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Step Right Into “The Notebook”: Cypress Gardens Charleston, SC

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Ever wanted to have your own romantic boat ride through massive cypress trees like Noah & Allie in “The Notebook”? Well, you can right at Cypress Gardens near Charleston, SC. 

I loved the Nicholas Sparks romance, The Notebook, and while the book is always better than the movie, the film didn’t disappoint, especially when it came to creating a scene that looked like it was from another world on a boat amongst massive cypress trees and swans. 

While I took this trip with my kids (who have not seen the movie), the boat ride at Cypress Gardens was just incredible, beautiful, and peaceful. Doing it with your significant other would be next level up romantic. But there’s more to see at the gardens than the swamp gardens, which I’ll tell you all about. 

boat ride at cypress gardens
Look how pretty this is!

About Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre nature preserve with trails, a swamp garden with boat rides, a Swamparium, a playground, and an education center. 

Think lots of beautifully tall trees and Spanish moss, flowers everywhere, and a sense of total peace, especially on the water. 

It seems that Hollywood also loves Cypress Gardens, Charleston SC. The Notebook was filmed here, as well as parts of the “Outer Banks”, Swamp Thing, The Patriot, and Cold Mountain. You can see the full list on the Cypress Gardens Website

The Swamparium

Just outside the Swamparium is a small waterway where we saw two big gators. I actually thought they were fake until we got closer. Nope, they are real and they are everywhere in the gardens. They are pretty docile – just don’t go trying to pet them. 

cypress gardens gators
Yup, those are real

The Swamparium is a building that houses lots of fish and reptiles that are found both in local waterways and swamps as well as in South America. We saw big catfish and a couple of venomous snakes but the biggest thing we saw was the massive Anaconda. 

This thing was huge – and it was feeding time. I’ll spare the details for those readers who would rather not read about this part of nature but for those who think it’s cool, it was. 

The Swamp Boat Tours

The self-guided swamp boat tours are part of your admission ticket, which is pretty awesome. We went in February, which could not have been more perfect in terms of temperatures and bug levels. It was cool and bugless so we could really take in the immense beauty of the blackwater and cypress trees. It’s truly a stunning sight. 

There are very sturdy rowboats to take out into the swamp and life jackets are available. Pro tip: for smaller groups, take a smaller boat. There were only three of us and maneuvering the larger rowboat was a challenge. 

boat ride at cypress gardens
Boat ride at Cypress Gardens

The self-guided tour takes you through the swamp by arrows on the trees so it is easy to follow. You’ll go right past the part of the swamp where Noah and Allie were filmed in the boat as well as the bridge that was shown at the beginning of the film, referred to by the guides as the “duck bridge” because you have to duck under it while paddling. It’s so pretty. 

We were told it would take us about 45 minutes to paddle through the swamp and it took us a bit longer, maybe. I totally lost track. It was peaceful and quiet paddling through the blackwater. We were given instructions to watch for gators and other wildlife and just to keep to ourselves. I’m sure they were there but we didn’t see any in the swamp. 

If you’d rather paddle with a pro, Cypress Gardens offers guided boat tours, it’s an additional $5/person and you can reserve that when you get there. 

The Trails, Butterfly House, and Playground

There are trails that wind all around the gardens. We took the pink trail around part of the swamp and it took us about 20 minutes to walk it all. There are places to sit along the swamp and admire the beauty. There are other, longer trails if you’d like. 

The Butterfly House is a must-see. The plants and flowers there are very pretty and you may get to see some newly-made butterflies. There is a small pond inside with koi fish as well.

And kids will love the playground at Cypress Gardens. There is a larger playground for bigger kids and a smaller one for the littles. There is also a covered pavilion with picnic tables that are perfect for a shaded rest. 

cypress gardens playground
Playground

Honest Mom Review: Cypress Gardens

My kids are 13 and 9 and they really enjoyed Cypress Gardens. They are used to me dragging them to gardens to see pretty flowers and plants but not to take a boat ride in a swamp. They both definitely liked it but for me, I was just awed the whole time. Yes, I love the romantic movie that was filmed there but I love nature more. The beauty of those huge cypress trees standing tall in the water just blew me away. I could have done that boat ride again. 

And the Swamparium was also really neat. I may be in the minority but I like snakes and turtles, especially the more I learn about them. The building was so well put together and educational.

And one of the best parts about Cypress Gardens was the price. I couldn’t believe the low cost of admission to see all we did and the fact that it included the self-guided boat ride. You can’t really do any better than that in the Charleston area. This place is a treasure – go visit.

Visiting Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens is open daily from 9 am – 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm and the last self-guided boat tour going out at 4:15 pm. They are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Admission is $10/adults and $5/kids ages 6-17 and free for kids ages 5 and under. 

Pets are allowed only from November through February and they must be leashed at all times. They are not allowed in buildings.  Be sure to check the website for special events, like an upcoming torch-lit boat ride!

Cypress Gardens
3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner, SC
843.553.0515
Cypress Gardens Website

Travel Guide to Charleston, South Carolina

Discover more things to do in Charleston, SC!

Here’s the Kidding Around Travel Guide to Charleston, SC.

Solar Eclipse: (2024) Solar Eclipse Glasses & Watch Parties in Greenville, SC

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This article is for informational purposes only. We have not personally checked the glasses on this list for safety. Please check all eclipse glasses and vendors to ensure safety.

Where to get solar eclipse glasses in Greenville, SC

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Greenville on April 8th, 2024. To view it safely, you absolutely need to wear special glasses. This is of paramount importance. Long-term damage to the eyes can occur and “the retina can burn in as little as 30 seconds” when looking directly at the sun. Viewing the eclipse in totality is safe but glasses (or some other means of protection – regular sunglasses are not sufficient) are needed for any other viewing.

