Are you looking for the perfect way to keep those kids busy during Spring Break? Greenville has so much to do, you’ll never be bored! Spring Break for public schools in Greenville County is from March 17th to March 24th, 2023. We have a list of things to do over Spring Break including day trips and great places to visit.
This list focuses on things to do that are appropriate for families with school-age children, so while there will still be activities listed that are appropriate for smaller kids, we didn’t include activities that are only for toddlers or preschoolers. The best place to find those activities is our Greenville calendar.
Looking for more about spring break in Greenville? Go to our Ultimate Guide to Spring Break in Greenville for things to do, budget-friendly ideas, local travel, and more.
Searching for cheap things to do over spring break? Spring Break fun doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of things to do to in the Greenville area and at home that will quickly fill up the downtime during the break and even better, don’t require a ton of energy or planning. Spring Break for Greenville County Schools is March 20th – 24th, 2023, so making your plans with these inexpensive ideas will make it full of memories and fun! Read on to discover ten cheap things to do in Greenville this spring break.
Looking for more about spring break in Greenville? Go to our Ultimate Guide to Spring Break in Greenville, SC for things to do, local travel, and more.
With spring break around the corner, Kidding Around Greenville gives you a list of fun day trips not too far from home. To make room for some unpredictable weather, we have separated the list of spring day trips into two main categories: indoor and outdoor.
To help in your trip planning, we have also listed a summary of driving times in the end. Before going, just be mindful of operation hours. Lastly, don’t forget to take photos and tag us on social media! For more Day Trip ideas see our Day Trips Near Greenville page.
Have you always wanted to pick fresh tulips from a flower field? Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC will let you live that dream at The Flower Patch, their u-pick tulip farm! Picking blooming tulips is delightful, and Thompson Family Farms is one of the only farms near the Upstate that offers this unique experience.
The small family farm’s tulip field opens March 10, 2023 through March 18, 2023 [UPDATE: THEY SOLD OUT ON MARCH 16, 2023] for their u-pick tulip season. Thompson Family Farms also plans to have u-pick sunflowers in the mid-summer, so be sure to check back in for more information.
As some of the first pops of color to emerge from the ground, tulips are a welcome sign that spring is here. Fresh-picked tulips make excellent gifts, centerpieces, and decor. Plus, it is so much fun going out to a u-pick patch and selecting the flowers yourself. It’s pretty joyful.
Let Thompson Family Farm add some delight to your home by picking your own bouquet! You can even rent the space for private photography sessions, enjoy a picnic during your visit, and take tons of adorable photos.
A special thank you to Thompson Family Farms for having us visit for this review!
Looking to make a day trip out of your adventure? Check out Campbells Covered Bridge located just a few miles’ drive of the Thompson Family Farms. You can also find other fabulous things to do in our discovery guide to Landrum, SC!
Scenes from the tulip farm
Check out some of the beautiful scenes waiting for you at Thompson Family Farms.
Arriving at Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC
Located just 25 minutes from Greer, you will find Thompson Family Farms in Landrum at the base of Hogback Mountain. The Flower Patch can easily be found by following the signs off of Arledge Road. You can park in the gravel area, and head down to the tented shelter. The fields are not hard to miss, as they are busting with color from the blooms. Down at the welcome tent you will be greeted and shown baskets, buckets, and scissors to use for picking your tulips.
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm beginning on March 10, 2023. The length of time the patch is open is depending on weather and bloom time, and the season is very short!
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms, SC
U-Pick Tulips in The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms
Tulips are synonymous with the cool, breezy weather of early Spring. This is Thompson Family Farms first year opening The Flower Patch, and they went all out with over 30,000 tulip bulbs planted. You can u-pick from 9 varieties of tulips. They have multiple colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, and variegated orange/red, and more.
The tulips will be in bloom at different times throughout the month of March, so you will be able to find tulips just about to open their blooms or ones that are in full bloom.
Be sure to stay on the paths when walking through the flowers. In addition, if you cut the flower, you buy it. Be sure it is the flower you want before taking your scissors to the stem.
The Thompsons recommend cutting the flower at the length that you want, and we found cutting low on the stem to be best for us. Most importantly, make sure to not dig or stomp on the bulbs, as they will be left in the ground to bloom again next year!
Once you have all of the tulips you would like, you can head back to the tent to have them wrapped in bouquets. If you plan to pick a large number of tulips, I recommend bringing something sturdy like a box to take them home in, so they are safe from damage.
Photo Opportunities at The Flower Patch
Other than the obvious photos of you and your children amongst the flowers, The Flower Patch also has two lovely photography setups on the property. If you head to the far ends of the fields you will find a red tractor set up with a rustic farm vibe of window panes and flower buckets that make for some adorable photos!
