Searching for ‘best milkshakes near me’? Love a good milkshake? We here at Kidding Around were tasked with the difficult (self-imposed) job of seeking out the best milkshakes in Spartanburg, SC. Grab one of these great milkshakes in the lovely Hub City.
Are you looking for the best parks in Spartanburg, SC? With a little help from our readers, we’ve put together a list of the best parks in Spartanburg County based on their suggestions. Whether you’re looking for a park with a giant playground or one with a great walking trail, you’re sure to find it on this list!
Spartanburg County is home to several outstanding parks that each offer unique features. For example, some parks are perfect for hot summer days because they offer splash pads, while others offer lots of shade. Other parks offer walking trails or disc golf courses.
Discover ALL of the Spartanburg’s Amazing Parks in our GIANT Upstate Park and Playground Guide.
No matter what your family is looking for, there is sure to be a park that meets your family’s desires. The list of park options is huge, so, to make help you narrow down your choices, here are a few of the best parks in Spartanburg, SC.
179 Dillard Road, Duncan
Within this large sports complex, there is a great park for kids to run, climb, dig in the sand, and get wet. It has a brand-new playground and lots to explore!
It’s big, has a splash pad, and has shade!
Ashley R./cite>We love Tyger River Park because it has two age-divided playgrounds, a climbing pyramid, and a splash pad along with a walking trail and disc golf. It’s just a great selection, and it’s really close to our house.
Amanda H.
500 Ammons Road, Spartanburg
The City of Spartanburg’s airport park is located right by the Downtown Memorial Airport, and the park is aviation-themed! In addition to the fun airplane theme, there is also a splash pad.
Airport is our new favorite.
Kayla L.Note: The splash pad is slick so we recommend water shoes that grip well and to watch your kids carefully to make sure that they don’t run in the area.
Glendalyn Avenue between South Fairview Street and Connecticut Avenue, Spartanburg
Hidden within Converse Heights, this fenced-in park is well-loved by the community and is open to visitors.
Happy Hollow – shaded, fenced in, a short walk from parking to play.
Kristie M.Happy Hollow…because shade.
Heidi W.
2100 Southport Road, Spartanburg
A reader describes this park as “a little playground on Southport near Big Lots. The park has soccer fields and baseball fields. The playground got rebuilt within the last year or so.”
*Recommended by a local kid!
141 N. Cleveland Park Drive, Spartanburg
Located in the middle of Spartanburg, Cleveland Park is a gem. This large park offers a nice playground, as well as a lake and walking trails. It is the perfect park to visit to have a picnic, and there are a number of picnic shelters available, as well.
1160 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs
North Spartanburg Park in Boiling Springs is also home to Miracle Park. Miracle Park is a fun and unique park with a 100% handicapped-accessible playground. The playground is designed with ramps and a rubber surface.
*Recommended by a local kid!
182 Rainbow Lake Road, Boiling Springs
Located behind a fire station and across the street from Walmart, this enclosed local park is also a fan favorite. It has a playground and a walking trail.
Boiling Springs Community Park
Boiling Springs community park is our favorite.
Blair T.
591 McMillin Boulevard, Boiling Springs
This sports complex also includes a huge fenced-in playground area. Additionally, it offers a disc golf course and a wooded trail.
Va-Du-Mar McMillian Park is always a favorite. It has one large playground and another one on the right when you first pull in. Not a lot of shade but they do have trails that are used for disc golf. I take the kids up in there. There’s also a little creek that the kids like to play in. Lots of soccer fields, and I believe tennis courts. Also has a nice bathroom, the only downfall is that it is a hike with small kids to walk.
Audrey S.
Anchor Park at Lake Bowen
8515 Highway 9, Inman
My family lived in Boiling Springs for several years. When we lived in Boiling Springs, our favorite park to visit was Anchor Park at Lake Bowen. This park offers a large fenced-in playground overlooking beautiful Lake Bowen. Additionally, it has ample amounts of shade and separate play areas for little ones and big kids. Even though we live on the westside now, we still take trips to this park.
