Category: Family & Parenting

Target has always been a one-stop shop for all things college, and here is where you can start: the Target College Shop has everything your teen will need. With Circle Week, you can also shop for great deals. 

Target Circle Week is here! Great deals 3/5-3/11 

Below are some of the most-popular Target dorm essentials purchased by Grown and Flown parents. Before you jump into dorm shopping, your teen should look for anything their college prohibits in the residence life section of the website. If your student does not know where they are going to college yet, here are the 12 things all college students need for their dorm, which is a great starting point. 

Note: We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation for purchases made through some of the links in this post.

Back to school shopping at Target

Popular college dorm items

Dishes

Most students will have access to a microwave or mini-fridge to do a bit of “cooking,” which means reheating the previous night’s pizza or pouring milk on a bowl of cereal. These dishes are lightweight, unbreakable, dishwasher safe, and available in four pretty colors.

Utility Cart

These lightweight, rolling carts offer super-practical storage in a dorm room or bathroom. Finding items that can travel from dorm to apartment is essential to remember as your student will likely live in both during their college years. This is one of those great finds.

Bath/Hand Towel Set

This antimicrobial towel set comes in three colors (white, grey, and black)and includes two bath towels and two hand towels. 

Bath Body Wrap

Walking from communal showers back to a dorm room means juggling a shower caddy and clothes while keeping a towel from falling off. This absorbent terry-cloth body wrap stays closed with velcro.

Mesh Shower Caddy

A mesh shower caddy is lightweight and more flexible than a hard plastic caddy. Available in three different colors. 

Honeywell Fan

The first weeks of school are typically hot, even at colleges in colder climates. This fan is small and powerful for dorms and helps with air circulation.

Plastic Hangers

Having new, lightweight hangers in a dorm or bedroom closet is an orderly way to move into closet space. These are available in five colors. 

Storage Solutions

Target has a wide selection of storage bins, drawers, ottomans, etc. Here’s a great place to start looking at storage cubes and cubbies.

Storage Ottoman

Anywhere a student can add storage to their room is a plus, and this foldable ottoman can be used as a footrest or a place to sit when hallmates visit. It supports 220 pounds, so it can also be used to climb into a lofted bed. Top doubles as a tray.

Sterilite Storage Bins

Under-bed storage is the secret to helping your son or daughter optimize their space in a dorm room. If possible, try to find the actual dimensions of the bed and how high it is lofted in the specific dorm they are assigned to. Pick and choose the types of bins that will best fit this valuable real estate. Clear works best so your student can see what they’ve stored inside.

There are also many types of storage drawers and utility carts at Target.

Lightweight Drawers

This set of lightweight drawers is a popular option for storage under the bed if the mattress is lofted high enough or in a closet. Depending on the bed’s height, this could also serve as a nightstand.

Backpack Laundry Bag

Using a backpack laundry bag is a practical solution for many students — the bag takes up less floor space than a hamper and can be a convenient way to tote laundry and detergent from the dorm room to the laundry room.

Trash Can with Lid

College students are not known for being neat, and they accumulate a TON of trash. This is a 7-gallon trashcan with a step-on pedal and lid. Pack trash can liners and remind your teen why they need to use them.

Decorative Storage Basket

Some students like to have decorative storage solutions, and this option is popular.

Twin XL Bedding

Comforters are one of the main ways that students express their styles. My daughter OBSESSED over hers and my son, well…was perfectly happy with primary blue. Target has a wide selection of Twin XL comforters and coordinating Twin XL sheets.

If your teen prefers to sleep with a fitted sheet and comforter, make sure the comforter is machine washable!

Reversible Microfiber Comforter

This comforter caught our eye. Well-priced and durable, it is available in six color combinations, including this pretty light blue and navy. 

Mattress Topper

This is the best way to make a hard-as-rock dorm bed more comfortable. There are egg crates (which tend to be less expensive), memory foam, and much more expensive high-tech toppers.

If your teen can feel the differences in the options at a Target store, you can decide quickly. Otherwise, choose one that works with your budget. They will all help your teen have a more comfortable place to sleep.

Allerease Mattress Encasement

Don’t forget a mattress encasement that protects against bedbugs and household allergens and is waterproof. Likewise, a clean new pillow will only stay that way with a pillow cover. AllerEase makes one that protects against household allergens and is a bedbug barrier.

Sherpa Bed Rest Pillow

Being able to prop up comfortably in bed is essential if your student plans to study or read there, and these bed rest pillows are perfect. They are available in four colors.

Throw Blanket

Throw blankets are perfect for the end of a dorm bed. They are also great for when it gets extra cold in the room.

Pebble Bath Mat

If your student’s dorm room is suite-style or has a bathroom attached, this bath mat is an excellent addition to the bathroom. It is made with suction cups at the bottom to avoid slipping.

Wall Art

Target has many trendy ideas for easy and inexpensive ways to decorate an entire wall.

Vanity Mirror

A vanity mirror is essential for doing makeup and getting ready. The mirrors in the dorms are not of excellent quality, and it is sometimes hard to do makeup if many people are trying to get ready at once.

LED Plug-in Curtain String Lights

This is such a cute and trendy way to decorate the walls in the dorms. You can hang up all of your favorite photos on these string lights.

LED Organizer Task Lamp

This compact lamp has a convenient organizer for pens, pencils, or other small items. Also, it has a flexible neck and can be moved around easily.

Over-the-Door Double Decorative Hook Rack

Having door hooks is perfect for hanging up towels or a jacket.

Keurig Mini Coffee Maker

If your teen is a coffee drinker, consider getting a Keurig Mini — at 5″ wide; it will fit in a small space and will be a little bit of luxury when they want a cup of coffee without having to leave their room. Comes in six colors.

Black + Decker Microwave

Having a microwave in the dorm is convenient for easy cooking and reheating leftovers!

Target has many ways to shop

You can choose how you shop at Target, including Drive-Up, Order Pickup, Free 2-Day Shipping, and same-day delivery with Shipt.

You Might Also Want to Read:

How to Shop for College: 25 Bestselling Dorm Essentials — just in case you want even MORE ideas about what your teen might enjoy using at the dorm.

Moving Into the Dorm: 12 Things That Will Save Your Life — here are the best ideas about managing move-in day, like a pro!

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show your mom how much you appreciate her. Whether she’s been a guiding force since day one or recently become an important part of your life, sending her something special can be a wonderful way to show your love and say thank you for all she does. One meaningful way to honor Mom on this special day is to make a beautiful bouquet that symbolizes the loving relationship between mother and child. 

Here are a few simple steps to help you create the perfect Mother’s Day bouquet! 

1. Prepare Your Supplies 

Before you begin planning out your Mother’s Day mixed bouquet design, take some time to gather all of the necessary supplies. You will need fresh flowers, a knife or scissors, wire cutters (if needed), ribbon or twine, a vase, and some floral foam or oasis. 

Look for flowers that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors – this will help you create a visually interesting design. You can also add foliage or other elements such as berries to your bouquet if desired. 

2. Choose Your Flowers Wisely 

When it comes to selecting flowers for a Mother’s Day bouquet, there are several things you should consider. First and foremost, focus on what your mom loves. Does she have a favorite bloom? If so, make sure to include it in the arrangement.

Additionally, you could consider adding a few common flowers and their symbolic meanings in order to create something meaningful for your mom. Roses are often used to symbolize love and appreciation, while carnations typically denote admiration or gratitude. Daisies signify innocence and purity, lilies represent family bonds, and tulips can stand for romance. 

Other plants that might be considered include: 

• Orchids – Refinement 
• Chrysanthemums – Devotion 
• Iris – Faithfulness 
• Marigolds – Passion
• Sunflowers – Loyalty 
• Hydrangeas – Appreciation 
• Lavender – Admiration 
• Daffodils – Renewal 
• Baby’s Breath – Innocence 
• Poppies – Comfort 
• Alstroemeria – Devotion 
• Gerbera Daisies – Cheerfulness 
• Pansy – Friendship 
• Zinnia – Thoughts of absent friends 
• Snapdragon – Strength and endurance  
• Statice– Remembrance, memories of a loved one
• Sweet Peas– Delicacy and blissful pleasure 

Whether you’re creating a traditional arrangement or something more modern, take the time to consider adding some meaningful blooms that your mom will cherish for years to come. With careful thought and attention, you can craft a bouquet with deep symbolism that will make this Mother’s Day truly special. 

3. Choose Your Color Scheme 

Now it’s time to decide what color scheme you want to use for your bouquet. Consider the occasion that you are creating the arrangement for, as well as your mom’s favorite colors. You can choose a single color or mix and match multiple shades – it all depends on your personal preference! 

4. Arrange Your Flowers 

Once you’ve chosen the perfect color palette, start arranging your flowers together. If using a vase with floral foam or oasis, stick the stem of each flower into the material until all of them are in place. If not, simply arrange them in whatever fashion you see fit. 

Be sure to space out different types of flowers and foliage so that each element stands out

5. Cut Down The Flowers To Size 

Next, you’ll need to cut down the stems of your flowers so they fit nicely into your chosen vase. Make sure to leave enough stem length so that the flowers are still able to drink water from their roots. Use a sharp knife or pair of scissors for this step – wire cutters may be needed for thicker stems. 

6. Create The Bouquet 

Now it’s time to put your bouquet together! Start by soaking the floral foam in water and then cutting it into a shape that works with the vessel you’ve chosen. Depending on what type of flowers you use, this could be a round shape for roses or more of an elongated form for daisies. Once you have determined the desired shape, begin inserting each stem into the foam until you achieve a look that you like. 

