From casting the spotlight on the fantastic Falls Park on the Reedy, to various restaurants, events, and fun venues, we’ve managed to suggest many places to go and things to see in Greenville over the years. It’s one of the hippest places in The Palmetto State! But we’ve never really told you WHY or how this small town quietly became the coolest place in South Carolina. Take a look at these 11 reasons:

  1. No matter where you look, Greenville is gorgeous.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC From the breathtaking Falls Park on the Reedy, to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and the bustling Main Street, this is one invitingly beautiful city.

  1. Main Street still has that small town feel.

Facebook/Greenville, South Carolina - Official City Government Homepage

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC Lined with lush trees and inviting seating provided by various merchants and restaurants, Greenville’s Main Street feels like home. After just one visit, you’ll see why and how Greenville’s Main Street made the USA TODAY list, “Seven City Streets Worth A Trip On Their Own.”

  1. The events are top-notch.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC Greenville’s “Fall For Greenville” has been long been ranked as one of the best festivals in the whole country. Additionally, other events, like the seasonal Saturday Market and the annual Artisphere, make downtown Greenville a vibrant place everyone wants to be.

  1. The arts scene in Greenville is out-of-this-world.

TripAdvisor/management The Peace Center regularly hosts Grammy-winning artists, stage performances. and a variety of other cultural events. And Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery is home to the largest collection of religious art in the Western Hemisphere.

  1. Outdoor activites around Greenville seem limitless.

TripAdvisor/275GTS Within minutes from the city, you can feel a million miles away from everywhere. Whether it’s at Paris Mountain State Park (shown above) or any of the other peaceful area parks, you can always find the perfect spot to escape.

  1. In fact, there are countless “escape hatches” right in Greenville’s own back yard.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC Live in Greenville and want to get away for a weekend? Drive a few miles and feel a million from home.

  1. The people here are fantastic.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC Small-town charm and southern hospitality are abundantly obvious anytime you meet someone from here.

  1. The food scene is outrageously delish.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC No longer considered “up and coming,” the variety and quality of the restaurants in this small city are beyond your wildest dreams.

  1. There’s a stunning waterfall right in the middle of town.

Flickr/katie wheeler Not many cities and towns in the US boast a natural waterfall quite like this one. The one-of-a-kind spectacle is the centerpiece of Greenville’s downtown landscape.

  1. Outdoor fun is everywhere.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC From the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Fluor Field on the West End, Greenville’s outdoor scene has something for everyone.

  1. Greenville is romantic.

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC Liberty Bridge is a perfect stroll for a romantic evening. Stop in the middle to admire the falls immediately below. This focal point on the downtown landscape has also been on USA TODAY’s “50 States, 50 Dates: Romantic activities around the USA” list. It’s easy to see why!

On top of all the above reasons, Greenville somehow manages to retain that small-town feel even though it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Greenville truly is the coolest small town in South Carolina, and you should definitely plan a visit!

Facebook/Visit Greenville SC

From the breathtaking Falls Park on the Reedy, to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and the bustling Main Street, this is one invitingly beautiful city.

Facebook/Greenville, South Carolina - Official City Government Homepage

Lined with lush trees and inviting seating provided by various merchants and restaurants, Greenville’s Main Street feels like home. After just one visit, you’ll see why and how Greenville’s Main Street made the USA TODAY list, “Seven City Streets Worth A Trip On Their Own.”

Greenville’s “Fall For Greenville” has been long been ranked as one of the best festivals in the whole country. Additionally, other events, like the seasonal Saturday Market and the annual Artisphere, make downtown Greenville a vibrant place everyone wants to be.

TripAdvisor/management

The Peace Center regularly hosts Grammy-winning artists, stage performances. and a variety of other cultural events. And Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery is home to the largest collection of religious art in the Western Hemisphere.

TripAdvisor/275GTS

Within minutes from the city, you can feel a million miles away from everywhere. Whether it’s at Paris Mountain State Park (shown above) or any of the other peaceful area parks, you can always find the perfect spot to escape.

