With Greenville/Upstate SC being only about a little over an hour's drive from Asheville, it makes for the perfect day trip or weekend getaway destination. It's a family friendly area with lots to do for kids!
*Be sure to check this guide again in a few weeks as we still have a couple more family friendly spots we plan to visit and bring you all the details.*
Greenville Zoo
150 Cleveland Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29601
 |
We arrived early one weekend morning to try to beat the heat and were pleasantly surprised to find minimal crowds.
 |
One of the first animals we encountered upon walking through the gates were the rheas. One stared right at us, and I was pleased we were able to be so close.
 |
Don't skip the Reptile Building! It's a nice break from the heat as it's air conditioned and my kids were excited to see snakes, turtles, iguanas, and more up close.
 |
While Momma orangutan sat in the corner resting, we enjoyed watching her baby put on quite the acrobatic show for us.
 |
Hands down one of the coolest experiences of our visit was when my son came face to face with this jaguar.
 |
Along the way there were interactive stations to enhance learning.
 |
The zoo has a small playground about halfway through which makes for a good place for parents to sit and rest while their kids explore.
 |
Often in zoos, big animals are far off in the distance making it hard to point out to little ones, but we were grateful to see the lions up close.
 |
Also, these lion statues make for a great photo opportunity.
 |
Back in March of 2023, the Greenville Zoo was pleased to announce the birth of a baby giraffe. We stopped and watched for a bit as they munched on leaves.
 |
This picture doesn't even do it justice the massive size of this tortoise.
 |
The ocelots have such beautiful fur.
 |
Possibly tying with the jaguar experience, the second coolest part of our trip was meeting this alligator. We were so close and both kids were fascinated.
 |
We quickly traveled through the farmyard as my kids could see the park in the distance and were anxious to go play. Cleveland Park shares a parking lot with the zoo and features a pretend fire truck, swings, slides, and a variety of climbing structures.
 |
| *Please note: The author and her family received complimentary admission to the Columbia Zoo in exchange for this article; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are her own. |
Kangaroo Jax
2437 Laurens Road
Greenville, SC 29607
 |
We first discovered Kangaroo Jax last year. After a trip to Dollywood for my daughter's birthday had to be rescheduled due to wildfires, a quick Google search of a nearby place with "rides" suggested it. She had an absolute blast, and we were excited to go back now that her brother was old enough to enjoy it as well.
 |
Upon arriving, you take off your shoes and place them in one of the cubbies.
 |
Older kids would enjoy this ninja obstacle course. I watched from a distance as two brothers competed. The first one pressed the button to start the time, raced through the course, and frantically smacked it once through. Then the next one would go trying to beat his brother's time.
 |
This interactive trampoline is a unique concept. Not only do you jump but you also try to toss a ball into one of the colorful holes while doing so.
 |
This python tunnel slide is quite fun.
 |
You can ride the carousel as many times as you want!
 |
There is a dedicated area for kids 4 and under although my toddler preferred to try to keep up with his big sister.
 |
As a parent, I find so much joy in seeing my kids have a good time. I will warn you that leaving a place like Kangaroo Jax won't be easy.
 |
There's a mini Ferris wheel.
 |
My favorite part, hands down, is the jumbo slide. It's impossible to slide down without smiling!
 |
For younger ones, the "Fun House" bounce house is the same concept with a smaller climbing wall and slide. We started on this one and then quickly transitioned to the jumbo slide.
 |
As we were walking out, my daughter was already trying to plan our next trip back.
|
Kids Planet Playground at Century Park
3605 Brushy Creek Road
Greer, SC 29650
 |
Oh my, you're in for a treat with this amazing inclusive playground located in Greer.
 |
It's best to arrive early as it's popular and depending on when you visit, the playground equipment does get quite hot to the touch. There are some shaded sections and plenty of covered picnic shelters to eat lunch or a snack.
 |
The first playground is geared towards the younger crowd. It's entirely fenced in with a gate that can be fastened as well. It's bright and colorful with lots of nods toward nature and animals.
 |
How cute is this dragonfly seesaw?
 |
Notice the shade covering for the benches is shaped to look like a butterfly. There is even a parent/caregiver swing as it is always fun to swing along with your child.
 |
Continuing deeper into the park, you'll come to a musical garden. In the background, you'll see the restroom facilities as well as a small splash pad area. Pack bathing suits or a change of clothes if your child plans to run through them.
 |
The playground geared towards older kids is literally so cool. The castle was my favorite part.
