• Five Oaks April 2024
  • YMCA Apr 2024
  • Int'l Ballet April 2024
  • Prisma Health Jan 2024
  • CCES Feb 2024
  • SCCT April 2024

Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park Makes for a Perfect Afternoon Out

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Are you looking for information about Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park? If you want to know all the reasons this is a great park for kids, you’ve come to the right place. Local mom, Erika, has reviewed all of Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park’s amenities and is sharing why it is one of her kids’ favorite parks. 

Now is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, and what better way to do that than to check out one of the wonderful parks that Spartanburg has to offer?

One park worth mentioning, and well worth the trip to Boiling Springs, is Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park, located at 591 McMillan Blvd. Whether you have never heard of it before, or just haven’t had a chance to make it out there, there are multiple reasons to add this park to your “to-do-with-the-kids” list.

Watch! See the New Playground at Va-Du-Mar

parks and playgrounds spartanburg greenville

Want to explore other parks? Here’s a round-up of the best parks and playgrounds near Spartanburg, SC and Greenville, SC.

What’s so great about Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park?

How is the playground?  Great; but we’ll get to that part later. Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park offers a lot more than just a playground and a few swings. Seven different sports fields, with football goalposts and soccer goals, are located in this gem of a park, so bring your soccer ball along and let the kids run off some of their energy. The fields are well maintained with the grass kept short and fire ant mounds are sprayed frequently.

Inside the park, lies Shoally Creek Disc Golf Course. This 18-hole course sits on a “hilly” landscape, making it a bit more exciting, and most of the course is played through the woods. A course map is posted near the start, of course, giving you an idea of what to expect as you play. A wildlife sign is posted, so keep a lookout for the critters that call the woods home. The course is open during daylight hours and is free of charge, just be sure to bring your own discs.

If you’re a fan of Disc Golf, check out our list of more locations where you can play Disc Golf In Spartanburg.

Nestled in the back of the park, away from the noise of the playground, you will find a sand volleyball court, as well as a caged tennis court, with three courts located inside. You will also find a paved walking trail with “doggy bag” receptacles, so leashed pets are welcome on the trail.

Va-Du-Mar Mcmillan Park playgound toddlers

The playground is great too

What is a park without a playground? Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park offers a fenced-in, fun playground geared toward children ages two and up. Within the fenced-in area are two play structures: the smaller playground is designed for children age two to five and offers multiple height-appropriate slides, a steering wheel, a bridge, and multiple ways to climb onto the playground, such as stairs, an arched ladder, and a small ladder.

The playground is open underneath so your little one can run under it for added play space. With 6 swings total, two are kiddie swings for children four years old and under, two regular swings, and two swings for special needs, it’s not likely that your child will have to wait their turn for a swing!

The larger playground, geared toward children age five to 12, doesn’t lack space or fun! A large bridge connects two different parts of this awesome playground, and the bigger side includes a covered “treehouse-like” area.

Various slides, ranging from smaller ones with less of an incline to spiral slides that are high enough to include two spirals before you reach the bottom, sit on all sides of this playground. Multiple climbing walls, stepping stones, and staircases can turn this playground into a fun obstacle course, amongst other fun ways to enjoy it.

Neither of the playgrounds is made of wood, so no need to worry about pulling any splinters out at the end of the day. The ground of the playground area is rubber, so there’s soft padding when your child lands at the bottom of a slide.

Va-Du-Mar Mcmillan Park playgound swings

What else makes this park great?

Convenient options can make or break a park for parents, and Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park does not fall short in this category. Some of the most dreaded words a parent wants to hear 10 minutes after arriving at the playground are “I have to go potty!” only to realize that the closest bathrooms are all the way back home. This park has a men and women’s bathroom, located near the tennis courts, with multiple stalls and a changing table; and more importantly, these bathrooms are kept clean!

There are several benches throughout the playground area for parents to sit and relax while their children play. Shaded areas with picnic tables are easily accessible, so you can pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic with your family.

The playground area is fenced in, reducing the worry of your child running into the parking lot. Trash cans are situated throughout the park for your convenience and are frequently emptied to keep bugs away. Beverage vending machines are located near the fields closer to the park entrance, as well as a concession stand that is open during organized sporting events.

