Ask anyone who lives in Greenville, and you’re likely to hear at least one of the following high-points of life in the Upstate South Carolina city.
Strolling Main Street…
Sometimes it’s the simplest pleasures, like relaxing on a park bench and watching the crowd go by, that can make a day wonderful. And downtown Greenville offers plenty of benches for sitting, and crowds for watching. Or, for the ultimate relaxing afternoon, grab a coffee or smoothie, find a grassy spot in Falls Park, and enjoy the sounds of the water cascading over the falls.
The action downtown starts to pick up as evening approaches, and with it, a happening nightlife…
Catching a Show…
Between the Bon Secours Wellness Arena (“The Well”), the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, and countless local theaters, there’s never a shortage of excuses to spend a night on the town. For the big concerts, The Well delivers the biggest names in music and comedy. For a more intimate experience, the Peace Center presents dozens of single-night shows each year, as well as a robust Broadway series that features top shows like Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked and more. And then there’s the amazing local talent on display at The Warehouse Theater, Centre Stage, and Greenville Little Theatre.
Credit: The Peace Center for the Performing Arts
And what about pre-show dinner and post-show drinks? That brings us to…
Imbibing and Indulging…
In the time it takes me to write this, there is probably a new must-visit restaurant opening in downtown Greenville. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s not far off. And talk about variety, you can find premium steaks and award-winning barbecue, New South cuisine and old Southern favorites, farm-to-table and hand-crafted cocktails, Italian, Persian and Indian…and that’s without venturing more than a block off downtown’s Main Street.
That’s not even counting some of the more locally-loved establishments located outside of downtown. One in particular is Grits & Groceries, located in nearby Belton, which draws residents from around the region for their legendary Saturday brunch.
With so many temptations around, it’s fortunate that there are plenty of options stay active, such as…
Soby’s New South Cuisine. Credit: GreenvilleInsider.com
Cycling, Paddling and Hiking…
In addition to great golf, Greenville residents have a multitude of options when it comes to outdoor activities.
Greenville’s unique combination of geography and climate have made it one of the most popular cycling destinations in the country. It also doesn’t hurt that cycling icon George Hincapie calls Greenville home, which has helped develop a vibrant local cycling culture. Whether you are an avid cyclist looking to train, or a casual rider looking for a weekend activity, Greenville is a great place to be.
Scenic Lake Keowee, a 45-minute drive from the city, offers a range of watersports, from wakeboarding and paddle boarding, to a leisurely day in the kayak.
Lake Jocassee Scenic Autumn Sunset
From city greenways to lakeside trails and mountain paths, Greenville is blessed with a huge variety of hiking options, thanks to its location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In terms of hikes that end with a rewarding view, you can’t do much better than Jumping Off Rock, which overlooks the Jocassee Gorges.
On top of being healthier, staying active will also keep your energy high for…
Enjoying Festivals and Events…
There’s barely a weekend that goes by without a festival or event filling the streets of Greenville. Annual favorites that draw enthusiastic crowds include Euphoria, a four-day event that brings together the best of wine, food and singer/songwriters, and Fall for Greenville, a weekend extravaganza that brings hundreds of thousands downtown to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, food, concerts and more. Smaller affairs, but popular nonetheless include a weekly farmer’s market, food truck festivals, outdoor concerts, and live theater in the park.