 |
To my surprise, my daughter discovered that you could climb the vinery on the castle wall and climb in/out of the windows as well as go down the tunnel slide. Inside you'll even find a special surprise (spoiler alert: it's a dragon).
 |
This picture features the rest of the playground where you can see there's plenty of slides and climbing structures. One of the neat aspects is the in-ground trampoline.
 |
Continue on a little further and you'll come to the zipline section. There is a bucket seat as well as disc swings to zip back and forth.
 |
There is a separate zip line for a slightly older crowd where you can go a bit further.
 |
We almost missed the hillside slides and climbing wall. Keep walking past both playgrounds and the zip line areas to find them.
 |
Although we didn't sample it on our visit, there's a shaved ice hut located in the parking lot which could be the perfect ending to a fun family outing.
Roper Mountain Science Center
402 Roper Mountain Road
Greenville, SC 29615
 |
I have to admit I didn't even know this place existed until I started doing some research on family friendly spots in the Upstate, and the Roper Mountain Science Center is an absolute gem that you definitely want to add to the family bucket list!
 |
Expect to find a dinosaur adventure trail, castle and pirate playgrounds, a living history farm with historic cabins, an environmental science building with interactive exhibits and animals you can touch, and so much more!
 |
I appreciated how everything was very clearly labeled so it was almost impossible to get lost.
 |
The living history farm was a wonderful hands-on experience with so many teachable moments. My daughter was fascinated with noticing the differences in how people lived back in the "old days." In each house, we found a different guide eager to answer questions. We talked about the similarities and differences in the toys she plays with today vs. those from back then and pointed out interesting artifacts such as a chamber pot.
 |
She was able to try her hand at crushing herbs, washing dishes, washing clothes, and hanging them up on a clothesline to dry.
 |
We talked about pulleys as she and her brother lifted a bucket out of the well.
 |
In the gem mining section, a guide instructed them to each find three gems. They were then given a list to try to correctly identify them and were each able to pick their favorite one to keep as a souvenir.
 |
My kids were able to grind some corn into cornmeal, pet a chicken, and hold an egg. We saw a cow, ram, and pig resting in the barn.
 |
Next, we headed to the dinosaur adventure trail. If you have a dinosaur lover, this place is a must see. You walk a path with music and sound effects adding to the excitement and along the way encounter a life-size brachiosaurus, allosaurus, and spinosaurus to name a few. Each one is clearly labeled with a placard giving more details.
 |
There is even a fun dinosaur themed playground with a slide and various climbing pieces designed to look like dinosaur fossils.
 |
Be warned that the massive T-Rex moves and roars so it could frighten little ones. My poor little guy was extremely skeptical and hilariously kept telling it "bye, bye."
 |
If you're needing to sit and rest, you'll find covered picnic tables at the castle and pirate themed playgrounds.
 |
We saved the Harrison Hall of Natural Science for last as by now the sun was out in full force and the air conditioning felt amazing. Inside we found lots of taxidermied animals as well as various ones we were able to touch such as a bearded dragon, black rat snake, a python, a turtle, and a baby alligator.
 |
Heading into the aquarium, there was plenty to see and touch including sting rays and starfish.
 |
By this point, you've probably worked up quite the appetite. Thankfully, there is a cafe on site where kids eat free: score!
 |
Here's the catch about this amazing family friendly spot: it's mainly open to schools for field trip outings; however, they do open to families throughout the year. They do Friday Starry Nights, Afternoon Explorations running September through May, and Summer Adventures.
 |
|
Runway Park at GMU
21 Airport Road Ext
Greenville, SC 29607
 |
If your child is fascinated with airplanes, you'll definitely want to add this playground to the family bucket list.
 |
Upon entering, you'll see a large covered picnic pavilion to your right. Behind it is an aviation themed putt putt course.
 |
Here's the view from walking in from the gates. You can see there is a nice paved section perfect for riding tricycles, bicycles, or scooters.
 |
This airplane is a good photo opportunity.
 |
Behind this play structure is Runway Cafe. While I haven't tried the food personally, I've heard good things.
I think the little airplane rockers on this playground are so cute!
 |
Both of my kids greatly enjoyed the slides on this section of the park.
 |
You can see pictured above is a viewing area to sit or stand and watch the planes take off.
 |
Perched atop Daddy's shoulders, my son enjoyed waving to every plane.
Looking for more fun in/near Asheville, NC?
Sign up today for our weekly Macaroni KID AVL newsletter so you never miss a thing!
