Greenville (South Carolina)

Greenville has been described as Athens, Georgia for adults. It is the county seat and largest city of Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. Greenville is also the center of the largest metropolitan area of South Carolina. Columbia, Charleston, and North Charleston have more people, but the urban area around Greenville is larger. With its historic homes and modern office towers, Greenville is said to be where "Old South" meets "New South". == Understand == Greenville is the primary city of "the Upstate" of South Carolina, an area that includes the six counties of northwestern South Carolina along the borders of North Carolina and Georgia. It is the principal city of the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin Metropolitan Statistical Area (2018 estimated population: 906,626) which is included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area (population 1,478,658 according to 2018 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau). Greenville County is both the most populous and most dense in the state at 407,383, but because its city limits enclose less than 30 square miles, the population of the city is 67,453 (2015 estimate). Perhaps a more accurate representation of Greenville's size is the urbanized area, which includes all of the city plus adjacent unincorporated areas and some suburbs that have a high population density — this figure is 302,194 (2015 estimate). === Tourist information === Visit Greenville website == Get in == === By plane === Greenville is served by two airports. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), in nearby Greer, is the state's second busiest airport. Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is used for private and some cargo air service. === By train === Amtrak serves Greenville via its Crescent line, running daily from New Orleans to New York City's Penn Station, with stops including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C. Northbound trains are in Greenville at 5AM and southbound trains at 11PM. 1 Greenville station 1120 W Washington St. === By car === Greenville is on the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Charlotte, and Interstate 26, which is in nearby Spartanburg, goes northwest through Asheville on to Tennessee, and southeast on to Charleston. It is also at the northern terminus of the Interstate 385 corridor. The other freeways that converge in the area include Interstate 185 and U.S. Highway 123 (Calhoun Memorial Highway). Other major highways include U.S. Highway 25, Business U.S. Highway 25, U.S. Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 276. Main Street is home to many of the downtown area's shopping and dining destinations. === By bus === Greyhound offers service to Greenville on its route between Charlotte and Atlanta. The station is at 9 Hendrix Dr. == Get around == Greenlink, Main Office: 1021 S. Main St; Transfer Center: 100 W. McBee Avenue, +1 864-467-5001. Greenlink offers 11 fixed routes to destinations all across Greenville County. All Greenlink buses are wheelchair-accessible, and each Greenlink bus is equipped with a bike rack to make commuting easier for bike riders. Free WiFi is available on all Greenlink Buses. Single rides $1.50; day passes $5.00; 20-ride pass $27.00; discounted fares available for children and seniors. Yellow Cab of Greenville, 529 W Washington St, +1 864-233-6666, Downtown Pedicab has eight pedicabs in downtown Greenville. Downtown Trolley. The City of Greenville operates two downtown trolleys. == See == 1 Falls Park on the Reedy. South Main Street. This is a unique and beautiful urban park. The park surrounds the 60-foot Reedy Falls. It creates an oasis in the midst of the bustling city. This is also the original birthplace of what would eventually become known as "Pleasantburg" - later renamed, "Greenville." (updated Aug 2017) 2 Heritage Green. An urban arts and cultural campus with several institutions: The Children's Museum of the Upstate. (updated Jul 2023) 3 Greenville County Museum of Art, 420 College Street, ☏ +1 864-271-7570. W-Sa 10AM–5PM; Su 1PM-5PM. If you weren't expecting great art in this corner of South Carolina, you will be in for a surprise. Regular traveling exhibits combine with the museum's own 32 paintings by Andrew Wyeth to make this a worthwhile stop for any art lover. Free. (updated Aug 2017) Greenville Little Theatre. (updated Aug 2017) Hughes Main Library. (updated Aug 2017) 4 Sigal Music Museum, 516 Buncombe Street, ☏ +1 864-520-8807. Tuesday–Saturday 10AM–5PM, Sunday 1–5PM. Contains among many other things a 1761 harpsichord played by Mozart and an 1845 piano played by Chopin. $7 adult, $6 senior/military/college, $4 student ages 6–18, free for children five and under. (updated Jul 2023) 5 Upcountry History Museum. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd, ☏ +1 864-770-1331. Tu-Su 2-5PM. A thorough presentation of European Old Masters from the fourteenth through the nineteenth centuries including one of the finest collections of Italian Baroque painting in the United States. Includes religious art by Rubens, van Dyck, Reni, Tintoretto, Le Brun, Cranach, Ribera, and Murillo set among period furniture, sculpture, tapestries, and porcelains. Closed for renovation through 2019, but selected artworks are on display in the Gustafson Fine Arts Center Atrium and Rodeheaver Auditorium 1st and 2nd floor lobby. Adults $5, seniors $4, students $3.. (updated Aug 2017) 7 Cleveland Park, 150 Cleveland Park Drive. Sunrise to sunset. Adjacent to the Greenville Zoo, this park features four playgrounds, six tennis courts, two sand volleyballsu courts, and a dog park. There are 4½ miles of paved paths used for running and biking which connect to the longer 1½ mile Swamp Rabbit Trail. Cleveland Park also includes a fitness trail with pull-up bars, parallel bars, climbing rope, and other body-weight exercise stations. Free. 8 Furman University. North of Greenville, accessible from I-85 by US-25. Beautiful campus with lake and bell tower. 9 Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library, 356 Field St, ☏ +1 864-346-4867, info@shoelessjoejackson.org. (updated Feb 2022) == Do == As the largest city in the Upstate, Greenville offers many activities and attractions. Greenville's theaters and event venues regularly host major concerts and touring theater companies. Four independent theaters present several plays a year. === Places === 1 TD Convention Center. This is the largest convention center between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, DC, has more than 315,000 square feet of exhibition space and 88,000 square feet of meeting and conference space. Many trade shows, conventions, and other events are held here each year. 2 Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Formerly the Bi-Lo Center, it is a 16,000-seat arena in downtown Greenville which hosts major concerts and sporting events each year. Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 650 N Academy St. Greenville's ECHL hockey team since 2010. Minor league affiliate to the Carolina Hurricanes. 3 Centre Stage, Greenville's Professional Theater. Stage is a year-round, 285-seat professional theater offering a wide range of entertainment that includes music, comedy, drama and special events within easy walking distance of Falls Park and the historic West End. Free parking, assistive listening devices, art exhibitions, chamber music concerts, independent film screenings, galas and more await visitors to this state-of-the-art performance facility, noted for its unique configuration, comfort and intimacy. 4 Peace Center. A performing arts center that hosts touring Broadway shows, symphonies, concerts, and civic events. Known internationally for its excellent acoustics, the Peace Center is also home to the Carolina Ballet Theatre, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and Greenville Chorale. 5 The Warehouse Theatre. It is a black box theater that has been operating for decades. It is in the historic West End. 6 3's Greenville, 61 Villa Road, ☏ +1 864-233-6336. This golf course is unique because each of its 18 holes was designed by a different designer. It’s a fun par 3 course that can be played in 2 hours for 18 holes or in 1 hour for 9 holes. The Board Ryders Club, 4108 E North St. Indoor skate park. Fun for all ages and all experience levels. 7 Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Drive, ☏ +1 864-467-4300. Daily 10AM-4:15PM, gates close at 5PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. A 14-acre facility featuring hundreds of wildlife from all over the world including giraffe, monkeys, giant tortoises and elephants. Go on a wildlife adventure through the zoo’s beautifully landscaped acres filled with up close and personal views of its residents. 8 Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 17½-mile multi-use trail system that runs along the Reedy River connecting Greenville County with schools, parks, and local businesses. Saturday Market. May-Oct: Sa 8:30AM-12:30PM. More than fifty vendors, including local family farms, bakeries, and coffee, on two blocks of Main Street. 9 Fluor Field. Greenville Drive, 945 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-240-4500. Greenville's minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox plays at Fluor Field in Greenville's West End. Fluor Field boasts its own "Green Monster," a 30-foot-high wall in left field, equipped with a manual scoreboard. The dimensions all around the outfield wall are to the same specifications as Fenway Park, including "Pesky’s Pole" in right field. Tickets purchased prior to the day of game - at the Drive Box Office, by Phone or Internet - are $5 for Lawn and Deck; $6 for Reserved Terrace; $7 for Reserved and $8 for Box Seats. Tickets purchased on the day of game will cost $1 more than advance sale tickets. Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing), 1320 Hampton Ave #5a, ☏ +1 864-301-6032, greenville@craftaxethrowing.com. A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels. (updated Oct 2023) === Annual events === Artisphere. Each April showcases the arts, reflects the area's international flair and maximizes existing arts programs by providing a diverse menu of experiences that center around the arts. Living Gallery. Around Easter each spring, employs drama, music, and live portrayals of great works of art to bring the works of the Old Masters to life. Reproduced paintings, some as large as 20 ft (6.1 m) square, feature live models and extraordinary detail. Each year's production is unique and the program is offered several nights each spring. Annually attended by over 10,000 people. Fall for Greenville. A major festival held on the 1st weekend in October. This festival features local cuisine, live performances on several stages, and the Greenville Cycling Classic bicycle race. Greek Festival is a major street festival that is held in May by members of the Greek Orthodox Church that offer Greek food and cultural activities. Art in the Park is a major arts festival that takes place in Reedy Falls Park near downtown Greenville. AT&T Red White & Blue. An exciting annual event celebrating Indepenence Day. The event is held on July 4, in Downtown. Greenville News Shaggin' on Augusta. An annual one-day beach music festival held in May at Lewis Plaza, on Augusta Street. Mauldin Blues and Jazz Festival. Tributes to Dizzy Gillespie and stuff. Reedy River Run a 10K race that is held in late February or early March. The Red Party annual dance party, held at the History Museum of the Upcountry, is a fundraiser for AID Upstate, an AIDS Service Organization serving Upstate South Carolina (Anderson, Oconee, Pickens and Greenville counties). AU serves, on average, more than 750 clients and families touched by HIV/AIDS. == Buy == === Downtown === 1 Liz Daly Designs, 1801 Rutherford Rd, ☏ +1 864-325-4445. Daly Designs, LLC is the working studio of Liz Daly-Korybski, an internationally renowned glass jewelry designer. Over 73 different product lines in house, ranging from glass, vintage, and upcycled jewelry to vases and functional art. Dog-friendly. 2 Llyn Strong Fine Art Jewelry, 119 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-233-5900. Earrings, gemstone rings and bracelets with natural-colored gemstones, precious materials and inspiration, she creates works of art that are distinctive and wearable. 3 Mast General Store, 111 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-235-1883. M-Th 10AM-6PM; F Sa 10AM-9PM; Su noon-6PM. Clothing, hiking and camping gear, shoes, old-fashioned toys, candy, cookware and pottery, etc. 4 O.P. Taylor's, 117 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-467-1984. M-W 10AM-6PM; Th-Sa 10AM-9PM; Su noon-5PM. Independent toy store. Dog-friendly. === Eastside === 5 Haywood Mall, 700 Haywood Road, ☏ +1 864-288-0512. More than 150 specialty shops like Apple, Banana Republic, Coach, J. Crew, Francesca’s Collection, Sephora and Williams-Sonoma are anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Macy's and JC Penney. (updated May 2025) 6 Shops at Greenridge, 1125 Woodruff Road, ☏ +1 864-297-4950. Outdoor shopping center anchored by PetSmart, Best Buy, Marshalls, World Market and numerous small specialty stores and restaurants. (updated Aug 2017) === Falls Park and the West End === 7 Beija-Flor, 618 S Main Street, ☏ +1 864-373-9497. Popular women's clothing store west of downtown Greenville. (updated Aug 2017) 8 Lilly Pulitzer - West End, 105 Augusta Street, ☏ +1 864-271-4332. Colorful women's boutique shop offering designer resort and beachwear. (updated Aug 2017) === Southside === 9 McDaniel Village, 1922 Augusta Street. Shopping center with small restaurants and boutique shops. (updated May 2018) 10 The Plaza, 6 E Lewis Street. Shopping square with a grocery store and other smaller boutique shops and eateries. (updated May 2018) == Eat == With over 80 restaurants in Downtown, Greenville has become known as a culinary center in South Carolina. Below are the most popular in distinct Greenville areas. === Downtown === 1 The Cazbah, 16 West McBee Avenue, ☏ +1 864-241-9909, fax: +1 864-241-9910. Tapas restaurant and wine bar. Outdoor seating available. 2 Grill Marks, 209 S. Main Street, ☏ +1 864-233-5825. 3 Nose Dive, 116 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-373-7300. A casual gastropub offering high quality pub fare, unique cocktails, a distinctive wine list and handcrafted brews that provides a neighborhood social scene on Main Street. 4 Ristorante Bergamo, 100 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-271-8667. Tu-Sa 5:30-9:30PM. Modern Northern Italian cuisine. Try the in-house made limoncello. Reservations highly recommended. 