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Author Archive

Spend the Day at Lake Hartwell State Park

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Thinking about a day trip to Lake Hartwell State Park? Lake Hartwell State park sits on the border of Georgia and South Carolina. Surrounded by 56,000 acres of lake, this state park is a fishing fanatics dream come true. Plus, you’ll find opportunities for hiking, swimming, camping and more. Enjoy the outdoors at Lake Hartwell State Park!

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Best Beaches in the Southeast: Don’t Miss These Family-Friendly Beaches

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Looking for the best beach for a vacation near you? The Carolinas and other states in the Southeast are home to some of the best family beaches. We’ve included information on some top-rated beaches, plus other locations that were recommended by Kidding Around readers and families.

Some beaches are perfect for a day trip if you get an early start, and some will require a long weekend commitment. Whether you are looking for the closest beaches to Greenville, SC, or just trying to find “family-friendly beaches near me”, this list is a great place to start if you are planning a beach trip anytime soon.

Find a great beach near you!

Looking for "family friendly beaches near me?"

This article includes:
Best South Carolina Beaches
Best Beaches in North Carolina
Favorite Beaches in Florida
Top Beaches in Georgia
Reader Favorite Beach in Alabama

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10+ Best Authentic Tacos in Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC

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Are you looking for tacos in Spartanburg, SC or tacos in Greenville, SC? We’re right there with you. We’re big taco fans around here, and we’ve tried several restaurants in Spartanburg and Greenville searching for that perfect taco. Here’s our list of authentic taco qualifications and restaurants where you can find them! Buen Provecho!

Check our list of the places readers say are their favorite Mexican Restaurants in Greenville

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Family Restaurants in Spartanburg, SC That Kids AND Parents Will Enjoy

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Looking for family restaurants in Spartanburg, SC? We have a list of restaurants in Spartanburg where kids and parents can enjoy a sit-down meal together. Spartanburg has no shortage of restaurants, but the trick is finding that perfect balance of grown-ish and kid-friendly.

We think we have a few options that fit the bill with great kids’ menus or a perfect family atmosphere. So, pack up the family and prepare to enjoy a nice meal out!

Check out our Spartanburg restaurant guide to discover more amazing restaurants in Spartanburg, SC.

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10 Of Our Readers Favorite Mexican Restaurants in Greenville, SC

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Looking for a great Mexican restaurant in Greenville, SC? We recently took to social media and polled our community members, asking them about their favorite place to grab a Mexican meal.

With no shortage of options, the list was long, and the race to top pick was close, but we had some front runners where readers were concerned! Did your favorite make the top ten list?

For more Mexican Food picks, check out Greenville Speaks: Readers Top Places To Order Nachos or the best places to find tacos in Spartanburg and Greenville.

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25+ Fabulous Things to Do During a Day Trip to Pickens, SC

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If you’ve never spent a day exploring Pickens, SC, you should add it to your bucket list. Pickens County is home to some of the most naturally beautiful locations in South Carolina, including Table Rock and Lake Jocassee. You can also find excellent shopping at the Market at the Mill and local antique shops. There is just so much to do in Pickens, SC! We went on a search for fun in this beautiful area of the Upstate and came back with a long list of things to do on a day trip to Pickens, SC any time of year.

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You’ll Want To Visit CAMP in Greenville, SC

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Looking for a new restaurant to try? Our very own CAMP restaurant in Greenville is one your whole family will enjoy! But this isn’t the kind that will require an overnight stay. We have all the information you need to know before you visit CAMP.

A plate from Camp GVL Tostada at CAMP restaurant Greenville
CAMP | Tostada

The location that formerly housed the Greenville News offices is now one of the newest social hubs of Downtown Greenville. The AC Hotel, Insomnia cookies, and CAMP offer guests to Camperdown Plaza fine dining, cocktails, warm cookies & entertainment on the outdoor stage.

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Restaurant 17: Enjoy A Meal With An Amazing View Of The Mountains In Travelers Rest, SC

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There’s a place tucked away in the foothills of Travelers Rest that will transport you far from the daily grind of everyday life in the Upstate. Hotel Domestique’s Restaurant 17 is the place where you can pour yourself into a seat on the patio, and just breathe in the surrounding beauty. The menu is carefully curated, utilizing ingredients supplied by local farmers, cheese artisans, beekeepers, and more.

