Looking for a place to go strawberry picking? Greenville, SC and the surrounding area have over a dozen farms just waiting for you to pick those juicy berries! If you don’t like doing the hard work yourself, you will also find farms that have prepicked berries for you. Here’s the inside scoop about which local farms to go strawberry picking in Greenville, Spartanburg, and the Anderson areas.
And since we know how much you all love maps, we made one for all these strawberry farms:
(more…)Are you looking for things to do with grandparents in Greenville, SC and across the Upstate? The grandparents are coming to visit your family in Upstate, SC, which is great! But what do you do with them together while they are visiting? We have a lot of ideas for you, most of which are based upon our own experiences with grandparents visiting. We’ve broken our list down by activity level.
I treasure the relationships my own kids have with their grandparents and wanted to do things with all of them to help strengthen those bonds while having fun. Hopefully, you get some good ideas here and are able to spend some quality time together with your grandparents when they are visiting you in Greenville, SC.
We organized the list according to activity level, from low to high. Low is the easiest and has the least amount of walking around while high is the opposite.
Looking for more fun? Here are the best things to do near Greenville, SC!
Have you visited the awesome indoor entertainment complex, The Big E, in Gaffney, SC? We sent Local mom Rebecca Parrish for a fun day with her family! She shares what her family loves about The Big E in Gaffney, SC and all of the activities you will find there.
Our family took a quick 45 minute road trip north on I-85 to exit 90 to visit Gaffney, South Carolina. Nestled next to the Gaffney Outlet Marketplace (A Simon Center), locally known as the “yellow mall”, The Big E in Gaffney, SC is an entertainment center promising fun for every age. It is a great place to spend the day and enjoy new experiences with your child, or a spot for birthday party joy.
The Big E Gaffney features eight (8) movie theatres screening wide-release new blockbuster movies. They strictly enforce rating policies for ticketing. The theater is comfortable and has a high quality sound system, digital projection, and stadium style seating. You can purchase tickets ahead of time through The Big E online theatre portal, where you will find showtimes, movie ratings, and run times for each moving showing. Ticket prices run from $$8.25 – $10.25, which is slightly more affordable than some other movie theatre chains.
The Big E also has a large bowling alley with 16 lanes where they feature open bowling ($5 per person plus $3.00 per person for shoes) and cosmic bowling ($6 per person) on weekends. You can choose to rent a lane by game or by the hour. Big E has mixed and youth leagues, and they participate in the Kids Bowl Free program in the spring and summer.
The bowling area also has flat-screen TVs and an area for food and beverages. The concessions include a variety of snacks and fries, pizza, wings, and “plates” like chicken tenders and hot dogs/corn dogs.
Younger children will love the indoor playland which involves climbing up levels, over rope bridges, on swings, and down slides. They even have a Ballocity Blast Center, where hundreds of foam balls are propelled out of mini air cannons. The playland is padded, which is always a plus. Parents are welcome to hang out in the cafe area located nearby while their children play. The cost is $7 per child for an unlimited day pass. Be sure to bring socks, but they do have them for $3.00 in case you need to purchase a pair.
The playland shares space with the 60 game arcade area, which houses lots of arcade games (including old favorites like Skee Ball to high-tech games like a Star Wars simulator), and the bumper cars (my personal favorite). Don’t leave the Big E without taking a spin on these spinning, neon-round cars.
The best part about playing is the ease of it; the Big E Gaffney sells a “ Big E Fun Card” that parents can load with an amount of money. This card is used at each of the attractions and the arcade, so rather than keeping up with dollars and loose change, kids or adults just use the card. We found this so simple and a lesson for our child about making smart choices about what he wanted to try. They often run promotions for Fun Cards, which is a good way to get extra bang for your buck!
By far, our favorite part of our Big E adventure was Laser Tag. For $8 per person, you get an amazing, action-packed game lasting about 10-15 minutes. Individuals are suited up with high-tech vests that react with vibrations and sound, and laser guns (called phasers) that you reload as you play on the multi-level course with teammates. Black lights, glowing barriers, fog, and music add to the excitement; and spectators can watch the action on a screen outside the arena. At the end of the match, points are tallied and a winner is revealed. My son is still buzzing from his victory!
Outside, the complex includes an adventure mini golf course and a challenging zip line. The day we ventured out, it was too cold and windy to try these. However, the area looked fun for a future warm day when we have some funds for fun!
