It’s ‘fall break’ in Greenville, SC, and we know just what you can do to have fun! Several organizations in the Upstate offer camps, events, farm festivals, and drop-in childcare during these student breaks- all the things Greenville parents need for these days the kids are off from school.
The 2025 Greenville County School calendar does not have an official Fall Break listed for 2025. However, there is a Teacher Professional Development Day Monday, October 13th, 2025 when Greenville County School District students will have off from school. You can find more information on the 2025/2026 GCS Student Calendar.
Emerald Hollow Mine near Statesville, NC is the real deal when it comes to gem mining – you get tools, buckets, and all the things you need to search for gems in the creek and dirt. And it’s really fun!
Thanks to Visit Statesville for setting up our experience at Emerald Hollow Mine.
I’ve been gem mining before and it’s fun but I had never gone real gem mining, like digging in creeks and dirt to search for precious stones until I went to Emerald Hollow Mine near Statesville, NC, just a little over a two-hour drive from the Upstate.
This place is incredibly unique. It’s the only emerald mine in the world where the public can prospect for gems. In fact, it was also here at Emerald Hollow Mine in 1998 that the largest emerald in North America was found, named the Carolina Queen. Its estimated worth is about half a million dollars. The area where the mine is located has been dubbed the “most complex geological zone in the world” by famous geologists Kunz and William Hidden.
I’ll tell you all about the neat things you can do at this mine plus give you some tips on how to enjoy it with your family.
Creekin’ at Emerald Hollow Mine
This was my favorite thing we did at the mine and one I’d love to go back and do again. There is a small creek that runs through the property and guests are allowed to get in it and dig for gems. You don’t need to dig deep and the tools – a sluice box and nylon trowel – are provided for you.
You basically just get your tools and walk down to the creek. It’s only a couple minutes by foot and there are picnic tables set up along the creek that you can use for your shoes and towels or lunch and water. There’s a video you watch before you go down to the creek that suggests to look around the little waterfalls or where the creek turns to search for the gems.
My two daughters and I found a nice spot, got in the water and started digging up some of the sandy bed with our trowels and putting it into the sluice box. We didn’t find anything for a while so moved to another spot. On our way, we asked another guest if he had found anything and he had! He showed us a small emerald and amethyst plus some other pretty gems that I forgot the names of.
Ok, so there’s hope for us, I thought. We picked another spot and got to work. After a few minutes, I saw a speck of green and found an emerald. I was so excited! We ended up finding a couple of topaz stones also before heading up to the sluice to do our buckets of gems.
We spent probably an hour in the creek but you can easily spend all day there, especially on a hot summer day. You have to get in the shallow water and many people there were way more prepared than we were (I’ll tell you in a bit what you should bring – none of which we brought).
Diggin’ at Emerald Hollow Mine
There are also spots at the mine where you take a shovel and bucket and just go digging in the dirt. We were seriously not dressed for this occasion but tried it anyway. You have to walk about a quarter of a mile into the woods and from there, it’s very easy to spot where to dig.
There are big holes and troughs everywhere, which is kind of fun to see. My girls and I hike a lot but of course, never see this kind of stuff on the trails. We dropped down into some of the holes and started throwing dirt into our bucket. As we had to carry it back to the sluice to see what we found, we only filled it halfway since it was really heavy.
We saw much better-prepared guests with wagons hauling their tools and buckets out of the woods. I made a mental note of this for next time.
Sluicing at Emerald Hollow Mine
Sluicing is what you probably think of when you think of gem mining. This is having a big bucket next to you as you sit on a bench and put the dirt into a box with a metal bottom with small holes while water runs over it. You find the gems, wash them off, and see what pretty things you’ve found.
You can totally do this at Emerald Hollow Mine. We had three five-gallon buckets, which was a huge amount for us. We ended up just getting through two of them since it can take awhile, especially with kids who scoop slowly.
The gems you find don’t necessarily come from the mine’s property but the dirt does so you may find some native stones.
Lapidary at Emerald Hollow Mine
Admittedly, I didn’t know what a lapidary was when I went to the mine. I had wondered previously if it was possible to find someone to make jewelry out of the gems you find when you go gem mining but I did not know that kind of work is called a lapidary.
Well, Emerald Hollow Mine has the only lapidary within a five-state radius and it’s seriously cool. Their services are in such high demand that they are currently running about eight months out for orders. But all the gems you bring them to use for jewelry is what they use. They don’t order anything from anywhere else.
We met a couple there who had several pieces made by this lapidary and they were currently picking up many more pieces that day. One ring the woman had was made there and it was beautiful!
They can also mail you the pieces when they are finished so you don’t have to go back and pick them up. Prices start around $45 and go up from there.
Tips on Enjoying Your Time at Emerald Hollow Mine
There are several things you can do or bring to make your time even more fun than it will already be at the mine.
