The Best Things to Do in Greenville, South Carolina

The 10 Best Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Greenville, South Carolina is often included on the “best places to live in the USA” lists, and it’s easy to see why. With the cutest little downtown area that is bordered by a beautifully landscaped park with a massive waterfall at its center, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this city.

And Greenville offers a little something for everyone. Outdoorsy types will love that it’s situated against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains so there are plenty of adventurous outdoor activities to enjoy. Foodies will love all of the delicious restaurant and food truck options. And beer lovers will rejoice at the selection of craft breweries that not only have great beer but also a fun ambiance and clientele.

And if you don’t fit into one of those categories above, perhaps you’ll enjoy simply strolling around the pedestrian-friendly downtown, stopping into the quaint boutiques and coffee shops on a sunny afternoon. You can do all that and more! Check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Greenville to help you make the most of your time in this amazing little city!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 10 Best Things to Do in Greenville, SC

1. Walk Across the Liberty bridge

Fun Things to do in Greenville: Liberty Bridge

If you’ve seen photos of Greenville, you’ve probably seen the Reedy River that runs through Downtown and the Liberty Bridge that crosses it. This architectural beauty replaced a 6-lane highway bridge and is now reserved strictly for pedestrians.

While crossing the Liberty Bridge you’ll be rewarded with scenic views of the waterfall and the Reedy River far below. The bridge curves away from the falls which creates an aerial amphitheater. A saunter across this famous Greenville landmark is a must during your visit!


2. Wander Through Falls Park

Fun Things to do in Greenville: Falls Park

As you cross Liberty Bridge and look down, you’ll see a beautifully landscaped park with paved walking trails far below. Wander over the bridge and down to the trails and you’ll find some decorative statues, vibrantly colored flowers, and even wooden swings if you’d like to rest during your walk.

There’s plenty of shade along the way so it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon walk. Plus it’s easy to make a loop to get you back where you started. Be sure to stop at the iconic Medusa Tree along the way!

Or better yet, bring a good book or pack a picnic and lounge in the grass in Falls Park on a sunny day. It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike!

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3. Imbibe at a Brewery

Fun Things to do in Greenville: Imbibe at a Brewery

If you’re a beer fanatic you’ll love all of the unique craft breweries in Greenville! Our personal favorite is Yee-Haw Brewing Company, especially if you are planning on bringing your kids. They have a huge outdoor space with basketball hoops, foosball, giant connect-4, and a large projector screen for showing various sporting events. Their food isn’t exactly healthy – burgers and fried chicken – but the fun ambiance and delicious beer will have you coming back again and again during your visit!

Fireforge Crafted Beer is another Greenville brewery with a great outdoor space, perfect for a sunny afternoon brew. Their website describes them as “a small-batch brewery, tasting room and pleasure garden focused on ever-changing beers inspired by the people, places and culinary palates we love” which we found to be 100% accurate. Plus they have funky vintage furniture inside and the outdoor area is pet-friendly!

Tetrad Brewing Company has a large industrial tasting room area as well as an outdoor area – both with a lively vibe. They have a few of their own concoctions as well as some guest brews on tap. Kids and dogs are welcome and the super friendly staff will make anyone and everyone feel right at home here.


4. Eat at a Food Truck at Gather Greenville

Must do things in Greenville: Gather Greenville

Gather Greenville is arguably the best place in town to get a bite to eat on a nice day. This food truck pod has tons of different cuisine options and, of course, plenty of local beer on tap. Wine lovers (like me!) will flock to the yummy wine slushies and sangria.

The food trucks surround a turf area with various seating options. If you bring your kids they can play a game of corn hole or just run around on the turf and play with puppies. You’ll have delicious options from pizza to pasta to tacos, and everything in between. You really can’t go wrong no matter what truck you choose to patron!

For the ultimate Gather Greenville experience, reserve one of the VIP seating areas so you’ll have guaranteed comfortable seating and a prime spot for people watching!

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5. Catch a Show at the Greenville Theatre

Best Things to do in Greenville: Greenville Theatre
Images courtesy of Greenville Theatre

If you want to dress up and have a night on the town during your vacation in Greenville, be sure to check out the calendar of events at the Greenville Theatre! From classical musicals that you’d find on Broadway to hilarious plays and everything in between, you’re sure to find something that you’ll love.

Cool Things to do in Greenville: Greenville Theatre

The Greenville Theatre has been putting on shows since 1926 – it’s the Upstate’s oldest and largest locally producing theater. So you’ll get to experience a little piece of Greenville’s history while you’re there!


6. Visit the Children’s Museum of the Upstate

Unique Things to do in Greenville: Children’s Museum of the Upstate

If you are traveling with kids, a visit to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is a must during your time in Greenville! This interactive children’s museum is the perfect way to entertain your little ones all afternoon so they’ll be exhausted by bedtime.

Older kids will love the massive climbing structure at the center of the museum, the water room, the paper airplane station, and the mini-golf course. And toddlers will have a blast shopping in the mini grocery store, jamming out in the music room, and exploring the farm. All exhibits are spread across several floors so be sure to give yourself several hours to see everything.

Admission prices are $9 for children aged 1-15 and $10 per adult. Children under 1 are free. Reserve your timed entry ticket by clicking here.

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7. Check out the Animals at the Greenville Zoo

Best Things to do in Greenville: Greenville Zoo

Checking out the animals at the zoo is a fun activity for people of all ages! If you have kids or if your an animal enthusiast, then definitely visit the Greenville Zoo. It’s relatively small in size so should just take about an hour and a half to see everything. All of the animal exhibits are easily accessible from the easy path that leads around the zoo. The zoo grounds are beautifully landscaped and it’s clear that the animals are well cared for.

There are a limited number of tickets sold each day so be sure and make a reservation in advance by clicking here. Adults will pay $12/person, kids aged 3-12 are $9, and kids 2 and under are free. If you do bring your kids, there’s a nice playground adjacent to the zoo where they can run around for a bit before you head out.


8. Find the Hidden Mice on Main Street

Greenville Things to do: Mice on Main Street

Adults and kids alike will have a great time wandering down Main Street in search of the famous bronze mice that are hidden along the sidewalk. This fun exhibition was inspired by the children’s book Goodnight Moon and the nine tiny mice statues were created by a local sculptor and illustrator.

The mice are scattered on both sides of Main Street from the Hyatt Regency to the Westin Poinsett. There are clues on this page that will help with the scavenger hunt. They are pretty well hidden so the search may be more difficult than you think!

What to do in Greenville: Mice on Main Street

While searching for mice on Main Street, be sure to check out the cute boutiques and coffee shops as well.

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9. Bike Along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System

Greenville Things to do: Swamp Rabbit Trail
Images courtesy of Greenville County Parks

If you’re looking to get some exercise during your trip to Greenville, then you’ll want to take advantage of the 22-mile multi-use Swamp Rabbit Trail. This well-maintained bicycle and pedestrian-friendly trail follows an old railroad corridor through the city from Greenville Technical College to about a mile north of the Travelers Rest city limits.

The trail was opened in 2009 and is now used by locals for convenient transportation and outdoor recreation. Use the Swamp Rabbit Trail to go for a run, take an afternoon stroll, or rent a bike and cruise around for a few hours. There are plenty of bike rental companies in Greenville near Main Street including FreeHub, Reedy Rides, and Carolina Triathlon. Reedy Rides will even deliver bikes to you on the trail!


10. Explore Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Must do things in Greenville: Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
Image courtesy of Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, photographed by Norman Brooks

And last but certainly not least, outdoor enthusiasts will definitely want to spend a day exploring the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve. This incredible 400-acre wildlife sanctuary is “a world apart”, being just 6 miles from Downtown Greenville.

The park is home to thousands of plant and wildlife species, and bird-watchers will love that the land is recognized as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance. The historic lake parcel and the Lake Conestee Dam are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

And while the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve is certainly a regionally recognized birding hotspot, there are plenty of other animals to spot during your visit. You may be lucky enough to spot deer, raccoons, beavers, foxes, snakes, frogs, and more! It’s a fun place for the whole family to explore while getting to experience Greenville’s amazing landscape.

There’s just a $3 suggested donation to enter the preserve.

That’s it – our top 10 things to do in Greenville, SC! Did we miss anything? Please comment below so we can add it to the list!


Planning a trip to South Carolina? Check out our favorite travel guides and resources!


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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

3 thoughts on “The 10 Best Things to Do in Greenville, SC”

  1. Sports! You forgot Greenville us home to 3 minor league sports teams! In the winter hop on over to Bon Secours Wellness Arena to catch the Swamp Rabbits hockey team. In the summer Fluor Field in downtown Greenville is home to the baseball Drive, and finally in the fall catch Drive soccer. All Family friendly
    & fun to watch!

  2. Christine Bishop

    This article should really tell about greenville! Reedy River is waste water that these unknowing people let their kids wade in! Full of bacteria and germs! Gather does not have one good place to eat! Swamp rabbit trail has had several dead bodies discovered and is not safe! Childrens museum has nothing! Alcohol is served at a childrens attraction Rent in Greenville is 5 times what it is worth! Roads and interstate s cannot hold all the traffic and are tore up and always at a standstill. Everything Everywhere you go in Greenville is overcrowded Have to wait hours and hours in line!! There is really nothing to do here but be outside in the burning heat doing nothing. No real attraction s or things to do!!! City government has destroyed our quality of life! There is no quality of life in greenville anymore. Homeless people are all over especially downtown begging. No faculty’s to help them. The poor are living in cars and under bridges! Greenville Sc is FULL. Please don’t come

    1. Valerie Wheatley

      Wow, sounds like you love living in your city Christine! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, love the positivity!

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