A meal at Restaurant 17 is more than just nourishment, it’s an experience. Paired with a weekend getaway stay at Hotel Domestique, you’ll forget you’re less than an hour from home.

Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest, SC

Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest, SC

Owner’s Name: Rich Hincapie

Do you have a kids menu? Yes

What are your contactless delivery options?
Curbside pickup

Do you offer outdoor dining?
Outdoor dining – covered, open & heated

What makes your spot unique?

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Restaurant 17’s beautiful setting is the clear root for the restaurant’s modern, place-driven perspective. It all adds up to an experience that brings people together over tables of authentic, thoughtful food and drink. Where old-world hospitality meets familiar European views, the cuisine reveals an elevated twist on classic Italian and Mediterranean favorites. Chef Haydn Shaak marries classical training with his dedication to local farms and ingredients to craft a truly unique menu inspired by the seasonality of the Upstate.

What dish is the most popular? Southern Fried Chicken Padano

What dish are you the proudest of?
Chef Haydn’s Southern Vegetable plate features local and seasonal vegetables from our local farmers, and we are proud to showcase the produce of our region in a unique, fresh way.

It’s my first time at your restaurant, what do you suggest we order?
The Cheese & Charcuterie Board and House Made Ricotta Dip are must-haves for snacks to start. For Small Plates, the Domestique Puttanesca and Sausage + Peppers Radiatore are house favorites. Finally, for entrees, the Southern Fried Chicken Padano and Mountain Trout Piccata are fan favorites!

Where do you love to eat when not at work?
Jianna

Gifting Options: Gift cards

Learn More About Restaurant 17

Restaurant 17
10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest | 864.516.1254

Plates of farm to table food from Topsoil Kitchen & Market in Travelers Rest, SC

Looking for more yummy restaurants in Travelers Rest, SC? Kidding Around has your ultimate list of TR Restaurants.

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Here’s Where To Find A Delicious Meal

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Are you looking for vegan restaurants in Greenville, SC? Or maybe you’re looking for vegetarian restaurants in Greenville?

The lifestyle of eating meat-free isn’t new, but it has become more mainstream in recent years. The days of going out to eat as a vegetarian or vegan and eating a dinner of side dishes are gone, as restaurants cater to a new fanbase. You know a plant-based diet is mainstream when traditionally meat-heavy BBQ places offer a meat-free alternative! 

We’re here to clarify some things and then help you find the delicious meals you’ll want to seek out with a list of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Greenville, SC.

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Coastal Crust appetizer
Coastal Crust | Green Salad & House Marinated Olives Appetizer 

Vegetarian, Vegan, & Plant-Based Diets – What’s The Difference? 

Growing up with a Godmother who was a vegetarian, I quickly learned to read labels and ingredients before offering her things. Items I had never thought of included animal by-products, and even to this day, some things surprise me. Once, someone pointed out that one of the fruit-filled pastries in the grocery store bakery contained a pork by-product (and it wasn’t lard). So what’s the difference between Vegan, Vegetarian, and Plant-Based diets lifestyles? 

Vegetarian VS Vegan:
A vegetarian diet is the most flexible of the options. There are several sub-categories of vegetarianism; most eliminate meat from their diet and retain some animal-sourced items, such as eggs, cheese, honey, or other non-meat)

Vegan VS Plant-Based:
The critical difference is that veganism includes avoiding animal products of all kinds, including clothing, while plant-based usually refers strictly to the diet. So vegan would be the most extreme of the three, with no consumption of animal-derived products at all. 

Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Greenville, SC

Aryana – Greenville, SC 
Afghani vegetarian/vegan meal options 

Bar Margaret – Greenville, SC
Vegan/ Veggie burger option

Blue Moon Specialty Foods – Spartanburg, SC
Veggie lunch plates, veggie wraps (omit the cheese for vegan), and a large selection of prepared meals in their market.

Bobby’s BBQ & Seasoning – Fountain Inn, SC
Jackfruit Meat alternative offered

Bourbon Street Burgers – Simpsonville, SC 
Serves veggie burgers

Coastal Crust Pizza – Greenville, SC 
Vegetarian options / vegan cheese option

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Coastal Crust Vegan Pizza
Coastal Crust | Vegan Pizza

Core Life Eatery – Greenville, SC
It offers several “build-your-own” menu items that can very quickly be made vegan. The pasta used is rice noodles, and they offer roasted tofu as an alternative meat option. 