I spoke with the employees at the mine plus, considering my own experience, and these are the things I suggest you bring with you if you are going to be digging in the dirt or the creek:
Recommended to bring:
Wagon, cart, or small dolly (to haul buckets out of dig sites)
Plastic garden tools, plastic trowels (metal is not allowed in the creek)
Waders or water shoes / hiking boots (creek bottoms can be uneven)
Towels, change of clothes (you’ll get dirty or wet)
Bug spray and sunscreen
Lunch, snacks, water (food/drink options on site are limited)
Waterproof pad or seat cushion (for sitting at sluices)
Containers or zip‑bags to store your finds
Trash bag (help keep the site clean)
Also useful to know:
Well-behaved pets on leashes are allowed anywhere on the property (outside mining areas).
If the weather looks iffy (especially storms), calls or checking ahead are smart — for safety, they may temporarily close during electrical storms.
You might find it helpful to bring your own hand‑lens, gem identification guide, gloves, or brushes.
Arrive early in the day for better choices of spots and more daylight.
There are minimal snacks and drinks at the mine so it’s best to bring your own.
An employee recommended a nearby restaurant, Yellow Deli, which is open most of the year and very tasty.
Admission at the Emerald Hollow Mine
The mine is an active mine site, which means everyone must have a permit to enter, whether or not you are participating in digging. Permits cost $30/adult and $10/kids (ages 4-11). That includes as much time as you want and all the tools. You can also come and go as you please during the day.
For the sluice, you choose which enriched bucket you’d like and that determines the cost. They range from $7 up to $1,000.
Emerald Hollow Mine is open daily 8 am – 6 pm but call them if you want to come after 4 pm as their hours may change. They are only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Are you looking for the best outdoor festival in Greenville? Fall for Greenville is an annual tradition and a celebration of our city that you don’t want to miss! Local mom Kristina gives us the details you need to plan a visit to this year’s annual Fall For Greenville!
Greenville has focused a significant amount of time and energy on making the small city a paradise for people who love to eat good food. And who doesn’t love good food?
Fall for Greenville is not only one of the region’s hottest food festivals but also one of the nation’s best fall festivals, according to Country Living. Cheers to that!
Fall for Greenville is so remarkable because it’s a fantastic opportunity to try out several of the area’s best restaurants without completely emptying your wallet. Have you heard that the shrimp and grits are to die for at Soby’s? Then give it a try with a small plate. Or, try a small plate of brisket nachos from Universal Joint.
Over 40 restaurants are participating this year, including places like Otto, Larkins, and Soby’s.
Adult beverages are also widely represented in the Beer Garden and the Wine Garden, which traditionally features 24 different breweries and dozens of craft beers. So enjoy some good tunes along with the brews. Beers will be available along with many other options to quench the thirst of festival-goers.
Cooking Demos & Competitions at Fall for Greenville
Fall for Greenville traditionally hosts several area chefs for cooking demonstrations to dish out their secrets in the kitchen.
If you have a reality TV show food cooking addiction, be sure to check out the competitions at Fall for Greenville. Professional chefs and food critics will pick the best entrée from participating restaurants in the U.S. Foods Silver Spoon competition. In the U.S. Foods Sugary Spoon competition, judges will choose the best dessert menu item.
The Fall for Greenville Kids Area
The Fall for Greenville Kids’ Area is open the same hours as the festival and features rides like a fun slide, swings, a wacky slide, and toddler town. Tickets are required for all the rides for the kids and range from 1 – 5 tickets. Tickets cost $1 per ticket and are located at East Broad Street.
Next to the kids’ area will be the Baby Care Station, a private changing room, and rocking chairs.
Tickets Are For Food, Beverage, and Rides at Fall for Greenville
New for 2025 is that the festival is ticketless. You need to buy cards and put tickets on there for everything. Purchase them online ahead of time to save time and get an extra $5 in tickets for every $50 you spend.
Here’s a list of how many tickets you usually need for certain things (subject to change):
Beer: 5 Tickets
Carolina Ale House Beer Garden: 6 Tickets
Wine: 5 Tickets
CenterWell Senior Primary Care Wine Garden: 7 Tickets
Pepsi Products: 2 Tickets
Kids’ Rides: 1 – 5 Tickets
Food Menu Items: 1 – 10 Tickets
Fall for Greenville kicks off with a concert on the CPI Security West End Stage at the intersection of Main Street and Augusta Street.
The rest of the festival runs from Friday through Sunday. Alcohol sales cut off a half-hour before the festival ends each day.
Getting Around at Fall for Greenville
Parking options are available throughout Greenville, but you can park at County Square (301 University Ridge) and take the free downtown trolley. It runs an hour before the festival starts and ends an hour after closing.
Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted at the event, but none are for rent. From experience, if you can carry your younger children in baby carriers, it is easier than trying to navigate through the crowds with a stroller. Pets aren’t allowed (but service animals are), and neither are lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, bikes, or skateboards. Fall for Greenville will go on rain or shine!
Greenville SC’s very first totally inclusive playground, named after Brooks Foster, opens Tuesday, September 29th, and we’ve got all the details.
Brooks Foster at Brooks’ Playground
Brooks’ Playground
Greenville, SC finally has their own inclusive playground with the opening of the brand new Brooks’ Playground, 10,640-square-foot playground at Cleveland Park. It’s now open!
It is absolutely beautiful and a very special place for everyone. We went to the grand opening and got to see Brooks Foster and her lovely family, who put so much of their energy, time, finances, and love into the playground. It’s obvious how much they wanted to give this to the community.
