8 Best Things To Do In Greenville, South Carolina - Updated 2024

Trip101 Editorial
Trip101 Editorial 
Updated
| 4 min read

The small city of Greenville is nestled at the very heart of South Carolina in the United States of America. Although in South Carolina, the nearest major city to Greenville is Atlanta, in the state of Georgia. Atlanta is just a short two-hour drive away from Greenville and as such, makes a great little day trip within your bigger American tour!

Greenville is home to around 65,000 people; although a city, Greenville still manages to maintain its small town, community atmosphere. Greenville plays host to the Country Museum of Art and proudly displays exquisite artwork from Southern American artists for all to come and enjoy.

Greenville is a bright and varied city and there is plenty to do and explore. One popular choice is to explore Greenville by Segway! Imagine zipping round the city learning about its history and heritage while trying to keep your balance on a two-wheeled Segway, so fun!

1. Swamp Rabbit Trail

Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville, SC June 2019
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Thomson200 used under CC0

The Swamp Rabbit Trail lies just outside Greenville city centre and is a great excuse to get outside the city lines and into some fresh air! The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 19.9 mile (32 km) scenic trail that takes you through some of South Carolina’s best nature. Only opened in 2009, the trail is still quite new and as such, in great condition.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a wonderful place to explore as a family. You can hire bikes and cover ground more quickly or take a lazy stroll! Within easy reach of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, ​there is a quaint cafe called ‘The Carrot’ open for light refreshments.

Swamp Rabbit Trail

Address: 4806 Old Spartanburg Rd, Taylors, SC 29687

Website: Swamp Rabbit Trail

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2. Greenville County Museum of Art

Greenville County Museum of Art building
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ser Amantio di Ni... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Greenville County Museum of Art can be found on College Street in the centre of Greenville city. The Greenville County Museum of Art houses works​ from some of the most prestigious artists that the south of America has ever produced. The GCMA is proud to be home to the world’s largest collection of watercolor art work, by American painter Andrew Wyeth.

The Greenville County Museum of Art also has work from Jasper Johns on display that is not to be missed. The gallery is open to everyone, not just seasoned art critics! The Greenville County Museum of Art has a great range of exhibitions on throughout the year, so check out their website to see what’s on during your visit.

Greenville County Museum of Art

Address: 420 College Street, Greenville, SC

Website: Greenville County Museum of Art

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3. Paris Mountain State Park

Paris Mountain 10 (2)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bill Fitzpatrick used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Paris Mountain State Park is one of Greenville’s best-kept secrets and makes for a great day out. The Paris Mountain State Park looks especially wonderful in the autumn months as the leaves turn from green to red, yellow and orange. As the light hits the trees, the autumnal hues glisten and shine!

The Paris Mountain State Park also offers accommodation in the form of Buckhorn Lodge which makes for a nice escape for the night from the main city of Greenville. The park is a great place for hiking and rambling and every angle offers a different view. Kayaks, canoes and paddle boats are also available for hire if your tire easily from walking but have some impressive upper body strength to try out!

Paris Mountain State Park

Address: 2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609

Website: Paris Mountain State Park

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4. Upcountry History Museum


The Upcountry History Museum is Greenville’s leading history museum and is a great place to visit with children or if you have an interest in American history. The Upcountry History Museum makes great efforts to make the exhibits as interactive and interesting as possible! Visitors give the museum top ratings and highly recommend it to fellow travelers.

The Upcountry History Museum has a great program of exhibitions throughout the year. They host some temporary traveling exhibitions, to which tickets sell like hot-cakes and other permanent exhibitions that are open the year round. The Upcountry History Museum aims to promote Upcountry’s history and educate people about​ its importance.

Upcountry History Museum

Address: 540 Buncombe St, Greenville, SC 29601

Website: Upcountry History Museum

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5. Falls Park on the Reedy

Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville, South Carolina, USA1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Diego Delso used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Falls Park on the Reedy is a series of gardens and parks that are all kept in immaculate order. The park’s lands are beautifully manicured and the flowers bloom differently in every season. Falls Park on the Reedy is home to Liberty Bridge which makes for a lovely sunset stroll.

Falls Park on the Reedy comes recommended by many different travel guides and your fellow travelers alike! Falls Park on the Reedy is close to Greenville Zoo and so is easily visited in one day as a combination day trip. The park is open until 9 pm​ daily and is a lovely place to spend a balmy summer evening.

Falls Park on the Reedy

Address: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

Website: Falls Park on the Reedy

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6. Greenville Zoo

Elephant at the Greenville Zoo
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tony Crescibene used under CC BY 2.0

Greenville Zoo is a much-loved attraction for the local people of Greenville and visitors too. Opened in 1960, Greenville Zoo is home to a great variety of wild and domestic animals and the zoo makes a concerted effort to support conservation in the field. The African Lions are the highlight of any visit to Greenville Zoo.

Greenville Zoo

Address: 150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29601

Website: Greenville Zoo

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7. Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum

A post shared by James (@bataero_greenville) on Jul 3, 2017 at 9:21am PDT


The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum is a bit of a novelty and a fun way to spend a free afternoon. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum is the home of much-loved baseball star Shoeless Joe Jacksons; this is where he lived and died in 1951. In the gift shop, ​you can buy all sorts of Shoeless Joe Jackson replica memorabilia to take home with you.

Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum

Address: 356 Field St, Greenville, SC 2960

Website: Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum

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8. Greenville Segway Tour (from USD 69.0)


Greenville may seem like a sleepy city at first glance, but there is a way to explore this city that makes it far more fun and exciting than you could ever imagine! Join with new friends on a Greenville Segway Tour in Downtown Greenville and whizz around the city like never before! No experience required, your guide will teach you all you need to know!

Navigate the downtown before heading to the more newly developed side of the city. Glide through the Historic West End District before heading towards the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Tours last an hour and a half and cost just 54 USD!

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Greenville Downtown, West End, Swamp Rabbit Trail Segway Tour

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

224 reviews

Get yourself to Greenville

It’s safe to say that Greenville will never be at the top of anyone’s list when planning a visit to the USA, but if you find yourself passing through, do stop by in Greenville and check out what’s going on!

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