of Roper Mountain’s website. It lists the host plants and nectar plants found at the science center’s butterfly garden.  Many of these plants are labeled in the garden.  Spend some time examining these plants.

Summer Camps at Roper Mountain Science Center

RMSC is focused on making STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics- fun for kids, and summer camps are no exception. But summer at Roper Mountain is more than just science: they also offer camps focusing on art, literature, moviemaking, mythology, photography and so much more. Summer camps at the Roper Mountain Science Center are available from K5 through Grade 12, and early drop-off and lunch stays are available for students attending separate morning and afternoon sessions.

Summer camp registration begins in March and camps fill up very quickly. Members will get first dibs on summer camp registration and if you really, really want your kid in a certain camp, you can get the concierge membership, which will ensure you will be able to register your kid(s) before anyone else.

Bring Science Lessons to you with Science on Wheels

If you are looking for a unique and science-driven demonstration for a school program or public outreach program Science on Wheels will bring the experimentation to you. They even have a portable planetarium! The program is perfect for school science days, preschools, library events, family audiences, afterschool groups, evening school events, summer camps, and community centers.

If you think RMSC’s Science on Wheels would be perfect for your group event, you can request more information by contacting the Roper Mountain Science Center directly. Educators can also utilize the many amazing programs Roper Mountain has to offer, including field trips, virtual field trips, elearning Live From Roper, and more to boost their science curriculum for their students.

Roper Mountain Science Center Membership

Speaking of membership to the RMSC, they have some worthwhile packages, especially if your family loves science and technology.

Memberships include free admission to Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and Friday Starry Nights, special pricing for special events and Laser Days of Summer, and early registration to summer camps. A family membership costs $125 and is easily paid for in just a couple of visits to the RMSC.

Additionally, members get free or discounted admission to over 300 science centers and museums worldwide. This is a great perk when traveling or planning day trips or summer vacations.

For instance, if a family of four travels to nearby Asheville and goes to the Western NC Nature Center, admission for them would be free with a membership to the RMSC.

Bottom line: A membership to the RMSC is a good investment in both learning and entertainment!

Have your kids ever been to Roper Mountain Science Center?

Celebrate Mardi Gras Near Greenville, SC in 2024

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Are you looking for ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Upstate this year? Whether you’re looking for places to pick up some festive Mardi Gras food and king cakes in Greenville, or you’re seeking a local Mardi Gras event near Greenville, we have all the information you need! So, use this list and pull off a fun Mardi Gras celebration with your family. The food, the sweets, all of it!

mardi gras in greenville, sc

This article includes:
What is Mardi Gras? See Mardi Gras New Orleans Celebrations
Mardi Gras Events Near Greenville, SC
Enjoy Cajun Food Near Greenville, SC
Where to Buy King Cakes Near Greenville, SC

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Best Suburbs and Cities Near Greenville, SC to Live in 2024

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Are you thinking of moving to the towns and suburbs that surround Greenville, SC? Greenville is a beautiful, family-friendly city nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has topped lists all over the country as one of the best places to live and people are taking notice! There is much more to Greenville than the downtown area, with several small towns surrounding the city that offer an abundance of charm, plenty of shopping, family-friendly activities, and wonderful neighborhoods to raise a family.

Best cities and towns near Greenville, SC to live
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Here are the Best Daddy/Daughter Dates in the Upstate

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Hey dads! If you’re looking for great daddy-daughter events in Greenville, SC and the Upstate, we’ve got the list here. Most of these ideas are seasonal and happen around Valentine’s Day.

Daddy Daughter dates nights for 2024 near Greenville, South Carolina

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means mom and dad have a good chance to get away on their own, but it’s also a great reminder of the importance of dads and daughters having a special time together.  Here are a few ideas for dads and daughters to hang out—no matter how old the daughters are.

(2024 dates are still being added so check back in a couple of weeks!)

For other times of the year, our list of 20 Parent/Kid Dates is full of a ton of ideas that are perfect for any season, budget, or family situation.

