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

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.

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.

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!)

Kilwins play area at Hands On in Hendersonville, NC

Water feature at Hands On in Hendersonville

Classes, Parties, and More

Hands On! offers regular classes that are often free with your admission. Classes range in topics from science to reading to crafting. Summer is filled with weekly class options – and the convenient part for parents is that one child can attend a class while the other children play. Throughout the year there are weekly classes – such as storytime and science classes, plus other weekly options. Be sure to check their Hands On website or Facebook page for all the details.

Hands On! also offers an easy and enjoyable option for birthday parties. They provide a party room for the cake and gifts and then, of course, the museum is all the entertainment you will need for your birthday guests.

More to Do in Hendersonville, NC

Downtown Hendersonville has so many fun things to do. Hop out of the museum for lunch at one of the family-friendly Main Street restaurants. Options like pizza and sandwiches and an iconic soda fountain shop across the street can make Hendersonville a great day trip destination. Right next door to the museum is Black Bear Coffee Shop with great coffee beverages, treats, sandwiches and a lot more. And, McFarlan’s Bakery is right across the street. Pick up some donuts, cookies, pastries, or even a whole pie to bring home!

Gather a few of your girlfriends and strap the kids in their booster seats. A day at Hands On! will be a day the kids will really remember and love

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.

A Guide To Restaurants in Downtown Greenville, SC

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.

Dinner in Greenville

Lunch in Greenville

Breakfast in Greenville

Dessert in Greenville

Restaurants on Main Street

Best to Grab a Cocktail

Romantic Restaurants in Downtown Greenville

Best Restaurants for Kids

Restaurants for Business

Take Out in Downtown Greenville

Dining Near Your Downtown Hotel

Diners have no shortage of choices regardless of what they might be craving! From a casual lunch to a romantic dinner date, every kind of meal can be found in downtown Greenville.

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

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

(more…)

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

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!

About Catawba Science Center

Exhibits

Aquarium

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.

Turtle eating lettuce in science exhibit

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

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

These Restaurants in Greenville Are Open on Thanksgiving Day: Dine-in or Take-Out and Catering

Looking for some restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner in Greenville, SC? Do you find cooking Thanksgiving dinner to be a little overwhelming? Honestly—preparing a Thanksgiving meal is no joke. Making the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and various other side dishes can be hard and take a lot of time. Some families choose to totally skip it and go out for dinner or order in and pick up.

Our list has restaurants offering dine-in service, full take-out meals, and even restaurants where you can just grab a turkey or a few sides to supplement your own home-cooked meal. There are lots of great restaurant options for Thanksgiving in Greenville, SC to make your most delicious Thanksgiving dinner dreams come true.

Most of our local grocery stores are also offering Thanksgiving meals, or at least part of them, for pickup.

Thanksgiving Restaurants in Greenville, SC

Looking for more fun things to do in Greenville & Spartanburg for Thanksgiving? Here’s your Thanksgiving Celebration Guide!

Thanksgiving Dine-in and Full Meal Take-Out Options

Restaurants where you can order turkey, individual sides, or catered meal for Thanksgiving

Where to dine in or order take-out on Thanksgiving in Greenville for 2025

Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill

208 South Main Street, Anderson, SC | 864.226.8945
Sullivan’s offers a Thanksgiving buffet. Call and reserve your table!

Restaurant 17

10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest | 864.528.3340
If you’re looking for a feast, then look no future. Restaurant 17 will host a Thanksgiving feast with a carving station, a dessert station, and everything you can imagine for the perfect meal. They have seating times available at 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 4 pm. Make a reservation asap at 864.635.2894.

The Lazy Goat

170 River Place, Greenville | 864.679.5229
The restaurant will be serving a Thanksgiving family-style meal from 10 am – 6 pm. Call to reserve a table or do so online via OpenTable. The cost is $42/adults, $17/children 7 – 12, and those 6 and under dine for free.

Soby’s

207 South Main Street, Greenville | 864.232.7007
Soby’s reservations for Thanksgiving Day fill up quickly (if they are sold out, call and check for cancellations periodically before the big day). For Thanksgiving, they are serving an a la carte menu of favorites like a glazed turkey plate, braised beef short rib, shrimp and grits, traditional Thanksgiving desserts, and more.

Up on the Roof

250 Riverplace, Greenville | 864.242.4000
Up on the Roof is open on Thanksgiving Day and throwing out the turkey. Grab your favorite rooftop restaurant bites and a cocktail. (And if you really want a little turkey, you can snag one of their wild turkey bourbon shots). Oh, and they are offering Thanksgiving Day bourbon flights while supplies last. Cheers. Reservations requested.

Halls Chophouse

550 South Main Street, Greenville | 864.335.4200
Halls Chophouse will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 am to 7 pm. Halls has a special dine-in Thanksgiving day a la carte menu. Make your reservation today! You can also grab a to-go meal with all the trimmings.

Patterson Kitchen + Bar

120 Halston Avenue, Greenville | 864.09.6484
NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet. Make reservations at Patterson Kitchen + Bar for a special Thanksgiving dinner experience. The restaurant is accepting reservations from 3 – 7 pm. They’re also offering a to-go menu featuring a whole roasted turkey with natural turkey gravy OR spiral ham with bourbon apple jus, a variety of sides including challah bread stuffing and brown butter roasted cauliflower, and desserts. The to-go meals are $255 and serve up to 6 people. Order by November 21st for pickup on November 27th. Call 864-509-6484 to order.

CityRange Steakhouse

615 Haywood Road, Greenville | 864.286.9018
CityRange will be open from 11 am – 4 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations are needed. You can also order your Thanksgiving Feast to go. Options include ham or turkey with glaze and mashed potatoes or sweet potato mash, creamed corn, orange cranberry relish, pumpkin praline cheesecake, and chocolate torte. Meals serve a family of 4. Order by 12 pm on November 22nd

The Nose Dive

116 S Main Street, Greenville | 864.373.7300
The Nose Dive takes Thanksgiving Day reservations for 11:30 am to 4 pm, offering their Autumn Dinner menu of Urban Comfort food.

