5 Reasons to Visit Greenville, South Carolina
When you think of South Carolina, what city comes to mind? Probably Charleston, as it’s one of the most beloved cities in the Palmetto State. However, have you ever considered visiting Greenville? Though there are plenty of reasons to spend time in Charleston, like the fantastic food and beautiful scenery, there are just as many reasons to visit Greenville, if not more! Here are five reasons to visit Greenville, South Carolina the next time you’re looking for an exciting weekend getaway destination. You’ll be planning your next trip before you know it!
1) Why you should visit Greenville
There’s more than just golf in Greenville. For example, you can browse our area’s great restaurants and one-of-kind shopping. In downtown’s historic West End district, you’ll find a wide variety of locally-owned shops selling everything from eco-friendly gifts to custom clothing and accessories. The Overbrook Chocolatier has won several Best of awards for its handmade chocolates with unique flavors like balsamic fig or chili pepper bitters. On Main Street, visit Black Sheep Beads & More for handcrafted jewelry made out of semiprecious stones and sea glass, or head over to Southern Folk Art (SFArt) where you’ll find carefully curated treasures from artisans across America.
2) How you can save time and money
Getting to Greenville is simple; there are two airports: The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). These airports service many major airlines including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Once you arrive in Greenville, you can easily find a rental car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car or National Car Rental. Once you have your car, it’s time to start exploring! Here are five of our favorite things about visiting beautiful Greenville:
Greenville has a plethora of amazing restaurants with incredible food! Some of our favorites include Old Village Post House, Tupelo Honey Cafe, and Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe. Each restaurant has its own unique flair and style that makes them stand out from other restaurants in town. We recommend checking out each one during your visit!
Greenville offers tons of outdoor activities for visitors looking for an adventure!
3) The art scene at Greenville
Two of our personal favorites are The Peace Center for Performing Arts and The Dia: Beacon. Both have an impressive roster of performances throughout the year from both renowned classical artists and up-and-coming composers. If you’re into art museums, be sure to stop by Jepson Center for a look at some of America’s most treasured works. In addition to these three institutions, Greenville has hundreds of smaller galleries that often showcase up-and-coming artists or hold exhibitions celebrating artistic periods and movements. The best part? You can enjoy these exhibits without breaking your bank account! Many are free or require only a small donation (or just offer reasonably priced snacks).
4) Relaxation
There’s plenty of entertainment within a short drive from Greenville. In nearby Spartanburg, you can get your fill of entertainment at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Go Ape Treetop Adventure Park, and Grand Prix Karting. Elsewhere in South Carolina, you’ll find other popular destinations like Charleston (which is a little over an hour away), Myrtle Beach, and Clemson University. Of course, a destination as unique as Greenville needs no excuses for those seeking fun things to do. There are more than 20 wineries nearby and several breweries that offer brewery tours and tastings just outside town. Live music is often playing at local venues like The Handlebar or Common Grounds Coffeehouse, or catch one of the hundreds of festivals throughout the year!
5) Fun at Greenville
One of our favorite things about visiting is how laid back it is. The town reminds us of Charleston’s resort-style without all the pretentiousness. During our last visit, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch on Main Street and had a happy hour at a local brewery with friends. Our daughter enjoys swinging in trees and catching crayfish in Lake Conestee while my husband relishes his Southern roots and learns more about duck-raising from his three amigos (his favorite hobby). Even though we’ve visited many times, there’s still so much for us to see. Next time you’re considering traveling from Myrtle Beach to Columbia or Charleston: consider adding a trip to Greenville!
