Archive for the ‘Things to Do Outside’ Category

5+ Destinations that make a Perfect Day Trip for Couples

Are you looking for fun day trips for couples? In this busy world, it is important for couples to spend quality time together, without the kids. And when a date night just won’t cut it, a day trip may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Local mom Anna put together this list of places perfect for any couple to escape to when they need to reconnect. Whether you want to head north to the mountains or south to the water this list has something for you!

Now that school’s in session, how about some parent time for Mom and Dad? In this list, we attempted to put together some destinations outside of Greenville but only about a 2 hour drive or so. Consider this the start of a new tradition in your household and a chance to spend some quality time with your significant other.

Want to venture a little further from home? Visit our travel page – it is loaded with inspiration!

Although this requires some advanced planning such as booking a babysitter ahead or coordinating afterschool pick-ups, once you have it all lined up, it will truly be worth it. We believe parents deserve some kind of pampering and fun on their own. We’re pretty sure once you get started, you can come up with your own. Do share with us, if you find some good ones!

Romantic Asheville

A mountain city, Asheville is teeming with activities for day-trippers filled with glorious views of the Blue Ridge Mountain. Our favorite of course is the Biltmore Estate which has restaurants and cafes on site as you take a break from viewing the vast property. We recommend dining at the stables, moderately priced, and everything they serve is sourced from the farms within the property. Try to arrive by 10 am so you have enough time for lunch and start heading back by 4 pm in time for dinner with the kiddies.

Our second choice for Asheville is the The Omni Grove Park Inn. A historic resort built in 1913, the hotel was designed in the Arts and Crafts tradition by Edwin Wiley Grove, a pharmaceutical manufacturer and his son-in-law Fred Seely. The hotel was resold in 1955, but most of the original design has been retained. It boasts one of the grandest lobbies we’ve seen next to the Biltmore mansion flanked by the biggest 12-foot fireplaces. Scattered all around the lobby is a sampling of authentic and inspired mission furniture.

Stunning views can be soaked in at the in the beautiful views without having to pay the steep room prices. For a fancy lunch, book a date at the Sunset Terrace or admire the same views from the more casual, dine at the Great Hall Bar. For something to do, in addition to exploring the resort property, we highly recommend either an afternoon at their luxurious top-rated spa or visiting the Grovewood Village. Here you will find probably the one of the best Antique Car Museums in our part of the country, see the Biltmore Homespun Museum, walk thru the sculpture garden and shop for special souvenirs at the Gallery of the Mountains.

Biltmore Estate
One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC
Biltmore Estate Website
800.411.3812

The Omni Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC
800.438.5000
The Omni Grove Park Inn Website

Lake Murray in Chapin

If you love being close to the water but can’t do the long drive to the coast, Lake Murray, a water reservoir with about 500 miles of shoreline, is a great easy escape. Walk across Lake Murray Dam, rent a motorboat to explore the waterways, go fishing or hit the beach on the Lexington side. Feeling romantic, visit the Love Lock Bridge, clip a padlock to the fence and proclaim your undying love by throwing away the key. Paris may have lost their love lock bridge in Pont des Arts due to tough love by local police, but for now, Lake Murray remains a haven for romantics.

Suggested places for lakeside dining: Rusty Anchor Restaurant for some great seafood and surf and turf combinations, Frayed Knot Bar & Grill for more dining options and finally Liberty Tap Room on the lake for some pizzas and light brews. Before you go, or for more information on Lake Murray Public Park, please call 888.383.5032.

Lake Murray, Lexington side
1797 North Lake Drive Lexington
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays, 10 am – 8 pm
$5 per vehicle
Season pass can be purchased for $50
Lake Murray Website

Vineyards Tour in Yadkin Valley

A trip to Raffaldini Vineyards will transport you to the Italian countryside and a great early foray into the Yadkin Valley wine trail. One could easily design a weekend escape around this destination with the numerous vineyards around the valley. Tour their estate grounds and learn about how they use Appasimento, an Italian method for incorporating dehydrated grapes into wine. As for dining, we highly recommend packing a lunch that pairs well with wine or grab some light sandwiches and nibbles from their commissary. They offer a full calendar of events you can attend on their website here.