There are several places to buy eclipse glasses in the Greenville area. NOTE from the 2017 eclipse: NASA has warned that fake eclipse glasses are flooding the market so be careful in choosing the right ones. The glasses need to meet these guidelines. If you can’t get safe glasses from one of the local places below, the American Astronomical Society recommends buying from one of these reputable vendors. Please check all glasses before purchasing to ensure that they are safe.

Our story here can help: Are Your Eclipse Glasses Safe?

Where to Get Solar Eclipse Glasses Near Greenville, SC

We’ll be adding to this list as the event gets closer.

The Schiele Museum

Walmart & Lowes

Our readers tell us that they’ve seen eclipse glasses at their local Walmart and Lowes’ stores.

Solar Eclipse Watch Parties Near Greenville, SC

Spartanburg Science Center

Climb @ Blue Ridge

Watch party with free eclipse glasses, but you must register in advance! Free for members, regular day pass price of $12 for everyone else. Here’s our review of Climb@Blue Ridge.

Have you gotten your solar eclipse glasses yet?

Your Little Astronomer Will Love Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Planetarium in Greenville, SC

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There was an audible gasp from most of the crowd as they stepped into the new T.C. Hopper Planetarium at Roper Mountain Science Center for the 6:00 pm showing of Starry Nights in Greenville, SC. After going through a nearly year-long $1 million-plus renovation in 2017, the Roper Mountain planetarium is one of Greenville’s most amazing gems, and it is truly stunning.

The RMSC is part of the Greenville County School System and they strive to engage kids of all ages in the sciences in ways that are imaginative, fun, and memorable. RMSC is truly one of the coolest things you can do here and Starry Nights at the only planetarium in Greenville, SC is a favorite activity of not only us here at Kidding Around but lots of Greenville families.

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The Quest to Find the Best Bubble Tea: Greenville, SC

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Where do you go for great bubble tea in Greenville, SC? Our writer, Kristina, goes on a mission to find the best bubble/boba tea in Greenville, SC. Here’s what she found!

Bubble Tea: Greenville, SC

I was on a media trip with my kids, writing about another city and things to do there, and kept passing bubble tea shops. I was intrigued. What was this concoction? So I decided to try it out, asking the employees what it was and which one to order. I ended up with a Taro tea and popping strawberry bubbles.

Oh my gosh. This thing called bubble tea was amazing. I was hooked. So when I got back to Greenville, I was determined to find the best bubble tea. Greenville, SC has to have some pretty good bubble tea, right? I searched so I could experience it whenever I wanted right at home. So that’s what I did. And, now you can enjoy amazing bubble tea, too!

What is Bubble Tea AKA Boba Tea?

Bubble tea, sometimes called Boba Tea, is tea mixed with milk or sometimes fruit and topped with tapioca pearls. These are usually chewy or can be filled with a fruit juice concoction so they pop when you eat them. The drink is of Taiwanese origin and was invented in the 1980s in Taichung.

Bubble tea isn’t the same everywhere and if you go to any bubble tea shop, there is a massive number of combinations you can choose, which is why I need to give credit to every place I tried because they were all so nice and patient. All the employees helped me to choose the best bubble tea for myself and my tastes.

Bubble Tea Greenville, SC Tour

I went to Kung Fu Tea, Cosmic Rabbits Tea Company, Asia Pacific, O-CHA Tea Bar, and Ding Tea, all in Greenville. I also tried out the make-your-own bubble tea packets from Trader Joe’s. Here are my reviews of each one.

Kung Fu Tea

Kung Fu Tea has an extensive menu with both caffeinated and decaf teas, milk teas, slushies, milk caps, milk strikes, and seasonal specials. It’s overwhelming but the staff can help you out. I got a Taro Milk Tea with strawberry bubbles and low sugar level. I really appreciated that you could choose the sugar level here because I prefer usually to eat my calories and not drink them.

This tea was awesome. It was so flavorful and I had to stop myself from drinking it all within a few minutes. I loved the texture of the bubbles (it’s a thing I like about bubble tea in general).

My rating: 5/5

581 Haywood Road, Greenville
233 N. Main Street, Suite II Greenville (this location is not open yet as of this writing)
Kung Fu Tea Website

 

Kung Fu Tea Boba Tea in Greenville, South Carolina
Kung Fu Tea

Ding Tea

Ding Tea has an enormous menu, offering everything from milk tea to fruit juice to yogurt to coffee. Again, pretty overwhelming for a new bubble tea drinker like myself but the staff here were so patient and helpful. I told them what I like and they pointed me in the right direction.

I got a Taro Boba Green Milk Tea and it was delicious. This was another place where you could pick your sugar level, which I appreciated.

My rating: 5/5

30 Orchard Park Dr Suite 20, Greenville
Ding Tea Website

Ding Tea in Greenville, South Carolina
Writer Erin’s Go to Order from Ding Tea

O-CHA Tea Bar

O-CHA Tea Bar is right along the Reedy River, an ideal location for picking up a bubble tea and walking in Falls Park, which is exactly what my daughter and I did after visiting here. My daughter got a Strawberry Milk Tea and I got the Taro Tea (you can tell by now this is my favorite tea).

Both were really good but very sweet. I didn’t have any options to choose the sweetness level at O-CHA Tea Bar but it was still good. O-CHA Tea bar has told us that you can choose the sweetness level.

My rating: 3.5/5

300 River St #122, Greenville
O-CHA Te Bar Website

Bubble tea from OCHA-tea
O-CHA Tea Bar

Asia Pacific Supermarket

Asia Pacific is a huge Asian supermarket that I love shopping at but they also have a restaurant in the back with authentic Chinese cuisine. I have a list of things I want to order here but haven’t got to yet. But I did try the bubble tea and it was awesome.

They have several different kinds of tea here and what I liked most was that they gave you a sample before you bought anything. Of course, I went with the Taro because by now, I knew this was my favorite. I can’t remember the other kind of tea I sampled but the Taro won out. I do want to try their Lavender Milk Tea next time. There’s no option to adjust the sweetness level here.

