Tag: Greenville SC

If you are looking for salons offering mommy and me nails near Greenville, SC, you’ve come to the right place! Kidding Around readers recommended several nail salons that accommodate little kids by giving them the pint-size version of the nail treatments many parents enjoy. We hope you and your little one have a great time bonding while being pampered with mommy and me manis and pedis!

Enjoying a little pampering with your child can be a wonderful and fun bonding activity. While little ones might not hold still long enough to benefit from lengthy services, a slightly older child may love it. I know promises of pretty polish are the only sure way to bribe my preschool daughters into letting me trim their nails.

Below are some reader suggestions of favorite salons offering child nail services throughout Greenville.

Salons offering services for kids

Remember that details about these particular locations may change. We recommended calling ahead to confirm deals or services.

Lavish Nails and Spa

Lavish Nails and Spa is highly recommended due to the salon’s cleanliness and relaxing environment. They offer manicures and pedicures for children under 12 and use new tools when working with children, and are excellent with kids!

850 East Suber Road #140
Greer, SC 29650

Nail Story

Nail Story’s stunning salon offers a Kid’s Menu of nail services for children. They currently offer a Kid’s Manicure, Kid’s Pedicure, Delux Pedicure, Top Shelf Pedicure, and additional add-on services like gels and nail designs.

838 Woods Crossing Road
Greenville, SC 29607

Lily Nails

Located off Wade Hampton near Belk’s in Greer, Lily Nails is recommended by a few KA readers thanks to their adorable ‘Mommy and Me’ section in the salon. The facility is clean and organized, with adjoining adult/child chairs that can accommodate children as young as 3 years old!

810 West Wade Hampton Blvd
Greer, SC 29650

Hampton Nails & Spa

Located in Greer, Hampton Nails & Spa offers multiple services for children under 12, including pedicure and manicure (ages 9 – 12), gel polish, hand polish, and feet polish. They have two special child-size chairs available to make them more comfortable.

217 West Wade Hampton Blvd Suite E
Greer, SC 29650

Oscar Nails & Spa

Multiple KA readers love Oscars Nails & Spa because of the salon’s cleanliness and friendly staff! The salon is very popular amongst adults looking for their own manicure and pedicure, as well as for child nail services.

2435 East North Street #1102
Greenville, SC 29615

Magic Nails and Beauty

Magic Nails & Beauty offer a children’s manicure and pedicure. Its facility is highly rated because of its welcoming staff, cleanliness, and sanitation practices.

1417 Laurens Road
Greenville, SC 29607

Nail City

Located off of White Horse Road across from Walmart, Nail City has two child-size chairs available.

6135 White Horse Rd
Greenville, SC 2961

RELATED: Best Kids’ Haircuts in Greenville

Any others we skipped? Please let us know in the comments where your favorite mommy and me nail salons are!

Want to go tubing down a river really close to Greenville, SC? The Saluda Outdoor Center is the spot closest to Greenville for a day of tubing, only about 15 minutes from Downtown Greenville. Tubing with your family is wonderful, and Kristina took her kids and told us what to expect. Thank you to the Saluda Outdoor Center for inviting us to review the tubing experience!

Once my kids were old enough, we have gone tubing every summer in our area and have attempted to try as many rivers as possible. Most locations were at least an hour and fifteen minutes away. But not the Saluda Outdoor Center, a new outfitter on the river only 20 minutes (or less) outside Greenville, SC that rents tubes, hosts SUP State for paddleboard tours and rentals, and even has tiny houses and camping cabins for overnight stays.

Saluda Outdoor Center

The Saluda Outdoor Center’s (SOC), located just five miles outside of Greenville, tubing and tiny home rentals opened in 2020 and hasn’t stopped growing since. They’ve relocated their check-in area since they first opened to a beautiful new building up the street from their old location where they have their tiny house village. The address is 1001 Old Easley Highway, Greenville. Use this address and not the one that pulls up on Google.

You’ll check in at this main building and can pick up whatever essentials you may have forgotten like a hat, sunscreen, water, or dry bag. Plus, they have a lot of other cool things for sale like cute t-shirts and snacks, of course. After you check-in, you can leave your keys at the desk (always a good idea), and head to the back to get a life jacket.

If you need to use the restroom or change, you can do that in the hallway behind the store where you check-in. The changing rooms are really nice and useful! Once you are ready to get rolling, you’ll get on the bus and they will take you to the river.

After tubing, you’ll get out at the little tiny house village, Saluda Tiny, where you can play cornhole or just relax.

