Local Activities

Since 1994, our martial arts training gym has been teaching the art and science of self-defense. Our teachers are life-long martial artists committed to providing Upstate South Carolina families with the skills and knowledge necessary to protect themselves in real-world situations. Our classes are perfect for beginners, whether in group or private settings. We offer a wide range of classes for both kids and adults. Our Greenville-based gym provides a fun, safe, and motivating environment for individuals to learn self-defense techniques. Women in particular can trust that our gym is the best place to get the self-defense training they need. Come join us and start your martial arts training journey today!

Roper Mountain Science Center is the result of an inspiring collaboration between private and public partners. The Science Center is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students from the local area. During the school year, over 400-600 students visit Roper Mountain each day for enriching learning labs. The Center also offers public programs, such as Friday Starry Nights and Summer Adventure, that encourage exploration and discovery. Roper Mountain Science Center is a shining example of the power of partnership. The Center was created through the joint efforts of public ownership, corporate sponsorship, private support, and volunteers. Thanks to their hard work, students from the local area have access to a wealth of educational opportunities. Roper Mountain offers immersive learning labs during the school year, as well as public programs such as Friday Starry Nights and Summer Adventure. Each of these initiatives provides a unique way to foster curiosity and exploration.

At the Children's Museum of the Upstate, parents can bring their little ones to enjoy a fun and educational experience. It all started with the dedication of a group of mothers, determined to create an exceptional play-based learning space for children in the Upstate region of South Carolina. TCMU offers a range of free programs that offer exciting and intentional learning opportunities for kids of all ages. From Monday to Saturday, families can take advantage of the museum's engaging activities and events. With a variety of interactive and hands-on exhibits, the Children's Museum of the Upstate is sure to provide an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

At NoteAbility, we strive to cultivate complete musicians. We believe that music is something to be discovered, enjoyed, and shared. Our instructors work to meet each student at their level and understand their goals, then help them exceed them. We also seek to share the joy of music and arts with families and the community at large. Our goal is to create a harmonious bond between a truly innovative education and the active enrichment of our community. By helping our students reach their full potential, we hope to see them sharing their musical talents with the world.

At Piano Central Studios, we believe that music has the power to nourish the hearts and minds of our children as well as our community. We are honored to have served Greenville and Simpsonville families since 1979 and look forward to many more years of music-making together.

At Otter Creek, kids can make a splash in the summertime heat! From awesome water slides to a splash pad, kids are sure to get buckets of laughs. And after all that fun, families can grab lunch at the concession stand and enjoy it under a picnic shelter. With the picnic area, kids can have a break and grab some fuel before they’re ready to play some more! Otter Creek is the perfect spot for a summer day out with the kids. Whether they take to the water slides or splash pad for fun and giggles, or take a break to enjoy a meal, there’s something for everyone! With a concession stand and picnic area, families can get some much-needed refreshment before playing some more. Take the family to Otter Creek and get ready for some summertime fun! From the water slides and splash pad to the concession stand and picnic area, kids will have a blast and get plenty of laughs. After a snack and some down-time, they’ll be ready for more adventure!

Physical activities, such as our gymnastics classes and parent/child classes, are the core of our program. Our trained instructors create a positive learning environment, filled with smiles and encouragement, to help your child build self-confidence and try new things. We also offer fun extras like parties, camps and more to keep kids engaged and coming back for more. Come see why The Little Gym of Greenville is the place for your child to feel empowered and achieve success.

At the Caine Halter Family YMCA, we recognize that a strong and vibrant community is built on inclusion and respect. Our teams are passionate about making sure everyone feels welcome and accepted, regardless of their background or beliefs. We are proud to be a place where every voice is heard, and everyone can find the tools they need to reach their goals. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of our values, and we strive to ensure that our community reflects the diversity of the world around us. We are proud of the Caine Halter Family YMCA and what it stands for. We are committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive force in our community, and to helping all our members achieve their goals. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, and where all can have access to the many resources the YMCA provides. We are dedicated to making sure that all members and visitors to our facility are welcomed with open arms.

At our business, we understand the importance of success through competitive sports performance. We believe in providing detailed coaching and love the excitement of sporting events, which has instilled an ambition for growth and improvement among our athletes. We prioritize safety by keeping an eye on proper exercise mechanics and use sound strength and conditioning principles for our workouts. Our athletes are motivated and dedicated to pushing each other to reach new heights in fitness. We believe that fun and challenging workouts help keep our athletes engaged and excited to come to our business and reach their goals. We are proud of the cohesive community we have created which is focused on helping each other reach their maximum potential. We strive to provide an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged. Our staff are passionate about helping our athletes reach their goals and celebrating their successes. We believe in creating a positive, uplifting atmosphere for our athletes to thrive in.

