Runway Park at GMU
Runway Park at GMU
4.5
About
Runway Park at GMU is located in the Community Corridor of the Greenville Downtown Airport. It is an aviation themed, STEM based learning park meant to inspire children to fall in love with aviation. The park is adjacent to the runway of the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina. Wave to pilots as they taxi out and get ready for take-off or see them land right in front of you. Runway Park is listed in US News travel section as the #4 best things to do in Greenville! The park has educational signs to learn all about aviation. Children’s tours and the covered picnic hangar are available for booking. Please see the website for more details. The Community Corridor of GMU also has Runway Café, Takeoff Mini-Golf, and a Military History Museum.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
149 reviews
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Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,272 contributions
Jan 2020
We were in Greenville for the day, and wanted to let our kids run around for a bit and found this awesome park. This park might be one of the best ideas/execution of a kids playground that I've seen. The park is completely fenced in, so feel free to let the kids run and play to their hearts content, without worrying about them going somewhere they shouldn't. The park has a covered picnic area, that's available for reserving for parties, and they also have a public bathroom, as well as a restaurant attached to the park for anyone who needs an energy boost while here.
The park backs right up to the runway, and while we were here, we had to have seen 40+ planes take off and land. Super fun for the kids. The theming around the park with the airport, is done so well, the kids can sit in a playground equipment plane, climb to the top of the control tower, or take off down the run way.
It's even great for the older kids and parents as there is a circular track around the entire area great for riding bikes, scooters or just running.
If I had to make one suggestion, I might get rid of the mulch for a rubber base around the playground equipment, but outside of that, the entire playground might be one of the most well thought out playgrounds I've ever been to. We spent over 2 hours here, and the kids did not get bored. Wish they had one of these closer to my home in Charlotte!
The park backs right up to the runway, and while we were here, we had to have seen 40+ planes take off and land. Super fun for the kids. The theming around the park with the airport, is done so well, the kids can sit in a playground equipment plane, climb to the top of the control tower, or take off down the run way.
It's even great for the older kids and parents as there is a circular track around the entire area great for riding bikes, scooters or just running.
If I had to make one suggestion, I might get rid of the mulch for a rubber base around the playground equipment, but outside of that, the entire playground might be one of the most well thought out playgrounds I've ever been to. We spent over 2 hours here, and the kids did not get bored. Wish they had one of these closer to my home in Charlotte!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your great review. We tried to think of everything that we could. Just curious why you think rubber mulch is better than wood? We heard it can get hot, melt and be tar like without shade and has other issues. The wood we just have to refill sometimes. Haven't heard negative comments with playground grade wood chips. Thoughts? Ideas?
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jo64b
Nottingham, UK74 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
We visited this play area with two young children aged 3 and 2, and what a great place. The children loved it, very child friendly, with a cafe and picnic area and miniature golf.
Good if you bring your child's bike or scooter as there are paths encircling the play area for them to ride around.
The children particularly loved the aeroplanes taking off and landing
Good if you bring your child's bike or scooter as there are paths encircling the play area for them to ride around.
The children particularly loved the aeroplanes taking off and landing
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GattoViziato
United States794 contributions
Jun 2021
This place is beloved among Greenville locals to bring their kids to. There are two playgrounds, one for smaller children, one for larger. They have paved paths that kids ride bikes and scooters on that circle the playgrounds. They have a large hill your kids can roll down. There is a tiered brick/grass seating area to sit and watch the planes and helicopters take off and land at. There are covered picnic tables and there is also the restaurant adjoining the airport.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coachchrista23
Greenville, SC151 contributions
Aug 2020
The deli has some really good food for lunch. They close around 2pm every day. The park is awesome. Planes flying overhead. A lap for the parents to walk. And tons of playground equipment with airport theme. Great place to meet up!
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KentuckyTravelBug80
Pikeville, KY2,415 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
This park is so awesome for families with kids and for those who enjoy aviation. Really nice playground equipment and a nice walking track around the perimeter. The best part if you can watch tons of airplanes take off and land! Very much recommend!
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UpstateLocals
Greenville, SC61 contributions
Jun 2022
This is the coolest place and such a local gift that we have! I love taking the kids here. It's a very laidback, easy place with a walking trail and fun boards to read about different things to do with the park/aviation. It's a cool place and not packed to the gills every time you want to get out of the house! Defininetly a local favorite for a quick stop to let the kids run or a nice picnic to get outside!!
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James29673
Simpsonville, SC175 contributions
We met some friends here and the next thing you know 3 hours had passed. Lunch was good with a number of kid friendly plates available. 2 walls of the restaurant are all glass which offers great views of the air strip. After the meal you have to visit the park. Don't just explore the playground area take advantage of your imagination and use the runway and mini stage at the end.
Written February 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Taylors, SC1 contribution
Jan 2014 • Couples
I've watched this park develop from weeds and trees and it's already a fun attraction for families. They continue to update the park with beautiful equipment and displays while keeping it useful, clean and nice. Located next to the Runway Cafe, the park has a terrific view of the entire airport and it's also a nice area to picnic. There are two paved "runways" with a paved "taxiway" (footpath) around the edge of the park area, and the playground equipment is typical of most children's parks but it has an aviation theme throughout. If you have children (up to teenagers) it's a great place to take a break while they entertain themselves, watch airplanes and burn off energy in a fenced-in, modern playground. If you come on nice weekend around lunchtime, there are always aircraft flying-in for lunch at the Runway Cafe and they park very near the playground. Just "plane" fun!
Written January 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisa0916
Greenville, SC82 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
It is located right behind the landing strip for the Downtown Greenville airport, so you see small planes take off and land the whole time. It is fenced in and has bathroom access and a café. My kids bring their bikes and scooters, there is also a place to sit on benches with shade. Great place to play.
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosa727
Atlanta, GA119 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We love this unique playground and they are still adding on! My 3 kids (2, 4, 7) all stay busy here for hours. And I love that there is a little restaurant right there where we can grab lunch. It is so much fun the watch the planes come and go as everyone plays!
Written July 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I did not see an address-says it is at the downtown airport-and hours of operation??
Written November 13, 2016
Open during daylight hours. Located next to Runway Cafe at 21 Airport Road Ext, Greenville, SC 29607
Written November 14, 2016
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