Weekend Escapes: Greenville, South Carolina
Falls Park, Greenville
Finding a destination that provides impressive culture, food and entertainment for all ages can be challenging, especially within a reasonable drive. Enter Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville is a beautiful city that is clean, family-friendly, pet-friendly and has countless outdoor amenities just begging to be explored. With an easy drive that is just under 2.5 hours from Augusta & Atlanta and less than 2 hours from Charlotte, Greenville is an easy trip whether you are looking to escape for a weekend or for a full vacation. Here are some tips to explore Greenville, South Carolina like a local.
West End, Greenville
Greenville Saturday Market
Greenville Saturday Market
I suggest arriving to Greenville either on Friday or Saturday morning to experience the TD Saturday Market. On Saturday mornings from May to October, two blocks of downtown Greenville are converted to pedestrian only traffic and the streets are lined with local vendors. Whether you are looking for fresh produce, baked pastries and desserts or locally crafted home items, you’ll find it here. The best part is that vendors must be located within 100 miles of Greenville, so you’ll be hard pressed to find more local goods all in one place.
Shrimp & grits, Greenville Saturday Market
Dedication to the Arts
Mice on Main, Greenvile
A major focus of Greenville is supporting the arts. Visit the Greenville County Museum of Art which has a free admission & is just steps from the city center. There is also the popular Children’s Museum of the Upstate for an interactive experience targeted for children 12 and under. You will find countless outdoor art installations & murals scattered throughout the city. And it’s not just large art that has a place in Greenville. For children and children-at-heart alike, take an afternoon to go on a scavenger hunt to find the famous Mice on Main. If you encounter a few summer showers as I did, drop into the charming M. Judson Booksellers to get lost in a book while enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine.
M. Judson Booksellers
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Falls Park, Greenville
An outdoor experience in Greenville that is simply a must-see is the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Following along the scenic Reedy River, the Swamp Rabbit Trail spans a continuous 28 miles and is fully paved which makes it an ideal activity for bicycle enthusiasts. There are multiple bike rental companies with close access to the trail. I rented from Reedy Rides and their staff was professional and very friendly. Walking the trail is very approachable also. The trail is thoughtfully designed for pedestrians as well as our furry friends with ample signage, cross walks, public restrooms and pet waste stations throughout. I suggest starting the trail at Falls Park where you will have a stunning view of waterfalls, Liberty Bridge and downtown Greenville. There are also many great stops along the trail to take a break and enjoy a coffee, lunch or a local beer. A local favorite is Swamp Rabbit Cafe which can be accessed by car or by bicycle. Here, you’ll find local produce and goods but the cafe is also a great place to sit outside and enjoy breakfast or lunch. The Commons is also a nice stop for a break & is located next to Unity Park.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe, Greenville
Breakfast at Swamp Rabbit Cafe
Indulge in Greenville’s Gastronomy
Last, but certainly not least, is the fantastic food scene of Greenville. From southern staples like shrimp & grits to international fare, you’ll find it all here. If you want to experience multiple places in a short time, I suggest booking a tour with Foothills Foodie Tours which will take you on foot downtown for tastes from local restaurants. My tour was fun and delicious and also provided interesting facts and history about Greenville. Another way to access multiple local chefs in one place is to visit to Gather Greenville. Here, you can purchase options from various vendors while dining outside. And yes, Gather is also very pet & kid-friendly!
Sassafras Southern Bistro
Time to see Greenville for yourself!
West End, Greenville