Roost

220 North Main Street, Greenville | 864.298.2424
NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet. Roost offers a fully loaded buffet for your Thanksgiving feast, with everything you can imagine, from 10 am – 5:30 pm.

BrickTop’s

1 North Main Street, Ste. H, Greenville | 864.794.3830
BrickTop’s in Greenville will be offering a full Thanksgiving carry-out meal. You can choose a Roast Turkey Dinner, Prime Rib Dinner, or Beef Wellington Dinner. Each meal includes a house salad, whipped potatoes, corn, stuffing, and rolls. If you need more side dishes they are available as add-ons. Orders must be placed by 5 pm on November 23rd.

Maestro’s Bistro and Dinner Club

104 Main Street, Greenville | 864.248.0702
Make your reservations soon, because Maestro’s Bistro’s Thanksgiving Day meal fills up quickly. They offer traditional roasted turkey or fried turkey as their main proteins, with sides such as garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, and many more sides to choose from. Their full menu is also available if you’re looking for a meal that ventures outside of traditional favorites. Plates are $52 per person.

Stax’s Drake House

5112 North Howard Avenue, Landrum | 864.457.2533
NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet. Stax’s Drake House will serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11 am to 3:30 pm.

Tavola

620 Bridgeway Blvd, Simpsonville | 864-319-4648
Celebrate Thanksgiving this year at Tavola! Tavola will be open on Thursday, November 27 from 11:00am – 4:00pm, serving a family-style menu featuring Italian inspired holiday fare. Pricing is $44/adults, $17/children 7 – 12 and those 6 and under are complimentary. They also have our children’s menu available on request.

National Chains open on Thanksgiving 2025

California Dreaming

40 Beacon Drive, Greenville | 864.234.9000
A huge Thanksgiving menu is being offered at California Dreaming with Thanksgiving Dinner including Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, Pecan Praline Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Southern Herb Stuffing, and more – $29.95 | $14.95/Kids. Call to make reservations.

Ruths Chris Steakhouse

Greenville, SC
The famous steakhouse is serving a Thanksgiving dinner where guests can choose between a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, complete with slow-roasted turkey and a signature side item of your choice like garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, or creamed spinach, plus pumpkin cheesecake, or ordering from their regular menu. They will be offering a full Thanksgiving meal for pickup this year as well. Complete Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner $48/Adults – $17/Kids.

Cracker Barrel

Greenville & Spartanburg, SC
Cracker Barrel is serving a special Thanksgiving menu in their dining rooms. You can also order a meal online that serves 10 people, with the choice of entree, sides, and rolls or biscuits.

Where to Get a Turkey, Sides, or Catered Thanksgiving Meal 2025

The restaurants below are offering catered meals or individual pieces of a meal like a smoked turkey or delicious sides and desserts. Use them to supplement your home-cooked meal and make the meal preparations a little easier!

Larkins

Greenville, SC
Larkins offers a Thanksgiving Take & Bake Kit, complete with all the classics. The kit has 7 lbs of turkey breast, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, four cheese mac, whipped potatoes, sweet potato casserole and pecan praline topping, cornbread stuffing, green beans, rolls, and apple cake! Yum! Each kit will feed 6-8 people comfortably, and costs $299 per kit.

Ji-Roz

Greenville, SC
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with high-quality ingredients from Ji-Roz. You can pick up HOT and ready for your own oven on Thanksgiving Day from 10 am to 12 pm. They offer whole roasted turkey for $89, an abundance of sides like greek-style green beans, macaroni and cheese casserole, homemade cornbread dressing, and a lot more options. Their side platters feed 12. To order, visit their website, click “order”, choose Thanksgiving Day as your schedule, and scroll down to the bottom of the list until you see “Thanksgiving Menu”.

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

Greenville, SC
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack is offering Thanksgiving sides, appetizers, and desserts. You’ll find options like deviled eggs with candied bacon and pimento cheese dip, as well as mac and cheese, corn pudding, and collard greens. And don’t forget one of their desserts!

Chophouse ’47 Sold out for 2025

36 Beacon Drive, Greenville | 864.286.8700
Their catered meal serves up to eight people and includes the turkey, all the sides like honey glazed carrots, cornbread, two kinds of potatoes, and cranberry sauce for $245. Must pick up between 10 am and 1 pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Lewis Barbeque

214 Rutherford Street, Greenville | 864.513.6045
Preorder a delicious turkey breast, USDA Prime Beef brisket, and delicious sides like green chili corn pudding and mac and cheese from Lewis Barbeque Greenville.

Fountain Foods Market

Fountain Inn, SC | 864.408.9192
Fountain Foods Market in Fountain Inn is offering a variety of Thanksgiving foods for you to take home. You can get a fully cooked smokey turkey, green bean casserole, broccoli and rice casserole, corn souffle, pumpkin pie, blackberry pie, pumpkin roll, and so much more! Call and place an order, or visit the market and place an order with a staff member.

Stella’s Southern Bistro

684 Fairview Road, Simpsonville | 864.757.1212 They have sides and pies that are fully cooked such as collards, stuffing, mac ‘n cheese, and other delicious options, everything is usually available except for the turkey. Order deadline is November 20th, 2025.

Table 301 Catering

68 Global Drive, Greenville (pickup location) | 864.271.8431
You can order your entire Thanksgiving meal or pick out what you need from Table 301. All items come fully cooked—all you have to do is reheat. Preorder by 2 pm on Thursday, November 20th. Pickup at 68 Global Drive, Greenville on Wednesday, November 26th between 8 am – 5 pm or Thursday, November 27th between 9 am – 12 pm.

The Pantry by Emily’s Table

241 N Main St, Greenville | 864-766-9770
The Pantry has a take and bake menu featuring both gluten and dairy free. Order by November 24th at 9 am.

Bobby’s BBQ

1301 N. Main Street, Fountain Inn | 864.403.2379
Bobby’s has all the meats you could want for your Thanksgiving dinner! Preorders are open, and you can order whole turkey breast, whole briskets, port butts, and pans of your favorite side dishes.