Having a birthday party at The Big E would make a epic memory for you kids. You can have a Mini Golf Party, Playland Party, Movie Party, or a Bowling Party. You can even add on laser tag. Parties for up to 10 guests cost around $205. You’ll get access to one attraction, pizza, drinks, ice cream, and arcade cards. You’ll also get a party host to make everything go seamlessly.
The Big E Gaffney
1100 Factory Shops Blvd.
Gaffney, SC 29341
864.489.1515
Hours vary by day and by attraction.
Does a family outing to The Big E Gaffney sound perfect for your crew?
Rebecca Raulerson Parrish is a former English teacher turned non-profit administrator who currently works with Women Giving for Spartanburg and Five Twenty Consulting. She serves on the board of the Spartanburg Little Theatre and is proudly balancing books as Treasurer for the Jesse Boyd Elementary PTSO. A native of Lakeland, Florida, Rebecca loves living in Spartanburg, where she enjoys lots of adventures (and four seasons) with her husband, nine-year-old son, dog, bird and three pet chickens.Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!
Never be bored, and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.
Giveaway: One Kidding Around reader will win 4 TICKETS to The Spongebob Musical at SCCT! Show runs April 26th-May 19th. This is NOT your typical Spongebob experience. This is an SCCT Spongebob experience filled with hope, positivity & fun! Scroll down to enter.
Have you heard about all the marvelous things that the South Carolina Children’s Theatre in Greenville, SC has to offer? Maybe you are excited about an upcoming theatre performance. Or, perhaps you are curious if there are theater classes and camps for your children to immerse themselves in. Spark a little magic and wonder in your child’s life with a kid-friendly play, musical, class, or camp at SCCT! You will find all the information you need about the South Carolina Children’s Theatre below in our handy guide. Thank you SCCT for sponsoring this article!
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre is pretty special, and its professional theatrical productions are a great way to entertain your children. Productions are all family-oriented and designed to elicit wonder and excitement in your child (and you!)
Charlotte’s Web: Sept 22-Oct 8, 2023
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse: October 20 – October 29, 2023
Mary Poppins: November 17 – December 10, 2023
The Watsons Go to Birmingham: January 19 – February 4, 2023
D is for Dance Party: January 26 -February 4, 2023
Pinkalicious the Musical: February 23- March 10, 2023
Dragons Love Tacos: April 5 – April 21, 2023
The Spongebob Musical: April 26 – May 19, 2024
The SCCT events calendar is the best way to keep track of what’s to come.
Theatre productions are detail-oriented, bursting with color and costume, and bring to life and reimagine a popular story or play. Theatre productions run by season, with each season having around 8 performances spread out over several months. Each production has multiple showings, so you can plan a date night out with your kids! Both stages are also accessible, so productions can be enjoyed by everyone.
Bell Stage performances use large set designs, costumes, puppets, and anything else needed to help bring the story from the pages of the book or script onto the stage. You can find big musicals and plays on this stage. Bell Stage productions have longer run times with intermissions. You can find run time information on the SCCT website. There are also assigned seats for Bell Stage productions, so make sure you purchase tickets early if you have large groups that want to sit together.
Younts 2nd Stage performances also offer the pop, color, and costumes that the Bell Stage productions do, but performances are more intimate and held on a smaller stage. This allows performers to really engage with the audience. These productions are shorter, approximately 45 minutes to an hour long, so they are an excellent choice for younger (with shorter attention spans) audience members. Tickets for Younts Stage are also cheaper than Bell Stage productions, so that’s great on the budget!
All theatre productions at SCCT have an age range recommendation, so be sure to check to see which performance best suits your child. SCCT does recommend that most productions are for children 3 and older.
The majority of these theatre productions are held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, with daytime and evening showings available, so they make an excellent parent/child date day!
To find out more information about the upcoming SCCT performances on both the Bell and Younts stages, head to the SCCT website.
Want to see a stage performance for a field trip? If you’re a teacher or homeschooling group, you can check out performances at SCCT through their weekday school performances on the Bell Stage and the Youths Stage. All students, teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers will need a ticket to view the performance.
Looking to save some money while also seeing all of the amazing upcoming shows at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre? The SCCT Flex Pass program offers first-priority seating, unlimited free ticket exchanges, discounts on classes, and discounts to downtown stores. There are three price points to choose from, Blue, Green, or Orange, that allow for a specific number of tickets per package.
