Want to go camping with kids in Greenville, SC? When it comes to hitting the Great Outdoors, there are lots of great options for unforgettable camping adventures! From primitive camping to RV sites, our area abounds with family-friendly campgrounds. Travel a bit further to camp in the wilderness or near sandy beaches. Read on to learn more about some of our readers’ favorite spots!
Are you searching for daytrips from Spartanburg, SC where you can have a fun time exploring somewhere new? You can drive to all these locations in 8 hours or less, saving the price of airline tickets. Keep reading to find out which places are less than a day’s drive from Spartanburg.
Quick Look: Day Trips From Spartanburg, SC
10 family-friendly destinations within an 8-hour drive of Spartanburg, with tips and ideas for things to do!
Tucked into a cozy cottage in Hendersonville, NC, A Southern Cup Fine Teas offers a charming tea experience. Think lace accents, pretty teapots, fresh flowers, and soft music in the background. It’s the kind of place where you can relax with family and friends and celebrate special occasions.
A Sweet Spot for Celebrations
From birthdays and baby showers to bridal gatherings and holiday get-togethers, this intimate space works beautifully for small-group celebrations. It’s especially sweet for mother-daughter outings or teen birthday parties where everyone wants to dress up just a little and feel fancy for the afternoon.
Here’s what Kidding Around’s Crystal Taylor shared after hosting her daughter’s birthday there:
“We recently celebrated my daughter’s birthday at A Southern Cup Fine Teas, and it was such a special experience from start to finish. Kim, the owner, was wonderful to work with while planning and went above and beyond to accommodate a request for a custom fruit tart since it’s my daughter’s favorite dessert. She also surprised her with a celebratory birthday crown to wear during our visit, which made her feel extra special and truly like the guest of honor.
The tea selection was impressive with something for everyone — herbal, green, black, and fruit infusions. Our group of girls loved the sweeter options, so we started with strawberry and peach teas served in charming pots.
The afternoon tea menu was both beautiful and delicious. We enjoyed assorted tea sandwiches including cucumber, egg salad, and chicken salad on croissants, buttery scones served with sweet butter, lemon curd, and jam, plus a lovely assortment of desserts like lemon curd meringues, mini mousse cups, and mini red velvet cupcakes.
The setting itself is an adorable cottage that feels intimate and welcoming, decorated with lace, teapots, flowers, and soft classical music playing in the background — the perfect atmosphere for a special celebration or tea party.
At $25.95 per person, it felt very reasonable for such a thoughtful and memorable afternoon tea experience. Our crew had an amazing time — pinkies up, lots of laughs, and very full, happy stomachs by the end!”
What to Expect
Afternoon Tea is $29.95 per person and includes a tiered assortment of savory and sweet bites paired with your choice of loose-leaf tea. You’ll find traditional blends alongside fruit-forward and herbal options, so everyone can land on something they love. Reservations are required.
Cream Tea is $8.00 per person and includes sumptuous scones served with fresh fruit, clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam.
Children’s Tea is $12.50 per person and features strawberry and cream cheese sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly, scones, fresh fruit, clotted cream, jam, assorted desserts, fairy water, and a pot of tea or hot chocolate.
If you’ve been searching for a unique celebration idea or simply want an excuse to slow down and sip something lovely, Southern Cup Fine Teas is a sweet little escape. Pinkies up!
Planning a Myrtle Beach family vacation? Myrtle Beach is a clear favorite, and it is easy to see why.
As one of the most popular beaches for vacationing in SC, Myrtle Beach offers top-notch hotels and resorts along with tons of family-friendly activities along the Grand Strand. So we’ve gathered up reviews and coverage from Kidding Around into one convenient guide! Our guide includes places to stay, where to dine, fun activities, and more to help you create the perfect vacation.
There are lots of other great places for family vacations! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite travel spots with all the best things to do and see while you’re there in this Ultimate Travel Guide!
Local teens and parents share their favorite day trip destinations for teens and tweens near Greenville, SC.
Are you looking for a fun day trip for teenagers around Upstate, SC? We’ve rounded up ideas that real teens actually enjoy. These outings give you a chance to explore somewhere new, laugh a little, and sneak in some quality time without forcing it.
Here’s our list of 20 great day trips for teens and tweens near Greenville.
The Quick Summary: Day Trips for Teens
We’ve put together a teen-approved list of 20 awesome day trips, from thrilling outdoor adventures like whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River to exploring charming towns like Hendersonville. 🌄🚣♂️
✅ Adventure parks ✅ Waterfalls ✅ Cool museums ✅ Amusement parks ✅ Historic sites
Day trips are the perfect way to unplug, bond, and make memories that last a lifetime. Whether your teen loves adrenaline, history, or just good food and downtown exploring, you’ll find something they’ll be excited about.
Why Are Day Trips Perfect for Teens Near Greenville, SC?
If your teen is like the teens I know and love, then you know planning an outing that they’ll enjoy isn’t always easy. But, it’s totally possible! Teenagers living in the Upstate are lucky to have so many wonderful places to explore in town or nearby. For example, you can travel to both Asheville and Charlotte in less than two hours.
Day trips with teens get them out of the house, off the devices, and give you lots of time to chat and experience something fun together. It’s organic bonding time that’s not forced. You’ll be surprised the things they bring up on those long car rides. In addition, these day trips make excellent field trips for homeschooled teenagers.