Watch! Take a Closer Look at Brooks’ Playground Fun
“Our family loves being outside and Brooks’ younger sister, Ellie, always wants to play at the playground,” writes Reagin Foster, Brooks’ mother on the City of Greenville’s website. “Unfortunately, it has been difficult to find a playground where the girls can play together and have access to the necessary amenities. This is where the idea for Brooks’ Playground began.
Kids at Brooks’ Playground
The new playground is located near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park near downtown Greenville and is named after Brooks Foster, a little girl with Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia (a rare neurological syndrome). Her family wanted to create a playground where anyone could play, regardless of their special needs.
The playground includes play elements designed for all kids ages six months to 13+ years.
The project was funded by $2.3 million from the City of Greenville and $1.3 million in private donations.
Elements of Brooks’ Playground
There are several fantastic elements of Brooks’ Playground that make it especially unique and helpful for families who have kids with special needs. Chris Yang, a Design Consultant with Carolina Parks and Play who worked on Brooks’ Playground, revealed tons of interesting information about why specific aspects of the design were chosen:
Look at all that shade!
Completely fenced in: parents of kids with special needs (and toddlers in general) need someplace where they are able to know their kids cannot escape without their notice. This was a key feature of the design.
Shade: we all know how hot summers are in the South and Brooks’ Playground has multiple sun shades to protect kids and caregivers alike. But there are more reasons why the shade covers 85% of the playground: 1) studies show parents who take their kids to the playground stay longer when there is shade and 2) some kids cannot regulate their body temperatures and the shade is crucial to help them with that.
Anti-static flooring: the ground of the playground is anti-static because static interrupts the hearing devices of kids who use them (and they are really expensive to fix). The roller slide at the playground is static-free as well. The floor is also anti-microbial.
Swings & Zip Lines: there are two zip lines at the playground plus a large swing that a child could lay down on and swing.
Merry-go-round: the merry-go-round is perfect for kids who want to sit, run around, or use a wheelchair.
Ramps: ramps at the playground go all the way to the top of the play structures. There is also a ramp through a really cool tunnel with stars. It’s cute!
Calming colors: the colors were chosen by the Foster family and are specifically calming colors of blues and greens. It’s beautiful.
Tactile aspects: the playground was designed with lots of different aspects to appeal to a wide variety of kids – a water mister, touch and feel, things that make sound, etc.
Enjoying the mister!
“We designed the playground so that kids of all ages and abilities and play together without technology,” said Yang.
I watched this design in action and saw kids who didn’t know each other playing together and having fun. It was honestly the sweetest thing to see.
Accessible Walkways and Bathrooms
The playground includes several accessible, paved paths but one of the coolest things is the three new bathrooms. There is a ramp up to them and they are huge.
Inside each one is a big, adult-size changing table. The Fosters knew that parents would not always have the opportunity to go home to take care of the needs of their kids and wanted to give them the space to do that outside of the home without having to leave the playground.
Bathroom at Brooks’ Playground
Visiting Brooks’ Playground
You can visit the playground near Shelter 6 at Cleveland Park, which is located at Cleveland Park Drive & East Washington in Greenville. If you’re coming from 385, when you turn into Cleveland Park, you need to go past the playground in front of the zoo and stay to the left. There is parking next to the playground.
The address is Cleveland Park Drive & East Washington, Greenville, SC 29601.
🦙 If you love fluffy alpacas, a trip to Serenity at Stony Point Alpaca Farm just outside Statesville, NC, about two hours from the Upstate, is the place to go, especially if you’re planning a trip nearby! Thank you to Visit Statesville for setting up our trip to their beautiful town.
I love alpacas, especially the fluffy kind with big eyes that look like they are judging me. Even better when I can get up close with them, which is exactly what you can do at Serenity at Stony Point Alpaca Farm in Statesville, NC, just two hours from the Upstate, SC.
Holding a baby alpaca
We spent a couple of hours at this really cool farm and learned more than we could ever write in one story. Valerie, one of the owners, has a wealth of knowledge about alpacas and I left with a greater appreciation of these cool creatures.
About Serenity Alpacas
Serenity Alpaca Farm is just outside downtown Statesville, North Carolina, a quaint little town full of local shops and restaurants. While the town is actually known for its vibrant hot air balloon community, there are lots of local gems like the alpaca farm.
Valerie and Javi own the farm, and Javi is from Peru, where alpacas are from, so it works out well. When they bought the acreage, Val asked Javi what kind of animals they should have, and he immediately suggested alpacas. It was a done deal from there.
Serenity Alpacas gives public tours almost daily and does a lot of community events and shows where they compete to see who has the best alpacas. I need to find one of these and be a judge.
The farm is large and very clean. They even have a place down by a creek on the property where people will soon be able to reserve for camping. It’s truly gorgeous.
There is a playground for the kids and a covered picnic area where tours begin and guests can hang out and enjoy the alpacas as they check you out.
Alpaca Cool Facts
I’ve been to a couple of alpaca farms, and I always, always learn something new when I go. Our visit to Serenity Alpaca is no exception. So here are a few things I learned:
Female alpacas are usually bred 21 days after giving birth. They are meant to be pregnant all the time. If they aren’t, they are prone to uterine infections.