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre offers a “Pay What You Can” ticket program for select performances of select shows throughout the year. You’ll find these performances labeled as a “Pay What You Can Performance” within each show’s schedule on the South Carolina Children’s Theatre Website.
The first Pay What You Can Performance of the 2023-2024 season was the September 24, 2023 performance of Charlotte’s Web. When you see a Pay What You Can Performance on the website, follow the directions on that link to purchase your tickets.
One of the best things about SCCT is that they offer free performance events through their Tell-Me-a- Story Theatre and Once Upon an Orchestra programs.
Tell Me a Story Theatre is a high-energy telling of a popular children’s story or book that is engaging for younger children, think PreK to early elementary students. The event is completely free, and is located in the Prisma Health Lobby. The performance and story reading lasts around 30 minutes, great for squirmy kids. You can check out Tell-Me-a-Story once per month.
Once Upon an Orchestra is a partnership between SCCT and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra that brings children’s literature and music together through storytelling. Your child (and you) can enjoy Once Upon an Orchestra three times per year, for free! Performances last around 30 minutes and are perfect for children age K3 through 5th grade. You can find upcoming performances of Once Upon an Orchestra on the SCCT website.
Support your child’s interest in the performing arts with classes at The South Carolina Children’s Theatre! SCCT’s Theatre Arts Conservatory offers a variety of classes for kids interested in learning about acting, drama, stage management, directing, musical theater, and so much more!
Classes use a lot of fun activities to strengthen your child’s imagination, self-expression, confidence, and self-discipline. These classes also build a foundation for theatre arts concepts. Classes build onto one another, so SCCT encourages parents to not rush their child through the classes, but to allow them to make natural progress. Classes are grouped by age, so even your budding three-year-old Broadway star can enjoy these immersive classes!
Sometimes you need a date night, or a morning out. Sometimes you even need some extra help when your kids are out for holidays. SCCT can help you out with their workshops!
SCCT’s Summer Camps are an excellent way to keep your kids busy over the summer! Summer camps are offered for ages K3 through high school. Each camp is designed to boost confidence while having fun learning about theatre.
Parents can pre-register their kids for a variety of theme camps. Camps explore musical theatre, creative drama, improv, and more in a fun and engaging way! Camps are typically half day, with full day options available for older children by combining camps. Learn more about summer camps at The South Carolina Children’s Theatre on the SCCT website.
Did you know the South Carolina Children’s Theatre was a 2024 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st place winner for Best Performing Arts Theatre? Check out all of the finalists and winners in Kidding Around’s 2024 KABOOM Awards Guide.
The underwater town of Bikini Bottom is in danger in this epic and electric musical based on the popular cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. Though underestimated as a “simple sponge,” SpongeBob manages to unite the citizens and save the city from impending doom. This wildly entertaining show features songs by famous musical artists and bands that parents will love such as Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco, and The Flaming Lips to name a few.
Artistic Director Matt Giles: “I couldn’t be more excited to produce this ambitious whale of a musical. Not only does it feature one of the most iconic children’s characters of the past 20 years, but it also includes songs from some of the most iconic musicians. This show is a fun, heartfelt spectacle. Hattie Claire Andres (who works at Seattle Rep) is coming to stage this piece, and I can’t wait to watch her bring it to life.”
The musical runs April 26th-May 19th. For the full show schedule, visit the SCCT website.
Purchase The Spongebob Musical tickets online today! Get a multiple tickets discount with Flex Pass.
One Kidding Around reader will win 4 FREE TICKETS to see The Spongebob Musical at SCCT. This giveaway runs from April 1st-April 15th, 2024, 11:59PM. Good luck!
Looking for more kid-friendly classes and activities in Greenville, SC?
Are you looking for things to do in Spartanburg, SC? These are the events happening in Spartanburg now. Find events in Spartanburg this weekend, or plan things to do all month long.
These Spartanburg events are listed by date. Simply click on each event for more information.
If you’re looking for more things to do, head to our Giant List of Things to Do in Spartanburg, SC.
One of Spartanburg’s lesser known parks, is also one of its best. Tucked away in the historic neighborhood of Converse Heights, Happy Hollow Park spans one block at the corners of S. Fairview and Glendalyn Avenue. Small and secure, Happy Hollow Park provides a safe and shady place for children of all ages to play.
