Carolina Day Trip: Insider Guide to Visiting Greenville, SC

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Anderson, SC

Chimney Rock, NC

Clemson, SC

Columbus, NC

Gaffney, SC

Greenville, SC

Hickory, NC

Lake Lure &
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Saluda, NC

Seneca, SC

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Books About The Carolinas

Carolina Day Trips:
Insider Tips for Visiting
GREENVILLE, SC

A stay in Downtown Greenville, SC, a city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is reminiscent of a visit to your favorite little European town, with rambling, wide sidewalks, outdoor cafés and dining on every corner, city parks for people-watching, and unique, locally-owned shops and galleries that beg for exploration as you wander the tree-lined city streets.

The city center has undergone a 30-year revitalization plan and it just keeps getting better and better.

Best yet, Main Street has been honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recognizing the area’s successful ability to grow while preserving its small town charm and lovely architecture.

While Greenville’s charms are vast, locals agree that you could spend your entire visit on Main Street and never tire of your surroundings.

Plus, your visit might even coincide with one of the many festivals that inhabit downtown throughout the year.


For the perfect central location that’s oozing with historic Southern charm and elegance, stay at the Westin Poinsett Hotel, located at 120 South Main Street. Originally built in 1925, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time when you walk into the lobby, but as a guest will enjoy all the amenities of a modern four-diamond hotel (the only four- or five-star hotel in town). Request a room with a view of Main Street, and you can sit and watch the hustle and bustle for hours. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It’s still morning, and it’s time to get out and moving. Put on some comfortable (but chic!) walking shoes, and start exploring. Note: If you want to gather a few maps and guides before starting out, the local Visitors Center is located two doors down from The Westin in the bottom of City Hall at 206 South Main Street. Downtown Saturday Market If you are in town on a Saturday morning, begin your strolling on Main Street, right in front of the hotel, at the weekly Saturday Market (Saturdays, May thru October, beginning at 8 am). Several blocks are roped off to traffic, and in their place local niche farmers and craftsmen line the streets, sharing their homespun wares, flowers and offering tastes of some of the best local seasonal fare. Don’t miss the live music performances and cooking demonstrations, too. Downtown Shopping & Sightseeing With those mid-morning hunger pains subdued, and perhaps a few gourmet goodies pocketed for souvenirs, commence your tour of downtown in any direction you choose – it’s all good. Just start strolling, and meander into the numerous local shops as their colorful storefronts strike your fancy. There is truly something for everyone and, best yet, most are unique, locally-owned establishments. Here is a sampling: Art Crossing at Riverplace Studios & galleries for approximately 20 artists 300 River Street, Suites 100-112 & 201 (along Reedy River) 864.430.8924 www.artcrossing.org The Barkery Bistro Upscale pet boutique 118 North Main Street 864.236.1503 www.thebarkerybistro.com The Cook's Station Gourmet gifts & kitchen gadgets 659 South Main Street 864.250.0091 www.TheCooksStation.com Ilyn strong fine jewelry Fine jewelry, art glass & custom pieces 119 North Main Street 864.233.5900 Mast General Store Emporium of all things traditional, nostalgic & useful 111 North Main Street 864.235.1883 www.mastgeneralstore.com/communities/gv Mayme Baker Studio Interior design boutique & gifts for the home 610 C South Main Street 864.467.1930 www.maymebakerstudio.com O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store Classic & unique gifts for children 117 North Main Street 864.467.1984 www.optaylors.com Postcard from Paris Home furnishings & full-service interior design firm 631 and 633 South Main Street 864.233.6622 www.postcardfromparis.com Twigs at the West End Home décor and seasonal items 640 South Main Street 864.242.2242 www.twigs.net Have children in tow (or want to bring out that inner child within)? It’s time to play Mice on Main. Go on a mouse hunt for nine unique mice sculptures hidden along Greenville's Main Street between the Hyatt Regency and Westin Poinsett hotels. (Need some help? Check out a few hints). Lunch Spots Lunchtime will be here before you know it. While downtown, you are always only a few steps away from a great little place to dine, but here are a few suggestions: Brick Street Café Charming Southern fare & bakery 315 Augusta Street 864.421.0111 www.brickstreetcafe.com Mary’s at Falls Cottage Southern favorites, overlooking Falls Park Outdoor Seating & Brunch Available 615 South Main Street 864.298.0005 www.fallscottage.com Pomegranate on Main Authentic Persian cuisine Outdoor Seating Available 618 South Main Street 864.241.3012 www.pomegranateonmain.com Smoke on the Water Gourmet BBQ & Southern favorites Outdoor Seating Available 1 Augusta Street 864.232.9091 www.saucytavern.com Trio - A Brick Oven Café Gourmet wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas & more Outdoor Seating Available 22 North Main Street 864.467.1000 www.triocafe.com For a more memorable luncheon (Saturdays, only) consider an "At the Chef's Table" culinary tour. Your guide, historian John Nolan, peppers visits to five downtown restaurants with tidbits of Greenville’s history, while introducing you to the restaurants’ top chefs and their signature dishes, complete with cooking demonstrations and delightful tastings. (In town on Tuesday? Consider booking the tour for dinner!). Learn more. Free Downtown Trolley Rides If your feet tire, or you want to take a tour of downtown before setting your sights on a particular section, then it’s trolley time. To catch a downtown trolley, simply wait at an intersection and give the driver a hearty wave as your chariot approaches – you’ll then be welcomed aboard for a free ride. That’s what we call Southern hospitality here in the Carolinas. Entertainment – Sports, Shows & Museums Trolleys are particularly popular for folks en route to Flour Field, the home of the Greenville Drive, the local minor league baseball team