Gestation for cria (baby alpacas) is about 380 days. Heck no, says this human mom.
The younger the alpaca is in age, the fluffier its coat is, which makes for softer fibers.
Alpacas are shorn every April.
A baby alpaca is called a cria. Or just a really cute fluffball.
Touring Serenity Alpaca Farm
Once you hit the gravel road not far from downtown Statesville, you are almost to the farm. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by Valerie, who will talk to you all about the alpacas. If she has any alpaca scarves or stuffed animals, she’ll show you. These items are so incredibly soft. I had to use my willpower not to spend a lot of money buying winter hats and scarves.
Alpaca pens
On the day we went, several alpacas were hanging out at the playground and near the covered pavilion where we were learning about alpaca fibers and checking out the handspun scarves and hats. They were just wandering around, eating, and playing. It was really fun to watch them.
When Javi, Val’s husband and co-owner of the farm, stopped by, he picked up a two-month-old cria and asked if we wanted to hold it. Hold a baby alpaca?! Oh my gosh, I almost lost my mind. Getting to hold the little guy was so soothing. He was the perfect little alpaca and gave great snuggles. I could feel anxiety leaving my body. They should really do alpaca therapy here.
We met some of the alpaca boys, whose only job is to get the ladies pregnant. They were also nice and fluffy, and one liked to give kisses. Of course, he did.
We fed some of the female alpacas some grain treats, which they absolutely loved. It gave us another chance to get close and personal with the animals, which we really enjoyed. They aren’t small but they are gentle.
Tours last about an hour, but ours went a bit longer since we just got to talking about the farm and the animals, and since I had a lot of questions. There’s a whole other world out there of alpaca farmers that I just didn’t know much about. Pretty fascinating.
Overall Review of Serenity Alpaca Farm
Being that I already loved alpacas, touring Serenity Alpaca Farm was amazing. Valerie is so knowledgeable, and Javi gave me a baby alpaca to hold. It really doesn’t get much better.
Val is also a great tour guide and an open book about her life on the farm and the intricacies of raising alpacas. I also loved how much you got to interact with the animals. They are super friendly and funny, and curious. Smaller kids may be a little nervous because the animals are about the size of a 12-year-old or a bit taller. My daughters really enjoyed them, though, and had fun interacting with them.
Alpacas are curious creatures, so we had times when they’d sneak up behind us. It was so adorable! Being with the animals is calming and truly relaxing. If you’re in the Statesville, NC area, I’d certainly recommend a trip to Serenity Alpacas.
Sneaky alpaca
Touring Serenity Alpaca Farm
Tours are ongoing at the farm, but you do need to make a reservation ahead of time.
Tickets are $5 for the self-guided tour, $10 for an Alpaca Hug Tour, and $15 for an Educational Alpaca Tour. Please leave pets at home and wear shoes you are comfortable getting a little dirty – it’s a working farm.
If you are looking for an indoor play space for your little kids to burn off some energy, then Village Play in Fountain Inn may be it. Allison Manchester opened Village Play to fill the need for a play space for young children. Plus, it doubles as a cafe and meeting space for moms and caregivers to enjoy each other and form lasting friendships!
Allison and her husband, Chris, moved to Greenville in 2016 from Massachusetts. She is a full-time accountant and he’s a former investment banker-turned-entrepreneur in the postal business. They have two little kids and understand the importance of not only safe spaces for kids to have fun but also a space that gives parents some time to recharge. Having seen similar concepts in big cities, Allison started looking for a place like Village Play in Greenville but didn’t find exactly what she was looking for.
So as women are known to do, she decided to do it herself.
Idea Turned into Reality
Allison had definitive ideas on what she wanted Village Play to look like.
“I want it to be a great community feel where primarily moms – but any caregiver – connect and where it’s a relaxing place for moms and kids,” Allison said. “This will have a little more of an intimate feel. Everywhere you sit in the cafe, you’ll have a view of the play area. You can have coffee, catch up with a friend, while you watch your kids.”
Village Play: A Place for Little Kids
Village Play is specifically geared towards kids ages 0-6 years old. There are lots of imaginative play aspects for those ages.
Allison wanted to create a safe place for the smaller kids to have fun without fear of older kids accidentally trampling on them. It also gives parents peace of mind that they can let their kids enjoy the space while they catch up with a friend in the cafe.
Village Play is not a drop-off daycare. Parents must be present with their children at all times.
Birthday Parties & Private Events + Cafe
What’s a new play space without the ability to host parties? Village Play has options for birthday parties and private events. Birthday parties start at $297 for the basic package and go up to $547 for the total birthday bash.
A full espresso bar is available as well as prepackaged snacks. They don’t have a full kitchen but really, coffee and play sounds just perfect.
Before You GoPlay
Socks are required so be sure to bring your own. Village Play will have them for sale if you forget to bring them.
Also, to save time, sign the waiver online before you go.
Regular open play is available for children up to six years old. Older siblings are able to participate as well, they will just need to purchase a play pass.
“I want people to know that this is a space designed for the kids but also for the adults in mind so that everyone can enjoy themselves in a relaxing environment,” said Allison “Think of it as a place to catch up with your friends in a more intimate setting while your children play and learn together.”
