Are you looking for VBS near Greenville, SC? There are dozens of Vacation Bible Schools to choose from in Greenville and Spartanburg. Maybe you’re looking for the VBS closest to home, or maybe you’re looking to visit a VBS that fits your vacation schedule! Either way, we’ve got the list of the 2025 VBS Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC programs from June through August. All of these have a link to the church so you can get all their contact information, directions, and details!
NOTE: This list is currently being updated for 2025, so check back regularly for the latest updates!
For accuracy and to ensure that the programs were open to the public, we only listed VBS programs that were publicly listed online or submitted by the coordinator of the event. If you would like your church’s VBS program added or modified, please email erin@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.
While we try our best to provide accurate information, we always encourage our readers to check original sources before making plans. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement.
Are you ready for one of the summer’s best annual events? Park Hop, Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC’s scavenger hunt for clues through Upstate parks, is the summer-long scavenger hunt event that’s perfect for your family. The Park Hop is free, you can enjoy the event on your own schedule and your kids can earn fabulous prizes. Plus, you participate by exploring Upstate parks (isn’t that exactly what you already wanted to do this summer?).
Kidding Around Greenville is an official partner of the 2025 Park Hop. Watch Kidding Around Greenville for an exciting Park Hop series this summer. We are going to hop right along with you and give you the inside track on what you can expect when visiting this year.
Are you looking for “things to do with baby near me”? Or things to do with your baby in Spartanburg, SC? We know that it’s not always easy to know where to find fun for a kid so small. That’s why we have put together this list of 10 things to do with your baby in Spartanburg. This list includes everything from places to go (did you know we had a museum that has special areas just for babies?) to an exercise group where babies are welcome.
Quick Summary: Things to Do With Babies in Spartanburg, SC
Looking for fun things to do with your baby in Spartanburg, SC? We’ve got you covered!
Whether you want to stroll through a garden, splash around, or join a baby-friendly workout, there are plenty of ways to get out and explore with your little one.
Here are a few baby-friendly ideas: • Parks with baby swings like Cleveland Park & Play on Main • Splash pads at Barnet Park and Tyger River Park ☀️ • Storytime just for toddlers at the library • Mommy & Me music and gymnastics classes • TCMU Spartanburg—perfect for the tiniest explorers! • Stroller workouts with Spartanburg Stroller Rollers • Hatcher Garden strolls and Rail Trail walks
Read on for more information!
Hit a Spartanburg park
Parks with Baby Swings – Exposure to fresh air and sunlight are beneficial for babies’ sleep patterns. Getting outside and taking advantage of baby swings is a fun and peaceful outing for infants. Check the Spartanburg Parks website to find parks with baby-accessible equipment.
Splash pads and swimming pools – Babies love water! Once your little cutie is able to sit up independently, checking out Spartanburg’s splash pads at Tyger River Park or Barnet Park is a great way to spend an hour sitting in the spray during the spring and summer months.
Make sure to bring fun cups and other water toys for your baby to grab and manipulate. For year-round water fun with your baby, investing in a YMCA or Spartanburg Athletic Club membership will not only help you stay healthy, but will provide fun outings for your baby, too.
The indoor pools are accessible year-round. So grab a swim diaper and jump in or invest in their reasonably priced swim lessons.
Check out a local garden
Hatcher Gardens is a lovely paved garden in the heart of Spartanburg. Waterfalls, ponds with turtles, hawks and other wildlife and bright flora make for a lovely stroll and lots to look at with your baby. Gazebos and other seating areas in the shady garden are the perfect spot to sit and enjoy nature together.
Peekaboo Baby Storytime
Toddler Storytime is a storytime experience designed specifically for kids 3 years old and under. Located at Spartanburg County Library Headquarters in downtown Spartanburg at various times throughout the week, this is a great way to introduce your baby to books, expressive language, and music while in a small group setting without the distraction and noise of older children.
Classes for babies
Mommy/Daddy and Me classes – Music classes like 1st Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg’s First Steps in Music are geared for newborn through age 3, and Musikgarten for ages 3 and up, and are a wonderful way to engage your baby’s intellect and imagination.
If paying tuition isn’t in your budget, playing musical instruments at home (alone or with friends) and singing with your baby are fun, beneficial and free! Older toddlers (18 months and up) can take part in Mommy and Me gymnastics classes at local gyms like Spartanburg Gymnastics and Sparkle City Gymnastics.
Visit the new TCMU Spartanburg
To the excitement of parents and tots alike, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Spartanburg is geared for children five and under and all the exhibits and play areas are 24 inches tall or smaller – perfect for babies and toddlers to easily navigate and explore! Admission is $10/person.
