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Archive for the ‘Things to Do Inside’ Category

These Escape Rooms in Upstate, SC Will Have You Racing to Beat the Clock!

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Are you looking for a fun, yet challenging escape room in Greenville, SC? With unique storylines and challenging puzzles, escape rooms have steadily been growing in popularity over the last decade. We gathered a list of escape rooms throughout the Upstate that are perfect for date nights, birthday parties, teambuilding exercises, and other group events. Time to pause that mystery podcast you’ve been listening to for hours and unlock your inner Sherlock Holmes to solve all the clues before time runs out!

This article includes:
Greenville County Escape Rooms
Spartanburg County Escape Rooms
Pickens County Escape Rooms
Anderson County Escape Rooms

Escape Artists Greenville
Escape Artists Greenville, SC

Escape Rooms: Important Things to Know

  • Before heading to the escape room venue, it is highly recommended (and sometimes required) to book your appointment ahead of time.
  • Many of the escape rooms in the Upstate have an age limit or require a parent to accompany any minor. Some rooms are not recommended for children due to the theme.
  • Please contact the escape room you wish to attend for additional rules, pricing, booking an appointment, and information about their location.

Escape Rooms in Greenville County

Escape Artists Greenville- Downtown209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville | 864.509.9305 
Offers 6 private escape rooms of varying levels of difficulty. Requires at least 2 players to complete (some rooms require a minimum of 4 players). Players under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, with some themes being inappropriate for younger players. Read our Kidding Around review of Escape Artists Greenville to see if Bethany beat the clock!

Best for kids: Yuletide Magic Maria took her kids to do Yuletide Magic during their Greenville Staycation.

Escape Artist Yuletide Magic

Escape Artists Greenville- Hampton Station1320 Hampton Avenue, Bay 11C, Greenville | 864.509.9305
Offers two 60-minute private escape rooms. Escape rooms require a minimum of 2 players, with an 8-player maximum. 

Breakout Games614 North Main Street, Greenville | 864.326.0190 
Offers 8 private escape rooms with varying difficulty levels. Require a minimum of 2 players to play. Open to all ages (under 14 must be accompanied by an adult).

Trapped in the Upstate556 Memorial Drive Extension, Suite D, Greer | 864.416.1539
Offers 6 private escape rooms that require at least 2 players. Puzzles take about 60 minutes each. The minimum age to play alone is 13. Children under 10 are welcome, but some puzzles are not appropriate for younger players due to difficulty and theme. Read our Kidding Around review of Trapped in the Upstate for more details.

Servus VR 928 South Main Street, Greenville | 864.509.1077
Offers 11 virtual reality escape games. Games require at least 2 players, with options for 2 player, 3 player, and 4 player games. Games run for 60 minutes. 

Spartanburg County Escape Rooms

Escape Room Adventures and Virtual Reality–  1220 John B White Sr Boulevard, Spartanburg | 864.586.5086
Offers 6 escape rooms of varying levels of difficulty. Games require a minimum of 2 players. In addition, several VR escape games are available. Recommended age is 12 and older. Anyone under 18 must have a parent sign a waiver, and under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Escape Room Adventures requires an appointment.

Robert's Relic Room
Trapped in the Upstate, Greenville SC

Pickens County Escape Rooms

Seneca Escape Zones115- C Eagles Nest Drive, Seneca | 864.557.9663
Offers 3 escape rooms of varying levels of difficulty. A minimum of 2 players is required for each game, and each room holds up to 6 people. Puzzles are designed for ages 10 and up. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Book an escape room before attending the location. 

The Escape Quest277 Market Street, Seneca | 864.626.5995
Offers 4 escape rooms of varying levels of difficulty. 2 players are required for 2 of the three rooms offered. Recommended party size is 4 – 8 players. Booking ahead is highly recommended, walk-in gameplay is not guaranteed. Each escape room is approximately 60 minutes. Children are allowed as long as accompanied by an adult. 

Anderson County Escape Rooms

Electric City Escapes– 4103 Liberty Highway, Anderson | 864.328.9908
Offers 4 escape rooms with varying levels of difficulty. Three rooms are appropriate for all ages. The Mystery Parlor is PG13. The games are 60 minutes long. Booking online is recommended. 