(more…)Forty-five minutes west of Greenville is Clemson, home not only to Clemson University but also to the South Carolina Botanical Garden, a perfect day-trip destination this spring. The colorful spring foliage and cool temperatures will ensure a memorable visit to one of the premiere Gardens of the Upstate! KAG Contributor, Liene, shares all about this beautiful (and free!) destination.
See our list of gardens near Greenville for even more beautiful outdoor areas to explore.
At just under 300 acres in size, the South Carolina Botanical Gardens encompass everything from natural landscapes to display gardens, including miles of streams, nature trails and the 70-acre Schoenike Arboretum. Home to over 300 varieties of camellias, the Gardens also have an extensive collection of hollies, hydrangeas, magnolias and native plants. Although there are multiple points of access, parking in the lot off Pearman Blvd. closest to the Heritage Garden will put you in the center of this gorgeous botanical treasure.
Upon entering visitors will find themselves in is the Cadet Life Garden, a nod to the period in Clemson history during which the University was a military college. Over those sixty years (until 1956), 12,314 students graduated; of those nearly 10,000 became Reserve Officers, about 5,600 saw active military service, and 335 died or were missing in action while fighting for their country. (Source: informational plaques in the Garden).
After trying out one of the swings, follow the shaded pergola to the 1939 Caboose Garden. George Williams, Assistant Vice President and Treasurer of Southern Railway (as well as a graduate of the class of ’39) donated the caboose to Clemson, after which it was painted red, transported to its current spot, making a perfect playground (and photo op!) for those budding train enthusiasts.
Also, see our list of places to find trains near Greenville for more locations for kids that like trains.
After a meander in the Heritage Garden you’ll emerge near the Children’s Garden. With greenhouses, a “Food for Thought” Garden and several other interesting spaces, the kids will find plenty to explore. The Peter Rabbit Garden features a cute little playhouse, perfect for an imaginary afternoon tea.
Adjacent is the butterfly garden, where you will find quite a few different species of butterflies fluttering about, attracted to the early spring blooms. The bog section has really cool pitcher plants; let the kids check to see if they are digesting any insects!
A loop around Duck Pond on a nice wooded trail takes visitors around to the Camellia Trail. Benches scattered here and there allowed for chances to stop and rest, have a snack and enjoy the view. Hopefully you’ll spot some migrating waterfowl in addition to the frogs, lizards, turtles and even snakes that call this area home.
The Flower Display Garden is also on this end of the garden, and you should definitely stop in to see what is blooming before taking one of the dozens of trails back towards the Heritage Garden. If you continue past the parking area you’ll come to Kelly Meadow and the Meadow Pond, a beautiful panorama with a backdrop of the forest.
In addition to a walk through the gardens, you might also be interested in the following attractions:
On the very west end of the Gardens (past Kelly Meadow) is the Fran Hanson Discovery Center & Gift Shop. Built in 1998 as “The Wren House,” it was the first Southern Living Idea House. The second floor houses an art gallery that showcases local artists.
The Campbell Geology Museum offers houses a collection of more than 10,000 minerals, rocks and fossils, a great activity for a rainy autumn day. And admission is free! The museum is open Monday – Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
The cactus gardens between the gift shop and the Geology Museum are interesting year-round, and the historical mining artifacts mixed in offer kids a fun game of “I Spy.”
The Shoenike Arboretum features the legacy of Dr. Schoenike, who during his career at Clemson planted, cared for, and studied some 2000 trees and shrubs in the arboretum.
There is always something going on in the garden! From concerts to hikes, homeschool days to wreath-making, there is something for everyone… Check the event calendar for more information.
Truly a state treasure hidden away in a corner of the Upstate, the SC Botanical Gardens are a must-see destination for visitors and residents alike. Spring is a favorite time of year to visit, although autumn also brings cooler temperatures, fewer insects and of course the colorful leaves while summer the gardens are in full bloom. Grab the kids and go explore, you’ll be sure to see something new on each trip!
South Carolina Botanical Garden
150 Discovery Lane
Clemson, SC
Open daily, dawn to dusk
Admission is free!
What is your favorite spot in the Gardens?
Are you looking for things to do outside in Spartanburg, SC? Spartanburg has some of the most beautiful parks, playgrounds, gardens, waterways, and outdoor spaces to explore in the Upstate. Below you will find a comprehensive list of guides and Kidding Around reviews of places and activities we recommend your family explore while enjoying the natural beauty that Spartanburg County has to offer.