Bucky’s BBQ

Greenville & Fountain Inn, SC
Bucky’s is a staple in the Greenville community, and its holiday menu does not disappoint. The holiday menu offers large pans of cornbread stuffing, green beans, mac and cheese, and sweet potato crunch. Their general menu has loads of meats and sides to purchase if you’re looking for additional items. You can find the holiday menu by clicking “order online” on their website, selecting the location, and then scrolling down. You can also call 864-329-0054 to order.

Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery

205 Cedar Lane, Greenville | 864.255.3385
The Swamp Rabbit Cafe sells local Heritage and White Broad Breasted turkeys and ham every year, as well as delectable pies and sides. They have vegan and gluten-free options for sides as well! They almost always sell out so if you want something, order it quickly. Turkeys are not cooked.

Chef360

Chef360 catering is offering meals for 6-8 people that include turkey, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, greens, cornbread, and pumpkin pie. Add-ons are available. There are two Thanksgiving Meal options, one for $169 and one for $219. There’s also a menu where you can order by person if you don’t need to feed 6-8 people – these are $55 per person.

Fork & Plough

1629 East North Street, Greenville | 864.609.4249
Fork & Plough offers a full Thanksgiving meal for pickup complete with smoked turkey breast, and all the sides you could want. Place your order online for pickup.

Hub City Farmacy

Hub City Farmacy will make you a meal to feed either 3-4 people ($88) or 12-15 people ($265). You can also order family-size sides and a whole turkey.

Good to Go GVL

209 W Antrim Drive, Greenville I 864.283.0347
You can order a smoked turkey breast, beef tenderloin, pork loin, desserts, and sides from Good to Go GVL. Everything is a la carte.

Henry’s Smokehouse

Greenville, SC | 864.232.7774
NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet.They traditionally offer smoked fried turkeys, smoked turkeys, spiral hams, and lots of sides. They’ll start taking orders on October 1st. Call for pricing and details.

White Wine and Butter

2299 East Gap Creek Road, Greer | 864.417.4106

NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet. If you are looking for hot food to pick up, then White Wine and Butter has you covered. They offer cajun fried turkey, turkey breast, and prime rib as their protein options, with signature sides like smoked gouda mac n cheese, cornbread dressing, crab stuffed mushrooms, and other sides.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

NOTE: 2025 Information is not available yet. You can order your entire Thanksgiving Feast from Firebirds, with roasted brown turkey, honey-glazed ham, sides, and desserts. The package feeds 6 and is $160.

Moe’s Original BBQ

Greenville, SC | 864.520.1740
The holiday menu at Moe’s Original BBQ offers traditional smoked turkey, spiral sliced ham, and various sides. Call to order.

Do you know of a restaurant offering Thanksgiving meals? Let us know in the comments!

Heading down to Columbia for the holiday? Don’t miss our list of restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner in Columbia!

Holiday Getaway!: Places to Stay With Holiday Magic This Season

✨Looking for cozy cabins for Christmas or the perfect family Christmas getaway near you? Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend escape or a longer holiday getaway, we’ve rounded up some of the best getaway holiday stays and cabin rentals for Christmas in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, and even Florida!

Try a vacation cabin rental for Christmas this year, enjoy twinkling lights, and all the Christmas trees. Snag a cup of hot cocoa, stroll through Christmas lights, or visit a holiday market. There’s still time left to plan a holiday getaway, and celebrate the best time of the year! We’ve done the research and included some favorite Christmas vacation ideas to help you get into the holiday spirit with your favorite people.

As a STAY 22 Affiliate, Kidding Around earns when you book through these links.

Stay on a Christmas Tree Farm!

It doesn’t get much more festive than vacationing on a Christmas Tree Farm! Check out these cabins on Christmas Tree Farms in North Carolina that are available for your holiday getaway!

Christmas Tree Farm Cabin, Maggie Valley

If you are looking for a peaceful kind of holiday escape, look at this cabin in the middle of a Christmas Tree farm in Waynesville, NC!!! With mountain views, Christmas Trees all around, and the gorgeous interior of the cabin we can’t think of a more beautiful spot to spend your holiday escape.

View of the front of a cabin with a Christmas tree in the foreground. Photo Credit: AirBnb — Christmas Tree Cabins, Photo Credit: VRBO

Christmas Tree Cabin

1 bed, 1 bath
Sleeps 4 guests
Handcrafted cabin in the middle of a Christmas Tree farm
View of trees, 80-year-old red barn and mountains
30 minutes to Asheville
Near Smoky Mountain National Park, Cataloochee skiing and elk watching

Book Christmas Tree Cabin on VRBO

Songbird Cabin on Cornett Deal Christmas Tree Farm

Secluded, with amazing views, this Songbird Cabin would be an amazing place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the season.

Songbird Cabin

2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Sleeps 4
Short Drive to Boone, NC and Blowing Rock, NC
Driving Distance of Appalachian Ski Mountain ski resort
Hiking trails on the property

Book Songbird Cabin on VRBO

Humbug Suite at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, SC

Get in the Christmas spirit with the whimsical Humbug Suite at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach this year. They decked out a suite from top to bottom with everything Grinch-related – sheets, fluffy green blankets, playing cards, lights, pillows, and even a leaning Christmas tree. Book the suite from November 29th – January 3rd. You can also also the Christmas Village at the resort every Saturday from November 29th through December 24th.

Grinch suite at Kingston Resort — The decked out Humbug Suite

Christmas Town USA: McAdenville, NC

Learn all about why you should have this quaint town on your holiday bucket list, with our review of Christmas Town USA.

Bellmont Cottage

Stay close to the magic of Christmas Town USA in this rental – just minutes away from McAdenville, NC, better known as Christmas Town USA!

Belmont, NC vrbo — Belmont Cottage, Photo Credit: VRBO

Immerse your family in the Christmas Spirit at this rental just a few minutes away from the picture of holiday cheer McAdenville, North Carolina.

Bellmont Cottage

Short drive to McAdenville
2 bed, 2 bath
Sleeps 5
Recently renovated with new mattresses, furnishings, and appliances
Also near Charlotte and US National Whitewater Center

Book Bellmont Cottage on VRBO

North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights

Row of arched lights with snowflakes hanging from the top — NC Arboretum Winter Holiday Lights Display

Log Cabin in Asheville, NC

The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights drive-thru show would be the icing on the cake during a holiday stay at this Asheville, North Carolina rental cabin.