For larger blooms, place them near the center while adding smaller ones around them to create balance and symmetry. Once your arrangement is complete, tie it all together using ribbon or twine for a beautiful presentation. You can also use floral tape to secure any stems that need extra support. 

Finally, add a few sprigs of foliage for an extra touch of greenery before your bouquet is ready to go!

7. Consider Adding Trinkets 

If you’re looking for an extra special touch, why not add a few trinkets to your Mother’s Day bouquet? Small items like charms or jewelry can be a meaningful addition to the floral arrangement. 

It’s also a fun way to incorporate something personal into the gift. Consider adding a charm that’s meaningful to you both, or perhaps a piece of jewelry that reflects Mom’s style and personality.

8. Present Your Bouquet 

Once you’ve finished creating your masterpiece, it’s time to present it to your mom! Wrap it up in a beautiful paper – you can either buy this or decorate it yourself –  and add a card expressing how much you appreciate her. She will undoubtedly be thrilled with this thoughtful gift from you!

9. Make It Last 

In order to extend the longevity of your Mother’s Day bouquet, it is important to properly care for the flowers. When you first receive or purchase your blooms, make sure to keep them in a cool and dark room until they are ready to be arranged. 

Additionally, trim the stems at an angle before placing them in water – this will allow more access for hydration. Check the water level every few days and top off as needed with fresh cool water. 

Finally, as soon as possible, move your arrangement away from direct sunlight or any sources of heat such as radiators or lamps.

Final Thoughts 

An incredibly touching way to celebrate Mom on this particular day is by making a Mother’s Day bouquet! You’ll be well on your way to making the ideal bouquet that represents the warm bond between mother and child if you follow these five easy steps. Your arrangement, which you carefully crafted by picking the ideal flowers and including thoughtful finishing touches, is certain to make her smile. So on Mother’s Day, give your mother a gorgeous bouquet she will enjoy for years to come as a token of your love and appreciation.

Students love getting a college care package from their parents, the people who care about and miss them the most. A care package can be especially thoughtful at the beginning of freshman year, when your teen is getting settled in their new dorm room, but can be sent at any time throughout your teen’s college life.  Consider sending something when they are studying for midterms or final exams or for their birthday. A reminder from home is always welcome, especially if it includes treats they can share with roommates or hall mates.

While you might want to back cookies or assemble a personalized box of treat and small gifts, don’t let lack of time or meager baking skills hold you back. Sending a thoughtful gift is only a few keystrokes away.

Note: We are a reader supported site and receive compensation from orders placed through some of the links in this post. 

Where to order college care packages

1. CampusCube

CampusCube sends nutritious snacks plus high-quality and useful American-made gifts and everyday essentials. The founder tells us that she gets great feedback from college kids who say “they love or would like to try” what CampusCube offers. In addition to monthly box plans there are specialty options including gluten-free, nut-free and vegan boxes.

NOW! Save $5 on any single care package order — Discount code: GF5

Save 10% on any order of 3 or more care packages — Discount code: GF10

Here’s what the March box includes: 

• Kind Mango Apple Bar
• Kate’s Real Food Bar
• Microwave Cheddar Mac & Cheese
• Janis & Melanie Key Lime Shortbread Cookies
• Salted Caramel Popcorn
• Oreo Golden Mini Cookies
• Harvest Snaps
• Sour Power Mango Straws
• Siete Lime Jalapeno Tortilla Chips
• Mega Omega Fruit & Nut All Natural Trail Mix
• True Citrus All Natural Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit Drink Mixes
• Flower Lei and Sunshine Personalized Gift Card from you!

Upgraded package with “Snacks & Essentials:”

• Nectar unisex Sunglasses with Polarized Lenses with 100% UVA & UVB protection. Set includes a case and micro fiber cleaning cloth.

2. Hugabox

With a mission statement of “Send love and do good. Care packages with purpose,” Hugabox makes it easy for parents to send care packages to their teens in college who need a bit of love from home. With each box purchased, Hugabox donates to a leading Sarcoma Cancer research institute.  

Here’s where you can read about the courageous mom who lost her daughter to Sarcoma Cancer and started her Hugabox company to honor her daughter’s memory and raise funds for research. 

3. Wicked Good Cupcakes

In 2010 mother-daughter team, Tracey Noonan and Danielle Vilagie, took cake-decorating classes to spend quality time together. They launched their first store in October of 2011 in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Soon they came up with the idea of a cupcake in a jar.

In 2013, they successfully pitched their product on Shark Tank and made Wicked Good a household name. Choose between many yummy flavors and packs with 2, 4, or 6 jars. Your student will love this!

4. KIND Gifting Cubes

KIND will assemble a care package for you — we love these bars, and we love the mission of the KIND company.

Nice means well, but it’s not enough. Kind is different. Nice is polite, but it stays out of it. Kind is honest — it speaks up and rises to the occasion. Nice doesn’t add to problems, but Kind rolls up its sleeves and solves them. 

5. Amazon — Hangry Kit Snack Sampler

While perusing the digital aisles on Amazon, check out these Hangry Kits that come in various themes including this “giant hug” box.

6. The Popcorn Factory

A giant popcorn tin with three flavors, butter, caramel, and cheese, will be a crowd-pleaser with your student, their roommate, and hallmates.

7. Candy Club Subscription

Candy Club offers much to choose from for any student who has a sweet tooth.

8. Cookies from David’s Cookies

David’s Cookies come in multiple flavors and arrive in this durable tin.

Gourmet gift baskets

9. Mouth Gift Boxes

Shop the Mouth “Back to School Collection” to find unique, small-batch yummy snacks made by artisans around the US.

10. Cheryl’s Cookies

For over 40 years, Cheryl’s Cookies has baked their yummy cut-out cookies and iced them with their legendary buttercream frosting. They also sell a wide variety of cookies in dozens of flavors, plus brownies, cakes, and a variety of seasonal items, too.

11. Murray’s Cheese Shop 

If your teen loves savory snacks, consider a gift basket from Murray’s Cheese Shop. There is a very wide variety to choose from and we think this one, the “Slam Dunk Snacks” would be a great care package.

Slam Dunk Snack Box:

• Irish Cheddar
• Gouda
• Mini Brie
• Genoa Salami
• Proscutto
• Mitica Piedras de Chocolate
• Pitted Greek Olive Mix
• Crackers – Sea Salt and Olive Oil

College care package gifts

Sending a small gift that is NOT a snack is another way to show your student that you love them. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

12. Snappy

Choose a gift or gifts for your college student and they can either accept that or pick something else from a curated list of high-quality items. The Snappy approach to gift-giving is unique and your student would be thrilled with having a chance to do a little shopping and pick what they want, all from you!

(Note: Snappy offers both snacks and gift selections.)

13. Notes to Self Socks 

Founder Laura Schmidt created notes to self socks as a way to promote on of her favorite topics, positive affirmations, and how the subconscious mind is most receptive early in the morning and late at night.

A new pair of socks (or a few new pairs) make a great college care package item.

Now — use the promo code GROWNANDFLOWN at check out and take 12% off an order of $75 or more (and free shipping.) 

14. Bouqs Fowers

Want to send flowers to your college student but don’t know what the florists are in their college town? The Bouqs Company delivers farm-fresh flowers and plants with beautiful arrangements to choose from. Here are selections under $50.

15. Board Games

Board games are fun ways for students to unwind and these card and board games are some of the most popular ones.

You Might Also Want to Read:

College Care Packages From Home: 50 Great Ideas Here is a list of care package ideas you can order and organize into a highly-personalized box for your college student.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection to employers and employees in the event of work-related injury or illness. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits when an employee is injured on the job. For family members who are employed by a business, workers’ comp coverage is especially important as it can provide peace of mind for both the employer and employee.

But, how does workers compensation work in California? How will it affect the workers’ compensation coverage for family members? What are the reasons I might need coverage for family members?

These are just some of the questions we aim to answer in this blog. Read on to understand workers’ compensation:

Understanding Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that provides payments and other benefits to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment. It is designed to compensate workers for medical costs, loss of income and other financial losses resulting from workplace injuries or illnesses. Understanding workers’ compensation is important for family members for a number of reasons.

Feed & Seed is a unique nonprofit in Greenville, SC that seeks to reduce food waste while producing excellent products for consumers and giving access to food to families who live in a food desert in Greenville. 

Feed & Seed, located in Judson Mill right off the edge of downtown Greenville, is home to a fairly unique operation that only opened last year. And they are in that exact location for a very good reason: because it’s a food desert. 

Feed & Seed wears many hats and I’ll tell you why a visit to them is a delicious idea. 

About Feed & Seed 

Feed & Seed is a nonprofit located in the middle of a food desert in Greenville. The USDA defines a food desert as, “A tract in which at least 100 households are located more than one-half mile from the nearest supermarket and have no vehicle access; or at least 500 people, or 33 percent of the population, live more than 20 miles from the nearest supermarket, regardless of vehicle availability.”

There are more than 6,500 of them in the United States, including 21 in 14 different counties in South Carolina, according to the USDA. However, Feed & Seed is not a food bank but they certainly have in mind people in low-income areas who are struggling with food insecurity. The nonprofit went through miles of bureaucratic red tape to allow the use of SNAP (food stamps) to be used to buy their products. 