Inside Village Play, courtesy of Village Play
Hours, Rates, & Play Passes
Village Play is open Monday – Friday from 9 am – 3 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to Noon for open play.
The drop in rate of play is $12/child and you can purchase an unlimited play membership for one child for $45/month or multiple children for $65/month.
Village Play also offers a Homeschool Membership for play Monday-Friday between the hours of Noon-3 pm for $35/month per family. The Homeschool hours are most beneficial for children 8 years of age and younger.
A 10-pack of play passes is available for $95, which is valid for children in the same family and expires a year from the date of purchase.
If you’d like to reserve a play spot ahead of time, you can do that here.
Where can you splatter paint on a canvas, throw glow-in-the-dark paint against a wall, custom paint your own shoes, or even decorate a cake? At the brand new Color Me Greenville in Greenville, SC! We tried it out and have all the fun details.
Thanks to Color Me Greenville for having us out so we could write this review!
Color Me Greenville is a brand new business located minutes from downtown Greenville, SC and is the city’s only dedicated splatter paint place – regular paint and glow-in-the-dark paint. My daughters (ages 11 and 14) absolutely loved our time there. The owners are so lovely and the entire concept is fun and whimsical and something you will for sure want to do again.
Glow-in-the-Dark splatter painting
About Color Me Greenville
When Susan McMakin and her husband tried splatter painting in North Carolina years ago, they thought it was awesome and in the back of their mind, considered it may be a cool idea for Greenville. They then tried similar spots in Georgia and decided to start up a dedicated place where people could come and throw paint on a canvas for fun in Greenville. But since Susan is a baker and cake decorator – she owns Couture Cakes, who I’m sure you’ve heard of – she wanted to also add in cake and cupcake decorating as an option so Color Me Greenville was born.
The shop is run by Susan and her daughter, Eleanor, a senior at the University of South Carolina and a creative entrepreneur. Between the two of them, they’ve managed to put together quite an awesome venue off of N. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville that is completely worth the trip.
The place is fantastic for a group party, birthday, date night, or just a fun family outing.
Splatter Painting
If you’ve never done splatter painting or have any idea what I’m talking about or cannot even draw a stick figure, don’t worry, you’ll do just fine at Color Me Greenville. It’s more about the experience than the finished art (even though the canvases of my daughters turned out absolutely amazing) and the experience is certainly worthy of a wow factor.
Splatter painting is just like it sounds: you literally throw paint at the canvas. You can also shoot it out of a water gun. Or you can use a paintbrush if you like. Or you can use a squishy ball and slingshot. Whatever you choose, I promise you’ll have an absolute blast doing it.
Color Me Greenville splatter painting
We did both the regular splatter painting and the glow-in-the-dark splatter painting, which I’ll get to in a minute. For the regular splatter painting, we wore ponchos and booties for our shoes, gloves, and protective eyewear, which I promptly forgot to put on my eyes and which remained on my head. Whoops.
How it works is that you have a canvas on the wall and a variety of paint toys and paint colors. Susan showed us some options for using the slingshot and water guns, and then we started throwing paint. If you’ve never done this, it feels freeing! There are no rules in splatter painting. You can throw paint right from the cup or bottle or use your hands to paint the canvas or use the water fun. It doesn’t matter. We live in a world of rules, and to have none is a lot of fun.
The splatter painting sessions are 30 minutes, but you will want to stay longer. At least we did. But I think the time limit is actually good because if not, you’ll just throw so many colors at your canvas because it’s so much fun, and it will be all brown. If you like brown, that’s cool, though.
Glow-in-the-Dark Splatter Painting
This is where it gets real at Color Me Greenville. The splatter painting is done under black lights, and all the paint lights up! It was so fun to do this and such a unique experience. My daughters figured out they could put paint on their hands and smash them up against each other’s full-body suits. It was hilarious.
Color Me Greenville glow-in-the-dark splatter painting
Susan told me these sessions are their best-selling ones, and wow, I can absolutely see why. You can do this nowhere else in Greenville. The studio has darkening shades, which pull down, so they can hold these sessions anytime, day or night. The setup is the same, but I think the paint is different. You can book these sessions along with the classic splatter painting or even cake decorating.
Sneaker Painting & Cake Decorating
If you’ve ever wanted to paint your own sneakers, this is the spot to go. They have a ton of items to give your shoes a glow-up like charms, glow-in-the-dark laces, and of course, endless paint colors. Sneaker painting sessions start at $45.
Then there’s cake and cupcake decorating, which is really such a fun night out for date night or with friends or your kids. You’ll be decorating a Couture Cake or cupcake just for you. They also offer lots of different classes, many of which are seasonal or themed. Be sure to check the website for updated information and to get a spot.
Birthday Parties & Group Events
One of the first things I thought of when we started our splatter painting session was how cool it would be to have a birthday party here. It would be so fun for everyone! You can book Color Me Greenville for this very purpose for an hour and can add time in 30-minute increments for a minimum group of six people (even if you want to book it and have less than six people, you will be charged for six people due to having the space all to yourselves).
You can book the splatter paint sessions or cake/cupcake decorating for parties. They allow you to bring in your own food as well.