Take a walk
The weather is beautiful for a majority of the year in Spartanburg. Make use of our temperate climate by taking your baby for a stroll on the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. With over 100,000 regular users, the Rail Trail is usually a hot spot for moms looking to get some exercise for themselves and fresh air for the baby.
The Rail Trail is continuously adding new kid-friendly features such as an obstacle course for older children. Pop into Hub City Coffee en route and grab a coffee to-go.
Work out with your baby
Spartanburg Stroller Rollers is another way for new moms to stay healthy, make new friends, and still spend quality time with the baby. Classes meet three times a week at the High Point Academy’s volleyball center. The goal is working out WITH your baby, walking/running/ and resistance exercises.
Often times less expensive gym memberships don’t have childcare, so if paying for childcare is out of your budget and/or you are soaking up every minute of mommying that baby, dust off the jogging stroller you registered for and check it out with your little!
Hopefully, these ideas for fun outings will inspire you to explore where you live with your beautiful baby. Do you have an idea to add to the list?
Inside: A solid list from local taco lovers- where you can find authentic tacos in Greenville, SC and across the Upstate.
Are you looking for tacos in Spartanburg, SC or tacos in Greenville, SC? We’re right there with you. We’re big taco fans around here, and we’ve tried several restaurants in Spartanburg and Greenville searching for that perfect taco. Here’s our list of authentic taco qualifications and restaurants where you can find them! Buen Provecho!
I recently saw where a national poll declared a fast-food chain as having the best tacos in the country. After some reflection, I realized that this poll result was (most likely) because of the fact that it’s a national chain with a location in every town. I also recently saw where that same chain won runner-up in the local newspaper’s Best Mexican Restaurant Category.
For this, there is no explanation. I can’t understand, or explain it.
That’s one of the many reasons I decided to seek out the best authentic taco in the Upstate. My search was also a quest to relive the tacos of my childhood. As a kid I spent quite a few weekends working at the flea market with my dad, enjoying tacos from a taco truck before it was a trendy thing.
My search in Spartanburg and Greenville is just beginning, but I have some places I’ve tried and some I’m excited to try.
Comal 846
What Makes an Authentic Taco
Before I get to the list, let me just clarify what an authentic taco means to me.
It’s got to be on a soft corn Tortilla. ALWAYS. Don’t get me wrong, I love flour tortillas and hard shell corn tacos. But for the purpose of my quest, only this type of corn tortilla will do
Next and most importantly, is the meat. Save the ground beef for the burgers, we’re looking for grilled meats. Ideally, pork or beef.
The tacos are then completed with a simple topping of cilantro, onion, and a squirt of fresh lime juice.
Occasionally the tacos will be served next to a salad of lettuce, tomato, and cheese – but surprisingly these are not meant to be piled on top of your taco.
NEW to the mainstream (American) Mexican menu – Birria tacos! These are not new to Mexican cuisine; they’ve just become trendy. Now the tacos that were invented to use up the small bits of meat left on the bones after stewing them are expensive. I find this hilarious, but I’m super excited that more of our Mexican culture is being embraced. Have you tried these insta-popular tacos yet? They come with a cup of consume broth for dipping and with or without the melted cheese.
I love their tacos, but I also love the story behind this taco joint neatly tucked away next to the Reedy River. Jorge “Papi” Barrales worked his way up from dishwasher at Soby’s to having Carl Sobocinski, the owner of the Table 301 family of restaurants, invited him to work on a concept. The result is Papi’s Tacos and some of the yummiest authentic tacos you’ll find downtown.
If you stop in for their taco Tuesday happy hour, tacos are just $2 each. Pair your tacos with a cold horchata, Jamaica drink, or a Jarritos Mexican soda, and you have an instaworthy meal, with the beautiful Reedy River as the backdrop. My son and I like to have mother & son dates, catching a show at the Peace Center. This is our favorite pre-show meal. 300 River Street, Suite 123, Greenville SC | 864.373.7274
New to the taco scene in Greenville is Chucho’s Taco Grill. They exploded onto the scene by offering the frequently sought-after quesa-birria tacos. The menu includes a great set of kid’s options too, as well as a drive-thru for contactless pickup. They have Greenville’s BEST Elote too if you like street corn. 3111 North Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 29609 | 864.568.5133
After this article was originally published, readers encouraged readers to head over to the Barnyard Flea market. I was told that the tacos sold from the stand there were insanely good. Guess what? They were right! Plus, due to the low overhead of being located at the flea market, the tacos are inexpensive. I made the mistake of mentioning the taco stand to my dad, a native of Mexico. Let’s say they were a hit. So much so that he was there every weekend eating tacos, weeks in a row. 2000 Highway 101 South, Greer
When you walk in, be prepared to hear the sounds of a telenovela on the TV in the corner. In my opinion, it just makes the experience all the better.