Best Adventure-Filled Day Trips for Teens
1. Rafting the Chattooga River with Nantahala Outdoor Center
For an awesome adrenaline rush and full day of adventure, you’ll definitely want to go rafting on the Chattooga River with the Nantahala Outdoor Center in SC. This is a fun, fun trip that includes lunch and Class IV-V rapids, checking out a beautiful waterfall, and jumping in the river. Read our full review here.
2. Asheville Adventure Center
Teens will love the unique things to do at the Asheville Adventure Center. It includes Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures, KOLO Bike Park, KidZip, and Wildwater Rafting. Cost varies by activity.
3. Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is home to Chimney Rock, an amazing peak that tourists can climb with stunning views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The state park has miles of trails and stairs to climb. And if your teen wants to try actual rock climbing and rappelling, they can do it at Chimney Rock. You can book a two-hour, half-day, or full-day climbing adventure. Reservations are required.
Table Rock is a short drive from Greenville and offers one of the best hikes around. You could easily spend a day at Table Rock with your teen. Choose one of the many trails to explore, spend some time on the beach, and rent paddle boats.
I don’t care how old you are. Waterfalls never go out of style! And if you’re wondering where to take teenagers hiking near Greenville SC, waterfalls could be the answer. Take your teen on a day trip to explore and do some hiking. In particular, Chau Ram County Park is a great day trip idea because it takes a little more than an hour, but once you get there, you can hike and swim at Ramsey Creek for just $5.
P.S. Be prepared to take plenty of posed waterfall pictures for your teen’s Instagram and Tiktok feeds.
6. U.S. National Whitewater Center
If you’re thinking about cool places to take teens near Charlotte, NC, don’t overlook the U.S. National Whitewater Center. It’s an awesome place for families looking for outdoor activities. In addition to offering whitewater rafting, you can kayak, paddleboard, and mountain bike. Guests also have the opportunity to do some rock climbing, conquer ropes courses, canopy courses, and more. Plus, there is live music during summer months. You can purchase a day pass for $79 that includes all activities or a cheaper single-activity pass.
7. Snow Tubing/Skiing/Snowboarding
There are so many awesome places to enjoy winter sports in our area, whether it’s snow tubing, skiing, or snowboarding. You can easily turn any of these into an overnight or weekend adventure!
Best Educational and Historic Day Trips for Teens
8. Discovery Place in Charlotte
We love Discovery Place in Charlotte! This science museum is tons of fun for kids of all ages. The interactive second floor includes several hands-on opportunities geared for this age group. Teens can lie across a bed of nails, try hydraulic arm wrestling, or compete to see who can build the largest tower. It’s also home to an IMAX theatre. The cost is $24 for adults, and kids age 2-13 get in for $19.
BONUS: Check out the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, also in Charlotte. Our teens loved visiting, flying the simulators, and learning about the aircraft.
If your teenagers are fans of history or literature, a trip to the Biltmore Estate and Grove Park Inn is an absolute must. Both locations are steeped in history and give teens a real-life glimpse into the past. They will enjoy learning about the Vanderbilt Family at the Biltmore and hearing about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s time at the Grove Park Inn. The cost to visit the Biltmore Estate varies by season.
10. BMW Factory Tour
We’re lucky to have BMW so close to us, and if you have a teen who loves cars, attending one of the factory tours at BMW makes for a great day trip. They offer a couple of tour options, anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Be sure to make an appointment because the tours fill up quickly.
11. Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is roughly two hours from the Upstate and makes for a great day trip with teens. With thousands of animals and a large number of exhibits, it’s a great place to spend half a day. The dolphin viewing area will give your teen their photo opp. You can even swim with whales, sharks, and manna rays during your visit.
There’s probably no more iconic summer experience in Western NC than Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest. This is a really fun adventure that your teen will love (and probably freeze doing). Go before noon or after 4pm for smaller crowds. Admission is $5 per person. We suggest adding on Moore Cove Falls (1.5 miles round trip) and Fryingpan Tower (1.5 miles roundtrip) hikes to make it a full day trip.
Sliding Rock
13. River Tubing
There are so many awesome spots to go river tubing over the summer. The closest one to Greenville is the Saluda Outdoor Center. We also love Deep Creek in Helen, GA, and Smoky Mountain Tubing in Cherokee, NC. We also have a huge list of places to go tubing in and near the Upstate over the summer.
14. Linville Caverns
Linville Caverns in Marion is another unique day trip option for teens. You’ll explore “inside the mountain” with a guide and experience the caverns, which stay a cool 52 degrees year-round. The caverns are also home to bats, so you may see a few during your visit. Since you are allowed to take pictures inside the cave, this is another spot where your teen will ask you to take about a hundred.
Cool Towns and Cities Perfect for a Teen Day Trip
15. Hendersonville, NC: A Fun Small-Town Adventure
Hendersonville, NC is about an hour away from Greenville and offers plenty of things to do on a day trip with your teen. If it’s fall, you can visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. There’s an aquarium, too. Or if you have a teen who loves views, a visit to Jump Off Rock would be fun. Play all day at the Appalachian Pinball Museum. Or just walk around downtown Hendersonville, grab lunch somewhere, and enjoy a fun afternoon activity before heading home. Take a look at all the things you can do in Hendersonville.
16. Athens, GA: Exploring Campus Life and Downtown Fun
Athens, GA is only two hours from the Upstate. Home to the Georgia Bulldogs, it has a great downtown area full of retail stores and restaurants. Spend a day with your teen walking around the University of Georgia campus and wandering around downtown. We have an entire guide to your day trip to Athens.
