Wondering about First Friday events in Greenville? The Metropolitan Art’s Council in Greenville presents First Fridays. As the name indicates, the events are on the first Friday of every month and include open art studios with different featured artists.
The Greenville Center for Creative Arts almost always participates in First Friday events (now called NightShifts) with artist exhibitions, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities. We sent KAG Contributor Kristina Hernandez and her family to visit for a First Friday event. Here’s her family’s experience.
LushAcres Farm, about an hour from Greenville, SC, is a pretty fascinating place that has animals, a playground, and lots of fun seasonal activities.
LushAcres Farm is set on more than 300 acres and has been in existence since around 1875. They have a really fascinating history and have combined over a century of farming with agritourism and taking care of children who need it most.
Jumping pad at LushAcres
About LushAcres Farm
LushAcres Farm in Clinton, South Carolina, is an extension of Thornwell, a large non-profit connected to the farm that takes care of foster children, vets and aids foster families, and has two schools on campus. Their mission is to directly prevent child abuse and neglect and make sure every child knows they are loved.
Thornwell began its mission in 1875 when they started housing orphans after the Civil War. During the Great Depression, LushAcres fed its residents and others nearby with the harvests from their crops. And now they support the children in foster care through events at the farm, their farm market, their strawberry patch, and their seasonal activities.
The Farming Side of LushAcres
The farm grows many types of vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, corn, strawberries, pumpkins, and peppers. They have u-pick strawberries in the spring, which are deliciously sweet and juicy due to the soil the plants are grown in.
Strawberries at LushAcres
The farm also has a beef share and raises the cattle from start to finish of the entire process. The cattle are all grass-fed and you can contact the farm to arrange to purchase a beef share.
They raise their own chickens and have a host of other barnyard animals for the public to see like adorable, fluffy alpacas, goats, and even Highland cows.
Be sure to stop by the farm market for fresh produce, meat raised on the farm, and goodies from local vendors like soap, candles, honey, and pickled vegetables.
U-Pick Strawberries
The strawberry fields at LushAcres are gorgeous and the berries look oh-so-good and juicy. The soil is exceptionally rich here so the berries turn out to be sweet and juicy.
The farm is reportedly not open for U-pick season yet due to weather issues earlier on this year. We expect U-pick to be available a few weeks off their normal U-pick opening time of mid april. They are $18/gallon. Always check their Facebook page or Instagram or call before you go as the weather can affect their u-pick field.
Also, they do have wheelchair-accessible strawberry picking available. There aren’t many berries yet but the plants are at an accessible height and wheelchairs are able to use the path to get there.
Accessible strawberries at LushAcres
Agritourism at LushAcres
A big part of the LushAcres Farm experience today is their agritourism. The farm hosts a Spring Festival (April 25th, 2026 from 10 am – 5 pm), a Fall Festival every Saturday in October, and a Corn Maze After Dark experience near Halloween. They also have u-pick strawberries in the spring and offer field trips for schools.
The farm has a big playground with the biggest and best corn pit I’ve ever seen, a gaga ball area, a big slide and wall climbing spot, tires to run on, basketball hoops, a jumping pillow, and swings made of tires. There’s also a large picnic area.
For those who want a little extra fun, gem mining is available as well. My kids and I had a blast on the playground and I made some snow (corn?) angels in the corn pit. The playground is open whenever the farm market is open so this is a great spot to pick up local food and berries while the kids play!
LushAcres Corn Pit
The barnyard is open as well where you can see chickens, cows, goats, and two ginormous pigs.
Fun fact: they have a therapy cow where foster children who need a little extra confidence when learning to read can go read to. The therapy cow is non-judgemental and loves to hear stories while the kids gain confidence. Win-win.
Visiting LushAcres Farm
You can visit LushAcres when the Farm Market is open, which is Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm
LushAcres playground
You can also check them out during special events like the Spring Festival on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is $12/person and kids ages 2 and under are free. They will have local vendors, food trucks, and the playground and strawberry patch will be open.