As with any public park, there are rules set in place for the safety of everyone.  Glass containers are not allowed, so keep that in mind if you decide to pack a lunch.  While leashed pets are allowed in certain areas of the park, they are not allowed in the fenced playground area; however, service animals are allowed in all areas of the park.

Va-Du-Mar Mcmillan Park playgound slide

The park is open 7 days a week, park hours vary throughout the year:
Nov. 1‐ Feb. 28: 7 am ‐ 7 pm
March 1 ‐ Oct. 31: 7 am ‐ 9 pm

You can view the full list of park rules here.

Do your kids love Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park as much as mine do?

2024 Spring Kid-Friendly Festivals in Greenville, SC

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Planning your spring calendar and don’t want to miss any of the kid-friendly spring festivals in Greenville, SC this year? Pack up the kids because you’ve got some amazing options for great family memory-making. Here’s your ultimate list of the best kid-friendly spring festivals in the Upstate.

Anderson Hot Air Balloon Festival

See what’s going on this month with our calendar of events near Greenville, SC!

Spring Festivals Greenville SC

Spring Festivals Planned for 2024 Near Greenville, SC

Greenville St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Saturday, March 16, 2024 | NOMA Square | 10 am – 8 pm
Lots of wonderful Irish entertainment is planned and the festival is for all ages. The parade starts at 10 am. FREE
Greenville St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Hub City Hog Fest

Friday, April 12 – Saturday, 13, 2024
Friday 12 pm – 11 pm | Saturday 12 pm to 9 pm

During the festival, teams will be competing in categories including brisket, ribs, wings, and butts. The food prepared by the competition teams can be sampled at different times, while supply lasts. There will also be live music and regional food trucks to enjoy.

iMAGINE Upstate

Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 11 am to 5 pm
The iMAGINE Upstate Festival is one of the most popular spring festivals. This event centers around STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities that would make the biggest nerd – a fun one of course – jealous. There are high-tech gadgets and 3D printers, drone races, robots, rocket launchers, and virtual reality exploration, and more. Add live music and food and it’s a day well-spent with the family. FREE
iMagine Upstate Kidding Around Review
iMAGINE Upstate

Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee

Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Sunday, April 7, 2024 | Village Green
Local vendors, music, art and family entertainment. FREE
Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee

Happy Cow Spring Shindig

Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Happy Cow Creamery
Celebrate Happy Cow and local vendors at this inaugural festival from 9 am – 4 pm. There will be giveaways, vendors, food trucks, and music.
Spring Shindig

Cornbread & Collards Festival

Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Fountain Inn | Noon-6 pm
Enjoy a free concert from Mac Arnold and the Plate Full of Blues and enjoy the traditional Southern food of cornbread & collards in lots of different ways. The event will also feature a spring market.
Cornbread & Collards Festival

Spring Means Babies

Saturday, April 20, 2024 | Split Creek Farm
Love baby goats? This is the festival you need to attend! Split Creek Farm will have samples of their award-winning cheese and amazing goat milk fudge plus lots of local vendors and of course, baby goats. $8/adults, $5/kids, free/kids 2 and under.
Spring Means Babies

Baby goat at Split Creek Farm

Spartanburg Spring Fling

Friday, April 26, 2024 – Sunday, April 28, 2024
Friday 5 to 10 pm | Saturday 11 am to 9 pm | Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm
Lots of live entertainment, food, and vendors plus a Family Fun Zone and cycling race. FREE entry, cost of food and entertainment extra.
Spartanburg Spring Fling

Greer Goes Global: International Festival

Saturday, April 20, 2024 | Greer City Park | 11 am to 4 pm
The highly attended annual international festival is celebrated in downtown Greer. Event-goers will have the opportunity to learn about more than 40 different countries and get a taste of their country’s cuisine from vendors and food trucks! There will be a children’s area, that will include arts and crafts from different cultures. FREE
Greer Goes Global: International Festival