17. Downtown Asheville, NC: Trolley Tour and Chocolate Factory Fun
Asheville, NC is a vibe, and it’s also beautiful and has a lot of fun things to explore. You can take a trolley tour, check out the Grove Arcade to shop and dine, and even go on a tour of a real-life chocolate factory! See our handy guide to learn how to plan the perfect downtown Asheville day trip with your teen.
For a fun add-on to any Asheville trip, take the teens to play some old school video games at Asheville Retrocade. It’s just $12 per person for all-day play.
19. Carowinds Amusement Park, Charlotte NC
Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte is always a hit with teenagers. Less than two hours from Greenville, it has roller coasters, thrill rides, and a waterpark. Carowinds will keep your teen entertained all day long. Also, Scarowinds, Carowinds’s annual Halloween nighttime event, draws the teen crowd. Ticket prices start at $40.
20. Tryon International Equestrian Center
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is a little less than an hour from Greenville and hosts really fun (and free) events. The center is open to the public and has restaurants and shopping, as well as the opportunity to see competition. It’s free to visit, but Saturday Night Lights has a $10 parking fee. Don’t miss out.
Looking for more things to do for teenagers? Ways to get them involved in the community?
We stayed at the new stayAPT Suites in North Charleston, SC and loved the spacious rooms with full kitchens. This hotel is ideal for families during trips and longer-term stays!
You know that feeling of walking into a hotel room and just enjoying the immense space you’ve got there? Me neither. One of the things that makes stayAPT Suites stand out are the huge rooms, which are basically like an apartment. I walked in and I literally felt like I walked into an apartment. One of my kids actually said that word.
When I travel with my family, I almost always stay somewhere that has a kitchen because let’s be honest, eating out for every meal gets pricey really fast. StayAPT really hits the mark on the kitchen, the spacious bathroom, and the huge bedroom. I was just floored at all the space. This is a big reason why I think families especially will love stayAPT – that and the affordable prices.
Thanks to stayAPT Suites for inviting us to their North Charleston location so we could provide this review.
stayAPT room
About stayAPT Suites
StayAPT Suites are all 500+ square feet with distinct living space, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The company wants their guests to feel at home, to be comfortable, and to enjoy the time spent there. They don’t want them to feel like they have to sacrifice the comforts of home when they travel for work, vacation, or even relocation.
StayAPT Suites are mostly centered in the Southeast and Midwest but are working on a few locations out West. They are growing fast and their location map can help you find the one closest to your destination for travel. If you’ve got family coming to Greenville who need a place to stay, they have two locations in our area: one in Greenville and the other in Greer.
We stayed at the stayAPT Suites in North Charleston for our adventure, which was the perfect area for exploring and relaxation.
stayAPT Amenities
Every stayAPT Suites has a courtyard, a fitness room, and an on-site laundry room. The suites are pet-friendly so don’t worry about leaving your furry friend at home.
They don’t have a pool or breakfast buffet but you won’t really miss it when you’re out exploring and saving all that money doing fun things with your family instead of spending it all on a cramped hotel room.
All rooms have free and fast wi-fi so you can get your work done if needed.
stayAPT courtyard
Eat-In Kitchen
The kitchen we had at stayAPT Suites was a beautiful, eat-in kitchen. Honestly, I’d love to have this same kitchen in my house. It’s bigger and prettier than my own kitchen.
There’s a full-size refrigerator, a huge granite peninsula with chairs and a sink, a dishwasher, an electric stove, a coffee maker, and a toaster. I was at home here and I loved it.
While they provide one day of coffee, if you’re here longer, bring your own coffee and filter. They have pots and pans, silverware, and cups. A roll of paper towels and salt and pepper would be helpful to bring with you as well.
Minimalist Decor, Affordable Rates
The decor around stayAPT is very minimalist and has no frills. The courtyard is really pretty though with comfortable seating and an area to relax and let the kids play after a long drive.
The hotel is able to keep rates low because they have minimal staff and amenities to keep up with. All of the staff I met were incredibly nice and helpful. While I checked in at the lobby, you can use keyless and contactless check-in via an app.
stayAPT Suites bedroom
This minimalist philosophy is a huge advantage in most places but especially in Charleston, where it’s not easy to find someplace affordable to stay for families or longer term stays.
StayAPT is perfect for traveling nurses, families who are relocating and need a spot to stay for a bit, and longer-term travel for business.
Honest Mom Review of stayAPT Suites
I was immediately floored when I walked into the room because it was just so large and spacious. And I absolutely loved the kitchen with all the open space and big countertops. It was perfect for when I cooked breakfast and dinner during our trip and helped us save money, which is always appreciated.
I wasn’t expecting such a minimalist hotel in terms of the normal amenities that most hotels usually offer like a pool and breakfast (if you’re lucky) but it was an easy transition to make in my mind because we weren’t cramped and the location was great.
I especially find stayAPT Suites a fantastic option for visiting families or people who need a place while relocating. Not all of us have a lot of extra space for when our families come to visit and stayAPT Suites has two locations in the Greenville area for such an occasion!
Booking Your Stay
It’s super easy to book your stay at stayAPT Suites as everything is done online on their website. StayAPT Suites has double queen and king rooms available and rates will depend on season, holidays, and other factors that determine the prices – but rates will be competitive.
You can book your stay at the stayAPT website for North Charleston as well as search their other locations.
Have you visited Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte, NC? Local mom, Sarah, visited the park with her 3 kids and they had such a wonderful time exploring the Reedy Creek Park Nature Center, the playgrounds, natural play spaces, trails, and more! The best part is there’s no admission. Reedy Creek Park is FREE! Read on to learn more about their visit and get all Sarah’s tips to plan your adventure at Reedy Creek Park.