They house a cafe where they sell local produce, meat, dairy, and their own housemade take-and-bake meals, as well as a cafe where you can order breakfast or lunch. I’ve had their Italian sub and wow, I’ve been dreaming of that deliciousness ever since. 

They also work with local farmers to buy their produce and fruit, which is awesome because farmers often can only sell their goods on-site or during the farmers’ market season, which is only about a third of the year or even less sometimes. That’s a small window to stay in business.

Feed & Seed also hosts community events and has space for meetings, parties, or other gatherings. 

Meeting the Needs of the Community 

Feed & Seed saw the need for fresh produce and local food and was founded to fill the gap between the people who need that and the people who provide it. That’s the reason for the location they chose and the idea took off from there. 

The nonprofit partners with several local farms and others in the area who grow and produce that nourishing healthy food that everyone needs but may not have access to. They do that by buying produce directly from farmers, processing it themselves, and selling it right at their store. 

Feed & Seed also has a program called FoodShareSC where boxes of fresh produce are sold for $20 cash or $5 EBT. Pickup locations are in Easley, Clemson, and Seneca. These boxes are filled with 10-12 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. Anyone can order a FoodShareSC box.

Reducing Food Waste

You know how you have this grand idea of buying three heads of kale that you plan to cook the following week for your family and then, two weeks later remember it’s there and it really doesn’t look all that great? Or maybe you bought a bunch of peaches, put them in your refrigerator and found them a month later all moldy? OK, please tell me I’m not alone here. Americans waste an enormous amount of food. It’s truly awful and after I toured Feed & Seed, I was determined to make smarter choices in menu planning and remembering what I’ve bought and how to use it. 

Feed & Seed steps in to help make sure that food waste doesn’t happen by buying produce, veggies, and fruit directly from farms and immediately making use of it so it doesn’t go bad. 

Food banks are a necessary part of the community in Greenville but even they have limitations. With food banks, they often cannot keep enough fresh produce because they don’t have the necessary refrigeration and storage. At Feed & Seed, they have massive refrigerators plus have come up with ways to reduce food waste by freeze-drying and dehydrating fresh fruits and vegetables, which give them long-lasting staying power and significantly reduce food waste. 

They also offer rental refrigeration to farmers who need a place to store extra goods. This is a huge service to smaller farms especially. 

The Cafe & Store

Feed & Seed sells a huge variety of local goods from honey to jams to dairy to meat to produce to coffee. I could have spent a ton of money there! 

I really like that the nonprofit has such a laser focus on local food. Honestly, it makes me feel good to buy something I know was grown or produced right here in the Upstate because it goes right back into our local community. 

The one thing I didn’t try was their take-and-bake meals and soups. They looked so good and I saw some of the chefs preparing lasagna while I was there on a tour and it looked amazing. I did have an Italian sub and cookie and both were delicious. It’s obvious the chefs take pride in their dishes. You can even order online to save time.

For many families with single parents, making healthy meals is a huge challenge. It’s these families, especially that Feed & Seed had in mind when they started to offer their ready-made meals that people can purchase and take home and heat up in the oven or microwave. They are nutrient-dense and provide a healthy alternative to fast food. SNAP benefits can be used to pay for these. 

Feed & Seed also sells local produce bags for $15, which you can buy anytime you’re over there. If you love a good CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Feed & Seed has a similar option with their Crop Box, which is a weekly box full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and produce that you can pick up once a week from March-May. It’s $30 or $45 per week depending on how big of a box you choose. This is a fantastic way to support local farmers. 

Volunteer Opportunities

As you may imagine, this operation requires a lot of effort and Feed & Seed needs a lot of volunteers to make their vision a reality. 

Volunteers are needed to assist in packing boxes for their FoodShareSC program to feed families in need. You can see current volunteer opportunities on their website or sign up for their email newsletter to get all the information right to your inbox.

Volunteers must be 14 years old to give of their time at Feed & Seed and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult age 18+. 

Besides the box packing, volunteers are needed on local farms that Feed & Seed works with, to help with tax preparation, and to assist with events. 

Visiting Feed & Seed: Review 

Obviously, Feed & Seed has a lot on their plate (no pun intended) and have chosen to tackle some pretty massive issues in the community. They truly hit the ground running when they opened and have only expanded as they have continued to seek to bring fresh food to everyone. Plus, they’ve got a really great thing going at their cafe and market, which I highly recommend you visit. 

They are open Tuesday – Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm. They serve breakfast those days from 8-11 am and then lunch is served 11 am – 2 pm. 

Feed & Seed
701 Easley Bridge Road, Suite 6010, Greenville
864.412.4720

17 Places to Buy Local Fresh Eggs: Greenville, SC, and the Upstate

Love a good brunch and looking for great restaurants for a Spartanburg, SC brunch? There are a lot of restaurants in Spartanburg with brunch menus. How do you pick one? We asked our readers for their favorite brunch spots in Spartanburg and this list where they guided us.

Here are our readers’ favorite brunch restaurants!

Hearing the word “brunch” just now brought a smile to your face, didn’t it?

Go ahead, try saying brunch to someone. Their face lit up, didn’t it? No one ever sounds upset over having to eat brunch. Usually consisting of an overindulgent entrée and beverage, this meal is meant to be savored and enjoyed at a relaxed pace.  Regardless of whether you slept in or had a busy morning and skipped breakfast, we have the perfect spots for you to grab brunch with your bunch. 

Looking for outdoor dining options in Spartanburg? These restaurants have outdoor dining spaces, with heat, so you can dine out in any weather.

Best Brunch Restaurants in Spartanburg, SC

We asked our readers where the best place to find brunch is in Spartanburg. Here are the top 10 brunch spots in Spartanburg according to our readers and what makes them the favored spots.

Dray: Bar & Grill

1800 Drayton Road, Spartanburg SC 29333 | 864.310.4177 | Brunch hours: 11 am to 2:30 pm
Dray: Bar & Grill is quickly becoming one of the most popular places in Spartanburg. The outdoor fireside dining, delicious hand-crafted drinks, and mouthwatering dishes created by Chef Bob Munnich have made it quickly rise to the top of all of our lists on Kidding Around.

Mon Amie Morning Café

2601 East Main Street, Spartanburg SC 29307 | 864.541.7981 | Brunch hours: 8 am to 2 pm
Adding some French country chic to Main Street, Mon Amie graciously serves breakfast all day. Sweet and savory crepes adorn the menu with some clever twists on southern fare. Feeling Emily goes to Paris? Try their Parisienne Crème French Toast. Ooh la la!

New Groove Artisan Brewery

4078 HYW 9 Boiling Springs, SC 29316 | 864.586.3900 | Brunch hours: 12 pm to 6 pm
Ever had BBQ for brunch? New to the list, New Groove Brewery shows us how. We spy bacon gravy and all that goodness with their buttermilk cathead brisket biskets! This #BRAWNch suggestion is a great add!

Cribbs Kitchen

226 B. West Main Street, Spartanburg SC 29301 | 864.699.9669 | Sunday hours: 11-2 pm
The Cribb family has been making people happy with their food for several generations. You can enjoy a custom-made cocktail and items from a seasonal brunch menu.

Local Fig

116 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg SC 29306 | 864.327.9370 | Brunch hours: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Another Main street Brunch option, with lots of farm-to-table goodies on their dedicated weekend Brunch menu. But what we’re really curious about is their Fried French Toast: Sweetbread rolled in cornflakes, stuffed with Nutella cream, and other good stuff!

The Tulip Tree

121 West Main Street, Spartanburg | 864.285.4659 | Brunch Hours: Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
The Tulip Tree is located right off Main Street in downtown Spartanburg and offers brunch every weekend. While the Donut French Toast looks delicious, we’re also eyeing their breakfast Charcuterie Board.

Willy Taco

930 East Main Street, Spartanburg | 864.327.8228 | Brunch Hours: Sunday 10 am
When you think of brunch, you typically don’t think of breakfast chimichangas or Mexican-inspired chicken & waffles. But Willy Taco offers a Sunday Funday Brunch menu with these two items and more.

Crepe Factory

12 Main Street, Inman | 864.708.3772
The Crepe Factory is located just outside of Spartanburg in Inman and offers a brunch-specific menu. You’ll find both sweet and savory crepes as well as a brunch burger, avocado toast, and more on the menu.

CityRange Steakhouse Grill

774 Spartan Boulevard, Spartanburg | 864.327.3333 | Sunday 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Did you know that CityRange has a Sunday Brunch Buffet? For $25/adult and $12/child, you can experience an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet with a variety of options. Top it off with a beignet or mimosa or crafted cocktail, and your Sunday Brunch will top the rest.

Eggs Up Grill

5844 Reidville Road, Moore | 864.485.3091 | 6 am – 2 pm
Known for its breakfast menu, Eggs Up also offers a Big City Brunch menu. You’ll find items like Coastal Crab Benedict, Crispy Chicken & Biscuit Platter, Cali Mac & Cheese Bowl, and more on the menu.

We hope the next time you decide to combine the first two meals of the day, you do so at a relaxed pace.

Did we leave off your favorite place to enjoy brunch? Let us know in the comments!

It used to be really hard for me when my friends who had kids would say things like, “My mom is coming over and bringing dinner tonight,” or “My parents are coming to stay with the kids” or “I miss my mom, I can’t wait for her to get here.”

My parents divorced when I was a teenager. They got really involved in their own lives, and I took over as the stand-in parent when I was about thirteen. Many nights I made dinner for my three siblings, gave my younger sisters a bath, packed their lunch for school, and put them to bed.