Do you have a favorite escape room in Greenville or the Upstate?

Trapped in the Upstate: Beat The Clock In This Escape Room In Greer, SC

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Do you have what it takes to beat the clock at Trapped in the Upstate in Greer, SC? Will you figure out the puzzle or will you get trapped? Don’t worry. You’re not really trapped. But just to be sure, we visited to check out this escape room experience. Read our account of the spooky experience at Trapped In The Upstate. 

Robert's Relic Room
VooDoo Shack Room at Trapped In The Upstate

Thank you to Trapped In The Upstate Escape Room for providing complimentary admission for the purpose of this review. All opinions are those of the writer. 

What is an Escape Room? 

An Escape Room is a place where solving puzzles will lead you to clues that will lead to another puzzle until you’ve solved the mystery that creates the theme for the room. There’s usually an attendant watching players through a security camera, to help give you clues if you get stuck. They want you to succeed and are there to gently guide you to the clues you need to continue on and keep the fun going if you become frustrated.

You’re not really trapped, locked, or otherwise restricted to the room. You can leave to use the restroom or for any reason. Just remember, the clock doesn’t stop and you’ll have teammates counting on your help. Escape rooms are the perfect date night, team-building activity for co-workers, and birthday celebration activities for those impossible-to-please teens & tweens! The rooms come in all different themes depending on the venue.

At Trapped In The Upstate, Greer’s only escape room, they currently have six themes, including Saving Santa, The Legend of Lizzie, Asylum, Master Illusionist’s Parlor, and VooDoo Shack. Each room had a varying difficulty level, with most of the rooms lasting 60 minutes.

VooDoo Shack Escape Room at Trapped In The Upstate 

“Archeologist Robert Robertson ventured into a Voodoo Shack and was never seen again. His family believes that he has been cursed and his soul is being held by supernatural forces. Can you find Robert’s Relic and set his soul free…or is it too late?” -Trapped In The Upstate 

I feel like I have to tread carefully, so as to not give anything away that would spoil for readers that go (and you totally should). 

Waking up to the Roberts Relic Escape Room, sets the tone for what you are about to experience. The reclaimed wood panels and flickering gas lamps begin to transport you to the bayou and some undisclosed location where no one would hear your screams. Why are you even there? Budget Basement travel agent? Who knows? That’s not important anymore. Now you just have to figure out how you’re getting back home.

Solving the mystery of what happened to “Uncle Robert” is your only goal. That and doing it in 60 minutes or less, or before that voodoo priestess comes back to claim another victim. 

This room was a lot of fun, and I suggest you bring at least two other adults with you. The more eyeballs on things the better.

Clues For The Escape Rooms at Trapped In The Upstate

Without giving anything away, I can offer you these tips for your time in the rooms. 

  • Just assume that everything you see in the room is there for a reason. Clues could be staring you in the face, so take nothing for granted. 
  • Nothing will be higher than a short person could reach. If they didn’t supply you with a ladder, you won’t need one. Climbing on furniture won’t be necessary and is not approved by the Voodoo Priestess. 
  • If something won’t move if you try to push it lightly – it’s not meant to move. This isn’t a strong man contest. 
  • The resetting of the padlocks, as shown to you at the beginning is IMPERATIVE to remember. In your panic and hustle to enter possible combinations – you will forget to reset. So if you only take a few things away from reading this, let this be one of them. Push the padlock up and down 3 times to reset it.
  • Pay attention to the TV. There may be clues given to you on the screen when you need them.

The room is not super scary, but young children won’t be able to help solve the puzzles and may become a hindrance to others trying to solve the room. This is best suited for tween-age and older players. The Magician’s Parlor will be better suited for families and elementary-aged children.

