Are you looking for free things to do in Spartanburg, SC? Do you have an idea in your head that doing something fun with your kids in Spartanburg is going to cost money (and probably a lot of it)? We are setting the record correct today once and for all: Spartanburg has tons of fun free things to do and even more that are really cheap.
And here’s where you can find a giant list of things to do in Spartanburg, SC!
Looking for Free Things to Do in Greenville, SC? We have some great ideas on this extremely packed list. This list is an ode to that song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Make memories and take advantage of all the great things around Greenville. Enjoy!
Do you want to keep tabs on all the things to do in the Upstate? Don’t skip our giant list of Things to Do Near Greenville, SC, full of fabulous family fun any time of the year.
(more…)Conestee Nature Preserve in Greenville, SC opened in 2006, and quickly has become a favorite destination for families across the Upstate. We’ll tell you all about this amazing preserve right in the heart of Greenville.
Conestee Nature Preserve is an incredible park with miles of trails, wetlands, boardwalks, educational programs, and lots of hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment, conservation, and participate in some pretty cool things. We are big fans of the Preserve and can’t wait to tell you all about it here.
First and foremost, it is easy to confuse Conestee Nature Preserve (CNP) with its neighbor, Conestee Park. Managed by Greenville County Recreation, Conestee Park has an enormous playground, stadium, baseball fields, dog park and picnic shelter. For more about Conestee Park check out Kidding Around Greenville’s mom review of Conestee Park.
The nature Preserve boasts 13 miles of trails that crisscross 640-acres of forest and wetlands. In 2020, the Preserve changed its name from Lake Conestee Nature Park to Conestee Nature Preserve to better reflect the park’s environment education and conservation mission.
Since its inception in 2006, the nonprofit has purchased more land and expanded the preserve, making it one of the top nature destinations in Greenville. They host events throughout the year like river cleanups, night hikes, bird watching, homeschool days, educational programs for kids, and even adult events like the Winter Wine Walk, which features wine and food.
With 13 miles of hiking and walking trails, you can easily get however many miles you’d like of the easy trails. We like to combine them and wander around. Conestee Nature Preserve has a helpful Trail Guide to get you started. We like using AllTrails as well in there to kind of see where we are and help us get to where you want to be.
There are boardwalks throughout the park as well where you can observe all kinds of cool things in the water like salamander eggs, salamanders, turtles, fish, ducks, geese, and lots of different kinds of birds. There are 11 observation decks so no shortage of places to check out the local wildlife.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail even goes through the heart of the Preserve. In the spring, be sure to look for all the cool wildflowers. We like using the free Seek app to identify them. Just don’t pick any and follow the Leave No Trace principles.
It may not be widely known but there are mountain biking trails at Conestee Nature Preserve. The trails are accessed by parking at 415 Churchill Circle, Greenville. They are located on the Brushy Creek Lands and are used by both pedestrians and bikers so trail etiquette is important.
The Preserve asks that bikes go right on trails on even days, and left on odd. Pedestrians should go left on even days, and right on odd. You can see the trails on this map.
Other than hiking and biking, there are many other fun things to do at Conestee Nature Preserve. CNP is one of our favorite destinations for birdwatching. The National Audubon Society has designated the Preserve as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance, and over 220 bird species have been reported by the Greenville County Bird Club. You can join the Greenville County Bird Club on a guided bird trip in the Preserve on the third Saturday of every month.
They do a short and long walk so you can choose what suits you best.
We have been to so many of the Preserve’s educational programs and have loved all of them. Here are some of the different programs they offer.
Ever seen an ant zombie or get up close to a snake? It’s all possible if your school group does a field trip at the Preserve! They offer field trips from pre-K all the way through high school and adhere to the South Carolina Science Standards. The field trips fill up really fast so if your group wants to do it, get in touch with them well before the beginning of the next school year.
Field trips are free for public schools. The cost for private schools are $10/student for a standard field trip (3.5-4 hours long) and $8/student for a two-hour field trip. For homeschoolers, the cost is $10/student, $5/adult or child ages 3 and 4 for a standard field trip; $8/student, $4/adult for two-hour field trip.
