Are you in need of some Group Therapy? Greenville has an indoor playground for adults that will bring out your inner child for a little fun. Group Therapy Pub & Playground is a great place to play, for everyone!
Sometimes you just need some space to chill out, play some games, and belt out some karaoke, or if you’re like me, just cheer on the brave souls who do. All of that and more is at the new Group Therapy Pub & Playground at Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville.
(more…)Too hot to enjoy the outdoors? If you’re searching for things to do on a hot day near me in Greenville, SC, we’ve got you covered. Kidding Around’s Kristina rounded up the best ways to stay cool, from indoor play and splash pads to sweet treats like ice cream. Whether you’re trying to beat the heat or just need fresh ideas for steamy summer days, this list is packed with fun!
For more things to do in the summer see our Ultimate Guide to Summer in Greenville.
Craving something sweet and wondering where to find the best ice cream near me? If you’re searching for a delicious scoop (or two!) of Greenville, SC ice cream, you’re in luck! Local mom Kristina Hernandez has the inside scoop on all the best spots in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. From an ice cream shop tucked inside a peach stand to a retro soda fountain in a local pharmacy and a downtown parlor serving up trendy rolled ice cream, this list is full of cool, creamy adventures your whole family will love. Info on vegan and dairy-free options included.
Are you looking for a wonderful park in Mauldin? City Center Park is a beautiful park with a cultural center, a fabulous playground, an ice cream shop, and more! This large park in Mauldin, South Carolina, also hosts several family-friendly events a year.
City Center Park includes:
Inside: Local mom visits Pirates of Hilton Head, a pirate cruise in Hilton Head, SC that is perfect for families! You can dress up like pirates, shoot water cannons, and find treasure!
Ever been on a pirate boat? Pirates of Hilton Head will have your kids practicing their pirate lingo for the entire vacation. Kids get to dress up as pirates and fight off the bad guy in search of treasure during one of the most entertaining cruises on Hilton Head Island. We sent contributor Kristina to check it out with her family. Your kids will be saying “aye-aye captain” in no time on the Pirates of Hilton Head cruise!
Craving some great BBQ? Greenville, SC has been named one of the best cities in the nation for barbecue – yet another reason why this place is so great. But wow, Kidding Around readers have lots of opinions on the BBQ scene in this town and were quick to give props to their favorite eateries when asked. So we figured – hey, why not have a list of our readers’ favorite places to enjoy one of the best kinds of cuisine in the south. So here it is. Discover the slow-cooked perfection that is the best BBQ: Greenville, SC-style.
Having sampled a good deal of BBQ here, my own favorite is Bucky’s, but I can’t wait to try these others!
Traveling to Hilton Head Island with your family? There are lots of things to do in Hilton Head with kids! We came up with a list of the best activities on the island to ensure an awesome family trip while you visit Hilton Head Island. From dolphin watching to becoming a pirate, to playing mini-golf, to secluded beaches, and enjoying ice cream, there is no shortage of fun things to do on the island.
Have you ever been tubing in Helen, GA? We know our readers love floating down the river in the cool river water during the hot, summer months so we decided to check out Cool River Tubing in order to give you the deal on how it works and why you should check out this particular tubing outfitter two hours away from Greenville, SC in Helen, Georgia. Tube down the Chattahoochee, or, as they say, Shoot the Hooch.
Are you looking for more places to go tubing? Check out our giant Kidding Around list of places to go tubing near Greenville, SC!
Planning a Trip to this Bavarian town in the mountains? Check out our full review of Helen, Georgia!
I’d heard of Helen, GA for a while now while living in Greenville and had seen photos of the Bavarian-themed architecture. And tubing was synonymous with Helen just as much as German beer and brats (at least in my mind). This isn’t your water park lazy river, so we were ready for an adventure. When I finally got the chance to visit Helen, tubing was absolutely on my mind. So I gathered my two young kids and decided to try out Cool River Tubing for our next tubing trip.
Cool River Tubing is a tubing company in Helen that offers a tubing adventure down the Chattahoochee with a shuttle service.
(more…)Inside: A real parent review of Starlight Hills Campground in Bostic, NC with all the details.
Starlight Hills Campground in Bostic, NC, under 90 minutes from Greenville, SC, has been named the #1 Hipcamp in North Carolina for three years running and we just had to figure out why – so we went. Now we know why it’s #1.
Thanks to Starlight Hills for having us to their amazing property so we could write a review!
I love camping and when I learned of Hipcamp, which is like an AirBnB for campgrounds, I signed up and started flagging properties that looked amazing, which is how I initially heard of Starlight Hills Campground. Years later, I got my wish to stay there and wow, I can see why campers love this spot.
I can’t even tell you what I liked most: the hammocks at the community overlook where you take in views of the mountains, the private spa, the geodome with a planetarium, the hiking trails, the nearby fantastic swimming holes. So I’ll just tell you about all of them and how you can plan your adventure to Starlight Hills.