Master Illusionist Room at Trapped in the Upstate
The Master Illusionist’s Parlor at Trapped In The Upstate

Trapped In The Upstate in Greer, SC 

You can book your visit to these six rooms:

Admission to Trapped in the Upstate:

  • 2 players – $41.99 per person 
  • 3 – 4 players – $33.99 per person 
  • 5+ players – $30.99 per person 

Trapped In The Upstate
556D Memorial Drive Extension, Greer | 864.416.1539

Escape Rooms near Greenville, SC

Looking for more escape rooms? We have a list of all the Escape Rooms in the Upstate and the unique experiences they offer. Check out Escape Rooms Near Greenville, SC.

Main Event Opens in Greenville, SC

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Did you know that Greenville has a new family entertainment venue? Main Event Greenville, SC opens July 14th, 2023 at noon. You’ll find this fun venue right next to Top Golf, off of Garlington Road right near the I-85 Pelham Road exit.

Main Event offers bowling, laser tag, tons of arcade games, and virtual reality games, a restaurant, a bar with billiards tables, and lots more. They’ll be hosting birthday parties, events, and special deals like Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays. We visited Main Event before opening and got the scoop on all the family fun.

Arcade games at Main Event

Laser Tag

Reserve your laser tag time and then get ready to seek out your opponents as you creep and dart around the laser tag room’s maze-like walls and openings. My whole family agreed this was their favorite thing to do at Main Event, even for a mom who hasn’t played laser tag in at least 2 decades.

Laser Tag

Also, for the official record, I scored higher than all my kids and my husband. My teens were in disbelief that Mom beat them.

Anyway, the laser tag was lots of fun, the equipment was easy to use, and the room was mainly flat so maneuvering was easy.

Bowling at Main Event

You could play a standard game of bowling, or you can mix things up with a huge variety of themed games and special challenges. Terrible bowlers? That’s ok. We played one challenge where the goal was actually to hit the lit-up bumper with the ball at specific places in order to double or triple the points earned for pins knocked down.

Bowling at Main Event

The bowling alley offers an open alley with lots of lanes, and then also a more private room with 4 lanes. These lanes were much quieter and our group enjoyed the break from the noise of the venue.

The Arcade

You won’t need tokens or coins for this arcade. Load your Main Event game card and swipe at each game you’d like to play.

Arcade games at Main Event

The arcade offers virtual reality games, lots of claw-style prize games, traditional ball arcade games, games for prize points, and also favorites like Mario Kart, motorcycle racing, and dance games.

Restaurant and Bar at Main Event

The Family Kitchen offers pizza, burgers, chicken sandwiches, nachos, salads, and even desserts. Main Event will be offering lots of specials including a Kids Eat Free special for Tuesdays, all day. Kids 12 and under will eat free with an adult’s food purchase of $8.99 or more.

The bar area, with billiards tables, offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Food at Main Event, Greenville, SC

Birthday Parties at Main Event

Yes, Main Event will host birthday parties. This would be a great spot for the sometimes hard-to-please pre-teen and teen birthday kid. Packages range from $12 to $30 per person and offer a variety of venue attractions and food options.

Main Event
225 Entertainment Boulevard
Greenville, SC

Stay Cool: 15+ Best Ideas for Indoor Dates in Greenville, SC

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When the temperatures heat up in the summer or drop to freezing in the winter, you can still have a really fun date night indoors in Greenville, SC. We’ve got the best ideas for indoor dates, from axe throwing to seeing a play to dancing and rock climbing.

If the idea of feeling sweat drip down your back while on a date outdoors this summer doesn’t sound romantic, we can sympathize. Summers, while fun in South Carolina, can be brutally hot, and planning a fun date together where you aren’t melting may take some creativity – and that’s where we can help you out. And on cold winter nights, you can stay warm indoors while having fun together, too!

Fortunately, there are lots of fantastic places in the Upstate to have a memorable and cool date night in the AC besides the standard dinner and a movie. No matter your interests, we think you’ll find something on this list where you can plan a great summer or winter date night together. 

Painting

Best Indoor Date Nights for Playing

Group Therapy Pub & Playground 

Located in Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville, Group Therapy has an 18-hole mini-golf course, axe throwing, curling, ping pong, and tons more plus an extensive bar and food menu. You must make reservations to play the games.

Escape Rooms

Solve puzzles together of themed-rooms at Escape Artist Greenville or Trapped in the Upstate.

