Has your family visited the STEAM festival, iMAGINE Upstate? iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival is a free, interactive festival held annually in downtown Greenville. The 2024 iMAGINE UPstate Festival will be on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 so head to Main Street from 11 am to 5 pm. The outdoor festival is free, family-friendly, and will inspire your kids (and you) to learn about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
The festival features more than 75 interactive exhibits and stage shows along Main Street in Downtown Greenville. The festival stretches from Main Street and Court Street and ends at Main Street and River Street. Free parking is available at the Richardson Garage and W. Washington Parking Deck. Trolleys will shuttle visitors throughout the festival. Or, ride the bus with your kids (they will think it’s so cool!) You can follow the Real-Time Bus Tracker app to find out where the bus is and where to be picked up and dropped off.
Thank you to iMAGINE Upstate for sponsoring this content.
Featured Exhibits at iMAGINE Upstate 2024
There will be dozens of exhibits from local organizations and companies that are grounded in STEAM backgrounds, including BMW Manufacturing, GE, ScanSource, World Explorers, and so many more! You can find a full list of sponsors and exhibitors on the iMAGINE Upstate Festival website. Exhibitors will have unique STEAM based demonstrations, crafts, and hands-on learning opportunities that will engage both you and your children. All of the activities are free, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of thinkers, tinkerers, and brilliant minds!
Coolers, pets, skateboards, skates, and bikes will not be allowed in the festival area. This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free festival too.
Some of the fun happening at the festival
Some of the Exhibitors to Visit at iMAGINE Upstate 2024
Kyocera-AVX : How do Electronics Work?
Take a look at science and technology and their usage in electronics by observing physics and the relationship between electricity, magnetism, power storage, and more!
Dodge Industrial: Friction!
See if you can fight the friction on different surfaces. Can you dodge a windmill to get your golf ball into the hole? Ever wonder how a conveyor belt works and maintains an optimal speed? Find out at this exhibit.
NCEES: Build an Earthquake Resistant Structure
Learn about why earthquakes happen and engineer a structure to resist an earthquake.
Food Trucks at iMAGINE Upstate 2024
There will be food trucks on-site at iMAGINE Upstate, including HipBurger, Luckei D’s Cafe, The Snickering Coyote, and Clare’s Creamery. You can find everything that the festival has to offer, including additional information, on the iMAGINE Upstate interactive map. And don’t forget to visit the Info Tents to pick up your free goodie bag and brochure with site map.
About iMAGINE Upstate iMAGINE Upstate fueled by ScanSource is a program of the Upstate SC STEM Collaborative and part of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit www.iMAGINEUpstate.org and follow on Facebook and @imagineupstate on Twitter. #iMAGINEif
Ready to celebrate Holi in Greenville, SC? Locally, this springtime Hindu festival will be celebrated on March 31st, 2024 at the Vedic Center of Greenville in Mauldin. Learn about this family-friendly event where you can experience Holi in Greenville, SC.
Have you seen the Oconee Bell? Spring is the perfect time to spot this rare flower. It doesn’t bloom in very many places, but Devils Fork State Park is one of the few places you can see the Oconee Bell.
The sides of the streambed are blanketed in waxy, red-tinged leaves, small white flowers visible only upon a closer look. Had we not traveled to Devils Fork State Park specifically to see this delicate wildflower, we might have hiked right past the colonies of this rare plant.
About the Oconee Bell
The Oconee Bell is only found in a few locations in the southern Appalachian Mountains, in moist, wooded areas along the streams of Georgia, North, and South Carolina, like Jocassee Gorges. The tiny flowers are one of the first to bloom in the Upstate, and attract quite the crowd to this state park better known for summer swimming and camping.
One of the rangers said “We had a brochure in the holder by the trailhead. Usually, folks finish the trail and put them right back. Last weekend cleaned us right out, there were at least a hundred; I’m going to have to print more.” (This was on our visit last year, right about the middle of the month of March.)
The flower has a very limited range in the wild, and so the appearance of the native wildflower is cause for celebration. Every year Devils Fork SP puts on the Oconee Bell Nature Walk. If you can’t make the ranger-guided walk, you can still see the Oconee Bell blooming; the flower usually blooms from mid-March to early April, and the Oconee Bell Nature Trail takes you along a dozen colonies of this unique wildflower. The park holds Bell Fest every year as well, a festival dedicated to the rare wildflower that also has lots of great local vendors. In 2024, the date is Saturday, March 16th from 10 am – 3 pm. It’s free with park entry.