Looking for other things to do in Spartanburg? Check out our Giant List of Things to do in Spartanburg, SC!
We also have a huge list of Things to do Indoors in Spartanburg if you’re wanting to avoid the heat or rain.
With our diversity of needs and desires, Kidding Around Spartanburg has put together a guide to help you find the park best for your family in Spartanburg County. ~Deborah Pope
You don’t have to venture far from the upstate to enjoy a day outdoors with your children. With these playgrounds offering such a different atmosphere, each one will create a brand-new adventure. ~Erika Morelli
Just off of Ashville Highway and right inside the city limits of Spartanburg is Cleveland Park, a large, beautiful old park with a new playground. It is one of my family’s favorite places to go for outings! Our kids love not only the amazing play structures but also the footpaths around the park where we can walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery together. ~Christina Goshorn
This park is perfect for a long day of fun in the sun, there is just so much to do! A FREE splash pad, two large playgrounds, over 60 ft climbing structure, and so much more.
If you have a plane lover in the family, this is the perfect park for them. Located right beside the airport, your kids can watch planes come and go while playing on the play structures and splashing in the free splash pad.
Located in Boiling Springs, this park has EVERYTHING! Seven sports complexes, soccer and football goal posts, Sholley Creek Disc Golf course, large play structures, and more.
This park it situated right beside Shipwreck Cove in Duncan. It has some nicely shaded areas to rest while watching your kids play on the playground structures.
Wooden dock, clear lake, tiny minnows sparkling in sunny shallow waters, tall trees, horses, hiking trails, and a playground. Sound good? Then you’ll want to check out Croft State Park the next time you’re looking for a family adventure. ~Maria Bassett
Anchor Park offers a fenced-in playground area to enjoy while your family fishes, enjoy the lakeside views, and you may even decide to rent a boat while there.
One of Spartanburg’s lesser-known parks is also one of its best. Tucked away in the historic neighborhood of Converse Heights, Happy Hollow Park spans one block at the corners of S. Fairview and Glendalyn Avenue. Small and secure, Happy Hollow Park provides a safe and shady place for children of all ages to play. ~Juliet Wright
Located near the Beacon Restaurant, this smaller park offers basketball courts, a playground, and a splash pad!
The Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park is located along Spartanburg’s Mary Black Rail Trail. The park has features for bikers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced including a pump track, easy street, and advanced skill features like table-top jumps, a vertical wooden bridge, and more. ~Maria Bassett
Looking for a place to take the kids where they can grow their skateboard skills? Hot Spot Skate Park is the place! Located at 339 Union Street in Spartanburg, Hot Spot features a variety of street style steps, ramps, ledges, rails, half-pipes, and bowls for kids ages 6 and up. ~Nikki Hulton
No matter what part of North Spartanburg you live in, these parks are all worth the short drive it takes to get your family out of the house. Each park is perfect for playdates with friends, picnics with families or even quiet solo walks. ~Jennifer Curry
Once it gets to be summer (and 90 degrees) in Spartanburg, it’s time to find the nearest or best water park to cool off. That’s why we have created this list of 11 water parks and splash pads that are near Spartanburg. This list includes some free splash pads connected to playgrounds as well as larger water parks that are worth driving to (one even is connected to a hotel). ~Erika Morelli
Park Hop has come to Spartanburg, SC and now you can join the fun with this FREE park scavenger hunt with prizes for the kids! Since 2013 the kids of Greenville County have been discovering the local parks and earning prizes with this annual summertime event.
Kids in Parks is a user-friendly website that includes an always-expanding list of nationwide locations that are considered TRACK trails. It allows families to search for locations near their hometown or even for an out-of-town adventure. That includes 160 TRACK Trails in 10 states, Washington DC, and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation with dozens of locations just a short drive away in North Carolina and Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
Ready to enjoy some camping in Spartanburg? With all of the natural beauty surrounding us in the Upstate, the best way to enjoy it is by immersing yourself. We have a guide to all the places you’ll want to check out when looking for a place to camp near Spartanburg.
Kings Mountain State Park offers both tent camping and RV camping. There are designated tent camping spots, as well as primitive camping spots to reserve.
Croft State Park has primitive camping spots for organized groups of up to 100! They also have RV spots that are packed with gravel with electrical and water hookups.
