Your Guide to Field Trips & Enrichment Experiences Near Upstate, SC

At Challenge Island®, we understand that true STEAM Education does not take place in a vacuum – rather, it should touch every corner of the curriculum. We believe that inspiring kids to be CURIOUS and INQUISITIVE, while gearing them with GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE and 21ST CENTURY SKILLS, prepares them to thrive in today’s complex, interconnected world.

We are committed to helping students develop a GROWTH MINDSET and COURAGE to TAKE RISKS and MAKE MISTAKES. We infuse this core Mission into every Challenge Island Experience.

Each of our 100+ Project Based Learning Field Trips for K-8 Students uniquely intertwines Challenges with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math as well as other core disciplines. Our field trip specialist will help you identify the island experience that best fits your curricular goals without leaving school grounds!

Ready to Turn Field Trips into Epic Learning Adventures?

At The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU), we take learning to the next level! Educators, get ready to book a field trip that’s not only easy for you, but exciting and hands-on for your students! Whether you’re exploring our Greenville or Spartanburg locations, your students are in for their favorite field trip yet!

TCMU-Greenville invites students from 3K to 5th grade, while TCMU-Spartanburg welcomes students from 3K to 2nd grade. Kids will dive into dozens of interactive exhibits and, for a small additional fee, explore STEAM-based lesson plans crafted by certified educators. Plus, enjoy perks like reduced group admission rates and chaperone discounts in The TCMU Store.

Can’t make it to TCMU for a field trip? No problem! We know transportation can be tricky, so we’ll bring the field trip to you! Our team is ready to deliver the same engaging, educational experiences right to your classroom with our TCMU on-the-go program!

There’s a whole world of discovery waiting whether at our museum or right at your school. Let’s go explore together with The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville and Spartanburg!

Shipshape Farm field trips are a guided 90 minute visit to the farm that is tailored to your group’s interests. In addition to the guided 90 minutes – you have access to the barn and picnic areas for 45 minutes either before or after your guided time. (That time is not with the animals)

The guided portion is spent interacting with chickens, goats, ducks, dogs, barn cats, bunnies, and touring the garden learning about the joy of growing plants.

***Field trip group minimum is 10 kiddos.

Cost is $10 per kiddo (A kiddo is 2 years old and up- adults are free)

Check out www.shipshapefarm.com for all the details. Field trips/tours are on Mondays and Fridays only.

Through our classes and camps, we seek to encourage curiosity, community, and creativity within the farm landscape. Our facilities are also available to rent for gatherings and birthday parties, where we would love to help turn your moments into memories. Every day is a good day at Shipshape farm!

Resonating with sights, sounds, opportunities, and discovery, Sigal Music Museum provides a total musical experience designed to delight and inspire music lovers of all ages. Our visitors include music aficionados, students, musicians and scholars from across the country and around the world.

Sigal Music Museum welcomes public, private, charter, and home-school classes of all sizes — from large co-ops to single families. Our exhibits can help facilitate requirements for U.S. and European History, Music History/Appreciation, and many other subjects.

Exhibits include:
– The very first piano commercially made and sold in the United States in 1775, we are celebrating it’s 250 th anniversary in 2025
– The harpsichord England’s King George III gave to Queen Charlotte as a wedding present (played by a young Mozart) & a grand piano played by Chopin
– A Favorable Wind – An exhibition celebrating woodwind instruments

Teachers, facilitators and parents are urged to reach out to the museum ahead of time to schedule tours.

We are conveniently located in downtown Greenville, on Heritage Green next to the Greenville County Library and the Upcountry History Museum.
516 Buncombe St., Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 520-8807 – [email protected]
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10AM-5PM and Sunday 1PM-5PM

Immerse your students in a 2-hour active learning adventure with MOTIVE School of Movement! We invite grades K-12 to join us at our Greenville gym for a dynamic field trip designed to inspire and educate. Our engaging, instructor-led program focuses on the importance of movement, physical fitness, and building a lifelong wellness foundation through the exciting sports of ninja warrior, parkour, trampoline, and more. Ignite a spark for complete wellbeing and experience the thrill of learning beyond the classroom walls.