Conveniently located in Asheville, the arboretum is just 2.7 miles away from this log cabin with a cozy wood-burning fireplace and jacuzzi!

Log Cabin

3 bed, 2 bath
Sleeps 8 guests
Less than 3 miles from the NC Arboretum
Jacuzzi
Wood-burning fireplace

Book Log Cabin on VRBO

Christmas Tree Cabin in Asheville, NC

We love that the owners named this cabin “Christmas Tree Cabin” and we love the views even more. This cabin is surrounded by mountain views and lots and lots of “Christmas” trees! Families will also love the game room with ping-pong and air hockey.

Christmas Tree Cabin

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Sleeps 6
Game room
Amazing Views

Book Christmas Tree Cabin on VRBO

Dollywood Holiday Magic

Take It Easy Cabin Rental Near Dollywood

If celebrating the holidays with a national treasure is more your style – this rental near Dollywood has everything you need to relax after spending the day at the park, including a hot tub!

A large porch swing and a hot tub on a covered porch of a wooden cabin. Photo Credit: AirBnb — Take It Easy, Photo Credit: VRBO

Take It Easy

1 bed, 1 bath
Sleep 4 guests
Hot tub
Covered, screened deck with swing
Located between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.

Book Take It Easy on VRBO

Curious about what Dollywood offers guests in the way of holiday magic and winter activities? You can read all about what the popular park whips up for guests with Kristina’s review of Dollywood at Christmas.

Christmas Time in Dunwoody, GA

We were recently invited to experience Christmas time in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody and it’s become a favorite destination. You can enjoy shopping, dining, parks, and more here!

Cozy Cottage Home near Dunwoody

Coupled with a cozy cottage to relax and enjoy, Dunwoody makes an excellent vacation stay!

Dunwoody Cottage VRBO Photo Credit — Charming Cottage, Photo Credit: VRBO

Charming Cottage

2 bed, 2 bath
Sleeps 4
Located within walking distance of Perimeter Mall
Allows children of all ages and 1 dog with a fee

Book Charming Cottage on VRBO

Holiday Magic at Disney

There’s only one other mythical being more magical during the holidays than Saint Nick, and that’s Mickey Mouse!

Wyndham Bonnet Creek VRBO rentals

If you have your sights set on spending the holidays within the Magic Kingdom, there are amazing Disney area rentals that get you there for less, like this VRBO rental on Disney property!

You can have an entire condo that sleeps eight guests to yourselves, within the Magic Kingdom property, and spend less per night than a WDW resort room.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek

2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Sleeps 8
Located on Disney Property at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
Private balcony
On-site restaurant
Full kitchen
Transportation to and from Disney parks

Book Wyndham Bonnet Creek on VRBO

A Legoland Christmas

You can spend Christmas at Legoland in Winterhaven, Florida like my family and I did recently.

A collage of two photos; one with a child next to a large LEGO Santa, the other of a LEGO countdown to Christmas.

At about an hour from Orlando, you should stay local to the park if your focus is on the LEGO experience.

This rental house near Legoland is convenient for fun and it also offers guests the use of a lake and Kayaks!

A sectional in a modern living space. Photo Credit: AirBnb — Lakefront Tranquility, Photo Credit: VRBO

Lakefront Tranquility

2 bed, 2 bath
Sleeps 4 guests
Lakefront with dock
Kayaks available
Near Legoland

Book Lakefront Tranquility on VRBO

If you’ve been searching for “family Christmas getaways near me” we hope this article gave you some family-friendly, festive ideas.

Looking for more vacation ideas where you can cozy up with some hot chocolate and enjoy a winter-wonderland? Here are 6 winter vacation rentals with features like hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms, and fabulous views.

Spend the holidays on a lovely getaway with family and lots of love!

A Day in Brevard, North Carolina: Things to Do, Places to Eat, and Outdoor Adventures

Just a 50-mile drive from Greenville is the little town of Brevard, North Carolina. With unique little shops, great restaurant options, and a scenic drive, this destination just might find itself penciled onto your day trip adventure list. Spend the day in Brevard exploring this mountain town with small-town vibes, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of Brevard’s most prized residences, a white squirrel!

Spend the day in Brevard, North Carolina.

Fall foliage is not the only incentive to make the trek from the Upstate to Brevard. The beauty of the mountains envelops you long before you reach the actual town. The scenic drive up Highway 25 is dotted with produce stands, complete with pumpkins, and antique shops. Highway 64 through Hendersonville will carry you straight into downtown Brevard, NC. Though a bit longer, this route is preferable to Highway 276 for me. I am not a fan of corkscrew-shaped roads.

Kidding Around WNC: things to do in Western North Carolina towns

If you’re planning a trip to WNC, use our handy guide to find things to do, places to visit, and where to eat on your WNC adventure!

Shopping on Main Street in Brevard

Once in Breva rd, North Carolina, there’s no shortage of things to do. Main Street is lined with eccentric shops and unique eateries. There are no parking garages, but it’s rarely an issue. You are allowed to park in the lots of just about every public building and business. You cannot imagine how convenient that is until you are looking for a place to put your car.

If you are in need of some new outdoor gear but want a more local experience, then DD. Bullwinkle’s Outdoors will help you find what you need. They have backpacks, shoes, clothes, and survival gear to help you brace for your next adventure, Pisgah National Forest!

This mini-Gatlinburg is a haven for anyone who loves collectibles, trinkets, and other items that cannot be found at your local mall. Brevard is home to the original O.P. Taylo r’s store. Your kiddos will love the two-tier toy wonderland.

I can’t write an article about Brevard without mentioning the absolute coolest store on the block. It’s called The Children’s Center. TCC is a not-for-profit clothing store that supports children in Transylvania County who are at risk of being abused and/or neglected. This store is THE place to shop for the little members of your family. It is a special home for name-brand clothes and handmade gifts for less.

Where to Eat in Brevard

Whether eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’re certain to find something in Brevard, North Carolina to please the pickiest palate (bet you can’t say that five times fast). Our crew likes to eat a big breakfast before leaving on a day trip, so we usually snack for lunch and enjoy an early dinner. This brings me to my next recommendation.