Upstate Pinball Museum & Arcade

Throw it back to the 90s with an awesome arcade that has more than a dozen pinball machines but old school games like Nintendo, Paper Boy, and Pac-Man. It’s $10/person for all-day play. Vaughn’s Food Hall is right next door where you can grab dinner together.

Double Stamp Brewery

Play Nintendo together at the bar while enjoying delicious craft beer or sodas made right in house at Double Stamp Brewery in Greenville.

Double Stamp Brewery

Pinky’s Revenge

Get some 80s square pizza and play lots of fun arcade games together at Pinky’s Revenge.

Best Indoor Date Nights for Busting Stress

Break some stuff

Take a bat to some glass, an old car, or windows at Mad Smash Rage Room in Taylors Mill. 

Throw an axe

See who has the best axe throw at The Blue Ox Hatchet House or Craft Axe Throwing in the Greenville area and the newer 312 Throwing Co in Easley.

Go to an art gallery

Gazing at pretty art is a great way to bust stress and relax. Head to the Greenville Center for Creative Arts on the first Friday of the month from 6-9 pm for free or visit the Greenville County Museum of Art downtown, also free.

Best Indoor Date Nights for Making Something Together

Create some art

Make some art together at TReehouse Cafe & Art Studio, TR Makers Co., Vino & Van Gogh, or Wine & Design

Make pottery

Get on the pottery wheel to create your own pottery pieces at Hollowed Earth Pottery or In the Potter’s Hands.

Hollowed Earth
Hollowed Earth

Paint your own pottery

If you’d rather paint your own pottery than create it, go to Hearts of Clay in Spartanburg, Color Clay Cafe in Greenville, or Glazed in Clemson.

Pour your own candles

You can make your own soy candles together at Greenville Soy Candle Company in downtown Greenville.

Best Indoor Date Nights for Shows

Starry Nights

Relax in the planetarium at Roper Mountain Science Center and gaze up at the stars and learn about our magnificent solar system at Friday Starry Nights. They also offer the Laser Days of Summer shows that feature rock music and lasers. You must buy tickets online ahead of time. 

Roper Mountain Science

Live theater

There are plenty of places to catch live theater in Greenville like the Peace Center, the Logos Theatre, Greenville Theatre, Warehouse Theatre, City of Greer Center for the Arts, the Younts Center for Performing Arts

Best Indoor Date Nights for Active Couples

Go dancing

If you love to dance – or want to learn – there are some great spots to do so. Check out country line dancing at the Blind Horse Saloon or Cowboy Up Greenville. The Spinning Jenny has swing dancing and sometimes offers dance classes. Landmark Hall in Greer has different dance nights so check their website.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Challenge your partner to see who can climb an indoor mountain at Climb at Blue Ridge in Taylors, BlocHaven in Greenville, ProjectRock in Easley.

Looking for more things to do as an adult in Greenville, SC? We’ve got your Ultimate Adulting Guide to the Upstate.

Find your next date night idea in Kidding Around’s Date Night Guide.

Guide to Date Night in Greenville, SC

These Apple Store Classes and Camps for Kids are Totally FREE

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Did you know the Apple Store provides free classes and camps for kids? Classes include the free use of Apple technology plus instruction allowing kids to be creative with music, photography, art, video, and even coding.

Over summer break, the Apple Store even provides FREE Apple Camp for kids, which are class events that culminate in a final project. All this happens through a program called Today at Apple.

My own kids have participated in several of these camps and classes and have always enjoyed the programs, wearing their free Apple t-shirts, and sharing their creations with our family. Thanks to that experience, in this article we’re sharing everything you need to know about signing up and participating in these classes and camps at the Apple Store, plus a few tips.

Apple camp

This article includes:
In-Store Apple Classes for Kids
How to Sign-up for Apple Store Kids’ Classes
Apple Camp: Free Summer Camp for Kids
Sign-up for 2023 Apple Camp
Things to Know About Apple Events for Kids

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The Five Forks Library is the Envy of All Other Libraries

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Libraries are great. They have free Wi-Fi, story time, free DVDs to rent, and you can read until your heart’s content. But all libraries are not created equal. The Five Forks library branch of the Greenville County Library System made all the other libraries jealous. Here’s why.