Raffaldini Vineyards
450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC
Monday, Wednesday – Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm
Closed Tuesdays
336.835.9463
Raffaldini Vineyards Website

Nature Day Trip: Congaree National Park

The perfect day trip for more adventure driven couples, Congaree National Forest, is a perfect Fall hike since it will be less buggy and the weather will be cooler. South Carolina’s very own National Park, the Congaree National Park is filled with such unique natural wonders that we are so glad it received its official designation in 2003. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States! Allot a half-day or full day to explore the forest

. Make sure to bring your camera, lots of water, bug spray and wander through dramatic marshland with a self-guided boardwalk tour. Be on the lookout for the unique Bald Cypress trees and their knobby “knees” scattered throughout the forest. If you are an avid kayaker, this would be the place, just make sure call ahead to check water conditions and mosquito meter! Bring your own or rent canoes and kayaks in the Columbia area. Picnics are the order of the day for this trip, but there are also lots of local BBQ places around the park if you get hungry.

Congaree National Park
100 National Park Road, Hopkins
Congaree National Park is open 24 hours a day year round. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, 9 am – 5 pm.
803.776.4396
Congaree National Park Website

For Foodie and History Buffs: Athens, Georgia

Athens is a college town steeped in history with a vibrant contemporary music and restaurant scene. Our favorite restaurants to try are the high-end National, hearty brunch at Mama’s Boy or a eat by the tracks and have some good ol’ BBQ at Pulaski Heights BBQ. Athens has a great vegetarian restaurant called The Grit. For things to do, Athens is the gateway to Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and you will have lots of options to view house museums, heritage sites and historical districts.

Your first stop should be to get a map at the Athens Georgia Welcome Center located in the Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum. If you can get away for a weekend, enjoy some live music at Georgia Theater, 40 Watt or at the Furnace. Athens is also known as the place that launched the careers of R.E.M. and the B-52’s, but we’re pretty sure you already knew that!

Athens Georgia Welcome Center
280 E Dougherty Street, Athens, GA
Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
706.353.1820
Athens, Georgia Welcome Center Website

Bonus: Julep Farms in Dillard, GA

With a delicious restaurant featuring American cuisine and a beautiful farm setting, you can spend the whole day here. Feed the animals, play some farm games, and don’t forget the Mint Julep cocktail.

Read all about it in our Julep Farms review.

julep farms chicken coop and garden dillard ga

Julep Farms Website
Julep Farms Instagram
500 Hwy 246, Dillard, GA 30537

Do you have a day trip idea to add to our list?

Looking for more fun date night ideas in Greenville, SC? Read our Ultimate Date Night Guide to Greenville.

Pick Your Pumpkin Off the Vine at Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC

Looking forward to picking a pumpkin at The Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC? This u-pick pumpkin patch allows you to cut the pumpkin right off the vine. We visited The Nix Pumpkin Patch and had so much fun searching for the perfect pumpkin, visiting their market, drinking apple cider, and making a lot of memories!

The Pumpkin Patch is open from September 7th, 2024 until late November.

The Nix Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned and operated pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Situated amongst a plethora of orchards and farms, you’ll find one of the only u-pick patches in the Hendersonville area. There is just something about cutting your pumpkin right off that vine that makes it so much better!

Fall scenes at Linda's Plants and shrubs in Hendersonville, NC

Looking for more fall fun? Here’s your guide to things to do in the Fall near Greenville, SC.

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Hiking Around Greenville, SC with Toddlers and Young Children

Looking for some great hikes for toddlers and young children near Greenville, SC? Hiking with young children is possible! We put together this great list of the best hikes in and around Greenville, SC for toddlers. Peruse the list to find trails that are perfect for little ones in the Upstate.

Got a little one and need more resources for raising babies and toddlers near Greenville, SC?

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Pokemon Go-ing Around Greenville SC

Want to teach your kids basic navigation and map reading skills while learning to love daily strolls around the neighborhood? Pokemon Go in Greenville, SC has entered the chat.

Maybe you just want to get your kids excited about any errand? Maybe you just need one more way to get them to go play in the yard. Well, then you’ll probably want to download the highly popular (and FREE) game app Pokemon GO, if you haven’t already.

Based on the old card and video games many of us had growing up, you can “catch” Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and all your old after-school cartoon favorites. You can meet up with other players to battle at a “gym” as well. You can even join a local Pokemon Facebook group for pointers.

How does Pokemon Go work?

The premise is fairly basic. You walk around with the app on and Pokemon (pocket monster for those not in the know) randomly pop up on the screen. You can then throw Pokeballs at them to capture them by dragging the ball toward them on your touch screen.

This is where the crazy pictures you’ve seen online are coming from (but my phone’s AR mode never seems to work sadly). You can power up or evolve the various Pokemon into stronger forms; “transferring” excess Pokemon will give you more “candies” to develop the ones you keep.

Need more fun ideas?