Have you heard of The Square Root restaurant? I immediately fell in love with this back alley surprise. In addition to the atmosphere, they have one of the most realistic children’s menus I’ve seen. Your kiddos can enjoy their PB&J or corn dog while the adults at the table savor a more upscale entrée. My personal favorite was the juicy cheeseburger with a pickle and a side of fries. Don’t forget to walk across the alley to Downtown Chocolates for dessert!

Maybe you need a pick me up after all that walking. Then, head to Cup and Saucer for a nice espresso and a sweet treat. They sell fresh baked goods, but also specialty coffee, beer, and wine.

You will also find one of the several breweries in Brevard, so there is no shortage of beer if you are looking for it. Ecusta Brewing Company is pretty well known in the area, and they are pretty close to Pisgah Forest, making it a nice stop after a day outdoors. Brevard Brewing Company is just down the street from O.P. Taylor’s if you’re looking for something within walking distance of the downtown area.

Intersection of Main Street and Broad Street in Brevard, North Carolina

Outdoor Things to Do in Brevard, NC

In addition to all the food and merchandise, Brevard has historical sites you do not want to miss and practically sits in the backyard of Gorges State Park. The park offers weekly activities as well as monthly special events. You can visit their website for a full listing of family-friendly fun.

You can also travel a quick drive out of town to Looking Glass Falls, one of the most accessible waterfalls near Greenville. There are several waterfalls near Brevard (the Land of Waterfalls is close by in Cashiers), so you won’t have to travel far for an epic adventure after your day Downtown.

One of our favorite adventures in Brevard is riding lazily down the river with Brevard Tubing. You get to ride in a hot pink tube down the Broad River, while being lazy and enjoying the beautiful scenery, sounds like a plan!

Tubing on the French Broad River — Look at how relaxing this is

If you want to continue your outdoor adventure, we highly recommend the natural waterslide, Sliding Rock. Here, you can slide down a natural rock formation and plunge into the chilly mountain water below. We promise, your kids will want to do it over and over again, and you will too.

One of the best outdoor places in Brevard is at Dupont State Recreational Forest. Here you can hike, mountain bike, and even swim. There are multiple waterfalls, and did you know that they even filmed portions of the Hunger Games at Triple Falls?

If you are heading to Brevard in October, be sure to check out Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont Park! Held annually by The Friends of Silvermont, the weekend festival offers a great adventure for little kids to enjoy the Halloween season while hunting for white squirrels through a paved trailed lit up by carved pumpkins. There is also live music, food trucks, and money raised goes to help restore the Silvermont mansion and park.

Grab your binoculars and go on a sight hunt of Brevard’s most prized locals, white squirrels. There is a large population of white squirrels in Brevard, and you will see everything from stores named after them, to souvenirs. Hopefully, you’ll catch a glimpse, because they are super cute! There are larger populations in Silvermont, around Brevard College, and Franklin Park, so pack a picnic.

Now that I have piqued your interest, it’s time for you and your family to plan your next road trip.

Enjoy Some Haunted Fun On The Greer Ghost Tour In Greer, SC

Have you ever wondered about the colorful and perhaps haunted history of the South Carolina town of Greer, SC? Ever heard of the Greer ghost tour? This fall, the chance to familiarize yourself with the spirits of the city is here. So read on, and put the Greer Station Ghost tours on your calendar.

Be sure to grab your tickets because they usually sell out fast! Tickets are on sale now. Tours happening October 10th through October 31st, 2025.

Halloween Guide, trick or treat in Greenville, SC

You’ll find more spooky fun, plus great Halloween family fun, trick-or-treat, and Halloween activities here on the Upstate’s BEST Halloween Guide.

Greer Ghost Tours: Ruffians and Scoundrels

Go on a mysterious journey into Greer Station’s rather rough and tumble past full of Ruffians and Scoundrels. You will learn about Downtown Greer’s history through masterfully told stories of past residents, some of who are rumored to still hang around. We won’t give away those stories here, but both history buffs and those really into ghost lore will love these stories.

Your tour begins at the historic train depot, and your guide will take you on a walking tour of downtown to visit the locations that some former residents are said to like to frequent.

The tour ends with a visit to the Greer Heritage Museum, which is on the national register of historic places. When the tour ends, take some time to see all the things on display from Greer’s history. There’s also a short film you can sit and watch in Greer Heritage Museum’s new Greer Theater exhibit.

Ruffians & Scoundrels Tour and Kids

The Ruffians & Scoundrels tour is not exceptionally spooky, creepy or gory. It’s a ghost tour. But it’s also a lot of interesting historical tidbits told through fun story-telling. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring kids on this tour, especially preteens and teens. We didn’t bring our kids, but they would have enjoyed it!

Trade Street Tour Dates: “Ruffians & Scoundrels”

Location: Greer Heritage Museum, 106 South Main Street, Greer, SC
Duration: ~45–60 minutes
Ticket Prices: $12 for adults; $6 for children (ages 5–15); free for children under 5

Dates & Times (EDT):

Friday, October 10 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 11 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Friday, October 17 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 18 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Friday, October 24 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 25 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM
Friday, October 31 – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM

Greer Ghost Tour: Murder & Mayhem Cemetery Tour

The Greer Ghost Tours have been telling ghost stories around the town for quite a few years. The Murder & Mayhem tour is the newest tour full of stories about the questionable background of some of the town’s early residents – residents who still may live there in one form or another.

The Murder & Mayhem tour starts right in the Greer City Cemetery. Way to entice the crowd, right? There were about 60 people on our tour but plenty of space to see our guide, decked out in a top hat holding a walking stick and lantern.

After receiving instructions on proper cemetery etiquette, we started to learn about all the creepy and unexplainable events that happened right where we were standing, starting in the late 1800s. Because this tour focused on both murder and mayhem, we learned of how bootleggers shot the town’s police chief, leaving his young widow and children alone. We learned about a love triangle that ended badly and how the woman’s ghost has been seen by people today (right behind the playground at Greer City Park, I may add).

I can’t give away all the details though – you’ll have to go on the tour for those!

