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Posts Tagged ‘Spartanburg SC’

The Most Romantic Dates in Spartanburg, SC

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Are you looking for ideas for date nights in Spartanburg, SC? We’ve identified some of the most romantic dates in Spartanburg. The various date options on this list make it possible for Spartanburg couples to enjoy a variety of dates year-round.

date night ideas in Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg’s Most Romantic Dates

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and the pressure is on to make the day extra special. Have no fear! You can plan a romantic evening with your love right here in town – no matter your budget. And, even better, you can go on dates any time of year – not just Valentine’s Day.

Local Restaurants in Spartanburg are Perfect for Date Nights

Spartanburg has several amazing restaurants that offer delicious meals and date night atmospheres. Depending on your tastes and your budget, here are some of the most popular date night restaurants in Spartanburg:

If you’d like to find out a little more about some of the most romantic restaurants in Spartanburg, don’t miss our list!

There are so many [date night options]! City Range has a beautiful fireplace to help set the ambiance. The Kennedy provides a unique chef’s table experience. Longhorn has a killer steak with a fun atmosphere. Renato’s is fabulous for authentic Italian.

Dodi

The Peddler Steakhouse for a nice relaxed dinner.

Deysi

Take It to the Roof

In addition to the popular restaurants listed above, Spartanburg also has a few rooftop dining options for couples. At Bar 1884, you can enjoy a bite to eat, a beverage, and each other’s company under the stars.

Also, Level 10 on top of the AC Hotel has amazing food options and views of the city. Plus, if you want an ultra-romantic date, you can reserve the sunset deck for private dining.

Enjoy a Picnic

If you would rather avoid the restaurant scene and save some money, you can always pack a picnic and enjoy it at one of the lovely parks in the area. I suggest Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve or Milliken Arboretum.

Embrace the Arts

Fan of the movie Ghost? You can take a pottery wheel class date night at Hearts of Clay, which offers various pottery and adult painting classes all year long.

Have Some Drinks

For those wanting to skip a big meal, you can plan a romantic date with just drinks in downtown Spartanburg easily. Coffee fans will love the atmosphere of Little River Coffee Bar, where you can enjoy coffee and baked goods and then peruse the bookstore. (That sounds like a dream date to me!)

If you are a wine lover, Bond Street Wines downtown offers wine flights and serves wine by the glass. And if beer is more your style, downtown Spartanburg has several great options for you, such as RJ Rockers, Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery, and Holliday Brewing.

Get A Little Sporty

If your idea of romance involves more play and less googly eyes across a dinner table, then you will love playing Sparkle City Mini Putt (for free!) or bowling a few strikes at UnderPin Lanes ‘N Lounge. Another downtown hangout, Fr8 Yard, offers a huge screen for viewing sports, cornhole, ping pong, and fire pits. If you feel the need for speed, Speed Factory Indoor Karting is a great place to get an adrenaline rush together.

For my husband’s birthday, we ate lunch at Sidewall Pizza, then bowled at UnderPin Lanes & finished up with a beer at Growler Haus.

Tara

Underpin was really fun!

Rachel

Worth a Drive to Greenville

Greenville has a lot of great date night options, but many of the things you can travel to Greenville for, you can enjoy in Spartanburg. However, Spartanburg does not have The Chef’s Table Culinary Tour. For the foodies, this is a dream date option that takes couples on a walking tour to enjoy some of the best restaurants in Greenville.

Splurge Ideas

If you want to go all out and plan a super romantic date, you don’t have to travel far. Simply traveling to Landrum will open several romantic date possibilities. Landrum is home to the amazing Red Horse Inn, as well as the pick-up location for limousine wine tours that takes you to various wineries right over the North Carolina border.

Do you have a date night idea to add to our list? Share it in the comments.

Guide to Date Night in Greenville, SC

Looking for more great date night ideas near Spartanburg? We’ve got your ultimate guide to date night near Greenville, SC.

