Are you new to Spartanburg, SC? Maybe you’ve lived here a while, but have run out of ideas to keep your family busy? We’ve got a list of no-to-miss fun in Spartanburg for your family to enjoy! This list is also great when you have out-of-town guests this year and you are looking for something to do with them that showcases your hometown!

Head over to the Kidding Around Instagram page to see more of the fun we are having in the Upstate and beyond!

The Kidding Around 2023 Spartanburg Bucket List

Enjoy Some X Game Fun In Spartanburg | Year Round

Let your kids flex their extreme sporting interest at two local spots where access is free, and available year-round. The Hot Spot Skate Park and Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park can provide your child (and possibly you) with hours of screen-free fun in 2023!

Enjoy one of the Excellent Spring Festivals | Spring

Spartanburg is an excellent place to enjoy a family-friendly Spring festival, and one or more should absolutely be a part of your 2023 bucket list. Your family can enjoy several different festivals from April through June that explore the world, music, food, culture, and just a celebration of the rise of Spring!

Explore The Pacolet River Heritage Trust Preserve | Year Round

The Pacolet River Heritage Trust Preserve is the home to two Native American soapstone quarries. The Native American residents utilized this land between 3000 and 1100 B.C. to obtain material from which they made daily life necessities. The soapstone outcrops are fragile and should not be touched, in order to preserve them for another several thousand years.

Rent A Kayak at Lake Cooley | Summer

Renting a Boat at Lake Cooley is a must-do! This is a yearly tradition for a bunch of local families, and once you go you will understand why. The calm glass-like water of Lake Cooley is the perfect place for first-time paddlers to learn, and who knows you might just decide to buy your own equipment after going!

Explore South Carolina State Parks With Fun Programs | Year Round

The South Carolina State Parks Department offers its own incentive program for families. The nice thing about this program is there’s no time constraint. It takes you as long as it takes. The hardest part is remembering where you last laid down the Ultimate Outsider Guide Book. (Maybe that’s just me) For each State Park you visit, you get a unique stamp in your book, and when you get done, there are prizes! While you’re in the park, don’t forget to ask about the Jr. Ranger program for kids!

Seek Out Some Upstate Art | Year Round

Spartanburg is lucky enough to have art on every corner. You can download the map to tour all the art bulbs or do a Mural Tour of the Upstate. You would not believe how many murals there are in Spartanburg alone! Amazingly, we live in a place that embraces the arts as it does.

Read, Play, Learn, and Make Things with the Library | Year Round

The Spartanburg County Public Library is home to more than books. There are dozens of classes and events offered monthly for all age levels in addition to reading material! Want to learn how to knit? They can help! Want to learn how to make an Elsa-shaped cake and decorate it? Yup, they can help you with that too! The Spark Space Maker Space is unlike anything you’ve seen in a library! (Pro Tip—the downtown Spartanburg library has a small, enclosed playground just outside of the children’s area. It’s perfect when the weather is nice.)

Take An Educational Trip | Year Round

There are places in Spartanburg and beyond filled with things to learn! Here’s our list of educational travel day trips and vacations from the Upstate. We traveled to Charleston and Chattanooga over the summer to study history, science, and English literature. There are so many opportunities to learn when you go someplace, and it doesn’t always require an overnight stay.

Shop Local | Year Round

There are so many locally owned businesses in Spartanburg, SC. Why not support one? Take a few hours, or a whole day, and visit at least one shop. We’ve rounded up a guide to local businesses in Spartanburg for you.

Go Creek Stomping Near Spartanburg | Summer

Creek Stomping in The Upstate is a great way to cool off in the warmer months! Croft State Park has the perfect trail that leads to a spot where you can hang a hammock and splash the day away!

Pick Some Local Strawberries | Year Round

Strawberry Hill USA, is a great place to grab local strawberries! Rows of fresh berries as far as the eye can see have been grown by this local family for generations. They also serve up a juicy burger in the diner on the farm! If it’s the Fall season, Strawberry Hill has a fall event with lots of pumpkins and activities that you don’t want to miss.

If it’s outside of the normal strawberry season and you want some fresh local berries, head to York County, SC. Bush-N-Vine farm grows and offers fresh strawberries nearly 365 days a year, with the help of greenhouses. These delicious berries are definitely worth the drive! While you are there, grab a fresh fruit slushie, and let the kids run around the play area before you head back.

Enjoy the crisp air at one of these Fall festivals | Fall

With the changing seasons comes an excellent break from the humid, summer heat. Explore various cultures, enjoy delicious food, and maybe even fly a kite. Nothing beats the fall festivals in Spartanburg, which offer some excellent family-friendly events to add to your 2023 bucket list!

Take the Kidding Around Holiday Light Tour | December

The Kidding Around Holiday Light Driving Tour has become a part of the Upstate’s family holiday traditions and we are thrilled! This is a great way to enjoy some free fun, that can be spread throughout the month of December.