We may be a little biased since it’s my (Matt’s) hometown, but we think that Greenville, SC is one of the south’s greatest hidden gems! The downtown area is the perfect mix of big city and small town. With an abundance of local restaurants, artisan shops, and art galleries, the charm is undeniable. Then add in the award winning Falls Park with its breathtaking Reedy River Falls and architectural wonder, Liberty Bridge, and there’s no question to why Greenville gets ranked as one of the best small cities in America by Condé Nast year after year! We loved getting to put together what we think is the perfect one day itinerary for your next visit to Greenville!
In full transparency... We had some amazing photos to go with this blog, but we lost them ALL in an unfortunate mishap!!! Tears were shed, sleep was lost, but we didn't want to let the lack of photos stop us from sharing this awesome city with you.
*Check out our “South Carolina: One Day in Greenville” vlog for all the fun details*
If you want a FREE Printable for our Nashville Itinerary scroll to the bottom!
Let's get into it!
8:30 am: Coffee/Breakfast
Methodical Coffee (101 N Main St)
If you aren’t looking for a big breakfast but want the best cup of coffee in town, Methodical Coffee is the place for you! On top of excellent coffee, they also offer a selection of house-made pastries.
Sully’s Steamers (6 E Washington St)
Sully’s offers delicious, bagel sandwiches steamed to perfection! The way the bagel and topping marry into one amazing flavor packed bite is heaven! You really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, and it’s a great option for lunch too!
Biscuit Head (823 S Church St)
Biscuit Head is a classic southern breakfast spot serving giant, cathead biscuits, homemade jams, and massive servings! This is the perfect place for a big appetite!
10:00 am: Explore Downtown/North Main Street
We encourage you to pop in and out of any and all of the shops as you stroll down Main Street, but if you need a little guidance, here are a handful of stops that we suggest!
Mast General Store (111 N Main St) - Retail store selling a broad selection of goods, including food, apparel, and outdoor gear
M. Judson Booksellers (130 S Main St) - Independent, local bookstore located in the historic courthouse building
Southern Fried Cotton (118 N Main St) - Clothing store selling mostly t-shirts with southern inspired designs
O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store (117 N Main St) - Small, niche toy store with old time charm
Greenville Soy Candle Shop (209 N Main St) - Local owned and operated candle shop pouring their own candles in small batches for over a decade
Southern Tide Signature Store (200 N Main St) - Sophisticated, local retailer featuring contemporary clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women
The VAULT Retro Sports Apparel (213 N Main St) - Sports apparel store selling retro inspired designs
Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn (30 S Main St) - Local popcorn shop serving delicious and unique popcorn flavors
River Street Sweets (12 S Main St) - Candy shop known for its homemade pralines, also selling treats such as bear claws and glazed pecans
12:00 pm: Lunch at Gather GVL (126 Augusta St)
Gather GVL is an outdoor shipping container style food hall... Think food truck park without wheels! At the time of writing this there are 11 vendors serving everything from burgers to pizza to sushi to fried chicken and just about everything in between! The food draws you in, but the vibey outdoor community space is what keeps you. And in the warmer months they have free live music too!
Coco Bowlz - Açaí Shop
Greenville Beer Exchange - Beer exchange offering great craft beers
Hen Dough - Fried chicken and fresh doughnuts
KO Burger - Classic smash burger, fries and hot dogs
Mercado Cantina - Fresh, flavorful Mexican food
Mike’s - Cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches
Myami Bites - The best of Miami street food, from Cuban sandwiches to empanadas to delicious croquetas
The Pasta Addict - Fresh, delicious pasta
Saki Saki - Wonderful sushi and hibachi
The Lob Father - Fresh, luscious lobster rolls, lobster BLT’s, and fresh lobster salad
Yolo Pizza Kitchen - Mouth-watering pizzas, flavor-packed appetizers, and fresh and unique salads
1:30 pm: Explore the West End
In the last 10-15 years, the West End has become THE place to be in Greenville. It’s home to the award-winning Falls Park (which we’ll talk about later), Fluor Field ( home to Greenville’s minor league baseball team, the Greenville Drive), along with a wide array of restaurants, shops, and historic buildings! Here are a few stops that are worth checking out!
Fluor Field (945 S Main St) - If you happen to be visiting during baseball season, check out a game while you’re there! It’s always a good time!
Spill the Beans (531 S Main St) - This brick-walled coffee/ice cream shop is conveniently located right on Main Street at the entrance to Falls Park with views of the Reedy River Falls
Vintage Now Modern (633 S Main St) - Home decor shop with antiques and vintage-style pieces
Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe (111 Augusta St) - Chill bar/restaurant featuring live music every night of the week
3:30 pm: Falls Park on the Reedy (601 S Main St)
Falls Park is a 32-acre park in the historic West End district. The centerpiece of the park is the 28 foot cascade of the Reedy River Falls. In 2004, the 345 foot long Liberty Bridge pedestrian walkway was completed to accentuate the beauty of the falls and is the perfect viewing deck. Falls Park has won dozens of awards over the last 20 years and shows no signs of slowing down! If you have a little longer than a day to spend in the city, we recommend renting bikes and taking a ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail… a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the City of Greenville.
5:30 pm: Happy Hour at Rooftop Bar
UP on the Roof (250 Riverplace) - Stylish rooftop hangout featuring modern American eats & craft cocktails, plus scenic city views… and the best rooftop, sunset views!
SIP Whiskey & Wine Bar (103 N Main St) - Upper-deck whiskey & wine bar offering tasting pours & small plates amid rustic wood & barrels
Ink N Ivy (21 E Coffee St) - A cool option for Southern-leaning American fare paired with cocktails in funky-chic digs
8:00 pm: Dinner at Saskatoon Steaks, Fish, and Wild Game (681 Halton Rd)
Saskatoon is one of our favorite restaurants of all time! Housed in a log style building with massive, river rock fireplaces, antler chandeliers, and wild game taxidermy clad walls, Saskatoon is a lodge-style restaurant serving some of the best steaks (wild and tame) you’ll ever taste! And don’t forget to order the Bourbon Bread Pudding or Chocolate Moose Pie for dessert. You can thank us later!
We hope this itinerary has helped you fall in love with this gem of a city as much as we have! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! We always love hearing from you!
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