Just a few short miles past the heart of Charlotte, NC you can find Reedy Creek Park, home to the nearly 1,000 acres of the Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve. Travel time is 1 hour 30 minutes from Spartanburg. SC, 1 hour 45 minutes from Greenville, SC, and 1 hour 50 minutes from Columbia, SC. Factor in that the park is COMPLETELY free to access, including convenient parking throughout, and this place is a dream come true for your next family excursion!
Reedy Creek Nature Center
We recommend starting in the heart of the park at the small but worthwhile Nature Center. With ample parking and a short, paved path up to the building, this is a great place to start out with kids of any age and determine which parts of the park you want to explore. You’ll find free, easy-to-read maps, clean restrooms with changing tables, and a gift shop packed with educational materials and fun souvenirs for all ages. The gift shop leads straight into the Nature Center, which is one large room of hands-on exhibits for kids to explore!
When our family visited the Nature Center, we found a microscope projector with a variety of artifacts to check out, including butterflies and scorpions. There were explorer costumes to borrow, a treehouse to climb, a fairy village on display, and even a covered reading nook where quieter children could enjoy a wide selection of nature-themed picture books.
Our personal favorite spot, though, was the set of rocking chairs—with sizes for both children and adults—facing out wall-sized windows towards a beautiful hummingbird garden. Once you are ready to venture outside, be sure to ask if there’s a scavenger hunt going on! If so, bringing back a completed scavenger hunt sheet can earn your kids a prize.
You will find one of the best attractions in the whole park right outside the Nature Center: a sprawling wooded area that has been carefully curated for young explorers. The main attraction is a set of large platforms and bridges, surrounded by high railings to ensure safety. This structure has only two access points, both of which come out on the same side, making it easy to supervise children without ever having to chase them!
Beyond that, there are multiple climbing areas, all appropriately sized for preschool and elementary-aged kiddos. There’s plenty for older kids in this area, too, with a long and winding balance beam carved from real trees and a huge stockpile of long, thick branches that can be used to build any kind of fort imaginable! Plus a bonus for parents: several benches with clear visibility of the ENTIRE play area.
Dragonfly Pond
The next major attraction at Reedy Creek Park is absolutely the water features, and it could be worth making an entire trip to spend at this area alone! There are two sizable ponds, the larger of which allows fishing and has a handicap-accessible fishing pier.
Rods and reels are available to borrow free of charge from the Nature Center, but a fishing license issued by the State of North Carolina is required for ages 16 & up, so plan ahead to obtain one of those prior to your visit!
In the area surrounding the ponds, there are also several picnic structures, restrooms, a volleyball court, a disc golf course, and a Panthers Play60 playground for all ages! This area has some woods and a lot of sun, so be sure to pack sunscreen if this is where you plan to spend your day.
Sports Complex
The last area that might be most desirable for families is the playground and sports complex right by the entrance. This is the smallest play area of the park, featuring one play structure each for toddlers and older kiddos alongside a couple of swing sets.
Here you will find another volleyball court, as well as a basketball court and what looked to be a couple of baseball diamonds. There are also picnic structures and restrooms available in this area, and the woods provide a nice balance of sun and shade everywhere except the baseball diamonds.
Hiking Trails at Reedy Creek Park
Other features of the park to note are the dog park and the hiking trails. Dogs are also allowed in all outside spaces of the park as long as they are leashed, and I cannot recommend Reedy Creek Park enough for beginning hikers or those hiking with little ones!
All trails are easily accessible from the parking lots scattered throughout the park, and trail lengths range from 1/10th of a mile to 1.5 miles. The park maps available at the Nature Center include details on each trail, specifying not only the length but the difficulty, incline, shade, and points of interest on each one!
All the hiking paths are either natural, gravel, or a mix of both. All-terrain wheelchairs are available to borrow at no cost from the Nature Center on weekdays, but reservations are required at least 4 days in advance to ensure availability. Other than that, only foot traffic is permitted on the hiking trails.
Hummingbird Festival
An annual highlight at Reedy Creek Park is the Hummingbird Festival held every August! Contact the Nature Center at 980.314.1119 for details on the event and any special activities that may require advance registration. Arriving early in the morning is best to guarantee plenty of hummingbird sightings and special activities could include limited-time exhibits, science experiments, arts & crafts, and storytelling!
Tips for Visiting Reedy Creek Park
During the warm seasons, pack sunscreen & bug spray.
During cooler seasons, wear layers for indoor & outdoor fun.
Plan multiple visits or a full day trip to see all that this incredible park has to offer. You can pack your own snacks & lunch, or make a quick trip out to one of the many kid-friendly restaurants in the larger Charlotte area!
For fishing, purchase your fishing license in advance & pack your own supplies. Rods & reels are available to borrow at the Nature Center, but supplies may be limited.
For details on facility reservations, seasonal programs, offerings, or temporary closures, just call the Nature Center staff at 980.314.1119 during their open hours!
About the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
So what are you waiting for? Plan your family’s next day trip to Reedy Creek Park today!
Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway) understands how crazy life is and why it’s so important to take time to recharge. That’s why they offer pretty amazing places to do so, including their outpost near Greenville, SC. A Postcard Cabin is a tiny house stocked with everything you need to unwind, relax, and enjoy nature. We checked it out and have all the details on how to get away from it all.
Thank you to Getaway for providing accommodations so we could do this review. All opinions are those of the author.
What is Postcard Cabins Near Greenville, SC?