We usually order an assortment of tacos from the menu. They are cooked to order and while that happens you can help yourselves to the freshly made salsa, from the salsa bar. I usually grab a salsa selection and some of the pickled onion/jalapeno mix. Those are for the people who like the heat that makes your sinuses open up, and your eyes water. The tacos were served simply, Just the meat, onions & cilantro. It’s like heaven on a corn tortilla.
Make sure to get an authentic Mexican soda when you stop in. The Senoral Sangria is one of my favorite sodas and it’s non-alcoholic! If you’re planning on eating dinner there, go early. They say they close at eight, and they will politely make yours a to-go order if you get there too close to closing time. 3058 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Taylors | 864.991.8888
Dayna Lee is a Mexican-American transplant from Texas, and she’s bringing the flavors of her childhood to life with pop-ups around the Upstate! You can find her most nights at local breweries, offering up traditional items and fun and creative dishes, like her nachos with a flaming hot Cheeto base, “Flaming Hot Nacheetos”. Follow Comal 864 on Instagram to see where they will be slingin’ tacos next.
Although the tacos at here come with melted queso in them, I think they still warrant being on the list. The tacos here are served in a boat with meat piled high, on two tortillas. So, some assembly is required, but worth the work. I’ve never had a taco here I didn’t enjoy. 903 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville | 864.770.3450
Where to Find Authentic Tacos in Spartanburg, SC
The following places are just some of the places around town you can find such a taco.
Conveniently located in downtown Spartanburg, Burrito Hub has quickly become one of my favorite places to grab tacos in the hub city. The tacos are reasonably priced, they have the best Elote in Spartanburg, and they have margaritas! Follow them on social media to know when they have specials. 2601 East Main Street Street, Spartanburg | 864.274.3077
This restaurant is very popular in local foodie groups, with good reason. The food is authentic, reasonably priced, and good. I enjoy the carne asada and al pastor tacos, with a side of scratch-made refried beans. There’s a salsa bar to customize your tacos if you’d like to add some heat. Conveniently located next to I-26, don’t let the Roebuck address deter you from trying the tacos here. 6198 Highway 221, Roebuck | 864.913.1500
One glance at online reviews and you’ll be ready to head to Wellford to enjoy some tacos here. The portions are generous and reasonably priced. 105 B Little Mountain Road, Wellford | 864.336.5008
Already a favorite with readers in Greenville. The newly opened location in Roebuck is turning diners in Spartanburg into fans. Their yummy authentic tacos and awesome kids meal deals are a reason Uncle Bertos is a favorite with my family. For residents on the westside of Spartanburg, the Simpsonville location might be closer to dine at. 2509 Stone Station Road, Roebuck | 864.586.3973 100 Batesville Road, Simpsonville | 864.234.6501
This super popular taco truck can usually be found in the parking lots adjacent to the national taco chain, near I-26 and W.O. Ezell Boulevard. You can call in your order so it’ll be ready when you pull up. 7785 Warren Abernathy Highway, Spartanburg | 864.279.7527
Tacos & Bla Bla Bla is a brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves up delicious, really affordable tacos. And on Taco Tuesdays, tacos are only $2! With multiple locations across the Upstate, there’s likely one near you. Multiple Locations
A Few More Tacos to Try in Spartanburg
Other taco restaurants in Spartanburg that have been recommended to me by readers, that I have yet to try are:
Delicious Pasteleria I’m excited to try the tacos this bakery serves up, it comes highly recommended! Plus their baked goodies look really tempting! 106 South Blackstock Road, Spartanburg SC
El Burrito 3614 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs | 864.814.0770
There are plenty of awesome Mexican and taco places that are not on the list. I hope this inspires our readers to head out and explore the little tucked away restaurants, with awesome authentic offerings.
There are plenty of awesome taco joints and Mexican restaurants that are not on this list, and for that, I apologize. I hope this list inspires our readers to go on their own search for authentic tacos. Where do you go for authentic tacos?
Have you tried Southside Smokehouse & Grill? We are very fortunate in the Upstate to have so many little towns with hidden gems, sprinkled around to discover. Southside Smokehouse & Grill in Landrum, just south of the NC border is one such gem!
Chef Sarah McClure creates delicious menu items to lure diners to the smokehouse. You’ll find her husband and co-owner Robert Hall behind the bar mixing cocktails that will be the envy of all your friends on social media when you tease them with photos.