5 Roost, 220 North Main Street (at the Hyatt), ☏ +1 864-298-2424. Lunch 11AM-3PM. Dinner 5-10PM. Bar 3-11PM. Focused on local, organic, and seasonal food. 6 Soby's New South Cuisine, 207 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-232-7007. Tu-Sa 5:30-9:30PM. Soby’s is a blend of contemporary cuisine infused with traditional southern ingredients. Signature dishes include Barbecue Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes with Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Crab Cakes Remoulade. The wine list offers more than 500 selections and is a Wine Spectator Magazine award-winner for the past eight years, a 'Best of Award of Excellence' the past two. 7 Sushi Murasaki, 4 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-271-2452. Delicious, fresh assortment of sushi in a modern restaurant. Licensed to serve beer, wine and liquor. 8 Trappe Door, 23 West Washington Street (Underneath Barley's), ☏ +1 864-451-7490. Belgian restaurant and bar, with a huge selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers and excellent mussels. 9 Trattoria Giorgio, 121 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-271-9166. Tu-Sa 6-9:30 PM. Offering traditional Italian cuisine, this was a favorite dining spot for actors George Clooney and Renee Zellweger during the Upstate filming of the 2008 film, Leatherheads. The dining room is elegantly casual, and reservations are strongly recommended. Patio dining is available if the weather permits. 10 Trio Brick Oven Café, 22 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-467-1000, fax: +1 864-467-0475. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM; F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. An eclectic fare of gourmet wood-fired pizzas are a specialty, with sauces made fresh daily and in such intriguing combinations as roast chicken with basil pesto. A wide variety of homemade pasta dishes like sautéed crawfish and rotini are another specialty of the house. Rotisserie chicken as well as a variety of wraps and sandwiches round out the menu. Enjoy your meal outdoors, weather permitting. === Falls Park and the West End === 11 Chicora Alley, 608B South Main St. (Upstairs), ☏ +1 864-232-4100. Su M 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-midnight; Tu-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-2AM. Veggie-friendly and tasty food. Southern cooking meets Tex-Mex, so expect collard greens in your quesadilla. $8-20. 12 Larkin's On The River, 318 S. Main Street (Behind the Peace Center), ☏ +1 864-467-9777. Premium cut steaks, fresh seafood, and fine wines. 13 The Lazy Goat, 170 River Place, ☏ +1 864-679-5299. A Mediterranean-themed restaurant with a "made from scratch" menu featuring global influences from Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Greece, Africa and the Middle East. 14 Pomegranate on Main, 618 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-241-3012. M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30PM until close; Sa 11:30AM until close.. A modern, inviting atmosphere with an open dining room accented by traditional Persian touches. Iranian artists provided the amazing one-of-a-kind pieces of art. The outdoor patio offers a cozy feel under the pergola and beautiful sky. === Eastside === 15 Henry's Smokehouse, 240 Wade Hampton Blvd, ☏ +1 864-232-7774, fax: +1 864-232-7237. Get your BBQ fix at what some aficianados consider the best BBQ in town. As befits the food, simple decor, but a pleasant outdoor seating area with a view of the highway. $5-8. 16 Pita House, 495 S Pleasantburg Dr, ☏ +1 864-271-9895. lunch/dinner. The best Middle Eastern food in Greenville is at the Pita House. Casual dining and a family atmosphere. $5-12. === Southside === 17 Augusta Grille, 1818 Augusta Street, ☏ +1 864-242-0316. Classy restaurant offering New American small plates & entrees, plus wine and a full-bar. (updated May 2018) 18 Davani’s, 1922 Augusta Street #111-A, ☏ +1 864-373-9013. Warm, relaxed restaurant lined with wine racks that serves both French and Italian food. (updated May 2018) 19 The 05, 3016 Augusta Street, ☏ +1 864-412-8150. New and upcoming bar and grill offering American fare. (updated May 2018) == Drink == === Alcohol === 1 Carolina Ale House, 113 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-351-0521. 11AM-2PM. Sports bar. Rooftop seating available, open air weather permitting. 2 Connolly's Irish Pub, 24 East Court Street, ☏ +1 864-467-0300. M-Sa 4:30PM-2AM. 3 Northampton Wines & The Wine Café, 211-A East Broad Street, ☏ +1 864-271-3919. M-Sa 9AM-9PM; Wine Café serving dinner M-Sa from 5PM. Retail store and wine bar. === Coffee & tea === 4 Coffee Underground, 1 East Coffee Street (Underneath Ristorante Bergamo), ☏ +1 864-298-0494, info@coffeeunderground.biz. M-Th 7AM-11PM; F 7AM-midnight; Sa 8AM-midnight; Su 8AM-10PM. Locally-owned coffee house and bistro with a cozy & friendly atmosphere. Take in performances in the Theater, where weekly performances by comedians, poets & singer-songwriters are hosted. Coffee roasted in-house. Also serving beer, wine, and cocktails. 