A quaint city with a familiar small-town atmosphere, Mauldin is at the heart of the Upcountry Region of South Carolina.
The city is part of Greenville County.
The city’s origins date back to 1784 when Benjamin Griffith was granted 100 acres of land in the area, also part of the Cherokee domain.
However, the settlement would not earn its current name until about 100 years later.
Moreover, it was officially named Mauldin in honor of the former lieutenant governor of South Carolina, William Lawrence Mauldin.
Mauldin enjoyed significant economic growth in the early 20th century thanks to its thriving cotton industry.
The installation of Greenville water lines in 1953, followed by U.S. Route 276 in 1956, played crucial roles in revitalizing Mauldin’s economic activity.
Chartered as a city in 1969, Mauldin was also among the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina by the start of the new millennium.
Today, the highly-livable city has several recreation parks, restaurants, and other family-friendly facilities that everyone can enjoy.
Here are the best things to do in Mauldin, South Carolina.
Despite being situated on the southwestern edge of Mauldin, Sunset Park ranks among the city’s most popular parks.
For starters, the park houses four baseball and softball diamonds and a batting cage where you can further hone your swinging skills.
If you want to play basketball, the park has a half-court where you go on a 3-on-3 with friends.
The park also contains two multi-purpose fields where you can do anything, from running around and throwing a football to simply lying down to relax.
These open fields also serve as venues for numerous community activities in Mauldin.
Another notable feature of the park is its nice playground equipped with neat play structures guaranteed to delight every kid.
If you want to relax, you can take a peaceful stroll along the paved walkways or rest at the picnic shelters.
Sunset Park’s fantastic play amenities and pleasant atmosphere guarantee a fun and relaxing time with family and friends.
Housed inside the former Mauldin High School building, the Mauldin Cultural Center sits at the corner of East Butler Road and Murray Drive in the city’s heart.
The center is famous for its Festival Season, which occurs annually.
Most notable of these events is the Mauldin Blues & Jazz Festival, where you’ll be serenaded with smooth jazz while enjoying delicious food and drinks.
Its festival themes vary, ranging from historical interpretations to barbecue cook-offs.
The best part of all attendance at these events is free of charge.
Moreover, the center also hosts theatrical performances of stage plays and musical shows annually.
On the other hand, the center boasts a Public Art Trail, which runs in parallel with the center’s outdoor perimeter and features works by local artists.
Children will also have fun at the playground aptly named Musical Flowers.
For incredible festivals and exciting art exhibits in the city, head over to Mauldin Cultural Center.
City Park is located along Corn Road, right within the central part of the city.
It offers a nice mix of outdoor sports and leisure facilities that everybody can enjoy.
With its three separate baseball diamonds, there’s ample space for everyone who wants to feel the thrill of a home run.
Moreover, you can also practice your swing at the park’s dedicated batting cage.
On the other hand, you can play hoops with friends on the full-sized basketball court.
You can also jog around the paved walking trail that weaves through the park.
Together with the well-equipped playground, the park also contains excellent turf where kids can run around gleefully.
After a fun but tiring match, you can relax and enjoy a delicious snack at the picnic shelter.
City Park’s well-rounded amenities make it a great recreation venue for the whole family.
Tato’s Pizza is one of Mauldin’s best-kept culinary treasures, a small-town pizzeria and Colombian restaurant rolled into one satisfying package.
Using only fresh ingredients, their signature pizzas come in 15 delicious choices to satisfy every appetite.
You can try their Tato’s Supreme Pizza, overloaded with toppings, or take the healthier route with Spinach and Artichoke Pizza.
On the other hand, their delicious Colombian menu includes staples like empanadas, paisa, and arepas, to name a few.
On top of their signature menu, they offer many other yummy options, ranging from appetizers like onion rings and jalapeno poppers to mouthwatering burgers and sandwiches.
Moreover, they also have delectable pasta, calzones, and salads added for good measure.
You can wash them with refreshing fresh fruit juices or Colombian drinks like uva and manzana.
Tato’s Pizza is a must-try gourmet experience in Mauldin, boasting impressive food selections on top of their signature specialties.
Springfield Park is a nice patch of green space located right at the heart of Mauldin.
Thanks to its multiple sports facilities, the park is a popular spot in the city for athletic activities.
Along with its football field, the park is famous for its five baseball diamonds.
As such, you can also watch games between local teams, as these facilities often host youth league matches.
Hoopers are also not left out since the park houses a full-sized court.