My dad hung out at the bar after work most nights and would leave me a chore list when we were with him. My mom had a few different boyfriends. She got married and had kids so young that she seemed to be trying to recapture her youth. 

I didn’t mind being a caretaker for my siblings

I didn’t mind though. I loved my siblings very much, and caring for them didn’t feel like a burden; it felt natural. But, I always knew that when I grew up and had kids I would be a very different kind of parent and do things differently than my parents had.

Deep down, I thought that having grandkids would change my parents. Sadly, it did not. 

When I had my kids my parents were there and they have been a part of their lives even if it’s not in the traditional, grandparental way I was hoping for. But, I realized when my kids were very young that I couldn’t ask or rely on my parents for help. They had no interest in babysitting, didn’t check in with me to see if we needed anything, and when I went through my own divorce they offered no comfort. My mom cried a lot and told me over and over how sad it made her. 

My father makes no effort to see his grandkids

Even as an adult, I needed my parents to tell me they were available. When I had kids I needed their emotional support. I wanted to be able to go to them when I was burned out. It would have been nice if they had occasionally asked, “What can we do to help?”

The few times I asked them to babysit they told me they were too busy. Everything involving their grandkids had to be on their terms. My father doesn’t even acknowledge the holidays or their birthdays and hasn’t made any effort to see them for a few years even though he lives a few minutes down the road, and is retired and healthy. 

For a really long time, I tried to “make” my parents the kind of grandparents I wanted for my kids. I would take my kids to visit them and I made every effort to stay connected. I would help them with things they needed help with even though I had three kids very close in age. 

I got tired of putting in all the effort in my relationship with my parents

Then, I got really tired. I didn’t have the energy to try anymore. It was easier for me to ask other people for help or simply do things myself. I accepted the fact they were never going to be the type of grandparents who would stop over with needed groceries, offer to watch the kids, or call to check in on us.

I tried to stop being sad when I saw the relationships my friends had with their parents. I lowered my expectations and my resentment and anger began to fade.

It took some time but I was finally able to let go of my disappointment. 

Now that my kids are older they have a very clear picture of who my parents are they don’t care to have a close relationship with them. My parents are missing out on a lot and my kids are too. That continues to make me sad

Not everyone has parents they can go to for help

Not everyone has parents they can go to for help. I’m not even talking about a lot of help. I am talking about the kind of help I see many people get from their parents. Basic things like remembering birthdays, wanting to spend time with their grandkids, and making sure their children are doing all right when they go through life’s inevitable challenges.

It can feel really lonely to be a mother and not have parents you can go to. But, it has been another life lesson for me. Just like when I was younger and I saw how my parents treated us, I knew I didn’t want to be like them now I’m watching them as grandparents and, once again, I don’t want to be like them.

I promise to always be involved in my kids’ lives

I will be involved in my kids’ lives regardless of their age. If they have kids I will be there to help; I will babysit, I will make sure they are okay, and I will never, ever forget a birthday or a holiday.

I am someone they can and do depend on now and that will never change. I refuse to feel sorry for myself because I am breaking the cycle and showing my kids what it feels like to have a parent they can turn to, no matter what. 

The author of this post wishes to remain anonymous.

More Great Reading:

I’ve Broken the Cycle of Toxic Parenting But My Demons Remain

After the admission process is done, you’ll switch gears to helping your high schooler prepare for college living: finding the perfect room decor, getting advice about how to pack, and coming to realize that your kid is actually going to manage their life without you right there. That’s when the panic can set in: how is this kid – who you’re pretty sure might mix up dish detergent and laundry detergent – going to handle his or her first, well, whatever??

College students are going to make mistakes, and likely some will be much bigger than using the wrong kind of detergent. Accepting that mistakes are inevitable can be scary for parents, and it’s natural to want to help our kids avoid them.

My colleague and co-author, Dr. Sara Levine, and I are parents of high schoolers and college students. We see the worrisome daily headlines about the multiple crises affecting young people right now. We share your fears.

Reconciling fears for your teen’s future, knowing they will make mistakes

So how do we reconcile our own anxieties for their future with the reality that these are the years when young people are supposed to make mistakes in order to learn and grow and establish their own identities? As experts in young adult physical and mental health, we try to encourage parents to think of themselves like a spotter for a climber: you’re holding the end of the rope or the bottom of the ladder, but your kid is figuring out the next step on their own.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that some mistakes are much more dangerous than others. As physicians, we have both been called on by patients, friends, and family to help a struggling college student when things have gone awry.

So, how do you prepare your kid for a healthy college experience? How do you encourage them to embrace the good kinds of mistakes and minimize the ones with much more serious consequences? 

How parents can prepare teens for a healthy college experience

1. Teach them that navigating healthcare is an essential life skill. 

For many teenagers their first experience with “adulting” is trying to get their driver’s license and coming face-to-face with the confusion, inefficiency and frustration of the DMV. Their experience with healthcare is unlikely to be any different and the sooner they start learning to navigate this system on their own, the better.

Use the next time you pay a co-pay as an opportunity to explain what a co-pay actually is, demonstrate how to refill a prescription (from calling the prescriber to picking it up at the pharmacy counter), and start having them make their own appointments.

Young adults with chronic or complex healthcare needs may have more experience or need more assistance with these types of tasks, but these are skills that everyone needs. Parents are often concerned about getting health care proxies signed (never a bad idea), but use this shared document as a transition step, and empower your students to begin to manage their health and healthcare on their own. 

2. Make sure they know their medical history, medications and allergies

Maybe your child is the one for whom every cold triggers an asthma exacerbation or they are prone to UTIs. They need to be able to communicate this to a healthcare provider on their own, including what treatment has or has not worked for them in the past. Find a way to keep this information easily accessible for them – a shared Google doc, notes list, or screen shot of the basics stored in their phone photos.

If they end up at urgent care for a painful sore throat and can’t reach you, they need to know what they are allergic to – “it starts with the letter A” isn’t going to be enough – and have handy a current list of any active and ongoing prescriptions (names AND doses). 

3. Talk to them about their family medical history – especially their family mental health history.

Though it’s a natural instinct to want to shield your kid from things that can be sad or scary, your family medical history is a crucial part of their health journey. There is a strong genetic component to many physical and mental health disorders, and knowing what runs in the family can be both reassuring and preventive.

They might feel better understanding, “my mom told me this is what a panic attack feels like” or “maybe this is depression – like what my sister has.” And they might make healthier decisions if they are aware that “exercise needs to be part of my life – high cholesterol and heart disease run in my family,” or “everyone in my family has struggled with addiction – I need to be mindful of how much I’m drinking” or “I have two cousins who have schizophrenia – I need to stay away from psychoactive substances.”

4. Review how and when to use over-the-counter medications to manage mild illness.

This is surprisingly hard! How many of us just hand our kids something when they aren’t feeling well without telling them what it is or what it’s treating? Do we even know ourselves? Understanding the difference between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or an antihistamine versus a decongestant versus a cough suppressant vs an expectorant…it’s complicated!

Teach your kid to read labels and make sure they aren’t doubling up on something when they shouldn’t be. As physicians, we’ve taken more than a handful of calls from students or parents when someone is high as a kite after combining a couple of cough/cold/flu multi-symptom relief medications. Send your kid to school with the things they’ve needed most, and make sure they know what they are and when to use them – and what NOT to combine.

Caraway is an innovative, affordable way that college students can access quality medical care 24/7

5. Teach them about contraception and sexually transmitted infections – or point them toward accurate sources of information.

Whatever your family values are regarding sex, teenagers and young adults need access to medically accurate information. These days many young people rely on TikTok and YouTube – both of which can be full of shocking misinformation and disinformation.

Some colleges have robust reproductive healthcare services available on or near campus, but others don’t. Your daughters AND sons should know what they can access – even if they have no intention of needing it. Whether in college or beyond, understanding contraceptive options may be the single most life-changing health skill they can ever have.

While we are on the topic of sexual health – make sure they understand consent.

This can be harder than it seems, particularly when substance use is involved and inhibitions are relaxed. To be clear, no means no. Period. Full stop. Make sure your sons and daughters understand “affirmative consent” – the idea that not saying no is not the same thing as saying yes.

Talking about sex, particularly in the moment, can feel awkward, but learning to communicate what they like or want to do and what they don’t like or don’t want to do will lead to much healthier, safer, and more enjoyable sexual relationships.

6. Over-communicate about ways to be safe around substances. 

For many college students, substance use is socially normalized experimentation, but for others it’s a way to self-medicate and escape from overwhelming feelings including anxiety and depression. Nudge your kid to consider the role substances – alcohol or drugs – may play in their lives.

Some will never touch the stuff. Others need to know – especially if there is a family history of substance use – that now’s the time to learn less risky ways to cope with difficult emotions. Similarly, it’s critical to understand that any type of drug – even “legal” cannabis gummies or “prescription” Xanax – can be contaminated with highly-addictive or lethal substances.

There is no truly safe way to experiment, but there are increasing efforts to make people aware of fentanyl test strips or Naloxone (Narcan) as ways to mitigate opioid-related harm. Unfortunately, so-called “date-rape drugs” (rohypnol and other substances intended to induce amnesia) are notoriously difficult to test for. Teaching your kid to never leave a beverage unattended or leave a friend at a bar or party are two simple acts that can prevent some truly horrible tragedies. 

7. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel sad or lonely or overwhelmed at times.  

Social media has given all of us the impression that other people are perpetually in a state of bliss, having the best time of their lives, and are surrounded by adoring friends and family and cute pets. We’re exaggerating here, but the implied message is unrelenting – there is something wrong with you if you are sad or lonely or overwhelmed. Young adults need to know that not only is this simply not true, but learning ways to cope with these feelings until they pass can be life-saving. 

Encourage them to consider what they might do when, not if, these feelings do come up. For some this may be developing a mindfulness practice, for others it may be listening to or playing music, and for many this may be working with a therapist or psychiatrist.

Learning what emotion regulation skills work for you is arguably harder, and more important, than mastering calculus proofs or writing a stellar essay. Communicate that you value this learning as much as the academic kind. And above all, remind them that though these hard moments feel like they will last forever, they won’t. And though they may feel alone, they aren’t. There are many people out there who can and want to support them through these times.   

8. Teach them it is okay to make mistakes. 

This lesson is worth repeating. The current college application process is radically different from what prior generations experienced. It’s not uncommon for us to hear middle school students express worry about what they will put on the Common App. When the stakes feel so high, the idea of making a mistake – getting a bad grade, not making the right team, being passed over for a coveted summer internship – feels terrifying. And, when the outcomes narrow to perfection or failure, you’d better only choose things that ensure success.

Of course, adults know that life does not work this way, but the adolescent brain struggles to see the long-term value of adversity. Share some of the mistakes you made during your own young adult years that felt hard in the moment, but led to emotional or intellectual growth. Reassure them that mistakes are unavoidable if you are challenging yourself and that you love them no matter what the outcome is. 

9. Encourage healthy habits, but be realistic. 

Here’s where we have to pick our battles. Sure, we want every student to eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise regularly, get fresh air, plenty of sleep, call home on a regular basis, achieve a work-life balance, but let’s be real; it’s not going to all happen, and it’s certainly not going to all happen at once!

Unless they slept through every health class and tuned out every bit of advice that you’ve told them up through high school, they already know they should do all these things to stay healthy. But “healthy” is an abstract term to most 18-24 year olds. Now that they are on their own, they get to experiment with what makes them feel better and what doesn’t. 

Of course, it’s impossible not to give advice when the solution seems obvious – take a walk with a friend if you’re lonely, get more sleep if you’re getting sick all the time, get some exercise if you’re feeling sluggish. But, a good rule of thumb if you’re not worried that they are truly unwell (physically or mentally) is to suggest something only once and see what happens. They are listening a lot more than you think they are.

10. Remind them that there are many ways to access help. 

Knowing when and whom to ask for help is part of growing up. Whether it’s a writing tutor or resident advisor, there are people around whose job is entirely to help! Remind your son or daughter they are not supposed to be able to do everything on their own, and for many things they actually shouldn’t.

This is especially true for safety and healthcare. Encourage them to learn about the campus safety resources: blue lights, walking escort services, and campus transportation. They are not the only ones who may need a plan for walking home from evening activities after dark. 

Likewise, a few minutes on the student health website BEFORE they land on campus will help your kid know in advance what services are available, and how and when they can access them. More colleges are offering some services via telehealth, and some students can access their healthcare at home via telehealth as well. 

This is especially important for mental health care. When a student is already feeling overwhelmed or sad or exhausted, it’s going to be even harder for them to motivate themselves to first figure out what’s available and then to actually access it. If your kid is one of the many who have struggled in the past, it’s especially important to know if they will be continuing care with a therapist and/or psychiatrist from home, or if they need to set up care on or near campus. Don’t wait until something comes up to figure this out.

College can be hard. Healthcare can be harder. But by preparing your kid ahead of time, you can make sure it doesn’t get in the way of college also being the fun, exciting, and all-around amazing experience it should be. Even when you’ve given them all of the advice and tools, you’ll still likely get a late night phone call from a sick kid looking for comfort and reminders of that advice.

Fortunately, support is available, whether it’s their healthcare provider at home, services on campus, or a telehealth platform like Caraway*. The key is helping your kid learn how to navigate life on their own, being there to help when they need it, and cheering them on – even when it’s from a distance. 

More Great Reading:

Here Are the 33 Life Skills Your Teen Needs to Know to “Adult”

*Caraway is the only care platform tailored for Gen Z, providing 24/7 access to mental, physical and reproductive health care – all in one place.  With Caraway, students and their peers have instant access to our Care Team of licensed physicians, therapists, nurse practitioners, care coaches and health advisors so they can get answers immediately without worrying about wait times, and avoiding the all-too-common health anxiety spiral. 

They get trusted care, and you get peace of mind. Caraway’s healthcare services are available via its mobile app in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. For more information, visit Caraway.health and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 

About the Authors:

Cheryl Baggeroer, MD is the Chief Health Officer at Caraway. Dr. Baggeroer is a board-certified psychiatrist and with expertise in women’s mental health across the lifespan and integrated care models.  

Sara Levine, MD, MPH is the Medical Director of Adolescent Medicine at Caraway. Dr. Levine is board-certified in the subspecialty of adolescent medicine and has been taking care of adolescents and young adults in private practice for 15 years.

Planning a family vacation to a great beach in SC? Myrtle Beach is a clear favorite, and it is easy to see why. As one of the most popular beaches for vacationing in SC, Myrtle Beach offers top-notch hotels and resorts along with tons of family-friendly activities along the Grand Strand. So we’ve gathered up reviews and coverage from Kidding Around into one convenient guide! Our guide includes places to stay, where to dine, fun activities, and more to help you create the perfect vacation.

This article includes:
Where to Stay at Myrtle Beach
Where to Eat at Myrtle Beach
Things to do Indoors at Myrtle Beach
Things to do Outdoors at Myrtle Beach

Planning a Trip to the Coast of SC: Myrtle Beach

At just about four hours from the Upstate, the sun and fun of Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for residents of the Upstate and SC. Myrtle Beach was designed with vacationers in mind, with hotels, resorts, and motels to fit any budget. There are plenty of places to stay, which helps keep the rates low and affordable for families. Aside from fun on the beach, there are unique and awesome attractions to keep families entertained. Everything from dinner shows to museums, amusement parks, water sports, shopping, and even an aquarium! There are also 90 golf courses and 50 mini golf courses to play at, making Myrtle Beach a top vacation destination for golf lovers.

Let Kidding Around be your guide to planning the perfect trip to Myrtle Beach for your family! We know where to find all of the cool stuff because we’ve gone and checked it out ourselves!

Where To Stay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

As one of the most accommodating beaches in SC, Myrtle Beach has approximately 425 hotels to choose from! You’ll never have a hard time finding an oceanfront room, or a resort with all of the amenities you desire. Finding the best of the best is what we aim to do, so below are some recommendations for spots we’ve stayed in ourselves, along with additional places to stay along the Grand Strand.

• Captain’s Quarters Oceanfront Resort-Hotel / Hotel BLUE Myrtle Beach Resort
  This family of resorts is one of my family’s favorites. They share accommodations and by bouncing back and forth between resorts, your whole family can have a trip suited to them! Captain’s Quarters amenities include 15 water features, a kid’s splash park, an arcade, a bowling alley, special weekend activities, and more.
  Hotel BLUE amenities include a swim-up bar, an indoor lazy river, a Cafe, and a Starbucks in the lobby. Both of these resorts are oceanfront and if you are only looking for some beach, and poolside fun – you would never have to drive anywhere until it was time to leave!

• The Grande Cayman Resort Oceanfront Hotel
  My kids and I stayed here on our most recent trip, and we had so many things planned, we didn’t get to take full advantage of the resort amenities! The hotel has a restaurant and a Starbucks coffee shop in the lobby. The resort boasts 10+ pools, with a partially indoor set of pools, a lazy river, and hot tubs. The kid’s waterpark and waterslide are separate from the rest of the pool areas, so keeping an eye on little ones is easier.
  The parking garage makes coming and going from your room easy, and you won’t have to haul tired children through the hotel and onto elevators. The room we stayed in at The Grande Cayman Resort had a small kitchen area that included a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a sink. One of the features I always love to see in hotels is a dining table. Our room had a full-size table and four chairs, along with a walk-out patio and chairs to enjoy coffee in the morning.
  *Accommodations were provided by Visit Myrtle Beach for the purpose of this guide, however, all opinions and words are that of the writer.

• The Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
  Kidding Around’s Kristina vacationed at the Myrtle Beach Westgate location, “The Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort towers right over the beach with stunning views of the ocean out of the rooms overlooking the water. It’s closer to the South end of Myrtle Beach and 40 minutes north of Huntington Island State Park. It took us just over four hours to get there from Greenville and we never even got back in the car while at the resort until it was time to go home, since everything we did was within walking distance.”
  *Accommodations were provided by Westgate for the purpose of this guide, however, all opinions and words are that of the writer.
  Read The Kidding Around review of the Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort

Reader Recommended Myrtle Beach Accommodations:

This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

North Myrtle Beach Resorts to Consider

If you are looking for a less commercial beach vacation experience in SC, Myrtle Beach probably isn’t it. However, North Myrtle Beach is just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of central Myrtle Beach. You will find less nightlife, quieter beaches, and more rental homes and condos here.

Some of the top-rated resorts in North Myrtle Beach include the expansive Club Wyndham Ocean Front Resort. This resort offers five pools, fully equipped kitchens, and is just a few miles from Barefoot Landing for exceptional shopping and dining. There is also the highly-rated Avista Resort. This family-friendly resort in North Myrtle Beach offers two outdoor pools, a lazy river, is oceanfront, and is close to golf courses.