Upstate Daddy Daughter Events: Greenville, SC

Most daughters love spending time with their dads, and an activity together is a great way to do so. These are some local events for dads and their precious girls:

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6-8 pm

Head to the elegant Grand Holland Estate in Simpsonville for an evening of dancing and dinner. Tickets are $25/person and the event is geared for ages 3-13.

Grand Holland Estate
815 Holland Road, Simpsonville

Father/Daughter Date Night

Friday, February 2nd, 2024

The Annual Father/Daughter Date Night at Color Clay Cafe includes pottery painting, chocolate fondue, and beverages. RSVPs are required, and you can call the studio during business hours to reserve a table. The cost is a $12 studio fee that covers dad and daughter, and additional daughters are $3 plus the cost of their pottery.

Color Clay Cafe
2518 E. North Street, Greenville

Daddy Daughter Date Night at Tip Top Cake Shop

Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 5 pm

Dads can bring their daughters to Tip Top Cake Shop in Easley for a night of sweet treats and fun. Tickets are $45/each dad/daughter and $10/each additional daughters. All ages are welcome.

Tip Top Cake Shop
601 Williams Avenue, Easley
864.850.2807

Ties & Tiaras Sweetheart Dance

Friday, February 9, 2024 from 6:30-9 pm

The Sweetheart Dance promises to be a night of fun and memories for dads and their daughters (ages 5+). The event will have lots of food, music, and dancing. Tickets are $60/couple and $30/each additional child.

Cleveland Park Event Center
141 N Cleveland Park Drive, Spartanburg

Simpsonville Daddy Daughter Date Night Dance [SOLD OUT]

Friday, February 9, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 pm

Great opportunity for dads to have a special night with their daughter(s), enjoy dinner, and have fun. Children ages 3-13 are admitted. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance at the Simpsonville Activity & Senior Center. Tickets cannot be purchased online or via phone and will not be sold at the door. If you have any questions, please email Special Events Coordinator Lisa Everidge at leveridge@simpsonville.com

Simpsonville Activity Center
310 West Curtis Street, Simpsonville

Daddy-Daughter Date Day at Steam Coffee & Cream

February 9, 2024, at 6 and 7 pm and February 10, 2024, at 2 and 3 pm

Dads and Daughters can enjoy a special meal, beverage, and dessert along with activities at Steam Coffee & Cream. Reservations are required, and times can be reserved for an hour at the times above via this link. The cost is $30 for Dad/Daughter together and $10 for an additional daughter.

Steam Coffee & Cream
113 South Main Street, Fountain Inn

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Friday, February 9, 2024, and Friday, February 23, 2024, from 6-7:30 pm; $3/person plus the cost of pottery.

9th Annual Valentine’s Daddy-Daughter Date Night at Hearts of Clay with chocolate, candies, cookies soft drinks, and water. Call to reserve your seat.

Hearts of Clay
660 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 20, Spartanburg

Daddies, Daughters, and Donuts

Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 9-10 am

Join Once Upon a Dream Parties and Aiel, Rapunzel, and Aurora to celebrate the love between you and your daughter(s). The cost is $15/child and includes one adult. Please RSVP to attend by calling 864-421-2472.

Once Upon a Dream Parties
Greenville, SC

Daddy Daughter Dance

February 10, 2024, from 6-8 pm

This event in Fountain Inn will be held at the Fountain Inn Activity Center. The event will include dinner, dancing, a photo station, and more. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $25/person and include dinner and a photo and must be purchased in advance.

Fountain Inn Activity Center
600 Fairview Street, Fountain Inn

Swan Lake Children’s Ball

Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 6 pm

Join the International Ballet for the inaugural Swan Lake Children’s Ball, an evening dedicated to parents and their children that includes a DJ, raffles for prizes, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing. Tickets are $30/person.

Greenville Country Club
239 Byrd Boulevard. Greenville

Daddy-Daughter Dance & Play Date

Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 3-5 pm

This dad-daughter dance and play date is happening at Palmetto Proper in Travelers Rest. Tickets include a play pass, a catered meal, and photo opportunities. Tickets are $30/child and $10/adult.