The Oconee Bell Nature Trail
The trail is an easy 1.5-mile loop that takes hikers through the oak-hickory forest, past a small pond full of American toads, and alongside the creek that is home to the elusive wildflower that gives the trail its name. In addition to the Oconee Bell, dozens of other plants and trees are identified by wooden markers, and several small cascades on the creek add to the list of attractions available year-long.
If you’re headed to Devils Fork to hike the Oconee Bell trail you just follow signs to the Ranger Station. A quick stop there for a map or restrooms, and then it’s just a matter of crossing to the other side of the parking lot to the trailhead. The parking lot is on the southeast corner of Lake Jocassee, and the scenic views of the lake, Double Springs Island, and the swimming and picnic area on the southwest shore are stunning.
Bring a picnic to eat on the lake, or upon finishing your hike circle around to Buckeye Drive where you will find picnic shelters and a playground.
In any case, make sure you practice what the Park Naturalist terms “belly botany” – to get an up-close look at the low-lying flowers you’ll have to get close to the ground. There are several locations where the colonies are right on the trail, so it’s relatively easy for all the kids (and adults) in your group to get a good look at the Bell. Remember, for your safety and the protection of the bells, please stay on the trail!
Upick tulips in the spring, and Upick pumpkins and sunflowers in the fall, count us in! Thompson Family Farms in Campobello, SC has so many opportunities to pick your own. Picking blooming flowers and pumpkins is delightful, and Thompson Family Farms is one of the only farms near the Upstate that offers u-pick tulips. 57,000 of them! What a win! We adore this farm because it is well-maintained, it is run efficiently, the view of Hogback Mountain is perfect for photos with my kids, and everything we have picked has been high quality. Tulip season is over for 2024 as of March 23rd, 2024.
*Tulip U-pick begins on Monday, March 11th, 2024 and ends March 23rd, 2024! Hours are 10 am – 6 pm, Monday – Saturday *Upick pumpkins, sunflowers, and cotton will occur in early Fall 2024.
Watch! See Tulips at Thompson Family Farm
Offered in March: U-pick Tulips at Thompson Family Farms
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.
Scenes from the tulip farm
Check out some of the beautiful scenes waiting for you at Thompson Family Farms.
Arriving at Thompson Family Farms for tulips in Campobello, SC
For 2024, you will find the u-pick tulip farm at Thompson Family Farms Campobello location! If you picked pumpkins are sunflowers in 2023, then this is the same location.
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms is open seasonally in March. The length of time the patch is open depends on the weather and bloom time, and the season is very short, but so worth it. It is stunning. Upick begins Monday, March 11th, 2024!
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. You can u-pick from 9 varieties of tulips throughout the short season. They have multiple colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, and variegated orange/red, and more.
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.
Tulips: 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 who 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 $8 per person for ages 12 and older. Children under 11 and under are free to attend. If you want to participate in u-pick, Tulips are $1 per stem. Flowers will be wrapped in a bouquet for guests at checkout. The farm does take cash, card, and Venmo.
Please follow the farm’s 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. 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 a 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 a couple of picnic tables, and plenty of grassy space to lay down a blanket. If you picnic, please pick up all trash before leaving.
It can be muddy in the fields, 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 recommended. 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.
Don’t forget water, hats, and sunscreen when you head out to pick sunflowers in the summer!
Thompson Family Farms 13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC Hours: Monday- Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
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!
Fall is Here: Sunflower Maze & Pick Your Own Pumpkins
As the fall season begins, so does the time of year to head down to the pumpkin patch to pick some pumpkins for decorating your home for fall and Halloween. Thompson Family Farms will open their pick-your-own-cut pumpkin patch in September. There will be over 10 varieties of pumpkin to choose from, which is more than I even knew existed! The farm will also have prepicked and organized pumpkins near the farm stand if you aren’t too keen on picking yours yourself.
