Holly Jolly Day Trips Near Greenville

While the weather outside is not even close to frightful perhaps we should take a winter drive and see how the surrounding villages do the holidays!

After you’ve strolled Main Street, taken the carriage ride, skated Ice on Main, seen the Nutcracker and shopped the West End and our Swamp Rabbit Inn swag…  go on a bit of a winter adventure!  Resist the urge to contract cabin fever or get cooped up!  Yes, it’s cold, but that also means you get to wear ALL your favorite cozy sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, boots… and especially that atrocious “Christmas Jumper” to get the groans (ask a British friend).  Don't forget National Ugly Holiday Sweater Day is December 16th.

Spartanburg is just a short hop northeast up the 85 from Greenville, about a half hour’s drive; why not check it out?

Holiday Lights Safari at Hollywild Animal Park is something a little different!  See the pretty lights AND the animals in Santa’s barns, roast marshmallows, drive through the Enchanted Deer Forest, tour Mrs. Claus’ attic and snap a selfie with a zebra.  Happening now until January 2nd from 6 - 9 p.m.  Please click the link for details, prices and parking. At 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC.

They’ve got an outdoor skating rink too -  Skating on the Square every day until January 18th.  Only $10 per person.  Two for Tuesdays. On Morgan Square at the corner of W Main and N Church in downtown Spartanburg.  Please click link for hours.

Buddy the Elf will be on hand at the Hub City Farmer’s Market Saturday 12/17 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.  The market is located at 498 Howard St in Spartanburg.

If you head northwest to Pickens you will enjoy an immersion in an old fashioned Christmas indeed!

The Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour  12/20 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. entertains young and old with the mill’s costumed hosts surrounding you in storytelling and appalachian folk culture of times gone by. The Ed Harrison Memorial Celtic Christmas at Hagood Mill is primarily a musical event… with Santa and folk arts demonstrations, lots of unique gifts to be found, like bags of specialty flours ground fresh right from the working 1845 gristmill.  All at 138 Hagood Mill Rd, Pickens, SC.  DO click the links for reservations, prices and details.

So much to see and do in Asheville!  Just over an hour north up the highway and into the hills for yet another feast of holiday sights and sounds.

The Polar Express Train.  Ride into the woods and arrive at the North Pole where Santa greets you.  Hot cocoa and cookies along the way.  Now through January 8th.  Board at the Bryson City Depot 45 Mitchell St., Bryson City NC. Please click link for all the particulars.

Still want to stick around town?  How about these for a local outing?

Norman Rockwell: “Home for the Holidays” at the Upcountry History Museum.  Now through January 29th, this traveling exhibit features over 40 of the American master’s most beloved holiday images.  Treat yourself and friends to an up close view of an iconic style that lives in our collective memory. At 540 Buncombe St. Please click link for details.

The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville is the Greenville version of the classic Christmas ballet.  Watch the Carolina Ballet Theatre dance their way through Greenville to defeat the Mouse King.  Three performances 12/22 and 23rd at  7 p.m., 12/23 at 1 p.m. At the Peace Center in downtown Greenville.

We will keep updating this post and the next as we continue to find fun things to do in and around Greenville during holiday time.  Never a dull moment when the Swamp Rabbit Inn is your hub!  Bundle up in your warmest coat.  As you can see, I come with my own thick coat.  I just need a hat! (the turtleneck is just to make me look "literary"!)

--Percy