Greenville is a picturesque city that straddles the Reedy River.
It's the largest city in the upstate region of South Carolina and, as its name implies,
is surrounded by bountiful greenery.
Whether you're in town for just a few days or a few weeks and you love farm-to-table
dining, educational attractions, and the great outdoors, you'll be happy you came.
Nature lovers can hike the stunningly beautiful Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, take in the
scenery at Falls Park, or bike the winding Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Keep the kids entertained at the Children's Museum of the Upstate, shop and dine on Greenville
Main Street, or follow an interactive online map to find all the sculptures installed for
the Arts in Public Places initiative.
Best of all, wherever you venture, expect to be welcomed by the locals.
In fact, Greenville was named Conde Nast Traveler's "#1 Friendliest City in the U.S." in 2020!
Are you looking for things to do in Greenville, SC?
Perhaps you’re curious to see if it’s the spot for your next American vacation.
Well, order some artisanal coffee at a local cafe, pop your headphones in, and prop your
phone up on the table to watch on for our top picks in this perfect all-season destination.
Falls Park on the Reedy River
A visit to Greenville isn’t a visit at all without spending some time admiring Reedy
River Falls as it tumbles underneath Liberty Bridge.
The park that surrounds the falls stretches out over 30 acres and includes green spaces,
curated gardens, and the ruins of the textile mills that once supplied the region.
The 345-foot-long Liberty Bridge was completed in 2004 and added a touch of modernity to
an otherwise quaint country town scene.
Amazingly, it's the only single-suspension pedestrian bridge in the Western Hemisphere,
so you can cross off a bucket list item simply by strolling across it!
Greenville County Museum of Art
Greenville boasts a ton of museums, but this one takes the prize for the artsiest option.
The Greenville County Museum of Art is widely considered among the best art museums in the
American south and hosts the most extensive Andrew Wyeth watercolor collection worldwide.
If you’re more into pop art masters, you can also admire works by artworld legends
like Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe.
And that’s perhaps unsurprising when you consider the modernist museum first opened
its doors in 1963.
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The Children's Museum of the Upstate
If you’re traveling to Greenville with young kids, be sure to include some time at The
Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
This 80,000 square foot building is dedicated to learning through play and is affiliated
with the renowned Smithsonian Museum—so you know its 21 exhibits must be top of the
line.
Build a tower in the Construction Zone, learn about agriculture in America at Grandma Betty’s
farm, or head outside to Bib’s world to climb to your heart's content.
Did you know TCMU is one of America's largest children’s museums?
Incredible!
Greenville Main Street
Some of America’s southern towns have the most picturesque main streets, and the Greenville
Main Street is no exception.
There are lots of charming clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and antique stores to spend
your holiday dollars at, and when your tummy starts rumbling, there’s no shortage of
cafes and eateries to satisfy it.
Keep the kids occupied by hunting for the little bronze mice hidden along the sidewalks,
part of the Mice on Main Scavenger Hunt.
And don’t forget to jump on (and off) one of the vintage trolleys that travel the main
street.
They’re free!
Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
Are you keen to get out hiking while on holiday?
Or how about just a gentle walk?
Lake Conestee Nature Preserve has over 400 acres of wildlife sanctuary to explore and
is only 7 miles away from downtown Greenville.
Depending on the season, you can expect to spot animals like deer and raccoons, foxes
and beavers, as well as a vast array of native and migratory birds.
Best of all, this preserve is welcoming to all abilities, boasting around five miles
of wheelchair-friendly paved pathways.
Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail
When you’re in Greenville, it couldn’t be easier to explore neighboring towns, too—so
long as you’re willing to jump on a bicycle!
The 22-mile-long Swamp Rabbit Trail runs through Greenville, Travelers Rest, and beyond.
There are trail entrances throughout the various towns, so you can get onto and off the trail
as you need.
Some trailheads even have amenities like restrooms and food stands.
If you didn’t bring your own bikes, there are plenty of places in Greenville to rent
reliable, well-maintained steeds of your choice.