Did your favorite Spartanburg County park make our list? Let us know which parks you recommend in the comments!
If you are looking for good hot dogs in Spartanburg, SC we have you covered! With several popular spots, we are listing our reader’s favorites. Chime in and let us know if we missed your favorite hot dog space in Spartanburg.
As a hot dog aficionado, the high number of places to get a fancy frank makes me happy. Once upon a time, I visited Old Salty Dog in Florida, a place featured on Man Vs. Food, just to try the famous hot dog. It’s “salty dog” is a hot dog dipped in a beer batter that is deep-fried and served in a bun, and it is topped with onions, mushrooms, sauerkraut, bacon, and a whole lot of cheese. Get in my belly.
(more…)Have you tried the shaved ice at Ohana’s in Duncan? We visited and loved the beachy decor, fun outdoor setting, and of course, the ice was delicious. The kids enjoyed picking some candy toppings for their icees to compliment their syrup flavor choice, creating their own custom dessert. This is one spot we’ll be back to visit again.
Sometimes, when life gets busy, it’s best to make a little time for something simply enjoyable with the people you love. That’s how we found our way to Ohana’s one afternoon. My husband had been out of town for work all week, the kids were grumping at each other, and had definitely a bit too much Minecraft for the day, so I decided it was time to try that cute shaved ice spot we’d been driving by. Their beachy set-up looked so fun, and, we needed a little break.
We probably don’t need to explain this part to you. The menu board beside the window has your flavor options and topping choices. But, do take a look at the specials posted on the window, though. You’ll find unique creations like a blueberry donut icee, strawberry cake flavor, or even a coffee-flavored shaved ice. If none of those are quite what you’re looking for, go ahead and pick your flavors and toppings.
My kids chose:
Are these combinations that sound appetizing to me, as an adult? Nope, nope, nope. I picked the boring pina colada with no toppings. And I walked away without a brightly colored blue tongue. A fact, which I was very happy about. I, however, am not a kid. And the whole point of this small excursion was simple fun, and apparently, when you’re 10, a blue tongue is just that. So, they had at it with their choices and I wasn’t going to stop them.
Ok, you’ve ordered your icee. You get to sit back and relax at the pretty teal picnic tables with bright umbrellas, or kick back in an Adirondack chair and wait for the delicious magic to happen inside that colorful little building. But wait, what’s this? Your shaved ice creations are being delivered to you on a wooden surfboard-shaped platter? How cool is that? Beach theme through and through.
Take your time, enjoy your ice, and maybe play some ladder toss, climb up in the big chair for a photo, or make some chalk art on the sidewalk. The Hawaiian music is playing, and getting back to the real world will come soon enough.
Ohana’s
128 West Main Street, Duncan
Open 12 pm to 9 pm daily
Bonus, Your Summer Day in Duncan, SC: Shipwreck Cove, the popular waterpark at Stoneledge Park, is just a minute or two from Ohana’s. Both are super popular with our readers, and Ohana’s will make a nice treat after an afternoon at the park!
Love Snow Cones and Shaved Ice? Try some more!
Downtown Spartanburg has a fantastic park, located at the Downtown Memorial Airport with two playgrounds, paved paths for bike riding, picnic shelters, and a free splash pad. The Spartanburg Airport Park is perfect for the summer heat with that splash pad, plus year-round fun on the playgrounds. Here’s everything you need to know about the Downtown Memorial Airport Park.
Are you looking for the best Spartanburg, SC nail salons? Our readers have told us about their favorite nail salons to get some nail TLC in Spartanburg, SC.
Look over the list and find your new favorite place in Spartanburg to get pampered!