Live in Greenville and want to get away for a weekend? Drive a few miles and feel a million from home.

Small-town charm and southern hospitality are abundantly obvious anytime you meet someone from here.

No longer considered “up and coming,” the variety and quality of the restaurants in this small city are beyond your wildest dreams.

Flickr/katie wheeler

Not many cities and towns in the US boast a natural waterfall quite like this one. The one-of-a-kind spectacle is the centerpiece of Greenville’s downtown landscape.

From the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Fluor Field on the West End, Greenville’s outdoor scene has something for everyone.

Liberty Bridge is a perfect stroll for a romantic evening. Stop in the middle to admire the falls immediately below. This focal point on the downtown landscape has also been on USA TODAY’s “50 States, 50 Dates: Romantic activities around the USA” list. It’s easy to see why!

In fact, we highly suggest spending the weekend in one of the town’s most unique B&B accommodations, The Swamp Rabbit Inn.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Greenville, SC, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Coolest Small Town In South Carolina March 04, 2021 Sarah What are some fun things to do in Greenville? With title of “Coolest Small Town In South Carolina,” you can believe there are a ton of fun things to do here! For families, Runway Park in Greenville is pretty much the best. It’s a whimsical, airport-themed playground where kids can watch planes come and go. Across the runway, a cafe dishes up great plates with their wide-open views of the runway, so you can stay and make an afternoon of it! Pretty Place is another must-visit attraction; also known as Fred W Symmes Chapel at the YMCA Camp in Greenville, Pretty Place is easily most unique chapel in the Palmetto State. The view from way up here is absolutely sublime. (You’ll want to plan your trip well in advance, however as the chapel is often closed for private events – so just call ahead on the day you plan to visit.) Where are some of the best places to live in South Carolina? So, we know this article is one big love letter to Greenville, but it truly is a remarkable place. For further proof of this, Retirement Living ranked Greenville in the top 10 places in the entire country to retire. Using a wide number of metrics like the size of the population that’s already over 65, low unemployment rates for seniors, and housing costs as a percentage of retirement income, SmartAssets ranked this upstate locale as the tenth best place in the country. Numbers aside, Greenville is a warm and welcoming community, full of great people, places, and amenities. (But, so is South Carolina as a whole; Retirement Living ranked South Carolina, in general, as the number four state in the country for retirement living.) What are some epic day trips in South Carolina? There is simply so much to see in South Carolina, that the real question isn’t finding a great day trip, it’s deciding on one out of so many epic expeditions! From the beautiful mountains in the north to the marshlands and beaches in the south, there is just so much to cover; if you don’t know what you are looking for, you could definitely miss something worth seeing. To help narrow it down, we put together a list of the absolute best day trips in South Carolina. A few of our favorites? Historic Camden, otherwise known as our state’s oldest inland town. It was founded in 1732 and established by a decree from King George II. There are over 60 buildings listed on its National Historic District, so if you choose this trip, be sure to take in the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, the Camden Clock Tower, the Robert Mills Courthouse, and the Goodale State Park. And Cape Romaine is one of the state’s most amazing hidden gems. This wildlife refuge is over 66,000 acres of avian sanctuary (with over 277 species of birds, as well as a thriving Loggerhead Turtle population), two lighthouses, and the famous Boneyard Beach. It is only accessible by boat, but you can take the ferry across and spend the day.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Coolest Small Town In South Carolina

