Ready for a break and thinking about looking at lake house rentals? SC and NC have some of the best lakes to retreat to. We have a list of amazing homes on lakes that you can rent for your next family vacation! Loaded with peace, tranquility, and amenities for the family, these lake house vacation rentals are perfect for a spring break trip or a weekend away.
These lake home rentals are all nearby in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia.
Looking for great restaurant for brunch in Spartanburg, SC? There are a lot of restaurants in Hub City with brunch menus. How do you pick one? We asked our readers for their favorite brunch spots in Spartanburg and this list where they guided us.
Here are our readers’ favorite brunch restaurants!
Looking for more great restaurants? Here are some of the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC!
Wondering where to get your car seat checked? With so many different car seats currently on the market, it is often tricky for even a seasoned parent to properly install a car seat. This contributes to the fact that approximately eighty percent of car seats installed right now are improper. You can call several places to make an appointment to have your car seat installation inspected, so you don’t have to risk the safety of your most precious cargo.
Wondering what black history sites in Atlanta you might visit to teach the kids about the Civil Rights Movement? Atlanta, GA has a number of important black history sites and parks, including the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. We visited some of Atlanta’s Civil Rights historic sites, and gathered all the information you need for a visit
America has a rich and diverse history. It’s filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Learning about as much of it as possible is essential to understand current affairs better. I recently combined our love for Atlanta with our quest for knowledge.
I’m glad that Atlanta is just a short drive away because I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface! Georgia’s capital isn’t just the birthplace of one of the most iconic people from the Civil Rights Movement; it’s home to the stories of so many other important people in the Black History of America.
The place where Martin Luther King, Jr., was born and became the historical figure we all know is just about a block from where he was laid to rest.
*Fun Fact: Did you know that Martin was actually Michael at birth? After a trip to Germany, Michael King Sr. was inspired by the religious leader Martin Luther and changed his and his 5-year-old son’s name from Michael King to Martin Luther King.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta is roughly 35 acres within the City of Atlanta, including his place of birth, Ebenezer Baptist Church, a welcome center, and Dr. and Mrs. King’s tomb.
The MLK National Historical Park is a self-guided walkable tour, with convenient parking behind the social justice center, next to Ebenezer Church. It’s open rain or shine, so we didn’t let the sprinkle stop us. If your kids are inquisitive, be prepared to answer tons of questions.
For children ages 6-12, there is a Junior Ranger program they can complete. You can print out the official activity booklet at home and bring it with you to complete.
*Fun Fact: Did you know that MLK was such a gifted student that he skipped grades 9 and 12, making him only 15 years old when he began college life at Morehouse.
Seeing the things currently open should take about 2 hours and is stroller friendly.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park | 450 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
This modern center, dedicated to the fight for equal rights, is a place where you could spend the entire day. The exhibits include a lunch counter sit-in experience, view documents from Martin Luther King, Jr., attend a workshop, and more.
The Center is open Tuesday – Friday and Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm. The last entry is 4 pm daily.
National Center For Civil and Human Rights | 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, Atlanta
Sitting in the shadow of the behemoth Mercedes Benz Stadium in the heart of downtown Atlanta is a beautiful home. To look at it, you wouldn’t know the history it holds from the outside. The century-old home (1910) was built by the first Black millionaire in Georgia, Alonzo Herndon. Born into slavery, Alonzo was 20 with just a few dollars in his pocket when he left the life he’d always known to find something better. He cut his first head of hair, which led him down the success path that helped him create affordable housing in the Black communities. Mr. Herndon’s story is inspiring, and this beautiful home is a lasting legacy to all that this once enslaved gentleman overcame.
*Interesting Fact: His father was the plantation owner that his mother and brother were enslaved to. This aided them in being emancipated because the plantation owner’s wife wanted the reminder of her husband’s misdeeds out of view.