(more…)Summer is getting close and I know you are wondering “Where can we find my kid’s free lunch near me?”. The upstate has programs in place to provide FREE breakfasts and lunches for kids in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Pickens Counties. So many families rely on the school system to assist with meals for their children. Local school districts are helping kids by eliminating the cost of school lunches and breakfast from parents’ worries.
This article includes:
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Greenville County Schools
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Spartanburg County Districts
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids in Pickens County Schools
For more assistance with getting food for your family, check out our guide to Finding Help in the Upstate
Are you wondering what gyms in Greenville and Spartanburg are the most family-friendly? Or maybe you’re searching “gyms with childcare near me”? Being able to access a gym with a quality daycare that your kids could check into while you are exercising, a gym with a pool, or a gym that has exercise programs for the whole family is an amazing thing to have. Here’s what other local parents in Greenville and Spartanburg recommended when we asked them where their favorite family-friendly gyms are!
This article includes:
Best Family Gyms Near Greenville, SC
Best Family-Friendly Gyms in Spartanburg, SC
More Family Fitness and Things to Do
About this list: These recommended gyms are based on recommendations from our readers. We have updated information as we are able to but we always recommend checking the websites and/or calling to get the latest information. If you know of a gym that’s kid-friendly that didn’t make our list (or have a review to add), just add a comment at the bottom of this post.
864.963.3605 | 550 Brookwood Point Place, Simpsonville
Childcare: Up to 2 hours of free child care each day and a Parents’ Night Out included with membership on the first Friday of each month (ages 2-12)
Facilities: group exercise classes, two pools, wellness equipment, and more
Children’s Fitness and Health: After School Program, Adventure Guides, Aquatics, Summer Day Camp, Dance, Overnight Camp, and more
GHS Family YMCA definitely! They are very sweet and kind to the kids. My kids love going there. They have fitness classes for them almost every day.
ErikaPrisma Health Family YMCA all the way! They have childcare, kids classes (fit kids, sports performance, dance, swim) and have summer camps and after school programs
NataliePrisma YMCA in Simpsonville is good. They have a 2 hour limit each day for child watch. If you are one who enjoys a good workout and showering before leaving,you do have to be very strategic in your arrival time. I have yet to find the sauna they advertise, but they do have a steam room. The pool is outdoors and under a dome in the winter. High winds will shut it down. The waters been 72-74 so far. All instructors have been amazing.
Kelly864.527.5948 | 424 Westfield Street, Greenville
Childcare: Child watch services are limited to 2 hours at no additional cost.
Facilities: Fitness facility, gymnasium, swimming pool, group fitness, and tennis
Children’s Fitness and Health: Family fitness classes, aquatics, and children’s fitness classes
location, location, location
JamesMultiple Upstate Locations
Childcare: up to 2 hours for children 8 weeks-14 years at no additional cost with membership; otherwise, it’s $5 per day
Facilities: Racquetball, Fitness Studios, Pickleball, Training Area, Women’s Only Fitness Area, and more
Offers: Children’s Fitness Class
Sportsclub!!!! The Five Forks one is fabulous (haven’t been to the others). The child care facility is great and they offer classes like zumba for the kids. My kids love going to the gym while I work out.
ToriMy kids love going to the childcare at Sportsclub. My 7-year-old thinks the Big Kid Room is super cool – they play games, watch movies & even have a Wii. My 3-year-old loves all the fun toys in the Little Kid Room. The staff is attentive, loving, and genuinely likes working with kids! I also recently tried Sportsclub Kids at the Congaree Road location over Christmas break. My 7-year-old had an absolute blast. They do a different activity every 45 minutes (the kids pick from 3 activities per block of time) — everything from crafts to indoor games to swimming! They even have a huge playground there specifically for Sportsclub Kids but unfortunately it was raining that day. Truthfully my child wants me to return to working a full-time job so she can go to Sportsclub Kids after school every day. Seriously…
ElizabethSportsClub. They have 3 locations, Childcare, Moms morning out, Parents Night Out, Swimming lessons, parent/child classes and SportsClub kids has some great programs.