Proceeds from events and the farm market go right back into supporting the children at Thornwell and their foster care mission. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster family, visit Thornwell’s website.
If you’re heading to Disney and all the sights of Central Florida for your family trip, don’t miss the opportunity to trade out the crowds for the natural beauty of the Rock Springs Run at Kings Landing.
I love the outdoors and enjoying all that nature has in store for us because it’s almost always better than I could have imagined. And with hot days and crowds around Orlando, escaping to Kings Landing is an awesome idea if you’re in the area. I was completely blown away by these gorgeous springs.
You’ll feel like you’re in another world here – nature’s very own theme park – and never want to leave.
Paddleboarding at the springs
About Kings Landing and Rock Springs Run
Kings Landing is in Apopka, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, and only about 40 minutes from Disney World. It feels a lot further away. Kings Landing is a privately owned entrance point into Rock Springs, where you can access the incredible Emerald Cut or the Wekiva River.
This area of water is a designated National Wild and Scenic River, and once you’re out there, it’s easy to see why. The calm, crystal-clear water under the shade of huge jungle-like trees is stunning and peaceful.
This is the Florida a lot of people overlook. I grew up going to Florida often to visit family that lived there, and somehow we never took in these natural springs. I only discovered them as an adult and was swept away by their beauty. The natural springs are amazing because their crystal clear-water is filtered through limestone caves and is a constant 70 or so degrees year round.
Manatees congregate at many of these springs during the cooler months. One we visited, Blue Spring State Park, allows swimming during the summer when the manatees are gone. Another one, Ichetucknee Springs and Blue Hole Spring, is an easy day trip from St. Augustine and even Orlando.
Most of the Florida springs allow swimming, but you need to be watchful because alligators are common. More on that in a bit.
At Kings Landing, you may rent clear canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks. You can also bring your own and drop in at their site. They also offer camping on the property or you can paddle to a boat-in campsite that you must reserve through Wekiwa State Park. Group camping is also available next to Kings Landing at Kelly Park’s Camp Joy.
Stay Near Kings Landing
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Paddle Trips at Kings Landing, FL
There are a few options for paddling from Kings Landing, from an hour or two to an all-day adventure.
We did the paddling trip out to Emerald Cut, which is a stunningly beautiful paddle through the clear water upstream for a mile. The water isn’t deep in most spots, and the bottom is sandy and soft. There are spots to stop and swim, and of course, take photos. There is a really cool tree that you can climb and jump from into a small swimming hole. The river is fairly narrow so you have to pay attention to the other paddlers and watch for wildlife.
Paddleboarding at the springs
You’ll go upstream the way out and then downstream on the way back. My daughters and I are fairly experienced paddlers as we have our own paddleboards and go out often during the summer. But we had never paddled on a river, which was a little harder due to the current. It took us less than half the time downstream as it did to go upstream. I wish we would have stayed and swam a little more though because the trip back was too fast.
We were told to watch for wildlife and not to approach any animals. We only saw a really cool bird up close but kept our distance. We were just about to the end of the run when a family coming downstream told us a gator was ahead. We made a prudent decision and turned back. Typically, the staff told us, gators hang out more on the darker water side, but they absolutely can show up on Rock Springs.
That trip took us a little over two hours.
If you go the other way on the river, you can go as far as 8.5 miles downstream, and the Kings Landing shuttle will pick you up and take you back to your car. You have a much higher chance of seeing wildlife there, which we really didn’t want to see. To do the shuttle run, Kings Landing asks that paddlers be experienced since it is about a 4.5-hour trip.
Make Your Paddling Reservation
You don’t need any paddling experience to do the run we did. Paddling a kayak or canoe isn’t hard, and you’ll get instruction from the staff. They also offer guided tours if you want to be sure you’re in good hands.
If you choose to rent a vessel, you’ll have four hours total, which is enough time to paddle both the river (not the 8.5-mile trip) and Emerald Cut. Rentals are priced from $49 up to $74. The canoe can fit three people max. You can also select a kayak, double kayak, or paddleboard.
If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, the cost is $10/adult and $5/kid. No children ages two and under are permitted.
Paddleboarding at the springs
Know Before You Go
Here are a few tips for your trip to Kings Landing:
No pets allowed.
No children under two years old allowed.
Pay attention to your surroundings. This isn’t a controlled environment and wildlife exists.
If you’re bringing your own paddleboard or kayak, you must have a life vest and whistle. If you don’t have one, you can rent one.
The crystal-clear emerald water will often turn a tea-colored brown after heavy rains due to the tannins in the fallen leaves. We went in April, and the water was just like you see in photos.
You must make a reservation. Weekdays are less busy than weekends, but reservations are required at any time.
Bring sunscreen, water, and bug spray.
All Leave No Trace principles must be followed.
No glass, styrofoam, or alcohol is permitted.
Just hanging out at the springs
Ready to Paddle?
If you’re ready to get away to a jungle oasis and see the wild part of Florida, make your reservation at King’s Landing online.
Kings Landing is open daily 8 am – 5 pm. All boats must be back to the dock by 4:30 pm. All walk-ins must launch before 3 pm. Walk-ins will not be accepted once they hit capacity.
Need a gift for Mother’s Day or a special treat for a birthday or just a day of relaxation in Greenville, SC? Let us introduce you to Spa H at Hotel Hartness.
Thank you to Spa H for inviting us to experience their amazing oasis.
Rest and relaxation are not part of my vocabulary, especially as a parent and working mom. There is just no time and if there is time by some miracle, it’s usually spent catching up on laundry or the dishes or meal planning or making deadlines. So when Bethany and I had the opportunity to review Spa H at Hotel Hartness, we carved out the time (and threw some responsibilities to the side) to make it happen because it’s a rare thing to be able to truly relax and just forget about life for awhile.
Spa H was even better than I had pictured or imagined. It is the absolute perfect way to gift that woman in your life who deserves some time alone or to gift yourself!
Relaxation room
About Spa H
Spa H is part of Hotel Hartness right off Highway 14 in Greenville. It’s set back on a beautiful, quiet nature preserve next to a small lake. While it is a part of Hotel Hartness, the building is separate from the hotel but within a minute or so walk. So if you book a hotel room, you can easily just walk over to your spa appointment (which we absolutely recommend).
The spa is beautiful and peaceful and it’s easy to see how the designers thoughtfully created the space so that relaxation is encouraged. From the soft music when you walk into the spa to the comfortable couches to the delicious scents – it is all meant to be relaxing as soon as you walk through those doors.
There are six treatment rooms, locker rooms for men and women, a relaxation room, and a patio that overlooks the small lake with a garden.
Let’s Get to Relaxing
We were scheduled for an 80-minute Seasonal Treatment, a body treatment that involves an exfoliating scrub, shea butter, a cactus toning wrap, and shimmer air oil. The products were all orange-scented, which smelled heavenly. The scents change every few months with the seasons.
When we got to Spa H, the kind receptionist greeted us and gave us a bamboo cloth that smelled so good! She poured hot water over it so we could use it to wipe our hands or faces. We filled out an intake form and headed to the locker room.
Reception room at Spa H
We each had individual lockers – welcoming us with a little chalkboard by name – that had an amazingly soft and fluffy robe with sandals. We each had a key so felt safe locking our valuables inside while we had our treatments.
The locker rooms have showers and bathrooms along with shaving kits, toothbrushes, hair brushes, deodorant, you name it. It was a well-stocked locker room.
For body treatments, it’s best to remove all clothing except underwear. It may be different for facials so be sure to ask the attendant what you should do. We felt comfortable the whole time and cozy in our robes. Everything at Spa H is professional, tranquil, and comforting.
The Seasonal Treatment
For the seasonal treatment, the back, arms, legs, feet, and arms are rubbed down with a body scrub, then taken off with heated, wet towels. Then shea butter is massaged into the skin along with the shimmer air oil. At the end, you are all wrapped up like a cocoon with a cactus toning wrap.