If you are looking for something specific, just give them a call. They are the nicest people and are open to how to make your time there even better.
Classic splatter sessions start at $35/person, and glow-in-the-dark splatter sessions start at $50/person. Classes vary in price, so just check the website to see which fits best.
When you pull into the parking lot, Color Me Greenville is next to the radio room. They don’t have a sign up yet, but you can see through the window the name, and there’s a painted Maine Coon cat near the door.
Want to see more like this? Color Me Greenville is a great place to visit when you’re looking for something artsy to do, looking for an indoor adventure, or a date night activity. AND, we have lots of content on all those things!
Everyone, no matter their ability, should get to play and enjoy all that Greenville, SC has to offer. Sometimes those places are hard to find, so we’ve put together some of the best spots in town and nearby that are fantastic options for families whose children need accessible and inclusive options.
Collectively, these spaces and programs demonstrate Greenville’s dedication to ensuring that no family is left out. From cheering at the arena to exploring museums, enjoying parks, and attending camp, inclusion is being thoughtfully and intentionally integrated into the fabric of the city.
If we missed any spots, don’t hesitate to email us!
TCMU
Accessible Playgrounds
There are several playgrounds in Greenville that have accessible equipment but the brand new Brooks’ Playground is the city’s first fully inclusive playground. It’s designed so kids of any and all abilities can climb, swing, and play together. Read our review here to learn all about the cool things it offers!
Indoor Accessible Play Areas and Entertainment Venues
Local entertainment venues have made significant improvements to aid in inclusive and accessible options for all guests.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is an example of someplace that is always seeking to expand its accessibility efforts. An elevator and wheelchair-accessible walkway allow all kids to reach the top of the Climber, and similar to the BSW Arena, sensory bags are available to help children regulate.
“At TCMU, accessibility and inclusion are core to our mission and help guide all aspects of our museum experience exhibits to educational programming and events,” said Lauren Luneckas, CEO of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. “We’re breaking barriers throughout the museum so children of all abilities can learn, imagine, and belong here.”
TCMU
Families can attend sensory-friendly events like the upcoming Halloween celebration, and on Mondays the museum offers adaptive visits for schools and organizations serving children with disabilities—ensuring a calmer, more controlled environment.
If you’ve ever been to an event at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, you know it can get pretty loud. The arena has an awesome Sensory Suite in Section 105, a space designed to help guests with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable at events. Families who may have skipped a hockey game or concert in the past now have a place where their child can enjoy the excitement without being overwhelmed.
Outfitted with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, softer lighting, and quiet zones, the suite makes it possible for everyone to share the same live experience—without stress. They also offer Sensory Bags (right outside Section 117) that families can borrow during events that include things like fidget toys, headphones, and antiglare glasses.
“The Sensory Suite launched in 2019 after reviewing our offerings for families and while ensuring the Arena’s commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility extended to the fan experience,” said Beth Paul, General Manager. “We believe live events should be a welcoming experience for everyone, and we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where people of all abilities, including those with sensory sensitivities, can enjoy music and entertainment in comfort and confidence. Our Sensory Suite provides a space that allows for memorable and special experiences for the entire family to enjoy together.”
Kelly Clarkson played Bon Secours Wellness Arena Saturday, March 30, 2019.
[GWINN DAVIS / for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal]
Additionally, you can purchase Sensory Suite tickets by emailing ticketing@bswarena.com. The Sensory Suite is open for shows that have a 360-stage as well as when the Suite is within sightlines of the show. The price of the Sensory Suite varies from show to show, there is no additional cost for fans to utilize the suite (ticket prices align with the cost of the seats directly under the Suite, in the same Section.)
South Carolina Children’s Theatre
A staple in the community for both families and performers, the SC Children’s Theatre aims to be the most accessible theatre in South Carolina. They designed their new building with that vision in mind and, making sure no physical barriers preventing anyone from taking part in what the theatre offers.
SC Children’s Theatre
“In the past year, we’ve taken significant steps to deepen accessibility across the organization,” said SC Children’s Theatre CEO Katie O’Kelly.
“This includes launching a more accessible website, creating sensory-friendly viewing areas in both of our theatres, and developing new systems to better welcome and support all patrons. These strides were made possible thanks to the generous support of Greenville Women Giving, the Community Foundation of Greenville, Messer Construction Foundation, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and nonprofit partners like AbleSC, who share our commitment to breaking down barriers.”
The theatre has even expanded the role of their Patron Services Manager to also serve as Accessibility Coordinator, meaning that she is in charge of making sure accessibility is worked into every decision, program, and production at the theatre.
The SC Children’s Theatre offers a hearing loop system to make the experience better for guests with hearing aids, helping remove background noise so there is clear sound right in the device. Just ask for it at the Box Office. They also have sign language interpreters and accessible seating available to make sure everyone can enjoy the show.
Dance Without Limits was founded by Beth Bradley, who wanted to create a space that was welcoming to all kids, regardless of ability. But here’s why Beth decided to create a dance studio that focused on including kids of all ages and abilities: she’s the oldest of 18 kids. Fifteen of her siblings are adopted. And her parents specifically adopted children that often had some kind of limitations in their life. DWL has specific classes for special needs students and those with disabilities.