If you have been looking for educational but fun classes for your kids, then you are in luck! Conestee Nature Preserve offers classes for kids ages 2 through middle school! Classes are offered monthly, and they even have some specialized homeschool classes and adult classes you may want to check out. Some of the adult classes include themes like rain barrel workshops, guided hikes, and birding! Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
For younger children ages 2 – 4 years old, this spectacular program gets your kids outdoors learning about local wildlife. Cee, our instructor during our hour long class, was amazing! She speaks to every child with kindness, making the class interesting and fun, while creating a fun craft to go along with our lesson.
For our class in February, we started off reading a book about the subject we would be studying, in our case, metamorphosis. The classes have a different theme each month and correspond with what is going on during that time of year. We then explored logs for larvae and beetles, and the kids were so excited to find some critters crawling around on the logs. Afterward, we made a fun craft lighting bug that paired with the theme while reading another book and talking about what we saw.
The class is an excellent bite-size science lesson for littles, allowing them to engage with nature and look a little closer at the world around them. Classes are available twice per month, usually on a Thursday morning or Saturday morning, during the school year.
Nature Discovery is a really cool program that gives exclusive access to elementary and middle school students to parts of the Preserve that the general public cannot go to. Kids can explore well beyond anything they could if they just visited the Preserve and this lets them dig deeper into the environments present and learn all about the different wildlife and seasonal cycles.
We did a salamander-focused Nature Discovery with the middle school group and had such a fun time! We learned what the eggs look like, got to search for them, hold them, and look at them under a microscope. We even got to search around to find a salamander, which one of the kids in our group. It was the coolest thing. Like the themes for the younger kids, these classes also follow the seasons and what is happening that time of year.
The staff at the Preserve are so passionate about their jobs and it’s hard not to have some of that passion rub off on the students while there.
Nature Discovery is offered in the fall and spring and you can sign up for one class or the semester. They meet every other week in the late afternoons. The cost is $10/session or $60 for all eight sessions.
The Preserve offers multiple homeschool days throughout the year but they sell out quickly. This is a drop-off program and you must reserve tickets in advance. You can stay tuned to their events page or subscribe to their email newsletter for the latest updates on when those dates are released.
Conestee Nature Preserve is open daily sunrise to sunset. While there is no admission, the Preserve kindly asks for a donation of $3/person. All proceeds go to supporting the Preserve. It is entirely a nonprofit and funded by donations.
CNP has a brand new little shop, which you can check out at the main entrance near the playgrounds. You can purchase CNP-branded merch.
Dogs are allowed at the park but they must be on leash at all times.
Follow Conestee Nature Preserve on Facebook to get the most up-to-date information on trail closures. The Preserve often floods and sometimes these waters can damage or close trails.
There is absolutely no swimming at Conestee Nature Preserve, for humans or animals. The lake was created when the Reedy River was dammed at the Conestee Mill in 1892. The lake originally covered about 130 acres, but over the years industrial waste and discharge filled about 90% of it with sediment so toxic that the lake was classified a Superfund site. Safety studies of the brownfield site were completed, and it was determined that the best course of action would be to leave the toxic sediment in place.
Conestee Nature Preserve
840 Mauldin Road, Greenville (there are four other entrances to trails, which you can view on the Conestee website)
Conestee Nature Preserve Website | Conestee Nature Preserve Facebook
Love bird watching? Be sure to read our article about Upstate, SC birds at Lake Conestee.
What is your favorite place to visit in Conestee Nature Preserve?
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Your next family adventure should be Stumphouse Tunnel in Oconee County, SC! Local Mom Deidre and her family visited the tunnel and Issaqueena Falls near Walhalla, SC. Only about an hour and a half from Greenville, this day trip is so worth the trip. We will give you all the information you need to plan a trip to Stumphouse Tunnel with your family.
Looking for places where Kids Eat Free in Spartanburg? Dining out with kids doesn’t have to be expensive! Many restaurants in Spartanburg County offer special deals (including free kid’s meals) on certain weeknights. We’ve done the searching so you don’t have to! So enjoy a night off from cooking, you deserve it!
Looking for kid’s meal deals in Greenville? Check out our list of Kids Eat Free in Greenville!
We attempt to keep this list as accurate as possible. Location participation may vary, so be sure to contact the restaurant before ordering to confirm they offer their kid’s meal promotional deals.
This list does not imply restaurant endorsement and is simply for our reader’s convenience.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC!
