Make The Most of Your Time With These Weekend Things to Do In Spartanburg, SC

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One of the most often asked questions we get in our communities from people who are planning to visit the Upstate is “What Should We Do?” Lucky for them they found the best place to ask! We are kind of the experts when it comes to family-friendly fun in Greenville & Spartanburg! Kidding Around’s Shannon has compiled a list of things to do in Spartanburg with your family, and we think you’ll get to experience the best of Spartanburg, no matter what you decide to do during your weekend.

Are you thinking of moving to Spartanburg? Check out the reasons Why Our Readers LOVE Where They Live! and our Guide to Moving to Spartanburg, SC

Restaurants to Visit and Places to Eat

Mon Amie Morning Cafe is a great option for breakfast and coffee on the go.

Little River Coffee Bar is another great choice for breakfast. Bonus: there’s a bookstore, so you can browse some titles and find a new book to read.

Or grab a coffee and breakfast at any of the local coffee shops.

Want to grab a hot dog for lunch? You’re in luck. Spartanburg is home to some of the best hot dogs.

Or is BBQ more your speed? Check out 5 of our readers’ favorite spots to get BBQ in Spartanburg. You could even grab a family meal to-go and take it back to wherever you’re staying for the weekend.

Of course, there’s always Wade’s, a meat-and-three style restaurant that’s open for lunch.

If you’re looking for a juicy burger, we have a list of burger spots in Spartanburg our readers recommend.

We’ve also rounded up the best pizza spots in Spartanburg for all of our pizza-loving friends.

And for those of you who crave authentic tacos, check out the list of taco spots that will make your mouth water.

Flavorshack Chicken & Wings is close to Tyger River Park, and would be a great place to enjoy lunch.

Dray: Bar & Grill is open throughout the week for lunch and dinner and also has a wonderful Sunday brunch menu

Dray: Bar & Grill | Drayton, SC

Heirloom: A Milltown Eatery is a local favorite and conveniently located in the heart of Spartanburg, near the retail hub of town.

If you’re doing any of the suggested activities in Landrum, a good dinner choice is Southside Smokehouse & Grille where you can enjoy chef-inspired dishes and kid-friendly food on the patio. There’s also the Hare & Hound Pub where you can enjoy a relaxed pub-style meal.

Head to one of several Places to Eat and Play in Spartanburg where kids can enjoy more playtime while everyone else eats.

Want to give the kids a little frozen treat on a hot summer day? Here are 10 places to grab something cold and sweet to cool everyone off. And don’t forget Pinguinos Hermanos shaved ice. It’s a local fan favorite!

And if the weather is a little cooler, we have a round-up of restaurants where their patio and outdoor dining is heated.

Check out our list of Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Spartanburg and be sure to browse our list of restaurants your family will love in Spartanburg County

Salad, burger, and chef from southside smokehouse
Southside Smokehouse | Landrum, SC

Weekend Things to Do in Spartanburg with Young Kids

Visit Hatcher Gardens to enjoy the flowers and plant life. Bonus: Take a peek at the contents inside the Little Free Library while you’re there!

Visit Glendale Shoals, a 13-acre preserve on a former mill site. You’ll find a dam with a cascading waterfall and several places where kids can run free and play.

Visit Tyger River Park in Duncan. It has one of the largest playgrounds in Spartanburg. There’s a separate playground for your toddlers and a bigger playground for your older kids.

Playground at tyger river park
Tyger River Park | Duncan, SC

In the warmer months, take your kids to one of the splash pads to cool off. 

Or, spend a few hours at Stoneledge Park and adjacent Shipwreck Cove, Spartanburg County’s very own water park.

Visit Croft State Park. Rent canoes and let the kids run around at the playground.

If the weather is nice, grab a blanket and to-go food. Have a picnic at the beautiful Milliken Campus Arboretum. The corporate grounds for this mill company double as an arboretum that does research studies on the trees planted on the grounds. It’s easily accessible and a great place to lay out a blanket and let the kids run off some energy.