Here’s your giant list of things to do near Greenville, SC!

Once you’ve reached level five, you can battle at gyms after joining either Team Mystic, Instinct or Valor. My five-year-old chose without even telling us, so yay Team Valor! Luckily the game isn’t cut-throat competitive so you can still progress and enjoy it even if say, your two-year-old, uses all the stardust you’ve been saving.

You can buy extra supplies with coins earned from gyms or purchased with real money and get lures, incense, et cetera to attract more Pokemon or otherwise improve your game. You can also hatch eggs with incubators but this can require walking up to 10K! If you’ve ever wanted to explore the Swamp Rabbit Trail, this would be good motivation!

Even if you can’t yet or don’t want to go to Poke-gyms, you can find various “poke-stops” all around town, most of which are Google points of interest. They both appear as blue pillars on the screens. When you are near one (even if just in your car) you can spin them to give you supplies like extra Pokeballs and eggs.

Pokestops can be various landmarks like say Haywood Mall or even just someone’s random “dog with basket” statue in their driveway. Many Chick-fil-A’s have one so we find ourselves often turning into their parking lot. However, never play while driving, and always be alert. You can pull over or backtrack if needed to a Pokestop. They’re not going to disappear. My kids can play while I drive but under strict instructions not to distract me in traffic.

Safety first when playing Pokemon Go

If you’re walking when playing be sure to stay alert, stop in a safe spot to check your phone, and look both ways before crossing streets. Seek out sidewalks or walking trails as to be more pedestrian-friendly. There are some great spots to play like Pittman Park (two pokestops) or Mauldin Cultural Center (many pokestops and two gyms). Pokemon makes life into a big scavenger hunt so have fun and be safe!

Is your family playing Pokemon Go yet?

You’ll Find a Challenging Hike and a Gorgeous Waterfall at Little Bradley Falls

Looking for an adventure including a good hike and a breathtaking waterfall? KAG Contributor Liene has the scoop on Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, North Carolina. Due to lack of signs and the degree of difficulty, the Little Bradley Falls and (Big) Bradley Falls hikes are usually left to those ‘in the know’; however, judging by the amount of traffic on Liene’s visit, these gorgeous waterfall hikes have been discovered and are quickly gaining popularity as short, but challenging and rewarding hikes in western North Carolina.

This article was originally published on Femme au Foyer as “Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC“.

For more amazing waterfalls, don’t miss Waterfalls of the Southeast. We have waterfall hikes in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

What to expect at Little Bradley Falls

The Green River Game Lands are a relatively undisturbed wilderness area containing narrow gorges, steep ravines, coves, old-growth & mixed hardwood forests, and are managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

The area is named after the Green River, which runs through a rugged gorge on the Blue Ridge escarpment, at one point dropping 400 feet in 1 ½ miles through a six-foot wide crevice known as “the Narrows.” Cove Creek, which originates near Saluda (and Pearson’s Falls) flows north and into the Green River, but first flows under I-26 and over two waterfalls, Little Bradley and Bradley Falls.

Parking and the Trail to Little Bradley Falls

To reach the falls, hikers can park at a gravel pull-off on State Road 1142 (also known as Holbert Cove Road), which is a hair over three miles from exit 59 on I-26. There are no signs, but the trail for Bradley Falls departs to the north from the parking area, while the hike to Little Bradley starts on the opposite side of the road, across the bridge on the east side of Cove Creek.

Hikers must immediately climb a steep section of trail away from the creek; the second trail that leads alongside the creek is a popular wading and picnic area, and although you can plainly see where hikers have attempted to reach the trail up the steep mountainside, there is consequently significant erosion and damage. It’s simple – follow the red blazes in the two or three places that the trail splits, and you’ll reach the falls.

The boys love this hike as there are several creek crossings, making water shoes a good idea if taking off/putting shoes back on or attempting to rock-hop isn’t your idea of fun. But these crossings and a couple rather dicey sections of trail also bring the degree of difficulty up to moderate, meaning that the older boys require assistance in several spots and my youngest spends time in the backpack carrier.

The trail ends upon reaching Little Bradley Falls; you’ll know you’re close when you pass the old chimney ruins. The 35-foot, triple-tiered waterfall feeds into a large pool at the bottom, perfect for wading and cooling off on a hot summer day.

Exercise extreme caution on the slippery boulders, and don’t attempt to climb to the top of the falls; just as with most other scenic falls in the area, dozens of people have been injured, and even killed in their attempt to photograph and explore the treacherous terrain. On our visit a professional rappelling team was practicing waterfall rescue operations up and down the side of the waterfall, and just this May a 20-year-old man fell about 50 feet from the top of Bradley Falls and ended up in the hospital in critical condition.