Walking Around Greer

The tour continued through the cemetery and then we walked around the backend of Trade Street to learn more creepy stories of a builder from Greenville who wanted to purchase a woman’s house and land. I can tell you it didn’t end well. We traveled over to the site of the Truist bank today, which once sat the town’s biggest hotel, which was run by a crook of a man – that story also doesn’t end well as you may have guessed by now.

The tour ended at the super cool Greer Heritage Museum with a big coffin-like contraption in the middle of the museum that our guide explained was a very old body bag. I don’t get creeped out easily, but that did it for me.

Murder & Mayhem and Kids

The tour sells tickets for kids as young as 5 years old and I took my 8-year-old and 11-year-old on this one. They can be sensitive kids and weren’t terribly scared during the tour but some of the stories sparked some fear later on when we got home. The tour is family-friendly in the sense that it’s PG-rated but the ghostly concepts may scare some kids – this very much depends on the personality of your children.

Graveyard Tour Dates: “Murder & Mayhem”

Location: Greer City Cemetery, Greer, SC
Duration: ~45–60 minutes
Ticket Prices: $16 for adults; $8 for children (ages 5–15); free for children under 5

Dates & Times (EDT):

Friday, October 10 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Saturday, October 11 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Friday, October 17 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Saturday, October 18 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Friday, October 24 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Saturday, October 25 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Friday, October 31 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Tips & Getting Tickets

The tours are about 45 minutes to an hour long and you have time to explore the Greer Heritage Museum afterwards, which we’d certainly suggest as it’s pretty cool.

Go to the restroom before you start the tour as there are no restrooms until you get to the Greer Heritage Museum at the end of the tour.
Ghost tours are a great date night! Grab a meal or a drink at Cartwright Food Hall before your tour.
The tour is accessible for anyone and involves about four blocks of walking total, maybe a bit more depending on where you parked your car.

Tickets are $7 per child ages 5 to 15, and $13 for adults for the Ruffians & Scoundrels tour and $9/child and $17/adult for the Murder & Mayhem tour. Kids 4 and under are free. Tickets will be collected at the start of the tour, either by presenting a printed ticket or a digital ticket from your phone. Children four and under are free, but please keep in mind the length of the tour and that smaller kids may not be able to hold their attention for that long.

Be sure to grab your tickets because they usually sell out fast. Tours are happening October 10th through October 31st, 2025.

Don’t Skip the Amazing Greer Heritage Museum!

Whether you explore the museum after your tour or visit Greer Heritage Museum on a different day, be sure this place is on your list. It’s filled to the brim with historic treasures from Greer’s past. There are so many stories under this roof!

Greer Heritage Museum
106 South Main Street, Greer | 864.877.3377

Find more ghosts

Enjoy FREE Live Music at Spartanburg Library’s Music Sandwiched In

Do you wish there were an affordable way to expose your preschool children to all different types of live music without risking having to listen from the lobby? Let us tell you about Spartanburg Library’s Music Sandwiched In free music series. Whether you work downtown and would like some live music to re-energize you for the second half of the day, or you are looking for a fun lunchtime experience to enjoy with your little ones, we have the details here.

Music Sandwiched In free music program at Spartanburg Library

What is Music Sandwiched In?

Did you know that for over 25 years, The Spartanburg Philharmonic and The Spartanburg Library have been providing the opportunity to enjoy lunch to live music free of charge? The series called “Music Sandwiched In” got its start in 1997 when the current headquarters library location was dedicated.

Every other Wednesday from 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm, people of all ages find themselves enjoying all types of music, from German Oompah band music to an electric cello and violin duet.

If you don’t have time to pack a lunch, don’t worry. Lunch is available for purchase when you get there. Or you could treat yourself to a yummy dessert to go with your bag lunch.

My son and I stumbled onto this one afternoon as we were leaving the children’s library. As we were exiting the library, I could hear singing and laughing coming from the Barrett room. My interest was piqued, and as I poked my head into the room, I heard a familiar tune. Selections from The Chapman Cultural Center’s production of “The Music Man” were being performed. I was thrilled, for several reasons, but mostly because now my son could see what characters were being spoofed on his favorite cartoon. He loved it and so did I.

I’m so excited to share this experience now with my young daughter. Being two, she has a mind of her own, and ticketed events are still a risk for us. With “Music Sandwiched In”, we can go stress-free, without worrying that I will have to walk away from a ticketed seat if she gets cranky.

Take your kids to Music Sandwiched In

Spartanburg Headquarters Library
151 S. Church Street, Spartanburg

A complete list of the upcoming performances can be found at the Music Sandwiched In website.

Looking for more free things to do in Spartanburg, SC? Here’s your ultimate guide to free or cheap things to do.

10+ Things to Do While Exploring York County, South Carolina

Are you looking for things to do in York, SC? We recently spent a few days exploring all that York County, South Carolina has to offer visitors and we found a lot! There’s something there no matter what your family enjoys doing. We discovered orchards, outdoor activities, and delicious food that we know you will enjoy. So, let us help you get ready for your next day trip to York, South Carolina!

Guide to visiting York County, South Carolina

We were the guests of VisitYorkCounty.com for the purpose of this guide to York County, SC. However, the words and opinions of our team member are honest and genuine.

One of the things I love about living in the Upstate is that I feel like there’s an infinite supply of things to explore not far from home. York County, South Carolina has proven to be a wealth of adventure opportunities, and I feel like we barely scratched the surface. During our two day visit, we found fun on a farm, a park full of butterflies, delicious food, and more! I’m so glad that all of this is just about 90 minutes from home, so I can go back whenever I want. Oh, and do I want to!

Since it’s so close, I’m going to list the things to see, do, and eat grouped so you can decide if you want to make a day or a weekend of a trip there! Hop in the car and head east to find adventure. The kids can keep busy in the car with these cute coloring sheets from places around York County.

Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.

Things to Do in York, SC: Outdoor Adventures!

Draper Wildlife Area

1080 Draper Road, McConnells | 864.427.5140

The Draper Wildlife Area is most popular with the general public for its summer sunflower display during the month of July. Our trip to see the spectacle of acres of sunflowers was our introduction to York County this summer! You can read all about our visit to the huge field of sunflowers.