affiliated with the Red Sox, in the West End. You can catch a game in-season, or simply stop by to check out the childhood home of native Shoeless Joe Jackson, which now houses the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library. There are other great museums to enjoy, too, towards the other end of Main Street. Visit the Upcountry History Museum, which brings three centuries of life in the SC Upstate and foothills region to life via state-of-the art interactive multimedia exhibits. Almost next door you will find the Greenville County Museum of Art, which has a wonderful permanent “Southern Collection,” and, just minutes from downtown, consider visiting the Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University which has a prized collection of Italian paintings. Or, if you are up for a short drive, automobile enthusiasts must visit the BMW Zentrum, the only BMW museum in North America, located just outside Greenville on I-85. Be sure to make a reservation to tour the adjacent BMW plant – the only one in North America – too. (For reservations, call: 1.888.Tour.BMW) Dining & Nightlife Back downtown, it’s nearly evening, and there is more fun in store. A block from your hotel you will find The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a grand line-up and special pricing. Take in a Broadway Show or Greenville Symphony performance to add to an already memorable visit. For dinner, prepare for a challenge, because choosing just one restaurant to dine is not easy task. Perhaps a progressive dinner is in order … Apéritifs & Appetizers The following are all excellent choices for dinner as well. American Grocery Restaurant Locally sourced & seasonal ingredients 732 South Main Street 864.232.7665 www.americangr.com The Lazy Goat Overlooking the Reedy River – try the Fried Goat Cheese! Outdoor Seating Available 170 Riverplace 864.679.5299 www.thelazygoat.com Stellar Restaurant & Wine Bar Overlooking Main Street, with fondues & gourmet small plates 20 North Main Street 864.349.1303 www.stellarwinebar.com Dinner If you can successfully pull yourself away from all the delectable courses at one of the above-mentioned eateries, consider one of the following for dinner: Devereaux's Century-old cigar factory turned restaurant with contemporary American cuisine 25 East Court Street 864.241.3030 www.devereauxsdining.com High Cotton A taste of the Lowcountry with a view of the Reedy River & Main Street Sunday Brunch Available 550 South Main Street 864.335.4200 www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/highcotton_gv Lemongrass Thai Restaurant Diverse & flavorful Thai cuisine 106 North Main Street 864.241.9988 www.lemongrassthai.net Trattoria Giorgio Cozy & elegant Italian dining Outdoor Seating Available 121 South Main Street 864-271-9166 www.trattoriagiorgio.net Soby's New South Cuisine Traditional Southern ingredients – contemporary cuisine Outdoor Seating & Sunday Brunch Available 207 South Main Street 864.232.7007 www.sobys.com Dessert & After-Dinner Drinks Coffee Underground Idyllic casual & cozy coffeehouse setting 1 East Coffee Street 864.298.0494 Luna Rosa – Gelato Cafe Creamy Italian gelato & sorbettos – dine in or carry out 9 West Washington Street 864.241.4040 www.lunarosagelato.com The Wine Café at Northampton Wines After-dinner gourmet desserts & ports 211-A E. Broad Street 864.271.3919 www.northamptonwines.com Feel like a nightcap closer to home? Settle into a club chair in the lobby of the Westin. Perhaps there will even be someone tickling the ivories, making it he perfect, low-key end to a wonderful day … but don’t stay up too late! There’s another full day of walking and dining tomorrow. Greenville: Day Two After a full first day in Greenville, you are thankful for a second chance to see and do everything on your list, but perhaps at a slower pace. Begin your day with a delicious, relaxing brunch. For an elegant dining experience close to “home,” you may dine downstairs, in Spoonbread, a charming restaurant that opens into The Westin Poinsett lobby. Or, if you have not dined with them already, you can also brunch at Mary’s at Falls Cottage, High Cotton or Soby's. Since you shopped til you dropped yesterday, how about touring downtown with an eye for its historical architecture today? Consider booking a Greenville Historic Walking Tour of South Main Street or the West End, led by local historian John Nolan (who also leads the culinary tours we previously mentioned). Reedy River Falls Park In the afternoon, you will also want to take some time to explore one of the most unique features of Downtown Greenville – Falls Park. The centerpiece of this beautiful urban oasis is Liberty Bridge, a towering suspension bridge – 355 feet long – that seems to float amid the trees above a 40-foot natural waterfall. Below the marvel of modern invention, and along the Reedy River, are winding walkways, grassy knolls and tucked-away park benches that beg for you to sit and stay a while. Pick up a frosty creation or flavored coffee from Spill the Beans (they blend custom ice creams and a variety of coffees), located at the park entrance, and find a spot to people-watch. On any given day you may find a Shakespearean play or impromptu concert, and always games of catch and Frisbee-fetching pups. Perched in the sunshine, you are certain not to ever want to leave. However, when you do finally tear yourself away from the golden sunshine and people-watching downtown, there are still Greenville sights you can explore on your way out of town. Take a walk on the wild side at the Greenville Zoo, which covers 14-acres just off of East Washington Street, or a leisurely hike in Paris Mountain State Park just 10 minutes from Main Street, for scenic vistas of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Needless to say, in a mere 36 hours, you probably did not cover everything on your “Must See” list, so plan a trip back again soon. Bustling Downtown Greenville always offers something new for the happy traveler. Related Reading More About Greenville, SC Day Trips Directory



About the Author Kristen F. Anthony has worked in magazines, newspapers, marketing and corporate communications. She has contributed to a variety of projects, from an award-winning newspaper special section on veterans to the 2006 Southern Living-Progressive Farmer Idea House. Kristen earned her BA in Communications Studies from Furman University in Greenville, SC, and now calls the Upstate home.