What makes the Five Forks library branch so great?

With it’s 28,000 square feet of floor-to-ceiling windows, bright colors and inviting decor, a fenced-in play porch for the little kids, a quiet room that is as peaceful as a spa, and a teen room with giant bean bag chairs, this library is incredible.

Five Forks Greenville library

Kids Area

When you walk into this gorgeous glass-walled and colorful building, make a left and go straight to the massive kids’ area. Sectioned off by age group in the main space are reading tables, computers with games and headphones, and play tables with toddler games. Attached to the kids’ space is an entirely other room for story time, complete with enough space for kids to run circles around each other and parents to sit on the side benches and watch.

Off the kids area is also an outdoor play porch with stackable cubes and picnic benches. There is also a family bathroom and a nursing room.

*High-five* Greenville Library system.

Teen Room

Next to the kids’ space is an enclosed teen room that overlooks a field next door and is outfitted with private cubicles and giant bean bag chairs. There is art on the wall by local students and all the latest books that teens care about.

And it says “TEENS” on the door, so it’s cool.

Main Space

The Five Forks Library has a huge meeting space for local groups to rent out plus an enclosed room on the other side of the library that can be used for crafts or homeschool groups (the floor is waterproof because….crafts).

You can bring your coffee and relax in the designated space near the front of the library where drinks other than bottled water are allowed and read or work. If you need a laptop, rent one out with your library card. You can use it throughout the building.

Near the giant windows is plenty of seating to work or read or ponder life. The quiet room has several tables and chairs with ottomans where guests can read quietly away from the rest of the library. It is decorated with really cute wallpaper and relaxing yellow and green colors. It’s my favorite room.

Greenville County Library Five Forks branch Simpsonville

The Return of the Books

Returning books to the library is not usually exciting. It is at the Five Forks Library though. Head inside and immediately to your right is the cool returning-your-books contraption. Place your book in the slot and watch it go up a conveyor belt, be read by a machine, and then onto another conveyor belt where it is dumped into a giant bin of its friends where it will be returned manually to its proper place in the library.

Kids love watching this. Adults love watching it. And it gives you an incentive to return books that you should be returning anyway to avoid late fees.

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 9 pm
Friday -Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 2 – 6 pm

Five Forks Library
104 Sunnydale Drive, Simpsonville
864.234.4904

Visit the Five Forks Library Website.

What’s your favorite thing about the Five Forks Library?

Greenville County Library System

Here’s everything you need to know about Greenville County Library System.

Escape Artist Is One of Greenville’s Best Places for Fun and Mystery

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Do you think you can beat the clock at Escape Artist Greenville SC? Several years ago, some friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to meet up. When we asked them what they would like to do, they suggested that we meet up at one of Greenville’s top escape rooms, Escape Artist Greenville. We are very glad that we said yes. In fact, we had such a great time we can’t stop recommending Escape Artist to all of our friends in Greenville.

Escape Artist Greenville

Liberty Bridge at Falls Park

Looking for more fun things to do downtown? Check out the KA Guide to Downtown Greenville.

What is Escape Artist Greenville Like?

Upon arriving, we were energized immediately by owners Will and Kim Rutherford’s enthusiasm. It was impossible to not catch the excitement about trying to test our group’s wits against one of their escape rooms.

After a short explanation of rules such as “don’t tear apart the ceiling” followed by a creepy story intro we handed over our iPhones and headed into  “Dr. Fratelli’s cabin”. Inside the mad scientist’s cabin, we quickly got to work looking inside and under the many objects in order to start finding clues. These clues then led to puzzles that had to be solved in order to find the special locked exit and escape the room where Dr. Fratelli had trapped us. Of course, the primary entrance remained unlocked so we weren’t actually physically locked in. It is just a game!

We were given just one hour to escape the room, but we had the ability to ask for three clues during our hour. Will was watching us through his surveillance cameras and was quick to offer the exact help needed for each clue. The puzzles were challenging but still simple enough for a group to solve.