Just a couple miles off of I-26 in Spartanburg, amongst shopping and restaurants on the busy main thoroughfare of John D. White, Sr. Blvd, is a 10-acre botanical garden and woodland preserve. The beautiful space is full of ponds, waterfalls, wildlife, trees, and gardens with a wide variety of leafy and flowering plants. Hatcher Garden is open free to the public and should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Spartanburg. ~Maria Bassett
We are lucky to live near so many beautiful and diverse gardens. Here is a list of some of the best gardens and arboretums in Spartanburg and around the Upstate. ~Kristen Alcock
Drayton Mills Trail & Beaumont Mill Village Pathway– This paved trail can be accessed at a couple of points, the easiest is probably the large parking lot across from Drayton Mills. Or, start at the small parking lot for the Beaumont Mill Village Pathway beside Adam’s Park on East Boundary Drive. This is where the Story Walk trail starts if you have kids who would enjoy that.
Check out this video of the Story Walk trail.
The Cottonwood Trail is the perfect space for your children to experience the seasons in the Upstate. Lush and green in the summer, crackling with autumnal colors in the fall, sparse and atmospheric in the winter, and brimming with new life in the spring, your children can observe the seasonal changes while exploring the great outdoors. ~Juliet Wright
Enjoy the South Carolina winter’s cooler temperatures and the great outdoors with a wintertime hike. There are several parks and trails perfect for cool weather hikes for the whole family near Spartanburg. ~Hope Evans
Lake Cooley has so much to offer, including boat and kayak rentals, fishing, a playground, plenty of spaces for picnics, and even the Lake Cooley Outdoor Education Center!
This trail offers 4 miles of perfectly flat ground to get outside and exercise or take a leisure stroll. The trail is perfect for biking, and is actually a converted trail rail!
This list of trails offers the best trails for hiking during the cool winter months in Spartanburg.
We went out on a hot summer day for some visits around Spartanburg, SC. We had a great time each place we went! We spent our day inside the city limits and had an enjoyable family experience in this picturesque, friendly location. ~Christina Johnson
A FREE mini golf course in the heart of downtown! Sparkle City Mini Golf is located near Hub City Scoops. You can borrow a club and ball from several local businesses.
When talking to friends and acquaintances who live in Spartanburg, I’ve noticed that one particular attraction has come up repeatedly in conversation: the Hub City Farmers’ Market. This local market meets on Saturdays from March-December at Northside Harvest Park from 8 a.m.-noon. The market boasts an invigorating, exciting atmosphere with an emphasis on health, all while supporting local businesses and farms. The food and handmade goods sold there are all locally grown and produced. ~Christina Johnson
Looking for a unique and fun way to explore downtown Spartanburg? Look no further than Blue Duck Scooters. You can rent scooters for $1 plus 25 cents per minute, then drop them off once you’re done at multiple places throughout the city.
If you haven’t tried Disc Golf (frisbee golf), now is a perfect time. There are multiple courses throughout Spartanburg, many of them scenic and shaded so you can play throughout the summer months as well! Play as a family, or even on a day date with your loved one.
Whether it is strawberry picking, sunflower galore, or pumpkin patch season, there is always something going on at Stewart Farms in Enoree. They offer a u-pick for both strawberries and pumpkins, along with lots of other goodies and groceries in their store.
The Upstate was one of the country’s hubs for the textile industry, with remnants of those mills being renewed through a transformation into places to explore their ruins, including Glendale Shoals in Spartanburg.
Have a family of swimmers that crave the water when the temperature starts to warm up? Check out this list of pool memberships throughout Spartanburg so you can soak up the sun poolside all season long.
Waterpark! Say no more. Shipwreck Cove in Duncan will have you spending all day by the pool, or getting drenched under the splash pad. This water park has a lazy river, waterslides, and more!
This comprehensive list of places that offer outdoor dining in Spartanburg, SC is loaded! There is something for everyone to enjoy while hanging out on the patio or even under the stars while enjoying your meal!
You can enjoy dinner under the stars at Dray Bar + Grill, who offer an expansive patio as well as seating out amongst the mill area where you will find the location. They occasionally offer movie nights and other events outdoors as well!
Kite Flying is mesmerizing when it is just one kite, now imagine dozens whipping and gliding through the air. You can see that and more at Spartanburg Soaring!
This list of Spring Festivals in Spartanburg has a little something for everyone to enjoy as the weather begins to warm and we are all itching to get outside!