My rating: 4/5

420 N Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville
Asia Pacific Supermarket Website

Asia Pacific Bubble Tea
Asia Pacific

Cosmic Rabbits Tea Co.

Cosmic Rabbits Tea Co. is a beautiful shop right in downtown Greenville where you can get really whatever you want when it comes to tea, both in-store and at the counter. Their bubble teas are green tea based.

Cosmic Rabbits describes their bubble tea as a “creamy dessert beverage with a chewy topping at bottom” so yeah, not an everyday thing if you’re trying to stay away from the sugar, but oh-so-good. They have a lot of options for the bubbles, including the popping ones. The staff can help you choose the best option if you tell them what you’re looking for. My daughter and I got a Strawberry Milk Tea and Taro Tea.

My rating: 3.5/5

131 E McBee Ave., Greenville
Cosmic Rabbits Tea Co. Website

Cosmic Rabbits Tea in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina
Cosmic Rabbits Tea Co

Feng Cha

Feng Cha is a bubble tea shop but they also have desserts. I had a taro milk tea and my daughter had a Strawberry Breeze with an amazing strawberry foam on top. It was so good! Mine was amazing as well. I love that you can choose the sweetness level since I don’t like my drinks very sweet.

They have a huge menu and the employees here were all super helpful. I had a lot of questions and they helped me figure out what to order. We saw another lady who came in after me and she had never been and I overheard them helping her based on what she liked. I always appreciate that kind of service!

My rating: 5/5

12 N Spring Street, Greenville
Feng Cha Greenville website

Feng Cha tea in Greenville, South Carolina
Feng Cha Greenville

Trader Joe’s

I wasn’t sure if I needed to include this but here we are. I had heard about the boba tea kit on some online forum so I figured I would test it out and found it easily at the Trader Joe’s in Greenville. It’s $5.49 for the Instant Boba Kit, which is about what one glass of Bubble Tea costs anywhere else, and includes four packets of brown sugar tapioca balls and four straws. You just heat up the packets for a few seconds in the microwave and pour them into a glass of cold milk or tea or other beverage of your choice. I was pleasantly surprised by how good these were and how easy they were to make! I’d get them again.

My rating: 3/5

59 Woodruff Industrial Ln, Greenville
Trader Joe’s Greenville Website

Additional Places to Try Boba Tea: Greenville, SC

We haven’t checked out these Boba tea cafes just yet, but they are highly rated based on Google reviews. Let us know if you have tried out these places so we can give them a try!

Where is your favorite place to get bubble tea in Greenville?

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Find the Meal You’re Looking For

The Ultimate Guide to Greenville’s Restaurants

 

Split Creek Farm: Learn all about goats – and even play with them – at this farm in Anderson, SC

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Did you know there is a FREE self-guided tour at Split Creek Farm in Anderson, SC? Goats and educational opportunities are plentiful at Split Creek Farm in Anderson, SC. Plus, the farm shop sells award-winning cheese and must-eat fudge made from their goat milk. Get outdoors, enjoy some animals, and learn something new!

Split Creek Farm tours

If there are baby goats involved somewhere around the Upstate, we’ll be there. Goats, especially baby goats, make us so happy! Split Creek Farm is a Grade A goat dairy farm in Anderson, SC that we’ve written about and visited before to the delight of both us and our readers. But they are more than goats. Education is hugely important to the farm and to that end, they have recently designed and installed a new self-guided tour that anyone can take.

We tried it out because, well, goats. And I’m homeschooling and thought this would be a fun adventure.

If you’re looking for more cute animals, see our Adorable Farms and Petting Zoos story.

Goats 4 Goodness

Goats 4 Goodness is the non-profit arm of Split Creek Farm. It was established a few years ago with the intent to “do good things” and has delivered on that goal through goat yoga, virtual farm tours, allowing guests playtime with baby goats, and participating in Make A Wish.

But a big part of the vision of Goats 4 Goodness is the educational component of the farm. They do offer tours, both virtually (imagine surprising your co-workers on a Zoom call with baby goats!) and in-person, as well as field trips and other opportunities to educate the public on what their farm does, which is a ton. The goats are the backbone of the farm, supplying the milk needed to make their award-winning feta cheese, the delicious fudge, yogurt, and other products. The farm also supports the local restaurant industry and breeds nearly-extinct breeds of goats. They also participate in local and regional goat shows and research.

Sandra and Jessica, the owners of Split Creek Farm, are pioneers in many areas of goat farming and their non-profit helps to provide funds to further the goals of the farm and integrate them even deeper into the supportive local community, bringing the joy of the goats to everyone.

The new self-guided tour

While the farm store is open Monday – Saturday for purchases, self-guided tours are available only on Friday and Saturday. The farm employs a small number of people and as you can probably imagine, it takes a huge amount of work to run the farm, milk the goats, make the cheese, fudge, and yogurt, clean the pens, collect the eggs, take care of the babies, and care and feed the herd.

Split Creek Farm Self-guided tour sign

As much as Sandra and Jessica would like to take every single guest on a personal tour of the farm, they needed to find a way to make what they do more accessible and understandable for guests and their families. And so was born the self-guided tour with easy-to-read and follow boards around the farm.

The topics are broad and fascinating. Guests will learn about all the different breeds of goats and why they are unique. They will learn about how the cheese is made and where the goats are milked and how that process worked. They will learn about every animal on the farm and why their individual jobs are important to making the farm run smoothly. I’ve personally been to Split Creek Farm numerous times and still learned a lot walking through the tour and reading all the plaques.

For myself and my kids, learning about where our food comes from and what goes into that process often has led to a deeper appreciation for farms and all the work they do. My own love of goats is only compounded every time I learn more about them. And my goodness, they make me happy. And they make my kids happy, which is all the more reason to visit the farm and learn about the goats.

