Family Friendly
Looking for fun family friendly activities in Greenville, SC? Look no further as Greenville.com has a comprehensive listing of family friendly events!
Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.
- Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
- 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
- 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
- Antler Hill Village & Winery
- Complimentary Wine Tasting
- Complimentary Parking
Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
We are excited to bring this special package to you and your loved ones. It’s super easy!
- Pick your show date – June 14, 17, 21, 24 (Evening only)
- Choose 2 Adult Seats and 2 Student Seats
- At Checkout, discount will be applied
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!
Your wish is granted!
If you have any problems, our Box Office is happy to help!
828.693.0731
Haywood Mall is pleased to announce Bunny visits for families as part of the Bunny Photo Experience. The Bunny arrives on March 10 and will be available for visits until April 8.
The Bunny Photo Experience will be open on Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Make Bunny reservations today by clicking here.
Haywood Mall will also host events with the Bunny this season including:
• Easter Eggstravaganza – Join us for a mall-wide Easter Egg Hunt! Visit the Easter Bunny to get a basket ad then stop by select retailers to collect eggs. The event will also feature crafts, inflatables and games.
o March 18 from 10 1 p.m.
• Pet Photos – Bring your furry friend to pose with the Bunny! The first 50 pets at the event will receive a gift courtesy of Haywood Mall.
o March 19 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
• Caring Bunny® – Caring Bunny® is a private event for children with special needs and their families. Special care is taken to ensure a sensory-friendly environment. Reservations are required.
o March 26 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Media interviews are available upon request with the Haywood Mall team. To schedule interviews or capture B-roll, contact Katie Harris using the information above.
###
iMAGINE Upstate is an annual festival designed to showcase pre-K – 12 education and career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through fun, hands-on learning. The festival provides a connection between industry needs and education by offering schools, businesses, and non-profits a venue to showcase opportunities in STEAM to the next generation workforce and their parents.
Upstate Running Club Youth Team (2023)
3k & 1 Mile Cross Country Race KICKOFF! – Feb 26th
Track Meet – 3/26
Country Mile 5k – 4/2
Bell Lap Endurance Run 5k & 1 Mile – 4/16
Track Meet – 4/30
Track Meet – 6/25
Track Meet – 7/23
Track Meet – 8/27
Cross Country Race at Preserve – 9/24
Cross Country Race at Preserve = 10/29
Footlocker Championship – 11/25
The 2023 Hub City Hog Fest, a barbecue contest to benefit Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, will take place on March 31 and April 1. The City of Spartanburg will block off several roads downtown around Morgan Square to accommodate the dozens of cook teams that will compete in this annual BBQ competition.
On Friday, March 31, entrance into the event from noon to 5 p.m. is FREE. After 5 p.m., wristbands must be purchased for $5 each. On Saturday, April 1, from noon to 9 p.m., $5 wristbands must be purchased. Children 10 and under are admitted free. There will be chicken wing samples from the competition teams available from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday evening. The samples of the competition teams’ barbecue and ribs are ONLY AVAILABLE from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Vendors will be on site selling BBQ all weekend. Hog Bucks must be used to purchase food from vendors and to sample BBQ from competition teams (while supplies last).
IT’S NOT JUST A COMPETITION — IT’S A GREAT CAUSE!
We are thrilled that you are excited about the Hub City Hog Fest, a barbecue contest to benefit MOBILE MEALS OF SPARTANBURG, S.C. All proceeds from this event benefit Mobile Meals.
Since the the Hub City Hog Fest first started filling Downtown Spartanburg with the sweet, smoky smell of barbecue in 2013, it has raised more than $400,000 for Mobile Meals, and we hope to continue for many years to come. Please come out and not only have a lot of fun, but join with us in supporting this great organization and helping our community!
Bark your calendars for the last Doggie-Date-Night of the season! Thanks to our friends at Noble Dog Hotel, Saturday, April 1st you can bring your four legged pooch to the Swamp Rabbits Game for a fun night of hockey!
vs. 
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are much more than a professional hockey franchise playing in Upstate South Carolina; it is truly Greenville’s hockey team. Formerly known as the Road Warriors, the club rebranded to the Swamp Rabbits on August 26, 2015 in an effort to really ingrain itself in the fabric of the community. The name is inherently Greenville – specific to the city and unique in the sports world.