There is also a pallet-style backdrop with a chair and blooming flowers to take pictures with. The property itself is situated in a field that is surrounded by trees, so there are many opportunities to get that perfect spring picture.
Photographers that are interested in renting the space can contact Thompson Family Farms directly through their sign-up link to book private sessions. There are a limited number of sessions available due to the short season for tulips. Private sessions occur from 5 pm until sundown.
Price of Admission and U-Pick Tulips
Admission is $5 per person for ages 12 and older. Children under 12 are free to attend. If you want to participate in u-pick, Tulips are $1 per stem. The farm does take cash, card, and Venmo.
It is important to protect the tulips and their bulbs, so please do not stomp or dig up the bulbs. Also, follow the farms guidance for cutting and watch your step to ensure that the other tulips are safe for other people to enjoy their u-pick experience.
Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh
Sara Thompson, the owner of The Flower Patch, recommends making a fresh cut before putting your flowers in their water vase once you arrive home. You should then display your flowers out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will cause the flowers to open up more quickly. She also mentioned the fascinating fact that tulip stems continue to grow once placed in water, so they may appear to be longer after a few days in the vase. Be sure to change out your water regularly to elongate your bloom time. And most importantly, enjoy!
Tulips at Thompson Family Farm, SC
Key Things to Know Before Visiting Thompson Family Farms
There are no dogs allowed at The Flower Patch.
There is only one porta potty for emergencies, so be sure to take a potty break before arriving.
You can pack a picnic and enjoy the view. There are two picnic tables located by the creek, and plenty of grassy space to lay down a blanket. If you picnic, please pick up all trash before leaving.
It can be muddy on the u-pick tulip field, so wear appropriate shoes.
The farm is accessible but is bumpy because of the gravel parking lot. If you plan to bring a stroller, ones with wheels made for rough terrain are highly recommend. A soft body carrier for baby may be easier.
Reservations are not required. However, you should follow the Thompson Family Farms’ Facebook for updates and information before heading to the farm.
The u-pick tulip fields are open in light rain but be prepared for mud in that scenario.
Thompson Family Farms 328 Arledge Road, Landrum Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Are you ready for spring? Find all the wonderful things to do in our Ultimate Guide to Spring. You can hang out with baby animals, visit gardens in bloom, and explore spring festivals throughout the Upstate!
More Fun Things to Do in Landrum, SC
Explore This 110 Year-Old Covered Bridge: Campbell’s Covered Bridge
U-Pick Tulips at Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC!
Stone Soup Market & Cafe in Landrum, SC
Discover Fabulous Food and Things to Do When You Spend the Day in Landrum, SC
Planning your family’s vacation but want to stay nearby? All places listed are within driving distance and those that we here at Kidding Around have been to personally.
If we missed your favorite place, add it in the comments!
Want to stay really close to home? With gas costs going up, a road trip might not be on the menu this spring break. If that sounds like you, you can still get away. Try this list of Spring Break trips within 90 minutes for Greenville, SC.
While the beach is a good option for family fun in the Lowcountry, there is so much more to do than play in the sand. I’ve taken my kids and whole family to this area for the last several years and we always have an awesome time.
What to do: Dolphin and mermaid tours, kazoo factory tours, kayak or stand-up paddleboard trips, free aquarium, mini-golf, bike rides, pirate ship adventures, beaches. Here’s a list of HHI activities and here’s a list for things to do in the Port Royal/Beaufort. Where to stay: We’ve loved this VRBO: Hilton Head Drive time: 4 hours
This is truly a special place that invites relaxation and time to recharge. It’s quiet and private and peaceful.
What to do: Biking, kayaking, restful excursions to the beach, and nature walks. If your rental includes resort amenities, you will also have access to public pools, an activity center with children’s programs, golf, and tennis courts. Where to stay: VRBO has several condo options, like this Fripp Island Ocean View Villa. Drive time: 4 hours
Right in the middle of the Georgia mountains is the state’s third most-visited town, Helen. With tubing in the summer, Oktoberfest in the fall, and hiking all year round, this cute town is the perfect place to unwind with your family.
What to do: Hiking, family activities at Unicoi State Park like archery, fishing, and zip lining, eating authentic German cuisine, Hardman Farm. Where to stay: A barrel cabin at Unicoi State Park. Drive time: 2 hours
Stay in a treehouse and ride the world’s longest zip line! You can also do smaller zip line courses, go hiking, or ride in a Spider ATV.
What to do: Lots of outdoor adventures like zip lining and spider ATVs Where to stay: Right at Historic Banning Mills. They have fantastic treehouses and other accommodations. Drive time: 3 hours
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination with the perfect mix of southern charm and amenities, this is it.