We retraced our steps to the bridge on Holbert Cove Road completing this 2-mile hike. On our way to the car I stared down the trail that leads to Bradley Falls. Although I long for the day that I’ll be able to hike the 1.5 mile there-and-back to the 100 footfalls, I realize that it might still be some years before the boys can join me, due to the 30-foot rappel to reach the base of the waterfall.

Until then, I’ll be more than happy with Little Bradley Falls! We reached the car, grabbed our lunch, and spent another hour in Cove Creek wading, splashing and catching crawdads before heading into Saluda for ice cream on Main Street. Summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains doesn’t get much better than this!

Plan your own trip to Little Bradley Falls

Little Bradley Falls
Holbert Cove Road, Saluda, NC

Read the original article on my personal blog Femme au Foyer as “Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC“.

See the video tour of the hike.

Could your kids handle the challenge at Little Bradley Falls?

Find more waterfalls near Greenville, SC to visit.

Waterfalls of the southeast: Family hikes to waterfalls in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina

Waterfalls Are Amazing!

Check out all the best waterfall hikes in the Southeast.

Treetop Quest: The Epic Aerial Adventure Park in Greenville, SC You Have to Try

If your family enjoys active, outdoor fun, Treetop Quest, an aerial adventure park in Greenville at Westside Park, should be on your must-do list. This park includes over four obstacle and zip-line courses for families, including a special course for ages 4-6 and a zip-line course.

Due to the Effects of Hurricane Helene and the damage caused to a lot of the attractions at Treetop Quest, the aerial park has decided to permanently close.

Review and guide of Treetop Guest in Greenville, South Carolina

Our family was hosted at Treetop Quest in order to provide this review.

Ropes and bridge course at Treetop Quest in Greenville, South Carolina

Before You Head to the Park

Before starting your adventures at Treetop Quest, you will want to head online and reserve your climbing time to ensure your spot. Booking online is also cheaper than the prices at the door.

Be sure to dress appropriately for your adventure:

Wear tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes.
Dress in comfortable clothes that will work for a harness, allow you to move easily, and won’t snag on the trees.
If you have long hair, wear a hair tie.
Gloves are required (gardening gloves work great). You can purchase gloves for $3/pair if you do not have gloves. Children’s sizes were available.
Lockers are not currently available so either plan on leaving your valuables in your car or wearing them in a zipper fanny-pack style pouch.
Face masks/coverings are required on the ground in the check-in, harnessing, and briefing areas. You may take your mask off when distancing from others on the course. It is hot, so you may want to choose a mask that is designed for warmer weather and outdoor sports.

Other Important Things You Should Know:

It can be very hot. Fortunately, Treetop Quest sells water and snacks. Families may want to pack a water bottle, to have ready in the car when you are done.
There are benches inside the course areas, but wear your comfy shoes even if not climbing because you may be walking to keep up with your kids.
The weight limit is 250 lbs.

View of some of the obstacles at Treetop Quest

Beginning Your Adventure at Treetop Quest

Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled time. That allows plenty of time to sign your waivers, check-in, and get ready to climb.

You will be harnessed by a staff member. Once your harness is secure, you will be taken to the briefing area. Here you will be given a quick lesson on how to hook yourself correctly to the equipment, how to zip-line correctly, and how to maneuver through the obstacles. The briefing area has simple obstacles that are low to the ground that you can practice until you are comfortable with the equipment and procedures.

The Treetop Quest Courses

Your visit at Treetop Quest allows you 2.5 hours in the park. During your time you can climb as many courses as you choose. 2.5 hours sounds like a long time, but it will go quickly once you start climbing.

If your child is 4-6, they may climb on two special “Chick Pea” courses. They will be asked to wear a helmet in addition to the harness, and a parent is required to accompany the child at all times.

Ages 7+ can choose between 3 other courses.
Beginner course: Level 1
A & B side and Intermediate: Level 2
All zip lines: Level 3

Ages 12+ have an additional Level 4 difficult course that they can climb.

The attraction includes over 60 obstacles and zip lines in the trees alone with a net trampoline. The highest zipline is 40 feet from the ground.

Course at Treetop Quest in Greenville, SC

Safety at Treetop Quest

Obviously, for an aerial adventure park one of the biggest questions parents will have is what are the safety protocols.

Safety Policies at Treetop Quest

Treetop Quest uses a continuous belay system, so once you are hooked onto a course you cannot physically unhook yourself from the rope. A staff member does adjust and check each person’s harness, a briefing explaining the equipment is required, and there is a small area where climbers can practice before going on the ropes. The briefing is not one-on-one and there is no requirement to demonstrate your ability to use the equipment before entering the park.

Be aware that Treetop is a self-guided aerial park experience. You will not have a guide with your group or even necessarily in eye sight. There are pros and cons to this sort of set-up. For those that want to move fast or slow, it allows for a lot of freedom in exploring the course at your own pace.

Navigating the Course Yourself

On the other hand, this setup does mean that as a parent you need to be aware that your family’s experience will be largely on your own without any staff supervision or interaction. While we were there, we observed that often no staff were in the main course area and when staff were present they often appeared to be busy and focused on tasks. If you or your child needs help, you will have to yell out “blue shirt!” for someone to come assist. In our experience even then the staff were busy and only offered a minimum of assistance before moving on.

My children are younger so I would only allow them to visit Treetop Quest in a situation where I knew that an adult would be personally watching them and preferably climbing with them. I would probably volunteer to chaperone if my kids went on a field trip there. Even then, I would have felt more comfortable if I had seen a staff member watching the courses while we were climbing.

The equipment was well constructed and we did feel comfortable and safe using it. The belay system does prevent guests from unclipping once they have clipped on. Treetop Quest is also a member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and conducts ongoing inspections and training. Its parent company has 20 years of experience in the adventure park industry.

Our Experience at Treetop Quest

Our kids were nervous about heights but ended up pushing through and having a great time. Both children said it was one of the best local fun that they have had and are already begging us to go again. We are so excited to have this fun, unique attraction in Greenville!

Treetop Quest
16 Alma Street, Greenville, SC
Pricing: $20-50/person depending on age, season passes are available

Things to Do Outside Near Greenville, SC

Find more things to do outside in Greenville!

5+ Places for Kids to Explore Science in Greenville, SC

Looking for ways for your kids to learn through experimentation and science in Greenville, SC? While you can turn most anything into a teaching moment, there are certain activities that lend themselves more naturally to that than others. Local mom Lindy puts together this list of 5 great places to learn about science, many courtesy of some homeschooling friends!

Places to explore science in Greenville, South Carolina

Educational Adventures near Greenville SC

Check out our Kidding Around® Guide to Educational Things to Do near Greenville, SC for more epic learning adventures.

Roper Mountain Science Center

Roper Mountain Science Center– located pretty central in the Greenville area and right near both the 385 and 85, this is something you must check out. There’s a planetarium, dinosaur trail, hiking trails, a butterfly garden, various classes throughout the year, and much more.

Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville, SC

Learn more in our Kidding Around® Review of the Roper Mountain Science Center.

Children’s Museum of the Upstate

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate– with a big climbing structure, STEAM activities, tons of hands-on exhibits, and various special events, there’s something for everyone. The first floor features a lot of physics in relation to machines and a whole section on flight. There’s also an exhibit on the human body including a digestive system slide!

The upper level features a farm/agricultural area for young toddlers. There’s also a construction area where you can practice your building skills. Downstairs there’s a mini water system and canal play area. There’s a music/sound room and much more! Check out our guide to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate to plan out your entire visit!

TCMU wheels exhibit — Wheels on the Ground Exhibit at TCMU- Greenville

Find everything you need to know before your next visit to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate!

Visit Greenville Zoo!

The Greenville Zoo is of course also educational. With special events and classes happening depending on the season and general biology all around, you can learn quite a bit. Their Zoo Tots class is particularly popular for little ones to explore the zoo in a unique way. The Greenville Zoo has several educational classes for various age ranges.

While at the zoo, you can read all the signs and discuss why this animal happens to do this thing or that. Why are certain animals found in some places but nowhere else? Then play on both the playground inside the gates as well as Cleveland Park’s playground outside the entrance. Be sure to discuss the physics of movement and bodily anatomy that allows for all that running around.

Greenville Zoo Tots storytime — Zoo Tots at the Greenville Zoo

Learn why we love to explore the Greenville Zoo and all of its fun classes.

Clemson University

A fabulous place to visit is the Clemson University SC Botanical Gardens with the Bob Campbell Geology Museum– we’ve previously discussed all the stuff you can do around campus. So of course for a science article, we had to include the botanical garden and geology museum. The Botanical Gardens look very fun for kids and include a children’s garden, while the geology museum is mesmerizing. The two are also right together so double the learning for half the effort!