It’s the electrifying energy and unstoppable passion of Swamp Rabbits fans inside The Well combined with the award-winning game presentation that make attending a Swamp Rabbits game the BEST fan experience in the ECHL! From the moment you step inside the arena, you’ll find FREE concourse activities for the whole family, including sign-making, temporary tattoos, interactive games, music and there’s always a good chance you’ll run into the Swamp Rabbits mascot Stomper! Throughout the season, fans can also expect a lineup of special theme nights and exciting giveaways.
Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.
- Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
- 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
- 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
- Antler Hill Village & Winery
- Complimentary Wine Tasting
- Complimentary Parking
Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
We are excited to bring this special package to you and your loved ones. It’s super easy!
- Pick your show date – June 14, 17, 21, 24 (Evening only)
- Choose 2 Adult Seats and 2 Student Seats
- At Checkout, discount will be applied
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!
Your wish is granted!
If you have any problems, our Box Office is happy to help!
828.693.0731
-
What it is:
Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths, while building a sense of connection in a team setting. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development to enable girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.
- Our Heart & Sole middle school program meets the unique needs of girls of all abilities in 6th-8th grade. The program considers the whole person – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection. Heart & Sole offers an inclusive place of belonging, where girls feel supported and inspired to explore their emotions, cultivate empathy and strengthen their physical and emotional health. At the end of the season, all program participants complete a 5K.
- Girls on the Run was founded in 1996 with 13 participants and has now served over 2 million from coast to coast.
- Each season, program participants in 3rd-8th grade develop essential emotional, social and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences.
- Participants positively impact their communities.
- Our programs, Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole, end each season with a celebratory 5K event.
- Girls on the Run hosts hundreds of 5Ks per year across the United States and Canada, making it one of the largest 5K series in the world.
- The National Afterschool Association (NAA) recognized Girls on the Run as one of the most influential after-school programs in health and wellness.
- Because of its evidence-based impact, Girls on the Run has been featured in numerous publications and academic journals.
The Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse is undergoing a name change! We are excited to streamline our program and we can’t wait to share the news with you!
Our new name will be Playhouse Jr.!
This new name will encompass many things. You might ask….what is Playhouse Jr.?
Playhouse Jr. means many things and we are excited to share this news with our community!
We are introducing a new software system for our Playhouse Jr. families! This new system will make your life easier! Once you have registered you are in our system for good. That means that once you register all you have to do is access your account to purchase any classes and camps moving forward. No need to register every time!
To register for our new system and to enroll in classes please visit this link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=548849
Questions? Please email [email protected]!
Want to register over the phone? No problem! You can call our Education Director, Lauren Hopkins at (828)693-0403 ext. 246 starting Monday March 6!
Camps for all passions and interests
Summer STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps
Residential summer camps for kids in grades 6th-12th on topics like astronomy, robotics, cryptography, and 3D modeling and printing, and more. Including our premiere camp experience, Above and Beyond.
Weekend STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps
Curriculum or astronomical event based camps for educators and scout leaders.
Tailored Camps
Build your own camping experience according to your interest.
| Summer Counselor Application 6/1 – 7/31 Ages 17 years 6 months – 99 $0.00 | REGISTER |
| Counselor in Training Application – Full Summer Session 6/11 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont $0.00 | REGISTER |
| Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 1 6/11 2 PM – 6/30 10 AM Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont $0.00 | REGISTER |
| Exoplanet Exploration 6/11 4 PM – 6/22 10 AM Grades 8th – 12th $3,960.00 | REGISTER |
| Secrets of a Spy Station 6/25 4 PM – 6/30 10 AM Grades 6th – 8th $1,700.00 | REGISTER |
| Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 2 7/2 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont $0.00 | REGISTER |
| Above & Beyond 7/2 4 PM – 7/13 10 AM Grades 9th – 12th $3,960.00 | REGISTER |
| Milky Way Trailblazers 7/16 4 PM – 7/27 10 AM Grades 9th – 12th $3,960.00 | REGISTER |
VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live from the Hub City RR Museum in Spartanburg.