Where To Eat in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Nothing works up an appetite quite like a day spent on the beach, and Myrtle Beach is the place to be! From seafood freshly caught off the dock and live music on the pier to romantic dinners for two, we’ve got some delicious spots to recommend that we have tried ourselves that are affordable and worth a visit.

• Dagwood’s Deli – Myrtle Beach / Surfside Beach
  Affordable family-friendly sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more. The restaurant is located just 2 blocks from the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, and it’s not priced for a spot in the middle of a huge tourism district!

• Chubby’s Tacos – Myrtle Beach
  A fun taco shop, with $5 kid’s meals, and affordable entrees. Free chips and salsa, and frozen drinks make this a great lunch stop!
• Carolina Seafood & Steak – Myrtle Beach
  A great place to get dressed for dinner or lunch and have a meal. The creative kid’s menu items will have your family giggling.
• Captain Georges Seafood Restaurant & Buffet – Myrtle Beach
  The nice thing about Captain Georges is that you can order a meal off of the menu or partake of the extensive buffet. There are plenty of choices for non-seafood eaters, and a massive selection for those who are.

• Johnny D’s Waffles and Bakery – North Myrtle Beach / Myrtle Beach / Surfside Beach
  This is a must-do early morning meal for any trip to the Grand Strand. Plan ahead though, as wait times can be long due to its popularity. This is a place where you’ll want to pre-game the menu because it all looks amazing and you’ll have a hard time deciding.
• Nacho Hippo – Myrtle Beach at Market Commons
  If margaritas are to be part of your trip to the beach, Nacho Hippo is a great spot to grab some. The Market Commons has convenient parking and a lake view.
• River City Cafe – Myrtle Beach / Surfside Beach / North Myrtle Beach / Murrells Inlet
  River City is a local cafe that was voted ” Best of the Beach” by the locals – a place that encourages you to throw your peanut shells on the floor and write on the walls.  If you are looking for a fresh juicy cheeseburger, this is the place to go.

• The Crazy Mason – Myrtle Beach at Market Commons
  One of the stops on our Moster Milkshake tour, The Crazy Mason has a huge selection of milkshake creations. The good news for fans is that Greenville is getting its very own location soon!

Reader-Recommended Myrtle Beach Restaurants:

• Sea Captain’s House – Myrtle Beach
  Reader Morgan Wilson says the Shrimp & Grits, and hushpuppies are her favorites to order from Sea Captain’s House.

Things To Do Indoors in Myrtle Beach, SC

• Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach
  Kidding Around’s Bethany took her family to the Pirate’s Voyage in Myrtle Beach, “Be prepared to be entertained by pirates, tricks, animals, and even mermaids during the two-hour show. My family was impressed by the number of tricks and the many surprises. The show also included singing, dancing, and a fun story plot. Don’t worry if your kids are not into pirates, there are parrots, sea lions, mermaids, and lots of tricks and aerobatics. The show is fast-paced and kept my kids’ attention for the entire time.”
  Read the Kidding Around Review of Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach

• Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
  Shopping at The Gay Dolphin on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is one of the most popular things for tourists to do! Can anyone really say they’ve been to Myrtle beach without a stop at the beachfront giftshop that has been in business since 1946? I think not. The store is one of the largest gift shops in SC, Myrtle Beach being the perfect place for such a gift shop treasure!
  If there’s a beach-themed item to be found, they’ll have it! Everything from t-shirts to decor, shells, and even pet hermit crabs can be found in this unique gift shop. Another one of our family’s traditional stops is the Myrtle Beach I Love Sugar location directly across the street!

• The Carolina Opry
  Maybe you are planning to catch a performance or musical act as they make their way to SC. Myrtle Beach has the gorgeous Carolina Opry, which regularly hosts concerts, performance art series, and weekly musical performances that make for a fun time. Plan your trip around that famous singer you have been dying to see and add a visit to The Carolina Opry to your itinerary.

What To Do Outdoors in Myrtle Beach

When you head to the beach for some fun, fitting in a few extra activities is one of the most exciting things to plan. There’s certainly no shortage of them in Myrtle Beach! Here are some of the ones Kidding Around team members have enjoyed!

• The Funplex
  This new amusement complex near the boardwalk is a great way to add some excitement to your afternoon! The small footprint and secured entrance mean older kids can enjoy the rides while the adults sit in the cafe area and watch. Rides are paid for with token credits applied to a scannable card and are between 4 and 10 credits per ride. Depending on the package you purchase, credits average approximately $1 each. We really liked this attraction, because you can load your card and then come and go as you please. This year guests also have a choice to purchase an unlimited wristband for the day to include all 7 rides for $29. Funplex offers fun for younger kids, teens and thrills for the whole family.

• The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
  The best way to see Myrtle Beach is from the Skywheel! 20 stories up in the air, you get a bird’s eye view of the beach and the boardwalk. On a clear night you can see as far as Broadway on the Beach!

• Myrtle Beach State Park
  At this coastal state park, you can camp, go fishing, hike, play on the beach, or just have a picnic. My kids and I have bought picnic provisions at the local grocery store before and enjoyed dinner under cover of one of the picnic shelters during a storm!

• Brookgreen Gardens
  If you are looking to step out into a natural paradise while in Myrtle Beach, check out Brookgreen Gardens. Just south of Myrtle Beach near Murrells Inlet, you can walk the gardens and explore blooming gardens, visit the Lowcountry zoo, ride a pontoon boat through the creek, and maybe see an alligator or two!
• Family Kingdom
  Being one of the most family-friendly beaches in SC, Myrtle Beach has one of the best seaside amusement parks, Family Kingdom! Race go-karts, hop on a roller coaster, ride over 35 thrilling rides, and munch on carnival food as you spend an afternoon at the park. The park will be a wonder-filled memory for you and your kids!
• Second Avenue Pier
  There is something very beach town vibes about walking out on a pier 900 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean. The Second Avenue Pier also has several restaurants to dine at and weekly firework shows to dazzle your night. There is a small park admission fee, and you can purchase a fishing license along with a reel rental for less than $10.
• Southeastern Beach Guide: Including The Grand Strand
  There are plenty of options for fun on the beach on the South Carolina Coast! We’ve got the guide to all of them on Kidding Around.

Guide to Travel in SC: Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC: Off-Season Makes A Terrific Vacation

By Louise Kinross

I just had a lightbulb moment.

I was reading Resilience is an Adverse Event, a paper published yesterday in Community Health Equity Research & Policy. The American authors are social worker Brianna Suslovic and statistician-epidemiologist Elle Lett, who is training to be a doctor. They write “from a Black queer and trans feminist perspective.”

They note, in recent years, a surge in popularity of resilience theory in public health, medicine and allied health professions.

They define resilience as “the ability to respond to stressful or traumatic situations in healthy or positive ways.”

The problem, they write, is that focusing on the individual to adapt to structural trauma is misguided.

The “‘resilience as treatment’ paradigm places the locus of intervention for structural harms within the marginalized individual, a fundamental ‘mismatch’ that facilitates maintenance of the status quo,” they write.

In thinking about resilience as an individual trait, we fail to acknowledge and address the harm that precedes it, they say. “Through a sociological lens, resilience is often conceptualized as a neoliberal technique of governance, placing the onus for posttraumatic adaptation on the individual rather than the systems through which trauma is transmitted.”

For example, they reference numerous studies that seek to identify factors that spark resilience in people who experience racism. “These studies call for individuals who experience systemic racism (interpersonal and structural) to adapt to this exposure by becoming resilient.”

The uncomfortable truth is that we have “unequal expectation of resilience across populations” and social identities like race and disability “play a role in determining who must become resilient in the first place.”

Bingo.

It made me think of the endless studies over the last two decades showing parents of children with disabilities have higher rates of depression and anxiety than parents of nondisabled children. We also have strong evidence that children and adults with disabilities are more likely to experience these mental health problems than their peers. 

In both parents and children, we see a move to promote resilience as a coping factor, which puts the emphasis on the parent or the person with disability to bend or adapt to how they are devalued in health care and the culture at large.

“Structural harms require structural interventions that work outside of the individual…’ the researchers write.

Which made me consider exactly what are we doing to address implicit disability bias and structural harm against children with disabilities and their parents?

Last year we reported on a study that looked at how traumatic hospital experiences contributed to depression and anxiety in parents of children with complex medical problems. “The thing that surprised me the most was the kind of inconspicuous trauma that I’ve been a perpetrator of, whether it was in the language that I used, or the setting,” lead investigator Dr. Tammie Dewan, a hospitalist at Alberta Children’s Hospital, told us. For example, parents are expected to hold their child down during painful and anxiety-producing procedures. “That’s a really good example of a system contributor to trauma,” she said.

Instead of viewing resilience as a treatment for trauma, it’s more accurate to think of it as the lingering scar tissue,” say the authors of the new paper. In this way, we can consider resilience an adverse event itself. There are two sides to resilience, they write, one “a coping mechanism and one a source of dysfunction and sign of harm.”

I reached out to author Brianna Suslovic at the University of Chicago about how these ideas might apply to the disability community.

“The experiences of disability and caregiving are both areas in which prioritizing resilience is a misguided impulse,” she wrote in an e-mail. It amounts, she wrote, to “trying to ‘fix’ people who are most vulnerable to ongoing oppression and bias.”