While at the farm, you can enjoy a sunflower maze, a selection of fall crops, and lots of photo opportunities! So, grab your sunscreen and closed-toed shoes (it’s a little bumpy out there in the fields) and head on down to the pumpkin patch at the farm.
U-pick Pumpkins
Pumpkins will be priced by size and variety and will start at $7 per pumpkin. The farm will have a limited number of wagons to help lug your pumpkins to the car, but they do recommend bringing a wagon if you want to have one out in the fields.
Pumpkins in the field are precut from the vine to ensure that underripe pumpkins are not picked. Any pumpkin still on the vine is not ready to pick, so please do not pull on their stems!
There will also be prepicked pumpkins, Indian corn, corn stalks, and cotton stems for sale as they continue to ripen throughout the season.
Sunflower Maze and U-pick Flowers
While at the farm, be sure to head to the sunflower maze! The maze is 7 acres and is a great way to spend some time with your kids doing a scavenger hunt. You will find scavenger hunt papers at the front counter, which include clues to the educational maze.
After the maze, you can also pick sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos for an additional fee and have them wrapped in a bouquet at the front counter to take home.
Hours and Admission
Thompson Family Farms will be open in September 2024, through the end of October for u-pick pumpkins along with other seasonal items. Hours are 10 am – 7 pm, Thursdays – Saturdays. Admission is free!
Things to Know Before You Go U-Pick Pumpkins
The Thompson Family Farms pumpkin and sunflower fields are located at 13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC.
There is a graveled parking area right when you enter the farm to park at.
Be sure to bring sunscreen or a UV umbrella, the farm is mostly un-shaded.
Wear closed-toe shoes or boots to protect your kids and your feet from ants, sticks, etc.
The fields are pretty bumpy, so strollers are not recommended. We recommend bringing a carrier if you have smaller children, as the ground has dips and holes that are hard for little feet to navigate.
The farm does have porta potties if you need to use the restroom.
Bring water! It gets hot out there in the fields.
There are honeybees enjoying some of the flowers, so be careful when picking your flowers to avoid getting stung.
If you love sunflowers (it is hard not to) then Thompson Family Farms has a U-pick experience for you! You can mosey through fields of gorgeous sunflowers, and even pick a few to take home.
The U-pick sunflower fields are located in Campobello, SC, right past the Greenville County line into Spartanburg County off of Highway 11. The patch is huge, and overlooks Hogback Mountain, making for spectacular views. There are also several varieties, so you can create an array of yellows and orange colors for your bouquet!
Sunflower maze
In addition to the sunflower fields, there are places for photo opportunities, a kid-sized sunflower maze, and picnic tables to enjoy the view. The sunflower maze is unique in that you will not find another one in the Upstate. It is so much fun walking through the flowers and seeing the honeybees at work! There are flowers of various sizes, shapes, and oozing oils that smell delicious. It does get hot in the midday while crushing through the maze, so bring water and wear hats.
The sunflower fields at Thompson Family Farms
Sunflower Photo Ops: More Than Just the Flowers!
There is not much needed to get some amazing photos, but Thompson Family Farms has created some special areas to get those Pinterest-worthy shots. There is a pallet-style photo backdrop surrounded by sunflowers, a fun “face in the hole” sunflower wall, and even some adorable bamboo bean pole teepees near the entrance that make for some adorable photos.
There are also rows and rows of blooming sunflowers to use as the backdrop of your photos. The farm is offering daytime and evening hours (on Friday and Saturday) and even has sessions available for professional photographers.
Thompson Family Farms, Campobello, SC
Hours and Pricing for U-pick Sunflowers
Thompson Family Farms will open for u-pick sunflowers in Fall 2024. For updates, including weather changes and sell-out date, check out the Thompson Family Farms Facebook page.
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. They will have sunset hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm – 9 pm. The farm will be open on July 4th for their regular day hours.
Prices: Admission is $6 per person, but ages 12 and younger are free. U-pick sunflowers are $1 per stem.
Ready to get outside and enjoy spring? Backyard gardening with kids is something the whole family can do together, plus, it can provide delicious food for your table! Springtime vegetables are some of the easiest and most low-maintenance vegetables to grow. You don’t need many supplies at all to get started and you can order what you need and have it delivered straight to your door or order ahead and pick it up. Here are the vegetables you can start growing this time of year and how to get started!