We will do our best to keep this list updated. Leave a comment or email us if you notice any outdated listings or new discounts that we should add.
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road, Greer
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road, Greer
Offer: 2 free kid meals per adult
Time: 4-10 PM
Age: 12 and under
2306 Reidville Road, Spartanburg
115 Sloan Garden Road, Boiling Springs
Offer: 1 free kids meal with an adult purchase
Time: 4-10 PM
Age: 12 and under
8135 Warren H Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg
Offer: 1 free kids meal with an adult purchase
Time: 5:00 PM until close
Age: 12 and under
1517 E. Main St, Duncan
115 W. Wade Hampton, Greer
1108 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg
2225 E. Main St, Spartanburg
Offer: One free little chick meal per adult entree purchase
Time: Every Tuesday from 5 – 8 pm
Age: 12 and under
449 East Main Street – Suite E, Spartanburg
Offer: $1.50 Tacos
Time: Tuesdays, 5 pm-7 pm
Age: all ages
253 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg
Check out our Kidding Around review of Burrito Hub!
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: $1.99 Kids Night
Time: Every Tuesday from 5-10 PM
Age: One per child age 12 and under with purchase of entrée and drink at regular price. Not valid with any other offer.
1707-F John B White Senior Blvd, Spartanburg
See our Kidding Around review of Rapid Fired Pizza.
Offer: .99 kids meal with the purchase of a Signature double burger, fries, and drink. Dine-in only.
Time: All-day
Age: order from the kid’s menu
1735 John B White Senior Blvd, Spartanburg
1550 E Main Street, Duncan
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Rd, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road Greer, SC
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 N Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road Greer, SC
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road Greer, SC
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: all-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road Greer, SC
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: All-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
Offer: Free kids meal with adult buffet purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 3 and under only
150 East Blackstock Road, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids under 3 ALWAYS eat free!
Time: All day, Every Day
101 West Road Greer, SC
Offer: Kids eat free with a $10 purchase
Time: All-day
Age: 12 and under
1915 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs
Sunday Offer: .99 kids meal with the purchase of adult meal
Time: All-day Sunday
Age: 12 and under
1311-A West Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer
1550 East Main Street, Duncan
1623 John B White Sr. Boulevard, Suite A, Spartanburg
Offer: Kids eat for $2.71 in the dining room
Time: all-day
Age: 6 and under
1000 North Pine Street, Spartanburg
For more freebies, Check out our list of Birthday Freebies You Can Sign Up For.
Don’t forget to mention “I saw it on Kidding Around!” when you take advantage of any of the deals you see listed in our article.
Are you looking for inexpensive date nights or cheap dates near Greenville, SC? Don’t worry. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy time with your loved one. Here is a list of inexpensive dates in Greenville.
Want to see the great outdoors without actually hiking? Kidding Around’s Kristina loves hunting out great waterfalls. She’s created this amazing driving tour packed full of stops where you can see waterfalls without hiking. It’s a perfect day trip activity. She even included a map with all the stops. So fire up that GPS or pop open your favorite map app and get going!
Looking for more waterfalls?
💧Love waterfalls? Here’s our list of Waterfalls in the Southeast with great hiking in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennesse.
💧Also, if you happen to just love waterfalls like we do and are looking for opportunities to keep them clean and pristine, look into volunteering at any of these outdoor places.
There are few places I’d rather be on the weekends than hiking with my kids to some spectacular waterfall. I’ve done a lot of them and plan lots more. But sometimes hiking a few, or more, miles just isn’t happening. But waterfalls? Yes, I still want to see them!
So if you have the grandparents on board and can’t hike or if there is no way you are listening to kids whine for two hours in the woods or for whatever reason you aren’t hiking, we’ve put together an epic (yes, this is epic) waterfall tour in North Carolina for the ultimate day trip that will kill it on your Instagram feed.
If you need more fun in Western NC, see our big Guide to WNC!
Just beyond the South Carolina/North Carolina border lies the “Land of the Waterfalls” – it’s true, there is an actual sign that says this – so this is where our epic tour takes you. And because we love our readers and want to make things super easy, we also put together a map of the tour!
I suggest you pack a lot of snacks, drinks, lunch, and some car entertainment since you will have to spend time on the road, even though the drive through the mountains is gorgeous.