The Virtual Railfan cameras were installed on Tuesday, July 6th at the Hub City Railroad Museum. There is one camera looking north and one looking south. The Hub City RR Museum wants to thank the City of Spartanburg for allowing us to install the cameras, and to Virtual Railfan for the install. We have already seen over 300 railfans at one time watching the video feed.
Links to live feeds: [North Camera feed] [South Camera feed]
Carolina Railroad Heritage Association
The Carolina Railroad Heritage Association is a <501(c)(3)> not for profit local association of approximately eighty members who enjoy railroads and railroad history. The CRHA is currently meeting the third Friday of each month in Fountain Inn, SC at 7:00 pm. Programs at the meetings include presentations on historical and current railroads and are presented by members as well as outside speakers. Our activities include a photo contest, occasional field trips to local railroad sites, picnics and a December pot luck dinner. CRHA members volunteer at our museum and caboose in Spartanburg, SC. If you have an interest in railroads, contact Dave Winans at [email protected] for more information about the CRHA.
For membership, please download and print the membership application and follow the instructions.
Museum Hours:
Wed: 10am – 2pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.
First Sunday Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
General admission is only $1 for guests on the first Sunday of every month! PLUS enjoy 4-D movies and/or planetarium shows, for only $5 each!
First Sunday Ticket Pricing
General admission to the South Carolina State Museum is only $1 for guests on First Sunday!*
Included in general admission, guests can explore four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology, including the Boeing Observatory and the Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy located on the fourth floor.
For an additional price, guests can enjoy a planetarium show and/or a 4D theater movie.
Please note: these prices are only valid on First Sunday. Not valid with other discounts or Museums for All.
GENERAL PUBLIC FIRST SUNDAY ADMISSION
Tickets are available for purchase on site only.
General Admission
Includes entry to 4 floors of gallery space and the Boeing Observatory.
Adult $1
Senior (Ages 62 +) $1
Children (ages 3-12) $1
With ONE Show Add-On
Gen. admission + ONE planetarium or 4D show.
Adult $6
Senior (Ages 62 +) $6
Children (ages 3-12) $6
With TWO Show Add-Ons
Gen. admission + TWO planetarium and/or 4D shows.
Adult $9
Senior (Ages 62 +) $9
Children (ages 3-12) $9
*General admission allows museum guests entry into all four floors of permanent exhibit space but does not include planetarium shows or 4D theater films.
Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.
- Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
- 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
- 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
- Antler Hill Village & Winery
- Complimentary Wine Tasting
- Complimentary Parking
Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
The Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse is undergoing a name change! We are excited to streamline our program and we can’t wait to share the news with you!
Our new name will be Playhouse Jr.!
This new name will encompass many things. You might ask….what is Playhouse Jr.?
Playhouse Jr. means many things and we are excited to share this news with our community!
We are introducing a new software system for our Playhouse Jr. families! This new system will make your life easier! Once you have registered you are in our system for good. That means that once you register all you have to do is access your account to purchase any classes and camps moving forward. No need to register every time!
To register for our new system and to enroll in classes please visit this link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=548849
Questions? Please email [email protected]!
Want to register over the phone? No problem! You can call our Education Director, Lauren Hopkins at (828)693-0403 ext. 246 starting Monday March 6!
VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live from the Hub City RR Museum in Spartanburg.
The Virtual Railfan cameras were installed on Tuesday, July 6th at the Hub City Railroad Museum. There is one camera looking north and one looking south. The Hub City RR Museum wants to thank the City of Spartanburg for allowing us to install the cameras, and to Virtual Railfan for the install. We have already seen over 300 railfans at one time watching the video feed.
Links to live feeds: [North Camera feed] [South Camera feed]
Carolina Railroad Heritage Association
The Carolina Railroad Heritage Association is a <501(c)(3)> not for profit local association of approximately eighty members who enjoy railroads and railroad history. The CRHA is currently meeting the third Friday of each month in Fountain Inn, SC at 7:00 pm. Programs at the meetings include presentations on historical and current railroads and are presented by members as well as outside speakers. Our activities include a photo contest, occasional field trips to local railroad sites, picnics and a December pot luck dinner. CRHA members volunteer at our museum and caboose in Spartanburg, SC. If you have an interest in railroads, contact Dave Winans at [email protected] for more information about the CRHA.
For membership, please download and print the membership application and follow the instructions.
Museum Hours:
Wed: 10am – 2pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm