We recently moved to Greenville – along with a deluge of other transplants. The city is growing by leaps and bounds, and I would highly recommend it as an excellent long weekend destination. Walking down the tree-lined Main Street, you’l find countless shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of parking options, which is rare for a downtown area.
Where to stay
- My top choice would be the beautiful Grand Bohemian Lodge with spectacular views of Falls Park on the Reedy and quick access to everything, including the impressive Liberty bridge. Even if you don’t stay at the Grand Bohemian, make sure to stop for a drink at Spirit & Bower. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available.
- Another excellent option is the AC Hotel Greenville Downtown.
- There are also many affordable options in the downtown area. As long as you are within walking distance to Main Street, you’ll be fine.
Where to eat
Downtown restaurants are plentiful, but extremely popular. Be sure to book a reservation well in advance!
- Our favorite brunch option is Soby’s. If you’re visiting for bunch, make sure to order the Table 301 mimosa for just $3.01 and the pecan sticky bun (there’s definitely enough to share!). For dinner, don’t miss the she crab soup and the crab cakes. Honestly, we’ve never had a bad meal here. Everything is great!
- Trappe Door is a Belgian restaurant, and because we love everything Belgian, this is likely our favorite restaurant. Reservations are a must unless you arrive right at 5 p.m. and plan to eat at the bar. The steak and frites is our go-to order. When you order frites, you can select up to three dipping sauces from their list of 12 options. They also have a variety of mussels on the menu. Don’t be put off that you have to go downstairs to enter the restaurant. It’s a dark and cozy atmosphere that feels almost like you are in an old ship.
- Greenville has quite a few steak houses, but our personally favorite is Rick Erwin’s West End Grille.
- If we’re taking an afternoon stroll, we often stop at CAMP Modern American Eatery to sit at the outdoor bar to enjoy a CAMP infused margarita (with daily changes to the concoction, I’m alway surprised and impressed!), a beer and/or other interesting craft cocktails along with their artisan cheese board.
- Jianna is another fantastic option that also has outdoor seating on a second floor balcony with a glimpse of the park. On weekends from 2:30 – 5 p.m., they offer a smaller “Piccolo” menu.
- Northampton is a lovely wine bar and restaurant that has an excellent wine selection and a menu that changes daily. Everything is fresh and delicious! They also have a retail store and knowledgeable staff for all of your wine needs.
- Foxcroft Food & Wine is another downtown option for great food and wine pairings.
- I would be in trouble with my husband if I didn’t mention the AM bun at Methodical Coffee. Grab a cappuccino and AM bun while you’re exploring Main Street.
What to do in Greenville
- Of course, a walk down Main Street and through Falls Park is a must.
- You can also further explore the area by traversing some (or all) of the 28-mile multi-use (walk or bike) Swamp Rabbit Trail.
- Unity Park is a great place for families, with a playground and splash pad. If you’re heading to Unity Park, make sure to stop at The Commons for a break and food and/or drinks if you’re in the mood. My personal favorite is Automatic Taco, which is another great margarita source. I love the spicy version! For beer lovers, there is The Community Tap and several other food and drink options, including Methodical Coffee and Kuka Juice.
- Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo are also convenient to the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
- Catch a show at Peace Center or the Greenville Theater. We’ve seen some amazing plays, comedians and musicians at several venues downtown.
- If you’re into hiking, the greater Greenville area has too many options to even mention. Make sure you have the AllTrail app and plug in your preferences to find the best hike for you. Paris Mountain State Park is nearby and has several easy hiking options.
- If you’re visiting in summer, don’t miss out on live music every Thursday and Friday night at NOMA square. A portion of Main Street is closed to vehicles and there are pop-ups selling wine, beer and food. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a few hours!
- The Saturday farmers market in downtown Greenville is not to be missed if you’re visiting May – October. It’s yet another great occasion when they shut down Main Street and make it pedestrian only. Go early, because it gets busy. When you get there, grab some breakfast, listen to live music, and enjoy all of the amazing vendors (e.g., flowers, fruit, vegetables, honey, meat, seafood, fresh pasta, pasta sauces, cheese). We literally bought a wheeled cart for our purchases because this farmers market has so many great vendors.
- There seems to always be something going on in Greenville. Check the visitgreenvillesc.com site and consider visiting during Artisphere, the Greenville Jazz Fest or Fall for Greenville.
- Catch a minor league baseball game at Fluor Field, modeled after Fenway Park. If you go, be sure to check out the Gather GVL food court nearby.