You can do this tour starting at either the first or the last waterfall as it takes about the same amount of time as well.
This waterfall is huge and gorgeous. It’s been on my list since I saw an incredible shot of the falls frozen during the winter. I was really hoping to catch the same photo when I went but it wasn’t cold enough. However, ice did cover the stairs at the very bottom of the falls and the surrounding trees, branches and rocks. It was awesome.
You can literally see the falls from the car but park it anyways, get out and if you have people who are willing and able to walk down the stairs, you can get a close-up view. But if not, you will still get to see the falls in all their glory.
From Greenville, take 276 W to 25 N and take Exit 5 to 25 N. Take Crab Creek Road to 64 W in Brevard and then take 276 N into Pisgah National Forest. The falls will be on your right.
Right down the street from Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is the popular summer destination of Sliding Rock. During the winter, there is no one there and you don’t have to pay to enter (during the summer season, it is $5/person).
You can see Sliding Rock from the top where the bathrooms are located and it’s a short walk down the stairs to the platform that overlooks the gigantic natural waterslide.
The pool is about eight feet deep and during the summer there are lifeguards to keep everyone safe. It’s a sight to see though!
From Looking Glass Falls, keep going on 276 into the forest and Sliding Rock is about four minutes away on the left.
It’s about an hour and 20 minutes from Sliding Rock to Bridal Veil Falls in between Cashiers and Highlands but the drive along 64 is gorgeous. And you can go through Brevard if you like and grab lunch (I’d suggest Square Root for higher end cuisine or grab some delicious pastries and bread to make sandwiches at the Bracken Mountain Bakery) to space out the trip and fuel up. We also love stopping at the original O.P. Taylors toy store in downtown Brevard.
Bridal Veil Falls is literally on the side of the road. You could even stay in your car and see this beautiful 60-foot cascading waterfall but really, you should get out because it’s so pretty, especially in the winter when it freezes over occasionally and icicles drop down and make the whole scene ethereal.
You can walk behind this waterfall too, which makes it even cooler. You used to be able to drive behind it but you aren’t allowed anymore.
Take 276 back to Brevard and make a right on 64 W. Take that all the way through Cashiers and the falls will be about 11.5 from Cashiers on your right.
A two-minute drive down the road will bring you to Dry Falls on the left. Park in the lot and either use the handicap accessible ramp to go to the overlook or in the warmer months head down to the falls and walk behind them and take photos to make everyone you know jealous.
These falls are huge and loud and incredible. If you are able to walk behind the falls, stay on the path and behind the railing and don’t walk out on the rocks. Waterfalls are dangerous and you don’t want to become a statistic.
If you’re hungry on your way out from Dry Falls, stop at Slabtown Pizza in Cashiers for delicious pizza.
Stay on 64 W for .8 miles and the falls and parking will be on your left.
I wasn’t expecting this driving to the last waterfall stop so it was a bonus for me. About three miles or so from Whitewater Falls is this overlook that will take your breath away.
You can see all of Lake Jocassee and marvel at the beauty of the gorge. Stop, take photos, have a snack. It’s worth it.
It’s on Route 130 from Cashiers to Whitewater Falls. You can’t miss it.
The last waterfall on our list is the biggest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, standing at a whooping 411 feet tall, cascading down the mountainside in all it’s beautiful glory.
Whitewater Falls is just under 40 minutes from Dry Falls and is totally worth the trip. Even though I promised no hiking, don’t be mad about this quarter-mile paved trail to the falls. The sign says the falls are a half-mile from the parking lot but they mean round trip. The trail is very short and the view is amazing.
If you are ambitious and want to get out energy from the car ride, head to the stairs on the right, which will take you down to the viewing platform where you can see all of Whitewater Falls. It’s a nice little workout getting back up those 154 stairs.
From Dry Falls, go east on 64, hang a right at the center of Cashiers onto 107 South, and then make a left onto 130 North and follow signs to the falls. It’s about 25 miles total.
For other wheelchair accessible/short walk/roadside waterfalls around Western NC, see Blue Ridge Mountain Life Wheelchair Waterfalls and this list of roadside waterfalls.
For more waterfalls, see our Guide to the Southeast’s Best Waterfalls.
