10 Inexpensive Day Trips Near Greenville, SC That Will Save Your Money on Your Adventure

If you’re searching for “inexpensive day trips near me” or are looking for inexpensive day trips near Greenville, SC, and the surrounding area, that won’t break the bank, we have a list for you. This list of 10 fun day trips includes only destinations that are budget-friendly, keeping the cost approximately $40 or less for a family of 4.

All of these inexpensive day trips are also under 2 hours to save money and time in the car, but they are all day trips from Greenville, South Carolina. Otherwise, it’s not really a trip is it?

Excellent Cheap Day Trips Near Me: Greenville, SC

Sliding Rock, NC

Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes from Upstate, SC
Cost: $5/person
Our Kidding Around® Review of Sliding Rock

This waterfall in the Pisgah Forest (Western North Carolina/ Blue Ridge Parkway area) is a natural water slide that has become a day trip destination for families all over the Carolinas. The slow sloping waterfall is 50 feet and the pool at the bottom is approximately 6 feet deep. Lifeguards are on duty during the peak times in the summer (9 am – 8 pm). Lifeguards are on duty and restrooms are available when a fee is charged. There is no cost to just watch people slide.

Swimmers are advised to wear old clothes including shorts and closed toed shoes. Due to the depth, you will want to bring life vests for anyone in your group who can’t swim.

Find out more about Sliding Rock, NC.

Or go to Cashiers Sliding Rock, about the same distance from Greenville in Cashiers, NC and slide down a smaller waterfall for free! You will also find a swimming hole at Graveyard Fields close by in Pisgah National Forest.

Hendersonville, NC

Distance from Greenville: Around 40 minutes
Kidding Around® Guide: Things to do in Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville is full of low-cost, family fun making it a perfect day trip from the Upstate. You’ll be busy the whole day. We have a huge list just for this topic: Free and Cheap Things to do in Hendersonville, NC

But, here are a few of our favorites to get you started.

Team ECCO Aquarium

Team Ecco Ocean Center and Aquarium
511 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 1 – 4 pm (check before visiting, hours can change)
Admission cost ranges from $6 – $8 per ticket; discounts for military members

Hands On! Children’s Museum

Kidding Around® Review of Hands On! Children’s Museum
318 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC | Distance: 1 hour from Greenville
Admission: $12/ticket for adults and children, infants are $4

Fairy Trail

95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC
Distance: 1 hour from Greenville
Admission: Free

The Fairy Trail is one of our favorite free things to do over the summer in Hendersonville. It’s at Bullington Gardens and just so much fun and a touch magical.

Other Affordable Places to Visit in Hendersonville, NC

Also in downtown Hendersonville, you will find the Western NC Air Museum, Mineral Museum, Henderson County Heritage Museum, and a Train Depot. These smaller attractions are all either a nominal ticket price or donation only. You can also drive around 20 minutes east to Dupont State Forest after lunch and check out the waterfalls and biking trails!

Just a couple miles from downtown is also the home of Jump Off Rock. This historic look-off point is not too difficult of a hike. Be aware though that it is steep and the hikes along the sides of the lookout are not fully fenced.

Be sure to check out our guide on Free Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC.

Carl Sandburg’s Home

Carl Sandburg Home
81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC
Distance: 1 hour from Greenville/Travelers Rest
Admission: Free to enter the park, access the bookstore and information on the ground floor of the *Sandburg Home, walk the trails, and visit the barn.
$8/adults & kids over 16 years of age; kids 15 & under are free for a guided house tour
Hours: The Sandburg Home & Goat Barn is open daily 10 am – 4 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day.

Read our review of Carl Sandburg’s home and why we love visiting the home and farm.

Devil’s Fork State Park

161 Holcombe CIR, Salem, SC
Distance: 1 hour from Greenville
Admission:  $8 adults; $5/ SC seniors 65+; $4 children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under enter for free. (Every Tuesday, admission is FREE)

This scenic state park offers gorgeous of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is also one of the most inexpensive day trips near Greenville, SC that we highly recommend you visit at least once. The park includes two trails, camping, and access to the popular Lake Jocassee. Swimming, fishing, and boating are allowed at the lake. The area is a nature lover paradise! Similar parks for a visit include Table Rock State Park in Pickens County and Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville, both of which have affordable entry fees and offer lake swimming.

Learn why Devil’s Fork State Park is one of our absolute favorite places to visit!

The South Carolina Botanical Gardens & Bob Campbell Geology Museum

150 Discovery Lane, Clemson SC
Distance: 45 minutes from Greenville
Admission: Free for grounds, geology museum, and visitor center. The area is super family-friendly.

• Bob Campbell Geology Museum
• SC Botanical Gardens

Read a full list of fun things to do with your kids in Clemson, SC.

Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls

About 7 miles northwest of Walhalla on Highway 28
Distance: Approx 90 mins from Greenville
Admission: Free | $5 parking fee per passenger car

Read our full review of Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls. For more choices, see our list of places to hike near Greenville, or our list of Waterfalls Near Greenville.

Tubing the Saluda or Green River [Closed for the 2025 season]

Most of the outfitters on the Green River in Saluda, NC are pretty cheap per person. You can tube for $10/person. The river isn’t a lazy river though as it has lots of rapids. We thought it was really fun though! It’s an hour from Greenville.

Or you can tube for free on the Saluda River in Powdersville at Dolly Cooper Park if you have your own tubes.

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Spartanburg

130 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg SC | Distance: Around 45 minutes from Greenville
Admission: $10 ($15 if you’re visiting from outside SC)
Open Monday (summer only) – Sunday

TCMU’s Spartanburg location is specifically designed for children 5 and under. The museum has 8 exhibits including areas for 2 and under and a water table. This location does accept TCMU Greenville memberships as reciprocal.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill SC
Distance: Approx 1 hour 45 mins from Greenville
Admission: $14 per person (age 13+) | $7 per person child (ages 5-12)

Read our review of The Anne Springs Close Greenway, and Our Guide to Spending a Day in York County, SC

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia is only 1 hour 45 minutes away from Greenville and is packed with fun things to do with your family. You could make it a day trip or even a weekend away.

Check out our full guide on where to stay, things to do, where to eat, and more during your trip to Athens.

Mile Creek County Park

Swim in Lake Keowee, play in the small sandy area, string a hammock in the trees, play on the playground or have a picnic. Whatever you choose, you can do it all for one $5 per car admission fee.

Mile Creek County Park
757 Keowee Baptist Church Road, Six Mile, SC

What are your favorite inexpensive day trips near Greenville, SC? Let us know!

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