Named after Nathaniel Greene, a southern commander in the Revolutionary War, Greenville, South Carolina, is a charming city with plenty to see, do, and eat. From parks and waterfalls to restaurants and breweries, you might not know where to start on your tour of this Carolina gem. Keep reading to find out the places that you don’t want to miss!
What to See in Greenville👀
Falls Park on the Reedy
Waterfalls in the Middle of Downtown? Only in Greenville!
601 S. Main Street | Historic West End | www.greenvillesc.gov
Greenville is one city that won’t leave you yearning for some quality time with nature, and nestled right in Downtown’s Historic West End, Falls Park is the perfect place to enjoy that famed Palmetto State sun—not to mention the ideal spot to snap a few photos.
Falls Park is affectionately known as the “cradle of Greensville,” and the cascading water is rumored to be what led American settlers to claim the area in the first place. For this reason, Falls Park is filled with more than just views—it’s also brimming with history.
“My husband and I have visited Greenville 3 times for mini-vacations. We always make time to walk around Falls Park. It is a BEAUTIFUL park with lots of trails. You can walk as much or as little as you desire. There are a lot of great paved trails with plenty of benches, greenery, waterfalls, etc. . . . It is within walking distance of the downtown restaurants and shops, as well as having restaurants and shops right along the park.” -Cheryle S. on TripAdvisor.
NOMA Square
This Outdoor Plaza Is Always Popping
220 N. Main Street | Downtown | www.nomasquare.com
NOMA Square, which gets its name from its location on North Main Street, is the largest outdoor plaza in Downtown Greenville. With open-air seating and regularly-held free events, NOMA Square is a modern-day town square and a central point in the Greenville community.
In the heart of Downtown, NOMA Square is lined with shops and restaurants, making it the ultimate Greenville experience with something for everyone. Take a seat and take in the city at this flourishing local common space.
“NOMA Square is a great place that hosts bands every Thursday & Friday evening for Downtown Alive and Main Street Jazz. Great place to meet a group or pregame before going downtown for dinner and fun!” -Courtney H. on TripAdvisor.
Christ Church
This Episcopal Church Is a Historic Landmark
10 N. Church Street | Downtown | www.ccgsc.org
Christ Church is a Downtown treasure that has been a part of Greenville for over a century. Whether or not you’re religious, you’ll appreciate this church’s beauty and extensive history. And it isn’t just the outside of the church that makes it such a popular site to visit—the architecture inside is equally amazing: The church even boasts a Tiffany-designed stained glass window.
Also known as “the parish in the heart of the city,” Christ Church is Greenville’s oldest congregation. Additionally, the churchyard is the final resting place for several significant figures in the city’s history, including Governor Benjamin Franklin Perry and Vardry McBee, “Father of Greenville.”
“This beautiful historic landmark is simply a must-see. Its rare stained glass window is the loveliest thing I have ever seen, and I lived in New Orleans.” -Jeanette-SC on TripAdvisor.
What to Eat in Greenville🍴
Kitchen Sync
Farm-Fresh Food and a Diverse Menu
1609 Laurens Road | Nicholtown | www.kitchensyncgreenville.com
A self-described “soulful neighborhood joint,” Kitchen Sync has everything from fried tofu and Carolina catfish to pizza and tacos. Everything’s made from scratch and locally sourced, which means you can feel good about what you’re eating. Stop by for Happy Hour from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. In addition to drink deals, Kitchen Sync also has specials on some of its appetizers.
Kitchen Sync is owned by a brother and sister—plus her husband—who all teamed up to create a restaurant with great food and a vibrant atmosphere. And with five-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook, it seems like they’ve succeeded.
“I love Kitchen Sync. They have the freshest food. Everything is great. The pizzas are delicious, and the salads are too. Really, everything. The service is good. The parking lot overflows to the shopping center next door; it’s so popular. There is often a short wait, so be prepared. I highly recommend this place!” -Krista B. on TripAdvisor.
Luna Rosa Gelato Café & Restaurant
A Taste of Italy in South Carolina
123 S. Main Street | Downtown | www.lunarosagelato.com
Whether you go for lunch, dinner, drinks, or just gelato, Luna Rosa is a homey spot that serves up some of the best food in town. With pizza, pasta, paninis, burgers, craft cocktails, and, of course, gelato, Luna Rose is the place to go if you’re craving some carbs.
Italian food might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of South Carolina, but Luna Rosa proves that there’s more than meets the eye to the food scene in Greenville. Gelato flavors range from toasted almond, birthday cake, and French vanilla to Bailey’s Irish coffee, chocolate velvet, and more. Choose from twenty-four delicious options to put in a cup or cone. Buon appetito!
“A great place to relax and have a great meal. The staff is very friendly and very accommodating! Amazing drinks and cocktails—everything is made from the heart! A must place to go when in Greenville!” -David D. on TripAdvisor.
Sassafras Southern Bistro
Get a Hearty Serving of Southern Hospitality
103 N. Main Street | One City Plaza | www.sassafrasbistro.com
Take a trip to Downtown’s One City Plaza, and schedule a stop at Sassafras Southern Bistro. Here, you’ll find iconic Southern foods like fried chicken and collard greens executed to perfection, along with more innovative menu items like barbeque-pulled-pork eggrolls and steak-and-gorgonzola nachos.
In addition to food, Sassafras also has a bar stocked with local drafts and IPAs—plus seasonal cocktails. If you’re not in the mood for a full dinner, you can hit the bar for Happy Hour from 5 pm to 7 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Don’t forget dessert! Sassafras has some homemade treats that are too good to pass up—like deep-dish peanut butter pie, creme brulee, and triple-chocolate cheesecake.
“There were so many interesting options on the menu. I chose the stuffed fried chicken, which was so good! It came with macaroni and cheese that was flavored with garlic and also green beans with bacon. The hushpuppy was different but tasty—I don't know what was added in, but it was good! My husband had the scallops, and he really enjoyed them . . . It's a lot of good food.” -Debby Taylor B. on TripAdvisor.
What to Do💥
Greenville Center for Creative Arts
Free Art, Year-Round
101 Abney Street | Village of West Greenville | www.artcentergreenville.org
Whether you attend a workshop or check out a gallery, you’re sure to fall in love with the Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA). Classes come in the form of six-week seminars, daylong workshops, and two-to-three-hour group lessons. All of the exhibitions at GCCA are free, and there are three separate galleries: the main gallery, the community gallery, and the studio artist gallery.
At the GCCA, you’ll find work from artists from all over—local, regional, national, and international artists of various disciplines keep the space diverse and engaging. Open every day of the week except Sunday, GCCA is an excellent way to round-out your trip with a little artistic enrichment.
“A fantastic art center full of outstanding local artists’ work. Very easy to go through and enjoy the artwork. Very friendly staff! Highly recommend this for your itinerary.” -Allen A. on TripAdvisor.
TD Saturday Market
Shop Fresh Produce, Specialty Foods, and Handmade Crafts
E. McBee Avenue & S. Main Street | Downtown | www.saturdaymarketlive.com
May through October is “Market Season” in Greenville! Check out the Saturday Market Downtown on Saturdays, 8 am to noon. This community event is quickly building traction and is known for drawing crowds to Main Street during the in-season months.
Shop fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, specialty foods, and handcrafted goods from over seventy-five local vendors. You can check out the crop calendar online to see which seasonal crops will be available during your visit. There’s also live music and cooking demos to keep the party going!
“Good variety of vendors selling plants, meat, baked goods, fruits/vegetables, cheese, soaps, etc. Friendly and fun atmosphere that includes a band. We visited in July and bought some delicious peaches and tomatoes. Also purchased delicious cheese and a wool ‘dryer ball.’ We are from out of town but will make this a ‘must-go-to’ when we visit Greenville again.” -Deborah W. on TripAdvisor.
Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum
Get a Closer Look at the Baseball Legend
356 Field Street | West End | www.shoelessjoejackson.org
Follow in the footsteps of Shoeless Joe Jackson by taking a tour of the historic ball player’s last home (but keep your own shoes on!). The house-turned-museum is a memorial to Shoeless Joe and his contributions to the sport of baseball.
Shoeless Joe is one of the most enduringly beloved baseball players of all time, especially in his hometown, Greenville, where he eventually returned after the controversial end of his professional career. He maintained his innocence in the 1919 World Series conspiracy plot until his death in 1951.
“Neat little place right across from Fluor Field where the Greenville Drive play . . . Only open on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The volunteer staff is very knowledgeable about the history of Shoeless Joe. Many pictures and artifacts make this an interesting place to see. Admission is free; donations accepted.” -Mary S. on TripAdvisor.
Greenville: One of America’s Best Downtowns
See for yourself why Forbes Magazine includes Greenville on its list of America’s best downtowns. If you’re looking for mild temperatures, the best times of the year to visit Greenville are during the fall and spring—but trust us, there’s no wrong time to take a trip to this quickly-growing travel destination.
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