Are you looking for some safer things to do near Greenville that offer Covid-19 precautions? The winter season in Greenville offers many things to do both indoors and outdoors, and several of them have advantages when it comes to staying healthy and avoiding illness. So, you can skip the boredom and get out and make some memories, even during a pandemic!
Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
Looking for more Winter Things to Do in Greenville? Here’s our Kidding Around Winter Guide to Greenville.
Covid Friendly Activities Near Greenville, SC
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Bike, run or take a walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Stop by the Swamp Rabbit Cafe along the trail to try their amazing assortment of coffee beverages, sandwiches and pastries. Be sure to bundle up and get some vitamin D!
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Outdoor activities are still great for avoiding the spread of Covid-19. Swamp Rabbit Cafe offers outdoor seating, often with a fire going where you can warm up. Ordering and checkout are also outdoors so you don’t have to wait in line inside.
Eat Outdoors
If you’re looking specifically to grab a meal out, here’s a list of restaurants in Greenville with heated outdoor patios for dining. We have restaurants with heated outdoor dining areas in Greenville, Spartanburg and across the Upstate on the list. Plus, if the weather is mild, our list also includes additional restaurants with outdoor spaces where you can relax and enjoy a meal.
Gather GVL
Gather GVL is the perfect spot to bring your family to for a sweet treat, lunch or dinner. Bonus: You can bring your four-legged friends too! They offer 11 different food choices, so it might be a tad difficult to choose just one! Either way, it’s an opportunity to sit by the fire, enjoy a delicious meal with family and or friends and socialize a little bit in a completely outdoor setting.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Gather GVL is a completely outdoor eating venue.
Take a Walk Downtown
Downtown areas in the Upstate are a great place to spend a day and they offer plenty of safer things to do.
- Scavengar Hunts: Downtown Greenville has an outdoor hunt for the “Mice on Main” and Downtown Greer has an outdoor hunt for “Toads on Trade.”
- Window shop
- Stroll with a coffee, tea or hot chocolate
- Enjoy a park
- Dine outdoors
- Driving Range in Travelers Rest
Downtown Greenville
Explore what Downtown Greenville has to offer by grabbing hot chocolate at Spill the Beans, check out Falls Park on the Reedy and walk the bridge. Window shop along Main Street, or try some ice skating at Ice on Main.
Scavenger Hunt: Try Downtown Greenville’s scavenger hunt: Mice on Main.
Downtown Travelers Rest
Downtown Travelers Rest has it’s own portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. If you’re just looking to get exercise, you can hop right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail by foot or bike. Or, try the outdoor driving range in Downtown TR, Spring Park Golf Range. Want to grab a bite to eat? TR has plenty of spots to fill your palate. Dine outdoors at Farmhouse Taco or Sidewall, or grab food to go from any of the great restaurants in Travelers Rest.
Downtown Greer
Downtown Greer was recently renovated and is now a beautiful and historic place to walk. Greer City Park right in downtown is a beautiful place for patrons to walk, with fountains and a playground.
Scavenger Hunt: Toads on Trade is back! Find the toads along Trade Street in Greer.
There are a number of places you can grab food or coffee to go in Greer. Eat in the park, tailgate in your car, or just stroll with your coffee. For breakfast or coffee check out Barista Alley or Stomping Grounds. Want lunch? Opt for Wild Ace Pizza & Pub, or The Mason Jar.
Zoos Near the Upstate With Great Outdoor Spaces
Greenville Zoo
Take your kiddos to the Greenville Zoo to get some fresh air this winter. For your enjoyment, the zoo has given children the opportunity to stream live videos of Miles and Autumn, the zoo’s giraffe couple via Earthcam.
Fall/Winter hours:
October 1 – February 28
10 am – 5 pm daily, last ticket is sold at 3:30 pm
Admission: $9 for children, $12 for adults, and free for kids ages 2 and under.
WNC Nature Center
If you’re up for a little day trip, a visit to the WNC Nature Center is worth the drive. This zoo’s outdoor spaces are lovely and spread out so you can enjoy the beauty of western North Carolina and the animals. Our favorite thing to see at the zoo is the grey wolves. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear them howl!
Hours:
10 am to 4:30 pm daily, last ticket sold at 3:30 pm
Escape Artist
Challenge your family to solve a mystery at Escape Artist! Work together as a team to figure out the unique theme-based puzzles in the rooms at Escape Artist.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: All bookings are private, so you’ll only be in the room with those you friends or family you attend with. After each group leaves, staff will sanitize the whole area. Patrons are asked to enter the building no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled time.
NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum contains 65 acres of gardens where your family can explore and relax. Exhibits in the garden include a beautiful Bonsai garden with over 50 bonsai trees, a miniature train exhibit running outdoors, seasonal gardens, nature trails, and special exhibits.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: As an outdoor attraction, the NC Arboretum has the open-air advantage when it comes to avoiding Covid-19.
Head out for a Winter Hike
Getting outside for a hike is the perfect way to get fresh air and release a little stress, while also being able to social distance. Check out these great Greenville, SC trails for a winter hike.
Visit a Park with a Sunny Playground
Sunny parks are ideal for winter fun and helping burn off energy. Here’s a list of Greenville’s Sunny Parks. They’re bright and sunny, so they’re great when the weather is a little cool.
Watch Trains!
If you have littles that love to watch trains go by, there are several places in the Upstate where you can see trains. With the inland port located in Greer, trains are pretty common in the area. Here are a few places in Greer and Spartanburg to watch trains!
Putt-Putt Golf
Grab your putters and balls and bring them to McPherson Park where you’ll find a beautiful and FREE putt-putt golf course.
What safer activities have your family found to do this winter?