Once you’re all done tubing and ready to head back, another bus will take you back to your car where you checked in. There’s a new Snack Shack there if you need some nourishment with nachos, ice cream, and hot dogs. You can change into dry clothes as well if you want.

Check out Saluda Tiny the next time you’re looking for an escape, but want to stay close to home.

The Tubing Run on the Saluda

I’ve done tubing on the Saluda River twice and my kids’ ages ranged between 6-12. We loved it both times! The length of time is totally dependent on the water level. If the water is higher and running fast, the trip will take less time, and vice versa if the water is lower and is running slow. Either way, the river is pretty relaxing, wide, and calm for the the majority of the float.

The Saluda River is a good option for many reasons. The river is calm for nearly the full ride. There are rapids at the end that may bump you around a bit but we didn’t ever fall off. And the river is so close to Greenville that you don’t need to plan an entire day trip if you want to go tubing.

Once we got checked in and signed the waiver (you can do it online or when you check in), we picked up our life jackets (everyone needs one) and listened to the crew give us the safety talk. It’s pretty standard – watch out for wildlife (snakes, fish, turtles), tips on how to not flip or what to do if you flip, when to get out of the river at the end, don’t bring valuables on the river, stay off the riverbanks as they are on private property. Then our tubes were loaded in the cute little school bus and off we were shuttled to the drop-in.

A couple of things about the drop in point: the path is a bit steep in some parts to the drop-in, which is right below the Saluda Dam (I thought this was pretty cool), so watch your footing. You should be wearing shoes that will stay on your feet anyways for the trip. Watch out here for glass. It’s a popular fishing spot and some people don’t clean after themselves. Then once you get in and go under the bridges, try to push yourself off so you don’t float and go nowhere like we did. We got a stick and I just pushed us into the current – it was all good.

Once on the river, just chill. It’s a relaxing journey. My kids compared it to a lazy river at a water park. Try to stay in the middle of the river with the current and not get swept under branches. There are a few small rapids and a slightly larger one near the end. I held onto my kids, who were tethered to my tube, and we bounced around. I’ve tubed on several rivers in our area and the Green River was probably the wildest one (but it was really exciting and fun!) and the Saluda River is nowhere near that experience.

We saw more than 40 turtles when we tubed. They were really cute! My daughter saw a snake and I think we may have seen a beaver, I’m not sure. Wear or bring sunscreen and a hat as there is no shade on the river. We’ve tubed in May and July and both times the water was pretty warm.

Tips on Tubing the Saluda River

To make the most of your time on the river, we have a few tips.

• Apply sunscreen and bring or wear a hat. It’s really hot on the river and there isn’t any shade.
• Bring a change of clothes. I hate sitting in a wet bathing suit and you can change at the building when you get back from the trip.
• Ask for tethers if you want to keep your smaller kids close to you during the tubing trip.
• Kids must be 42″ tall to tube so measure them beforehand.
• Bring water. Again, it’s hot so don’t get dehydrated.
• You are in the great outdoors and there will likely be wildlife, maybe even a snake or two. It happens. Just pay attention and steer away from fallen branches and trees, where they like to hang out.

Booking Your Float

It’s best to book your tube online to secure your spot. Be prepared for busy days, especially on weekends when the outdoors feels like an oven and tubing is one of the best things to do on a hot day.

The 2024 season kicks off on Memorial Day Weekend. Tickets are $24/person and include a life jacket, shuttle service, one tube run (additional ones are $10/person), and any tethers. Groups of 10 people or more can get a rate of $20/person. They also offer cooler tubes if you have drinks and food you want to take with you.

Children must be 42″ tall to tube. Life jacket sizes start at 50 lbs so if your kid is 42″ tall but under 50 lbs, you need to supply the life jacket.

Are you ready to float the Saluda River?

Saluda Outdoor Center
1001 Old Easley Highway, Greenville
864.777.3053

Need a gift for Mother’s Day or a special treat for a birthday or just a day of relaxation in Greenville, SC? Let us introduce you to Spa H at Hotel Hartness. 

Thank you to Spa H for inviting us to experience their amazing oasis. 

Rest and relaxation are not part of my vocabulary, especially as a parent and working mom. There is just no time and if there is time by some miracle, it’s usually spent catching up on laundry or the dishes or meal planning or making deadlines. So when Bethany and I had the opportunity to review Spa H at Hotel Hartness, we carved out the time (and threw some responsibilities to the side) to make it happen because it’s a rare thing to be able to truly relax and just forget about life for awhile. 