It’s totally free to visit the farm and take self-guided tours. If you come with kids, just be sure to keep a close eye on them as it is a working farm and guests need to be respectful of those rules.

Playing with the goats

Split Creek Farm treats their animals with extraordinary care. I’ve seen both Sandra and Jessica speak to these animals exactly like I speak to my own kids. But the difference is that the goats listen to them! The goats obviously love the owners and employees and the female goats are quite literally what makes the farm run due to the sale of the products made with their milk.

So it’s no wonder the farm is protective of their animals. However, the animals get a lot of freedom and you’ll probably run into goats wandering around and Sam, the border collie, making sure they are where they need to be. There are chickens and two enormous pot-bellied pigs roaming around as well.

Playing with goats at Split Creek Farm

As long as guests are respectful of the animals, they are allowed to play with them and pet them. This is glorious. Playing with the goats is just awesome, especially the smaller ones. They are super curious (one really enjoyed munching on my daughter’s hair) and sweet and fun. Sam likes to play fetch with his frisbee and the chickens, well, they do their own thing.

Sometimes the farm will do special events where guests are able to play with the baby goats or have goat yoga sessions. Follow their Facebook page for that info. It’s really fun to play with the goats especially after you’ve done the self-guided tour because, I feel, that you may have a greater respect for them and for what goes on at the farm.

Virtual farm tours

Split Creek Farm also does virtual tours for anyone anywhere. People have really loved these as seeing the goats on their computer screens always elicits a lot of joy. Virtual tours can be arranged here at Goats 4 Goodness.

Goats at Split Creek Farm

Visiting Split Creek Farm

It’s free to visit the farm and you don’t need to sign up to do the self-guided tours. Just follow all the posted rules, which include no pets. Once you arrive at the farm, you’ll see the space allowed for visitor parking on your left. The first couple of self-guided posts will be on your right near the huge penned goat pasture and on your left near the open barn. You’ll see the others around the farm.

Self-guided tours are available Friday and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm.

The farm shop is open Monday-Saturday 10 am – 6 pm.

For the latest on events and pictures of their baby goats come late winter, follow Split Creek Farm on Facebook.

Split Creek Farm
3806 Centerville Road, Anderson
864.287.3921

25 Stellar Places for Pizza: Greenville, SC (Our Favorites for 2024)

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Are you craving pizza and looking for the best pizza in Greenville, SC? Greenville locals have told us where to find the best pizza around town. Peruse our list to find your new favorite pizza!

 

Best Pizza in Greenville, SC

There are over 75,000 pizzerias in the United States and as a $36 billion a year industry, Americans are champions when it comes to pizza eating. They eat approximately 100 acres of pizza per day, which is a gorgeous picture to imagine.

The South is known for some exceptional cuisine but it’s the Northeast that takes the award for the best pizza, especially the New York/New Jersey region (I’m originally from NJ and lived in Rome for a time, which I’m proud to say makes me a pizza expert – this is the only thing I’m an expert at so let me have it). Most pizzerias claim they are NY-style pizza, which consists of a thin crust topped with a delicious tomato sauce and melted cheese.

One astute Kidding Around Greenville reader noted that when people get asked what their favorite pizza place is, it’s implied it is NY-style because “let’s face it, is the only style that really matters.” Well said, sir.

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Craving something other than pizza? Here are the best restaurants near Greenville, SC!

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Bored on Sundays? Here are 20+ Things You Can Do to Have Fun!

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Need some ideas for fun things to do on Sunday? While having kids and keeping them entertained isn’t exactly the typical R&R of a Sunday, making memories and enjoying each other’s company are certainly on the list of desires for Sundays. So here you go – we’ve come up with two lists of 20+ things to do on Sundays split into indoor and outdoor activities. Now go have some fun and enjoy some quality time with your kids before Monday morning!

Things to Do in Greenville, SC.

Searching for something fun to do in Greenville, SC? Check out our list of 50+ Amazing Things to do in Greenville, SC to start the fun!

Things to Do on a Sunday: Outdoor Activities

Swamp Rabbit Cafe

Swamp Rabbit Cafe is great for a relaxed Sunday. Grab a coffee, scone, and delicious stecca, and then hang out in the enclosed play area for a couple of hours while the little ones play. I’ve met some great parents here and love the relaxing feel (and good food) of the cafe. Stay for lunch and indulge in their wood-fired pizza.

205 Cedar Lane, Greenville
Sunday hours: 7:30 am – 7 pm

Hiking

Put together a lunch, snacks, and drinks on Saturday night, and head out to your favorite trail on Sunday morning. Lake Conestee is great for small kids and offers some sections of paved trails. Another option is to head to Yellow Branch Falls in Walhalla for an incredible three-mile hike to a gorgeous waterfall. Or go to Table Rock State Park and do the two-mile Carrick Creek Trail for a scenic hike. There are so many trails within a couple of hours of Greenville that cater to all levels of skills.

Hiking in Greenville, SC

Here’s a great Hiking Guide we’ve put together to help you.

Greenville Drive

A great Sunday family activity is a baseball game at Fluor Field over the summer. They even have a playground on site plus a big, grassy area for kids to run around in while you watch all the action on the field. Sunday games are often in the late afternoon and kids can run the bases after the game. You’ll also find some excellent events throughout the year at Fluor Field that tend to run the entire weekend, Sunday included.

Fluor Field, 945 South Main Street, Greenville

WNC Nature Center

Located right outside of Asheville and a little over an hour from Greenville, the WNC Nature Center is a great option for Sunday entertainment. The Nature Center is like a zoo except I’d argue even cooler. They have several playgrounds inside the campus plus all of their animals are local to the area so it’s educational and interesting. Learn more in our KA review of the Western North Carolina Nature Center.

75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC
Sunday Hours: 10 am – 3:30 pm (Park closes at 4:30 pm)

Go to a Family-Friendly Brewery

There are lots of other family-friendly breweries in our area that are open on Sunday and are great places to relax with a brew and good food while the kids play.

Visit a Playground

Greenville is dotted with playgrounds all over the place so it’s not too hard to find a good one to take the family to for some outdoor fun. Here is our list of our readers’ 5 Favorite Playgrounds and here’s another list of 9 More Awesome Parks & Playgrounds. You can also see our Playground and Parks Reviews page.

Bike Riding

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of the best places to ride a bike in the whole state. You can pick it up at several points in Greenville and it’s a fun activity to do as a family, especially if you love being active together. You can also check out the Doodle Trail in Easley for a fun-filled bike riding day!

Here are some other great trails to ride your bike.

Biking at the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina
Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville, SC

Flying Rabbit Adventures

Looking for a thrill? Flying Rabbit Adventures located off of Laurens Road in Greenville, has a ropes course that will challenge your entire family. They are open on Sundays, so get outside and enjoy the adventure.

821 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC
Sunday hours: 9 am – 5 pm

Flying Rabbit Adventures near Downtown Greenville, South Carolina

Flying Rabbit Adventures is awesome! Read our review of this awesome ropes course near Downtown Greenville, SC.


Things to do on a Sunday: Indoor Activities

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate

Those lazy Sundays are a particularly good reason to grab a TCMU membership – it’s so easy to head over there and spend hours among all the exhibits and interactive games. A boring Sunday could be a good excuse just to go check out one of the most popular attractions for families in Greenville. If you’re in Spartanburg, that location is also open and it’s just $7 to get in or free if you’re already a TCMU member.

300 College Street, Greenville
130 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg
Sunday hours: 11 am – 5 pm

projectROCK Easley

This huge indoor rock-climbing facility in Easley is a lot of fun! They have the nation’s highest indoor climbing wall at 84 feet high plus have a great little room for smaller kids. You can have hours of entertainment here. You can also find some additional indoor and outdoor rock climbing gyms near Greenville in our handy guide.

2121 Farrs Bridge Road, Easley
Sunday hours: Noon-8 pm

Climbing walls at projectROCK in Easley, South Carolina
projectROCK Easley

The Big E

An indoor playland with laser tag, a movie theater, an arcade, and bowling are all part of The Big E in Gaffney. It’s a bit of a hike from Greenville but worth it to spend lots of time together with friends and family.

Exit 90 off of I-85 at the Gaffney Premium Outlet Mall
Sunday hours: 10 am – 8 pm

Frankie’s Fun Park

Enjoy mini golf, go-karts, an indoor playground, laser tag, a batting cage, an arcade, bumper boats, and more at Frankie’s Fun Park.

45 Park Woodruff Drive, Greenville
Sunday hours: Noon – 10 pm

Hughes Main Library or the Five Forks Library

Most Greenville Library branches are not open on Sundays. However, the Hughes Main Library in downtown Greenville and the Five Forks branch in Simpsonville are both open on Sunday afternoons so grab the kids and your favorite book for an afternoon in the kid’s sections.

Hughes Library: 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville
Five Forks Library: 104 Sunnydale Drive, Simpsonville
Sunday hours: 2 pm – 6 pm

Five Forks Greenville library at Five Forks in South Carolina

Barnes and Noble

Take your kids to Barnes & Noble for the free train table and LEGO table. These can keep most kids entertained for a good while. And it’s free. You can also spend a few dollars and grab a coffee at the in-house Starbucks.

735 Haywood Road, Greenville (Sunday hours: 10 am – 7 pm)
1125 Woodruff Road Suite 1810, Greenville (Sunday hours: 10 am – 7 pm)

Upcountry History Museum

With awesome rotating exhibits and permanent ones about the history of the Upstate, the Upcountry History Museum is a great option for indoor fun on Sundays.

540 Buncombe Street, Greenville
Sunday hours: 1 pm – 5 pm

Greenville County Museum of Art

Most Sundays from 2 pm – 3 pm, the Greenville County Museum of Art has a program called Sundays at 2 that features music or family art adventures. And it’s free! Check beforehand to make sure you don’t have to register ahead of time.

420 College Street, Greenville
Sunday hours: 1-5 pm

Bounce Houses & Trampoline Parks

Spending a rainy or cold day indoors on a Sunday is a good idea – even better when it’s someplace where kids can get out lots of energy. Trampoline Parks Big Air, DEFY, Urban Air, and Sky Zone are all open on Sundays. Kangaroo Jax and The Pavilion are both open on Sundays for indoor fun.

Carousel at Kangaroo Jax in Greenville, South Carolina

Spare Time

The indoor entertainment facility, Spare Time hosts a state-of-the-art bowling alley, arcade, birthday parties, and an escape room. It’s an indoor playground for any age.

822 Congaree Road, Greenville
Sunday hours: 10 am – 11 pm

Mad Smash Rage Room

Get out stress by taking a bat and smashing lots of things in an enclosed (and safe) space at Mad Smash in Taylors Mill. Kids ages 8+ can participate!

250 Mills Street, Taylors
Open Sundays by appointment

Roller and Ice Skating Rinks

There are a handful of roller skating and ice skating rinks in Greenville, which are great options for spending time indoors on a Sunday. During the winter, you can skate outdoors in downtown Greenville right near the Peace Center. See individual sites for Sunday hours.

Golden Lanes & Golden Skate, 108 Balcome Boulevard, Simpsonville

The Pavilion, 400 Scottswood Road, Greer

Roller Sports Skating Rink, 328 W. Main Street, Taylors

Ice on Main, Village Green, Greenville (only during winter)

Swamp Rabbits

Head to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and watch our city’s minor league ice hockey team, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, play on a Sunday. They usually have at least one Sunday home game a month.

Bass Pro Shops

Why is an outdoor store on this list? Because Bass Pro Shops has pretty neat animals on display that kids love. They also have a small aquarium with lots of cool fish in the back of the store. And Santa is there most Sundays during the holiday season. And it’s free. Be sure to taste-test the fudge (and then buy a few pounds because it’s amazing).

1025 Woodruff Road, Suite H101, Greenville
Sunday hours: 10 am – 7 pm

Haywood Mall

Besides the obvious shopping, Haywood Mall has a small indoor play area perfect for smaller kids.

700 Haywood Road, Greenville
Sunday hours: Noon – 7 pm

What’s your go-to family destination on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

You can also find events throughout the Upstate in the Kidding Around Events Calendar! You will find educational events, festivals, free events, and more on the calendar.

10+ Places to See Dinosaurs Near Greenville, SC

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Been searching for “where to see dinosaurs near me”? Do you want to take your family somewhere to see dinosaurs? We have a list of all the places to see dinosaurs near Greenville, SC. Our list includes some fabulous places to learn about dinosaurs in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. All of them make a great dinosaur day trip from Upstate, SC.

Where to See Dinosaurs in the Southeast

Where to See Dinosaurs Near Me…

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Have a Blast on These Southeast Spring Break Trips for Families

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Planning your family’s Spring Break trips from Greenville, South Carolina? All places listed are within driving distance and those that we here at Kidding Around have been to personally. These weekend getaways from Greenville are perfect for making memories with your family this spring.

Spring break trips for families in the Southeast

If we missed your favorite place, add it in the comments!

Want to stay really close to home? With gas costs going up, a road trip might not be on the menu this spring break. If that sounds like you, you can still get away. Try this list of Spring Break trips within 90 minutes for Greenville, SC.


Spring Break Trips From Greenville: Southeastern USA

South Carolina Spring Break

Hilton Head Island /Port Royal/Beaufort, SC

While the beach is a good option for family fun in the Lowcountry, there is so much more to do than play in the sand. I’ve taken my kids and whole family to this area for the last several years and we always have an awesome time.

What to do: Dolphin and mermaid tours, kazoo factory tours, kayak or stand-up paddleboard trips, free aquarium, mini-golf, bike rides, pirate ship adventures, world class beaches. Here’s a list of HHI activities and here’s a list for things to do in the Port Royal/Beaufort.
Where to stay: We’ve loved this VRBO: Hilton Head
Drive time: 4 hours

Kayaking in a salt marsh in hilton Head

Myrtle Beach, SC

While swimming in the ocean isn’t ideal in April, you can still enjoy the outdoors plus some special family activities.

What to do: Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, dinner shows, the big Ferris wheel, and state parks. Here’s our list of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Where to stay:  Hampton Inn and Suites Oceanfront Resort
Drive time: 4 hours

Fripp Island

This is truly a special place that invites relaxation and time to recharge. It’s quiet and private and peaceful.

What to do: Biking, kayaking, restful excursions to the beach, and nature walks. If your rental includes resort amenities, you will also have access to public pools, an activity center with children’s programs, golf, and tennis courts.
Where to stay: VRBO has several condo options, like this Fripp Island Ocean Front Condo.
Drive time: 4 hours

Columbia, SC

The capital of South Carolina has so much to do, and it’s a great time to visit in spring because it gets super hot!

What to do: Visit the SC State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, the Columbia Museum of Art, and Congaree National Park.
Where to stay: This VRBO home in Columbia, SC is close to everything downtown!
Drive time: 1.5 hours


Weekend Trips From Greenville, SC: Georgia Spring Break

Helen, GA

Right in the middle of the Georgia mountains is the state’s third most-visited town, Helen. With tubing in the summer, Oktoberfest in the fall, and hiking all year round, this cute town is the perfect place to unwind with your family.

What to do: Hiking, family activities at Unicoi State Park like archery, fishing, and zip lining, eating authentic German cuisine, Hardman Farm.
Where to stay: A barrel cabin at Unicoi State Park.
Drive time: 2 hours

Historic Banning Mills

Stay in a treehouse and ride the world’s longest zip line! The historic site is loaded with outdoor activities. You can also do smaller zip line courses, go hiking, or ride in a Spider ATV.

What to do: Lots of outdoor adventures like zip lining and spider ATVs
Where to stay: Right at Historic Banning Mills. They have fantastic treehouses and other accommodations.
Drive time: 3 hours

Treehouse at Historic Banning Mills
Treehouse at Historic Banning Mills

Blairsville, GA

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination with the perfect mix of Southern charm and amenities, this is it. 

Things to do: Horseback riding, Trackrock Petroglyphs, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm, Meeks Park.
Where to stay: Shady Rest, The Ridges Resort & Marina.
Drive time: 3 hours


Spring Break Trips from Greenville: Tennessee Spring Break

Chattanooga, TN

There are so many fun things to do in the Chattanooga/Lookout Mountain area that we have put together a full guide for you.

What to do: Rock City, Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, Point Park Battlefield, zoo, riverboat.
Where to stay: Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo (a refurbished train car), Garden Walk Inn, Embassy Suites, or cabins at Cloudland Canyon Park.
Drive time: 4.5 hours

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN

The town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee rests outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and is just beautiful. It’s filled with a seemingly endless amount of entertainment like a fun dinner or miles of hiking trails in the mountain areas.

What to do: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anakeesta, Wild Bear Falls indoor waterpark, Sky Bridge, Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, the Titanic Museum, the Island at Pigeon Forge, Pink JEEP tour, dinner shows, Dollywood. Here’s a huge guide.
Where to stay: The Go Lodge, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, Greystone Lodge on the River, Margaritaville Island Hotel, Camp LeConte (glamping), Wilderness at the Smokies, Inn on the River, or covered wagons and tipis at Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort. Be sure to check for special offers, like the ones that Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge is running.
Drive time: 3 hours

Pool at Camp Margaritaville
Camp Margaritaville

North Carolina Spring Break: Weekend Trips from Greenville, SC

Asheville, North Carolina

You really can’t go wrong heading to Asheville in Western North Carolina for any reason at any time of the year. You can stay near the mountain town and enjoy restaurants or head over to Pisgah Forest where waterfalls and hiking trails abound.