Palmetto Proper
164 S Main Street, Suite B, Travelers Rest

Chic-Fil-A Taylors Daddy Daughter Date Night

Monday, February 12th, 2024 and Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 from 5 pm – 8 pm
*Night 1 for 2024 is sold out.

Dad-daughter date night at Chic-FIl-A in Taylors. The first night sold out quickly so reserve your spot soon. $15/person

2801 Wade Hampton Blvd, Suite C, Taylors

Light Up the Night Daddy Daughter Glow Dance

Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 6-8 pm

This fun event will be at the Lyman Event Center, 59 Groce Road, Lyman and guests are encouraged to wear white or neon to light up the night. Tickets are $40 per couple and $15 for each additional child. To purchase tickets, go to Lyman Town Hall at 81 Groce Road. The dance is open for all ages. Call 864.439.3453 for more info. Tickets include dinner, music, and dancing.

Lyman Event Center
59 Groce Road, Lyman

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Friday, February 23, 2024 at Pickens Branch YMCA from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Friday, March 1, 2024 at Powdersville Branch YMCA from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tickets are $25/member and $25/non-member

Sponsored by the YMCA of Easley, Pickens, and Powdersville, this event includes desserts, photo opportunities, and lots of dancing!

Powdersville YMCA (February 23, 2024)
9115 SC-81, Piedmont; 864.625.2060
Pickens YMCA (March 1, 2024)
2223 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens

Dad-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance

Friday, February 23, 2024 from 7-10 pm

Tickets include photo opportunities, dancing, and cupcakes. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online.

Nara Hall
311 Spartanburg Highway, Wellford

Daddy Daughter Date Night: Barnyard Edition

Friday, March 1, 2024 from 6-8 pm

The Church at the Mill is hosting a dad-daughter date night barn yard with dancing, food, and activities for dads with daughters in 1st-5th grades. Tickets are $15/person.

The Church at the Mill
2589 Ballenger Road, Wellford

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm

Chic-Fil-A in Greer is hosting a Daddy-Daughter date night that is reservation only. There will be two seatings: one at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm. Call for reservations: 864.848.5222.

Chic-Fil-A Greer
1379 W Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer


Family Date Nights

If you’re hoping to include the whole family or have a special mother-daughter or mother-son date, consider the following events.

Someone Special Dinner at Fork & Plough

February 13, 2024

Join Fork & Plough for a special dinner with your child. There will be a special kid-friendly menu alongside the restaurant’s normal menu. You can make reservations on the restaurant’s website.

Fork and Plough
1629 East North Street, Greenville
 864.609.4249

Family Date Night at Abbott’s Custard

Monday, February 12, 2024 at 6 & 6:45 pm

Prepaid reservations are required at all times. Adult tickets (ages 12+ are $15.50) include two slices of pizza from Merrell’s Pizza, a sundae from our menu, or a create-your-own sundae with one sauce, one topping, whipped cream, and cherry, and your choice of a soft drink or bottled water. Child tickets (ages 1-11, $11.50) include one slice of pizza from Merrell’s Pizza, a kiddie scoop of custard with your choice of 1 topping, and your choice of a soft drink or bottled water. Children who do not need a seat or are not eating do not need a ticket. Tickets are not sold in the shop or by phone and are only available online.

Abbott’s Frozen Custard
119 E Poinsett Street, Greer


Other Activities for Daddy-Daughter Date Night: Greenville, SC

Theatre

If you’re looking for a fancy outing with a younger daughter, you might enjoy a SC Children’s Theatre performance of Pinkalicious: The Musical. And our Things to do with Teens in Greenville guide may help if you have a teen daughter.

Fun Playtime Together

Of course, the old standbys such as mini golf, bowling, and hiking can provide a lot of fun memories. Consider asking your daughter to pick an activity—she will likely have a great idea.

Dinner Date

Check out our Kids Eat Free options for a treat.  If you’re looking for restaurants that are a little more upscale but still have kid-friendly fare, Southern Culture, and Tupelo Honey offer southern food that even picky eaters will enjoy. And Grill Marks’ combo of hamburgers and milkshakes is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

No matter what activity or dinner option you choose, you can create a priceless memory with your daughter by asking to spend time with her. It’s a tradition that can happen far more often than just around Valentine’s Day each year.

