Find Family Fun in Greenwood This Summer

Summer is the time for family getaways, with the freedom to explore everything that Greenwood, SC, has to offer. Adventures are everywhere—on the lake, at parks and trails, at historic sites and all over Uptown. 

Summer festivals are in full swing, with great food, arts, music and children’s activities, from the Catfish Feastival in late May to the Festival of Discovery in July. Right in the middle is the fabulous SC Festival of Flowers, with its magical topiary creatures and KidFest.

Splash Around

Beautiful, blue Lake Greenwood is just another name for 11,000 acres of fun. There are sandy beaches for swimming, as well as paddleboard and watercraft rentals at marinas. A Jungle Float with water swings, trampolines and slide is just part of the fun at Skippers on Lake Greenwood, where you’ll also find watercraft rentals and even an ice cream boat. You can charter a cruise for six on the “Wüber,” a 23-foot Berkshire pontoon boat for a quick “taxi” ride or a full day of cruising on Lake Greenwood.

If your family wants to be in the driver’s seat, get out on the water in a canoe, kayak or paddle board. You can paddle part or all of the 34-mile Blueway, a 34-mile trail for paddlers, with interpretive signage along the way. Connect Lake Greenwood holds several events, including group paddles, and Paddle SC maps out trips along 70 miles of beginner-friendly paddles and almost 50 miles of more challenging paddles on the Saluda River. Two easy trips cover the Saluda between Lake Greenwood and Lake Murray.

And don’t forget the fishing—Lake Greenwood is famous for it. Catfish, crappie and bass are plentiful (and sometimes record-setting), and there are tournaments almost every week.

Under the Sun

Getting outdoors is part of the fun of long summer days. You can enjoy year-round golf on beautiful, challenging and affordable courses in Greenwood. There are several junior golf programs and courses that offer lessons for all ages to help improve your game.

Greenwood’s parks and trails offer playgrounds and pavilions, waterfront views, and miles of options for hiking, biking and horseback riding. From the scenic views of Lake Greenwood State Park to the in-town sites of several city parks and trails, there are plenty of places to play, explore and learn a little history, too.

Several Greenwood sites are rich in both history and family adventure. Ninety Six National Historic Site has trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing. An interpretive trail and living history events tell the story of Revolutionary War Greenwood and the siege of Star Fort in 1781.

The Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site tells the story of the rise of Dr. Mays from sharecropper’s son to one of America’s leading educators and Civil Rights activists.

Emerald Farms is a working dairy farm and a great place for kids to explore nature, with herb gardens, friendly animals, and shops for luxury goat milk products and train enthusiasts. Ride the Emerald Farm Express train around the farm, through tunnels and into the woods, and visit a miniature train village.

Speaking of trains, the Railroad Historical Center is a perennial family favorite. The historic engine, diner, sleeper and executive cars from the Golden Age of rail travel offer a fun and educational look at life in the early 1900s.

Uptown and Around Town

Start the family fun at the Uptown Market, where adults can shop for fresh foods and crafts while the little guys play in the splash pad. Have lunch at one of the many family-friendly restaurants in Uptown and check out the cultural options.

Before you visit, check in with Main and Maxwell  and the Arts Center to see what art classes and kids camps are available. The Museum Uptown has several permanent and seasonal exhibits to interest children and day camps that cover topics such as the history of pirates and the principles of aviation.

The Greenwood Community Theatre has concerts and plays, including popular children’s productions and Penguin Project shows, as well as summer day camps.

Looking for something to do after dark? Enjoy dinner and a movie (or a concert) at the 25 Drive In, where double features showcase first-run films. And, while you’re feeling nostalgic, get a taste of yesterday at the Dixie Drive In, an iconic short-order restaurant that’s been a favorite for decades. When you’re ready for dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweets and Treats Bakery, where you’ll find the best cupcakes in South Carolina.

However your family defines fun, Greenwood has something to make your summer memorable.