My clinician, Beverly, was amazing. She explained everything that would happen and asked what I was comfortable with or preferred to skip and then got to it. The treatment began with several deep breaths while facedown. Beverly had some water that was scented with something that immediately made my body relax. It was heavenly.
All about relaxation and comfort!
Then she worked on my back with the body scrub. Never having had a body treatment like this before, I thought it may be messy with the scrub needing to be rinsed off. But it wasn’t at all. That’s what the heated towels were for. Everything was the perfect temperature and I soon began to forget about my life for a bit.
She continued to do my legs and then I turned over for my feet and arms. My feet were wrapped in hot towels for awhile, which made them oh-so-soft (yay for summertime!). She then took the bottom of the blankets on the table where I was laying and wrapped me up. It wasn’t tight and it wasn’t as I thought it would be at all. I was wondering how I was supposed to be wrapped up. Would I have to sit up or get off the table or something like that? Nope, all I did was lay there.
When I was all wrapped up, she gave me a scalp massage. I nearly fell asleep. I can’t even describe how relaxing this was. All the stuff that had been on my mind when I walked into the spa was somewhere else. I didn’t even care where. I was just happy it wasn’t inside my head any longer. I wasn’t thinking of work or dinner or answering a million questions from kids or trying to remember if I ordered enough toilet paper from Amazon.
I could have stayed there another hour.
Relaxation Continues After Treatment
I really didn’t want to go anywhere after the treatment and luckily, I had some time to just sit and do nothing. Bethany and I got time to hang out together in the relaxation room, which had comfortable chairs, blankets, books, and cold green tea. It was amazing.
We headed out to the sunny patio for a little while to enjoy the beautiful day. The sun was warm and we just felt really good. We started Googling how much it would be to do an overnight stay at Hotel Hartness and a spa treatment. Dads – if you’re reading and have forgotten birthdays and Mother’s Day and need to make your wife happy, give her an overnight stay at the hotel with a spa treatment. It will make her very, very happy.
You are also welcome to hang out at the Relaxation Room as long as you like.
Summer at the Poolside
Every Friday – Sunday from Noon- 8 pm during the summer season, both hotel guests and anyone who books an appointment at Spa H (no overnight stay required) can enjoy access to the outdoor pool which is open from dawn to dusk. So imagine yourself here below, just without anyone else. Ah, nice, right?
Pool at Hotel Hartness |
Photo courtesy of Hotel Hartness
Booking Your Spa H Appointment
I don’t go often for massages or facials or really anything that was as relaxing as this trip to Spa H was. But goodness, I really should do this more. It just felt so good to have a couple hours of doing nothing and focusing on nothing but being in the moment and letting go of worries and concerns.
You can book your appointment online at the Spa H website. They are currently offering a Mother’s Day and weekday discount. You can also become a member at the spa where you receive a 50-minute relaxation massage or balancing facial every month plus discounts for spa products, hotel rooms, and additional services.
Be sure to get there 15-30 minutes early to have time to fill out the intake form and get changed. We both walked out of there so much happier and more relaxed than when we came in. All the staff are so kind and considerate and just really good at their jobs. Make the appointment. Buy the gift card.
Do you have an old car seat to trade in? If you’ve got an old car seat around collecting dust, you can participate in the Target car seat trade-in program. All you have to do is trade it in, and the respective store will give you coupons or gift cards. Read on to learn how these programs work. The next Target car-seat trade-in event will be April 19th – May 2nd,2026
Ready to explore Cobb County, GA? Get ready to cheer on the Atlanta Braves, ride thrilling coasters, learn about history, and eat delicious food with a fun, family trip. Less than three hours from Upstate SC, Cobb County has it all. We’ve got all the info on how to plan a great trip.
Thank you to Cobb Travel & Tourism for inviting us to enjoy their beautiful county and providing accommodations and tickets!
Cobb County spans the Northwest part of the Atlanta Metro area and packs quite a punch when it comes to family fun. From restaurants to playgrounds to museums and state parks, here’s everything you need to know to plan a trip with your family.
Use the map below to discover great lodging options in Cobb County. Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through this map.
About Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is located in the Northwestern part of the Atlanta metro area and includes the towns of Marietta, Smyrna, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, and Powder Springs. The founding of Cobb County goes all the way back to 1832. The county is home to several important Civil War battles, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in July 1864.
Fun fact: Cobb County hosts two of Atlanta’s professional sports league teams, the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta United.
Cobb County is referred to as “Atlanta’s Sweet Spot” because it’s not only easy to reach from major interstates, but has a diverse mix of everything you could imagine. From outdoor activities like hiking and biking to history to restaurants to sports, Cobb County has it all. There is truly something for everyone. The county is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from the Upstate, but be sure to leave some time for traffic because Atlanta is huge.
Where to Play and Explore
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
This national historic site is a fascinating and beautiful spot. A decisive battle at the end of the Civil War, the battle at Kennesaw Mountain was a long and drawn-out event, starting in late June 1894. The North was led by General Sherman, and the South was led by General Johnston. Kennesaw was essentially the last mountain between Sherman and Atlanta.
Kennesaw Battlefield Visitors Center
The Visitors Center has an excellent museum you walk through to see the timeline of events, main characters, and even old Confederate and Union military uniforms. There are 22 miles of trails, including one up to the top of the mountain and others to see the old trenches used during the battle. We got about halfway up to the top and then turned to try to find the trenches but ran out of time. Be sure to watch the 35-minute video about the battle and get the free Junior Ranger books for your kids.
Parking is $5 unless you have the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass.
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA Visitors Center is open daily 9 am – 5 pm Trails are open 6:30 am – 6:30 pm (November-March) and 6:30 am – 8:30 pm (March – November)
See the Atlanta Braves Play
If you’re going to Cobb County, you need to see the Braves play. The entire atmosphere is electric, with everything from eating and hanging at The Battery beforehand to cheering on the Braves during the game, to even walking back to the hotel with all the other fans. It was an amazing experience and perfect for families.
Glover Park is the very center of Marietta. The town square has an adorable little train playground, beautiful gazebo, fountain, and stage. There are plenty of benches to relax at and seasonal events. There are several local businesses all around the square to explore, and it’s a great place to grab ice cream and sit while the kids play.
50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA Open 6 am – 3:25 am daily
Windy Cindy Community Center Playground
This inclusive playground is huge and has lots of slides, a ninja course, and shaded benches for caregivers to sit and relax. There is a ramp that allows kids in wheelchairs to get on a moving platform at the playground. Other than shaded areas over the benches, there’s not much shade, so it’s best to go early in the morning or later in the evening on warm days.
Windy Cindy Community Center Playground
1885 Roswell Street SE, Smyrna, GA
Six Flags Over America
This massive theme park is located in Cobb County and has lots of fast, fun roller coasters, places to eat, and a day full of adventure. Get there when the park opens because the lines just get longer as the day goes by. Read our full Six Flags Over Georgia review for all the info.
I had no idea there was so much history in this town! The Marietta History Center is amazing in how they lay out what happened here. They show everything from how families were told to save electricity during the Great Depression to uniforms worn by the women in the military to Civil War battles to the history and culture of African Americans to the history of Scouting.
Plus, they have military clothing to dress up with. We were there during one of their free Saturday events, which worked out perfectly since they had some extra arts and crafts to do.
Marietta History Center
1 Depot Street, Marietta, GA Open 10 am – 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays Admission is $10/adults, $7/students
Where to Eat
From L-R – Piu Bella, French Toast at the Marietta Diner, Marietta Diner
Marietta Square Market
The Marietta Square Market is a massive food court with almost any kind of cuisine imaginable: Greek, Italian, Chinese, Korean, American, you name it. There are so many options that I promise you it will be hard to choose. My kids got burgers, and I got a bulgogi chicken bowl that was delicious. We ended up going on trivia night, which means I got to show off my mad ’90s trivia knowledge in front of my kids. It was awesome.
You’ll have to pay to park, but make good use of the time and walk over to the town square of Marietta. There’s a beautiful fountain gazebo and a super cool train playground for smaller kids.
