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

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!

Top Questions Teachers Ask about TCMU Field Trips:

Is there a discount for homeschool groups? Yes, homeschool groups get a discounted rate of $9 per person.

How far in advance should we book? At least 2 weeks is required, but TCMU recommends booking 4-6 months ahead since spots fill up quickly.

Best For: School groups, co-ops, and homeschool families looking for hands-on, STEAM-based field trip learning at the museum or in the classroom
Location: 300 College Street, Greenville, SC 29601 & 130 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Website: Greenville field trips & Spartanburg field trips

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 homeschool 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.

Top Questions Parents Ask About Field Trips at Sigal Music Museum:

• What history and music subjects does a field trip cover? Exhibits support U.S. and European History, Music History/Appreciation, and more, so it’s an easy fit for many classroom units.
• Can homeschool co-ops and single-family groups book a visit? Absolutely, the museum welcomes groups of all sizes, from full co-ops to single families.
• How far in advance should we schedule a tour? Tours need at least 48 hours’ notice, and weekend slots are limited and must be prepaid, so it’s best to book early.

Best For: Public, private, charter, and homeschool groups of all sizes studying U.S./European History or Music History/Appreciation
Location: 516 Buncombe St., Greenville, SC 29601, on Heritage Green, next to Greenville County Library & Upcountry History Museum
Website: sigalmusicmuseum.org

Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm in Fountain Inn, SC is now booking Fall Harvest and Christmas Field Trips, and there’s big news this year: every child’s admission now includes a pony ride! Students spend the day exploring hands-on animal encounters, rotating farm stations, and outdoor play, all while your visit helps support Me & YOUnicorn, LTD, the farm’s nonprofit horse and livestock rescue. It’s a full day of learning, discovery, and a little bit of magic, with fun seasonal extras like pie pumpkins and Santa visits to make it even more special.

What’s Included in Your Field Trip:

• Digital educational standards booklet for teachers
• Petting farm admission and up-close animal interactions
• Rotational activities to keep groups moving
• Pony ride for each child (teachers welcome to ride too!)
• Bounce house play, weather permitting
• Coloring pages, crayons, and scavenger hunt sheets
• Playground and outdoor discovery time
• Group photo opportunities
• Shaded lunch area seating for up to 100 people

Best For: Kindergarten and first grade classrooms following Greenville County standards, plus school groups of all ages seeking hands-on animal and nature learning
Location: 108 Hidden Pasture Trail, Fountain Inn, SC
Website: hiddenpasture.com/services/field-trips

Best For: School groups, co-ops, field trip coordinators, and educators looking for meaningful arts enrichment opportunities.

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.

Top Questions Educators Ask About Shipshape Farm Field Trips:

How long is the field trip, and what’s included? It’s a guided 90-minute visit with the animals and garden, plus 45 extra minutes for barn and picnic access before or after.

Is there a minimum group size? Yes, field trip groups need a minimum of 10 kiddos (age 2+).

How do we book a date? Email info@shipshapefarm.com with your school name, headcount, grade level, and top date preferences, and the farm will confirm within 5 business days.

Best For: School groups and homeschool co-ops of any size looking for hands-on animal encounters and garden exploration
Location: 1650 Tigerville Road, Travelers Rest, SC
Website: shipshapefarm.com

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

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

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.

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

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. These are outdoor trips, plan accordingly.

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

• Advanced registration required.
• Subjects: social studies, science, careers

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.

Virtual field trips are available.

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.

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

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

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.

Conestee Nature Preserve offers a wide variety of science and nature field trips and programs. All public schools are free for field trips!

• Age: Preschool through high school
• Subject: Science and Nature
• Programs include a variety of nature themed topics depending on age.
• Home school days are offered throughout the year.

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 late September.

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 Carolina Raptor Center 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.

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. Virtual tours are available

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

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

• Age: K4 – 8th
• Subject: Dance
• Offers a STEAM-based program for students in 3rd- 8th grade at your school, contact directly for more information.

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

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

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
• 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.

Teachers will also receive an educational enrichment guide to go along with the show.

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

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.

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!”

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Strawberry Hill offers the perfect farm field trip package for schools, homeschool groups, and churches with 20 or more participants.
The field trip aligns with the South Carolina state standards for preschool through 2nd-grade levels, discovering plant and animal science.

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.

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

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. Contact the farm directly for information about visits.

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.

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.

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

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.

Homeschool: Museum and Gallery at Bob Jones University host Homeschool Days monthly for students ages 5-14 years old.Classes are held in the Mack Building on the campus of Bob Jones University. Sign up early.

Field Trips: Tours are available for K-12 classes of selected collections on display on the campus of Bob Jones University. 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.

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.

Field Trips: Eden Farms has offered educational field trips for all ages.

Education and Field Trips: Hagood Mill offers tours of the 176-year-old mill, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site, blacksmith shop, and more. Several field trip options available.

Summer Camp Offers: Camp Hagood offers summer camps annually
Ages: 3rd grade – 9th grade are welcome
There will be outdoor adventures, storytelling, craft demonstrations, arts, music camps, and more.

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

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.

Fall homeschool field trip dates are in September and October

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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 Benji@myfuddruckers.com or richie@myfuddruckers.com 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.

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

Challenge Island offers high interest STEM and STEAM in-school field trips that uniquely intertwine ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies concepts into one action packed experience for students.

5th graders explore Table Rock State Park through hands-on Mountain Stream and Forest Ecology field trips, examining mountain streams, forest layers, wildlife, and geology firsthand.

Many virtual field trips available.

3rd and 4th graders explore Jones Gap State Park’s Mountain Bridge Wilderness through hands-on River and Forest Ecology field trips, investigating waterfalls, geology, and Blue Ridge Escarpment habitats

Online field trips available.

Jocassee Wild Child brings 3rd-7th graders onto Lake Jocassee, exploring geology, Native American history, wildlife, and Jocassee Gorges ecosystems through boat-based, hands-on outdoor learning adventures.

Minimum of 6 people for the Jocassee Wild Child Outdoor Education programs.