Kids will also have a blast riding and climbing at the play structures found in the park’s playground.
Of course, you can relax at the park’s picnic shelters while watching the kids play.
Combining robust sports facilities and kid-friendly features, Springfield Park is a fantastic spot for rest and recreation.
Tucked in the southeastern tip of Mauldin, Brookside Pool is the city’s destination to cool off and have some splashing fun.
As its name suggests, the recreation facility houses a large swimming pool perfect for lap swimming and cannonball diving.
You can also rent their zoom ball, a massive transparent sphere where you ride and float on the water.
Toddlers also get their fair share of splashing in the kiddie pool, where they can safely play and swim around.
If you don’t feel like swimming, you can lie down, sunbathe along the poolside, and relax on the covered patio.
A simple clubhouse can also be rented for private events.
Brookside Pool may not boast fancy features, but its large and clean swimming pool provides everyone with a fun time in the water.
Mauldin Sports Center is an indoor athletic facility with features catering to all exercise regimens.
It houses a fitness gym with modern treadmills, weights, and other fat-burning equipment.
Nevertheless, one of the gym’s most notable features is the rock climbing wall, seemingly taunting all the fitness equipment below it.
Reaching the gym’s upper ceiling, the rock climbing wall is also spacious enough to allow several people to climb simultaneously.
On the other hand, you can do several laps of brisk walking along the indoor walking track, which loops right above the gym.
Moreover, you can also play hoops with friends at the center’s indoor basketball court.
You can also enroll in the center’s exercise classes and fitness programs.
Mauldin Sports Center’s challenging climbing wall, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and other neat features make it the perfect place to burn calories.
One of the top-rated restaurants in Mauldin, Low Country Shrimper, is in East Butler Plaza in the central part of the city.
As with their name, the restaurant specializes in shrimp and other mouthwatering seafood cuisines.
From boiled and fried to grilled or stewed in flavorful Creole sauce, you can choose how you’d like your shrimp prepared and served.
Their fish and scallops also come in fried and grilled options.
You can try their specialties, such as grits paired with shrimp, crab cakes, salmon patties, or classic fares like fish and chips.
If you want to try everything, you can order their jam-packed shrimp and fish baskets or seafood platter.
Moreover, if you’re not in the mood for seafood, you can have their chicken wings and chicken sandwiches.
For a fantastic seafood dining experience in Mauldin, there’s no better place in Mauldin than Low Country Shrimper.
At East Butler Road, Pop’s Cabin Creamery has become Mauldin’s go-to spot for refreshing icy treats.
The ice cream shop is already an attraction as it is also housed in the historic Gosnell Cabin.
With a history spanning more than two centuries, Gosnell Cabin witnessed the transformation of Mauldin from a lowly settlement to a thriving city.
As for the creamery part, their delicious dairy favorites come in multiple tasty choices, ranging from all-time classics like chocolate and vanilla to unique ones like blueberry cheesecake.
Coming in huge scoops and an assortment of delightful toppings, you also have the option to have your ice cream in sugary wafer cones or standard cups.
On the other hand, other refreshing treats served in the creamery include fruity snow cones and creamy milkshakes.
Offering exclusively outdoor seating, the creamery’s relaxed atmosphere is accentuated by the canopy of lush trees providing additional shade.
A good selection of delicious ice cream and other refreshing treats and a friendly and relaxing environment make Pop’s Cabin Creamery a must-try in Mauldin.
Mauldin’s fresh produce and farm products destination is the Mauldin Open Air Market.
It sits on the corner between East Butler and Bridges roads.
The open market offers a variety of locally-sourced vegetables and produce, such as cabbages, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
They also have onion, garlic, and several peppers to add spice and flavor to your healthy recipe.
Moreover, you can also find crisp apples, plump winter melons, and juicy strawberries, among other fresh fruits.
On the other hand, the open market carries a wide array of locally-made food products, such as dried nuts, jams, and preserves.
Green thumbs and garden enthusiasts will also have a field day checking the ornamental plants and flowers on display.
You can find fresh fruits, vegetables, delicious organic food products, and pretty houseplants at Mauldin Open Air Market.
Tony Crescibene, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From downtown Mauldin, take a quick 14-minute drive northwest to Greenville, South Carolina, to reach Greenville Zoo.
As one of Greenville County’s most popular attractions, the zoo houses more than 90 species of animals from different continents.
The zoo’s fascinating residents include towering giraffes, big cats of the African savannah, and monkeys and primates from the Amazon and Southeast Asian jungles.