As the crisp, cool air and autumn begins to make its way into the Upstate, these Fall festivals will have you heading outdoors to enjoy the beginning of the season.
What are your favorite things to do outdoors in Spartanburg, SC?
Keowee-Toxaway State Park straddles Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (Hwy. 11) between Devils Fork State Park and Long Shoals Wayside Park, one of eight South Carolina State Parks located along the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Known for spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 1,000 acre park is considered a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges, the area defined by a series of steep-sided gorges delivering mountain rivers and streams down to the Piedmont of South Carolina.
The state park is split by Highway 11, with the picnic shelters located on a short loop to the south. Five picnic shelters are available for rental. The picnic tables with free-standing grills throughout the park are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Once you’ve finished your picnic lunch, head across Highway 11 to the north portion of the park. The Park Visitor Center houses exhibits about the natural diversity and history of the park, and its importance as a scientific research destination of the region.
If you’re looking to check out the Visitor Center, be advised that office hours are 11 am to noon and 4 – 5 pm. Despite these rather short hours, the Park is open Saturdays through Thursdays from 9 am – 6 pm and Fridays 9 am – 8 pm. After daylight savings time, the park is open Monday- Sunday until 9 pm. Keowee-Toxaway State Park is free to the public.
There are 5.5 miles of trails in the Park, the two main hikes being Raven Rock Trail and Natural Bridge Trail. The trailhead for these two trails is located behind the park office. Natural Bridge Nature Trail is a 1½-mile loop, and at the far end of the loop is the Raven Rock trailhead. Combined with the Natural Bridge loop, you achieve a 4.4-mile hike to Raven Rock and back.
Use the Keowee-Toxaway SP trail map to help you navigate the area easily.
Hiking the Natural Bridge loop clockwise starts you off along Poe creek and numerous small waterfalls. Soon you’ll come to the intersection with Raven Rock Trail with its views of Lake Keowee, passing rock outcrops and a boulder field before reaching Raven Rock. Looping back to Natural Bridge Trail you’ll cross Poe Creek on the trail’s namesake, an enormous natural rock ‘bridge’. You’ll then cross through an upland hardwoods forest to reach the parking lot.
The ½ mile Lake Trail departs from the campground and emerges from the woods near the Villa to Lake Keowee, where guests can enjoy fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish.
Keowee-Toxaway is a perfect hike for a spring day! Keep your eyes peeled for the wildflowers that enjoy the moisture along Poe Creek. You’ll also enjoy the rhododendrons and azaleas blooming in late spring and early summer. On a hot summer’s day prepare to cool down in Poe Creek. The irresistible tumble of water makes it hard to leave. Autumn brings colorful fall foliage, but catching the right day in winter means less-crowded trails and parking lots – this is a park for all four seasons.
Ten paved camping sites have individual water and electrical hookups for RVs up to 40 feet, while the tent camping area has 14 sites with central water, individual tent pads and fire rings. Restroom facilities with hot showers are available, as well as a dump station.
Backcountry camping is allowed at three designated sites on Lake Keowee. These are accessible by a hike on Raven Rock Trail, or by paddling to them in a canoe/kayak. For larger groups a primitive group area is located in the backcountry; registration is required and reservations are accepted.
If camping isn’t for you, reserve the three-bedroom villa that overlooks Lake Keowee near the boat launch. The cabin is completely furnished, heated & air-conditioned with all the amenities. It comes with linens, cooking and eating utensils, washer/dryer, satellite television, Wi-Fi, two fireplaces, and a private boat dock. Just know that pets are not allowed in the cabins.
Boating: Keowee-Toxaway provides non-motorized boat access to Lake Keowee; to launch a motorized boat you have to use the access at Fall Creek Landing, five miles southwest of the park.
Fishing: Fishing is allowed. Bass, bream, crappie, and catfish are commonly caught fish.
Swimming: Swimming is allowed, however, there are no lifeguards or designated swimming areas in the park; swim at your own risk.
With easy access to Lake Keowee, three beautiful trails with all kinds of unique natural features, and spectacular views throughout the park, Keowee-Toxaway has plenty to offer. We’ve enjoyed our visits in all four seasons. However, spring has a special magic with the ephemeral wildflowers blooming and trees budding electric green. Head north to this gem of a state park and experience the magic for yourself!
A portion of this post originally appeared on Femme au Foyer.
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