WNC Nature Center currently offers self-guided tours for school groups (registration required), as well as virtual small group programs, virtual auditorium programs, and recorded programs on various topics that include a live animal guest.

View 60 species of native animals at the WNC Nature Center! Programs are available for groups as small as 10.

• Age: all ages
• Subject: science
• Guided as well as self-guided and in-school programs are available.

Thompson Family Farms in Campobello offers upick tulips in March and pick your own pumpkins in the fall, a fall cut flower garden, a sunflower maze, photo opportunities, and more in September & October.

Pumpkins are pick your own and are precut from the vine in the fields to ensure ripeness.
Open September and October 2025

Spring season hours: Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm;
Admission: $8 admission for ages 12 and older. 11 and under free

Fall season hours: September and October; Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am-7 pm

There are also photo opportunities, workshops, a sunflower maze, and picnic areas.

Field Trips: They have a fantastic field trip program for ages 4 and older that offers farm tours and education on Thursday and Fridays in September and October.

Learn more about Thompson Family Farms in our KA Review about their Three Season of U-pick!

Spartanburg Philharmonic offers several learning opportunities, including discounted tickets to their Classic Concert series.

• Age: 3rd – 12th (see site for grade level recommendations)
• Subject: Music
• Also offers the Link Up music program and Music Sandwiched In at the public library

Ballet Spartanburg offers various school performances for students in Spartanburg County.

• Age: K4 – 8th
• Subject: Dance
• School shows for  2025/2026 begin in October and include: Coppelia, The Nutcracker, and Peter and the Wolf.
• Offers a STEAM-based program for students in 3rd- 8th grade at your school, with dates available in October, November, and January.

Explore all that Famoda Farm has to offer, take a hayride to the corn maze or enjoy the play areas with a brand new jumping pillow.

• Age: All Ages
• Subject: PE, Science, Nature
• Field trips are available in the fall and run 2 hours long
• Children will be given a small pumpkin
• Picnic Tables available

Education and Field Trips: Hagood Mill offers tours of the 176-year-old mill, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site, blacksmith shop, and moonshine still. Children may watch demonstrations by local artisans, participate in hands-on activities, and experience workshops. There are several field trip options including one-day or multi-day trips, traveling field trip shows, and virtual field trips.

Summer Camp Offers: Camp Hagood will fun from June 11th – 13th, 2025.
Ages 3rd grade – 9th grade are welcome
There will be outdoor adventures, storytelling, craft demonstrations, arts, music camps and more.

Denver Downs Farm, in Anderson (just off exit 19B), hosts weekday fall field trips full of fun and memorable experience on a real working farm. Trips last approximately 2 hours.

Field trips are $12 per person, and students receive one small pumpkin to take home.

Spartanburg County Historical Association offers tours and living history activities at several historic sites one Friday per month.

• Age: Programs are modified to serve the age group
• Subject: Social Studies/History and English Language Arts
• Sites include Walnut Grove Plantation and Seay House

Learn about BMW’s history and see examples of their past vehicles in this Greer museum. The BMW Zentrum Museum’s hours are 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Guided plant tours are available and great for field trips. Students will have the chance to see how the cars are built, and tours will cover subjects like science, engineering, and history. Plant tours are limited to students ages 12 and up, and closed-toe shoes are required.

Location:

• 1400 SC-101
  Greer, SC 29651
  888.868.7269

Find out more on the BMW Zentrum Museum website.

Strawberry Hill offers the perfect farm field trip package for schools, homeschool groups, and churches with 20 or more participants. For groups less than 20, they may combine you with another group if available.
The field trip aligns with the South Carolina state standards for preschool through 2nd-grade levels. Students will learn about plant and animal science.

We are a farm, so tell your students to dress accordingly! Remember: dirt + rain = mud.
Light jackets or rain boots/old shoes are recommended. We do not recommend students wearing sandals.

Annually, the series presents morning performances by world-renowned musicians, singers, theater companies, and Clemson University student ensembles. Students from public, private schools, and home schools experience both entertaining and inspiring performances.