Lemongrass Kitchen Is Where You Find Authentic Vietnamese Flavors in Spartanburg

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Have you been to Lemongrass Kitchen in Spartanburg, SC yet? Growing up with a love of flavors and spices, I am in constant search not so much for fusion restaurants but more authentic dining experiences, places that are about celebrating their heritage and remain true to the characteristics of each dish.

Lemongrass Kitchen Spartanburg SC

There’s nothing like discovering a family-run restaurant who boldly share their home-grown recipes to share with the public. The Lemongrass Kitchen is such a place. It’s run by husband and wife team Tony Nguyen and his wife Thang Bui. Transplants from California, Tony used to run a kitchen in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Now they are adding to the growing list of fun dining options in downtown Spartanburg.

Spartanburg SC Restaurants

Hub City has GREAT restaurants! Here are some of the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC!

About The Lemongrass Kitchen

Just a block off Main Street, The Lemongrass Kitchen mostly serves Southern Vietnamese dishes. Just as if you were in Saigon, the restaurant specializes in Pho, a good-sized noodle dish, sometimes served in chicken or beef broth and paired with fragrant condiments of basil, mint leaves and bean sprouts, a definite Southern Vietnam touch.

Some visitors might be surprised with the limited menu, but if you were to visit Vietnam, this is actually typical. Restaurants specialize in specific dishes and have about multiple variations of the same dish. So goes with The Lemongrass Kitchen. On our visit, hubby had the “dry” noodle dish, Bun Thit, a combination of vermicelli rice noodles, fresh vegetables, spring rolls, and sliced pork. I was feeling cold and ordered the beef Pho, Pho Tai cooked with a deep sweetish broth and served with thick flat noodles. If you noticed, both dishes had noodles, veggies, and meat.

But the variations come in broth options, type of noodles, and protein of choice (they also have tofu on request). I also ordered a pearl milk tea, just because they had it and I was glad I did. It was a nice addition to the savory dish I had.

The Lemongrass Kitchen Spartanburg SC

One thing we love about Vietnamese food is its freshness. We found the same experience at The Lemongrass Kitchen which sources their produce from the local farmers’ markets. The broth was crystal clear, probably from simmered bone marrow cooked for hours and strained with love. Compared to Japanese Ramen, it is much lighter and the noodles are made of rice, not wheat (though we do love our fair share of Ramen).

Before you add any Sriracha (the now ubiquitous Vietnamese chili sauce)  to your dish, make sure to taste the broth first and savor it. Every kitchen has its signature Pho flavor. Then proceed and make it your own, with a squeeze of lemon, a bite of basil, a handful of bean sprouts for crunch, and maybe a splash of more fish sauce.

Another thing we ordered was the Cha Gio or the Vietnamese egg roll. It was a delicious appetizer and quite reasonable. Altogether, our bill was roughly $25, though if you didn’t order all the other things I did, a meal here would cost $10 per dish. A bowl of Pho can easily be shared with your littles. If you’re not up to having soup or a baguette sandwich (Banh Mi), I would suggest trying a couple of the appetizers for a meal.

The restaurant is casual dining, decorated with a bamboo theme. They mostly cater to the office lunch crowd but open for dinner till 8 pm.

Vietnamese food at Lemongrass Spartanburg

Plan a visit for yourself

The Lemongrass Kitchen
121 Dunbar Street (a block from Main Street)
Monday-Thursday 11 am to 8 pm
Friday and Saturday 10 am to 9 pm
Closed on Sundays
864.205.6150

Do you love a great Vietnamese restaurant?

5 Best Places for Chinese Takeout in Spartanburg, SC: Reader Reviews

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If you are craving the best Chinese food, Spartanburg, SC has a couple of restaurants that our readers have some pretty strong opinions about. These are the Chinese restaurants where our Spartanburg readers go when it’s time for egg rolls, fried rice, and a delicious meal.