The Peace Center
While there are tons of things to keep you occupied in the day in Greenville, you might
be wondering what to do once the sun goes down.
Why not head to the Peace Center to catch a play, ballet, or musical performance?
This flexible venue, which opened in 1990, contains a concert hall, theater, and amphitheater
and is home to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, not one but two ballet companies, and the
South Carolina Children’s Theater.
Add the traveling shows, and there’s always something going on!
Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum
Have you by chance ever heard of Shoeless Joe Jackson?
Of course, you have!
Why he's only, arguably, one of the greatest baseball players ever to grace an American
field.
The museum is packed to the gills with authentic memorabilia, original photographs taken during
his life and career, and other interesting Shoeless Joe-related items.
Other Shoeless Joe spots in town worth visiting are the site of the ballpark where he was
scouted for the Big Leagues and his Woodlawn Memorial Park gravesite.
If you want to honor one of America's baseball legends, bring a ball or bat to lay down amongst
the other offerings.
Arts in Public Places
The people of Greenville, it seems, love art, and the Arts in Public Places initiative proves
it.
Through this project, the town is now dotted with outdoor sculptures by some of America’s
greatest artists, including Yuri Tsuzuki’s stunning steel butterflies and Rose Crystal
Tower by Dale Chihuly.
If you want to find all of the Arts in Public Places sculptures, you can navigate to them
all using a handy interactive online map, available on the Greenville city government
website.
Gather Greenville
Do you want to sample as much fine southern cuisine as possible while you’re in Greenville?
Then we highly recommend you head to Gather Greenville on at least one of the evenings
you’re in town!
This quirky ensemble of container buildings houses 13 unique eateries serving a wide array
of food and drinks.
There’s something for everyone—from doughnut sandwiches to craft beer, smash burgers to
Tequila-inspired cocktails.
The space is dog friendly and easily accessible for wheelchair users, and there’s live music
on the weekends.
Kilgore-Lewis House
If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to schedule a stop at Kilgore-Lewis House.
This historic home was constructed in 1838 and is today the HQ of the Greenville Council
of Garden Clubs.
It’s one of the only landmark homes in Greenville that’s open to the public.
You can take a docent-led tour on selected days of the week, and entrance fees go to
the Garden Club.
The home is surrounded by over 3 acres of carefully tended gardens in various styles.
There’s also an Eastern Bluebird trail and a small yet serene lake to admire.
Runway Park at GMU
Just 10 minutes drive from downtown Greenville sits Runway Park at GMU.
This aviation-themed park includes cyclable runways and perimeter taxiways—just like
an actual airport!
There’s also a wide array of play structures to keep even the most energetic tots entertained.
Be sure to let your kids loose on the educational displays that dot the park: they’ll get
a real buzz out of learning all about the planes they see taking off and landing at
the nearby airport.
If you get hungry, stop in at the Runway Cafe for a bite to eat.
The Upcountry History Museum
If you love learning all about the history of the area in which you’re vacationing,
you’ll be enamored with the Upcountry History Museum.
As the name suggests, this institution is themed around all things heritage in South
Carolina’s Upcountry.
Travel back to pre-colonial America, learn about how Greenville’s earliest settlers
lived, and see artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Don’t skip the 15-minute video introduction—it sets you up for the best experience once you’re
inside.
The exhibitions are spread out across two floors, and every part of the museum is accessible
for wheelchair users.
Table Rock State Park
Table Rock State Park is admittedly a bit of a drive out from Greenville—it takes
about forty minutes to reach by car.
However, the trip is well worth it, considering the incredible natural vistas awaiting you.
The park gets its name from the flat-topped mountain at the center, though it’s also
home to the 3,415-foot-high Pinnacle Mountain, the largest mountain in South Carolina.
Expect lofty peaks, waterfalls, rocky ravines, and crystal clear streams.
You can camp in the park, so consider making it an overnight trip if you have the time.
Do you think this is a comprehensive list of things to do in Greenville, SC?
Or would you add some places, events, or sites we’ve missed?
Debate the not-to-be-missed areas and share your secret scenic spots in the comment section
below.
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