Spa H was even better than I had pictured or imagined. It is the absolute perfect way to gift that woman in your life who deserves some time alone or to gift yourself! 

About Spa H 

Spa H is part of Hotel Hartness right off Highway 14 in Greenville. It’s set back on a beautiful, quiet nature preserve next to a small lake. While it is a part of Hotel Hartness, the building is separate from the hotel but within a minute or so walk. So if you book a hotel room, you can easily just walk over to your spa appointment (which we absolutely recommend). 

The spa is beautiful and peaceful and it’s easy to see how the designers thoughtfully created the space so that relaxation is encouraged. From the soft music when you walk into the spa to the comfortable couches to the delicious scents – it is all meant to be relaxing as soon as you walk through those doors. 

There are six treatment rooms, locker rooms for men and women, a relaxation room, and a patio that overlooks the small lake with a garden. 

Let’s Get to Relaxing

We were scheduled for an 80-minute Seasonal Treatment, a body treatment that involves an exfoliating scrub, shea butter, a cactus toning wrap, and shimmer air oil. The products were all orange-scented, which smelled heavenly. The scents change every few months with the seasons.

When we got to Spa H, the kind receptionist greeted us and gave us a bamboo cloth that smelled so good! She poured hot water over it so we could use it to wipe our hands or faces. We filled out an intake form and headed to the locker room. 

We each had individual lockers – welcoming us with a little chalkboard by name – that had an amazingly soft and fluffy robe with sandals. We each had a key so felt safe locking our valuables inside while we had our treatments. 

The locker rooms have showers and bathrooms along with shaving kits, toothbrushes, hair brushes, deodorant, you name it.  It was a well-stocked locker room. 

For body treatments, it’s best to remove all clothing except underwear. It may be different for facials so be sure to ask the attendant what you should do. We felt comfortable the whole time and cozy in our robes. Everything at Spa H is professional, tranquil, and comforting. 

The Seasonal Treatment

For the seasonal treatment, the back, arms, legs, feet, and arms are rubbed down with a body scrub, then taken off with heated, wet towels. Then shea butter is massaged into the skin along with the shimmer air oil. At the end, you are all wrapped up like a cocoon with a cactus toning wrap. 

My clinician, Beverly, was amazing. She explained everything that would happen and asked what I was comfortable with or preferred to skip and then got to it. The treatment began with several deep breaths while facedown. Beverly had some water that was scented with something that immediately made my body relax. It was heavenly. 

Then she worked on my back with the body scrub. Never having had a body treatment like this before, I thought it may be messy with the scrub needing to be rinsed off. But it wasn’t at all. That’s what the heated towels were for. Everything was the perfect temperature and I soon began to forget about my life for a bit. 

She continued to do my legs and then I turned over for my feet and arms. My feet were wrapped in hot towels for awhile, which made them oh-so-soft (yay for summertime!). She then took the bottom of the blankets on the table where I was laying and wrapped me up. It wasn’t tight and it wasn’t as I thought it would be at all. I was wondering how I was supposed to be wrapped up. Would I have to sit up or get off the table or something like that? Nope, all I did was lay there. 

When I was all wrapped up, she gave me a scalp massage. I nearly fell asleep. I can’t even describe how relaxing this was. All the stuff that had been on my mind when I walked into the spa was somewhere else. I didn’t even care where. I was just happy it wasn’t inside my head any longer. I wasn’t thinking of work or dinner or answering a million questions from kids or trying to remember if I ordered enough toilet paper from Amazon. 

I could have stayed there another hour. 

Relaxation Continues After Treatment

I really didn’t want to go anywhere after the treatment and luckily, I had some time to just sit and do nothing. Bethany and I got time to hang out together in the relaxation room, which had comfortable chairs, blankets, books, and cold green tea. It was amazing. 

We headed out to the sunny patio for a little while to enjoy the beautiful day. The sun was warm and we just felt really good. We started Googling how much it would be to do an overnight stay at Hotel Hartness and a spa treatment. Dads – if you’re reading and have forgotten birthdays and Mother’s Day and need to make your wife happy, give her an overnight stay at the hotel with a spa treatment. It will make her very, very happy. 

You are also welcome to hang out at the Relaxation Room as long as you like. 

Booking Your Spa H Appointment 

I don’t go often for massages or facials or really anything that was as relaxing as this trip to Spa H was. But goodness, I really should do this more. It just felt so good to have a couple hours of doing nothing and focusing on nothing but being in the moment and letting go of worries and concerns. 