More Gorgerous Places: Less Hiking
Driving Tour: Scenic Overlooks & Spots Near Across the Upstate
Planning a trip to the Mount Pleasant area? If you’re looking for free things to do in Mount Pleasant, SC, you’ve come to the right spot. We’re sharing our top recommendations for things to do that you will not want to miss on your next trip to the Low Country. From history-rich tours to fun at the waterpark, we’ve got you covered on things to do and even where to eat in Mt. Pleasant.
Planning a trip to the Lowcountry? Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Charleston, SC – read it before you go!
Want to plan an educational trip to the low country with your family? Discover all things you can learn on a Road Schooling Trip to the Charleston Area.
This article includes:
Free Things to Do in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Cheap Things to Do in Mt. Pleasant, SC
More Things to Do in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Where to Eat in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Charleston is a popular destination for residents of the Upstate of South Carolina. Tucked away, just at the other end of the iconic Ravenel Bridge, is the town of Mount Pleasant. And if you’re looking for free things to do in the area, we’ve got some recommendations for you to consider adding to your itinerary.
As you cross the Cooper River into Mount Pleasant, you’ll be on top of one of the best places to visit. Beneath the Ravenel Bridge is the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. The Park offers visitors a bunch of things to do for little to no cost. The Mount Pleasant Visitor’s center is located at the front of the park, and this should be one of your first stops. Inside you’ll be able to get all kinds of information about the area, grab discount tickets for area attractions, and book reservations for popular restaurants.
Underneath the bridge is a great playground for kids. With seating for parents and a fenced-in area, it will be a favorite stop for you. The park’s huge greenspace is host to several free events, including live music, moonlight movies, and more.
If fishing is something your family enjoys, you’ll love the pier. The bait shop offers everything you’ll need to drop a line in the water with your kids. You could be in for an exciting time on the pier! If fishing isn’t your thing, the pier is excellent for people-watching.
Another great place to visit in Mount Pleasant is Shem Creek Park. The 2,200-foot boardwalk extends over the marsh and out to the water. The creek is home to the local fleet of shrimp boats, and kids will love watching them come and go. The boardwalk is a great place to bring your kids’ scooters. If your family owns a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, this is a great place to bring it. You can rent one at the shop right there if you don’t own one.
This is also a popular spot for watching dolphins frolic in the creek as they hope for scraps from the incoming fishing vessels. Grab a picnic lunch and enjoy the view from the many benches along the boardwalk.
If the crowds at Folly Beach aren’t your thing, then you’ll enjoy Sullivan’s Island, located off the coast of Mount Pleasant. Free public parking makes the beaches on this quiet island appealing, and the secluded nature of the beach makes it peaceful. Searching for shark teeth is a great lesson in patience and attention to detail for adults and children alike.
There’s also a small local library, the Edgar Allan Poe/Sullivan’s Island Library, you can visit. There’s a comfortable sofa and plenty of books for kids to enjoy. The Island has ties Poe, and you’ll find his name all over the island.
We’ve got even more things for you to do at Sullivan’s Island.
The Pitt Street Bridge (also known as the Cove Inlet Bridge and the Cove Inlet Causeway) was once the only way to cross the water to get to the beaches. Originally built for a trolley, it was later widened for personal vehicles. The bridge closed in 1945 and was converted into a fishing pier. The old bridge burned, and now it’s covered by Pickett Park, a greenway lined with palm trees that takes pedestrians and cyclists across the former bridge site. At the end of the bridge is a great spot to go fishing.
Charles Pinckney helped draft and sign the US Constitution, and now you can visit a 28-acre remnant of his original 715-acre plantation, Snee Farm. While visiting, you’ll be able to learn about Pinkney’s life and political influences, the People he enslaved, plantation operations, and the main cash crops of the Lowcountry (indigo and rice). There is no fee to visit Charles Pinkney’s National Historic Home.
Taking a trip to the Charleston area doesn’t have to break the bank. If you need some extra things to do on your trip, there’s plenty of low-cost fun to be had!
Kidding Around’s fans are some of the best around! The suggestion of the Charleston Water Taxi was from a loyal reader. She hesitated to share her secret, but we’re glad she did.
The Water Taxi is a great way to see the waterfront from a different perspective. The pontoon-style boat picks passengers up at several different locations. Pro-Tip: There are no bathrooms on board, so make sure to stop at a restroom before hopping on.