The authors point to a holistic trauma framework which emphasizes collective healing, and a liberation health framework, as possible alternatives. The latter stresses that clinicians work with clients and patients on multiple levels: the individual, the cultural, and the institutional.

“A social determinants-informed approach to research and practice is one that considers the kind of social change needed to prevent health disparities in the first place, rather than placing the impetus for adaptation on individual patients,” they write.

Like this story? Sign up for our monthly BLOOM e-letter. You’ll get family stories and expert advice on raising children with disabilities; interviews with activists, clinicians and researchers; and disability news. 

Buffalo still roam in this country and while most of them are out West, there are herds that roam free in North Carolina at Buffalo Creek Vacations in Clyde, NC. Less than two hours from Greenville, SC, this vacation destination is close to so much fun, and the property is pretty awesome all by itself. We stayed in a caboose on this beautiful property and have all the details!

Thank you to Buffalo Creek Vacations for inviting us to stay on their property. 

Buffalo Creek Vacations is located in Clyde, North Carolina, about an hour and 45 minutes from the Upstate and right in the middle of so many fantastic places in Western North Carolina like the Biltmore in Asheville, the adorable town of Waynesville, and some of the best hiking trails in the state. But Buffalo Creek has its own claim to fame because they have an entire buffalo herd roaming on their property. 

These are the very same American Bison that roam out West and were once nearly extinct. As guests of Buffalo Creek, you can watch them get fed and just enjoy them doing their buffalo thing while roaming around the private farm. And you can do it all while staying in a decommissioned caboose or a luxury log cabin. We stayed in the caboose and it was super cool and something that a kid (or grownup) who loves trains will go nuts over if they get the chance to stay here. 

About Buffalo Creek Vacations 

Harold Clackett was a UPS driver on Long Island, New York when he decided he wanted to get out of the rat race and find someplace beautiful to retire with his wife, Harriett. He had a love of all things America so decided he would do something about it and raise bison. So he built a log cabin in Clyde, NC, with views of the Great Smoky Mountains, and worked on that big dream of his in 1994.

A decade later, the 40 acres behind Harold and Harriett’s log cabin and bison ranch went up for sale. The Clackett kids – five boys and one girl – and their spouses decided they wanted to expand their dad’s dream and create a vacation rental business, along with the bison ranch. So they bought the land and built beautiful cabins on it. 

Harold is also a train enthusiast. He had lots of model trains in his basement and just loved tinkering with them. So in 2016, the Clackett family bought a decommissioned caboose and had it shipped all the way to the mountains, renovated it, and started renting it out. Then came another caboose and Buffalo Creek Vacations made a national list of the Top 10 coolest places to stay in the country. High-five! 

They have two cabooses for rent and are currently renovating four more. 

Staying in a Caboose 

I love staying in unique rentals and the decommissioned caboose was no exception. This was a really cool experience. 

The caboose rental we stayed in, the Gray Caboose, was part of the Seaboard Coast Line, which operated all along the Eastern Seaboard starting in 1967. I’m fascinated with all things history and loved the story behind the cabooses on the property. 

The caboose is quite large and Buffalo Creek did a pretty amazing job renovating it. It has a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, two televisions, a bedroom with a queen bed, and a loft with another queen bed. The couch folds out to a twin sleeper so in all, the caboose can sleep five people. There is also free wi-fi.

Also, the windows look out on the pasture where the buffalo roam so you can see them right from the caboose! All of the accommodations at Buffalo Creek are pet-friendly. 

The BC Depot 

The BC Depot is right next to the cabooses and houses the game room, the huge model train room, the little shop, and laundry area. 

My kids absolutely loved the game room and one didn’t want to leave. Ever. 

Buffalo Creek has a ping pong table, foosball, a mostly enclosed area with lots of toys for smaller kids, a chess/checker table, and air hockey. You can also hang out there and play a DVD or take one back to your caboose to watch later. They’ve also got a pet turtle in there plus coffee and all kinds of books to read and information about the area to peruse. 

The little shop has all kinds of buffalo-themed goodies like aprons, stuffed animals, socks, shirts, and keychains. Cheryl, one of the owners and the only daughter of Harriett and Harold, will likely be in here and is so friendly and helpful. If you have any questions at all, she will know the answer! 

The Buffalo Ranch 

So Buffalo Creek Vacations is really unique and fun because they are situated on a buffalo ranch and I find these creatures pretty fascinating. They literally roam the property (with fences) and you can see them hanging out and chilling and do whatever it is that buffalos enjoy doing. 

At 9:30 am every morning, they are fed and guests are invited to watch. Let me tell you – this was entertaining. Feeding the buffalo herd, which consists of more than 35 heads of them, is quite the task. They get fed special pellets once a day and graze the rest of the day in the pastures. To feed the buffalo, Harold, 78, drives the tractor while his wife, Harriett, also 78 years old, and a cousin of the family, Dennis, sits on the front end with the buckets of pellets and dumps them into the troughs. 

Buffalo, which is the nickname of bison, are not typically nice creatures. They are part of the Bovidae family, which consists of cattle and antelope. While they seem like fluffy cows, they can run up to 30 miles per hour and jump straight up six feet, plus they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and have horns. They can easily run you over and cause serious damage, which is why warnings about staying away from these buffalo are all over national parks where they roam out in Yellowstone. These are the same animals at Buffalo Creek so definitely follow all the signs and don’t think you can go cuddle with these wild mammals. 

Now, back to the feeding of the buffalo by the coolest grandparents I think I’ve met, aside from my own. These two septugians on the tractor feed the buffalo every morning and do it fast and efficiently. If I manage to live to be 78 years old, I hope I can be as fearless and adventurous as these two grandparents.

Jeff, Cheryl’s husband, told me all kinds of cool buffalo facts while we watched Harold and Harriett feed the herd and hold a new baby goat (best day ever honestly). Buffalo are pregnant for about nine months and they rut for a couple months in the late summer and give birth in late spring/early summer. Baby buffalo weigh around 60-70 pounds and put on weight quickly. Their hides are a tan color and then turn brown as they grow older. The hides feel rough and are fuller during the winter. When summer rolls around, the buffalo will rub against trees to shed some of that course fur to stay cooler. 

There are also mini-horses, llamas, alpacas, goats, rabbits, donkeys, and horses at Buffalo Creek Vacations. The alpacas and llamas are sheared once a year for their fluffy fur and the goats make baby goats, which make a lot of people happy. The donkey is one of the guard animals and we got to hear him hee-haw a bunch of times. They are louder than you think! 

Model Trains Everywhere at Agapeland

Harold Clackett is a train enthusiast and over his lifetime had collected a significant number of model trains, which he kept in his basement. When the BC Depot was built, a special room was added for the Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders Club, which is like walking into another world of tiny people, landscapes, and trains. 

The model train room is part of the ranch but a separate fee is charged to enter and explore the room ($10/adults, and $8/kids and seniors). Guests get a reduced rate. 

The room, called Agapeland, currently has nine working trains and I’m guessing about eight or nine separate little worlds – a carnival, a 50s diner, a little town, a mining village, a castle, and several others. I lost count. I was so overwhelmed walking into that room and was amazed at what this model train world consisted of. I’d definitely recommend a stop at Agapeland while you visit. Plus, this is a great stop if you’re in the area. Totally worth it plus you can see the buffalo.

Birthday Parties, Field Trips, and Day Passes

If you want to host a birthday party at Buffalo Creek Vacations, that’s an option. They have a lot of space in the BC Depot and offer opportunities for kids to interact with the animals and see the buffalo. 

In addition, field trips are also offered at the ranch. There’s a lot to see and learn about farming and animals. 

If you’re in the area or want to make a day trip to Buffalo Creek Vacations, they offer a Day-Cation Pass. The pass allows you to watch the daily bison feeding, check out the model trains, do a mini-horse ride, visit the playground and game room, and see all the animals. You also get a free souvenir cup of animal feed to give the goats some treats. The day pass is good from 9 am – Noon and costs $48/adult and $38/child ages 3-17. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

The Playground

The BC Coral is the big playground at Buffalo Creek. It’s an old-school one with wooden bridges, monkey bars, a climbing ball, see-saw, and little zip line. My kids loved it. 

To get to it, you actually have to hike one of the trails, which was definitely fun. It’s uphill on the way there and only takes about 10 minutes to get there from the cabooses and BC Depot. We went before the bison feeding so didn’t have a lot of time. My kids would have definitely stayed longer if I had let them! 

Luxury Cabins

As we didn’t stay in one of the luxury cabins at Buffalo Creek Vacations, I can’t speak directly to those log cabins but we did walk by a couple of them and they look beautiful. All cabins were built almost solely by the family and every luxury cabin is pet-friendly and have pool tables, wi-fi, a private fire ring, and hot tub. 

Cabins sleep anywhere from 2 to 14 people so this is an awesome place for a family trip, couples retreat, or even a family reunion or wedding party. 

Nearby Things to Do 

Buffalo Creek Vacations is in such an ideal location that it’s hard to pick one or two things nearby to focus on if you want to do some day tripping. So I’m just going to tell you a bunch of things and you can choose!

Hiking & Outdoor Fun

Max Patch 
This is one of the most spots I’ve ever been to with its 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. It’s about 45 minutes from Buffalo Creek and the road is really bumpy up there but it’s only about 1.5 miles round trip to get to the bald and…wow. Go for sunrise. 

