City Cheat Sheet: A Travel Guide for Greenville, South Carolina
Liberty Bridge, a 345-foot-long suspension bridge that sits above Reedy River Falls in Falls Park. Photography by Angela Zion.
WHY VISIT THIS BEAUTIFUL AND BUSTLING CITY in South Carolina? The Scout Guide Greenville editor Amanda Arscott can name a few reasons. The first and foremost is the people. “You will not meet nicer, more welcoming people than those who live in Greenville, South Carolina,” she says. “This town is full of innovators, entrepreneurs, doers, and makers. The people are the heart of this city.”
In addition to the town’s gracious hospitality, it’s also celebrated for The Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 19.9-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River connecting Greenville County with schools, parks, and local businesses. Amanda recommends renting a bike to take in the beauty of Greenville on this unique pathway.
Last but not least, Main Street is a must-see. “From the gorgeous tree-lined streets to the spectacular Liberty Bridge and Falls Park, the landscape of our downtown is breathtaking,” Amanda says. “Add to this the free trolley rides, the skating rink at Christmas, Saturday Market in the summer, and the many unique street festivals and entertainment that make our Main Street so special. I have yet to find a downtown in the United States that can compare to the beauty of Greenville’s.”
Ready to plan your visit? Here, Amanda shares her favorite local finds and activities for taking in her city.
*Please note that due to COVID-19 some of these businesses might be closed or have specific guidelines in place. We recommend calling ahead and/or visiting their websites for the latest information on their status, offerings, etc.
WHEN TO GO // Come during baseball season so you can experience a game at iconic Fluor Field in the historic West End neighborhood. The 6,700-seat baseball stadium houses the Greenville Drive baseball team, the A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park. Stay for our iconic Saturday Market, showcasing the best of our local produce and vendors right along our picturesque Main Street. Market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., May through October.
WHERE TO STAY // Hotel Domestique (10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest). Located just 18 miles outside of downtown on a beautiful vineyard, Hotel Domestique is a lovely, quiet option with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and feels a bit like the Italian countryside.
AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville (315 South Main Street). Located right on Main Street in the heart of downtown, this innovative hotel inhabits the very soul of the city and offers a unique combination of quality, timeless European design, comfort, and true authenticity.
WHAT TO DO // Falls Park (601 South Main Street). This park serves as a lovely oasis in downtown Greenville. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, it is a fun place to relax for an hour or two and enjoy our beautiful waterfall and suspension bridge.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (300 College Street). A great indoor, family-friendly destination that offers a large learning and playing environment. It houses several exhibit galleries that are suitable for children of all ages.
Melange Art Studio & Gallery (1607 Laurens Road). Home to a diverse collection of local, regional, and national artisans.
Blo Greenville (4 Market Point Drive). Start your visit with a little pampering at Greenville’s only blow dry bar. The perfect way to start your day is with great hair.
Dog Culture (627 West Washington Street). Greenville is very dog-friendly, but if you need a few hours to yourself, then drop your pooch off for the day at Dog Culture, the best doggie daycare in Greenville. With sleepovers, grooming, self-wash, and a unique daycare, your best friend will love zooming around with his new pals.
WHERE TO SHOP // Monkee’s of the West End (103-A Augusta Street), Twill (2222 Augusta Street, No 7), Harringtons (6 W Lewis Plaza), Faux Beauty (1608 Laurens Road), Pink Bee (105 Augusta Street), and Southern Girl Chic (2815 Woodruff Road) offer big-city shopping with Greenville’s signature southern hospitality. You could spend an entire day visiting these six shops and finding the perfect collection of women’s clothing and accessories.
Muse Shoe Studio (2222 Augusta Street, Suite 5). Owner Musette Stern can make anyone feel like Cinderella—if the shoe fits, buy it!
Vann & Liv (1803 Augusta Street, Suite G). Everything you need for the little trendsetter in your life! This boutique creates a unique shopping experience for parents, kids, and tweens, offering the coolest trends and a personalized customer service experience.
C.O.R.E. (1501 East North Street). Stands for confidence, optimism, resilience, energy. That’s what you get when you walk into this fashion-forward athletic boutique and mindful movement and meditation studio. Come for the yoga pants and stay for the zen!
Carolina Furniture and Interiors (135 Mall Connector Road, Suite G). Upstate South Carolina’s best selection of fine home furnishings, artwork, lighting, and decor for over 40 years.
Paisley & Paper (1818 Augusta Street). A paperie and gift store located on Augusta Road in the heart of Greenville. You will want to spend hours browsing the shelves of this bright and open boutique, which is the perfect place for gifts and the best wrapping in all of Greenville.
WHERE TO EAT // Reid’s Fine Foods (1 North Laurens Street). A specialty food store and favorite culinary destination. Originally started in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reid’s specializes in superior meats, wines, and regional provisions. Don’t miss their gorgeous signature green wine bar and deli.
Camp (2 East Broad Street in Camperdown Plaza). Greenville’s beloved Table 301 Restaurant Group brings their newest concept to downtown Greenville with Camp, a modern American eatery in the heart of downtown Greenville. Chef Drew Erickson, formerly of The French Laundry in Yountville, California, brings cuisine focused on classic dishes with reimagined, globally-influenced flavors.
Soby’s (207 South Main Street). The place to go if you’re craving a traditional southern meal. Some delicious menu items include crab cakes, southern shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese fondue. Their Sunday brunch is not to be missed.
Restaurant 17 (10 Road of Vines). Ingredients arrive daily from farms, fields, and rivers—most just a few miles away. The nationally acclaimed culinary team elevates these local, seasonal ingredients with a combination of classical training and time-honored techniques.
WHERE TO DRINK // Southern Pressed Juicery (2 West Washington Street). If you’re feeling low on energy, stop by this local favorite that offers cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, energy bowls, and plant-based foods.
Birds Fly South Ale Project (1320 Hampton Avenue Extended). This local brewery is conveniently located along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, so you can sample some amazing local brews while walking or biking the greenway. Some of our favorites are Days Like This and Apologize Less.
LOCAL PRO-TIP // Greenville has an amazingly rich art and cultural scene, so during your visit be on the lookout for selfie-worthy murals and art in public places. Use the tag #yeahTHATgreenville when posting to social media.
You can download this Greenville cheat sheet by clicking here. For additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Greenville, follow The Scout Guide Greenville on Instagram.
