DAY 1
If you’re traveling with little ones, you’ll likely need some fuel to start your day of adventures. Other Lands is a great option for a delicious cup of coffee, plus an outdoor space and playground equipment. Scout’s Doughnuts is another great choice if you have a sweet tooth! Both options are only a 7-minute drive from the Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in downtown Greenville offers 80,000 square feet dedicated to play-based learning. Exhibits and weekly programs encourage hands-on play, unique discoveries, and intentional learning opportunities. Best suited for ages 0–12. TCMU Tots operates most mornings from 10–11 AM, geared toward the littlest explorers ages 2–5. Check the website for details. Visitors typically spend about 2 hours at the museum.
After the museum, you will have worked up an appetite! We recommend heading to The Commons at Unity Park. Just a 3-minute drive or a 19-minute walk from the museum! From Indian cuisine to authentic tacos, delicious burgers, or a slice of pizza, you will find options for everyone in the family here! Visit Methodical Coffee for that second cup of the day or The Community Tap for a refreshing afternoon beer. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, or take your lunch over to the playground.
Unity Park has a large playground for bigger kids, as well as a toddler playground. Pack the kids’ swimsuits and cool off in the splash pad! While you’re here, visit the newest addition to the park, the Honor Tower. The Honor Tower is a 10-story, 125-foot overlook accessible by stairs or elevator. From the top, you will get amazing city views as well as the mountains. It is free to enter. No bags permitted. Visitors typically spend about 3 hours at Unity Park.
After a full morning and afternoon of play, it will be time to check into your accommodations. Greenville offers a variety of places to stay! The Holiday Inn Express Downtown has a small outdoor pool and free cookies in the lobby, sure to be a hit with the littlest travelers. For more outdoorsy families, Paris Mountain State Park offers camping accommodations and is only a 17-minute drive from downtown Greenville!
If you’re visiting any time from March to September, Greenville offers family-friendly nightlife! On Thursday and Friday nights, NOMA Square comes alive with free concerts, food trucks, games, and vendors! Dance the night away under the stars with your little adventurers.
DAY 2
If you’re staying in downtown Greenville, breakfast options are endless! Check out the Flying Biscuit Café for a family-friendly sit-down meal, or Maple Street Biscuit Company for a grab-and-go option.
Next, you will make your way to beautiful Falls Park. Located in the heart of downtown, this 32-acre park is the perfect spot to drink your coffee, let the kids run around, and marvel at the 30-foot urban waterfall, Reedy River Falls. Walk across the Liberty Bridge for the best view, then take a family photo. Visitors typically spend about 1–2 hours at Falls Park.
While you’re exploring downtown, be sure to stop into a few kid-friendly shops, including M. Judson Booksellers, a unique bookstore that includes a kids’ reading corner and story times throughout the week, and O.P. Taylor’s, downtown Greenville’s only exclusive toy store!
The Greenville Zoo is a perfect stop along your downtown adventure. Home to exotic animals from around the world, this zoo offers an up-close look at wildlife while promoting conservation and education. The zoo is a small 1-mile loop, making it a great option for toddlers and elementary-aged kids. The newest addition to the zoo is a feeding platform, where your kids can encounter giraffes face-to-face and give them a snack! Visitors typically spend 1–2 hours at the Greenville Zoo.
Just steps outside of the zoo is Cleveland Park, home to tennis and pickleball courts, walking trails, creeks, and two impressive playgrounds. The playground at Cleveland Park is great for toddlers and older kids alike, with designated equipment for each age group. The other playground is Brooks’ Playground, located on the back side of the park (an additional 1–2 minute drive). Brooks’ Playground is Greenville’s first fully inclusive playground, designed for children of all abilities and ages, from 6 months to 13+. Spend your afternoon exploring all that Cleveland Park has to offer!
Who doesn’t love a family pizza night on vacation? Pizza lovers are in luck in downtown Greenville. Antonio Bertolo’s Pizza & Wine Bar, Belladina’s Pizzeria, and Crust & Craft are all great family-friendly options, located right downtown.
After dinner, head back towards Falls Park and stop in at Spill The Beans for a custom-blended ice cream. The kids will have a great time creating a sweet masterpiece! Watch the sunset over the park from the Liberty Bridge or from the patio outside of Spill The Beans.
If you’re visiting in the fall, check out Moonlight Movies in Falls Park, where a family-friendly movie is featured on a large projector screen every Thursday night. Local food trucks and Poppington’s Popcorn are also on-site.
If the kids need to burn off some extra energy before bedtime, there are several hotels around downtown Greenville that feature indoor pools. Hyatt Place, Embassy Suites, and Crowne Plaza are all great options for a night swim before turning in for the night.