Do you know of a great Daddy Daughter Date idea that we should add to our list?

This article was originally written By Robert Neely and has been heavily updated by the Kidding Around Team.

 

Duke World of Energy: Learn About What Powers The Upstate

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Do you have a young one with an inquisitive mind? Bring them to the Duke World of Energy where they can learn how the electricity that keeps the lights on at home is generated and brought to local houses and businesses.

Did we mention this exhibit is FREE?

We know our readers love free things to do near Greenville so we visited the Duke World of Energy and we’re bringing you all the information you need to plan your own visit soon!

Free Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Looking for more Free Things to do in the Upstate? Here’s our list of free and low-cost things to do near Greenville, SC!

Duke Energy World of Energy

Located on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Keowee, The Oconee Nuclear Station provides energy to nearly 2 million homes via nuclear power. There is a multitude of steps that go into producing so much energy, and families can learn all about it at the power plant’s educational center.

Inside the Duke World of Energy

The Duke World of Energy is a free hands-on exhibit. Visitors will learn how electricity is generated at the plant and how the surrounding lakes contribute. You’ll start off with a short film, followed by a variety of interactive educational displays about energy production at the plant. The experience takes about 30-45 minutes.

As you enter each exhibit room, the presentation is started by an interactive touchpad. As you move from room to room you will learn about the process the plant uses to create the power that flows into homes. The way the exhibit is set up, in multiple rooms will keep kids from toddler to school-age entertained. About halfway through, you’ll find a huge picture window overlooking the power plant – a perfect photo opportunity. I was surprised to learn that this is the fifth-largest nuclear plant in the country.

Duke Energy World of Energy

The exhibits towards the end seemed to be the stars of the show for my children. My son loved the security display which features half of a car and the mirrored tool they use to check underneath cars entering the facility. The last two rooms – my daughter’s favorite – feature a simulated outdoor space, complete with taxidermy animals and an adjoining room that looks like a home. She loved looking out the window back into the “outdoor” room and waving to us.

The topography map is really neat – you can see the entire Jocassee Gorges, the Foothills Trail, the SC State Parks near there, and Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee. These kinds of maps are always fascinating!

Topographical map at Duke Energy World of Energy

Nature Trail and More at Duke Energy: World of Energy

After visiting the World of Energy exhibit, head outside to the quarter-mile nature trail by the lake. You’ll find a covered picnic shelter, a fishing pier, and even a butterfly garden that’s open during the warmer months. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of dining options nearby, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and bring a picnic.

We sat on the dock to eat lunch and finish our homeschool work and it was very relaxing. There’s a path that winds its way down to a small beach as well where you can hang out and enjoy the beautiful view. Stay off the helipad though, as the signs say!

You can also fish on the pier if you like. This is such a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon and a fun field trip. The view is breathtaking, and you just might learn something while you’re there.

Dock at Duke Energy World of Energy

FREE Special Events at Duke World of Energy

Don’t forget to check the Duke Energy website for events. In the past, The World of Energy has hosted several community events, including a National Hunting, an Orchid event (currently scheduled for February 15-17, 2024), a Fishing Day event, and a home school day.

Want to Visit Duke World of Energy?

Duke World Of Energy
7812 Rochester Highway | Seneca, SC 29672
864.873.4600

Hours:
Open 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday through Friday
Please confirm the hours before you head to the World Of Energy.

This article was originally written by Melanie Coblentz and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

Restaurant Week Is A Great Opportunity To Try A New Spot In Greenville, SC

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Are you ready for the first Restaurant Week in Greenville, SC of 2024? There will never be a better time to support your Greenville restaurants than right now! The whole state of South Carolina will holds its annual Restaurant Week in January, and Greenville also holds a mini-Restaurant Week in August. The South Carolina Restaurant Week provides diners with the perfect opportunity to support locals and try something new.

The 2024 restaurant week lineup includes over two dozen restaurants in Greenville for you to try between January 11-21, 2024.

That’s a lot to choose from, so we will pick a few Upstate favorites and explain how to best take advantage of this special week for lovers of local restaurants.

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