Kids on Holiday in Greenville - What to do!

What about the little ones?!?!  Schools out and kids are on holiday!  Don’t the lights of the season seem more sparkly in the eyes of a child?  Of course they do, so let’s take their mittens in ours and find a bit of magic and wonder.  We’ll try to go easy on the sugar.

As always we need to fuel up, but we have stuff to do and want to stay efficient!  In order to get to the lollipops we have keep the lollygagging to a minimum!

Straightforward breakfast is usually what the kiddos go for so we recommend Mary Beth’s at McBee Station ( open daily at 7 a.m.) for straight up American fare - breakfast is actually served all day!  And Tupelo Honey for Southern fare with flair (open Mon - Fri at 10 a.m., Sat and Sun at 8 a.m.).  Both bright and sunny with ample parking.  If you are heading to our northern destinations, duck into the Tandem Creperie in Traveler’s Rest (open daily at 8 a.m.) for a crepe or waffle - warning: you may have to help them finish it all!

It may be dangerous starting our romp at O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store (open Mon - Sat 10 a.m., Sun at Noon) but, perhaps short attention spans will prompt a change of venue - or the lure of hot chocolate across the street!  In the same block with Tupelo Honey, the Greenville O.P. is a wonderland in a compact space but sure to leave them wide-eyed.  Pssst!  Mast General’s candy bins are right next door. Shhhh!  Find them at 117 N Main.

Now about the chocolate… one block up and across the street you will find Kilwins - they have hot chocolate - and every other kind of chocolate… ( also a giant chain coffee house next door, Mom, and a bar…).

A mere few paces from Kilwins door, with cocoa in hand, you may enter the grand lobby of the Hyatt where you will find the St Francis Festival of Trees, decorated in every style imaginable, to immerse you in the holiday spirit.  And they are just so pretty, too.

At this juncture you could decide to stay local or head north, toward Asheville.  Farther away stuff first as you would need to get going!

Gingerbread House Competition at the Grove Park Inn is kind of jaw(breaker)-dropping for all ages!  Now through January 5th.  In addition to the gingerbread, The Omni Grove Park Inn, at  290 Macon Ave in Asheville NC, is beautifully decorated and also has massive roaring fireplaces to cozy up to when you get all tuckered out.  You/they won’t forget it!  About an hour and 15 minutes north of Greenville. Please click the link for all the details.

Another unforgettable experience that will elicit numerous “OMG”s - The Biltmore Estate Daytime Christmas Celebration.  “Lavishly” decorated doesn’t begin to describe it, really, it’s a fantasy come alive.  Tour the enormous Vanderbilt 8,000 acre estate and 1895 mansion, as decked out as could be, now through January 8th.  Santa will be on hand in Antler Hill Village 12/19 - 12/23 from 1- 5 p.m. There are sleigh rides, seminars, wine tastings - something for everyone, including candlelight and overnight options.  It is pricey, but children’s tix for age 9 and under are free for daytime events.  Please click the link for the entire roster of activities and details.

Back to holiday pursuits in Greenville…

Recent posts alerted you to Ice on Main, but, Skating on the Big Ice is available at Bon Secours Wellness Arena December 18-20, 22-24, 26, 27 and 29 at 1 - 5p.m.  Tickets are $6 - $8, skate rentals $3.

Children’s Museum of the Upstate will not be outdone this Christmas!  Now through December 31, The Holiday Traditions exhibit will take you back to days of Christmas past. Kids can: Watch life-like trains roll through a miniaturized track, play with miniature trains and landscapes on interactive train tables, snuggle up by the exhibit fireplace with a movie, write “wish list” letters to Santa, play interactive snowman games, and read books in the reading nook!  Open Tues - Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Explore at 300 College St.

Taking your day into evening with several events…

Milk and Cookies Pajama Party Storytelling Event - Readings of The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas accompanied by milk and cookies.  Tuesday, 12/20 from 6:30 - 7:30 at South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St.

The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville, three performances by Carolina Ballet Theater - 12/22 at 7 p.m. and 12/23 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.  At the Peace Center, 101 W. Broad.

Chanukah begins on December 24th this year and our own Greenville Community Menorah Lighting happens once again at NOMA square on December 26th to light the lights for night three.  Join us at 5 p.m. for music, latkes, donuts, dreidels and magic.  Chanukah on Main is hosted by Chabad of Greenville & the Upstate. In front of the Hyatt at 220 N Main.

The previous two posts also have info for Hollywild Safari, the Polar Express, and Cakes by U, all also very kid pleasing!

For supper may we suggest Mac ’n’ Cheese at Mutts BBQ at 101 W Rd in Greer, or, Henry’s Smokehouse at 240 Wade Hampton Blvd?  Always a crowd pleaser!

That should make for a full holi-day and and some sleepy little bunnies!  Sugar plum dreams!

—Percy