You can book your appointment online at the Spa H website. They are currently offering a Mother’s Day and weekday discount. You can also become a member at the spa where you receive a 50-minute relaxation massage or balancing facial every month plus discounts for spa products, hotel rooms, and additional services. 

Be sure to get there 15-30 minutes early to have time to fill out the intake form and get changed. We both walked out of there so much happier and more relaxed than when we came in. All the staff are so kind and considerate and just really good at their jobs. Make the appointment. Buy the gift card. 

Spa H
90 Traverse Dr, Greenville
864.373.9802 
Spa H Website

Looking for food trucks near Greenville, SC? No matter what type of cuisine you are seeking, there is sure to be a food truck in the Greenville area that has something tasty to satisfy your hunger. Read all about Kristina’s love of food trucks and find a list of some of her favorites in this article.

The advent of the modern-day food truck – a kind of hip repurposed truck that serves up amazing food on the go – can be traced back to Los Angeles in 2008 with the Kogi Korean BBQ truck. The idea of patrons buying food from a mobile unit wasn’t new but what was unique about Kogi, and others that followed their success, was the incredible food they served (Chef and founder Roy Choi was named “Best New Chef” in 2010 by the prestigious Food & Wine magazine – a first for a food truck chef) and the interactive social aspects of a roving kitchen on wheels. Since 2008, the food truck revolution has swept the nation, including Greenville in recent years. In fact, our awesome city has some truly unique and delicious options when it comes to food trucks.

From Greek to BBQ

No more stale hot dogs, overcooked soft pretzels and Mickey Mouse ice cream treats from mobile trucks. Today’s food trucks are beacons of tasty, unique, and seriously delectable eats. From Greek food to Southern BBQ to gourmet cupcakes, the food truck scene is certainly one to check out in Greenville.

There are tons of options here that even a picky eater is bound to find something they love. Henry’s Hog Hauler serves up their famous BBQ from Henry’s Smokehouse; Highway 301 is basically Soby’s on wheels; and The Roll-in Cuban Truck has your favorite Cuban fares including empanadas. Go ahead and pick your jaw off the ground. I’ll wait.

I’m hungry. Where do I find these food trucks?

Good question. The city of Greenville has a regulation that keeps food trucks a certain distance away from brick and mortar restaurants but even so, the city does understand that welcoming these exceptional meals on wheels is good for Greenville. In fact, they did a whole study on food trucks a couple of years ago and concluded that,

“Food trucks may play an instrumental role in contributing to the social life of cities. In his study of why some public spaces work better than others, Whyte (1980) identified food as one significant contributor. ‘If you want to seed a place with activity, put out food,’ he writes, because ‘food attracts people who attract more people’ (p. 50-52).”

Basically, food is awesome and it attracts people, which is key to successful urban planning. To that end, Greenville zoned various places for food truck operation.

But that’s not the only places to find food trucks

Many local businesses, like breweries, have formed great relationships with food trucks and invite them to set up shop on their private property. These are a couple that do so:

I’ve also seen food trucks at tons of events in Greenville, like at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts on First Friday and at the outdoor movie at Greer City Park. The best way to figure out where these tasty food-on-wheels go is through their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or own websites.

Additionally, food truck schedules are available all in one place with the iOnGreenville app, which you can download on your phone.

Food Trucks Near Greenville, SC

Find your favorite food truck from the list below and start sampling some truly innovative and tasty food on the go.

Food Trucks Offering Full Meals

Delicious Desserts

Food Trucks Offering Coffee

10 Bakeries That Are Creating Instagram Worthy Cakes In Greenville, SC

Looking for amazing cakes in Greenville, SC? The art of cake decorating and baking is often harder than it looks. Great bakers, make the process seem effortless, and that misconception has led to many a reality show. Just like on the show “Nailed It”, oftentimes even bakers can misjudge the difficulty of a cake’s design. That’s when reliable recommendations and photos of past work become so important. We have a list of bakeries in Greenville our readers have recommended.

Oftentimes, the decorating of a cake can be just as difficult as saying no to orders, you aren’t sure you can pull off. If I sound like I know, it’s because I spent several years working in a bakery, and know-how important cakes can be to a milestone event. Check out these awesome local bakeries that will make your guest’s mouths water, and your photos the envy of everyone on Instagram!

Picture Perfect Cakes in Greenville, SC

I know what most of you might be thinking. Vegan?
But, I’m going to tell you right now, you would never know that the cakes from this bakery were dairy-free.

