Greenville in Southern Carolina is one of the most beautiful places globally, with numerous attractive destinations.
From exploring famous museums, experiencing historical essences, riding the downtown trolley, and witnessing splendid art and city events- Greenville is a perfect destination for a holiday trip.
Tourists search for various things to do according to their choice at the destination they visit. It is indeed guaranteed that Greenville, SC, will not leave you unsatisfied!
Whether you are an art lover, a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, or a history buff- Greenville will not let you down in any way.
Top 10 Things to Do in Greenville, SC
Greenville is surrounded by various attractive destinations, especially in the downtown area of the city.
And if you find one among them, you will find the next one soon enough, as most of them are within walking distance of each other.
Significant among them are the Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville Country Museum of Art, and Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
If you are longing to have an outdoor adventure, then feel free to access the 20-mile-long GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Let’s now look at these places in detail and find out why they are the best things to do in Greenville, SC.
1. Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge
One of the best things to do in Greenville is gazing at the marvelous Reedy River Falls from the Liberty Bridge.
It is rightly called the “crown jewel” of downtown Greenville; it is the only single-suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere of its kind!
You can take a walk and enjoy the wonderful charm of the park.
This 36-acre garden is full of historic ruins of mills encircled by greenery. Besides, you can wander about the public art installations and the stonework that the park features.
One great characteristic of this place is it conducts a free movie show or a performance of any famous Shakespearean play at certain designated times. Moreover, this place has restaurants as well!
2. Ride the Downtown Trolley
Take a ride on the downtown trolley to enjoy the scenic beauty of the whole city. The beautiful red and blue trolleys take you to downtown, attractive destinations along with the heritage green.
This downtown trolley will make you wonder more about the many worth-visiting sites.
Two significant among them are the Greenville County Museum of Art and the S County Hughes Main Library.
Another great place that this trolley passes by is the famous Children’s Museum of the Upstate. Individuals traveling with their children must visit, as it is a place for children to play.
It is primarily a Smithsonian-affiliated museum and also the 7th largest in the nation. Also, up to the age of 12, it administers various learning activities.
3. Greenville Country Museum of Art
Want to see the world’s largest watercolor collection by the legendary American Artist Andrew Wyeth?
The legacy awaits you at the Country Museum of Art in Greenville. The museum is small but still showcases an enormous amount of creativity.
Also, you can discover corners decorated with works of the famous artist of South Carolina- Jasper Johns.
To cater to historical essence, this museum also accommodates a visual depiction of the Southern experience, starting from the colonial period to the present day.
Overall, you will be mesmerized by the modern feel of the place and will be enchanted by Wyeth’s art and John’s contemporary works.
4. Experience Arts on a Self-Guided Tour
If you are an art enthusiast, you can stroll the streets to relish the dazzling artifacts. Some notable ones are “Transformation” by Yuri Tsuzuki and Dale Chihuly’s “Rose Crystal Tower.”
Watching these, you will forget everything else and will surely be captivated for a few minutes.
Art is present all over the city of Greenville, and you can visit unique shops and boutiques where even food and candy are presented artistically.
For instance, if you approach the Mast General Store, be prepared to discover some barrels of vintage-style marvelous-looking candies.
5. Explore the Swamp Rabbit Trail
Another good option is experiencing the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of the best urban trails not only in the city but worldwide; it is 22 miles long, connecting downtown Greenville with the Travelers Rest.
You will gradually grow to share a wonderful familiarity with the place.
While traveling through the trail, many famous spots appear. You can also relish your journey through the trail by renting bikes from various local shops, including Swamp Rabbit Bike Shop and Reedy Rides, to cycle on the trail.
In the winter season, stroll down Greenville’s street to Bon Secours Wellness Arena for a Hockey game. There are two teams in the city, namely- Charlotte Checkers and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Swamp Rabbits are primarily an ECHL association of both these teams. Sporting events, concerts, and many more exciting happenings occur all around the year at “The Well.”
Just check that special event waiting for you during your visit.
6. Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum
Visiting the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum comes under the list of best things to do in Greenville, SC.
The museum is located at Joe’s actual home, where you can see Shoeless Joe’s photos that celebrate his life and career as a baseball player.
There is also a famous baseball library, his gravesite, and a memorial park. The baseball library is dedicated not just to Joe but to the great baseball players of all time.
Don’t forget to visit the ballpark where Shoeless Joe played; it is situated at the Brandon Mill complex.
You can find his grave in the Woodlawn Memorial Park, which comprises cleats, bats, baseballs, and other memorabilia that many visitors and fans have left to honor the legend.
7. Enjoy Various City Events at NOMA Square and One City Plaza
The most remarkable places for open gatherings in Greenville are NOMA Square and One City Plaza.
These two places are home to various free events. In the springtime, live music entertainment is here for both Friday and Thursday evenings downtown and on the city’s main street.
You will find the main street shut down for TD Saturday Market on Saturdays in May and October.
Besides live music and the TD market being an attractive feature, this region also offers yoga classes, happy hours with pets, and much more.
8. The Famous Poinsett Bridge and the Campbell’s Covered Bridge
You will be mesmerized by the beauty of these bridges, which takes you back to that historic time when it was constructed.
These two bridges are located in the northern part of Greenville city. Poinsett Bridge is the oldest one, and it stretches over 130 feet, is made of Gothic arch stone, and stands 14 feet tall.
Many historians believe that Robert Mills, a famous architect of the time, designed it.
The Campbell’s Covered Bridge is also a stunning structure and is the only covered bridge in the state.
You can explore the foundations of the old grist mill, along with the home sites that were once rooted there.
9. Wander the Kilgore-Lewis House
Another wonderful option from the list of best things to do in Greenville is wandering the famous Kilgore-Lewis house.
People who have a thing for history would love this historic house constructed in 1835.
It consisted of 3.5 acres of quaint gardens rooted above a small yet beautiful lake. Overall, you feel like you’re in a secret romantic hideaway. It is indeed a visit!
10. Have a Lovely Time at the South Carolina Botanical Garden
Situated at a short distance from Clemson, SC, the Greenville South Carolina Botanical Garden is a very soothing place to relish nature and enjoy the greenery.
This garden features a 295-acre garden, along with trails, and also bears a collection of nature-based sculptures of national recognition.
Close to this place, you can also visit the Bob Campbell Geology Museum and Clemson University; both are worth your time.
Greenville is also famous for its diverse range of beer shops of specially crafted beer, and you can access any beer shop to buy these.
Also, you can access the best hotels in Greenville, SC, here. Significant among them are the Hyatt Regency, Aloft Greenville Downtown, Home2Suites, and Homewood Suites.
EndNote
Make a decent plan before your trip, and you’ll have fun throughout your journey.
The city is undoubtedly the place to make your next holiday trip to; now that you know the best things to explore in Greenville, make sure to have fun!
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