Sarah864.292.8875 | 5000 Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors
Childcare: Free childcare for children 6 weeks to 6 years. Additional programs for children 6-12 from 4-8 pm.
Facilities: Fitness Studios, Strength Equipment, Children’s Fitness Area
864.679.9622 | 721 Cleveland Street, Greenville
Childcare: Up to 2 hours of free child care each day and a Parents’ Night Out included with membership, on a first come first serve basis.
Facilities: Cardio equipment, indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, wellness center, walking track, express fitness, strength equipment, and more
Children’s Fitness and Health: Afterschool program, aquatics and swim lessons, summer day camp, dance, Overnight Camp, and more
I love the Caine halter y. Lots of classes, access to the swamp rabbit trail and childcare is included. I will say though that I lived in simpsonville for a while and the prisma family y out there is amazing! Fantastic childcare staff!!!
RebeccaYMCA offers similar great family programming at their other Greenville locations, and we also love that membership at many of the branches comes with a free parent’s night out each month. Find all of the YMCA locations via their website, and consider an Upstate membership for access to all of the branches.
The YMCA memberships now include access to all locations with the location you attend most often designated your home location.
Whitney864.582.5050 | 2420 Andrews Road, Spartanburg
The nursery is for members’ children ages 6 weeks through 9 years (no exceptions)
Spartanburg atheltic club is the best!!❤we love the weight room. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. The daycare and workers are wonderful. They have zone training which is similar to crossfit. They have unlimited classes. The managers are awesome and genuinely care about you. The locker rooms are roomy and each have a sauna in them. There’s tons of lockers. Also for tennis lovers they have tons of courts!!
Alicia864.715.2267 | 1802 Drayton Road – Unit 110, Spartanburg
Burn Boot Camp – Spartanburg, SC hands down! Best gym I have ever been a part of. I love it and my kids love it! The childcare is the best and so clean!
WhitneyBurn Boot Camp at Drayton Mill is the place to go!!! My girls love going with me. They treat you like family. We won’t go anywhere else.
CandaceLike the Greenville YMCA locations, the Spartanburg YMCA locations also offer childcare, child/parent classes, and the ever-so-popular “Parents Night Out”. Membership prices vary, but income-based scholarships and other discounts are available. Reciprocity benefits with some memberships allow you to visit any YMCA location nationwide!
864.433.9623 | 720 Shoals Road, Duncan
Parent’s night out is offered every 3rd Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.
YMCA for our family is the best deal around. Child care. Great classes. Two locations close by. The pool!!! My big kids love the downtown location with the water slide. I love the hot tub! My almost 2 year old loves to play with his friends while I workout giving me some nice me time.
ChristaY in Duncan has mom and child yoga classes
Donita864.585.0306 | 151 Ribault Street, Spartanburg
Parent’s night out is offered every 1st Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.
Currently the YMCA is the best fit for us – a family membership provides childcare while parents work out; indoor heated swimming pools for fun and for lessons; discounts on their sports programs; and the money we save on babysitters by using Parents Night Out (date night childcare on Saturday evenings) is amazing
KristieThe YMCA on Pine Street. They have childcare, sports for kids are half off with membership, they are really nice, and my kids love the pool with splashpark.
ChristinaPine street YMCA has a great program and you can watch your child on a camera from your treadmill. Not to mention the water park that you can enjoy with your kids
Jennifer864.310.6400 | 501 Willis Road, Spartanburg
Parent’s night out is offered every 2nd Saturday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.
864.627.3900 | 2815 Woodruff Road, Greenville
Price: $22 per class / Class package deals available
Childcare: can be booked in advance
Barre3greenville has play lounge for the kids during many of their morning and afternoon classes.