Italian American Heritage Festival

Saturday, April 27th, 2024 | Downtown Fountain Inn | 12 pm – 6 pm
Embrace and celebrate Italian heritage at this festival! There will be lots of delicious food, beer & wine, food demonstrations, Italian memorabilia, crafts, and games for the entire family to enjoy.
Italian American Heritage Festival

Pickens Azalea Festival

April 26, 2024- April 27, 2024 | Pendleton Street downtown
Hundreds of local artisans, vendors, food and family entertainment happen at this festival that has been going on for 30 years.
Pickens Azalea Festival

Spring Into Art

Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 10 am – 4 pm
Sponsored by the Simpsonville Arts Foundation, this festival will have kids activities, food vendors, live music, chalk art, and art demos. It’s free to attend.
Spring Into Art Festival

Duck Derby

Saturday, May 4, 2024 | Falls Park | 2:30 pm
Seeing 10,000 rubber duckies racing down the falls at Falls Park is quite the spectacle. The festival is actually a big event to raise money for local charities and incorporates food, a giant duck mascot wandering around taking photos with kids, fun crafts for the little ones, and music. Here’s KAG’s story on the Duck Derby, which explains how it all works. FREE
Duck Derby

duck derby Greenville, SC

Rhythm on the River

Saturday, May 4, 2024 | Dolly Cooper Park, Powdersville | 12-8 pm
This event sounds like it is going to be a blast! Dolly Cooper Park, in Powdersville, is nestled at a bend in the Saluda River–hence the “Rhythm on the River!” There will be live music from The Fortunate Sons, as well as food trucks, local vendors, and a kid’s zone. FREE
Rhythm on the River

Artisphere

May 10, 2024 – May 12, 2024
Probably the most anticipated spring festival in Greenville, Artisphere lives up to its reputation as one of the very best events in the Southeast. But it’s awesome for kids too! They have an entire area aptly called Kidsphere full of kid-friendly activities, building blocks, and STEM-related and hands-on exhibits. There are also several performing artists that are exciting to watch for all ages. FREE
Artisphere

Artisphere Greenville SC

Greek Festival

May 17, 2024 – May 19, 2024 | St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Greenville
I have a slight obsession with Greek pastries, especially the honey-drenched baklava, so I was more than happy to go to the Greek Festival last year and search it out. I was not disappointed. Not only was the baklava sweet and delicious, but the music, food, and kids area were enjoyable and entertaining. This festival immediately went on my to-do list for the spring of this year. The food is amazing – oh hi, tasty gyros! – and the music was lively. There is an admission charge and we’ll update it when it’s announced.
Greek Festival

Greek Festival Greenville SC

Gallabrae

Great Scot! Parade | Friday | May 24, 2024 | Main Street, Greenville | 6 pm
Greenville Scottish Games | Saturday | May 25, 2024 | Furman University, Travelers Rest
The Scots are back in full force and will keep you busy during Memorial Day Weekend! Join in on the fun, wear your tartans, and immerse yourself in Scottish culture including Celtic Music, Military Salute, Border Collie exhibition, British Classic Car Show and lots of more. This is a ticketed event.
Gallabrae

Do you have a favorite Upstate Festival? Let us know in the comments.

Everything you need to know for spring in Greenville, SC

Need more fun this spring?

Check out the Upstate’s Guide to Spring! It’s full of things to do and family fun.

Check out this list of spring festivals in Spartanburg, SC!

Spring Fling in Spartanburg

The Best Places to Go Kite Flying Near Greenville, SC

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If you are looking to go kite flying near Greenville, SC, then these places will help you out! The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, breezes are blowing, and the children are begging to get back outside. It’s finally springtime in Greenville and conditions are becoming ideal for long weekends at beautiful parks, backyard cookouts, and most importantly: kite flying!

Where to go for kite flying near Greenville, SC

Read about the best places in Greenville to fly a kite below.

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10 Inexpensive Things To Do This Spring Break

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Searching for cheap things to do for spring break? Spring Break fun doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of things to do in the area and at home that will quickly fill up the downtime during the break and even better, don’t require a ton of energy or planning. Plus, they won’t break the bank or require a road trip. Read on to discover ten cheap things to do for an affordable spring break.

Things to do for cheap indoors, like building a tent!