The Draper Wildlife Area also offers fishing from stocked lakes, and a special area for kids to fish from. Sign-up for the SCDR emails to be notified of fishing clinics hosted on the property for children.

Draper sunflower fields in York, South Carolina

Anne Springs Close Greenway

2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill | 803.547.4575

This is probably one of the most beautiful things to do in York, SC, because the Greenway is nearly three times the size of New York City’s Central Park! The Springs milling family donated and maintains this land. A portion of which was purchased generations ago from the Catawba Indians. There is so much to see and do there! You can even go horseback riding here! You can learn all about our day at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, and how you can make a day of exploring this beautiful park.

Walking trail and butterfly found on the Anne Springs Greenway in York, South Carolina

SouthTown Wake Park

255 East Rambo Road, Rock Hill | 803.324.3020

If you are a thrill seeker looking for a new adventure to be had on the water, this is the place you’ll find it! Southtown Wake Park offers several different water sports for visitors to try out. First-timers can practice on the smaller lake before heading to the larger course. If wakeboarding isn’t for you, there’s also a floating obstacle course, kayaking & paddleboarding available. If you really want to try wakeboarding, but you’re intimidated, try kneeboarding first. It’s the same kind of excitement as wakeboarding, with less to have to control.

Kings Mountain State Park

1277 Park Road, Blacksburg | 864.936.7921

Have you ever noticed that large mountain to the right of I85 as you’re traveling to Charlotte?

If you’ve never heard of Kings Mountain State Park and you want to learn more, we’ve got all the details on why this park is a history-lovers paradise that also has lakes, hiking trails, and equestrian trails. Read Kristina’s review of her trip to the historical site of Kings Mountain.

Walking to the monument at Kings Mountain

Farms & Orchards: Fun Things to Do in York, SC

South Carolina Agritourism Passport

448 Different South Carolina Agritourism Farm Locations

We discovered a fun activity while visiting York County. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture offers this free passport program to encourage people to explore their local food suppliers. With over 448 different locations throughout the state, it won’t be hard to collect enough to earn the prizes offered!

You can get four stamps just by visiting the locations included in this article! There are a bunch in the Greenville area too! Just ask for your passport at the first place you visit on the list of participating SC Agritourism locations.

Black’s Peaches

1800 Black Highway, York | 803.684.2333

Most people think that Georgia is the peach capital of the South. Well, they’re wrong, it’s actually South Carolina. We produce more peaches here than our neighbors to the west. Black’s Peaches is where it all started, nearly 100 years ago in 1923.

While you’re visiting the oldest peach farm in the state, have a seat, and enjoy lunch. If you enjoy a big juicy cheeseburger, this is the spot! It’s not often I make note of how fresh a burger tastes, and while I don’t know how to explain what that tastes like – I found it here. You can get Pimento cheese sandwiches, tomato sandwiches, fries, and more.

After you’ve eaten – don’t forget to grab some fresh produce!

Bush-N-Vine

1650 Filbert Highway, York | 803.684.2732

Here in South Carolina, the strawberry season usually only lasts a few weeks. Here at Bush-N-Vine, they use greenhouses and other farming tricks to offer fresh strawberries most of the year! In addition to the berries, they offer other seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you visit Bush-N-Vine you have to try the fresh fruit slushies they make. We had blackberry and it was just perfect on a hot summer day.

Watch their social media account for when the PYO sunflower field is ready in the fall.

Bush N Vine orchard in York, South Carolina

Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill

1860 Black Highway, York | 803.684.0690

If you like all things apple and apple cider, then this is the place you need to put on your end-of-summer bucket list. Windy Hill offers the standard orchard offerings of PYO apples, cider slushies, cider donuts, and apple cider; they make their own Hard Apple Cider. Folks, it doesn’t get fresher than that. You can sit among the apple trees sipping from a flight of Windy Hill’s Hard cider offerings while listening to live music on the weekends.

Delicious Restaurants to Enjoy in York, SC

Las Americas Supermarket

1906 Cherry Road, Rock Hill | 803.980.8151

Las Americas Supermarket not only has super awesome authentic tacos, they almost give them away weekly in celebration of Taco Tuesday. They are fifty cents apiece.

You heard me.

5 dimes, 2 quarters, or 10 nickels will buy you a warm scoop of meat wrapped in two corn tortillas and topped with cilantro and onion. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. But if you plan on partaking in the Taco Tuesday offer, you need to plan (and order) ahead. As I’m sure you can imagine the locals in Rock Hill order these up by the tray full, and once they’re all booked up, no hay más (there’s no more).

While you’re waiting on those delicious tacos, check out the murals wrapped around the side and rear of the building. There are Mexican legends adorning the wall, larger than life.

Mural at Las Americas in York, South Carolina

Spice Asian Kitchen

251 Textile Way, Fort Mill | 803.548.6868

Located in the Kingsley Town Center, Spice Asian Kitchen offers fusion cuisine convenient to the hotel on the same property where we stayed. We ordered up a feast of taking out and brought it back to the Courtyard by Marriott. The portions were huge; my kids split the Spicy Chicken Fried Rice and still only ate half.

We also ordered Chicken Pad Thai, Szechuan Dumplings, and the Roti Canai. Luckily the hotel has a mini-fridge, and we enjoyed our takeout again the next night for dinner!

Dishes from Spice Asian in York, South Carolina

Courtyard By Marriott – Kingsley

1385 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill | 855.516.1090

Marriott offers some of the most family-friendly brands in hotels. That’s what makes it one of our family’s favorites. Whether you travel a lot as we do, or just once in a while, become a Marriott Bonvoy member. It gives you contactless check-in; you can use your phone as the door key, late check-in, and other member benefits. Plus, it’s free!

I especially appreciated the nesting tables in the room that we could pull out and use as a dining table for our meals. Breakfast is served along with Starbucks coffee downstairs every morning, or you can enjoy breakfast at one of the restaurants right outside of the hotel.

