One thing’s for sure: you won’t be bored in Greenville. Our city has earned a reputation as a really fun place, whether you’re into food, arts, or the great outdoors. In fact, downtown Greenville is often cited as one of the best downtowns in America for a city its size – it’s walkable, scenic, and packed with things to do. Here’s a rundown of what to do in Greenville, SC, hitting the highlights both newcomers and locals love:
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Stroll Through Falls Park on the Reedy: If Greenville has a “heart,” Falls Park is it. This gorgeous park downtown features the Reedy River Falls, a natural waterfall right in the middle of the city. You can walk across the Liberty Bridge, a curved suspension footbridge that seems to float over the falls – it’s a jaw-dropping view and a favorite for photos. Falls Park has gardens, walking paths, public art, and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. It’s hard to overstate how much locals adore this park; it’s often buzzing with activity – picnic blankets on the lawn, kids playing, couples taking engagement photos, you name it. (Fun fact: Before 2004, this waterfall was hidden under a highway overpass. The city removed the road bridge and created Falls Park, which sparked a downtown revival. Now it’s described as “one of Greenville’s greatest treasures”greenvillesc.gov and you’ll see why when you visit.)
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Explore Downtown’s Main Street: Greenville’s Main Street is about as charming as it gets. It’s lined with historic buildings, boutiques, galleries, and over 100 restaurants – many with outdoor seating. You can window-shop local art, pop into a cozy bookstore, grab ice cream, or enjoy a craft beer at a brewery. The street itself is beautifully landscaped with shade trees and flowers (Greenville takes pride in its greenery). Don’t miss the Saturday Market (spring through fall), where local farmers and artisans sell produce, crafts, and goodies – it’s a community hotspot on weekend mornings. Also, keep an eye out for the many public art installations and little plazas tucked along Main Street. From March through October, downtown frequently hosts events like live music on Thursday nights, street festivals, and outdoor movie nights. The vibe downtown is safe, lively, and family-friendly – you’ll often see kids splashing in the mini fountain plaza or folks enjoying carriage rides along Main.
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Swamp Rabbit Trail – Biking and Hiking: For outdoorsy types, the Swamp Rabbit Trail is a gem. This is a 28-mile multi-use greenway trailgreenvillesc.gov that runs from downtown Greenville all the way north to the town of Travelers Rest. It follows an old railroad corridor and the Reedy River, offering a scenic route for biking, running, or walking. You can rent a bike easily downtown and hit the trail – one popular excursion is to ride ~8 miles to Travelers Rest, grab lunch or a brew there, and bike back. Along the trail you’ll pass parks, wetlands, and even the campus of Furman University (with its beautiful lake). The Swamp Rabbit Trail has become a community centerpiece since it opened in 2009, with over a half million users each year. It’s mostly flat, free to use, and great for all ages. Whether you’re a serious cyclist or just want a leisurely stroll, this trail is a fantastic way to enjoy Greenville’s natural side. (And yes, it’s named after the swamp rabbit – a local rabbit species – you might spot a bunny or two on your journey!)
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Parks and Outdoors Nearby: In addition to Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville has a wealth of parks. Cleveland Park is a large city park (near downtown) with the Greenville Zoo, picnic areas, tennis courts, and trails that link into the Swamp Rabbit. Paris Mountain State Park is just a 15-minute drive from downtown – there you can hike rugged trails, rent a kayak on Lake Placid, or camp overnight. It’s an amazing quick escape into nature; the summit of Paris Mountain even has views of the downtown skyline on a clear day. If you’re up for a short drive (~45 minutes), Table Rock State Park and Caesars Head State Park in the nearby mountains offer breathtaking vistas, waterfalls, and mountain hiking. Many locals also love visiting Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee (about an hour away) for boating and fishing. Simply put, if you enjoy the outdoors, Greenville is like a playground – mountains, lakes, rivers, and trails are all at your fingertips.
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Arts, Culture, and Entertainment: Don’t think for a second that you need to leave town for arts and nightlife. Greenville punches above its weight here too. The Peace Center on the Reedy River downtown is a performing arts complex that hosts Broadway shows, concerts, ballet, and the Greenville Symphony – all in a 2,100-seat world-class concert hallvisitgreenvillesc.com. We also have a thriving local theater scene (e.g. Centre Stage, Warehouse Theatre) and frequent live music at venues like The Blind Horse and local breweries. For art lovers, the Greenville County Museum of Art (which has the world’s largest public collection of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, among other works) is free to visit. There’s also the Children’s Museum of the Upstate (one of the largest kids’ museums in the South), and the Greenville Science Center with a planetarium and interactive exhibits – both great for family outings. Throughout the year, downtown Greenville hosts cultural festivals: for example, Artisphere (a big arts festival each spring), Fall for Greenville (massive food & music festival in October), and various music and cultural fests (Greek Festival, Euphoria food fest, etc.). On summer evenings, you can catch a minor league baseball game with the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field – a charming mini-replica of Fenway Park. Sports fans also have the Swamp Rabbits hockey team in winter at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which doubles as a major concert venue. In short, whether you’re into fine arts or just a fun night out, Greenville’s got you covered more than you might expect for a city its size.
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Dining and Food Scene: This deserves its own book, but let’s just say Greenville is a foodie haven. You can find just about every cuisine downtown or around town – from classic Southern barbecue and meat-and-three plates, to upscale farm-to-table restaurants that win awards. Local favorites include Shrimp and Grits (a must-try Southern dish) at certain bistros, and any place serving South Carolina’s famous mustard-based BBQ. Greenville has a booming craft beer scene too, with numerous local breweries (many along the Swamp Rabbit Trail!). And did I mention the coffee shops, or the dessert bars, or the fact that we have not one but two James Beard Award-nominated chefs operating here? Whether you want a casual bite or a fine dining experience, you’ll eat well in Greenville. In the evenings, a lot of folks enjoy rooftop bars or gathering at the outdoor plazas like NOMA Square where often there’s live music.
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Day Trips and Regional Attractions: Another cool thing about Greenville is how close it is to other attractions. Asheville, NC (famous for the Biltmore Estate and eclectic arts) is about an hour away – an easy day trip to the mountains. Charlotte’s 1.5-2 hours, Atlanta ~2.5 hours, and Charleston (the beach!) about 3.5 hours. Even closer, just outside Greenville County, you have charming small towns like Traveler’s Rest (quickly becoming a foodie hotspot on the Swamp Rabbit Trail) and Greer (with a quaint downtown). For adrenaline, Carowinds Amusement Park (on the NC/SC border) is about 90 minutes away. And the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC Hwy 11) offers one of the prettiest drives right up along the mountains with stops at orchards, state parks, and overlooks.
Whew – that was a lot, but truly, Greenville has a little something for everyone. Newcomers are often pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do here. Locals, meanwhile, love rediscovering their city as it grows, whether it’s a new cafe opening or a festival around the corner. The mix of natural beauty (waterfalls in the heart of downtown!), recreational opportunities (biking that 28-mile trailgreenvillesc.gov), and cultural amenities makes Greenville a place where you can fill your calendar with activities or just relax and soak in the ambiance. As we say around here, “come on in and stay a while” – Greenville will make you feel right at home and entertained.
