Greenville, South Carolina: A River Runs Through It

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Greenville, South Carolina, is filled with southern charm and hospitality. Its tree-lined Main Street features shops, galleries, and the stunning 40-acre Falls Park on the Reedy River, complete with the iconic Liberty Bridge. There’s more to Greenville than picturesque scenery—miles of two-lane roads, state parks, and designated trails make it a perfect cycling destination.

Additionally, the city boasts cultural venues, historic sites, and excellent restaurants.

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Outdoor Activities in Greenville, South Carolina

Experience the thrill of driving a BMW and a Mini Cooper at speeds exceeding 90 mph on a specially designed track at the exclusive BMW Performance Center. After burning rubber, explore the BMW Museum featuring Art Cars by renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Tip: Reserve the driving school well in advance as it does sell out quickly.

Discover the scenic Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile route meandering alongside the Reedy River. Hunting Island State Park offers flat trails with picturesque salt marshes and tidal basins. For a more challenging workout, explore Paris Mountain State Park’s rugged forest trails.

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Greenville’s Culture and History

Discover the stunning collection of contemporary art by native son Jasper Johns at the extraordinary Greenville County Museum of Art.

Experience the enchanting melodies of European, English, and American pianos and harpsichords at the Carolina Music Museum, spanning 300 years of history. Expect 16th to 19th century works at this gem.

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Embark on guided walking and driving tours of Greenville’s historic neighborhoods with Greenville History Tours. Uncover the rich stories and heritage of this charming city. A wide variety of culinary tours are also available, such as a breakfast tour, coffee tour, and New Restaurants of the Upstate.

 Dining in Greenville

Calling all BBQ lovers! Join the Greenville History Tours BBQ Trail Tour for a mouthwatering adventure. Indulge in 2 1/2 hours of delicious BBQ from three of the city’s best joints: Bucky’s Bar-B-Que, Henry’s Smokehouse, and Mike & Jeff’s BBQ. Sit back, relax, and let our knowledgeable guide drive while you savor every bite.

Dine on Moroccan, Spanish, Italian, African and Middle Eastern dishes at the Lazy Goat.

Enjoy an impeccable selection of favorite scratch-made Southern dishes at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar, like cast-iron skillet pimento cheese dip and classic chicken & waffles. Come for brunch Saturday and Sunday where you can feast on the buttermilk fried chicken eggs Benedict.

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Photo from Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen’s IG page.

Where to Stay in Greenville

Bring your furry friend to the Aloft Hotel: where chic meets comfort. Dive into their minimalist design, relax by the outdoor pool, and enjoy the convenience of free Wi-Fi. Plus, they’re within walking distance to all the hot spots.

Ideally located downtown, are the Marriott, Hilton and Crowne Plaza. All three recently underwent multi-million-dollar renovations and offer a fitness center, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

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Escape to Hotel Domestique: a 13-room boutique hotel just 20 minutes from Greenville, South Carolina. Surround yourself with nature on the miles of wooded trails perfect for cycling and hiking. Indulge in fine dining, stay active with their state-of-the-art fitness center, and relish in luxury with 500-thread-count linens and iPad concierge service.

Historic Houses

The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library is in the house where Jackson lived. There are exhibits detailing the life and career of this great baseball player.

An hour away in Asheville, NC, you can immerse yourself in the history and luxury of the Biltmore Estate. Built in 1895 as the country home of George Vanderbilt, the 250-room chateau is surrounded by gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

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Greenville, South Carolina Is Waiting For You

No matter whether you see Greenville, South Carolina by driving, cycling, walking or hiking you’re sure to enjoy everything that this pretty town has to offer.

Images courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC

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This article was written by Fran Folsom in 2018. It has been updated by staff in 2023.

Read more about South Carolina here:

Waikiki Village, Myrtle Beach

Columbia Art Walk: A Tour of the Capital City

Welcome to Travel the South!

Travel the South is run by Melody Pittman and Taylor Hardy. With the help of some fantastic travel writers, they help you plan your travels to the Southern states.

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