D’Allesandros PIzza – Greenville, SC
Vegetarian options / vegan cheese and vegan pepperoni options

Downtown Deli & Donuts– Spartanburg, SC
Plant-based bowls and wraps, portobello burger, black bean burger, veggie sandwich, and other vegan items at Downtown Deli & Donuts

The Exchange Co. – Simpsonville, SC
This coffee shop and creperie offer vegan crepe options! 

Farm Fresh Fast – Greenville. SC
Veggie Stir Fry, wraps, and more on their “No-Kill” plant-based menu 

Good Karma Ice Cream – Easley, SC
Dairy-free ice cream 

Green Fetish – Greenville, SC
Offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, including build your own bowls.

Harvest Kitchen– Greer, SC
Build your own bowls, with a wide variety of ingredients to align with dietary needs and preferences.

Jasmine Kitchen – Greenville, SC
Seasonal menu with vegan options

Jenauri’s Vegan Bakery – Greenville, SC 
Custom made vegan cakes

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Jenauri's Vegan Bakery
Jenauri’s Vegan Bakery

Ji-Roz – Greenville, SC
Over two dozen vegan and vegetarian items included on their Greek cuisine menu 

Kuka Juice – Greenville, SC
Cold-pressed juice and vegan menu options

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Kuka Juice
Kuka Juice 

Lime Leaf – Spartanburg, SC
This Pan-Asian and Thai restaurant offers tofu and veggie-based entrees on the menu. 

Moo Creamery – Pickens, SC
Dairy-Free ice cream 

Naked Vegan – Greenville, SC
They serve soups, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and more. They offer a large selection of vegan meals.

O-cha Tea Bar – Greenville, SC
Vegan drink and tea options

Papi’s Tacos – Greenville, SC 
They offer squash/bell pepper and cactus/bean taco filling options for your veggie tacos

Pinguinos Hermanos – Multiple locations
Fresh fruit and coconut cream shaved ice.

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Pinguinos Hermanos
Pinguinos Hermanos | Strawberry Fresa Colada Shaved Ice 

PI-Squared – Spartanburg, SC
Vegan cheese option

Roost – Greenville, SC
Several Vegan & Vegetarian options are marked on their menu. 

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: The Southern Growl
The Southern Growl | Vegan Seitan Wrap

Southern Pressed Juicery – Greenville, SC
Cold-pressed juice and vegan menu items

The Spatula Cafe  – Greenville, SC
Utilizing tofu, tempeh & falafel, half their menu items are vegan.

Sunbelly Cafe – Greenville, SC
A completely meat-free, seasonal menu

Tacos and Bla Bla Bla – Various locations
Tons of options when you substitute black beans for meat on menu items like tacos and nachos

Tasty As Fit – Greenville, SC
Plant-based menu including smoothies, entrees, and take-home options

Thai Vegan Restaurant – Greer, SC
A fully vegan menu of Thai cuisine 

The 05 – Greenville, SC 
A full vegetarian and vegan menu 

Topsoil Kitchen & Market  – Greenville, SC
Vegan menu items and a Plant-Based supper club 

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Topsoil Kitchen and Market
Photo Credit: Topsoil Kitchen & Market  

TReehouse Cafe – Travelers Rest, SC
The café has a section of its menu dedicated to Vegan/Vegetarian options.

TruBroth – Travelers Rest, SC
Vietnamese cuisine with tofu-based and vegetable-based items on the menu 

The Universal Joint – Greenville, SC
Menu items that can be easily “veganized” with these tips from V.V. Spot

V. V. Spot – Serving The Upstate, SC
V.V. Spot offers Vegan food restaurant tours and is a great way to learn how you can make small changes in your current eating habits to be healthier. You might be surprised! If you want to learn more about what V.V. Spot offers, check out our Review of The Vegan Restaurant Tour Of The West Village

We Got The Beets (Food Truck) – Greenville, SC
An entire food truck menu that caters to plant-based diners

White Duck Taco – Multiple locations
Jackfruit meal alternative offered, plus easily veganize menu items by swapping meat for beans and omitting dairy. 

Wholly Smoke Family Restaurant  – Mauldin, SC
They offer four different vegan entrée options that include jackfruit as a meat alternative.

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for more restaurants in Greenville and the Upstate, be sure to check out our Restaurant Guide.