The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips Near Upstate, SC

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Are you looking for day trips near Greenville, SC? You have found our official Kidding Around Day Trip Headquarters! We have compiled our ever-expansive list of day trip offerings to one page, where you can easily find your desired trip, fuel your wanderlust, and still have the kiddos back by bedtime! Happy adventuring!

Kidding Around day trip guide

Where Would You Like to Take A Day Trip?

Kaboom awards

Best Day Trips: Who Has KABOOM?

The KABOOM Awards are Kidding Around’s annual best of contest. Readers say these are the TOP 5 Day Trips in Greenville, SC

South Carolina Day Trips: Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

Looking for a day trip in South Carolina? Start with our South Carolina Day Trips list or view all our SC day trip content by city below!

Day trip ideas in South Carolina

Check out our South Carolina Day Trip Guide for adventures close to home!

Day Trip Towns Near the SC Upstate and the Surrounding Areas

To get you started, try this list of Easy Day Trip Towns. If you just want to explore a town, grab some coffee, maybe visit a park, or do some light hiking, this is the list for you. Check out these day trip-worthy towns near South Carolina’s Upstate area.

These Easy Day Trip Towns are just what you need for a day of checking out Upstate, SC.

Portion of the Anne Springs Bridge on the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Upstate, SC Day Trips: Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

These Upstate, SC day trip destinations are all very close to Greenville, SC. Getting your day trip feet wet with getting out and about with the kids? Or even scarier…first time AWAY from the kids! Baby steps are where it’s at. Stay close to home with these great nearby options that are easy to get to, and you can be back by nap time! We have local ideas like Table Rock State Park or the South Carolina Botanical Garden, in addition to places that are only a 45 minute drive from Greenville.

View of downtown Greer, South Carolina at Christmas
Greer, SC

Columbia, SC Day Trips

Home of the Riverbanks Zoo, State Capitol Building, the natural beauty of Lake Murray, the Columbia Museum of Art, and Edventure (and all of the other great spring break day trips you’ve ever wanted to try, but didn’t have the time)! It is considered the largest city in SC, and has so much to offer. A quick hour and a half drive down the interstate, Columbia has it all within your reach!

Charleston, SC Day Trips

Charleston is one of the most popular day trips near Greenville, SC. The lovely low country…home to beautiful historic downtown Charleston for the grown-ups, and so many awesome options for the kids! The South Carolina Aquarium, Children’s Museum, and the beaches make this dreamy destination a hit any time of year. Here’s our Travel Guide to Charleston: Where To Stay, Eat, And Play! so you don’t miss any of the fun. Or, check out some of these favorite places in Charleston, SC to spend the day.

The Old Exchange in Charleston, South Carolina

The Old Exchange in Charleston, SC

Things to Do at Isle of Palms Near Charleston, South Carolina

Day Trip to Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC


North Carolina Day Trips: Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

Western North Carolina Day Trips

Venturing a little further? You need to check out our Western North Carolina Day Trip Guide! The mountain views are SO stunning…especially if you plan a trip in the fall! Peep those leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway while you’re at it!

This trip is one of our reader favorites! You do not want to miss this Driving Tour: Stunning Waterfalls in NC That Involve No Hiking that are nestled in the blue ridge mountains throughout SC and NC.

But WNC is a great place for a day trip any time of year. Don’t miss the “Secret Season” in Western North Carolina for Budget-Friendly Family Adventures

Here are some destinations that make great day trips in the Western North Carolina area:

WNC waterfall driving tour
WNC Waterfall Driving Tour

Day Trips in Asheville, NC:

Brevard, NC Day Trip Ideas:

Day Trips in Cashiers, NC:

Flat Rock, NC Day Trips:

Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC:

Visit Linville, NC:

Rutherfordton, NC:

Waynesville, NC:

Raptor program at Carolina Raptor Center
Carolina Raptor Center

Charlotte, NC Area Day Trips

A little over an hour and a half from the Upstate, Charlotte is the perfect day trip destination. The charming city is lively, with a fun downtown area equipped with great restaurants and shopping! Added bonus: there is no shortage of activities in the Queen City for both adults and kiddos alike! Check out our list below:


Georgia Day Trips

World of Coca Cola, The Atlanta Zoo, The Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain, Fernbank, the World Series Champs, the list goes on! Is there anything Atlanta doesn’t have? We have even included surrounding suburban and North Georgia areas that are jam-packed with options to make your day trip just peachy!


Tennessee Day Trips

Chattanooga, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, the Queen of Country’s Dollywood, and The Great Smokies…let’s just say that Tennessee is a must-see!

Travel Guide to Tennessee, with information for family friendly vacations.

Check out our KA Travel Guide to Tennessee, with reviews, things to do, and lodging information for some of the top cities in Eastern Tennessee.

Chattanooga, TN

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville, TN


Educational Day Trips

Learn On The Road Any Day, Any Time!

Check out these awesome educational day trip ideas near Upstate, SC that are great for kiddos who are not yet in school, and perfect for our homeschooling families! We’ve compiled great options throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee!

These Educational Day Trips Near Greenville, SC are both fun and a great opportunity for learning something new.

Educational travel and day trips ideas

Educational Adventures near Greenville SC

Educational Adventures Near Greenville, SC

Elk walking across the street in Cherokee NC

Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC

NC Arboretum: Things to do

North Carolina Arboretum near Asheville, NC


Day Trips By The Seasons: Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

Winter Day Trips

Brrr! Baby, it’s cold outside! Enjoy the great outdoors and discover the magic in the mountains!

frozen waterfall
Looking Glass Falls In The Winter

Spring Day Trips

Spring has sprung, and what better time to get outside?! Check out these 26+ Fun Spring Day Trips full of all the best picnic, hiking, and gardens throughout the Carolinas!

Floating in tubes at the beach at Lake Lure
Lake Lure, NC

Summer Day Trips

Summer, Summer, Summertime! The summer is a state of mind, so when all else fails…take a little vacay! Here’s our HUGE list of Awesome Summer Day Trips from Greenville, SC to get you started. Or, check out some of these favorites:

Jumping in the water at Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee, SC

Fall Day Trips

Happy Fall, Y’all! For so many of us, this begins our favorite time of the year! Between apple picking, pumpkin patches, farm trips and the cooler temps, we’re big fans of fall because it is a truly happy time of year to venture out and about! Our Fall Day Trip Guide is full of great ideas. Or, just pick one of these fall favorites.

Pumpkins at Nix
Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC

Holiday Day Trips Near Greenville, SC

‘Tis the Season for holiday day trip guides! From the start of Spooky Season all the way to Christmas, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Stone Mountain Georgia Christmas celebration
Stone Mountain, GA

Boo! Our spooky day trips will put a spell on you! Click below to see why we’re so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers, because this post includes all of the happy hauntings that the Carolinas have to offer!

Christmas in the Carolinas and Beyond! Click below for all of the merriment you can muster while you make memories in Western North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and the Upstate of South Carolina.


parks with swings
About the Author
How does Kidding Around® bring readers high-quality and up-to-date content month after month and season after season? We have a dedicated team of writers and editors who regularly update our fabulous content to keep it current and relevant for our readers. This team combs lists of events, heads out into the community to experience new Upstate offerings, and communicates with local businesses. Many of our updated articles and event lists, like this one, reflect the contributions and hard work of multiple Kidding Around® team members.

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