Top 7 places to go in a cold snap

Several Upstate businesses are saying they’re seeing a spike in business, which may be connected to the cold and wet weather.

According to many families, it’s because they’re looking for indoor activities outside their homes.

Mothers like Jeeun Jenkins say staying inside quickly gets old for her kids. “We were supposed to go to the park today, but it was too cold…seems to be when they get out, they’re happier,” she said.

That’s why she took her kids to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, which saw a major spike in business over the weekend.

“With the cold weather we definitely have seen an increase in attendance both in Greenville and in Spartanburg,” Emily Sobeski, Marketing and Design Director at the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, says.

Here are our top 7 picks for places to go in the Upstate during a cold snap:

 

1. Museums

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate will open a new “Be the Astronaut” educational exhibit opens February 2, 2019 and is popular for families with children. There are location in Greenville and Spartanburg.

 

2. County Libraries

Public libraries often offer free events daily, ranging from story-time with local police officers to craft workshops. Of course, it’s also an opportunity to check out a book to bundle up with at home for a rainy day.

Check out Greenville County Library events here, Spartanburg County Library events here, or Anderson County Library events here.

 

3. Entertainment Centers

Spare Time is one of the biggest indoor entertainment centers in the Upstate with escape rooms, bowling, laser tag, an arcade, bar and restaurant. Others include the Big E in Gaffney and Frankie’s Fun Park on Woodruff Road.

 

4. Experience-based Activities

In Hampton Station next to Due South Coffee and White Duck Taco, Craft Axe Throwing offers a combination of darts and bowling with “axe throwing.”

Escape rooms like Escape Artist or Breakout Games offer another unique indoor experience.

 

5. Guided Craft-Making Experiences

Magnolia Scents by Design is seeing a spike in their candle making classes during the cold season. Their 45-minute long classes guide customers through the process of making their own 10-ounce custom candle to cozy up with at home.

Guided painting classes are also a popular choice, like Vino and Van Gogh or Wine & Design.

 

6. Coffee Shops

Sometimes simply getting out of the house for a warm drink is enough to break up cabin fever. Methodical Coffee just opened a new location on Wade Hampton with a rustic vibe, and Grateful Brew offers both beer and coffee drinks. The Organic Cat Café also offers tea, coffee and snacks but also has about 20 resident cats for customers to play with after ordering.

 

7. Spas

Spas like Purple Orchid Spa and Salon in Spartanburg offer warm treatments to increase circulation and moisturize skin during the cold season. Purple Orchid offers body wraps, hot stone massages and “Thai Herbal Compress Massages” which are unique to the area.