Spring-like temperatures have arrived in the Upstate, with flowers in bloom and bumblebees making their first appearance of the season. The first day of spring is March 19.
The Upstate's many parks offer activities for families to enjoy during Spring Break, like mini golfing for free at McPherson Park or riding through Heritage Park on a replica steam engine train.
You can also pick tulips at Thompson Family Farms in Campobello or watch the sun drift away beyond the clouds during sunset at Cleveland's Pretty Place Chapel.
Spring break schedules for schools in Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg counties:
∎ Anderson County Schools: Friday, March 29-Friday, April 5
∎ Greenville County Schools: Monday, March 18-Friday, March 22.
∎ Spartanburg County Schools: Monday, April 1-Friday, April 5
Here are some fun things to do with family and friends this Spring Break:
Anderson
∎ C & C Ice Cream and Arcade, Anderson
Do you enjoy ice cream and gaming? If so, you are in luck. Anderson's only ice cream and vintage arcade venue brings on the fun with monthly specialty shake offerings (most recently, the Cupid's Cake's milkshake and this month's Pot-O-Gold shake) and classic retro games like Frogger, Dig Dug, Galaga, Pacman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The arcade is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Saturday from noon-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m.
∎ Sample cheese and fudge at Split Creek Farm, Anderson
Open to the public daily, Split Creek Farm is known for its national award-winning artisan goat cheeses and goat milk fudge. Visit cute farm animals, sample cheese and fudge or browse the Farm Shop. The farm is open for visitation and self-guided tours Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The farm shop is open for purchases Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Greenville
∎ Birdwatch at Lake Conestee Nature Park, Greenville
If you have ever visited Lake Conestee Nature Park before, you may have engaged in activities like walking the trails, hiking or biking. Bird watching is another great way to enjoy the 400-acre park. The Greenville County Bird Club has established a list of bird species to watch for in the park, one being the American Bitterns, which can be observed between January and May. For a full list of birds, click here.
∎ Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use greenway used for walking and bicycling. It connects Greenville with Travelers Rest, traversing along City Parks, the Reedy River and an old railroad corridor. If you plan on bicycling through this extensive trail, check out this interactive map for guidance. If you get hungry on the trip, treat yourself along the way from the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery.
∎ Mini golf for free at McPherson Park, Greenville
Although clubs and balls are not provided at the park, if you bring your own, you can take advantage of McPherson Park's free 18-hole miniature golf course. The 12.5-acre park also includes tennis courts, shelters, a playground and a walking trail with bridges that cross a small creek. Hours are every day from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
∎ Ride a replica steam engine train at Heritage Park, Simpsonville
Children under 2 years of age can ride through Heritage Park in a replica steam engine train for free with an accompanying adult. The train operates from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $3 per person. To learn about closures, follow the City of Simpsonville on Facebook.
Spartanburg
∎Explore a trail in Spartanburg
There are many to explore such as the Mary Black Rail Trail, the River Birch Trail and the Cottonwood Trail. The Rail Yard Community Park has a lot of places for families to have fun including the Trolley Plaza, a picnic shelter, the Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park, and Panthers Play 60 which is described as "NFL combine meets American Ninja Warrior obstacle course."
∎ Visit the Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville and in Spartanburg
The Spartanburg Museum has the following exhibits: Go Go Spartanburg is an infant and toddler area where children can explore trains, planes and automobiles in an enclosed area with soft spaces for children 18 months and under. A Spartanburg Water exhibit simulates Spartanburg's rivers. It's a place where kids can splash, squirt, play and build. Kids can shop in a Publix grocery store exhibit where they can fill up a grocery basket, make purchases at a cash register or prep a meal at the deli. A Spartanburg Regional Health Center exhibit is where kids can explore a child-scaled hospital that includes an operating table and medical costumes.
Travelers Rest
∎ Fly a kite at Poinsett Park, Travelers Rest
For fun in the sun, fly a kite at Poinsett Park located just south of Travelers Rest. The open green space makes the perfect place to watch your kite soar, and the combination of a picnic shelter, playground and walking trail will give kids plenty to do in the afternoon.
Things to do under an hour away
∎ Cut your own tulips at Thompson Family Farms, Campobello
For the spring season, Thompson Family Farms offers U-Pick, where you can select tulips from over 57,000 in the fields. A basket and a pair of scissors will be provided for you as you stroll through and take in the beautiful flowers in bloom. Upon checking out, flowers will be wrapped in bouquets for you to take back home. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and admission is $8 for those ages 12 and up. Children 11 and under enter for free. Tulips are $1 per stem.
∎ Watch the sunset at Pretty Place Chapel, Cleveland
Watching the sunset from Pretty Place Chapel, owned by YMCA Camp Greenville, is an experience quite like no other. The beauty of the colorful skies and surrounding mountains is not one easily forgotten, making the sanctuary a lovely place to create memories with family, friends and romantic partners. The chapel is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset, but it is best to check here to make sure functions like weddings are not scheduled on the day you plan to arrive.
Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
