Travel and Leisure

Greenville, South Carolina, in the scenic Upstate region of the state, offers many family friendly attractions. Visitors will find plenty of activities to do with the kids. Some favorite choices include the Greenville Zoo, Discovery Island Water Park, and the Children's Museum of the Upstate. For some sports action, take in a Greenville Drive baseball game.

The Greenville Zoo is located east of downtown in Cleveland Park. Visitors will find wildlife from all over the world including primates, elephants, giraffes, lions, and a leopard. The zoo is home to more than 350 animals. One of the zoo's newest residents is a baby giraffe named Kiko, born in October 2012. Greenville Zoo is open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is $8.75 for adults and $5.50 for ages 3-15. Facilities available in Cleveland Park include picnic areas and a playground.

Discovery Island Water Park is one of three water parks owned by the Greenville County Recreation District. The park features a leisure pool, two water slides, and a lazy river to float down. FlowRider, a simulated surfing machine lets visitors practice boogey boarding and surfing. Lifeguards are always on duty. The water park is located at 417 Baldwin Road at Southside Park in Simpsonville. Admission is $12 for guests 48 inches or taller and $8 for children shorter than 48 inches tall. Park hours are Monday-Saturday from 10:30am-5:30pm and Sundays from 1-5:30pm.

The Children's Museum of the Upstate is one of Greenville's newest attractions. Interactive exhibits focus on art, science, health and nutrition, the environment, and the humanities. Children can explore space travel at the 3, 2, 1 Blast Off! exhibit. They can use cameras and Teleprompters at the WTCM Studios. The Talkin' Trash exhibit teaches about recycling and conservation. The Kaleidoscope Climber is a favorite exhibit. Young children will enjoy the water play tables in the Toddler Lily Pond. The Children's Museum of the Upstate is located at 300 College Street in Greenville. Summer hours are Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sundays from 11am-5pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for children ages 2-12.

The whole family can have fun at a Greenville Drive baseball game at Fluor Field in the West End. The team is a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. They play teams in the South Atlantic League. Ticket prices are very reasonable, ranging from $5 for lawn seating to $8 for box seats. Fluor Field is located at 945 S. Main Street. Free parking is available at County Square, with a complimentary shuttle running to the ball park.