Did We Escape?

Of course, the first question everyone asks is “Did you escape?” Actually, Will told us that only 20-25% of the groups that try the room “get out”. We made it though with only a couple of minutes left to spare and we used all 3 hints.

Will greeted us after we finished and shared his own observations of how we solved the puzzle. We then were allowed to grab our phones again so that Kim could take a victory photo for us showcasing our time.

Objects and clues at Escape Artist Greenville SC
Photo Credit: Eli Warren, used by permission from Escape Artist Greenville

Is Escape Artist Greenville Worth the Money?

Escape Artist is a little bit more expensive than most of the attractions my husband and I visit, starting at around $30/person. It was worth every penny we spent. We had so much fun working together, laughing at our mistakes, and bragging about what we solved. The room was very well designed, all of the clues were clear and worked correctly, and Will & Kim executed everything wonderfully. It’s no wonder that they have received so many 5 star reviews.

Any hints?

Well, of course, I can’t give any hints on how to solve the puzzle because that would ruin the fun, but here are a couple tips to help you have the best chances of victory:

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue when you are stuck. It’s better to use them up than not get out!
  2. Get started quickly. Don’t be shy about looking around the room when you enter it. The sooner you find your first clues the better.
  3. Don’t overthink your clues. None of the clues will require knowing weird facts and you won’t mess up your clues by touching or moving objects in the room.
  4. Playing an escape room game on your tablet or phone ahead of time will help give you an idea of the types of puzzles you might encounter.
  5. Have fun! Don’t get too stressed out. This activity is all about having a good time.

What About Kids?

I visited Escape Artist Greenville with 3 other adults and I thought that it was a great adult activity but older children and teens would definitely enjoy it as well. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with an adult, and Will told us that he had even recently hosted a party of 11-year-olds. Will did tell us that he adapts the clues as necessary for children and that the children who have come through really have enjoyed the puzzle. All of the content in the story and inside the room was appropriate for any age audience and there weren’t any thematic elements that would scare a child.

About Escape Artist: Greenville SC

Be sure to book your time ahead of time online. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited and 2 hours advanced reservation is required.

This attraction is completely unique to Greenville. While there are other “escape rooms” in Greenville and in other cities, Will & Kim specifically designed this room and story making it a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The attraction can fit 2-8 people at a time. Your group may get placed with another group if you don’t purchase the entire 8 tickets.

In addition to Dr. Fratelli’s Cabin, there are four other escape rooms including our current favorite Starlight Motel (a spooky, interactive room for adults). You can read about Starlight Motel in our review.

There is a second location of Escape Artist Greenville, located at Hampton Station. The Hampton Station location has fewer rooms (Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby), but the proximity to dining, breweries, and shopping makes it a great activity.

The Escape Artist Greenville: SC Has Two Locations!

209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville, SC
864-509-9305
info@escapeartistgreenville.com
www.escapeartistgreenville.com
Book the Downtown Greenville location

Hampton Station
1320 Hampton Avenue, Bay 11C, Greenville, SC
Book the Hampton Station location

Have you ever visited The Escape Artist or another Escape Room in Greenville? We would love to hear what you thought in the comments!

Guide to things to do indoors, Greenville, SC

There is still fun to have indoors!

KA Premier Guide to Things to Do Inside

Enjoy great food, breweries, activities, and more at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

Things to do at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC

So Much to See at Upcountry History Museum: Greenville, SC

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Have you visited the Upcountry History Museum? This Upstate gem offers guests a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Greenville and South Carolina, plus regular book clubs, tot programs, and traveling exhibits of all kinds. There’s often a traveling exhibit perfect for the younger crowd to explore, making this a stop where the whole family can learn and enjoy. If you’ve not been to the museum, we have all the details.

This article includes:
Things to Do at Upcountry History Museum
What’s New at UHM? Traveling Exhibits
UHM Gift Shop
UHM Events


The Very Hungry Caterpillar is at UHM in Greenville, SC

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is at UHM from May 20th, 2023 through September 10, 2023.

Jump to What’s New at UHM? Traveling Exhibits to see more about this exciting exhibit for kids!

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