Reader recommended restaurants with the best Chinese food in Spartanburg, South Carolina

I don’t know about you, but for as long as I can remember, whenever I’m feeling under the weather all I want is to sink into a serving of Chinese food! There’s just something therapeutic about sinking into a warm bowl of egg drop soup with a steamy pot of Oolong tea.

Best Chinese Food: Spartanburg, SC Restaurants

Hong Xing Chinese Restaurant

864. 949-8889 | 12175 West Greenville Hwy, Lyman
One of my favorite parts of a Chinese meal is the egg rolls, and they’ve got the best I’ve found in the Hub City. I usually order what my children refer to as “chicken lollipops,” pork fried rice, a spicy chicken dish for me, and several egg rolls. I order several more now that my children caught wind of how awesome they are. They are extremely busy on the weekends, so don’t wait until you are hangry to order.

Panda Garden Chinese Restaurant

864.595.2988 | 2420 Reidville Road, Spartanburg

Panda Garden. Consistently good and fast every time.

Dodi W.

Panda Garden off of Reidville Rd never disappoints

Joy Giles Holden

Hunan K

864.576.8277 | 2401 Reidville Road – #3, Spartanburg

Hunan is a great place .@ Reidville rd

Trish Craig

Hunan k is my favorite! Great food and service everything. Never had any problems with my order.

Amanda c

Hunan K on Reidville Rd. best lon mein and crispy egg rolls

Karie G.

Hunan K Restaurant…..best hot & sour soup, also fabulous chinese donuts!

Taran M.

Third for Hunan K!

Megan D.

New China

864.583.4731 | 860 East Main Street, Spartanburg

New China! Hands down the best sweet and sour chicken and jumbo shrimp too.

Genevieve S

New China. My kids LOVE Amy

Maren Worley Catolico
Monsoon Noodle House in Spartanburg, South Carolina

The Monsoon Noodle House

Pan Asian Cuisine
864.582.0618 | 129 West Main Street, Spartanburg
I was feeling under the weather recently and a good friend took me to Monsoon and ordered me up a bowl of soup. It’s his go-to cure-all whenever he is sick. I can’t speak to its medicinal quality, but boy was it delicious!

I’m a big fan of Monsoon House in downtown Spartanburg.

Lori W.

What restaurant do you think has the best Chinese food in Spartanburg, SC?


Spartanburg SC Restaurants

Craving Something Delicious?

Our Guide to Delicious Restaurants in Spartanburg, SC will satisfy your hunger!


6 Places You Will Find The Perfect Cup of Hot Chocolate Near Spartanburg, SC

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Is it time for a steaming cup of hot chocolate in Spartanburg, SC? Luckily, Hub City is full of places where you can find a delicious cup of cocoa. We asked our readers for their favorite cocoa spots and they did not disappoint. So load up the kids and find your perfect cup of hot chocolate in Spartanburg, SC.

If all things pumpkin spice usher in fall time, then hot chocolate signals in winter. But not just any cup of Swiss Miss. We are looking for places to get a hot creamy cup of chocolate goodness, and there’s no shortage of them in Spartanburg.

cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows

Hot Chocolate in Spartanburg and Beyond

Botanical Brew

  • 109-A Spartanburg Highway, Lyman

Grab a cup of hot cocoa, and sink into a comfy sofa among the plants at Botanical Brew. You will most likely leave with a cup of cocoa and a new leafy green baby to tend to.

Little River Coffee Roasting

  • 188A West Main Street, Spartanburg
  • 101 Fretwell Street, Spartanburg
  • 187 N Church Street Suite A, Spartanburg
  • 1624 East Main Street, Spartanburg

There are several locations in the Little River Roasting company to choose from, and they serve up a creamy cup of hot cocoa!

Peppermint bark hot chocolate (mix of dark and white chocolate) is so rich and perfect, and the only hot chocolate I drink year round. Made with dairy or preferred milk alternative- no watery cocoa here.