Sihpshape Farm in Travelers Rest offers Summer camps, homeschool and preschool classes, field trips, and birthday parties

Enjoy 19 different aviation themed mini golf holes. Field trip options include one round of mini golf for each participant, a build your own mini golf hole STEM project, and either a one hour museum tour at the Military History Museum. Or a 20 minute aviation lesson, and an aviation scavenger hunt at the Runway Park.

• Ages: Ages 4 and up
• Subject: PE, problem-solving, science
• Must have over 20 participants to book

Paris Mountain offers group hikes and educational programs about nature and the history of Paris Mountain State Park.

• Ages: School Age, plus family programming
• Subjects: Science, History
• Families can enjoy Creek Ranger Hikes in addition to other educational events.

Book a tour with a docent or just explore the museum by yourself! Tours generally last an hour and are best for Kindergarten through Highschool, or homeschool groups.

Students will learn about electricty and how it is produced safely. The programs utilize hands on activites as well as movies and brain teaser games, depending on age group.

• Age: Programs are available for elementary through high school students.
• Subject: Science
• Nature trail and picnic shelter is also on the property

Upcountry History Museum offers a variety of programs that consist of a visit to the History Lab and exploring the Exhibit.

• Age: K5 – 12th grade
• Subject: History
• Also offers homeschool programming monthly

SCCT offers many opportunities for daytime performance field trips, visits from performers to your location, and specialized residencies.

Critter Keeper classroom presentations are a great way to introduce students to the amazing world of arthropods, amphibians, and reptiles. The Critter Keeper can visit throughout Greenville (but will visit outside of Greenville for a higher rate). Base pricing starts at $275.

Hunter Farms will NOT be open for the 2025 fall season for events, field trips, or birthday parties. They will reopen for the 2026 season after farm restructuring.

Hunter Farms, located outside of Easley, SC, has U-Pick strawberries in Spring and during Fall on the Farm, they offer a  u-pick pumpkin patch, hayride, kid-friendly corn maze, and small toys/games. The farm also hosts birthday parties and field trips.

Check out our Kidding Around Review of Hunter Farms

The Greenville Zoo is the community’s choice for field trips. A day at the zoo is a day of discovery, offering fun and memorable learning experiences for students K4-12.

Homeschool: Museum and Gallery at Bob Jones University host Homeschool Days monthly for students ages 5-14 years old. Classes are at 9:30 am and 2 pm. Parents may check their child in and leave or stay for a discounted lesson. Classes are held in the Mack Building on the campus of Bob Jones University.

Field Trips: Tours are available for K-12 classes of selected collections on display on the campus of Bob Jones University including: a closer look at American artist Benjamin West during the Revolutionary War and experiencing ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Hebrew cultures as far back as 3200 BC! Learn more about tours!

Museum on the Move brings museum learning to your K-12 classroom by integrating art with the core subject areas and meeting SC state and national standards.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park offers a variety of field trip opportunities for students of any age. Check out Chimney Rock for more details.

With Lowes Foods’ From the Field Trips, learn about healthy food, local food and healthy living.

• Age: Programs available for Pre-K through 8th Grade
• Subject: Science, Health/PE
• These field trips are free!
• Register online:
  • 1. Click here
  • 2. Under From the Field Trips, click the “Sign up” link
  • 3. Select your local store’s tab to see available dates
  • 4. Click the “Sign Up” button on the desired date
  • 5. Select an available time slot for your tour
  • 6. Fill out information and click “Sign Up Now!”

Learn about amazing raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center. They offer a variety of field trip options with educational programming for groups, as well as homeschool days.
See our review of one program here.

• Age: All grade levels and programs vary to suit each age group
• Subject: Science
• See these amazing birds up close!

Homeschool Days are occasionally offered. Please contact Carolina Raptor Center for specific dates and times.

 Located just minutes from downtown Greenville, Roper Mountain Science Center is one of the nation’s most unique learning experiences. As a pinnacle of innovative learning, an engine for community engagement, and a national leader in science education, Roper Mountain’s mission is to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.

The beautiful 62-acre campus contains an array of state-of-the-art educational facilities including a Planetarium and Observatory, Marine and Ecology labs, a Rainforest, a Living History Farm and a new Environmental Science and Sustainability Center.