March 04, 2021

Sarah

What are some fun things to do in Greenville? With title of “Coolest Small Town In South Carolina,” you can believe there are a ton of fun things to do here! For families, Runway Park in Greenville is pretty much the best. It’s a whimsical, airport-themed playground where kids can watch planes come and go. Across the runway, a cafe dishes up great plates with their wide-open views of the runway, so you can stay and make an afternoon of it! Pretty Place is another must-visit attraction; also known as Fred W Symmes Chapel at the YMCA Camp in Greenville, Pretty Place is easily most unique chapel in the Palmetto State. The view from way up here is absolutely sublime. (You’ll want to plan your trip well in advance, however as the chapel is often closed for private events – so just call ahead on the day you plan to visit.) Where are some of the best places to live in South Carolina? So, we know this article is one big love letter to Greenville, but it truly is a remarkable place. For further proof of this, Retirement Living ranked Greenville in the top 10 places in the entire country to retire. Using a wide number of metrics like the size of the population that’s already over 65, low unemployment rates for seniors, and housing costs as a percentage of retirement income, SmartAssets ranked this upstate locale as the tenth best place in the country. Numbers aside, Greenville is a warm and welcoming community, full of great people, places, and amenities. (But, so is South Carolina as a whole; Retirement Living ranked South Carolina, in general, as the number four state in the country for retirement living.) What are some epic day trips in South Carolina? There is simply so much to see in South Carolina, that the real question isn’t finding a great day trip, it’s deciding on one out of so many epic expeditions! From the beautiful mountains in the north to the marshlands and beaches in the south, there is just so much to cover; if you don’t know what you are looking for, you could definitely miss something worth seeing. To help narrow it down, we put together a list of the absolute best day trips in South Carolina. A few of our favorites? Historic Camden, otherwise known as our state’s oldest inland town. It was founded in 1732 and established by a decree from King George II. There are over 60 buildings listed on its National Historic District, so if you choose this trip, be sure to take in the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, the Camden Clock Tower, the Robert Mills Courthouse, and the Goodale State Park. And Cape Romaine is one of the state’s most amazing hidden gems. This wildlife refuge is over 66,000 acres of avian sanctuary (with over 277 species of birds, as well as a thriving Loggerhead Turtle population), two lighthouses, and the famous Boneyard Beach. It is only accessible by boat, but you can take the ferry across and spend the day.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

With title of “Coolest Small Town In South Carolina,” you can believe there are a ton of fun things to do here! For families, Runway Park in Greenville is pretty much the best. It’s a whimsical, airport-themed playground where kids can watch planes come and go. Across the runway, a cafe dishes up great plates with their wide-open views of the runway, so you can stay and make an afternoon of it! Pretty Place is another must-visit attraction; also known as Fred W Symmes Chapel at the YMCA Camp in Greenville, Pretty Place is easily most unique chapel in the Palmetto State. The view from way up here is absolutely sublime. (You’ll want to plan your trip well in advance, however as the chapel is often closed for private events – so just call ahead on the day you plan to visit.)

Where are some of the best places to live in South Carolina?

So, we know this article is one big love letter to Greenville, but it truly is a remarkable place. For further proof of this, Retirement Living ranked Greenville in the top 10 places in the entire country to retire. Using a wide number of metrics like the size of the population that’s already over 65, low unemployment rates for seniors, and housing costs as a percentage of retirement income, SmartAssets ranked this upstate locale as the tenth best place in the country. Numbers aside, Greenville is a warm and welcoming community, full of great people, places, and amenities. (But, so is South Carolina as a whole; Retirement Living ranked South Carolina, in general, as the number four state in the country for retirement living.)

What are some epic day trips in South Carolina?

There is simply so much to see in South Carolina, that the real question isn’t finding a great day trip, it’s deciding on one out of so many epic expeditions! From the beautiful mountains in the north to the marshlands and beaches in the south, there is just so much to cover; if you don’t know what you are looking for, you could definitely miss something worth seeing. To help narrow it down, we put together a list of the absolute best day trips in South Carolina. A few of our favorites? Historic Camden, otherwise known as our state’s oldest inland town. It was founded in 1732 and established by a decree from King George II. There are over 60 buildings listed on its National Historic District, so if you choose this trip, be sure to take in the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, the Camden Clock Tower, the Robert Mills Courthouse, and the Goodale State Park. And Cape Romaine is one of the state’s most amazing hidden gems. This wildlife refuge is over 66,000 acres of avian sanctuary (with over 277 species of birds, as well as a thriving Loggerhead Turtle population), two lighthouses, and the famous Boneyard Beach. It is only accessible by boat, but you can take the ferry across and spend the day.