Tiger skeleton located at the Bob Cambell Geology Museum in Clemson, South Carolina — Exhibit at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum

Paris Mountain State Park

Paris Mountain State Park– this is a favorite hiking spot. Yet all those trails also offer a lot of hands on teaching opportunities. The park hosts various classes and special events to hone your natural science skills even more. This includes lots of learning about animals, flora and fauna, as well as ecology. You can also camp, check out multiple trails, and even swim! Paris Mountain also offers group hikes for reasonable fee with a ranger.

Conestee Nature Preserve

Kids from ages 2 – 8th grade will love the classes that Conestee Nature Preserve offers! Students are led through the preserve, exploring the natural world around them while learning about bugs, plants, animals, and other things found at the preserve. Adults can join in on the fun as well, with the preserve offering themed nature classes, guided walks, and workshops that will bring you a little closer to nature.

We love the classes at Conestee Nature Preserve. Find out more in our Kidding Around® Review and Guide to Conestee.

Do you have a favorite place to learn about science in Greenville?

Explore Revolutionary War History With a Hike Through the Blackstock Battlefield in Enoree, SC

Have you checked out Blackstock Battlefield hike in Enoree, SC? One of the benefits of living in South Carolina is the chance to bring history to life by visiting the hundreds of historical sites across the state. We’ve visited Musgrove Mill State Historic Site many times, as it covers all the bases for my kids: Revolutionary War battlefield to explore, Tyger River trail to hike, and Horseshoe Falls to cool down in. But did you know Musgrove Mill manages a second battlefield?

Located only 7 miles to the north, Blackstock Battlefield preserves the site of the Revolutionary War battle where the infamous British Lt. Col. Tarleton was foiled in his attempt to defeat Patriot Brig. Gen. Sumter in 1780. We recently received a tour of Blackstock Battlefield during the South Carolina 7 Wonders Expedition, and wanted to share with you more on this little-known historic site just 40 minutes from Spartanburg!

Revolutionary War Action

Some months after the Battle at Kings Mountain, Sumter had gathered troops in preparation to attack the British post at Ninety Six. The British summoned Tarleton from his pursuit of the “Swamp Fox” Marion down near the coast to intercept Sumter, and the British Lt. Col. managed to secretly cross the Broad with his feared Dragoons before a defector informed Sumter he was being pursued. Sumter chose to make a stand at Blackstock’s Plantation on the Tyger river as Tarleton raced towards his position with his cavalry and mounted infantry.

Historical Map of Blacksotck Battlefield — Historical Map of Blackstock Battlefiled

When the British caught up with Sumter, they were at a disadvantage; they had gotten ahead of their infantry and artillery in hopes of catching Sumter unawares, and instead were themselves caught in the open under heavy fire from the high ground. After suffering heavy losses and regrouping, Tarleton retreated to join his infantry and artillery – but without half of his men, who had been lost in the battle.

Sumter was badly wounded, and was evacuated overnight. Tarleton pursued the Patriots for two more days, and although he claimed a victory for dispersing Sumter’s militia, it was a costly defeat for the British in that they lost numerous officers, horses, and equipment. The Battle of Blackstock was a precursor to the action later at Cowpens.

On Your Visit to Blackstock Battlefield

Directions: From Exit 44 on I-26, go east on SC Hwy 49 about 5.5 miles to the Blackstock’s Historical Marker. Turn left onto Blackstock’s Road, then go about 1.2 miles and turn right onto Monument Road. Continue until the pavement ends, and park in the parking area before the gate.

For the best vantage point of the battlefield, continue up the gravel road to Monument Hill. Standing with your back to the monument, Blackstock’s Ford of the Tyger River is down the hill to the right. The open meadow was much larger when the Blackstock family lived there, and the British would have come charging up the hill to meet the forces lined up along the top. On the far end of the meadow was where the house and barn were located.

Take a Hike

The parking area is also the trailhead for the Blackstock Battlefield Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This 1.6-mile loop descends to the Tyger River, and then follows the river for about ½ mile before climbing up to the battlefield. Skirting the edge of the open field, the trail re-enters the woods and returns to the parking area.

The SC Park Service asks that you remain on signed roads & trails while visiting the battlefield. Going off-trail can be hazardous, especially to children, as there are many deep holes from when the area was logged and the stumps were buried. On our visit, we also saw fire ants, bees, and snakes. Highlights of our hike included seeing an eastern box turtle, taking in the view from Monument Hill, and experiencing another piece of the Revolutionary War puzzle that we have been piecing together during our southeastern travels.