Life is hectic, busy, and stressful, and I think we all savor moments when we can get away from the everyday grind and connect with those we love. I do this through nature by hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and biking. It’s definitely my happy place, as it is for many of us.
Postcard Cabins, once known as Getaway, is now part of Marriott’s Outdoor Collection. They help guests connect with loved ones in nature by offering more than a dozen tiny cabins around the country. In a Postcard Cabin, you can rest, relax, and recharge with no agenda. There are no distractions, other than starting a campfire to roast marshmallows.
The outpost nearest Greenville, SC is at Lake Hartwell. I spent a weekend there with my two daughters, and it was truly incredible. Read on to learn why as well as tips on things do in the area.
How it began
Getaway started when founder Jon Staff left his stressful job at a startup. He soon learned that immersing himself in nature was essential to his overall health, and he wanted to create that same experience for as many people as possible. This passion inspired him to found Getaway in 2015 which eventually evolved into the Postcard Cabins brand.
In December 2024, Marriott International acquired Postcard Cabins. Today, the company currently has 32 properties nationwide.
What to expect at the Greenville Postcard Cabins
The Postcard Cabins nearest Greenville are less than an hour away at Lake Hartwell in Seneca. This lakeside location features 40 cabins on 54 very private acres.
Cabins have either a queen bed or queen bunk beds and are truly tiny at 140-200 square feet. Despite the size, guests have everything they need to enjoy time away from home. The cabins are also dog-friendly, though there is a $50 non-refundable fee.
Our Tiny Cabin Experience
I just love tiny homes and the feel of having everything you need in a small, but well-thought-out, space. That’s exactly what our cabin felt like.
Our trip was before Marriott acquired Getaway, but each of the 40 cabins now comes equipped with a private fire pit, en-suite bathroom, queen bed or queen bunks, kitchenette, fresh linens and cookware, and year-round climate control. The Destination Fee provides classic provisions like s’mores, morning coffee, and a selection of snacks and drinks. WiFi is also available. Check the website for more details about Cabin and Cabin Standard accommodations.
I had seen photos of these cabins before I went, but going there and seeing them in person was a million times better. The beds are next to a giant window that looks out into the old-growth forest, so it’s like tent camping but way better and more comfortable. I love tent camping, but staying at this cabin may edge it out. Plus, the hot shower was fantastic. So was the lack of bugs.
Things to do Near Postcard Cabins at Lake Hartwell
Postcard Cabins’ Greenville location is so ideal. It’s in Oconee County, which has more than 200 waterfalls and miles and miles of hiking trails. Getting outside in nature is so easy here. The historic town of Seneca, SC is only 15 minutes away so you can go shopping and eat there if you like. There are also several farms nearby. Here are a few things to do while you stay at Postcard Cabins.
McLadke Orchards
If you stay in the fall or winter, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for farm fun at McLadke Orchard. In the fall, they have a pumpkin patch, animals to play with, a hay ride, and an apple slingshot. In the winter, they have lots of Christmas activities and events. The orchard is less than five minutes from the cabins.
Split Creek Farm
Known for its award-winning goat cheese, Split Creek Farm offers self-guided tours (check hours before you go). You can also pick up some amazing fudge and visit with baby goats.
Stroll through the beautiful gardens for free and enjoy all the gorgeous flowers and plants.
Denver Downs
One of our very favorite fall destinations, Denver Downs, is really close to the Postcard Cabins. What a great way to spend the weekend. Stay at the outpost and wear your kids and yourself out at Denver Downs during the day!
Go Antique Shopping
We checked out Yesterday’s Treasures Antique Mall in Dillard, GA on Highway 441 and had so much fun, except when I saw Lincoln logs for sale in an antique shop and felt old.
Historic Seneca
You can go shopping, dine, or just explore historic Seneca and Ram Cat Alley. The town was founded in 1873, and there are events all the time during the warmer months.
Get Breakfast or Lunch at Dimas Bros. Cafe
We got bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits for breakfast here one morning, and it was so delicious. I highly recommend it. You can order Dimas Brothers online for quicker pickup.
Waterfall Chasing in Oconee County
There are so many waterfalls within a 40-minute drive of Postcard Cabins: Yellow Branch Falls, Riley Moore Falls, Issaqueena Falls (and Stumphouse Tunnel), Chau Ram County Park, Station Cove Falls, King Creek Falls. Pick a few and make a day of it.
Tallulah Gorge
Tallulah Gorge is pretty amazing, and if you can go, definitely check it out. It’s an hour from Postcard Cabins, and you can hike down into the gorge via a million steps or even hike the floor if you’re lucky enough to snag a free permit. Toccoa Falls College and the campus waterfall, Toccoa Falls, are nearby. It’s an astounding free-flowing waterfall that is 186 feet tall.
If you’re super ambitious, you can drive an hour and 15 minutes to the Beegum Gap trailhead and hike 1.6 miles up to the Rabun Bald fire tower for 360-degrees of the mountains. It’s amazing and a great spot for sunrise or sunset. Just go when you want to and enjoy the views. We loved it.
See a Clemson Football Game
I don’t think this would qualify as a relaxing weekend, but you can certainly stay here and go see Clemson play during the fall.
Honest Mom Review
I’m always up for anything that will give me the opportunity to make wonderful memories with my kids, and the cabin getaway certainly provided that.
We had so much fun making a campfire, roasting s’mores, drinking hot chocolate, playing games, and enjoying the privacy and overall novelty of the tiny cabin. We read books at night, went hiking during the day, and I made breakfast the last morning there.
