Overwhelmed with work deadlines and shuttling my son to and from school and birthday parties and art class, I knew I needed a record-scratching halt to our rat-race routine. I was tempted to lock us in our home for a weekend of nothing, but another source of inspiration struck that was inspired by the cool and collected mom Allison Torres in the Netflix film Yes Day.
Photo: Sheeka Sanahori
Looking for the Perfect Kid-Centric Vacation? A 'Yes Day' in Greenville, South Carolina, Is the Answer
In the movie, Allison, played by Jennifer Lawrence, leans into the chaos of raising kids by giving her children a yes day: a day to do all the fun things they wanted to do.
Despite my initial hesitations, I went for it and learned that giving kids a yes day could be a win for parents, too. Having my son plan a day with his favorite activities helped alleviate my stress around fixing an itinerary. He was in charge and I was ready to go with the flow. Even better, a yes day got my son to take a break from screens without a second thought.
Planning your own yes day could be as simple as explaining the concept to your kid or kids and seeing what happens. To really go all in, though, you can schedule your yes day around travel and add a trip into the mix. Greenville, South Carolina, has embraced yes days full-throttle for a yes day unlike any other with its Yes Day GVL program.
Greenville feels like a big small town, but it’s packed with family-friendly activities that far outpace the city’s size. Ziplining in nature, indoor putt putt at Group Therapy‘s eye-catching course, and markets and biking trails abound. For my family, most of the restaurants and fun-filled businesses we visited were a 10-minute drive or less, with several options huddled around Greenville’s beautiful downtown district and within walking distance from our hotel.
Even without much of a plan, taking a family stroll down Main Street feels like a light adventure on its own. It opens the door to local favorites like River Street Sweets, with its barrels full of pocket-size candy (my son jokingly fit his head inside a barrel of candy as soon as we walked in) and homemade fudge at the counter in the back. If you make it out after saying “yes” to candy and treats, you’re one step closer to being the coolest parent ever to do the job.
If you plan family time in Greenville over a weekend in spring through fall, be sure to check out Saturday Market on Main. Dozens of vendors set up small booths to sell local wares. Everything from honey and salsas to wooden knick-knacks, jewelry, and fresh flowers is displayed for admiration and sale. If you’re there during the holiday season, see if your stay overlaps with the holiday market, which is logistically the same but with a jolly twist.
While the point of a yes day is to let the kids make the plan, you’ll want to have a starting point to get things going in the right direction. There is a lot of information out there with tips of things to do, and a narrowed-down list will help keep an abundance of choice from getting in in the way. You can’t go wrong with these options to build around.
What to do in Greenville for a “Yes Day” with your kids
Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Photo: Sheeka Sanahori
The best part about taking children to a new-to-them children’s museum is they’re sure to engage with kid-focused exhibits and immersive learning experiences for the first time. That was the case at this Greenville museum. My son loved it so much that we could’ve easily spent the entire day here. He started on the large playground in the center of the museum. Once he had enough time climbing up and down the stair step tiles, he was ready to focus on more learning-focused exhibits. Upstairs, the Design It exhibit, which teaches about architecture, and a dedicated arts and craft area were big hits. If your kids need more time like mine, there’s an onsite cafe downstairs and plenty of child-friendly restrooms for brief breaks from learning fun.
Children’s Museum of the Upstate: 300 College St, Greenville, SC, US, 29601
Flying Rabbit Adventures
Photos: Sheeka Sanahori
My son was eager to try ziplining for the first time, and although Flying Rabbit has it, the offerings extend far beyond a casual glide along a cable. Here, you’ll take on a three-story obstacle course made of spider-like entangled rope. Parents and children can challenge themselves by balancing on a tightrope of wobbly logs, or climb high and face any fear of heights. Choose from a series of courses with varying degrees of difficulty, and if you get stuck? Don’t fear, the Flying Rabbit employees zip around each course to help bring people back to home base. Finish your feat with a glory-filled zipline, where you can reminisce about your adventure.
Flying Rabbit Adventures: 821 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607
Escape Artist
Photo: Sheeka Sanahori
I was unsure about taking an 8-year-old to an escape room, but there are tons of different kinds of mysteries to solve at Escape Artist. The Classified: Operation Nine Lives put my family in the middle of a save-the-world case that was more Inspector Gadget than James Bond. We started with a 60-minute countdown clock and the task to solve several cat-themed riddles. Luckily there was an in-character staff member who dropped hints to help us save the world. “This is the best day ever!” my son exclaimed as we left, triumphant in completing the course. It let me know I could mark this yes day as mission: complete.
Escape Artist: 209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville, SC, US, 29609
Biking the Swamp Rabbit trail
Photo: Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
This 28-mile former railroad corridor has been transformed into a neighborhood favorite. The paved path is the perfect trail for a family stroll or bike ride. Enjoy the occasional peek at the Reedy River in between the trees. There are three different tracks to choose from on the Blue, Green, and Orange lines. Start at Reedy Falls Park in downtown Greenville, then follow the Green Line north and west to Unity Park, which is lined with great coffee shops, breweries, and a massive playground young kids will love.
To rent bikes, head a couple blocks north from the trail at River Street to head to Reedy Rides, where people of all sizes will get fitted for helmets and bikes to take on the trail.
Biking the Swamp Rabbit trail: Start at Reedy Falls Park in downtown Greenville
Where to eat and drink during a “Yes Day” in Greenville
Greenville is known for its incredible food scene, from restaurants and bars to coffee and desserts. Maybe the perfect meal means heading to the outdoor food market Gather GVL for a wealth of options, or maybe it’s a quick refreshments break along a biking trail. Greenville’s restaurants have you covered whatever your preference.
Methodical Coffee
Located in The Commons, a food hall that connects to The Swamp Rabbit’s Green Line trail, Methodical Coffee is a great pit stop for a quick morning bite or a mid-ride pick-me-up. This local coffee chain has been lauded as one of the best coffee shops in the country, and it’s easy to see why. The vanilla latte is made with real vanilla beans, and the hot chocolate is a kid favorite.
Methodical Coffee: 147 Welborn St b3, Greenville, SC 29601
Biscuit Head
The first thing to know about Biscuit Head is arguably the most important feature: the jam bar. If your family takes their fruit spreads seriously, this breakfast spot cannot be missed. Even for those who don’t consider themselves biscuits and jam enthusiasts, there are plenty of other delectable brunch options, from benedicts to beignets.
Biscuit Head: 823 S Church St Ste C, Greenville, SC, US, 29601
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Grill Marks
If your kids like a classic burger and fries combo, this downtown Greenville restaurant will be one to satiate their hunger. But the theatrical Freak Shakes (essentially extravagant milkshakes) are so whimsical and fun that your kids will not only gulp them down, but remember to tell their friends about it. Go for the unicorn, which comes with horns and rainbows.
Grill Marks: 209 South Main Street, Greenville, SC, US, 29601
Clare’s Creamery
Your yes day is likely to come with a request for ice cream, and this family-owned ice cream shop brings all the standard flavors and a few more with extra flair. Choose from seasonal flavors like peppermint hot chocolate, or homemade brownie cookie sandwiches, which have a scoop of vanilla in between brownie pieces.
Clare’s Creamery: 1635 E North St, Greenville, SC, US, 29607 