Each year, more than 50,000 students, 6000 teachers and 30,000 families experience the latest in explorative STEM education through these interactive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. Families can attend numerous events throughout the year including Friday Starry Nights, Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, Laser Days of Summer, Summer Exploration Camps, and seasonal holiday laser shows. Regardless of age, Roper Mountain provides everyone the opportunity to explore, discover, imagine and grow.

Looking for a unique field trip experience for your students? Kroc Greenville offers an experience that focuses on the health and wellness of students and staff.

Happy Cow Creamery offers an hour-long tour which includes the history of the farm, tour around their pastures and a look inside their milking parlor. The tours are sure to be educational with a touch of good ol’ farm fun!

In addition to an exciting field trip to the theme park, Carowinds also offers opportunities for students to perform in the park.

• Age: All ages
• Subject: Music performance
• Carowinds also offers a variety of lunch packages

Engaging students has never been more fun! From interactive exhibits to enriching STEM programs, the Schiele Museum is your educational resource. Your group’s museum admission includes Museum Exhibits, an outdoor Nature Trail, and The Farm.

Visit the Schiele Museum to see how it can be a resource for you!

• Age: Programs are available for all ages, Grades K-12
• Subject: Science, History
• Advanced reservations required. Groups of 15 or more. Teachers and staff leaders are free! (One leader per group of 15 paying participants.)
• Homeschool trips are also available.
• Schiele to Go Outreach Programs

A field trip to the Greenville County Museum of Art provides an exciting way to enhance your curriculum and expand student learning.

During a field trip to the Pavilion Recreation Center students can tour the facilities and learn about the refrigeration systems that maintain the ice. Students will also be able to enjoy an ice skating or hockey lesson.

• Age: Elementary and middle school students
• Subjects: PE and science
• Meal packages are also available

Curated for all students, our arts programs invite young learners to become global citizens in an active exploration of world music, dance, and theater.

• Age: all ages
• Subject: theatre, music and art

Learn the history of Greenville’s own “Shoeless Joe Jackson” You will find artifacts of all sorts including photos, videos, and sports memorabilia that tell this baseball star’s story.

• Age: All ages
• Subjects: PE, history
• Private tours can be arranged, open to the public only on Saturdays from 10am-2pm

Book a multi-day field trip through their Adventure Guides program, Family Camp program, and other programs that allow children to learn about nature while learning how to work together as a group.

• Ages: Depends on programming
• Subject: Nature, PE, problem-solving

The Greenville County Library System offers a large variety of virtual and in-person programs for babies, preschoolers, children, and adults! Some programs include take-home kits that can be requested online. Topics include history, art, and science.

The Greenville Library offers field trips including story times, a look-and-find tour, reference tours, and more.

• Age: Programs available for multiple age groups
• Subject: English, Reading, Literature
• The library can also bring programs to your location for groups.

Want an event your students or group won’t stop talking about? Plan it with Sky Zone! Our fundraisers operate on a sliding scale. The higher your attendance, the more money we give back to your school or group.

Sky Top offers hands-on, interactive learning for ages 3 – 10 yrs old. Enjoy a wagon ride through the orchard and learn all about apples. Tour add-on options available.

The Biltmore offers group tours for homeschool and school groups, as well as educational programming in their barn.

• Age: A wide variety of programming is available for different ages
• Subject: Program can include: Social Studies, Science, Math, English Language Arts, Information Skills, Healthy Living, Visual Arts

Learn about agriculture at Stewart Farms. Enjoy the pumpkin patch and the corn maze.
Offers field trips and occasional special events for homeschoolers.
Field trips allow students to explore the activities at the farm while learning about pumpkins.

Homeschool Days for fall are September 29th, 2025

Enjoy GT on Tour and have the Greenville Theatre bring the excitement to your elementary school!

When visiting LushAcres Farm experience a fun atmosphere where you can interact with nature and discover the importance of local farms in your community. Get up close and personal with barnyard animals and experience seasonal activities.

Tours and group reservations are currently limited in number, so please contact the farm before submitting a form to visit.
Carl Sandburg Home also offer online virtual lessons. These are not live presentations, but rather virtual lesson plans. Students can learn about the Sandburg family and the significance of Carl Sandburg’s writing. Here are the virtual lesson plans.