The cabin was really comfortable and had everything we needed for a fun and relaxing weekend. I was especially happy that it didn’t have a television or great cell service. I sometimes need that extra kick to force me to put down my phone and focus on the present.
I would go back here with my kids but also consider it if I ever got the opportunity to spend a night alone. Think of all the books I could read!
Booking Your Postcard Cabin
Booking online is simple. Prices depend on the time of year and if you want to stay on a weekend or weeknight. Cabins start at around $154 a night (or $144 a night for Marriott Bonvoy members).
299 Outpost Road, Seneca, SC [130 Lakeshore Lane, Seneca got me there via my GPS]
More Postcard Cabin Locations
You’ll find more Postcard Cabins all across the country. Explore Locations to find a cabin near you.
Are you looking for road trip tips for families? Maybe you need some ideas about how to manage the kids in the car on a family road trip?
Whether you need ideas for long-distance travel with the family, safety tips while traveling, or what road trip essentials to keep in the car, we have some great tips from lots of experience taking road trips with kids. Keep everyone having fun, and sane, with these family road trip tips!
We’ve spent a LOT of hours in the car on the road with many small children. I don’t think we are experts in many things – but we might qualify as experts on sitting in the car with our kids. The road can be a challenge for sure. Look at the same signs. Play the same games. Hear the same music. Create the same memories. However, being in the car with our whole family can be pretty amazing if you allow it to be.
Well before you start packing for your big road trip, you’ll need to figure out where you want to go! Check out our Travel Guide, loaded with ideas, reviews, and information about dozens of places to vacation. The guide offers ideas based on state, city, educational opportunities while traveling, seasonal travel, and so much more!
Top 10 Tips for Traveling by Car with Kids
Traveling with children can quickly turn into lots of screaming and a constant chorus of “I’m hungry” if you fail to organize beforehand. You will find some of the best tips for traveling with children in our list below, so your long car ride will be full of tiny giggles, fantastic stories, and making memories!
Don’t travel with children (Just kidding. Although I think I might have some PTSD from this last trip)
If you are traveling with your children to places where the weather is different, dress in layers. It’s so much easier to take a jacket on and off rather than to change a whole outfit.
Book your hotel ahead when traveling with kids, do it. It will save you (and your kids) some tears and will be more budget-friendly in the long run. And while you’re at it, try to find a chain that will give you rewards for your booking.
Pack a special bag for each child. Your kids can put in it a few small toys from home. They can also add a coloring book and some crayons or colored pencils or Sudoku and crosswords for the older children.
Pack a bag just for snacks! The natural version of Lunchables and the drinkable yogurt are an excellent way to make a road trip lunch easy and painless. Muffin liners make a great pass-around tray! (My children thought the little tray with its personalized portions of meat, cheese and crackers was super cool. And anything cool means no whining, which I am all about.)
Play a Scavenger Hunt. Make up stuff that would be funny to your family – a personalized list – such as: a purple punch bug, three kids in a car, dogs on a billboard, a car that exactly matches ours. Decide a reward. Lots of fun!
Pack a special surprise for each day that you travel (or each hour on a short trip). These can be simple things from the dollar store, to a special candy to give them something to look forward to.
Find something that will motivate them to behave in the car. We have clips on the visor that get removed when there is naughty behavior. If our kids’ clip is on the visor at the next stop, they get a reward.
Make sure that each child gets out at every stop and wiggles. It makes for a long stop when you have to unload and load everyone every time, but it will be worth it. Utilize fast food play areas when possible!
Choose places to visit that will have fewer crowds. You can avoid crowded areas by visiting Quiet Beaches like Jekyll Island, the Outer Banks, NC, an alternative to Gatlinburg like Chattanooga, or SC beaches like Hilton Head. This way, you can make it a nice stop for a few hours on your road trip without having to wait in lines or potentially get lost.
Last, but not least, take advantage of your surroundings. If you’re passing by a Civil War battlefield, stop for 30 minutes and learn some history while getting out the wiggles. Traveling can be an amazing learning time because children are actually experiencing and seeing the things they are learning about.
Packing Trip Essentials for Long Road Trips with Kids
Packing for a long car ride is already difficult, but making sure you have what you need in the front of the car is very important when it comes to car rides with kids. Entertainment, snacks, emergency supplies, and things to make your children comfortable will help everyone stay calm and collected during the trip.
Utilize books on tape, music, and movies. Maybe even buy or borrow (from the library for instance) a few new movies that they haven’t yet seen. The Greenville Library has many movies, audiobooks, and magazines that can be checked out, or try Amazon and Audible and download them to your phone.
Pre-download movies, games, and books onto your child’s tablet. This way, you will not have to run your hotspot from your phone the entire time, and it will save you the hassle of running into connectivity issues!
Pack a portable charger (and actually charge it beforehand). These will help keep everyone’s phones, tablets, and portable dvd players charged and ready for the long haul.
If you are going screen-free, Keep the little ones happy and the car somewhat tidy, with a small bin tall enough for books standing up. We used the kind meant to hold a few file folders on top of a desk.
Utilize coloring books. You can give each child a new hardcover drawing book with new super washable markers to keep them occupied. You can also purchase WaterWow coloring books for kids that are mess-free, and they are great for toddlers and preschoolers.
Use creative storage ideas to keep organized. Consider getting shoe organizers, meant to go over the back of closet doors, and hang them (cut to fit) on the backs of seats. The pockets can hold coloring supplies, wipes, paper towels or even a juice box. (Side note: Even if you don’t have a child in diapers, bring wipes. So many messes can be cleaned with wipes.)
Pack a lot of snacks. Making sure there are snacks is key to reducing meltdowns and boredom. Try snacks that are rare but desirable, so they have a treat to look forward to. Having a combination of carb, fat, and protein-rich foods will help everyone stay full and avoid crankiness. If bringing a baby along, make pre-filled bottles of milk, formula, or breastmilk and use freezer packs to keep them cool while easily accessible.
Pack a set of essential items for each child. Paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, snacks, and drinks, placed all within reach while they are buckled are very helpful. We also have a water bottle for each child
Make sure there is a change of clothes for each child that is easily accessible (not in the suitcase). I like to organize these in Ziploc gallon bags. Also include some bags to use for dirty clothing.
I like to let each child take their own pillow, it’s worth it in the long run if they feel more comfortable. My children like to stuff their blankies, stuffed animals, and pajamas into their pillowcases.
Keep your emergency kit up front. Pack a thermometer, Tylenol, motion sickness medication, etc just in case along with your emergency kit. Keeping this upfront will help you avoid random stops if someone gets a cut or feels nauseated.
Tips for Making Your Road Trip as Safe as Possible
When traveling with children, especially ones that can walk off and away from the group, its important to prepare everyone to be as safe as possible during your road trip. The tips below will help keep everyone safe while traveling.
Double Check car Seats are properly installed. Sometimes seats get shifted, toys get lodged underneath the car seat, and straps get twisted. Go ahead and make sure the seats are secure before you head out. Also, the current recommendation is to stay rear-facing for as long as possible, at least until age two, so following the safety protocols can keep everyone safe.
If traveling alone, try to do most of the driving during the daytime on well-used streets to avoid dangerous situations.
Utilize a child locator device if you plan to take extended stops in unfamiliar places. For teens, they may be able to easily communicate with you via their cell phones, but this can come in handy with smaller children in crowded places. Utilizing an apple tag, AngelSense and HereO GPS can ease your mind during hectic travel.
Practice Memorization of important information with your children. Make sure your children know your first and last name, phone number, or even license plate number if they are old enough. You can also write your phone number on your child’s arm or place where they can show someone if they get lost.
Use a buddy system– Never let your children travel in unfamiliar places alone. Let them know They have to stay with a buddy, whether that buddy is me or an older sibling. “Strength in numbers” is our motto.
Use well-lit areas when stopping– Rest areas and large-scale service stations are the best places to stop if anyone needs to let our their wiggles or go to the restroom. Before stopping, take note of where you are (mile marker, nearby town, surroundings) and discuss this briefly with your children.
Tips for Staying in the Budget on Long-Distance Road Trips
Long distance, sightseeing trips can be magical and full of wonder! A couple of years ago Maria took a family road trip with three young children across the entire country. Traveling long distances with young children can be done without losing your sanity! The family traveled to Kentucky to visit the Corvette Museum on day 1, and then on to St. Louis to visit the Gateway Arch. Then continued to travel to Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and then headed to meet up with our Traveling Homeschooler group at YMCA of the Rockies, where they spent one spectacular week. We gathered some of the best way to keep the cost down during long-distance road trips!
How to Keep Cost Down When Traveling Long Distance
Utilize affordable hotel options. Hotels that offer affordable rooms, complimentary breakfast, and are located close to your main routes of travel can help you save money in the long run. You can also join their rewards program to rack up points to potentially gain a free night or two. Two popular hotel chains across the country that tend to have affordable rates and are well-maintained include Drury Inn and Home 2 Suites, by Hilton.
When credit cards, use the ones with rewards programs. With many, you can earn points, rewards, and cash back. You can do this preliminarily in the months beforehand to help yourself earn rewards for your trip so you have some freebies or cash back during the adventure.
Use your memberships. When planning a road trip consider all the memberships you have to local museums and zoos. Many of them are reciprocal with facilities around the country. Places like the Roper Mountain Science Center are part of a program of multiple museums and facilities across the country where their membership can be used, making your visit free! To find out what museums offer reciprocity through the Roper Mountain membership, visit the ASTC Travel Passport Program page.
Avoid heavy spending at gift shops. Gift shops are at literally every stop when you travel, but making a plan with the family to find a special, small item from each one can cut the cost while making for the perfect collection of souvenirs. Consider magnets, pin buttons, ornaments, and postcards as budget-friendly options!
Remind yourself – your kids will literally be older at the end of the trip than they were at the beginning.
And when you strap them into their seat and you sit down into yours, you have just entered a little time machine where you get a chance to listen to your children, talk to your spouse, build up a memory bank with the people you love and redeem the day if you choose.
What’s your best tip for car travel with your kiddos?
Looking to visit black history sites in Charleston, SC? Or maybe looking to learn more about Charleston black history? Charleston is a beautiful city, and it is also a place where history runs deep. Across the city, museums and historic sites tell the story of Black life in Charleston, including the brutal realities of slavery in South Carolina and the lasting impact that history still has today.
We recently visited Charleston and put together this list of Black history sites you can explore whenever you are in the area. Each stop offers a chance to learn, reflect, and better understand the people and stories that shaped the city.
In the past three centuries, Charleston has seen its fair share of atrocities, both natural and man-made. The city has lived through war, a devastating fire in 1838 that destroyed more than a quarter of Charleston, and an 1886 earthquake that damaged or leveled more than 2,000 buildings. It was also through the port of Charleston that nearly half of all enslaved Africans entered the United States. Even today, we can still see traces left behind by the men, women, and children who put their blood, sweat, and tears into building the city we know today.