Are you hoping to do a little flower picking at one of the local U-pick flower farms? Spring has sprung with rows and rows of beautiful blooms at flower farms near Greenville, SC, and in Western North Carolina. These are the U-Pick flower farms that will welcome you and your kids to a feast of color, and an opportunity to pick your own gorgeous blooms.
Thompson Family Farms: Tulips and Sunflower Picking
13830 SC-11, Campobello, SC Season: Early spring for tulips, fall for sunflowers Thompson Family Farms offers cut-your-own tulips in their flower fields beginning March 11th, 2024. The tulip season is short, so make sure you visit early! The cost is $8 per person 12 and older (children under 12 are free), and stems are $1 per stem. U-pick sunflowers are in fall for 2024 along with their u-pick pumpkins, zinnias, corn, and cotton! Follow the Thompson Family Farms Facebook page for updates.
3456 Harris Bridge Road, Woodruff, SC Season: Early spring Dirt & Grit offers u-pick tulips and daffodils at their family farm in Woodruff, SC. Their tulip fields open to the public starting on March 8th, 2024, and go until sold out (a couple of weeks at best). The cost is $25 per person 10 and up, which includes 10 stems. General admission begins March 10th, 2024; $8 per person 10 and up, flowers $1/stem with general admission. For up-to-date info follow Dirt & Grit Flower Farm on Facebook.
170 Stepp Orchard Drive Hendersonville, NC Season: Opening March 22, 2024 Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is open in March for u-pick tulips. Be sure to follow Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard so you do not miss up-to-date info.
Watch! Picking Tulips at Stepp’s Orchards
Alexander’s U-Pick
385 Waterfall Drive, Mountville, SC Season: Early spring for tulips Alexander’s U-Pick is offering u-pick tulips for the first time in 2024. The tulips are $2/stem. Their operating hours vary so follow them on Facebook for the latest information.
Callaham Orchards
559 Crawford Road, Belton, SC Season: Early spring for tulips Callaham Orchards may be known to our readers for their strawberries but they’ve also added in tulips! They do not have set hours or days so you need to follow them on Facebook to see when they have tulips available for picking. They offered them initially at $10/10 tulips + vase or $8/10 tulips if you bring your own vase.
Grandad’s Apples N Such: Pick your own lavender
2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC Season: Late May, Early June Grandad’s will offer u-pick lavender beginning May 24th, 2024. There will also be new summer bakery items, fresh produce, and in-season fruit to purchase. The farm will be open from 9 am – 4 pm, Thursday – Sunday until June 30th, 2024. The farm will reopen again in the fall for apple season.
Never Ending Flower Farm: A HUGE variety of U-Pick flowers
152 Tom Harris Trail, Barnardsville NC Season: spring, summer and early fall Open for the season in mid-May 2024, Never Ending Flower Farm offers a wide variety of flowers for picking from May through September. You can see the full list on the Never Ending Flower Farm website, but in May look for varieties like poppies, snapdragons, and yarrow. As summer progresses you’ll find varieties like marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, dahlias, and more.
141 North Campbell Road, Landrum, SC Season: 2024 dates are Tuesday, June 4 – Sunday, June 9, 2024, Tuesday, June 11 – Sunday, June 16, 2024, Tuesday, June 18 – Sunday, June 23, 2024, Tuesday, June 25 – Sunday, June 30, 2024.
The U-pick lavender season at Elf Leaf Farm is quite short, so be sure you watch their website and Facebook pages for up-to-date information. It is typically late spring into early summer. In addition to UPick lavender, the farm also offers a large variety of lavender products like soaps, teas, baked treats, and more.
4638 Midway Road, Williamston, SC Season: late May through early July Twin Creeks Lavender Farm expects to open 2024 for U-pick lavender in late May. While at the farm you can enjoy the fields, picnic, and browse items in the barn shop. Cut your own lavender bundles will be measured and banded at checkout and prices around $5-$15.
Sassafras Flower Farm: Evening U-Pick flower events like no other
255 Alex Drive, Easley, SC Season: All summer Sassafras Flower is open seasonally for Upick flowers on specific dates. The 2024 schedule has not been released, but we are looking forward to it! You can find additional information on the Sassafras Flowers events website.