This campground came into being kind of by accident. William and his wife moved to the area in 2019 to have space, to have land, and to enjoy the beauty of Western NC. They were nearly under contract for a different property closer to Asheville when it was swiped out from under them. Thankfully, this 40-acre property in Bostic, North Carolina was even better than their first option.
But William didn’t really have a plan for a campground. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with the land but was happy to have it. He worked in the technology industry, one that was customer-facing, so when the pandemic hit, he was laid off. Out of job and with a bunch of land, he opened an email his cousin sent him that linked to Hipcamp and suggested maybe he could host some people on this land.
What a cool idea, he thought. So he got some gas for his chainsaw and cleared three tent sites. And people booked them. Then he cleared some more sites, built roads through the campground, constructed decks for canvas tents, and eventually made a larger deck where the newest lodging – the beautiful LunaView Geodome – sits.
People kept coming back again and again. And they really loved the property, so much so that the campground has been #1 on Hipcamp in North Carolina for three years running.
Wiliam told me that when he was designing the campground and sites, he wanted something that he would book himself, which meant big, private wooded sites. As a tent camper myself, I enthusiastically agreed with him on these points. Every site is private and huge, even the ones with the canvas tent and the geodome.
The property is very peaceful and serene. It has two hiking trails – one to a creek and the other to a gorgeous, 180-degree view of the surrounding mountains.
The tent sites are big – I saw a couple sites that had three tents at them. The bell canvas tents are beautiful and built on platforms and can sleep up to four people. You can put a tent on those sites if needed as well.
As for my LunaView Geodome, it was gorgeous. It’s perched at the end of one of the roads and on a large deck. The bed is heavenly and there’s a table with benches, a pullout sofabed, and a giant beanbag chair.
The lighting is super cool. There are floor lights that change the color of the inside of the dome plus two different lights that create a planetarium effect with a giant moon and Milky Way and aurora borealis (the Northern Lights).
So at night, you can be in the dark and turn on the planetarium lights and be amazed. My inner 80s child that put up glow-in-the-dark stars on my bedroom ceiling was loving this.
The dome was totally clean and comfortable. I never sleep well when I travel but I slept so great here!
They have fans for cooling and heating in the winter.
Yes, there’s a spa at Starlight Hills. It’s a campground so it’s not a five-star massage and champagne experience but wow, it’s relaxing and beautiful.
The spa consists of a hot tub overlooking the mountains, a small seating area, and a delightful sauna. I love hot tubs and saunas but I rarely use them so this was a huge treat. It was quiet, private, and just a time to do nothing and relax. I have a tough time doing nothing and relaxing but after hiking all day and jumping in cold swimming holes, the spa felt amazing so it was easy to chill out and be in the moment.
I think this is an incredibly unique aspect to Starlight Hills because while it is a campground, there are certain things like this that help to elevate your getaway experience that fits in beautifully with nature and the outdoors.
You have to reserve the spa ahead of time, which you can do via Swimply or by adding it as an extra when you book on Hipcamp.
Camping – or glamping – at Starlight Hills is rustic. It’s beautiful, but rustic.
Personally, I loved the outdoor showers. They are private and have soap and shampoo and hot water. What else do you really need?
There is no bathhouse on the property but they do have porta-potties near the showers and another one near the community overlook. William told me they are hoping to add more restrooms and build a bathhouse, but those are not inexpensive and take time.
The community overlook was another one of my favorite spots here. It has several picnic tables and grills with a stunning view of the sunset. I relaxed out there one night in one of the hammocks watching the sunset. It was absolute perfection.
As if Starlight Hills wasn’t cool enough already, the location is absolutely ideal for outdoor activities. And if you’re reading this far, I’ll reward you with a very hidden swimming hole tip. It’s called Pot Branch Falls and it’s only about a 15 minute drive from the campground and then a 10 minute hike from the parking area. It’s a totally hidden and private swimming hole that is amazing.
This is an awesome waterfall in South Mountains State Park, about a 25 minute drive from the campground. There are deep pools to swim, shallow areas to wade, and even a waterfall you can sit under. Park in the Jacob Creek access area and it’s about a 0.5 mile hike from the parking lot.
Speaking of the park, it has miles and miles of trails to hike. Some are still closed due to Hurricane Helene damage but I was able to clock over 7 miles by connecting Chestnut Knob, which has a gorgeous overlook, Sawtooth, Little River, Raven Rock, and the River Trail. And I even found a nice swimming hole at the end of the hike to jump in, which felt amazing.
Here’s our Kidding Around review of South Mountains State Park.
Some trails at the Linville Gorge, like Shortoff Mountain, are under an hour from the campground. The Gorge is stunningly beautiful with amazing trails. Be sure to have a map on paper or downloaded on your phone as it’s rugged.
While most of this park is closed due to Hurricane Helene damage, I wanted to add to the story to keep in mind for the future when it opens back up. During normal operations, you can swim, hike, or paddle at this North Carolina State Park close to the campground.
Starlight Hills is a campground so you’ll need some of what you’d normally bring camping like food, a cooler, towels, and flashlights.
I’d also recommend flip-flops, bug spray, maybe some camping chairs, and if you’re like me and can’t start a fire for anything, a camping stove. You can order firewood at your site when you book on Hipcamp. If you plan to grill out, bring charcoal.
Also via Hipcamp when you book at Starlight Hills, you can also add a kids camping bundle with magic flames, camping bag, and flashlight, s’mores packet, tiki torch rental, and reusable water bottles.
I love tent camping but also love not having to bring a tent and everything that goes along with it while having a blast at a cool campground. The LunaView geodome was such a cool experience not only because of its many unique aspects but also because I didn’t have to lug a tent, camping pad, tarp, etc. with me. It was so clean, comfortable, and private and a true oasis to return to after a day of exploring and adventuring.
The time at the spa was fantastic. I hardly ever to get to do nothing for a little while while enjoying views in a hot tub. If I go back here, which I hope to do, I’ll be booking time at the spa.
And William was so helpful and kind. He gave me precise directions to the swimming holes, which were certainly a highlight of the trip, and shared his love of the area freely. I was amazed at what he has been able to accomplish since moving here basically without any kind of plan. His no-plan has turned into a place where many beautiful memories are made.
Starlight Hills is perfect for families, couples, or friend groups. Literally anyone will have fun here.
So now you know why Starlight Hills gets first place in North Carolina for Hipcamp’s best campgrounds.
You have to book your site at Starlight Hills via Hipcamp. If you’ve never used the platform before, it’s very easy to do so. You just create an account and go book your adventure.
At the time of this writing, tent sites are $38/night, the bell canvas tents are $105/night, and the LunaView geodome is $144/night. They also have a tiny house cabin for $98/night. Prices may change, especially during busier times of the year.
The lodgings are pet-friendly.
Starlight Hills Campground
7466 Bostic Sunshine Hwy, Bostic, NC
Starlight Hills Campground Website
North Carolina is Beautiful!
Find so many awesome travel adventures in our North Carolina Travel Guide
Libraries are great. They have free Wi-Fi, story time, free DVDs to rent, and you can read until your heart’s content. But all libraries are not created equal. The Five Forks library branch of the Greenville County Library System made all the other libraries jealous. Here’s why.
With it’s 28,000 square feet of floor-to-ceiling windows, bright colors and inviting decor, a fenced-in play porch for the little kids, a quiet room that is as peaceful as a spa, and a teen room with giant bean bag chairs, this library is incredible.
When you walk into this gorgeous glass-walled and colorful building, make a left and go straight to the massive kids’ area. Sectioned off by age group in the main space are reading tables, computers with games and headphones, and play tables with toddler games. Attached to the kids’ space is an entirely other room for story time, complete with enough space for kids to run circles around each other and parents to sit on the side benches and watch.
Off the kids area is also an outdoor play porch with stackable cubes and picnic benches. There is also a family bathroom and a nursing room.
*High-five* Greenville Library system.
Next to the kids’ space is an enclosed teen room that overlooks a field next door and is outfitted with private cubicles and giant bean bag chairs. There is art on the wall by local students and all the latest books that teens care about.
And it says “TEENS” on the door, so it’s cool.
The Five Forks Library has a huge meeting space for local groups to rent out plus an enclosed room on the other side of the library that can be used for crafts or homeschool groups (the floor is waterproof because….crafts).
You can bring your coffee and relax in the designated space near the front of the library where drinks other than bottled water are allowed and read or work. If you need a laptop, rent one out with your library card. You can use it throughout the building.
Near the giant windows is plenty of seating to work or read or ponder life. The quiet room has several tables and chairs with ottomans where guests can read quietly away from the rest of the library. It is decorated with really cute wallpaper and relaxing yellow and green colors. It’s my favorite room.
Returning books to the library is not usually exciting. It is at the Five Forks Library though. Head inside and immediately to your right is the cool returning-your-books contraption. Place your book in the slot and watch it go up a conveyor belt, be read by a machine, and then onto another conveyor belt where it is dumped into a giant bin of its friends where it will be returned manually to its proper place in the library.
Kids love watching this. Adults love watching it. And it gives you an incentive to return books that you should be returning anyway to avoid late fees.
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 9 pm
Friday -Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 2 – 6 pm
Five Forks Library
104 Sunnydale Drive, Simpsonville
864.234.4904
Visit the Five Forks Library Website.
What’s your favorite thing about the Five Forks Library?
Here’s everything you need to know about Greenville County Library System.
Indoor Fun, great things to do inside in Greenville, SC