One of the nice things about the taxi is you can stay on as long as you’d like, or hop on and off to sightsee. The taxi offers some very unique views of the ships docked at Patriots Point.
A complete trip around the harbor takes approximately 60 minutes. Make sure to have your camera ready because, in addition to the photo opportunities at Patriots Point, guests of the taxi are often treated to visits from dolphins. You can also capture some nice family photos with the Ravenel bridge in the background. The guys that captain the ship are happy to jump in a play photographer, so you can capture the memory of your entire family’s day out on the water.
$14 a person gets you a pass that covers the entire day, and kids 3 and under ride free.
Sullivan’s Island is also rich in history, as it was home to where some of the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Fort Moultrie is part of the National Park Service. Adult admission costs $10, and children 15 and younger receive free entry.
Among the ranks at the Fort was someone who was destined for fame later in life. Regimental Sergeant-Major Edgar Allen Poe spent just over a year stationed here, and you will find evidence of his time here all over the island.
For more immersion into Lowcountry history, take a visit to Patriots Point. In June 1975, the USS Yorktown entered Charleston Harbor and was the first ship dedicated to the Naval & Maritime Museum. Patriots Points opened the following year, housing the museum and a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships. You’ll be able to view a World War II Aircraft Carrier. You’ll also find the Cold War Memorial, the only Vietnam Experience Exhibit in the US, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the official Medal of Honor Museum. It’s a very popular attraction and one to consider.
Give yourself 2-3 hours to go through everything. A single-day Patriots Point ticket for adults 12-61 years old is $27, children 6-11 years old tickets are $16, children 6 and under are free, and seniors 62+ years old will pay $19 for their tickets. There are bundle ticket options, and Veterans, First Responders, Teachers, and Active Military are offered discounts.
Splash Island Water Park is an excellent and fun attraction within Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park. The water park features a 200-ft body flume, a 16-ft otter slide, cyclone swirling water ride, a pool, and plenty of sprays, geysers, and raindrop waterfalls. There are lifeguards on-duty, and you’ll find concessions, restrooms, showers, and changing areas. Be sure to check their site for hours of operation because they do close during the winter season.
Another thing to do in Mt. Pleasant is to visit Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. The plantation was founded in 1681 by Major John Boone. His family and descendants were significant influencers in South Carolina’s history. It’s one of the oldest working plantations in the US; it continues growing crops to this day. Boone Hall has been dubbed “a must-see stop on any trip to Charleston, SC” by NBC Daytime and is recognized as the “#1 Plantation in the Charleston Area by USA Today 10Best.”
Regular Adult tickets are $28, Seniors/Military/AAA are $25, children 6-12 years old are $12, and children 5 and under are free.
There’s no shortage of pitmasters in the Lowcountry, that’s for sure. Swig & Swine BBQ is a favorite. If you haven’t been yet. Be sure to follow Swig & Swine BBQ on Facebook so you don’t miss out on their daily specials, like $5 burger night and Wing Night!
Bon Bahn Mi is another local favorite restaurant in Mount Pleasant. They have delicious food and a build-your-own kid’s meal menu that is a hit when we go! Kids get to choose from a taco, a rice bowl, a noodle bowl, or a sandwich – and build it with protein and veggie options all for just $7 with an included drink!
Be sure to treat yourself to one of their iced Vietnamese coffees, they are amazing!
The Pitt Street Pharmacy Soda Fountain is an old-school spot where you can grab a no-frills meal and a low price. Cheap burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream are the perfect lunchtime meal when you are on the go. Dine in and go around exploring Historic Mount Pleasant, or get it to go and head up the road to Shem Creek to relax.
Every Monday night, from 6-8 pm, Dog & Duck has family bingo night! The family-friendly prizes include gift cards for X-Box, iTunes, and more. If you make it there before we do, let us know!
Want to read our entire guide to visiting Charleston, SC? We’ve got you covered with Charleston Itineraries, Things to Do in Charleston, Where to Eat, and Places to Stay.
We can’t wait to add more free and cheap fun to our list of activities in Mount Pleasant! Check back often to see where our next adventure takes us.
Looking for a playground to visit? You may want to check out West Greenville Community Center’s playground in Greenville!