Looking for more about spring break in Greenville? Go to our Ultimate Guide to Spring Break in Greenville, SC for things to do, local travel, and more.

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Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve: Take A Garden Walk in Spartanburg, SC

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Have you enjoyed Hatcher Garden in Spartanburg, SC? Just a couple miles off of I-26 in Spartanburg, among shopping and restaurants on the busy main thoroughfare of John D. White, Sr. Blvd, is a 10-acre botanical garden and woodland preserve. 

The beautiful space is full of ponds, waterfalls, wildlife, trees and gardens with a wide variety of leafy and flowering plants. Hatcher Garden is open free to the public and should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Spartanburg.

Hatcher Gardens
Things to do in Spartanburg, SC

Here’s your guide to all the fun things to do in Spartanburg, SC!

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Explore This 110 Year-Old Covered Bridge: Campbell’s Covered Bridge

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Have you been thinking about checking out Campbell’s Covered Bridge? This bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. At this Greenville County property, you can explore the bridge, enjoy a picnic by the creek and even get in a short hike.

The area of the park near the bridge is currently undergoing renovation and restoration. Access to that portion of the park may be limited.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge was built in 1909 by Charles Willis Irwin. Signage in the park says the bridge was named for Lafayette Campbell who owned the land at the time of its construction. Today, it is owned by Greenville County and the property has been turned into a small but lovely park.

Where is Campbell’s Covered Bridge?

171 Campbell Covered Bridge Road
Landrum, SC 29356

While the bridge address is in Landrum, it is really quite close to northern Greer and Taylors. As you pull into the main entrance of the park off Pleasant Hill Road (114) you’ll pull directly into a gravel parking lot. My GPS wanted me to turn onto a private road before I was quite to the parking lot for Campbell’s Covered Bridge. I just had to continue driving a few seconds before I saw the well-marked entrance.

As soon as you open your car door you’ll hear Beaverdam Creek and feel like you are off relaxing by a mountain creek somewhere much, much farther away. We’d had a rough morning and opening that door was like instant calm. You’ll see Campbell’s Covered Bridge from the parking lot, as it crosses the creek.

What can you do at Campbell’s Covered Bridge?

Hike the Trail

This park has a beautiful half-mile nature trail. It is unpaved and not suitable for strollers. While it is a bit hilly it is definitely walkable for little ones. You’ll walk along the creek and turn up a hill and around to a clearing on a hill with a pretty view of the bridge and some benches. The path continues on through the woods and exits at the parking lot.

Explore the Bridge and Creek

The bridge is open to walk on and you can get down to the creek from either side of the bridge. The creek is shallow and fairly wide with lots of flat rocks to sit on while you look at the water. This area is all shaded by trees making it quite cool.

Have a Picnic!

Off to the side of the bridge along the creek is the foundation from the grist mill that was located on this property. It’s fun to explore and quite picturesque. There’s a picnic table in the center of this foundation, which we thought was a pretty spectacular place for a picnic. You’ll find other picnic tables spread around the property, as well as benches throughout the park, both in the shade by the creek and up on the hill in the sun. While there are lots of great picnic spots here, there are no restrooms, so you’ll want to plan ahead for that.

This park also doesn’t have a playground. But the kids will be entertained hunting around the banks of the creek, examining the bridge, and walking on the trail. There are also some great spots with the perfect scenery for family photos at this park.

Tip From A Reader: About 6 miles from the covered bridge, is David Jackson Park. You’ll find bathrooms and a playground at David Jackson Park. Swing by before or after your visit to the covered bridge for some playtime and a restroom!

Campbell’s Covered Bridge: Quick Review

Favorites:

  • Covered Bridge
  • Creek to explore
  • ½ Mile Nature Trail
  • Sunny spots and shady spots

Drawbacks:

  • No playground
  • No restrooms

This park is a great stop to enjoy the outdoors for an hour or so. Sure it doesn’t have a playground, but the other unique features add some variety to a typical park day. We love this one for its woodsy feel and of course the bridge and the creek. So check it out and let us know what you love about Campbell’s Covered Bridge!

bullfrog at Campbells Covered Bridge
Bullfrog by the creek at Campbells Covered Bridge

For even more amazing options, see our huge Guide to Outdoor Things to Do Near Greenville, SC.

