Whether your kids are beginning explorers or full-throttle thrill seekers, these Upstate spots turn curiosity into adventure and energy into unforgettable fun. Let playtime begin.
Smart Play
The Children’s Museums of the Upstate
300 College St., Greenville
130 Magnolia St., Spartanburg
TCMUpstate.org
These museums feature interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. The Greenville location is designed for children of all ages; Spartanburg’s programming is for ages 5 and younger.
Model Trains Station
250 Mill St., Suite BL1250, Taylors
ModelTrainsStation.com
This shop features multiscale train displays and interactive play.
Roper Mountain Science Center
402 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville
RoperMountain.org
This is where natural curiosity ignites via public programs including Second Saturdays and Starry Nights, a chance to stargaze via the famed refractor telescope in the Daniel Observatory and marvel at astronomical wonders in the Hooper Planetarium.
Spartanburg Science Center
200 E. Saint John St., Spartanburg
SpartanburgScienceCenter.org
This science center has 23 exhibits, a live animal room and a museum. The center also hosts a FIRST Lego League Robotics club.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre
153 Augusta St., Greenville
SCChildrensTheatre.org
This organization stimulates minds and imaginations through high-quality children’s theater. Kids can sit in the audience — or shine on the stage — during a vibrant season of live performances and an exciting curriculum filled with drama classes, camps and workshops.
Upcountry History Museum
540 Buncombe St., Greenville
UpcountryHistory.org
Along with the permanent exhibits on the area’s history, there are changing exhibits geared toward children.
Thrill Time
3’s Greenville Golf & Grill
61 Villa Road, Greenville
This golf venue is so kid-friendly it even has a toddler’s par 3. This unique destination sports a 12-hole par-3 golf course, the Humps & Bumps putting course, and a short-game practice area. Play more for less on Family Sundays; juniors enjoy reduced rates on weekdays before 5 p.m.
Escape Artist
209 E. Stone Ave., Greenville
EscapeArtistGreenville.com
Choose from six different escape room experiences.
Frankie’s Fun Park
45 Park Woodruff Drive, Greenville
Frankies.com/Greenville
This is a place where everyone can play, with go-kart tracks, laser tag, miniature golf, 4D fun and more than 100 arcade games.
Golden Lakes & Skate
108 Balcome Blvd., Simpsonville,
GoldenPark.net
This roller rink features 32 lanes of bowling, pool tables and more.
Group Therapy Pub & Playground
320 Falls St., Suite G, Greenville
GroupTherapy.fun
There are games inside from mini golf to ice curling. Or you can grab dinner in the courtyard and play a round of cornhole.
Judson Mill Play Cafe
701 Easley Bridge Road, Unit 6040, Greenville
PlayCafeofSC.com
This indoor playground is filled with imaginative play stations for kids of all abilities. Parents will appreciate the comfortable seating and the cafe.
Pavilion
400 Scottswood Road, Taylors
Pavilion.GreenvilleRec.com
It’s the coolest place in town. This indoor ice rink is all about skating, hockey and curling for every age and ability level. There’s a bounce house facility here, too.
Outdoor Escape
Barefoot Acres
181 Barefoot Acres Way, Fountain Inn,
barefootacressc.com
This adventure farm includes zip line and ropes courses, nature trails, hands-on learning, and more.
Flying Rabbit Adventures
813 Laurens Road, Greenville,
FlyingRabbitAdventures.com
This new, three-story aerial park has differing levels of difficulty.
Greenville Rec Waterparks
Waterparks.GreenvilleRec.com
Otter Creek
101 Darby Road, Greenville
Discovery Island
417 Baldwin Road, Simpsonville
7th Inning Splash
1500 Piedmont Highway, Piedmont
Greenville Zoo
150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville,
GreenvilleZoo.com
This 14-acre, park-like facility has more than 200 animals.
Jocassee Outdoor Center
516 Jocassee Lake Road, Salem
JocasseeOutdoorCenter.com
This 18-acre outdoor oasis offers boat rentals and outdoor water-toy rentals, as well as guided fishing and waterfall tours.
Runway Park
21 Airport Road Extension at Greenville Downtown Airport
GreenvilleDowntownAirport.com
In this aviation-themed park and playground, kids can watch real planes take off and land. Next door is Takeoff Mini Golf, which has an 18-hole aviation-themed course.