What to do: Hiking, waterfall chasing, WNC Nature Center, Biltmore House.
Where to stay: Pilot Cove on the edge of Pisgah Forest
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Sapphire Valley

My family has vacationed here several times and just loved it. If you rent a VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort, you’ll have a kitchen, which can save a lot of money when it comes to cooking your own meals vs. eating out. And you can buy an amenities pass, which gets you into the indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub plus gym and mini-golf.

What to do: Use the cheap amenities pass at the resort for pool time, or head out to hiking nearby trails to beautiful waterfalls and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway (all free!).
Where to stay: Check AirBnB or VRBO for the Sapphire Valley Resort or Lake Glenville
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Buffalo Creek Vacations

Stay in either a decommissioned caboose or luxury cabin with a hot tub and game room – all on a buffalo ranch.

What to do: Enjoy the beautiful property and watch the buffalo roam, check out the model train room, play in the game room, hike the trails around the ranch. Or go to nearby towns to explore, hike, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and see the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains while you chase some waterfalls.
Drive time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Caboose rentals in North Carolina
Caboose rentals

Great Wolf Lodge, NC

For a vacation where you rarely have to leave the hotel, Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC right outside of Charlotte is a great option. Inside the hotel, you will also find multiple dining options in a range of prices and styles.

What to do: Included with your hotel stay is admission to the giant indoor water park and free family activities. In addition to the included activities, you can purchase either bundled at a discount or a la carte passes to additional activities such as MagiQuest and ShadowQuest, mini-golf, ropes course, bowling, arcades, and more. Local activities include the NASCAR Hall of Fame and ZMAX Dragway.
Drive time: 2.5 hours


Florida Spring Break: Getaway for Spring Break to Somewhere Warm

St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is a great central city for some super cool activities like checking out manatees at Blue Springs, exploring alligator farms and historic forts, or heading into Orlando.

What to do: Alligator Zoo, Castillo de San Marcos, historic tours, old town St. Augustine, Blue Springs State Park, within driving distance to lots of day trips like Daytona Beach and Orlando.
Where to stay: VRBO has some great options, like this beachfront condo.
Drive time: 6.5 hours

Alligator farm play area in Florida

LEGOLAND, FL

The outlier on our list but still worth the trip is LEGOLAND near Orlando, FL. The amusement park has rides, interactive games, special events, and even a hotel on the property. They also have a virtual reality roller coaster and a water park that’s open from March through October.

Drive time: 9 hours

What are your spring break plans?

20 Top Ideas for Great Dates With Your Kid

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Trying to plan some one-on-time with your child in Greenville, SC? Writer Kristina Hernandez shares her 20 ideas for a great date with your kid. These ideas range from splurges to free outings and are appropriate for all types of families and situations! We also have some tips to make the most of your special time.

Parent child dates in Greenville, SC

As soon as my daughter was old enough, as in she could maybe hold a slice of pizza and take a tentative bite, I took her on a date to my favorite pizza joint. While conversation with a three-year-old was limited, it was the time we spent together that made the difference.

As she has grown up and the concept of a “date” is slowly beginning to form in her little mind, she loves it when it’s just her and I out together or her and dad. Nurturing the child-parent relationship with dates is one of my favorite ways to spend time together – and here are some ideas to make it one of your favorite times too.


Tips for Date Time With Your Kid

Here are a few tips for maximizing this special time with your child from Kidding Around Owner Bethany Winston.

  • Don’t make the date a reward for good behavior.
    Don’t let this treat be one that has to be earned. Make it a treat that they get just because you love them and want to spend time with them. The kid who constantly presses your buttons is likely the kid who also really needs your attention.
  • Put your cell phone on “Do Not Disturb”
     If nothing else, it will send a clear message to your child that they are more important than your business and Facebook.
  • Do something inexpensive and simple.
    Remember this outing is about taking time to just enjoy your child. Big, glitzy programs can distract you from being able to really talk and get to know each other. When the outing is inexpensive and simple, it’s also easier to repeat frequently.
  • Don’t force your kids to talk.
    Sometimes it’s good just to take a break from trying to find out information from your child, and instead give them space to talk about what they want to talk about. You never know where that might lead. 
  • Cater to your kid’s preferences.
    Try to let your child do something that they enjoy rather than having to cater to your tastes. This might mean eating at a place that wouldn’t be your top choice or spending a half hour watching your kid climb a playground.
  • Try to incorporate moments like these into everyday life.

Places to Have a Date With Your Kid

Whether you’re planning a mother-daughter/son or daddy-daughter/son date, they can be super simple. But if you’re looking to get out and about, here are some great ideas for places you can bring your child throughout Greenville, SC!

Ice Cream Date

Because who doesn’t love going on an ice cream date? It’s inexpensive, doesn’t require a smaller child to sit still for a long time, and it can involve chocolate.

Trampoline parks

My personal favorite trampoline parks are Big Air, which has a ninja course, climbing walls, and a ropes course, and DEFY. Other great local choices are the Big Air Spartanburg, Sky Zone Greenville, and Urban Air.

Bike Ride

This can either involve an actual bike with an older kid or the parent walking next to their child riding a bike. Go around the block a couple of times and talk with your child or go on the Swamp Rabbit Trail (or other places) together. It’s exercise and bonding.

Pedicab Ride

Take a ride on a pedicab through Greenville with Greenville Bike Taxi. We did it during the holidays but you can do it any time of the year!

