Inside: Local teens and parents share their favorite day trip destinations for teens and tweens near Greenville, SC. All the spots on this have been visited by the Kidding Around team bringing you information from real experience.

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Why Day Trips Are Perfect for Teens Near Greenville, SC

If your teen is like the teens I know and love, then you know planning an outing that they will enjoy is not always easy. But, it is totally possible! Teenagers living in the Upstate are lucky to have so many wonderful places to explore in town or nearby. For example, you can travel to both Asheville and Charlotte in less than two hours.

Day trips with teens get them out of the house, off the devices, and give you lots of time to chat and experience something fun together. It’s organic bonding time that’s not forced. You’ll be surprised the things they bring up on those long car rides. In addition, these day trips make excellent field trips for homeschooled teenagers.

Best Adventure-Filled Day Trips for Teens

1. Rafting the Chattooga River with Nantahala Outdoor Center

For an awesome adrenaline rush and full day of adventure, you’ll definitely want to go rafting on Section IV on the Chattooga River with the Nantahala Outdoor Center in SC. This is a fun, fun trip that includes lunch and Class IV-V rapids, checking out a beautiful waterfall, and jumping in the river. Read our full review.

2. Asheville Adventure Center

Teens will love the unique things to do at the Asheville Adventure Center. If you want to head towards the mountains for outdoor adventures with your teen, then check out Asheville Adventure Center. It includes Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures, KOLO Bike Park, KidZip, and Wildwater Rafting. Cost varies by activity.

5. Explore the Waterfalls Near Greenville

I don’t care how old you are – waterfalls never go out of style! And if you’re wondering where to take teenagers hiking near Greenville SC, waterfalls could be the answer.

Take your teen on a day trip to explore the nearby waterfalls and do some hiking. In particular, Chau Ram County Park is a great day trip idea because it takes a little more than an hour, but once you get there, you can hike and swim at Ramsey Creek for just $3.

PS. Be prepared to take plenty of posed waterfall pictures for their Instagram and Snapchat feeds.

6. U.S. National Whitewater Center

If you’re thinking about cool places to take teens near Charlotte NC, the U.S. National Whitewater Center can’t be overlooked. It is an awesome place to visit for families looking for outdoor activities. In addition to offering whitewater rafting, you can also kayak, paddleboard, and mountain bike. Guests also have the opportunity to do some rock climbing, conquer ropes courses, canopy courses, and more. Plus, there is live music during the summer months. You can purchase a day pass for $79 that includes all activities or a cheaper single activity pass.

Best Educational and Historic Day Trips for Teens

7. Discovery Place in Charlotte

We love Discovery Place in Charlotte! This science museum is tons of fun for kids of all ages. The interactive second floor includes several hands-on opportunities geared at this age group. Teens can lie across a bed of nails, try hydraulic arm wrestling, or compete to see who can build the largest tower. It is also home to an IMAX theatre. The cost is $24 for adults and kids age 2-13 get in for $19.

BONUS: Also, in Charlotte, check out the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. Our teens loved visiting, flying the simulators, and learning about the aircraft.

8. Visit the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn

And if you want to take kids to Biltmore, be sure to review 5 Reasons to Take Your Kids to Biltmore.

If your teenagers are history or literature fans, a trip to the Biltmore Estate and Grove Park Inn is an absolute must. Both locations are steeped in history and give teens a real-life glimpse into the past. They will enjoy learning about the Vanderbilt Family at the Biltmore and hearing about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s time at the Grove Park Inn. The cost to visit the Biltmore Estate varies by season.

Outdoor Fun and Water Adventures Teens Will Love

11. Sliding Rock (Pisgah Forest)

There is probably no more iconic summer experience in Western NC than Sliding Rock in Pisgah Forest. This is a really fun adventure that your teen will love – and probably freeze in. Go before Noon or after 4pm for lesser crowds. Admission is $5/person. We suggest adding on Moore Cove Falls (1.5 miles round trip) and Fryingpan Tower (1.5 miles roundtrip) hikes to make it a full day trip.

12. River Tubing

There are so many awesome spots to go river tubing over the summer. The closest one to Greenville is the Saluda Outdoor Center. We also love Deep Creek, Helen, GA, and Smoky Mountain Tubing in Cherokee. We also have a huge list of places to go tubing in and near the Upstate over the summer.

13. Linville Caverns

Another unique day trip option for teens is a visit to Linville Caverns in Marion. Here you will be guided “inside the mountain” and experience the caverns, which stay a cool 52 degrees year-round. The caverns are also home to bats, so you may see some on your visit depending the time of year you go. Since you are allowed to take pictures inside the cave, this is another spot where your teen will ask you to take about a hundred.

Cool Towns & Cities Perfect for a Teen Day Trip

14. Hendersonville NC: A Fun Small-Town Adventure

Hendersonville, NC is located about an hour away from Greenville and offers plenty of things to do on your day trip with your teen. If it’s fall, you could visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. There’s an aquarium, too. Or if you have a teen who loves views, a visit to Jump Off Rock would be fun. Play all day at the Appalachian Pinball Museum. Or, just walk around downtown Hendersonville, grab lunch somewhere, and then have a fun afternoon activity before heading home. Take a look at all the things you can do in Hendersonville.

15. Athens GA: Exploring Campus Life & Downtown Fun

Athens, GA is only a couple of hours from the Upstate. Home to the Georgia Bulldogs, it has a great downtown area full of retail stores and restaurants. Spend a day in Athens with your teen walking around the University of Georgia campus and wandering around downtown. We have an entire guide to your day trip to Athens.

16. Downtown Asheville, NC: Trolley Tour and Chocolate Factory Fun

Asheville, NC is a vibe, and it’s also beautiful and has a lot of fun things to explore. You can take a trolley tour, check out the Grove Arcade to shop and dine, and even go on a tour of a real-life chocolate factory! Find out how to plan the perfect downtown Asheville day trip with your teen with our handy guide.

Amusements and Unique Day Trips for Teens

17. Asheville Retrocade (Bonus: Retro Arcade Games!)

For a fun add-on to any trip to Asheville, take the teens to play some old school video games at Asheville Retrocade. It’s just $10/person for all day play.

18. Carowinds Amusement Park, Charlotte NC

Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte is always a hit with teenagers. Since it is located less than two hours from Greenville, you can make this a day trip. With roller coasters and thrill rides and a waterpark, Carowinds will keep your teen entertained all day long. Also, Scarowinds, Carowinds’s annual Halloween nighttime event, draws the teen crowd. Ticket prices start at $40.

19. Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is located a little less than an hour from Greenville and hosts really fun (and free) events. The center is open to the public and has restaurants and shopping, as well as the opportunity to see competition. It is free to visit but Saturday Night Lights has a $10 parking fee. Be sure not to miss Saturday Night Lights at Tryon!

Do you have day trip for teens ideas to add to our list?

Want more? See our Day Trips Ideas for Teens from Charlotte, NC!