Sassafras Flower Farm also hosts relaxed open field and farm stand days, children’s events, flower-arranging workshops, and more. Here are all the Sassafras Flower Farm Events.
158 Chambers Farm Ln Canton, NC Season: All summer Ten Acre Farm offers U-Pick flowers, as well as a vegetable CSA, fall events, and more. Follow them on Facebook for flower availability and upcoming events.
145 Chapman Grove Road, Pelzer, SC Not a U-Pick farm, but this farm has a flower CSA! You can join the flower CSA and keep fresh flower bouquets decorating your home all season long. They have several options in their Flower Club Membership for bouquets throughout the season, starting at $180.
1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC Season: Late summer (Opens in July for Upick Zinnias, Dahlias, Poppies, Cosmos, Blackberries, and Blueberries) In addition to apples, of course, Jeter Mountain Farm also offers UPick zinnias in July and sunflowers in early August. So, you can pick your flowers, get apples, and enjoy a coffee on the farm, in one fabulous day trip. Don’t miss their fun (free) indoor play area!
204 Bates Bridge Road, Marietta, SC Season: Late summer Beechwood Farms is known for strawberry picking, but they also offer U-Pick sunflowers in late July/early August. They will have u-pick sunflowers beginning in June. The cost is around $20 per car to drive up to Sunflower Hill. The price includes 2 U-pick sunflowers, use of the picnic area, and you can stay as long as you want until 5 pm. Additional sunflowers are $2 per stem. Follow their Facebook page for additional updates.
1515 Denver Road, Anderson, SC Season: Late June and Early July In addition to the huge amount of fall fun Denver Downs offers guests with its corn maze, slides, kids’ activities, jumping pillow, and more, they also offer u-pick sunflowers as part of their South Carolina Sunflower Festival in late June and early July.
150 Bradley Road, Anderson Season: Summer- sunflowers You can usually pick sunflowers at the Good for the Soul Sunflower Festival. Learn more on the Sol Flowers of Anderson, SC Facebook page.
Nix Pumpkin Patch: Dahlias and Zinnias in Fall
3726 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC Season: Fall Check Nix Pumpkin Patch for U-Pick flowers in the fall along with their wonderful pumpkin patch. In 2023 they offered colorful zinnias and dahlias.
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.
Have you visited the Carl Sandburg home in North Carolina? We love the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site for many reasons – great hikes, gorgeous views, and adorable goats you can pet and play with – but there is so much more to do at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site in Flat Rock, NC. The Carl Sandburg home, Connemara, is less than an hour away from Greenville, so visiting makes for a perfect day trip. Tours of the historic home and access to the pasture, barn, and trails are currently free!
Connemara, home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Carl Sandburg, is located in the charming town of Flat Rock, North Carolina. It’s an easy drive across a beautiful mountain, just below Hendersonville, NC. Once you arrive, you will find several trails branching from the National Park Service parking lot, including the contact station, Front Lake (restrooms and brochures), Front Lake Loop, and the wide main road that heads up towards Connemara.
One of the wonderful things about being so close to Connemara is that you can read Sandburg’s children’s book The Huckabuck Family one morning and then get in the car that afternoon to see where the book’s author wrote and explored and ate and laughed and walked.
Tours of Carl Sandburg’s Home
Poet Carl Sandburg and his family lived at Connemara from 1945 until his death in 1967. Currently visits to the farm, grounds, and House tours are available Wednesday-Sunday. Tour tickets for adults are $10 each and tickets for kids 15 and younger are $1. House tours are free in 2024 on January 6th, March 23rd, June 15th, and October 19th-20th.It is highly recommended to make reservations for house tours, as tour capacity is 10 people and fill up quickly.
The house has been left exactly as it was when Sandburg passed away in 1967. The rooms of the home are teeming with books that Sandburg touched, read and studied. The view from this house elicits a smile just thinking about the poet sitting in his chair on the rocks being inspired by the same image. The Sandburg’s had over 17,000 volumes of books. The man liked to read. Inside the basement of Sandburg’s home is a sweet little gift shop and a room for viewing a video about the writer’s life. During the year there are several events scheduled that are engaging, educational, and fun!