Philadelphia Alley
Located in the French Quarter area of Charleston, Philadelphia Alley is a hidden gem and one of my favorite places in the city. As you walk the alley, look closely at the brick-paved street. You might catch a glimpse of the handprint of the person who created the bricks back in 1776. Many of the plantations in Charleston County produced bricks. Handprints and fingerprints were forever captured in the clay when the bricks were handled too soon. You can find these bricks can be found all over the city.
Not taking into account that this alley is allegedly haunted, it’s hard to not feel the presence of those who came before. Especially when you lay your hand in theirs. One of the most emotional things for me was that a good deal of the handprints was smaller than those of my seven-year-old son’s.
Philadelphia Alley 22 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401
The Old Slave Mart Museum
A walking distance away from Philadelphia Alley, you’ll find The Old Slave Mart Museum.
It’s exactly what it sounds like. This building is thought to
be the only known slave auction house left in existence.
In the 1850s, a man named Thomas Ryan ran a slave brokerage house here. The opening of the business was a direct result of the city ordinance passed in 1856 that prohibited the practice of “public sales”, with the last sale occurring there in November of 1863. The museum contains items dedicated to the African-American history of Charleston and the enslaved people who passed through it. Autobiographical recordings of some of those people are included in the exhibit.
While very educational, I do not think my toddler would have been content while visiting this museum. The exhibit consists mostly of artifacts and a lot of reading information related to them. I suggest touring it with school-age children for that reason. The museum is closed on Sundays, and admission is $8 per person. Children 7-12 are $5.
Adjacent to the port of entry that so many enslaved people came through, sits a bench. The bench was placed in the park in 2008 in partnership with the late Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. She sought to provide a place where people could go and contemplate slavery. It is one of several around the world.
The Fort Moultrie Museum includes an exhibit on the enslaved people of Charleston. “African Passages” details what would happen once a person arrived on our shores. The exhibit also introduces you to a young girl stolen from her home in Sierra Leone. The ten-year-old, Priscilla, was brought here in 1750. Miraculously, her ancestors were able to trace their roots back to her. Over 250 years later, a descendant of the young slaves, a teacher from Charleston, was able to travel back to Sierra Leone and meet her distant relatives.
Admission is currently $10 per adult, age 16 and over. The annual pass is a better deal if you have four adults in your group. For $35, the passholder and three adults will have a year’s access to the park. Fort Moultrie is open daily from 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Children under 15 are admitted for free at this park, but if you have a fourth-grader don’t forget to take advantage of the National Parks “Every Kid in a Park” program.
Fort Moultrie 1214 Middle Street Sullivans Island, SC 29482 843-883-3123
Plantation Tours
There is plenty to do and see for visitors of all ages on the plantation tours. However, due to the admission prices I suggest only visiting if you have the day to dedicate to them.
Middleton Place Plantation
This 65-acre, former rice plantation includes America’s oldest landscaped garden. Those gardens include the first Camellias planted in America. Tours of the gardens are included with general admission. On Sundays and in February, the plantation will offer a 30-minute program called – “LEST WE FORGET. . . A STORY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE”. This storytelling and musical program focuses on one woman’s life as an enslaved person in South Carolina.
The grounds include a restaurant, so one could easily spend the day there. The free-roaming livestock and stable yards will be a favorite of the children in your family. The gates are open daily for entry from 9 am – 5 pm, with guests permitted to stay until dusk.
Admission for adults is $32. College students with ID are $15. Children ages 6-13 are $10. Children five and under are free.
This plantation is located on the Ashley River in North Charleston. It’s unique because it’s the only riverside plantation to survive both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It is thought that the home was built sometime in between 1738 and the early 1750s. Admission includes access to Drayton Hall, The Nature Trail, The Lenhardt Garden, the Caretaker’s house, and the African American Cemetery. Very few gravestones remain in the cemetery. The majority of the gravestones were made of wood, cloth, or marked by plants, for those who were fortunate enough to receive gravestones. Drayton Hall is another location where you can see bricks with handprints.
There’s also a combination ticket package that includes admission and a tour to both Middleton Place and Drayton Hall. Allow five hours for the experience. The cost is $50 per adult and $16 per child.
Drayton Hall is closed on Tuesdays, but open every other day of the week from 9 am – 4:30 pm. Admission for adults is $32. Children ages 7-15 are $15. Children under seven are free.
You can save $3 by registering online in advance. Tickets are available at the gate but the gate will accept no cash transactions.
Guided house tours are one hour long and are at 10 am, 11 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
Drayton Hall 3380 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414 843-769-2600
More to See in Charleston for Black History Month
Here are some other places to visit and tours to consider while exploring Charleston during Black History Month or any time of year.
Charleston City Market Find a variety of hand-woven sweetgrass baskets at the market. Well-known in the Gullah culture, sweetgrass baskets were brought here from Africa. 188 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 843-937-0920
Old Charleston Jail This is the Old City Jail that operated from 1802 until 1939. Several well-known slaves were held there, including Denmark Vessey and Lavinia Fisher. 21 Magazine Street Charleston, SC
Gullah Tours 375 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29403 843-763-7551
College of Charleston Library (graveyard behind it) 205 Calhoun Street Charleston, SC 843-953-8000
Cabbage Row Cabbage Row is a set of pre-Revolutionary houses that sits between 89-91 Church Street. The families of freed slaves lived in these houses, and they sold cabbage from their windows. 89-91 Church Street Charleston, SC