Have you visited Campbell’s Covered Bridge?

10 Upstate Hikes That Are Perfect for Teens

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Are you looking for fun or adventurous hiking for teens in Greenville, SC? Here’s our list of great hikes for teens in or near Upstate, SC! Some are challenging and some a bit more relaxed, perfect for a day with friends or family. Plus, there are plenty of trails with gorgeous views that are perfect for the ‘gram. For even more hiking ideas see our list of our favorite local hiking trails.

hiking teens greenville, sc

There are so many great hiking trails in the Greenville area or nearby, it’s truly hard to choose where to go. Luckily, the weather here can lend itself to hiking all year round for the most part, which means lots of weekends to take the teens out on adventures.

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iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival: The Interactive Festival You Won’t Want to Miss

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Has your family visited the STEAM festival, iMAGINE Upstate?  iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival is a free, interactive festival held annually in downtown Greenville. The 2024 iMAGINE UPstate Festival will be on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 so head to Main Street from 11 am to 5 pm. The outdoor festival is free, family-friendly, and will inspire your kids (and you) to learn about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

iMAGINE Upstate

The festival features more than 75 interactive exhibits and stage shows along Main Street in Downtown Greenville. The festival stretches from Main Street and Court Street and ends at Main Street and River Street. Free parking is available at the Richardson Garage and W. Washington Parking Deck. Trolleys will shuttle visitors throughout the festival. Or, ride the bus with your kids (they will think it’s so cool!) You can follow the Real-Time Bus Tracker app to find out where the bus is and where to be picked up and dropped off.

Thank you to iMAGINE Upstate for sponsoring this content.

Featured Exhibits at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

There will be dozens of exhibits from local organizations and companies that are grounded in STEAM backgrounds, including BMW Manufacturing, GE, ScanSource, World Explorers, and so many more! You can find a full list of sponsors and exhibitors on the iMAGINE Upstate Festival website. Exhibitors will have unique STEAM based demonstrations, crafts, and hands-on learning opportunities that will engage both you and your children. All of the activities are free, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of thinkers, tinkerers, and brilliant minds!

Coolers, pets, skateboards, skates, and bikes will not be allowed in the festival area. This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free festival too.

iMAGINE Upstate Festival
Some of the fun happening at the festival

Some of the Exhibitors to Visit at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

Kyocera-AVX : How do Electronics Work?

Take a look at science and technology and their usage in electronics by observing physics and the relationship between electricity, magnetism, power storage, and more!


Dodge Industrial: Friction!

See if you can fight the friction on different surfaces. Can you dodge a windmill to get your golf ball into the hole? Ever wonder how a conveyor belt works and maintains an optimal speed? Find out at this exhibit.


NCEES: Build an Earthquake Resistant Structure

Learn about why earthquakes happen and engineer a structure to resist an earthquake.

Food Trucks at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

There will be food trucks on-site at iMAGINE Upstate, including HipBurger, Luckei D’s Cafe, The Snickering Coyote, and Clare’s Creamery. You can find everything that the festival has to offer, including additional information, on the iMAGINE Upstate interactive map. And don’t forget to visit the Info Tents to pick up your free goodie bag and brochure with site map.

Find more information on the iMAGINE Upstate website and the iMAGINE Upstate Event page.

The event will happen rain or shine.

About iMAGINE Upstate
iMAGINE Upstate fueled by ScanSource is a program of the Upstate SC STEM Collaborative and part of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit www.iMAGINEUpstate.org and follow on Facebook and @imagineupstate on Twitter. #iMAGINEif

Also, see our list of the best family festivals in Greenville this spring.

The BEST List of 2024 Easter Egg Hunts: Greenville, SC

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Are you looking for the perfect Easter Egg hunt in Greenville, Spartanburg, or Upstate, SC? We have an amazing list of egg hunts, Easter bunny photos, Easter farm events, crafts, and all sorts of kid-friendly 2024 Easter events in the Upstate SC area. Bookmark this list!

Easter egg hunts in Greenville, SC and the Upstate


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