Abigail

Little River. Love Them

Emily

Eggs Up Grill

  • 551 East Main Street, Spartanburg
  • 5844 Reidville Road – Suite A, Moore
  • 304 Village Creek Drive, Boiling Springs

Served with a heaping helping of whipped cream, the hot chocolate from Eggs Up is a fantastic beverage to enjoy with breakfast! In addition, they have a hot mocha chocolate that is out of this world!

Spill The Beans

  • 174 East Main Street, Spartanburg

Mexican hot chocolate at Spill The Beans is my favorite!

Daisy

The Crêpe Factory

  • 12 Main Street, Inman

A cup (of hot cocoa) at The Crepe Factory goes great with thier beignets!

Samantha

Bella Latte

  • 802 Drayton Road, Drayton
  • 1595 East Main Street, Duncan

Bella Latte’s is yummy AND they will only lighty steam to make it warm if you tell them it’s for your kid so you don’t have to wait for it to cool down or have them burn their mouth.

Crystal

Bella Latte at Drayton Mills. It’s really tasty!

Christy

Starbucks white hot chocolate is wonderful!

Meghann

Hot Chocolate Worth the Drive in Asheville, NC

There appear to be quite a few specialty chocolate shops in Asheville, just waiting to satisfy your winter drink craving.

Chocolate Fetish

  • 36 Haywood Street, Asheville

Chocolate Lounge & French Broad Chocolates

  • 10 South Pack Square, Asheville
  • 821 Riverside Drive – Suite 199, Asheville

Folks, as of publication time, I have no idea what “liquid truffle sipping chocolate” is, but I fully intend on finding out ASAP. Whatever it is, it sounds glorious, and it’s on the menu here.

If you are up for a trip The Chocolate Lounge in Asheville is every bit of amazing. But I would go with Little River Roasting

Melissa

We love Chocolate Lounge

Eric

Winter Guide to Spartanburg, SC

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Are you looking for things to do this winter in Spartanburg, SC? Our Winter Guide is full of our best winter content with ideas about things to do this winter, places to go, winter travel, shopping and more! Enjoy the Upstate this winter!

Spartanburg Winter guide

Winter Treats

Wintertime is perfect for a steaming cup of something warm and delicious. Check out these places our readers recommend for hot chocolate and a great cup of coffee in Spartanburg.

Dine Outdoors This Winter

Want to eat outdoors? These Spartanburg restaurants have heated outdoor patios and dining spaces. You can enjoy a meal outside even if it’s a bit chilly out there.

Get Outdoors This Winter in Spartanburg

Where to Hike This Winter Near Spartanburg, SC

Get outdoors and hike this winter! Here’s a list of parks and trails in and near Spartanburg that are perfect for wintertime hikes.

Ski and Snow Tube Near Upstate, SC

While there might not be snow on the ground here in Spartanburg, nearby there are several places where you can enjoy winter on the snowy slopes for tubing and skiing. See Places to Ski and Snow Tube Near Spartanburg and Upstate SC.

Waterfall Driving Tour

Hunt out some frozen waterfalls in nearby Western North Carolina. Make a day of it with this Waterfall Driving Tour of WNC. See all these waterfalls without any hiking. This tour is a Kidding Around staff and reader favorite day trip adventure.

Winter Getaways

Winter cabin rentals near Greenville, South Carolina

Book one of these cozy mountain vacation rentals. Bring some hot cocoa and a good book and maybe you’ll even get some snow. With all the amenities at these rentals, like fireplaces, pool tables, and hot tubs, we don’t think you’ll mind getting snowed in!

Indoor Things to Do This Winter Near Spartanburg

Indoor Guide of Spartanburg, SC Things to Do

Here’s our gigantic list of indoor things to do in Spartanburg, SC. You’ll find activities for families with kids of all ages including trampoline parks, pottery studios, museums, libraries and so much more!

Indoor Things to Do with Your Preschooler

Keep the little kids busy with these indoor things to do.

Winter Consignment Sales

Fill up the kids’ closet this year for less with these winter consignment sales.