The Greenville Bike Taxi is so much fun, your kids will LOVE exploring the city!

Greenville Bike Taxi cover

Fly through the air

Go zip lining and climb through rope courses in the air at Flying Rabbit Adventures. This would be awesome for older kids who you can do the bigger course together with.

Flying Rabbit Adventures near Downtown Greenville, South Carolina

The Flying Rabbit Adventures ropes course is an epic kid date night!

Go see a play

I’ve taken my daughter to the South Carolina Children’s Theatre to see shows and it’s really fun. I used to go to Broadway shows in New York City with my mother when I was old enough and while Greenville isn’t NYC, it certainly has a wonderful theater community with excellent plays. And the Greenville Theatre has wonderful age-appropriate shows throughout the year.

Get Crafting

Head to ReCraft for a fun time together making new things out of old things!

ReCraft Greenville is a great place to craft with your kids!

Recraft Creative ReUse Center in Greenville, South Carolina

Go to Home Depot Free Workshop Days

Home Depot has a kid workshop day every first Saturday of the month and we’ve been going for years. It’s free and you get to build something together and paint it and get all messy. It’s a blast.

Shop for Cheap Books

If your kid loves to read, make a date out of any of our area’s used book sales or the massive Book Warehouse Outlet sales.

Story Time

Libraries are worlds of imagination and creativity. I am an avid reader and my kids love books so taking one to story time is a treat. Libraries also have lots of free craft activities! There are also several storytime events throughout Greenville that your kids will enjoy.

Museums

The Upcountry History Museum always has awesome exhibits and I’ve taken my daughter to them for dates before and we always really enjoy it. They are interactive and give parents the chance to read quickly and look smart for their kids (hoping that’s not just me). The Children’s Museum of the Upstate also has tons of great workshops and exhibits.

You can visit the Greenville County Museum of Art absolutely free. They also have great events and activities on their calendar and many are free.

Roper Mountain Science Center Starry Nights

The Roper Mountain Science Center has a planetarium night every Friday evening about the stars and constellations and you get to lean back and look up at the starry night sky. It’s really neat and fun for both kids and adults.

Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville, SC

Roper Mountain Science Center has so much to do, including Starry Nights on Fridays, that make a perfect daddy/daughter, mother/son date night!

Go shopping

I really don’t enjoy shopping but I do enjoy shopping for my kids and letting them pick out clothes or a book or a toy. I’m a big fan of some of the children’s consignment stores in the area and thrift stores like Miracle Hill and Goodwill. It’s fun to take your child and pick out a book for 50 cents or a dress for a couple of dollars.

Find a new picnic spot

Greenville has so many special little outdoor nooks that are perfect for picnics. Pack your meal or grab a to-go meal from one of your favorite restaurants. If you need tips, we’ve got you covered with ideas on how to plan the perfect picnic.

Coffee/Hot Chocolate

While your kids hopefully aren’t addicted to coffee like us crazy adults, there are tons of great little cafes in the Greenville area to grab a caffeinated beverage for you, a hot chocolate for your kid, and maybe a scone or two to share and relax while sitting on a comfy sofa or at a window overlooking Main Street.

Go Indoor Rock Climbing

This is perfect for both kids and their parents who are adventurous or want to try something new. BlockHaven, Climb@BlueRidge, and projectROCK Easley are all great options for indoor rock climbing.

Places to go rock climbing near Greenville, SC, with indoor and outdoor options!

Rock Climbing in Greenville, SC

Take a hike

With miles and miles of trails in the area, you can’t really go wrong taking a hike together. Pack a lunch and have a great day together.

Pick-Your-Own-??

During the warmer months, there are lots of great options to pick strawberries, tulips, lavender, and apples, which provides opportunities for conversation and quality time together.

Get cooking or baking

Whether in your kitchen or taking a cooking class together like this bread-making class! Learning to make delicious food together is something that your child will carry for the rest of their lives.

Painting & Creating

The TReehouse Cafe and Art Studio is one of our favorite places thanks to its relaxing yet funky and artsy vibe. You can grab a meal together and paint or create art while there. Or you can go together to one of these painting/art places around town (just call ahead of time to be sure they have space).

TReehouse Cafe Travelers Rest

TReehouse Cafe and Art Studio in Travelers Rest is a great kid’s date idea, with art projects, delicious food, and awesome decor!

Go to a game

For older kids, a great date night would be to see a baseball game at Fluor Field. Or see the Greenville hockey team, the Swamp Rabbits, play at The Well.

Farmers Markets

From downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest to Simpsonville, the summer months are filled with beautiful farmers markets where you can take a stroll with your kid through the stands, grab a scone, and pick out produce and fruit that they like. In the wintertime, hit up the Toasty Farmer Indoors Farmer Market. It’s a good opportunity for them to help choose nurturing food for you both to cook at home together.

Go mini-golfing or golfing together

Takeoff Mini-Golf next to Runway Park in Greenville is such a fun place to go mini-golfing. There’s also free mini-golfing at McPherson Park in Greenville or Sparkle City Putt Putt in Spartanburg. For older kids, Top Golf or 3’s Greenville Golf & Grill are great choices.

Run a race together

So many great races are happening this spring in the Greenville area. Some offer child races but if your kid is old enough, run a short race with them (or if they are smaller, some races allow you to run with a jogger).

Enjoy the Outdoors

Greenville is situated in such a perfect place – it’s not far from the mountains or beautiful, pristine lakes. Go kayaking or paddleboarding on a date with your kid in either a tandem kayak if they are smaller or two kayaks. Go hiking – the trails here are really fun and there are hikes for people of all ages. Or go fishing together!

Go old school

Take your child to the Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum where you can play all kinds of old-school games together.

Upstate pinball and arcade museum

The Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum has $10 all-day gameplay!

Do you have a great idea for a date with your kid to add to our list?