Categories
In This Post
Hang Out at the Park
Get Moving on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
Look for the Mice on Main
Do Some Summer Reading
Check Out Local Art
Want Even More Ideas?
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Spring is here, summer will be here before we know it, and school breaks are already circled on family calendars around the Upstate. The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot to have a lot of fun. If you’re a parent, you’re probably starting to plan activities to keep your kiddos entertained during the warmer months — and we’ve got some suggestions your whole family will love.
Hang Out at the Park
Greenville is home to beautiful city parks, many of which feature family-friendly walking paths, playgrounds, and more. Here are a few of our favorites:
Cleveland Park
Just minutes from downtown Greenville, Cleveland Park spans over 100 acres and gives families the chance to enjoy everything from volleyball and pickleball courts to playgrounds and the Greenville Zoo.
Cleveland Park is also home to Brook’s Playground, Greenville’s first fully inclusive playground. This delightful play area features plenty of shade, a safety fence, and play equipment suitable for a range of abilities.
Falls Park
Falls Park is an iconic Greenville spot. Take your family on a stroll over the 345-foot Liberty Bridge and be sure to stop long enough to enjoy a spectacular view of the Reedy River Falls set against the backdrop of the downtown skyline. From May through July, you can watch free Shakespeare productions put on by Greenville’s local Warehouse Theatre.
Bonus: Each year on the first Saturday of May, Falls Park hosts the Reedy River Duck Derby. During this charitable fundraising event, thousands of rubber duckies (sponsored by residents of Greenville) are released in the river and race to the finish line to win prizes. While entering a duck in the derby costs $10, you’re welcome to watch the fun-filled spectacle for free.
Unity Park
Unity Park is one of Upstate SC’s newest attractions. With incredible playgrounds, a splash pad (open from May to October), and the climbable 10-story Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower, this is an excellent spot to spend family time on warm and sunny days.
Fun Fact: Spero sponsored the Mary F. Duckett Plaza at the center of Unity Park.
Get Moving on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
Need a fun way to help your kids burn off energy? Walk, run, bike, or even rollerblade with them on the 28-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail. It’s the perfect way to get some good exercise while enjoying the natural beauty that winds right through the heart of the city. (Bonus: The trail’s pet-friendly, too, so your furry friends can tag along on their leashes.)
Look for the Mice on Main
Finding the Mice on Main is a Greenville tradition. This walkable scavenger hunt, inspired by the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon, invites you to find nine small bronze mouse figures spaced throughout downtown between the Hyatt and the Westin.
Pro Tip: Use these clues if you’re stumped.
Do Some Summer Reading
Reading challenges are a time-honored summertime tradition, and the Greenville library system hosts one each year. Registration typically opens around May, and kids of all ages can earn prizes just by reading books.
Even if you don’t want to take part in the reading challenge, the library is a great spot to grab some books to enjoy on your back porch, skim between innings of your kids’ baseball games, or take with you on vacation.
Check Out Local Art
There is so much beautiful public art in Greenville, and the best part is that families can see it all for free. The city has even put together an interactive map that you can use to plan a walking tour.
For even more art scene fun, the City of Greenville hosts Artisphere, an annual springtime festival that celebrates local art and artists in downtown. Strolling through the various displays and exhibits is a wonderful way to learn more about Greenville’s art scene, see some incredible artwork, and enjoy a full day of fun activities.
Whatever you choose to do, here’s to a spring and summer full of adventures, memories, and maybe even a rubber duck or two.
Want Even More Ideas?
There are several local calendars online, including Kidding Around Greenville, that post regular updates on upcoming family-friendly events in the Upstate.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