It’s winter and, yes, it can be cold. Really cold. However, we also get the occasional 60 degree day, in January. You know the kind. When you absolutely must spend as much time outside as possible, before it turns cold again. That’s the perfect day for one of the many awesome parks in Greenville!
Recently, I took the kids to a playground at the West Greenville Community Center. In case you haven’t noticed, Greenville’s West End is bursting with new life. The small, quaint streets are lined with art galleries, vintage shops and to-die-for restaurants. Tucked off the main road, away from all the activity, we found Greenville Rec’s newest addition to the community. It’s not very big, but the boys and I were impressed.
There’s ample space to throw down your picnic blanket. The next time we go, I plan to park myself under the huge Oak Tree. If the ground doesn’t appeal to you, there are two really nice, new tables and benches. The park has two regular slides, one double slide, several climbing apparatus and monkey bars. In spite of the cold, we had a really nice time.
There’s good news and bad news for parents of younger children. The good news is, there’s mulch. The bad news is, there’s mulch. You’ll want to use the set of eyes in the back of your head for the little ones who put anything and everything in their mouths.
Honestly, there’s only so much a girl can write about a playground. So, here’s a short list of comments thrown at me from the back seat on our way home:
“Do we have to leave?”
“Even though there aren’t any swings, it was still fun.”
“Can we come back tomorrow?”
“I’m glad we didn’t have to drive far.”
“I really want to ride that spin around-thingy again!”
8 Rochester Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Visit the West Greenville Community Center Park website.
Have you checked out the new playground at West Greenville Community Center yet?
Do you have a young one with an inquisitive mind? Bring them to the Duke World of Energy where they can learn how the electricity that keeps the lights on at home is generated and brought to local houses and businesses.
Did we mention this exhibit is FREE?
We know our readers love free things to do near Greenville so we visited the Duke World of Energy and we’re bringing you all the information you need to plan your own visit soon!
Looking for more Free Things to do in the Upstate? Here’s our list of free and low-cost things to do near Greenville, SC!
Located on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Keowee, The Oconee Nuclear Station provides energy to nearly 2 million homes via nuclear power. There is a multitude of steps that go into producing so much energy, and families can learn all about it at the power plant’s educational center.
The Duke World of Energy is a free hands-on exhibit. Visitors will learn how electricity is generated at the plant and how the surrounding lakes contribute. You’ll start off with a short film, followed by a variety of interactive educational displays about energy production at the plant. The experience takes about 30-45 minutes.
As you enter each exhibit room, the presentation is started by an interactive touchpad. As you move from room to room you will learn about the process the plant uses to create the power that flows into homes. The way the exhibit is set up, in multiple rooms will keep kids from toddler to school-age entertained. About halfway through, you’ll find a huge picture window overlooking the power plant – a perfect photo opportunity. I was surprised to learn that this is the fifth-largest nuclear plant in the country.
The exhibits towards the end seemed to be the stars of the show for my children. My son loved the security display which features half of a car and the mirrored tool they use to check underneath cars entering the facility. The last two rooms – my daughter’s favorite – feature a simulated outdoor space, complete with taxidermy animals and an adjoining room that looks like a home. She loved looking out the window back into the “outdoor” room and waving to us.
The topography map is really neat – you can see the entire Jocassee Gorges, the Foothills Trail, the SC State Parks near there, and Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee. These kinds of maps are always fascinating!
After visiting the World of Energy exhibit, head outside to the quarter-mile nature trail by the lake. You’ll find a covered picnic shelter, a fishing pier, and even a butterfly garden that’s open during the warmer months. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of dining options nearby, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and bring a picnic.
We sat on the dock to eat lunch and finish our homeschool work and it was very relaxing. There’s a path that winds its way down to a small beach as well where you can hang out and enjoy the beautiful view. Stay off the helipad though, as the signs say!
You can also fish on the pier if you like. This is such a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon and a fun field trip. The view is breathtaking, and you just might learn something while you’re there.
Don’t forget to check the Duke Energy website for events. In the past, The World of Energy has hosted several community events, including a National Hunting, an Orchid event (currently scheduled for February 15-17, 2024), a Fishing Day event, and a home school day.
Duke World Of Energy
7812 Rochester Highway | Seneca, SC 29672
864.873.4600
Hours:
Open 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday through Friday
Please confirm the hours before you head to the World Of Energy.
This article was originally written by Melanie Coblentz and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.
