CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY gem, the Spartanburg Science Center features 23 interactive exhibits with live animals, robotics, virtual reality and fossils. Then fill up at Cribbs Kitchen , offering a kid-approved menu with burgers and Southern-style dishes like pimento mac and cheese. PENDLETON At The Clemson Little Theatre , discover family-friendly shows that entertain and inspire, with beloved holiday productions, classic literature-turned-plays and Disney musicals. CLEMSON At Lake Hartwell , rent your choice of watercraft and enjoy a day on the water, whether you’re kayaking, jet skiing, sailing or fishing. Or get a thrill navigating one of the inflatable obstacle courses. After a day in the sun, unwind with wings, nachos and sliders at The Esso Club , a long-time favorite sports bar for Clemson University students and visiting families. and-cheese menu and tasty starters like chicken and waffle sliders, Burgers & Barley is sure to be a hit. FORT MILL Explore the trails at the Anne Springs Close Greenway nature preserve and stop at the Schroering Forest Playground with age-appropriate climbing structures for numerous age groups. Spend a whole day on more than 60 amusement park rides, plus water slides and wave pools, at Carowinds and Carolina Harbor on the South Carolina-North Carolina border. Clockwise from top left: Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville; Museum of York County, Rock Hill; Carowinds, Fort Mill GREENVILLE AREA GREENVILLE Let kids live out their wildest zookeeper dreams at the Greenville Zoo , home to more than 200 animals from around the world. Step up to the elevated platform and hand-feed giraffes at the delightful Jim and Janice Cordes Giraffe Encounters. Or get your teens in the mood for some friendly competition at PKL Park , an urban hub of play offering eight professional-quality pickleball courts, outdoor games on the lawn and gourmet food options. Want plenty of dining options for the whole crew? At The Commons food hall, explore a world of flavors, such as Indian street-food style dishes at Indigo Kitchen , cold-pressed juices and fresh salads at Kuka Juice and smoked meats at MooHogz Craft BBQ . TRAVELERS REST Active families: make your way to Sunrift Adventures to rent bikes and helmets for the whole family, then pedal the 28-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail , a mostly paved multi-use greenway system that meanders alongside the scenic Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and several city parks. Along the path is Trailblazer Park , where free outdoor movies, live concerts and a farmers market bring locals and visitors together throughout the year. Let kids burn off more energy on the Adventure Park , a nature-themed playground with a double zipline, jungle dome and ADA-accessible features. GREER For kids (and kids at heart) who like fast cars and sleek machines, the BMW Zentrum is an engaging experience with plenty of eye candy. Take the self-guided tour of the museum for interactive technology exhibits, rare BMW models and restored classics, or book a guided tour of the manufacturing plant for a behind-the-scenes peek at how the “ultimate driving machine” is made. SPARTANBURG Education and fun come together in Spartanburg, where numerous museums offer play-based learning. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is a haven for young minds, with sensory and STEAM-based stations. Another educational ROCK HILL & FORT MILL ROCK HILL See what roamed in the Carolinas during the Ice Age at the Museum of York County , then explore the universe at its fully digital, full-dome Settlemyre Planetarium . With a mac-DiscoverSouthCarolina.com ERIN FAILE 9
South Carolina Vacation Guide SC 2025: Page 9