The Herndon Home | 587 University Place, Atlanta
Long before John Lewis served 17 terms as a Georgia Congressman, he was a peer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders who organized the March on Washington. The end of legalized segregation in the United States was primarily due to the things he did. John Lewis led what became the first of three separate marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, across the Edmund Pettus bridge in 1965. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Reverend Billy Graham, Lewis was ordained as a Baptist minister. In 2012, at the mural dedication, Lewis added the final touch to the work of art by painting the dot over the “i” in his last name. He passed away in the summer of 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
*Fun Fact: In 1977, President Jimmy Carter put John Lewis in charge of a federal volunteer agency that oversaw programs including the peace corps. This was nearly ten years before he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time.
John Lewis Mural | Auburn Ave North East, Atlanta, GA
As mentioned before, there is so much in Atlanta to see when it comes to Black history. I’m already planning a trip back to visit the Madam CJ Walker Museum.
Is there someplace we should see while we are there?
Want to learn more? Check out our guide for Charleston Sites to Visit in Honor of Black History Month.
Searching for some delicious dessert in Spartanburg? Cakes, pudding, ice cream, we love them all. We visited Spartanburg’s Big Ben’s Desserts. And I think we’re all in agreement… it was a great spot to pick up a dessert treat. We’ve got some advice for what you should order when you visit Big Ben’s Desserts!
What do you get when you combine a hometown football hero and a love of baking?
The answer – Big Ben’s Desserts.
After opening in the fall of 2018 with a grand opening that left every last crumb sold, the Upstate has continued to show their love for Ben Hall and his dessert shop.
(more…)Looking for a romantic restaurant for a special date night? You’ve waited for what seems like forever to have a date night with your spouse. Now where to go for dinner? We asked our readers where they like to go for a romantic meal out. Here’s where Kidding Around Spartanburg readers suggested.
Where can you find Christmas Tamales in Greenville, SC? Tamales at Christmas time are a staple in Mexican homes, and there are places in Greenville and Spartanburg that can help you bring this delicious tradition to your holiday table!
These labor-intensive treats are usually made in huge batches by a group of Tias (Aunts) all crowded around a kitchen. If you don’t have a bunch of Tias or the time to make your own tamales, it’s ok. Kidding Around’s Melanie is going to help you find tamales to enjoy this Christmas!
Fill your table with amazing food for the holidays from local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and more. We have full meals, desserts, sides, charcuterie, take-home kits and so much more! Here’s all the amazing holiday food in Greenville, SC.
This article includes:
How to Make Tamales
Where to Find Tamales in Spartanburg, SC
Where to Find Tamales in Greenville, SC
Have you ever considered booking a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the winter months? We think it should be at the top of your list! Heading to the beach in the winter can be an excellent time to explore the Myrtle Beach area without crowds, while still enjoying all the fun the Grand Strand has to offer. Kidding Around will tell you why a trip to the coast of South Carolina in the off-season is not only a fun vacation, but also a budget-friendly one.
If you are looking for a fun and affordable family vacation with plenty of activities to keep you busy, Myrtle Beach is the place!
(more…)Are you looking for cookie or cupcake decorating kits? Nothing says the holidays like the fun of baked sweets, cookies, and cupcakes sitting on the counter! However, whether you lack the baking skills, time, or tools to accomplish the baking part; there is a way to get to the fun without all of the work.
We found Upstate bakers who offer take-home cookie and cupcake kits so you can create your own edible masterpieces to share during the holidays. Here’s a list of cookie bakers in Spartanburg and Greenville that are offering cookie take-home kits with ready-to-decorate cookies, frosting, sprinkles, and more!
Don’t have the time to DIY those edible treats? These Greenville, and Spartanburg bakers will happily provide you with fully decorated cookies to wow your friends and family during the holidays!
Are you wondering about places to volunteer near Greenville, SC? If you and your family are looking for ways to give back to the community, do something to help the environment, or assist in the classroom, there’s no better time than the present! There’s a way for nearly every member of your family to pitch in and help make a difference. We have ways to volunteer, even if you don’t live in Greenville, South Carolina.
(more…)