What is your favorite winter activity to do in Spartanburg, SC?

Enjoy An Upscale Bowling Experience at Underpin Lanes ‘N Lounge in Spartanburg, SC

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Ever heard of Underpin in Spartanburg? Think bowling in Spartanburg sounds like a good family fun night? Perhaps you’ve been blessed with a rare night away from the kids and have no idea where to head once the babysitter takes over.

There’s a cool place in downtown Spartanburg that is perfect for both occasions, Underpin Lanes ‘N Lounge.

Guide to things to do indoors near Greenville, South Carolina

Looking for more fun indoor things to do in Spartanburg and Greenville? We’ve got the ultimate guide of things to do inside.

Underpin bowling Spartanburg, SC

For more dining options in the area, head to the Kidding Around Guide To The Delicious Restaurants in Spartanburg

About Underpin Lanes N’ Lounge

Spartanburg’s downtown is coming into its own and we couldn’t be more excited. Until recently, to spend time in an upscale bowling alley you’d have to travel to a larger city like Atlanta. Several years ago Greenville got their own boutique bowling alley in the form of Stone Pin Company.

Now one of the Co-owners of Stone Pin has been brought on board to bring that same kind of entertainment to the people of Spartanburg.

Not your typical bowling alley, UnderPin is intimately sized with just 8 lanes. This is good a good thing in my opinion because it keeps the noise level down. This can be helpful when you’re enjoying a date night or if you have a child with sensory issues. Even though the alley itself is small, the lanes are regulation size.

The other feature that sets them apart from a typical alley is their menu. Don’t worry; they have all the things you might expect at a bowling alley in the way of food.  Things like nachos and quesadillas are elevated to a whole new level with the use of ingredients like brisket and pork belly. The menu includes burgers, wraps, salads, and a kids menu.

What Readers Are Saying About Underpin

Everybody who visits the alley seems to love it!

We’ve been, great food and atmosphere. Can’t wait to go back.

Karen M.

Super Friendly staff and really cute décor. It is pretty small inside and I’m not sure how I felt about the pins being in wires butttt overall I had a really great experience there.

Morgan W.
Underpin Lanes n Lounge Spartanburg

Things to Know When You Visit Underpin

If you are planning on heading out, here’s the info you’ll need to know to snag a lane.

Reservations are only allowed for large parties and private events. If you are thinking of having a large group of friends join you, the alley has a nice semi-private area where your group can hang out with their own lanes. All other guests are first-come, first-serve access to the lanes.

Lanes are rented out by the hour and those super chic shoes will cost you $4 to borrow. A lane accommodates up to 6 players. Playing on a Friday or Saturday night from 5 pm – 10 pm will cost you more than any other time of the week. The peak rate for those times is $40 per hour on a lane, the rest of the time lanes are $24 an hour.

Initial Q: Social Bar & Smokehouse is open above UnderPin and you can enjoy a sit-down dinner upstairs, then head downstairs to bowl. The menu at Initial Q is the same type of elevated fare you see at Underpin. It’s not the typical BBQ meal you find in most places.

Underpin Lanes ‘N Lounge
127 West Main Street, Spartanburg | 864.707.2181

Where Can Young Kids Volunteer in Spartanburg, SC?

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Are you looking for volunteer opportunities in Spartanburg for young children to participate? We’ve come up with several places where young kids can volunteer and where kids can take donations in Spartanburg. Peruse the list and find a Spartanburg location that will motivate your child to give.

Volunteering in Greenville

Looking for more ways to volunteer? Here are over 10 ways to volunteer in Greenville and Spartanburg.

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Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Break in Spartanburg, SC

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Looking for things to do during Thanksgiving in Spartanburg? Local mom India Menon offers ideas for Thanksgiving family-fun activities in Spartanburg. Whatever the weather or your family’s interests, there is something for everyone. 

Thanksgiving Greenville, SC

Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Upstate! Find things to do, restaurants, pies, and more in our Thanksgiving Guide.