5 Methodical Coffee, 101 North Main Street, ☏ +1 864-735-8407. Su-Th 7AM-6PM; F Sa 8AM-10PM. Cool, hip and cozy coffee spot serving college kids & locals. (updated Aug 2017) 6 O-CHA Tea & Coffee Bar, 300 River St #122, ☏ +1 864-715-9977. Cozy corner cafe spot serving bubble & loose-leaf teas, pastries, sandwiches and coffee too. (updated Aug 2017) == Sleep == 1 Comfort Inn Greenville - Haywood Mall (former Hampton Inn), 246 Congaree Rd (from I-85 exit 54 onto I-385 north to exit 39, left at end of exit and right at 2nd light), ☏ +1 864-288-1200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 5 minutes from I-85 and 5 minutes from downtown Greenville across from the only major shopping mall in Greenville. 2 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites (former Microtel), 20 Interstate Court, ☏ +1 864-297-7866. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 3 Hampton Inn Greenville/Travelers Rest, 593 Roe Center Court, ☏ +1 864-834-5550, fax: +1 864 660-0015. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A standard-issue Hampton Inn which is the closest hotel to Furman University. $80-100. 4 Hyatt Place Greenville/Haywood, 40 West Orchard Park Drive, ☏ +1 864-232-3000. 8 miles from the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and three miles from downtown Greenville. (updated Feb 2018) 5 Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 North Main Street. 330 total rooms, 17 luxurious suites, and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space featuring Greenville's largest hotel ballroom. A contemporary downtown hotel. 6 Marriott Courtyard Greenville Downtown, 50 W Broad Street, ☏ +1 864-451-5700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. In downtown Greenville. 7 Marriott Courtyard Greenville Haywood Mall, 70 Orchard Park Drive, ☏ +1 864-234-0300. In the Haywood Mall shopping and dining district. 8 Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Greenville / Woodruff Rd, 1024 Woodruff Road, ☏ +1 864-297-3811. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 9 Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast, 302 Pettigru Street (less than a mile from Main Street in the Pettigru Historic District), ☏ +1 864-242-4529. Check-in: 4 - 7PM, check-out: 11AM. Within walking distance of Main Street. Less than a mile from restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Five unique rooms, full gourmet breakfast, complimentary wine and cheese, bottomless cookie jar. (updated Aug 2017) 10 Sleep Inn Carolina First Center, 231 N Pleasantburg Dr., ☏ +1 864-240-2006. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Several golf courses, miniature golf courses, movie theaters, picnic areas and playgrounds are within two miles of the hotel, pet-friendly, welcoming/helpful staff 50. 11 The Westin Poinsett, Greenville, 120 South Main Street, ☏ +1 864-421-9700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. In a completely restored 1920s building on Greenville's charming Main Street, the historic Westin Poinsett is Greenville's only four-diamond hotel. == Cope == === Consulates === == Go next == 10 Paris Mountain State Park, 2401 State Park Road, ☏ +1 864-244-5565. 8AM-9PM daily, during daylight saving time. Winter hours: 8AM-6PM, daily. 15 miles of hiking/biking trails (no biking on Saturdays). $5/adult; $3.25 SC seniors; $3/child age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger. This admission includes access to designated swimming area when it is open. 11 Table Rock State Park. 3,083-acre park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Pickens County, South Carolina. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in the state. 12 Devils Fork State Park. State park at the near the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia border that is part of the Jocassee Gorges Conservation Area. It is located in Oconee county, South Carolina. === Upstate === Clemson - home of Clemson University, 45 minutes away from Greenville by car Lake Hartwell - bordering Georgia and South Carolina, this lake is used for fishing, sailing, and waterskiing. Boats can be rented for the day at numerous marinas. Spartanburg - Greenville's sister town with a charming downtown and numerous college campuses for biking or taking a stroll. === Out of state === Due to being within an hour of North Carolina and Georgia, there are many out of state day trips available from Greenville. Western North Carolina - A great way to spend the day away from Greenville is by taking a day trip to go hiking in western North Carolina. Take the scenic US 276 from downtown Greenville towards Brevard, NC. Stop by Dupont State Forest, where part of The Hunger Games was filmed, and hike to see some of the numerous waterfalls. Continue towards Brevard for a stop for lunch, and follow US 276 into Pisgah National Forest. Take a trip down Sliding Rock, a 60 ft (18 m) high natural water slide into a pool of water, or stop and see the roadside Looking Glass Falls, one of North Carolina's most popular waterfalls. This area is particularly beautiful in autumn. Continue on US 276 until it reaches the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take pictures over the gorgeous overlooks as the sun dips in the sky, and continue to Asheville for dinner. Take I-26 south back to Greenville to complete the loop. Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are all free.