Visiting with Goats at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site
As you head past the lake, up towards the house on the gravel road, and past some of the older historic structures, you’ll eventually end up at the dairy barn. This is where the goats live. The property continues to be a working goat farm to this day. Gentle, adorable, loving goats. Goats that love kids petting and touching and hugging them. The goats are actually descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s own prize-winning goat herd.
The barnyard is also home to chickens and giant shady trees and rock walls and green fields. Excellent for a picnic. During April and May the barnyard is full of babies, so when visiting in Spring be ready to hear lots of awes from your kids.
The goat farm is unique in that visitors can walk in the pasture with the goats (and in the enclosure with the kids!) as well as explore the barn, not only meeting the goats, but petting them and watching them feed and interact. The hours of access to the barn and goat pasture will be daily from 10 am – 3 pm and is free. The entire park is open from sunrise to sunset.
Reading to a Goat During National Literacy Month
September is National Literacy Month and March is National Reading Month. Both fit nicely with the theme of the entire park given Sandburg’s choice of career. So to honor the heritage of the park and give guests a pretty good reason to come there, the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site invites visitors to grab a book and read to a goat (or several).
You can bring your own book, although I don’t recommend it for one very important reason, which I will get to in a second. They also have books in a red wagon right outside the gates to the barn that you can borrow and bring into the pasture to read to the goats. We found a couple of great books that both my kids really enjoyed. The goats did, too.
Once you pick out your book, you can go see the goats. All the goats you’ll interact with are females and they are really sweet and curious and have no idea about personal space. The very first time I ever went to see the goats was when my kids were super little, they were terrified because the goats are pretty big if you’re a little kid. Now my kids, ages 10 and 7, love the goats and enjoy petting them and this time, reading to them.
So reading to goats is not an easy task. We really tried. One of the goats ripped out a page and started eating it, which we grabbed back because you know, they have special diets, which don’t include books. This is why you may not want to bring your own book. We ended up sitting with a few goats who may or may not have been sleeping and reading the books. I had a book of Sandburg’s poetry, which was wonderful to read while at his home.
My oldest daughter found a nice, docile goat with a white coat who seemed to be totally enthralled with being read to. It was very cute to watch.
We spent about an hour with the goats and our attempts at reading books. We had a blast and reading was such a bonus because books are pretty popular at my house and we all enjoy it.
But reading to goats? A whole level of awesomeness.
Hiking the Carl Sandburg Home National Site Trails
In addition to the home and the barns, which are plenty to fill an afternoon, there are hiking trails on the property that are family-friendly and quite rewarding. You can also take the rambling walk back to your car and trek around the beautiful fishpond. It’s a great path to wear your children out with good, honest exercise so they can nap on your drive back across the mountain to Greenville.
If you are up for a challenge, you can take the Memminger Trail Loop and the big Glassy Mountain Trail up to the Glassy Mountain overlook. It is 1.25 miles, but the 523-foot increase in elevation makes this a more challenging hike. Although there are several other options for reaching Glassy Mountain from the parking lot, they are all about the same length with the same workout.
The exposed rock makes for interesting plant communities in the various seeps, and the overlook is the only spot in the park with a view of the mountains. Round trip, this strenuous hike takes around 4.5 miles.
Kids Track Trails at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site
You might notice a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail kiosk at the entrance. The Kids in Parks network is a family-friendly collection of outdoor adventures called TRACK Trails. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided brochures and signs that can enhance your outdoor experience, and you can earn prizes for tracking your adventures.
Wear closed-toed shoes because you’ll be going in a field, which has lots of grass, some mud, goat poop, and other things you don’t want on your feet.
Bring water. The hike up to the goat barn isn’t long, a bit over a quarter mile, but it is somewhat steep. There are water fountains to refill your bottle, and you can also purchase small snacks and water bottles from the bookstore. Please recycle your bottles!
There is no charge to visit the historic site, hike the trails, or go to the goat barn.
House tours recommend a prebooked registration, and only 8 people are allowed per tour. Tours are currently free!
Backpacks and large bags are not allowed on the tour, so plan accordingly.
Strollers and backpack child carriers are not allowed on the home tours, but soft-front carriers are allowed for babies and toddlers.
The hours of access to the barn and dairy goat pasture are every day from 10 am – 3 pm. The entire park is open from sunrise to sunset.