You can also go on a ranger-guided hike at Blackstock Battlefield! There are limited dates and times during 2024. The cost is $10 per person. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and bring insect repellent.

Looking for more places to hike? We’ve got the best hiking spots near Greenville, SC all rounded up for you!

Blackstock Battlefield Monument and fencing

Things to do near Blackstock Battlefield

After hiking the Palmetto Trail Passage, my kiddos were more than happy to make the 15-minute drive to Horseshoe Falls, a small waterfall on a tributary of the Enoree River that is located in Musgrove Mill State Historic Site off Battlefield Trail. Just across the Enoree is the main portion of the State Park, including a Visitor Center and British Camp Trail. A little farther to the east is another State Historic Site, Rose Hill.

Just to the southeast is the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. In addition to camping, cycling, OHV, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting, the Enoree is home to the Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail, with 36 continuous miles of trail linking Newberry, Laurens, and Union counties.

Sumter National Forest recreation opportunities

If you are headed north, towards Spartanburg, on your way home, you will pass near Glenn Springs, a small community with a lot of history, as well as by Croft State Park.

Blackstock Battlefield Passage of the Palmetto Trail
Blackstock Battlefield is open 9 am – 6 pm daily.

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
Admission to Musgrove Mill is $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free.
Musgrove Mill is open 9 am to 6 pm daily.

Swim, Paddle, Play and Relax at High Falls Park in Seneca, SC

Looking for a family-friendly beach in the Upstate where you can swim, boat, and enjoy the playground? While we don’t have a traditional beach to enjoy in the Upstate, we have High Falls Park. It’s a lakeside beach just about an hour from Greenville. High Falls County Park is popular with locals and it will be your new favorite day trip and camping destination, too. The park sits on 46 acres of land, on the shores of Lake Keowee in Oconee County.

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This park is popular with upstate families because of the amenities and activities it offers. Whether you stay for just the day, or decide to camp at High Falls, there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied. This was one of the first lakes we discovered when we moved here. The boat traffic is minimal and the shore doesn’t drop off like it does at some other upstate lakes.

The lake and playground at High Falls Park

Things to Do at High Falls County Park

Entry into the park is just $5 per car, paid in cash. Swimming at the lake is allowed. One of the reasons this park is so popular is because of the restrooms and playground in close proximity to the lakeshore. There are also shade trees to keep the sun off of everybody. These are all important features for families planning a day on the lake with children.

You will also find a mini-golf course that is BYOP (Bring your own putter and ball) to have fun within the cooler months or in between dips in the lake. This lake is also great for boating. It’s ok if you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks at the park.

Kayaking at High Falls County Park

My children and I love kayaking. My son has his own and I have a tandem kayak. I’ve said it before, but a child-sized kayak was one of the best gifts Santa ever got my son. We didn’t even have an adult one when he did that. Santa sure knew what he was doing though, because that lit a fire in my children and I for exploring our waterways.

Paddling is something that I and my co-worker Kristina love, and if you have a chance to get your own – do it. They don’t require the same maintenance as a boat and can be found for just a few hundred dollars.

There are so many places in and around the Upstate to explore in a kayak. With that said, the water around High Falls County Park is a good place for a first-time lesson. The inlet to the right of the boat launch is a calm area within reach of the shore should you happen to need to swim to shore. I only say this in case you are a worrier, there is almost no chance you’d need to swim to shore.

My three-year-old desperately wanted to paddle on her own. She sat in front of my son in the tandem kayak and he taught her how to paddle. He was sharing a passion for paddling with his little sister, when normally they are screaming at each other. It was a peaceful day on the lake and one I won’t soon forget.

Camping at High Falls County Park

If an overnight adventure is what you seek, the park offers 91 campsites, with 10 of them being on those being on lake. Peak times for the campground are the months of May through September, with no camping in the winter months (December – February).

Campsites start at $25 a night and can be reserved through Reserve America. All the sites have electrical hook-ups and there is a bathhouse on site. Camping in the off-peak times is when I like to go. The cooler fall months are better for going without air conditioning, in my opinion.

The park has two fishing piers available to use. You’ll need to have an SC freshwater fishing license to fish in Lake Keowee. In the cooler months, the lake is known for its spotted bass fishing.

You can enjoy this park year-round, so don’t let the cooler weather stop you from going to explore High Falls County Park.

High Falls County Park
671 High Falls Road
Seneca, SC 29672

Have you visited High Falls County Park?