Courtyard Marriot in York, South Carolina

More Things to Do in York, SC

Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour is located on a 100-acre island in the middle of the Catawba River.
Enjoy some drinks on the YoCo Brew Trail. Visiting 6 of the 8 locations on the trail will earn you a souvenir shirt.
Floating down the Catawba River takes a bit of planning and two cars, but it’s a great adventure for two families to do on a weekend trip to York County!
Historic Brattonsville is an 800-acre living history site. If you’ve seen the movie “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson, then you’ve seen Historic Brattonsville!
Papa Doc’s Shore Club is located on Lake Wylie, and we hear they have some incredible milkshakes!
Head to Tatanka Bison Ranch, where you can tour the farm and see the American Bison up close and personal!

A photo from our visit to Historic Brattonsville

So, it’s time to start planning your next day trip to York, SC! What do you have planned?

Get out and enjoy the day with these Fabulous Day Trips Near Greenville, SC.

10 Great Ideas for Next Time Dad Has the Kids in Greenville, SC

Planning some mom time and in need of kid-friendly things to do with Dads in Greenville, SC? We’re here to help with some Kidding Around and reader-tested ideas. Here’s a list of some of our favorite places in Greenville that would be perfect for Dad to enjoy with the kids. We have lots of free ideas and some low-cost options, too!

Fun things to do with dads near Greenville, South Carolina

First off, let me say I think barring spa days or makeovers (and even then maybe so for the more open-minded guys), dads pretty much can interact with their kids the same as moms. However, there are certain activities and venues that may appeal more to male parents than mommies.

So after brainstorming with my husband, here are a few suggestions we thought of. Some are free except for optional refreshment purchases and while others do cost a little, they’re something well worth the fee. Many are indoors so no worries about the weather turning bad! Hopefully, you’ll be able to check them out soon for a little paternal bonding. Plus, he’ll love that he is getting to do something he enjoys that the kids will enjoy as well.

Playing putt-putt golf for free at McPherson Park in Greenville, SC — McPherson Park Free Mini Golf

Fun Things to Do With Dads in Greenville, SC

Miniature Golf

The course at McPherson Park is free but you need your own clubs. You will also find a mini golf course at the Greenville Downtown Airport at Takeoff Mini Golf. The golf course there is pretty cool because you can watch planes take off while you play.

Bass Pro Shop

There’s the fish tank, tons of displays, video games, archery, etc. Bass Pro Shop also has a little cafe inside and gives out samples of their homemade fudge as well as occasional other items such as nuts or jerky. Dads love the wide variety of outdoor merchandise; kids love having such a cool place to go with dad!

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate

The main floor at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate seems almost specifically designed for dads! There are car racing exhibit and a wind tunnel, just to name a few. There’s the body exhibit where dads can test their strength and chase kiddos down the digestion slide. Then the dads can chill while watching them go up and down the giant climber!

The third floor features the awesome trash monster, as well as a construction zone and mini golf course. You will also find a giant chess board beside the STEM room.

Then the bottom level features crafts, a water works splash system, the cafe, the marsh music making room, and a really neat sensory area. Plus, you can head outside from here to let the kids play on Bib’s World playground while Dad relaxes.

Dave & Buster’s

Dave & Buster’s has a lot going on, including a bar and grill with TVs showing all the sports games, plus an arcade full of video games. They regularly have special pricing offers, and there’s a rewards program with a free birthday gift, appetizer specials, and various other deals.

Pittman Park

Pittman Park has a nice playground, walking trail, and soccer fields, which are also suitable for kite flying. Plus this park is centrally located between Woodruff Road and Pelham Road, as well as being near I-385 and I-85. It’s one of our favorite spots to get out our wiggles!

RELATED: See our list of the 5 Playgrounds in Greenville that Your Kids Will Beg You Not to Leave

The Mall

Do some shopping at all the cool store’s mom passes by or just chill at the play area then hit the food court. The Haywood Mall is always a nice fall-back for rainy or cold days when having somewhere to roam is essential.

Car Shows/Air Shows

Cars & Coffee has free monthly car shows but there are various other shows throughout the year. In addition to various special events, the Greenville Downtown Airport has special planes flying in all the time. You can catch a few most days while playing at the Runway Park or grabbing a burger (beer optional) at the Runway Cafe.

RELATED: Scavenger Hunt for Runway Park

Cars and Coffee event in Greenville, South Carolina — Cars & Coffee

The Swamp Rabbit Trail

Bike, hike, jog, even geocache, whatever your heart desires but then take a pit stop at Swamp Rabbit Cafe or Sidewall Pizza, or any of the many other spots along this fabulous trail. Dad, you can find a plethora of things to do on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in our guide to the entire trail.

Chick fil-A

Chick-fil-A hosts various family events. Find the location nearest you and look up their happenings. Daddy has found them to be one of his favorite spots to pass the time when he’s on his own with the kiddos and they’re usually free as well as weatherproof.

Travelers Rest

Downtown TR is a great place for Dad and the kids to stay busy. Visit the driving range in Downtown TR so Dad can teach the kids how to hit golf balls. Then head to TReehouse Art Cafe for coffee or lunch plus an art project for the kids.

BONUS!

Bowling

While this may be a bit tough with toddlers, the bowling alley is a fun spot to hang with dear old dad. Remember to request bumpers for your lane if you have some very young or just inexperienced bowlers.

Frankie’s Fun Park

Though you can easily spend a lot of money in the arcade at Frankie’s, one of my husband’s go-to “daughter date night” ideas is to head to Frankie’s with our four-year-old to ride the go-karts. They can usually get in a go-kart ride, and then play some arcade games, for less than $25.

Paris Mountain State Park

With a low entrance fee and several activities that are great for all ages, Paris Mountain State Park is such a great thing for dads to do with their kids. They can swim, kayak, paddleboat, hike, and there is even a playground! Plus, in September and October, there is Music in the Woods at the Amphitheatre where Dad can enjoy some bluegrass while watching the kids dance around.

Main Event

This one-stop shop for entertainment is a great idea if Dad is stuck on what to do. Main Event has bowling, laser tag, an arcade, VR games, a restaurant, billiards, and more! This would make a great time for dads who have a night out with the kids!

Also, be sure to check our Greenville Calendar for even more ideas!

Do you have an outing for Dad to add to our list?

This article was originally written by Lindy Wilson and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

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