Other mesmerizing mammals in the zoo include the giant anteater from South America and the red panda native to China.
They also have reptiles like docile tortoises, terrifying alligators, and numerous species of lizards of all sizes.
City of Greenville, South Carolina, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moreover, you can find colorful birds like flamingoes and South American species like sun conures and troupials.
Along with standard day tours, you can also take the Behind the Scenes Tours, which let you experience working with the animals in the zoo.
Moreover, the zoo hosts different learning programs for kids to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the environment.
Greenville Zoo’s diverse inhabitants provide a fun and memorable educational experience.
The perfect spot to enjoy fun water activities is Discovery Island.
It is in Simpsonville, South Carolina, seven minutes from Mauldin.
You can jump straight into the action in either the water park’s two looping water slides, the 185-foot body slide, or the much longer 270-foot tube slide.
If you want extra thrills, the park allows you to experience surfing and boogie-boarding action thanks to their FlowRider Perpetual Wave.
However, you can relax and float freely along the lazy river stretching 270 feet.
Moreover, toddlers and smaller kids are guaranteed plenty of fun at the slides, fountains, and sprinklers at the park’s Splash N Play section.
After a tiring yet enjoyable play in the water, you can grab snacks at the concession stands.
Discovery Island offers everyone a fun and unforgettable experience with a nice set of water attractions and features.
Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want to learn more about the region’s history, there’s no better place than Greenville’s Upcountry History Museum.
It is 17 minutes from Mauldin.
Upon entering the museum, you’ll see the impressive architecture and design of the first-floor atrium with its distinct brick walls, towering columns, and curved staircases.
As the name indicates, it tells the area’s history through various exhibits categorized according to a specific era.
Many of the significant periods of the region are highlighted, from its early beginnings in the Upcountry Frontier to the Crossroads and Transitions of the mid-1800s.
Excel23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It also details the state’s tumultuous time during the late 18th century through its South Carolina Divided exhibit.
On a lighter note, the proud textile industry of the region is also on full display with the aptly-named “New South: Textile Capital of the World” exhibit.
Along with relics and artifacts, many of the daily activities in the past are also faithfully recreated through detailed dioramas.
The museum also hosts changing exhibits covering various themes, ranging from pop culture to regional art.
Whether a history buff or a casual visitor, Upcountry History Museum’s fascinating exhibits will keep you enthralled for hours.
Frankie’s is the ultimate all-in-one place for family recreation in Greenville, eight minutes from Mauldin.
Filled to the brim with attractions, this fully-featured amusement center has no shortage of fun things to do.
For starters, you can satisfy your need for speed by jumping into one of their go-karts and running a few laps around the circuit.
You can then head over to the bumper boats for a round of splashing fun with friends.
Another notable feature of Frankie’s is their beautiful mini-golf course.
Consisting of 54 holes, the mini-golf course boasts an excellent layout dotted with ponds, fountains, miniature houses, and even a cute pirate ship.
On the other hand, you can also practice your baseball swinging skills at the center’s batting cages.
You can also engage in friendly laser tag matches with your peers or play classic and modern games in the arcade.
For a more immersive virtual experience, you can also try their interactive 3D movie called XD Dark Ride.
After a tiring yet delightful round of playing, you can indulge in pizzas, burgers, and other delicious snacks at the in-house café.
With all these features and more, Frankie’s guarantees fun and memorable moments that will be cherished for years.
Frennet Studio / Shutterstock.com
Located six minutes from Mauldin, the Conestee Nature Preserve is a paradise.
Spanning 640 acres, the wildlife sanctuary features various landscapes across its sprawling expanse, ranging from wetlands to grassy plains and forests.
You can embark on an outdoor journey and enjoy the picturesque views through miles of hiking and biking trails weaving through the park.
Frennet Studio / Shutterstock.com
As a welcome bonus, the park’s numerous observation decks also ensure you get the best views of the natural surroundings.
Home to many animals like deer, river otters, and beavers, not to mention over 200 species of birds, the preserve is also the ideal spot for wildlife watching.
As a haven for outdoor adventurers, Conestee Nature Preserve’s pristine environment and refreshing atmosphere make it the perfect destination for a much-needed break from the city.
Mauldin offers a pleasant environment and enough attractions to make each visit worthwhile.
From neat parks to phenomenal restaurants, you can enjoy several relaxing and fun things in the city.
Thanks to its location, the city is also surrounded by many of the region’s top tourist draws.
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