The pedestrian bridge from the parking lot to the main entrance is currently closed. In order to access the park you’ll walk from the parking area .4 miles around the lake and another 1/3 mile up a steep grade. If you require accessibility assistance, please call 828.707.8125 when you arrive.
Visitor Center/Park Store is open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. This is where you can pick up Junior Ranger program packets, get information for your visit, purchase books, and more.
Directions to the Carl Sandburg Home
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site 81 Carl Sandburg Lane Flat Rock, NC 28731
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 18th to March 22nd, 2024. 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.
Are you looking for Spring Break Camps in Greenville or Spartanburg, SC for your kids? Greenville County Schools’ spring break is March 18-22, 2024. Spartanburg County districts will have their spring break April 1-5, 2024. Greenville and Spartanburg parents have their choice of a few local venues offering spring camps over the school break
See our spring break camp list below and be sure to let us know if we missed one.
Working parents need somewhere fun for their kids to go over the spring break school holiday.
Other parents want to take advantage of the extra time for fun by enrolling their kids in special camps that only happen over spring break. Either way, there are several exciting spring break camps in Greenville and Spartanburg.
Looking for more things to do over spring break in Greenville? Here’s our guide to Greenville’s Spring Break with tons of things to do, day trips, and places to travel.
March 19, 2024, Pot of Gold: 9 am – Noon for ages 4-10 March 20, 2024, Emoji Camp: 9 am – Noon for ages 5-10 March 21, 2024, Stuffies Camp: 9 am – Noon for ages 5-10
Campers will enjoy activities, crafts, and more while learning about all things spring— plant life cycles, pollination, flowers, and more! Each camp day is infused with STEAM-based learning and museum exploration. Ages are K5-5th grade, 9 am-12 pm.
Camp Themes Include: March 18, 2024, Sow & Grow March 19, 2024, H2 Whoa! March 20, 2024, Sunny Side Up March 21, 2024, Flower Power March 22, 2024, Busy Bees
March 18-22, 2024 – Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm $43 per day for members, $48 per day for non-members, Book per day
Have fun and train with CESA, the largest soccer club in the Upstate. All camps take place at the MeSA Soccer Complex and are for both boys and girls ages 6-13 years old. They don’t need to play for CESA teams to go to the camp.
March 18-22, 2024 – Monday – Friday either half-day (9 am – Noon) or full day (9 am – 3 pm) $165 for half-day and $260 for full day
Join Sassy Stables for a three-day horse camp. Camp is for ages 6 and older, and camp will focus on the basics of horse care, including general riding instruction, grooming and care, breeds and anatomy, saddling and equipment, feeding and handling, horseback games and crafts, live demonstrations from professionals and so much more! Registration will include a tshirt and entry to the end of camp conclusion “fun show”. Parents can register for March Break (Greenville County) or April Break (Spartanburg County) AM camp (8-11 AM) or the PM camp (12-3 PM).
March 18th – 20th, 2024 (Greenville Break Camp) from 8 – 11 am or 12 pm – 3 pm for ages 6 and up. April 1st – 3rd, 2024 ( Spartanburg Break Camp) from 8 – 11 am or 12 pm – 3 pm for ages 6 and up.
Cost is $225 per child before March 1st and $250 per child after March 1st.
This horse farm in Simpsonville is offering Spring Break camp for ages 6-16 that includes riding lessons, stable care, and arts and crafts. Riders must bring a bagged lunch and change of clothes and wear long pants and shoes with a smooth sole like heeled boots.
March 18-21, 2024 – Monday – Thursday from 10 am – 2 pm $285/person with a $85 deposit required to hold your child spot.
March 20 – 24, 2024, 8-hour full-day camp Full-day camp. Weekly rates and daily rates available ranging from $85 per day to $250 per week.
Spring Break Camps in Spartanburg, SC
Are you looking for a Spartanburg spring break camp for your kids? Spring break for Spartanburg school districts is April 1st-5th, 2024. See our spring break camp list below and let us know if we missed one!
Offers full-day spring break camp for children 5 – 14 years old. The camp will be at the Middle Tyger and Willis Road brances. Registration closes March 29th, 2024.
April 1-5, 2024- Monday through Friday 7 am – 6 pm. $130 per child for YMCA members | $200 for non-members