Dance Without Limits
Yellowbobbypins
Longtime readers of Kidding Around will recognize Yellowbobbypins, located at Hampton Station, and we are so happy to add them to this list. They offer art classes and camps for ages 2-14 and owner Lauren Runion is such a delight. She said this about their accessibility specifically:
“We love to include children of all abilities in our classes. We do request that a caregiver reach out to find the best class fit for their child and on occasion (or as needed) we ask that an aide stay with the kid depending on the child’s ability level.”
Lauren and her staff love building confidence and joy for children of all ages.
Yellowbobbypins
Accessibility in the Outdoors
There are some fantastic options to visit and explore the outdoors that are accessible to everyone.
YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum & Stargazers Camp
YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum & Stargazers Camp creates a supportive, outdoor adventure family camp tailored to families that include children with autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, and other developmental needs. It ensures campers can participate in hiking, stargazing, and camp traditions with the right support while parents know their child is fully included.
Greenville Zoo
This ADA-accessible zoo has teamed up with KultureCity to make visits easier for everyone. Guests can pick up a free sensory kit that includes noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a “feelings card” to help express emotions, and a lanyard so staff can easily recognize and support visitors with sensory needs.
Dolly Cooper Park Accessible Kayak Launch
The accessible kayak launch at Dolly Cooper Park just outside of Greenville allows boats to enter and exit the water safely. Plus, it’s a really pretty stretch of the river to paddle!
NC Waterfall Tour
Because I just love waterfalls and want everyone to see them, I created this no-hike waterfall tour in North Carolina as a day trip option. I made it because my mother-in-law, who has limited mobility, was visiting and I wanted to do something fun with her and my daughters that involved the outdoors. We all had such an amazing time and since that trip, I’ve added some more places to the route. It’s definitely a day trip from Greenville but an awesome opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature without any hiking.
Caesar’s Head State Park
Caesar’s Head State Park This is one of the prettiest overlooks in Greenville County and it’s accessible via a short walk on a paved trail from the parking area. It’s especially beautiful in the fall – just get there early as it does get crowded. Look for the hawks as they migrate that same time of year.
Zipping across valleys and creeks with incredible mountain views is the name of the game at Hawksnest Adventures near Boone, NC. With over four miles of ziplines, there is no shortage of fun to be had at this amazing spot and we have all the details on what to expect and booking your own trip!
Thanks to Explore Boone for hosting us on this adventure.
I had heard of Hawksnest Adventures near Boone, NC long before I set foot up there due to their snow tubing runs. But going there in person to see the absolute stunning views and to experience their zipline course was a whole other thing and one I highly recommend if you love the feeling of flying and stunning mountain views.
Getting ready to fly at Hawksnest
About Hawksnest Adventures
Hawksnest is located in Seven Devils, NC, just outside of Boone, and about three hours from the Upstate. You can do this as a day trip but I recommend staying overnight not only because it would a long drive but because there are tons of things to enjoy in the area.
Hawksnest offers two zipline tours spring through the fall and four snow tubing runs during wintertime. They also have whitewater rafting over the summer. You could literally spend an entire day enjoying their adventures here.
The view from one of the decks at Hawksnest
Ziplining Tours
This was one of our favorite adventures in Boone since you get to fly amongst the trees and mountains, over creeks, and walk on swinging bridges. We did the Hawk Tour, which included 11 ziplines and took about 1.5 hours. Our guides, Carson and Sky, were fantastic and made us feel safe and excited to fly on those lines!
I couldn’t even pick what my favorite line was. The first several were over the valleys with insane views of the mountains, which were just beginning to show some fall color. I was thinking if I could possibly come back up there in a couple weeks when the colors would be at their peak.
Incredible views at Hawksnest!
The last half of the course was through the woods and over creeks. We got to go across two suspension bridges as well, which were a lot of fun and certainly tested balance. But you’re clipped in so it’s all good.
The other tour is the more thrilling Eagle Tour, which traverses about three miles of cables, including two which are 2,000 feet long.
Tips on Enjoying Hawksnest Ziplining
From my own experiences at Hawksnest and other ziplining places, these are my best tips on making the most of your adventure here:
Be sure to check the height and weight requirements of the zipline tour. For the Hawk tour that we did, participants must be at least 5-years-old and those under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Riders cannot be more than 250 lbs or have a waist larger than a 40 inches. There is no minimum weight for our Hawk Tour. The Eagle tour requires participants to be at least 8-years-old and weigh 80 pounds.
Wear closed-toed shoes. This is a requirement at most ziplining places.
Wear comfy clothes. Shorts or jeans are best. I was wearing an athletic skirt with built-in shorts, and I kind of wish I wore shorts just so I wouldn’t have to worry about the straps and my skirt!
Get there 30 minutes early. You have to check in and get all your gear on. If you didn’t sign your waivers online, you’ll have to do it before you get all geared up.
Tip your guide. Tips are a great way to show your appreciation for your guides who didn’t let you die.
Leave behind things that could fall. This includes phones (I went with mine but I had it in a zipped-up pocket), keys, necklaces, or anything you really don’t want to lose.