Things to do: Horseback riding, Trackrock Petroglyphs, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm, Meeks Park. Where to stay:Shady Rest, The Ridges Resort & Marina. Drive time: 3 hours
The town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee rests outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and is just beautiful. It’s filled with a seemingly endless amount of entertainment like a fun dinner
You really can’t go wrong heading to Asheville for any reason at any time of the year. You can stay near the mountain town and enjoy restaurants or head over to Pisgah Forest where waterfalls and hiking trails abound.
My family has vacationed here several times and just loved it. If you rent a VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort, you’ll have a kitchen, which can save a lot of money when it comes to cooking your own meals vs. eating out. And you can buy an amenities pass, which gets you into the indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub plus gym and mini-golf.
What to do: Use the cheap amenities pass at the resort for pool time, or head out to hiking nearby trails to beautiful waterfalls and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway (all free!). Where to stay: Check AirBnB or VRBO for the Sapphire Valley Resort or Lake Glenville Drive time: 1.5 hours
Stay in either a decommissioned caboose or luxury cabin with a hot tub and game room – all on a buffalo ranch.
What to do: Enjoy the beautiful property and watch the buffalo roam, check out the model train room, play in the game room, hike the trails around the ranch. Or go to nearby towns to explore, hike, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, chase some waterfalls Drive time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
For a vacation where you rarely have to leave the hotel, Great Wolf Lodge right outside of Charlotte is a great option. Inside the hotel, you will also find multiple dining options in a range of prices and styles.
What to do: Included with your hotel stay is admission to the giant indoor water park and free family activities. In addition to the included activities, you can purchase either bundled at a discount or a la carte passes to additional activities such as MagiQuest and ShadowQuest, mini-golf, ropes course, bowling, arcades, and more. Drive time: 2.5 hours
Melanie, a former Sarasota resident, who now lives in Greenville and writes for Kidding Around, put together this huge guide of fun things to do in the Sarasota area – and there’s a lot!
What to do: Ringling Museum, kayaking, beach, Bird Key Park, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Myakka River State Park, Nathan Benderson Park, Island Park, Mote Marine Aquarium, Tube Dudes. Where to stay: This VRBO Near Siesta Key with private pool Drive time: 9.5 hours
St. Augustine is a great central city to some super cool activities like checking out mantees at Blue Springs, exploring alligator farms and historic forts, or heading into Orlando.
The outlier on our list but still worth the trip is LEGOLAND near Orlando, FL. The amusement park has rides, interactive games, special events, and even a hotel on the property. They also have a virtual reality roller coaster and a water park that’s open from March through October.
Planning your family’s spring break? Spring break for Greenville County Schools is March 20th through the 24th, 2023. Spartanburg County School Districts have their spring break from April 3rd through the 7th, 2023. Whether you are staying in Greenville or desire to travel for a little family vacation, KAG has the information you need. From budget-friendly ideas, to spring break camps, and nearby vacation rentals, our spring break content has you covered.
Looking for something that’s not here? Let us know in the comments so we can grow this guide!
Spring Break is the perfect time to have some fun and explore Spartanburg. We’ve rounded up over 100 family-friendly things to do in Spartanburg this spring break. Spring Break for Spartanburg school districts is April 3-7, 2023. With this list, your kids will have no reason to say they are bored!
The lazy days of summer are right around the corner. That means lots of time at the neighborhood pool, heading to the beach, or checking out local swimming holes. But as a parent, the fun times around water are a little more stressful because accidents in the water are more common than need to be.
This post is sponsored by YMCA of Greenville.
Every year during warmer months, we hear tragic stories about accidental drownings involving children. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1-14, but formal swimming lessons can reduce that risk by 88%. The YMCA of Greenville is committed to reducing the rates of drowning by providing water safety and swimming lessons to as many members of our community as possible.
With that commitment in mind, the YMCA of Greenville has partnered with Upstate Pool Management and Clarity Pool Management to offer a week of free water safety classes over spring break to help kids learn to swim and be more comfortable in the water. Water Safety Week, which runs April 13-17, 2020, also teaches parents what to do to prevent drowning accidents and how to keep a careful eye on the little ones around water.
Trained and certified instructors teach participants basic comfort and survival swimming skills while working toward building confidence around water. While lessons focus on safety, they are also a great time for children to have fun and be active.
Classes will be held at:
Caine Halter Family YMCA in downtown Greenville
Eastside Family YMCA in Taylors
YPC Program Center in Simpsonville
Morning and afternoon sessions are available, but spaces are limited for the free classes so be sure to register online. You don’t even have to be a member of the YMCA.
Did you know Spartanburg is close to several destinations that are perfect for a family vacation? You can drive to all these locations in 8 hours or less saving the price of airline tickets. Keep reading to find out which places are less than a day’s drive from Spartanburg.