Amy864.295.3687 | 9801 Anderson Road, Piedmont
Childcare: Kids have their own fitness program
Total Fitness in Powdersville is awesome. Childcare included. Christian gym and atmosphere is awesome.
local mom864.483.6388 | 215 Pelham Road, Suite B101, Lower Level, Greenville
864.609.7401 | 1618 Woodruff Road, Greenville
864.715.2267 | 1802 Drayton Road – Unit 110, Spartanburg
Total Fitness in Powdersville is awesome. Childcare included. Christian gym and atmosphere is awesome.
AlisonBurn Boot Camp – Greenville, SC has child care and enthusiastic women working out! We all cheer each other on! The only competition is with yourself. Our trainer does a great job of helping with techniques and form while celebrating your growth!
LaurenBurn Boot Camp Five Forks! I have worked out a lot of places in this is by far the best! Child care is full of friendly ladies who also workout at the gym. My kids love it ,and have made lots of friends. They also do fun family camps, outside events, etc. We are a HUGE family there, and it so welcoming!
LindsayBurn Bootcamp Five Forks! I love it and my children do. Awesome ladies in childcare and the best community of people. You won’t find better trainers or more support anywhere else.
JeniHiking is an excellent physical fitness activity you can do as a family for very little money. Check out our Hiking Guide to Upstate, SC to find some gorgeous trails to explore. We have ideas for all ages and abilities!
What is your favorite family-friendly gym in Greenville? Let us know in the comments and we might add your suggestion next time we update this post!
Looking for even more things to do in Greenville, SC? Here are 50+ Amazing Things to Do in the Upstate.
Are you looking for some fun things to do in downtown Spartanburg, SC with kids? We have compiled a list of our favorite places to go in the downtown area of Spartanburg. This list includes local kid-friendly museums, playgrounds, and even free mini-golf.
Things to Do With Kids in Downtown Spartanburg include:
Hub City Railroad Museum
Happy Hollow Playground
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate- Spartanburg
Chapman Cultural Center
Sparkle City Mini-Putt: FREE mini golf
Barnet Park
Cleveland Park
Headquarters Library
Mary Black Rail Trail
Hot Spot Skate Park
Have you visited the water park at Stoneledge Park in Duncan, SC? With a great playground and a water park, this Upstate park is a local favorite. Kidding Around has all the info you need to plan a day at Stoneledge Park and Shipwreck Cove this summer.
Stoneledge Park is a local favorite. Situated next to the town water park, it has a great playground with picnic shelters and restrooms. The park even has a delicate water feature that our family has used as a backdrop for photos.
The town of Duncan regularly utilizes this space for community events and decided to expand the park to include a recreation center, woodland trail, an outdoor amphitheater for movies, and a multipurpose field. In addition to the new features being added, they also plan to upgrade some of the existing things, including a new and improved playground surface.
The park’s new 3.500 square foot event center is ready to host your event! The rental rate is $100 per hour but includes a free hour before and after your event for set-up and break-down. The rental includes event tables and chairs, which makes this a great deal if you are looking for a venue.
Shipwreck Cove recently saw some upgrades too! Adding a bigger slide, an additional pool, and adding an area for toddlers will be added to the park’s existing features. Feedback visitors shared was listened to, and Town Administrator Cam Fant was excited to share the city’s management of the concessions. The hope in doing this is to offer a better quality selection of food for a better value to the park’s visitors. The waterpark hosts special events too.
Shipwreck Cove Opens May 27, 2023, and tickets range from $6 – $12
Local mom’s review of Shipwreck Cove in Duncan
This is an annual spring festival in Duncan that includes rides, live music, and local vendors. The festival also includes a 5K run and golf tournament that are held away from the park.
There are so many exciting things happening for this little corner of Spartanburg! If you haven’t enjoyed these parks, we encourage you to check them out!
Does your family enjoy spending time at Stoneledge Park?
The Upstate is lucky enough to have a ton of parks. Check out our Park Guide to find your next adventure!