Did you know we have a FREE place to play mini-golf right in the middle of downtown Spartanburg, SC? Sparkle City Mini Putt is totally free! Plus, there are more fun things to do downtown in Spartanburg.
Are you looking for things to do in Spartanburg, SC? These are the events happening in Spartanburg now. Find events in Spartanburg this weekend, or plan things to do all month long.
These Spartanburg events are listed by date. Simply click on each event for more information.
Looking for pool memberships in Spartanburg, SC for your family this year? Even if you do not have a pool in your backyard or neighborhood, several community pool memberships are available for Spartanburg families. Check out the list below of neighborhood pools offering memberships in Spartanburg!
Pools require time and maintenance in order to enjoy them. What if there was a way to enjoy a pool without all that chlorine testing, skimming leaves, and other work that comes along with pool access? There are several pool membership options in Spartanburg, SC that can have you floating in no time, without any work involved!
🌟 PRO TIP: Always call or visit the front desk to ask about specific discounts for which you may be eligible! Community pools commonly offer discounts for students, seniors, additional family members, and more!
Get a Pool Membership at These Pools in Spartanburg, SC
NOTE FOR CHILDREN: Minor children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at this facility, but they get in FREE with their paying adult! The only exception is for the Pool-Only Daily Passes, which cost $1 per child for non-residents of the City of Spartanburg.
Pool-Only Daily Passes cost $2 for city residents and $3 for non-residents.
Full-Facility Daily Passes cost $5 for city residents and $7 for non-residents.
Individual Memberships are available to residents of the City of Spartanburg for $15/month or $145/year, or to non-residents for $20/month or $195/year.
Family of 4 Memberships are available to residents of the City of Spartanburg for $25/month or $240/year, or to non-residents for $35/month or $335/year.
NOTE FOR FIRST-TIME MEMBERS: All first-time memberships require a one-time initial joining fee of $250 and 3 character references from current members!
Annual Memberships are available at a rate of $275/individual or $500/family. Membership includes regular access to the pool, special members-only events, and the option to reserve the pool for private parties. Registered guests may accompany members for $5 per visit, with potential limits on recurring local guests.
NOTE FOR FIRST-TIME MEMBERS: All first-time memberships require a one-time initiation fee of $150 and 2 character references from current members!
Family Memberships are available at a cost of $525. This membership covers all immediate family members, plus one babysitter per family.
Grandparent Memberships are also available for $325. This option allows out-of-town grandkids to visit at no cost, and local guests can join you for only $5 per visit.
2-Person Memberships cost only $325. Individual memberships are not available, so this is the cheapest option for both individuals and couples.
⚠️ We received word that Lantern Ridge Pool has closed and are working to determine whether is change is temporary or permanent. We will update or remove this listing once we receive confirmation.
Family Memberships are available at the cost of $515.
Grandparent Memberships are available for $300, covering individual or couple grandparents plus their grandchildren. Other family members are considered guests and require a $5 fee per visit.
2-Person Memberships are also available for $300. These memberships may be used to cover 2 adults or 1 adult + 1 child at the pool.
Individual Memberships cost only $250.
Individual Guest Passes are available to members for $5/visit, and guests must always be accompanied by a member. Note that visits may be limited for recurring local guests.
Family Memberships cost $450 before May 15th, or $500 after May 15th.
Couple Memberships cost $300 before May 15th, or $350 after May 15th. These memberships may also be extended to include one child less than 18 months old.
Individual Memberships cost $200 before May 15th, or $250 after May 15th.
30-Day Memberships are available to individuals at the cost of $200.
30 Non-Consecutive Day Memberships are available to individuals for $250.
Daily Memberships are available at a rate of $15/person.
3-Month Summer Memberships are available for a one-time cost of $300/individual, $400/couple, and $500/family. Summer memberships cover access to pool and pickleball facilities only, and they expire 3 months after the date of purchase or September 30th, whichever comes first.
Year-Round Monthly Memberships are available for monthly rates of $65/individual, $85/couple, and $95/family—all with a $49 enrollment fee.
Free 3-Day Trial Memberships are available upon request October through April. These memberships are NOT available May through September.
Family Pool Memberships are available to the general public each summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day for the cost of $700.
Associate Family Memberships for full country club access are available to the general public for $225/month plus an initial application fee of $3,500.
Stock Family Memberships for full country club access are only available to those owning at least 2 shares of stock in The 3 Pines Inc. These memberships cost $190/month.
NOTE FOR CHILDREN: Minor children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at this facility, but they get in FREE with their paying adult! The only exception is for the Pool-Only Daily Passes, which cost $1 per child for non-residents of the City of Spartanburg.