68 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA Open Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm and Friday-Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm
Marietta Diner
This place is exactly what you would likely picture as an authentic, shiny, neon-covered diner. The Marietta Diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has an extensive, delicious menu. When you walk in, I dare you not to salivate over one of the giant cheesecake slices behind the glass counter. We had pancakes, French Toast, and oatmeal for breakfast and weren’t even hungry until after 2 pm. The portions are huge. This place was made famous when it was featured on Food Network’s “Diner, Drive-ins and Dives.”
306 Cobb Pkwy SE South, Marietta, GA Open 24/7
Goldberg’s Fine Foods
Goldberg’s is an authentic Jewish deli with bagels made in-house, black & white cookies, and a delicious array of breakfast and lunch items. They have a couple locations in the Cobb County area, but we went to the one at The Battery since it was within walking distance to our hotel.
Marietta Square Farmers Market
This was one of the best Farmers Markets I have been to due to its vast size and variety of options. There were jewelry makers, florists selling gorgeous flowers, bakers selling cookies and sweets, farms selling produce and meat, local honey, and elderberry, and my favorite, a German bakery! I spent a ridiculous amount of money on pretzels and a chocolate croissant, but it was worth it!
41 Mill Street, Marietta, GA Saturdays 9 am – Noon, year-round
Where to Stay
Cobb County hosted us at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria, just a short walk from Truist Park where the Braves play.
This hotel is in an ideal location, especially if you’re going to see the Braves. No traffic or jostling for parking. Just walk, take the hotel shuttle, or hire a pedicab. It’s easy and fun! This is one of the best parts of staying here, especially if your trip centers around going to the Braves game. It’s so easy to get back to the hotel and not deal with traffic.
Our room at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria
While the hotel doesn’t have free breakfast, they do have an adjacent restaurant, Rocks Restaurant & Bar, where you can get breakfast if you don’t feel like leaving the hotel. There’s also a beautiful fitness room and outdoor pool. The staff were all so kind and helpful because, once again, one of my kids forgot their toothbrush. Our regular readers know this is a common occurrence! I was grateful the hotel could help us out.
There is a charge for overnight parking per night, but there is free WiFi.
200 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA
Ready to Explore Cobb County?
If you’re ready to explore Cobb County, you can do most of the activities we suggested here in a few days, but there are many more fun things to do that we weren’t able to get to! The Cobb Tourism & Travel website is a great resource. Be sure to check their event calendar because the event scene in Cobb County is fantastic.
Looking for a place to go strawberry picking? Greenville, SC and the surrounding area have over a dozen farms just waiting for you to pick those juicy berries! If you don’t like doing the hard work yourself, you will also find farms that have prepicked berries for you. Here’s the inside scoop about which local farms to go strawberry picking in Greenville, Spartanburg, and the Anderson areas.
And since we know how much you all love maps, we made one for all these strawberry farms:
We know summer camps for kids can get expensive in Greenville, SC. So we put together a list of camps that are on the less expensive end at $150 or less per week.
Looking for cheap or budget summer camps in Greenville, SC? While summer camps are awesome for both kids and their parents, they can get pricey, especially with siblings. And if you’re looking at two or three camps for the summer, it becomes a line item in your budget.
We can help! We’ve found more than 15 summer camps in the Upstate that cost $150 or less per week, per kid. If we missed any we should add to this list, let us know in the comments.
Looking for more summer camps? Here’s our massive Greenville Summer Camp Guide with over 120 Greenville-area summer camps.
Are you looking to move to Greenville neighborhoods with pools? If you’re shopping for a home and looking at neighborhoods that offer pools as part of their amenities, you’ve come to the right places. We’re listing where to find pools in Greenville below. The real estate market is booming in Greenville, so why not pick a beautiful home in a neighborhood that has a pool you can enjoy with the kids in the summer.
Searching for pool memberships in Greenville? We get it. Luckily there are plenty of family pool memberships near Greenville, SC for you to choose from. And Kidding Around has done the work for you! Here’s a list of local pool memberships, along with the hours and amenities they offer.
