Upstate Homerun

By: Abby Price

July 9, 2026

A new minor league stadium in the heart of Spartanburg makes for a getaway with easy strolls, local flavor, and moments that linger long after the final inning.

As we pulled into downtown Spartanburg, I was blown away by sidewalks dotted with hanging baskets, local boutiques teeming with visitors, and countless restaurants with outdoor patios buzzing to life.

But when we arrived to check in, my eyes were immediately drawn to the baseball stadium; we could see straight into the ballpark from the hotel parking lot. At that moment, I knew Spartanburg was unlike any other town I’d visited.

My husband and I are from Lynchburg, Virginia, a small town with its own minor league team, the Hillcats. Baseball there usually means a drive, a parking lot, and an older stadium tucked away from the heart of town. Attendance is sparse, and the atmosphere is modest at best.

Spartanburg, on the other hand, feels electric.

Locals are strolling down the streets toward the game, grandparents, parents, teenagers, and toddlers all laughing along the way, the Spartanburger sign lit up in the background, and the buzz in the air had the energy of an MLB game. Looking around, I knew we had picked the perfect place for the weekend, one that promised incredible memories for my husband, myself, and our two-year-old daughter.

Baseball is a perfect excuse for the trip. We’re always looking for activities that everyone can enjoy, ones that are flexible, and easy.

And funny enough, minor league baseball can check every box.

We stayed at the AC Hotel, where our room overlooked the stadium. Big win. From the window, the field glowed under stadium lights. For my husband, it was the thrill of a new ballpark. For our daughter, it was pointing at the lights, clapping every time the crowd roared, and dancing anytime a new walk-up song was played. For me, the best part was realizing we didn’t have to choose between a family-friendly trip and a city that felt alive.

The stadium itself is beautiful in that modern-but-rooted way with clean lines, open sightlines, and a sense that it was designed to be part of the city rather than dropped on top of it. Because it sits at the same level as Main Street, the boundary between game and town disappears. Fans drift in and out. Locals pause on evening walks. It feels less like an event you attend and more like something the city shares.

Funky and a little unexpected, The Spartanburgers is exactly the kind of detail that makes minor league baseball feel so welcoming. Our daughter loved the burger mascot long before she understood the game, and honestly, that’s the point. You don’t need to know stats or standings to belong here. Inside the stadium, the atmosphere leans local in the best way. Families shuffling hot dogs, nachos, and French fries to their kids. Couples held plastic cups of beer. Grandparents explained the rules to kids who were more interested in their snacks. It was easy, unpretentious, and forgiving, the kind of place where it’s okay if a toddler doesn’t sit still for nine innings.

But what makes Spartanburg especially strong as a multigenerational destination is what happens once you leave the stadium.

Right next door, Rockers Brewing Company greets the area with comfort food like pretzels and beer cheese, smoked wings, and local beer like their Son of a Peach, the perfect place to walk to after the final out. Down the street, FR8yard turns old rail space into a casual hub where everyone can enjoy drinks and food under string lights with open space for kids to roam, yard-games, and no pressure to linger longer than your energy allows.

What surprised me most came the next morning, when the energy of the stadium had faded, and we had time to take in our surroundings. This AC Hotel is known for a rather impressive art collection.

Throughout the property, sculptures and hanging pieces appear in unexpected places, making the hotel feel more like a gallery than a place to simply sleep. There are four to five dozen significant works from The Johnson Collection, with ties to artists at Black Mountain College, and walking through the space feels like wandering through an art museum.

We headed out to explore more of downtown, starting with a stop at Hub City Bookshop, a beloved local favorite. The bookstore is known for its strong collection of books by regional writers. Just next door, Little River Coffee Bar is the perfect place to grab a much-needed caffeine boost before wandering through nearby local boutiques.

As we walked the sidewalks of downtown, I realized that, as much as baseball brought us to Spartanburg, the game was only part of the experience. The real magic was how effortlessly the town wrapped everything else around it. Meals didn’t require reservations or long drives. Walks didn’t feel rushed or exhausting. Every generation in our family could enjoy the same spaces, just in different ways.

For my husband, it was discovering a ballpark that felt as thoughtfully designed as any major league stadium, but without the crowds or chaos. For me, it was the ease of traveling with our child in a place that felt welcoming and genuinely alive. And for our daughter, it was the simple joy of movement: music drifting through the streets, friendly faces, open sidewalks, and plenty of room to explore.

It’s not built around one attraction or a packed itinerary. It’s built around togetherness. Grandparents can stroll downtown with ease. Adult siblings or groups of friends can enjoy patios and live music. Parents can relax knowing everything is close by. Kids can be kids without feeling out of place. Baseball may be the anchor, but the town itself is what keeps you lingering long after the final inning.

More things to do in Spartanburg

Explore the trails at Croft State Park

Minutes from downtown, Croft State Park features an equestrian trail system, with wooded paths winding through rolling terrain. Riders share the landscape with hikers and cyclists, showing off a horse culture that stretches from Spartanburg to Landrum

Tour BMW and drive at the performance center

Home to BMW’s largest plant in the world, visitors can tour the factory by appointment, explore the Zentrum museum, then shift into high gear at the Performance Center, where professional instructors lead hands-on driving experiences

Float or fish at the Pacolet River

Glendale Shoals Preserve provides easy

access to the Pacolet River, where flat walking trails pass historic textile mill ruins and

overlook cascading shoals. On-site parking makes it simple to explore, and the riverbanks are open for fishing, kayaking, or tubing

Eat at award-winning Wade’s Restaurant

A Spartanburg institution, Wade’s serves exquisite Southern comfort food, from fried chicken and mac and cheese to cornbread and veggies. The restaurant was named a James Beard America’s Classics in 2024, the only winner in the Upstate of SC

Abby Price is a travel journalist based in Southern Virginia, specializing in under-the-radar destinations and family-friendly experiences.