The first time I tasted one of these magical cakes, I was a guest alongside Jen Evans on WSPA. After the segment, everyone in the studio was fighting over bites of the cake. It was amazing and delicious, and you will never go back to a regularly made cake again. Jen also makes gluten-free cakes, and I’m guessing they won’t be the same disappointing kind I made once at home for a relative. Everything she makes is other-worldly and delicious!

Doux Anni has a huge following of loyal customers in the Upstate! One look at her cakes and you can see why.

The intricate detail and fondant work that goes into her cakes is a lot of work, and it’s why she’s so popular! I’m thinking I need to throw myself an Alice In Wonderland Party, just as an excuse for that cake! I’m a huge fan of that book!

TIffany’s Sweet Confections offers cakes and sweet treats for any occasion. Some of the birthday cakes they produce are designed so elegantly that they are fit for royalty! With clean designs and multitiered constructions, these cakes bring the wow factor at an affordable price.

Our readers love Tip Top Cake Shop in Easley. They make custom cakes but also do events for kids and parents, so keep an eye out!

If you head to the Tip Top cake shop Instagram page you’ll find the perfect cake in response to your teen, or hubby’s birthday wishes!

From character cakes to decadent desserts, this home-based bakery brings the flavor and fun! The attention to detail and unique flavor combinations that Sonshine Bakery has to offer will have you asking for that second (or third) slice.

You can’t simply walk into a grocery store and come out with a character cake this cute! From Baby Shark to unique works of edible art, Whisked GVL will make it happen.

Are you curious how she makes it happen? Head to the Whisked GVL Instagram to see!

Your teenager said she wants a designer purse for her birthday? Here ya go. A Louis Vuitton cake just for your 16 or 40-year-old princess! Awesome cakes that teens and everyone will love, is this baker’s special talent. Every part of that burger cake is edible – even the soda cup!

The absolute artistry of fondant work seen in Dolce Design Cake Boutique’s creations is stunning! These cakes are almost too beautiful to eat (but I would eat every last bite anyway). They design cakes for any occasion, from birthdays and baby showers to bridal parties and weddings. Aside from cakes, they also offer unique cake pops and other delicious dessert treats to fulfill your sweet tooth.

Decorating cakes that look like they’ll take a bite of you before you take a bite of them is no easy feat. I feel like that snake cake is staring at me right now. Good thing I can spray it with that firehose, it’s real right?

Trang Thu Pitts creates beautiful cakes when she’s not baking the bread to supply local restaurants and cooking for VIPs at the Masters Tournament! Readers went insane at Christmas time over the Bak’d Little Debbie Tree cake!

I know I said this list had 10 options, but I’m going to slip a few more in. I didn’t figure anyone would mind. You want to have a “Sweet Life,” right?
Ok. Good, then let’s talk about this last few bakeries!

Do yourself a favor. Go to The Sweet Life Cupcake shop and order your cake in person. While you’re there, grab a few cupcakes and their delicious sandwich cookies! My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Just Go! You can tell the family you are running to Lidl for milk and go grab a treat for yourself. I’ll keep your secret.

You’ve probably enjoyed brunch at Passerelle Bistro, overlooking beautiful Falls Park in downtown Greenville, but did you know you could also grab a cake for your event there?

Jenifer Rogers will help you create the cake you envision, and you can have every confidence this executive chef will knock your expectations out of the park (Falls Park)!

The Uptown Company is who you call when the cake will be enjoyed with a glass of champagne, or perhaps a meal also provided by them!

These sophisticated cakes are not just gorgeous, almost too gorgeous to eat, they are delicious! Enjoy a special anniversary, birthday, or just a day that ends in “y” with a cake from them.

This self-described cottage bakery offers custom cake creations for every occasion. They also create some of the most gorgeous and unique macaroons I have ever seen! James and Thomas Bake Shop uses both traditional and unique flavors such as pistachio in their cakes, so customize to your heart’s content!

One Last Word About Cakes.

The last year has been exceptionally hard for most if not all of us, for one reason or another. It’s not lost on me that a lot of people don’t have the money to spend on a fancy cake right now.

Can I share a secret with you?
I was a teenager before I had a professionally made cake, and some of my fondest childhood memories from birthdays are the cakes that my mother made me. She wasn’t a cake decorator, far from it, but those coconut-coated cakes and the ones decorated with animal crackers are the ones I remember fondly.
As will your children.

Where Do You Like To Get Your Cakes From? Let us know in the comments.