Waterrock Knob
About 35 minutes away, you can get to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waterrock Knob. Again, sweeping views of the mountains. There are the remnants of an old Cessna plane that crashed there many years ago that you can hike to. Look at a map before you go as it’s a little tricky. But the hike to the Waterrock Knob summit is short but steep. Be sure to visit the Visitors Center there as it has some cool information about the area.

Midnight Hole
This beautiful emerald lagoon is such a nice spot to visit during the summer when you can take a dip in the cold water. Hike a little further up to Mouse Creek Falls for even more beauty. Get there early as the trail is super popular. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Buffalo Creek. 

Cataloochee Ski Area 
Located only 20 minutes from Buffalo Creek in Maggie Valley, you can go skiing, snowboarding, and tubing here during the winter. 

Lake Junaluska
I have yet to explore this lake but it’s on my list. Lake Junaluska is really close to Buffalo Creek, less than 15 minutes away and you can rent kayaks or paddleboards, take a boat tour, walk the trail around the lake or visit the gardens.

Whitewater Rafting 
A short 40-minute drive over the summer will get you to Smoky Mountain Outdoors where you can choose one of two whitewater rafting routes, a less intense ride for younger kids or a more wild one for older kids. 

Towns to Visit

Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
These two towns are only about an hour and 15 minutes away, which is so perfect because you can enjoy all the cool things to do there and then go back to Buffalo Creek for some rest & relaxation. 

Waynesville 
This town has a quaint little downtown where you can shop, eat, and explore. 

Cherokee
Under an hour away, Cherokee has all kinds of neat things to do with your family from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to see the elk and tour the village. 

The Biltmore in Asheville 
The Biltmore is a half hour away and is easily a day trip. There are the gardens to explore, trails to walk, the House to tour, wine to taste, and the ice cream to eat at the creamery. 

Buffalo Creek Vacations Review

I thought the caboose rental was super cool and my kids loved the loft, game room, and playground. Learning about the buffalo was certainly a highlight and having that unique experience was pretty amazing. 

We also got to cuddle with a baby goat and anyone who reads my stories knows that baby goats make me ridiculously happy, so that’s a plus. 

I thought the family who runs Buffalo Creek Vacations was just so down-to-earth, welcoming, and happy to answer all my questions. They have been in the hospitality business for about 19 years and have worked extremely hard to make the farm and the experience of the guests all top-notch. 

And really, you cannot beat the location. There are so many things to do not only on the property but within an hour that you cannot be bored. 

Also, the communication from Buffalo Creek Vacation was excellent. I got emails before I was set to go with relevant information. The phone numbers of Cheryl and the other family members on the property are displayed in the caboose and on the front of the shop window so if you need anything at all, the family is easily accessible. 

While I’m not a train enthusiast myself, I still really enjoyed the stay, especially the model trains at Agapeland. If you are a train enthusiast, oh my gosh, you won’t want to leave this place! 

Booking with Buffalo Creek Vacations

You can find Buffalo Creek Vacations on AirBnB and VRBO but you can also book direct, saving you a lot on fees. 

Rates depend upon season and weekend/weekdays and are available to view on their website. 

For Kidding Around readers, Buffalo Creek Vacation is offering 5% off their rate when you enter promo code KIDGVL.

Buffalo Creek Vacations
13 Caboose Way, Clyde, NC
828.550.0960

Looking for Free Things to Do in Greenville?  We have some great ideas on this extremely packed list. This list is an ode to that song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Make memories and take advantage of all the great things around Greenville. Enjoy!

Do you want to keep tabs on all the things to do in the Upstate? Don’t skip our giant list of Things to Do Near Greenville, SC, full of fabulous family fun any time of the year.

This article includes:
Free and Cheap Things to Do Outdoors in Greenville
Free Historic and Educational Places to Visit in Greenville
Free Things to Do with Kids in Greenville
Food, Fitness, and Fun Things to Do

Hours and openings are subject to change, so be sure to check with venues before visiting.

Also, we have the following articles about free things to do!
Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville
Free Things to Do with Toddlers in Greenville
Free Things to Do in the Summer in Greenville
Free Things to Do in the Winter in Greenville
Inexpensive or Free Things to Do Over Spring Break in Greenville
Free Dates in Greenville

Free Things to Do Outside in Greenville

Have your photo taken at the Medusa tree in Falls Park.

Explore the Children’s garden and sculptures at the Cancer Survivor’s Park.

Go bird watching at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve.

Spend the day at the expansive Unity Park near Downtown, Greenville.

Explore the parks around Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Visit one of these amazing gardens near Greenville or if you have time to drive take in the views at Pretty Place at Camp Greenville. (Just be sure to check their schedule as many weddings take place during the warmer months there).

Volunteer with REI to help keep our beautiful trails trash-free. You can keep tabs on the REI events and join a guided hike or take an outdoor skills class. Or, try one of these places to volunteer outdoors in the Upstate.

Put your hiking shoes on and try one of these great local hikes. If you have small children, try a hike that’s perfect for small kids.

Play tennis in this cooler weather and use our comprehensive list of public courts.

Free fishing thanks to the South Carolina Fishing Tackle Loaner program where you can borrow a rod, reel, and tackle box for FREE. Check out Jackie Vest’s best fishing spots list.

Enjoy some free mini-golf at McPherson Park.

Extend the frisbee fever and play disc golf for free. The Upstate Disc Golf Club has a great review of the courses.

Chase waterfalls near Greenville with Kristina, our waterfalls expert. If you prefer waterfalls with no hiking, try our waterfalls driving tour.

Other than your picnic blanket, don’t forget your kite! See Greenville’s great spots for flying a kite.

Ride bikes on one of these trails or parks that are perfect for bike riders.

In downtown Greenville? Be sure to see our list of Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville!

Historic & Educational Free Things to Do Near Greenville

Great for visiting friends and family, take a free tour of downtown Greenville and ride the Downtown Trolley.

Anderson County Museum is free to visit (donation accepted), and has many kids’ events. During your visit, you can explore a one-room schoolhouse, a water well, and a harness shop.

Be a tourist in your own town and find out the story behind all those sculptures around town. Use the Art in Public Places Downtown Public Sculpture Guide.

A baseball fan? Don’t miss the newly relocated Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Museum and Baseball Library, see the player’s former home and enrich your knowledge of baseball trivia. Admission is free.

A great way to learn about history is to experience it! Check out Poinsett Bridge and Stumphouse Tunnel.

Unplug and learn what life was like during the pioneer days with a visit to Hagood Mill. Admission is free.

Our little Biltmore, have you been to the Kilgore-Lewis Historic House by Greenville Garden Club?

Join Greenville Center for Creative Arts every first Friday of the month for a fun art activity at their kid’s art table, snacks and a peek at some great art studios. Guests can also meet with local artists during their visit. This event is free.

A Greenville gem, visit Greenville County Art Museum to see a fine collection of art and historical artifacts including rare pieces by potter and poet David Drake. Admission is free.

For a small fee, visit one of Greenville’s relatively new special interest museums, the Sigal Music Museum.

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Greenville for Kids

Always at the top of any free things list is our all-time favorite, Mice on Main.

Don’t forget to get your free kids’ workshop kits at local home improvement stores. Here is the Home Depot Free Kids Workshop schedule. We also have information on the DIY Kids Workshops available free at Lowe’s.

If you have a kid who loves crafts, head to JC Penney for their monthly free craft activity for kids.

If downtown Greenville has Mice, downtown Greer has Toads on Trade! Another fun hunt for kids has been revived thanks to a ten-year-old’s efforts.

There are many awesome free playgrounds in Greenville and here’s a list to prove it.

Take your family to one of these free (or cheap) spring festivals.

Earn prizes for free by reading in the summer with this list of places that offer free summer reading programs.

During the summer enjoy a free scavenger hunt at our local parks and earn prizes with the annual Park Hop.

Another secret free destination for little animal lovers is a visit to Petco or local pet stores around. Kids love examining the fish and animals in their dens. Check out more Secret Spots in Greenville.

Love bowling? During the Summer, Kid’s Bowl Free through several bowling alleys throughout the Upstate

In the summer, head to one of the free splash pads near Greenville.

Greenville County Animal Care’s Doggy’s Day Out program is a fun full-day option for animal-loving families, as well as the canines in their care! You get the company of a dog for a full day and one of their dogs gets a break from the shelter for a day by going on an adventure with you and your family.

Go to a free outdoor movie at one of our local parks. If you prefer indoor movies, try the cheap summer movies near Greenville offered by some local theaters.

Musgrove Mill in Clinton is a Revolutionary War Historic Site and is only $3 for adults, $1 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under to visit. Special events occur there throughout the year.

Take a free tour of the Duke Power Plant in Huntersville, NC and learn what happens when atoms collide! Open by appointment only.

Or, visit Duke World of Energy at Oconee Station.

Food, Fitness, and Fun Things to Do

Many of our local Farmers’ Markets have a festive atmosphere with live music and more.

At Christmas, take the family on a free driving tour to see Christmas lights.

Want to add to your gardening knowledge? Check out free garden workshops by local master gardeners, or take a stroll, jog, or power walk through one of these Gardens Near Greenville.

Go on a free date with one of these ideas.

Celebrating your birthday? Sign-up for these goodies and get your free birthday treat thanks to these thoughtful local businesses.

Free Events for Families: Greenville, SC

These events and things to do have no admission and may have other free things like crafts and activities. Just click on each event for more information.