This historic estate of poet Carl Sandburg in nearby Flat Rock, NC offers a 1-2 hour educational tour for groups that include writing activities, house tour, and farm visits.

• Age: Kindergarten through high school
• Subject: Writing, poetry, language arts, history, social studies, science
• Homeschool trips are also available.

Eden farms offers English riding lessons for ages 6 through adult with private or group lesson options. They also offer birthdays, field trips, summer camps and more.

Homeschool at the Barn- Includes an hour long riding lesson or trail ride, learning about life on a working horse farm (grooming, saddling, equine anatomy, feeding and more), horse themed crafts, bible study, snack, and time to play on the new playground.

Field Trips: Eden Farms has offered educational field trips for all ages and sizes including church groups, Scout troops, and schools. Groups rotate through their 40-stall barn to different hands-on horse stations to learn about grooming, saddling, healthcare, horse breeds, feeding, healthcare, and more! Horseback riding, playground, and time for a picnic are also available.

2025 TBD

Greyrock Farms and Green Acres Produce provide students with educational dairy tours where students not only learn about dairy farming but also experience it firsthand. They offer spring tours and fall tours.

Fast casual dining restaurant with burgers, hot dogs, and more. Kids meals come with a cookie token for their bakery. All restaurants include an arcade area.

Take a field trip with a Fuddruckers Fuddcility Tour at any of the Upstate SC locations! See how burgers are made, bake bread, get hands-on, and talk over the microphone. The guided tour is free with your group lunch reservation. Best for ages 4-7, and open to daycares and after-school programs. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] about booking a field trip.

Upstate SC Locations:

• Spartanburg, SC
  1509 John B. White Sr. Boulevard
  Spartanburg, SC 29301
  864.576.8329
• Greenville, SC
  1147 Woodruff Road
  Greenville, SC 29607
  864.234.7528
• Anderson, SC
  100 Destination Boulevard
  Anderson, SC 29621
  864.222.0145

Visit the Fuddruckers website for more information.

Lake Conestee Nature Preserve offers a wide variety of science and nature field trips and programs.

• Age: Preschool through high school
• Subject: Science and Nature
• Programs include a variety of topics depending on age. Topics include plants, bees, ecology, water quality, and more!
• Programs available include Field Trips, Nature Discovery After School Program (1st and 3rd Thursdays, September – November), Knee-High Naturalists (Ages 2-5 with a parent), and more.
• Home school days are offered throughout the year.

Field trips are held at Runway Park- walk around the park, watch planes take off and land every five minutes, talk about aviation, and sit inside a Cessna152 aircraft for a familiarization/photo opportunity.

Field Trip would be held outside and is dependent on weather. There is a minimum number of 15 children or minimum charge of $75 for a tour. All tours will meet at the picnic hangar on the right of Runway Park. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays only (excluding holidays) with flexible times between 9:00am- 1:00pm 

• Advanced registration required.
• Subjects: social studies, science, careers
• Groups can add on lunch at Runway Cafe with special group pricing.

Come learn and explore at Jeter Mountain Farm, take a picturesque ride through the orchard, pick your own apples, learn how their cider is made and discover their 6,000 sqft indoor play area.

The Spartanburg Youth Theatre offers school-time shows of their current productions for teachers and students.

• Age: all ages
• Subject: theatre, music, and language arts
• Age: all ages
• Subject: theatre, music, and language arts
• Tickets for Students & Chaperones: $13/each, Teachers are admitted FREE for all performances.
• For homeschool groups, please limit one teacher (free ticket) per household. Other adults attending will be considered chaperones and will be charged the chaperone rate.
**Please note – Children of all ages, from 1 day old to 18 years old, all require a ticket. A ticket is required for anyone that enters the building.
• Teachers will also receive an educational enrichment guide to go along with the show.

Lucky Acres Farm is a small family farm in Townville, SC featuring alpacas. Learn about alpacas and how the farm is run, including what products the alpaca fibers are used to create.

• Age: All ages
• Science, agriculture
• The farm is also home to goats, horses and chickens.

Read our full review of Lucky Acres Farm!