Pool-Only Daily Passes cost $2 for city residents and $3 for non-residents.
Full-Facility Daily Passes cost $5 for city residents and $7 for non-residents.
Individual Memberships are available to residents of the City of Spartanburg for $30/month or $240/year, or to non-residents for $40/month or $380/year.
2-Person Memberships are available to residents of the City of Spartanburg for $45/month or $430/year, or to non-residents for $70/month or $670/year.
Day Passes are available at the front desk. Spartanburg County residents get their first visit FREE with verifying ID. After that, the cost for a day pass is $12 for ages 16 and up, $7 for ages 13 to 15, and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Day-pass visitors are encouraged to call in advance to confirm the pool’s availability.
Student Memberships are available for $39/month with a $99 enrollment fee.
Individual Memberships are available for $55/month with a $99 enrollment fee.
Couple Memberships are available for $84/month with a $99 enrollment fee.
Family Memberships are available for $93/month with a $99 enrollment fee.
💦 Pool Types: Year-round indoor pools 🛟 Pool Programs: Fitness classes, swim lessons, open swim
👨👩👧👦 Membership Options:
Greater Spartanburg YMCA Memberships are available at monthly rates of $69/adult or $90/household—all with a $100 joining fee. This option grants access to ALL the YMCAs in Spartanburg County, plus the YMCA in Polk County, NC!
Branch-Specific Memberships are available at varying rates by location, but are generally a few dollars cheaper than the Greater Spartanburg option. If you only plan to use your closest branch, these are a great way to save on a tight budget!
The Cottonwood Trail is the perfect space for your children to experience the seasons in the Upstate. In the summer, lush and green in the summer, crackling with autumnal colors in the fall, sparse and atmospheric in the winter, and brimming with new life in the spring, your children can observe the seasonal changes while exploring the great outdoors.
Quick Summary: Cottonwood Trail
📍Located on Spartanburg’s Eastside, this 3.6-mile unpaved trail is great for walking, jogging, biking—and yes, all-terrain strollers and wagons can handle it!
🐶 Pet-friendly (just keep pups leashed!) 👀 Don’t miss the Wetlands Trail with its boardwalk, beaver dams, reptiles, and birds!
📍Trail access at Sydnor Road (across from Spartan High tennis courts) and Beechwood Drive. Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Pack a picnic and make a day of it!
The Cottonwood Trail in Spartanburg, SC
Named after the majestic Cottonwood trees dot the landscape, The Cottonwood Trail Preserve is maintained by the Spartanburg Area Conservancy.
Located on the Eastside of Spartanburg, the 3.6-mile trail is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking with the family. The trails are unpaved, but all-terrain strollers and bikes, and even wagons can easily navigate most of the paths.
The Cottonwood Trail is the longest in the preserve and follows along Lawson’s Ford Creek, providing a scenic water view that is still a safe distance from the walking trail.
The trail is pet-friendly so that the family dog can get in his steps for the day, too! (Dogs are expected to remain on a leash and under the control of their owners at all times.)
Cottonwood Trail Access
Parking and entrances to the trail are found off Sydnor Road (across from the Spartan High tennis courts) and Beechwood Drive (off of Fernwood Drive). The trail is open every day from dawn to dusk.
Find Beaver Dams & See Reptiles & Water Birds on the Boardwalk and Wetlands Trail
An offshoot of the Cottonwood Trail, the Boardwalk, and Wetlands Trails offer a first-hand experience of South Carolina’s famed wetlands. The Boardwalk Trail is marked by a sign pointing to the beaver dams and quickly turns from a dirt trail into a boardwalk. Take a break on the benches and observation deck to check out the reptiles and water birds. If you’re lucky, you might spot the heron that calls this particular wetland his home.
Don’t Forget Your Picnic
A picnic area lies across the main bridge, crossing Lawson’s Fork Creek, so pack a snack and pause to play in the woods!
Wondering if you should try Burrito Hub in Spartanburg? Find out all about the owners, the menu and the little things that make this locally owned Spartanburg restaurant special.
Hugo Montanez is bringing the joy of eating authentic tacos to Spartanburg with the food at Burrito Hub. For most people it only takes a single visit to get completely hooked on the delicious street tacos and other menu items.
Burrito Hub sits quietly on a corner, adjacent to the courthouse in Downtown Spartanburg. Just a few blocks from Main Street. It was on my “Taco-to-try” list for a long time, and for that I’m regretful. I usually order enough to enjoy them for lunch the next day, I wouldn’t be able to make them myself for that price!