Nalley Brown Nature Park is the Perfect Local Trail System to Explore in the Upstate

Looking for a place to get outdoors near Easley, SC? Check out Nalley Brown Nature Park. Here’s what you can expect when you visit Nalley Brown Nature Park, plus some tips and ideas for things to do in the surrounding area from local mom, Liene.

We are blessed to have a large selection of parks and natural areas in the Upstate in which to enjoy the outdoors, from the state and county parks such as Jones Gap and Caesars Head to our urban public spaces like Lake Conestee Nature Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

But what about those beautiful days when we don’t have the time to travel all the way up to the Blue Ridge but want something different from the same-old, same-old? With the approach of fall, the lure of the outdoors will take families on explorations all over the Upstate, bringing the dilemma – where to go today?

A perfect option for those days when the mountains are a little too far is Nalley Brown Nature Park. Located at 380 Adger Road, this park features almost 3 miles of trail on its 38 acres, and is only 3 miles from downtown Easley!

The park was many years in the making; Catherine Brown Ladnier donated the land in 2001, but over the past two decades the project stalled more than once and it took a push by the then-mayor of Easley Larry Bagwell to finish it before the end of his term.

Things to Do at Nalley Brown Nature Park

Trails and Loops Through Wetlands

The heart of the park is its 2.5 miles of trails; leading through scrub pine and mature hardwoods, the trail network forms two main loops that can be combined for excursions ranging everywhere from a few tenths of a mile to almost three miles. Nalley Trail is the longest trail and forms an outer loop of just under 1 ½ miles long. An inner loop, Brown Trail, is another 0.85 miles, and a wetlands trail connecting the two loops on the west side of the park adds another tenth of a mile with its boardwalk.

Pet Friendly and ADA-Accessible

Definitely bring your furbabies along to enjoy the trails, as dogs are allowed, but be sure to have them leashed for their safety. Finally, an ADA-accessible loop just off the parking area is a mile long.

Small Playground and Picnic Shelters

Adjacent to the parking area visitors will find a small pavilion and a play area with a few tunnels and climbing structures.. If you are interested in renting the shelter at Nalley Brown to enjoy a picnic, you can submit a rental request online with the City of Easley, or apply in person at the Parks and Recreation Department at 111 Walkers Way in Easley.

Please note there are no bathrooms at the park. However, Ingles is about four minutes away by car. They have bathrooms you can use (410 Pelzer Hwy, Easley, SC 29642).

History of the Nalley Brown Nature Park

The history of the property influences the forest we see today. The Nalley and Brown families farmed the property and owned it for around 150 years. From the trail, you’ll see reminders of the old farmstead: abandoned car parts here, old farming supplies there.

Damage from long-ago farming practices still scar the land, heavily eroded ravines show the result of bad farming practices, as well as more recent harm – the dumping of trash into these gullies. On the other hand, the mature beech-oak forest has towering hardwoods over a hundred years old, and the softwood forest has its own charm with the smell of pine and the thick canopy of pine needles.

The wetlands trail brings visitors down to a tributary of Eighteen Mile Creek whose waters eventually flow into Lake Hartwell. Mosses and ferns line the sides of the ravines while the occasional wildflower brings spots of color to the forest floor.

Nalley Brown Nature Park trail in Easley, SC

Bring a picnic to enjoy under the beautiful pavilion, or head to Easley afterward; kids love the “Train on Main” scavenger hunt. Adults might enjoy a stop at local grocery and natural market Farmacy to pick up last-minute groceries for dinner. If you are looking to cool off after your hike, check out the Saluda Outdoor Center on your way back to Greenville and go tubing down the Saluda River in Easley.

Nalley Brown Nature Park is a lovely addition to the natural spaces of the Upstate. The trails provide a hiking option close to home for those living west of Greenville. In addition, it’s a way for people to get outdoors in what is becoming an increasingly urban landscape. We hope to see additional improvements (such as restroom facilities and educational signage) in the future and look forward to seeing what the change of the seasons brings to this new park.

This article was originally published on Femme au foyer.

Nalley Brown Nature Park
380 Adger Road, Easley, SC

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Before You Head to the Park

Be sure to dress appropriately for your adventure:

Other Important Things You Should Know:

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The Treetop Quest Courses

Safety at Treetop Quest

Safety Policies at Treetop Quest

Navigating the Course Yourself

Our Experience at Treetop Quest

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Camping at High Falls County Park

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Things to Do at Nalley Brown Nature Park

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Pet Friendly and ADA-Accessible

Small Playground and Picnic Shelters

History of the Nalley Brown Nature Park

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Graveyard Fields: Don’t Let the Name of This Awesome Swimming Hole Scare You Off