At FightWorks Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, we’re dedicated to helping individuals of all ages and abilities reach their goals. Whether you’re looking to learn self-defense, become competition-ready in Jiu-Jitsu, or just feel more confident, our classes are designed to help you reach your goals. Our experienced instructors make it easy to learn new skills and work out in a fun, supportive environment. You’ll also make some great new friends on the mats while getting in top shape. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is revolutionizing the way we approach self-defense and physical fitness. At FightWorks Academy, we’re proud to be part of this movement and help our members achieve amazing things. Our classes are designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to succeed. Step through our doors and see how Jiu-Jitsu can help you reach your goals and make a difference in your life!

At Master Kim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do, families can come together to get fit and learn the martial art of Tae Kwon Do. Our motivating atmosphere encourages everyone to set achievable goals and build self-confidence. Our instructors provide the highest quality instruction with a perfect balance of respect, discipline, and fun. Teens and younger students will find positive role models to look up to and be part of a healthy, encouraging community. Our classes are designed so that everyone can “kick” together!

Physical benefits of participating in martial arts at GMAC include increased strength, better weight management, and self-defense skills. More than that, the practice of martial arts also helps to develop self-discipline, mental focus, and improved confidence. Through regular practice, martial arts can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. At GMAC, we understand that martial arts is a journey, and our goal is to create an environment where individuals of all ages and abilities can learn, practice, and grow. Our experienced instructors are here to support and guide students through their martial arts journey at every step. We invite you to come join us and experience the many benefits of martial arts.

At Carolina Karate, we are passionate about helping individuals of all ages and fitness levels reach their potential. Our experienced instructors provide a fun and supportive atmosphere to encourage each student to reach their goals. From beginner to advanced, our curriculum is tailored to the individual’s needs and abilities. Parents can be sure that their children are in good hands at Carolina Karate. Our students learn basic karate skills, discipline, and character building through martial arts. With our positive, family-oriented environment, kids have a blast while making progress. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how Carolina Karate can help you and your family.

At Kazoku Karate, we believe that the skills and values learned on the mat can help children and adults alike find success in life. We are committed to helping our students build both physical and mental strength, as well as character and integrity. We are devoted to creating a community that fosters these qualities both inside and outside of the dojo walls. Our dojo is a safe space for people of all ages to develop their physical and mental health, build character, and learn discipline and values through the practice of traditional Karate do Wado Ryu Style. We invite everyone to join our family and are dedicated to the study and improvement of the effectiveness and practicality of Karate.

At Beckham Martial Arts & Fitness, we offer self-defense classes for men, women and children in the Upstate. Our classes are designed to be practical, realistic and effective, giving our students the skills and confidence to keep themselves safe. Our instructor, Joe Beckham, is a State Constable with over 20 years of experience, who has developed a unique system of diverse techniques. His approach to training is rational, applicable and invaluable in today’s world. Our self-defense classes have established an impressive reputation, with many churches, corporations, colleges, universities, law enforcement organizations and other organizations having benefited from our services. We take pride in our commitment to delivering the highest quality training to our students, and look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come.

In a safe and stimulating environment, kids from ages 7-14 acquire skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and coding. Code Ninjas® is the largest and fastest-growing coding brand for kids in the world. With hundreds of sites across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, we are dedicated to offering children the best opportunity to learn coding in a fun and interactive way. Our experienced instructors provide guidance and support as kids create their own video games while learning essential STEM skills. At Code Ninjas, we believe in creating an enjoyable and creative learning environment where kids can explore and learn without limits. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the perfect setting for young minds to expand upon their problem-solving and coding skills. With plenty of drop-in hours available, parents can rest assured that their children are receiving quality instruction in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.

At the Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA), our goal is to provide high-quality, hands-on arts education to the Greenville area. Established in 2015 by a passionate group of artists, educators, and community leaders, GCCA is located in the beautiful former Brandon Textile Mill in the Village of West Greenville. Our mission is to be a recognized hub for accessible visual arts education and experiences, offering powerful and impactful opportunities to energize and empower the arts community. At GCCA, we understand the importance of providing our community with access to creative arts education. We strive to create an enriching and supportive learning environment for our students, encouraging them to explore their own creativity and grow their skills. Our vision is to be a recognized hub for accessible visual arts education and experiences, offering meaningful and transformative experiences that uplift the arts community.