Honest Mom Review: Hawksnest Zipline
I’ve done ziplining at a lot of fantastic spots, but this was easily my favorite because of the incredible views and fun ziplines over water and through the trees. I was standing there with my mouth hanging open most of the time, admiring the beauty. It was really cool to be that high up and enjoy the experience of flying.
And our guides were a highlight of the adventure. Carson and Sky worked seamlessly to get us all in our gear, do the safety instructions, and engage with us the whole trip while making sure everything was in place to keep us safe on the cables. They took the time to learn our names and where we were from. They were both just genuinely cool people, and it was a pleasure to hang out with them for the short time we were there.
Suspension bridge at Hawksnest
The other cool thing is that Hawksnest has a great photographer. He’ll get fantastic shots of you on the course that you can purchase afterwards. I don’t usually buy the photos, but this time, I was like – oh yes, I want these! He did such a great job.
Booking Your Ziplining Trip
You can easily book your trip online. Choose which course you want, either the Hawk or the Eagle, and just book your trip. The Hawk course is $70/person and the Eagle is $80/person. You could also go all out and choose to do both courses for $120/person.
For information on snow tubing and whitewater rafting, be sure to check out their website.
Tweetsie Railroad in Boone, NC goes all out for spooky season in the fall with their Ghost Train ride through the park, and we got to check it out, along with all the fun of carnival rides and trick or treating at the park.
We’ve got everything you need to know to plan your family’s trip here!
Thanks to Explore Boone who hosted us for this trip.
The Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad opened to the public in 1957 as a Wild West Adventure and has continued the tradition ever since. The centerpiece is a beautiful, historic steam locomotive that rides the three-mile track around the park and blows a whistle so loud that it can be heard all around the area.
Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
The Ghost Train is a seasonal experience at the park that runs Fridays and Saturdays September 19 – November 1, 2025 from 7:30-10:30 pm. When you purchase your ticket, you’ll have to choose a time to ride the train.
The train is completely decked out with a huge skeleton face that shoots out smoke from the mouth. It’s so cool. The premise of the ride is that you are searching for missing college students and that aliens or zombies or something else got them in the woods. There are televisions on the train that show a press conference about it, which leads into the crazy scientist and black and white footage of people searching for the students.
Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
As the train takes off into the woods, the resident zombie on the train may try to sneak up and scare you. It’s really dark so they can move with ease. The train will stop along the way with scenes set that involve flashing lights, a gun fight, and fireballs. It’s very well done in terms of theatrics. No one jumps onto the train, and the theatrics are all on the right side of the train if you want to get closer to the action.
The ride is about 20-25 minutes long.
Other Things to Do at Tweetsie Railroad During the Ghost Train
The park’s carnival rides are all open – the Ferris wheel, tornado ride, spinning cups, planes, the drop tower, and a few others that I don’t know the names of. The arcade is open as well plus there are some spooky-themed shows.
The Boneyard has an Enchanted Forest, which is a little scary as some characters will jump out at you and a chainsaw guy may try to chase you. There’s a lady with a crocodile, too, which I found pretty fun. There is also a warped mirror experience and something called a Black Hole – I didn’t do either of them since I literally ran out of the Enchanted Forest with my teen and we were already scared enough!
Boneyard entrance at Tweetsie
A Haunted House is open as well but we didn’t try it since my daughters and I scare easily. There were tons of families there with smaller kids who are braver than us. There was literally a dad pushing a stroller through the Enchanted Forest, who my daughter and I almost ran into on our way out being chased by the chainsaw guy. We are kind of easy to scare.
One thing that my daughters and I absolutely loved were the dance parties with Bigfoot and other Halloween-ish characters. They were so much fun! You can also trick-or-treat throughout the park, and Tweetsie has bags available for guests.
What ages are best for the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad?
This will depend entirely on how scared your kids get and what freaks them out. There were lots of kids on the actual train ride and throughout the park.
The train ride is very dark and very loud at times. The whistle is loud, the fireballs are loud and bright, the gunshots are loud. We loved all of this but your kids may find it too overwhelming. I have no idea, which is why I’m telling you all this.
Tweetsie Railroad advertises the entire event as family-friendly and as noted before, there were a lot of families in attendance.
spooky dance party at Tweetsie Railroad
Tips on Enjoying the Ghost Train Experience at Tweetsie
Here are a few things to know before you go.
The park is stroller-friendly. Everything is paved, so it’s easy to navigate. There are inclines though so be prepared to walk uphill.
Costumes are encouraged. Feel free to wear costumes.
You can enter the park at 7:30 pm. Even if your train time isn’t until later, you can enter the park when it opens and stay until closing.
The train is open air. The mountains get chilly so dress appropriately as the train is not enclosed.
There are no assigned seats. There are lines for each car on the train and you just line up for whatever one you want to get on about 10 minutes before your time.
Book ahead of time. The Ghost Train is popular so be sure to get your tickets online.
Your Ghost Train tickets are valid only for the nighttime event. The park is open during the day but tickets are separate for the daytime park and the Ghost Train.
Booking Your Trip to the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
The Ghost Train and nighttime event only runs from 7:30-10:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays from September 19-November 1, 2025.
