Location: Greenville
Top Things to do in Greenville
What to do and see in Greenville, South Carolina (SC): The Best Nature & Parks
Greenville, South Carolina, is anchored by what Forbes Magazine calls one of America's Best Downtowns. Featuring a one-of-a-kind "floating" suspension bridge and set against the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville boasts a thriving arts scene, hundreds of restaurants, shops and boutiques, popular annual festivals, numerous historic sites and museums housing significant art collections. Excellent interstate service and a user-friendly international airport make access easy.
Restaurants in Greenville
1. Falls Park on the Reedy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,276 reviews
Reviewed By Polly313 - Amelia Island, United States
Long weekend in Greenville... Fantastic Small City with lots to offer...! Falls Park is an amazing place... lots of views, walking trails, place to enjoy food or drink... Pet-friendly Place...!!! Loved visiting... do not miss this wonderful Historic City...!
2. Cancer Survivors Park
3. GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Reviewed By erdocr2
Bike riding the swamp rabbit! Fun. We started in travelers rest (TR) and went down to downtown Greenville. Had lunch at Halls (recommend) and biked backed to TR. trail over all flat with slight grade up from greenville to TR. Rented bikes in TR. overall good day to get some exercise and enjoy lunch with friends. If I did it again I would go the opposite way. Greenville to TR, lunch then slight downslope all the way to Greenville! Recommend this nice trail!!
4. Paris Mountain State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By JD3073 - Greenville, United States
I live less than 20 minutes from this park and I hike here all the time. Today I hiked The Big Loop (you can find details on Alltrails app). I covered over 12 miles and an elevation gain around 1700 ft. Saturday is the best day for hikers because mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails. If you come and other day (especially Sunday) you will need to pay attention for bikes and be prepared to quickly move out of the way. My favorite hike is Sulphur Springs Trail (appx 4 miles) and after that Brissy Ridge Trail (appx 2 miles). Both are moderate/challenging. Sometimes I combine those two for a longer hike. The trail around the lower lake is the easiest. There is a campground here and some backcountry sites. The backcountry sites are all hike in and are located around a reservoir. At least one is directly next to the water, the others are a short distance into the woods. I have been told that area has a lot of Copperhead snakes during the summer. I have not camped at this specific park. There is a large lake that is used for fishing, swimming in the summer and you can rent kayaks in the summer. Dogs are not allowed in the lake. I have seen dogs get into the water along the Sulpher Springs trail though. This park does not necessarily have any amazing features per se. During winter some of the upper trails have distant views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, the proximity to the city is nice and you don't feel like you are in it. I enjoy the trails very much. After 2 or 3 days of dry weather the trails here are not very muddy. Other parks I have been to: Jones Gap (Beautiful, hike to Rainbow Falls, need to make parking reservation on website for weekends). Table Rock State Park (hike to Table Rock is considered the most strenuous in the state). Ceasar's Head (free parking area with overlook and short loop trail with rock formations. You drive about a mile away from main parking area to access trails and pay admission). A free place for a short hike that is still a little challenging is Wildcat Wayside. In the summer kids wade in some of the pools under small waterfalls. If you are just visiting South Carolina be sure to stop at a Boiled peanut stand if you pass one. Usually $5 per bag. They are hot, salty and delicious. Peel and eat!
5. Runway Park at GMU
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
The Greenville Downtown Airport's Runway Park at GMU, which is free to use and open to the public during daylight hours, has an educational amphitheater, exercise "Perimeter Taxiway" and walking "Runways", as well as aviation themed playground equipment, a swing set, a Bi-plane "Climber", a picnic hangar, a Cessna 310 static display and restrooms. A 15-foot cross section of a Boeing 737 fuselage is the handicapped accessible park entrance. Throughout the park are educational aviation signs which cover items like: What runway markings mean, about air traffic controllers language, how aircraft achieve flight, parts of aircraft, careers in the aviation industry, General Aviation aircraft uses, gauges on aircraft instrument panels, how weather affects flight, and some aviation history etc... We are now seeking donations to level and pave the park's parking lot.
Reviewed By jrobba - Charlotte, United States
We were in Greenville for the day, and wanted to let our kids run around for a bit and found this awesome park. This park might be one of the best ideas/execution of a kids playground that I've seen. The park is completely fenced in, so feel free to let the kids run and play to their hearts content, without worrying about them going somewhere they shouldn't. The park has a covered picnic area, that's available for reserving for parties, and they also have a public bathroom, as well as a restaurant attached to the park for anyone who needs an energy boost while here. The park backs right up to the runway, and while we were here, we had to have seen 40+ planes take off and land. Super fun for the kids. The theming around the park with the airport, is done so well, the kids can sit in a playground equipment plane, climb to the top of the control tower, or take off down the run way. It's even great for the older kids and parents as there is a circular track around the entire area great for riding bikes, scooters or just running. If I had to make one suggestion, I might get rid of the mulch for a rubber base around the playground equipment, but outside of that, the entire playground might be one of the most well thought out playgrounds I've ever been to. We spent over 2 hours here, and the kids did not get bored. Wish they had one of these closer to my home in Charlotte!
6. McPherson Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By ktheartstravel - Cincinnati, United States
We visited this park each day of our visit to Greenville. This is a really well kept putt putt and the kids loved it. You must bring your own putter and ball. Great quiet little park with a wading creek, tennis courts, picnic tables, and shelter bathrooms as well.
7. Cleveland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By wcshepherd2 - Rancho Santa Margarita, United States
This park discovery was a highlight of my trip. As a Veteran, the plane display caught my attention. But I had no idea the significance of the memorial site. USAF, Major, Rudolf Anderson, Jr’s story is truly amazing. I’m so glad I had the chance to learn about his accomplishments and heroism.
8. Greenville Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 978 reviews
Reviewed By Nana0464 - Greenville, United States
Lovely zoo - immaculate and great to enjoy with children and grandchildren. Very easy to walk and set up for all ages to enjoy.
9. Brockman Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