TCMU Spartanburg

In our household, in addition to eating a filling home-cooked meal, Thanksgiving means making memories with family and friends. If you’re looking for ways to have fun together in the Spartanburg area during Thanksgiving week, here are some ideas to consider. 

Note: Because schedules are always subject to change, be sure to call locations ahead of time to double-check event details and/or hours of operation. 

Explore at TCMU-Spartanburg

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Spartanburg is always a fun option for families with young kids. The museum is designed for children under the age of 5 and also includes Toddler Zones for guests under the age of 18 months. During Thanksgiving week, the museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The museum is in the heart of downtown Spartanburg at 130 Magnolia Street. Admission is $7 for SC residents and tickets can be purchased in advance. Members and children aged 6 months and under are free.

The Children's Museum of the Upstate Spartanburg

Get Outside

Whether you like the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, the feel of brisk cold rushing through your lungs, or enjoy a good old-fashioned leaf fight, Spartanburg and the Upstate offer a variety of outdoor venues for exploring, exercising, and playing. Hatcher Garden and Cleveland Park are two of our favorite outdoor spots in Spartanburg and Croft State Park is on my list of places to check out.

For more hiking options, check out the Kidding Around Ultimate Guide to Upstate Hiking for Families & Children. If parks and playgrounds are more your speed, check out this list of Spartanburg County Parks and Facilities.

Airport Park Spartanburg SC

Get Moving!

My family gets some exercise during holiday breaks and Spartanburg does not disappoint in that regard. In addition to a variety of outdoor spaces, Spartanburg offers roller skating, bowling, indoor trampolining, indoor rock climbing, and indoor bounce houses. For these and other indoor activities, check out our Indoor Guide to Spartanburg

Spartanburg pottery

Turkey Trot

The YMCA of Spartanburg is hosting a 5K race on Friday, November 24, 2023 that you can join. Runners will also take to the streets of downtown Spartanburg for the PAL Spartanburg Turkey Trot 8K. Most of these races benefit local charities. Runners and walkers also earn cool swag like race t-shirts, finisher medals, and giveaways. In most cases, strollers are welcome. Register sooner than later!

woman and man running up a hill

Lighten Up

A family friend reminded me of a self-guided tour of the Lighten Up lightbulb sculptures that decorate downtown Spartanburg. A walking tour of these 30 bright bulbs is a good way to get in some exercise and/or do some important holiday-related window shopping.

Go Sock Skating

Sock skating opens at the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia on Friday, November 24th. What is sock skating you ask? Here you go.

Shop Til You Drop

If shopping is on your agenda, there are plenty of options for shopping local. Our Spartanburg Ultimate Shopping Guide promises something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Hub City Bookshop

Wild About Lights

Friday following Thanksgiving is the kickoff for a bunch of the Holiday Light displays! The Kidding Around Driving Routes of Upstate, SC Christmas Light Displays is a fun way to start the holiday season. Head out to view some FREE lights, and don’t forget to submit yours if you go all out!

Christmas Lights

Volunteer

In addition to crafting our first gratitude turkey this fall, my family will explore ways to give thanks by giving back to our community. Spartanburg offers a wide range of volunteering options for families. Learn more about volunteering opportunities in Spartanburg.

Hub City Bowls

For more fun things to do the week of Thanksgiving, and every day, head to the Kidding Around Event Calendar!

Downtown Spartanburg, SC: Things to Do This Christmas Season

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Wondering what there is to do for Christmas in Spartanburg, SC? Spartanburg mom Jennifer has a family-friendly Christmas itinerary for Downtown Spartanburg. Read on to discover places to shop, eat, and play in Downtown Spartanburg this holiday season. 

The small-town charm of Spartanburg is best felt at Christmas. Downtown Spartanburg comes to life with twinkling lights and festive Christmas décor. If you are looking for ways to spend your time when the kids are out of school or to entertain out-of-town guests, look no further than a trip downtown.

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