Are you looking for a creative outlet for your children? Look no further! Our selection of unfinished pottery offers endless possibilities for your little one to express their artistic side. Choose from hundreds of styles, then apply the design and paint. We’ll handle the glazing and firing. In no time at all, your child’s work of art will be ready to take home and proudly display. We also offer more structured classes for kids and adults in drawing, canvas painting, clay handbuilding, mosaics and glass fusing. Our experienced instructors will provide the assistance needed for your child to develop their artistic skills. So, come join us and let your child’s imagination and creativity run wild!

The First Tee of the Upstate and Coastal Carolinas is dedicated to empowering the lives of young people. Through their innovative integration of golf and life skills curriculum, children are gaining the inner strength, self-confidence and resilience necessary for facing new challenges. These learning experiences are framed around The First Tee Nine Core Values™: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Responsibility, Courtesy, Confidence, Judgment, and Perseverance. The First Tee of the Upstate and Coastal Carolinas is qualified to provide young people with the tools to build strong character and make healthy life choices. Through the game of golf and other character-building activities, the organization strives to instill important values and foster self-confidence. This organization is dedicated to helping young people build character and inner strength that will lead them through a lifetime of new challenges.

The Kroc Center Greenville opened in 2011, thanks to the generous support of the city. The Salvation Army was able to open this and 26 other Kroc Centers throughout America due to a $1.5 billion gift from Joan Kroc. In order to open, each community had to provide a certain percentage of the funds required. The Greenville community went above and beyond, providing the needed funds to open the 74,000 square foot building. The Kroc Center Greenville offers something for everyone. From recreation and education, to worship and community activities, the center provides a wide range of services and activities for all ages. The 25 acres of land allows for a variety of outdoor activities, and the center also seeks to invest in its members by providing quality programs and services. We are grateful for the Greenville community’s continued investment and support.

Children who have creative minds have a need to express themselves freely. Lauren’s classes give her students the freedom to explore, get creative, and learn about the basics of art. On occasion, she may forget that she has pencils in her hair, but it's a reminder of her own creative spirit. Lauren has a passion for bringing out the creative spark in every student.

Open Art Studios is the perfect spot for those looking to add some culture to their lives. Located in Greenville, this fine art gallery provides art enthusiasts with a unique experience. With works from 30+ local artists, there is something for everyone. Not only is Open Art Studios a great place to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces, but it also offers a DIY Space for adults and kids to explore their creativity. The drop-in “Paint Anytime” space allows visitors to paint during regular business hours. For those looking to explore their creative side, Open Art Studios is the perfect place. Located in Greenville, this fine art gallery offers a drop-in “Paint Anytime” space during regular business hours. Whether you’re a professional artist or just starting out, you’ll find something to spark your imagination. With works from 30+ local artists, the gallery offers a unique selection of pieces to purchase or simply admire. Kids and adults alike will love the opportunity to explore their inner artist in the DIY Space. Open Art Studios in Greenville is the place to be for the art enthusiast. Not only is it a fine art gallery with works from 30+ local artists, but there is also a drop-in “Paint Anytime” DIY Space. During regular business hours, adults and kids can come and express themselves through painting. Whether you’re looking to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece or just want to explore your creative side, Open Art Studios is the perfect spot.

Greenville Guitar Lessons, a program of Palmetto Music Institute, is a state-registered educational institution in Greenville, South Carolina. Parents can take advantage of several specialized guitar instruction programs, including Chicago/Texas Blues Style. Located near the intersection of N Pleasantburg Dr and Rutherford Rd and only 10 minutes from downtown or I-385, this is a convenient location for parents. Tuition varies depending on the program and schedule, so parents should check the Programs page for details. By navigating through the website, parents can find more information about the services offered. If parents have additional questions, they can contact Greenville Guitar Lessons for assistance.

For early learners, DRUM Percussion Studio offers classes and performing ensembles that encourage a love of music and rhythm. Through interactive and engaging activities, students can explore different musical styles and instruments while developing physical, cognitive, and emotional skills. Programs are designed to meet the needs of traditional schools, home-schooling programs, and those with special needs, and can be offered on-site or on location. Adults can also benefit from the diverse range of programs at DRUM Percussion Studio. From classes and performance opportunities designed to provide fun and stress relief to those focused on college and career preparation, there is something for everyone. Find your passion and unleash your inner rhythm with a variety of activities and music styles. Let DRUM Percussion Studio help you discover your inner beat.