Planning a winter visit? Or maybe you just need something to do indoors? Check out the Spartanburg Science Center that’s conveniently located across from popular breakfast spot Papa’s Breakfast Nook.

waterpark duncan sc
Shipwreck Cove | Duncan. SC

Weekend Things to Do in Spartanburg with Big Kids

Head to Landrum to explore a beautiful place called The Blue Wall Preserve. It’s an easy hike, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the mountains. Heads up: This isn’t stroller-friendly.

Stroll around downtown and let your teens take selfies in front of the murals.

Spend some time bowling at Upscale Bowling at Underpin Lanes ‘N Lounge. You can also dine there, or head upstairs to Initial Q (a personal favorite) to enjoy an elevated Southern BBQ experience.

Underpin lanes - logo wall
Underpin Lanes | Spartanburg, SC

Visit Campbell’s Covered Bridge Park, a 110-year-old park with one of the only still existing covered bridges left in South Carolina. The park and bridge make a beautiful backdrop for family photos, and if the weather is warmer, the creek is fun for splashing.

Reserve kayaks and spend the day at the Lake Cooley Outdoor Education Center. There are multiple picnic shelters, so you can grab some sandwiches on the way from Monster Subs.

Buckle up and head to Speed Factory Indoor Karting where a little family competition is about to happen. This is your chance to declare victory over those unruly teens.

Weekend Thing to Do in Spartanburg with the Whole Family

If you’re visiting in the fall, one of the things your whole family will enjoy is to go on a drive to see all the leaves changing colors. It’s truly beautiful, and collecting leaves to take home can be a fun way to create memories.

Head to one of the parks and playgrounds in Spartanburg.

Head to Lake Bowen for some outdoor fun. There’s a large playground, and you can enjoy lunch at Lake Bowen Fish Camp.

lakeview bench and park
Lake Bowen | Spartanburg, SC

Enjoy time at Hearts of Clay and create memorable souvenirs from your trip. If you only have the weekend to be in town, the studio offers items that don’t require you to return to pick up the finished product.

Play mini golf for FREE at Sparkle City Mini Putt in Spartanburg. You will need to either bring your own clubs or rent from local businesses: The Local Hiker, Paisley Paw, and Little River Coffee Bar.

Enjoy live music at FR8Yard, an outdoor dining venue. It’s located right in front of Sparkle City Mini Putt.

Spend time at Spartanburg Art Museum where you can find an amazing variety of things to do. They even offer tours and classes for both children and adults.

Enjoy the Hub City Railroad Museum to learn why Spartanburg is known as the Hub City.

Head to Strawberry Hill Farm for a few hours. Don’t worry about breakfast; they have a diner at the farm where breakfast is served from 6 am – 11 am. After breakfast, be sure to head across the street to have fun on the farm. Activities vary by season so be sure to check their website. 

Visiting in the summer? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer in Spartanburg, SC for even more things to do.

If you’re visiting in the fall, be sure to check out all of the pumpkin patches in the Upstate to grab the perfect pumpkin before you head home.

And if your visit is scheduled between April-December be sure to head to The Hub City’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning where you can grab breakfast and snacks while perusing what local shop owners have to offer.

Places to Stay

The Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens gives you the opportunity to spend the night in a converted train car!

The AC Hotel is located in downtown Spartanburg.

And the Spartanburg Marriott is a quick walk to the heart of downtown.

The Red Horse Inn in Landrum is a lovely, romantic bed and breakfast.

Helpful Information For Visitors To Spartanburg

Staying A little Longer Than a Weekend, And Want to Explore Beyond Spartanburg?

What are you most looking forward to during your stay in Spartanburg?

Shannon Pruitt
About the Author
Shannon moved to the Upstate after college, and other than a brief few years in Florida, has stayed. A former teacher, she is now the mom of one beautiful girl and works from home as a writer, web designer, and brand strategist. She believes tacos don't have to be reserved for Tuesdays, shamelessly listens to crime podcasts, and fuels herself on a daily cup of coffee (or two). You can find her on Instagram @shannonroyalpruitt

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