Burrowed in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina combines traditional southern hospitality with stunning natural beauty, making it one of America’s newest emerging destinations. As one of the Top Ten Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S. according to CNN Money, Greenville, SC has so much to offer residents and visitors alike. From its revitalized downtown to its stunning outdoor scene, Greenville is everything they say it is and more.
With all the fun things to do and places to explore in Greenville, it’s hard to choose. To help with your decision, we’ve put together a guide of top things to do in Greenville, SC. Whether you’re looking for activities to do as a family, scouting the city on your own, or taking a date out on the town, this guide has you covered.
Things to do in Greenville, SC with kids
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
As the seventh largest children’s museum in the country and the 10th largest in the world, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) has three floors of interactive, state-of-the-art exhibits focused on arts, humanities, sciences, health, nutrition and the environment.
Kids and adults can explore the full continuum of flight from airplanes to space travel in the 3,2,1 Blast Off exhibit, experiment with melody and pitch in the Garage Rock exhibit, or learn how to make healthy choices in the child-sized BI-LO Market exhibit.
The Greenville Zoo
Recognized as one of the finest smaller zoos in the nation, the Greenville Zoo is an exotic animal kingdom located on 14 acres in downtown Greenville. This zoo is home to elephants, giraffes, African lions, Red Pandas, and a myriad of other animals. Learn more about the special events happening at the Greenville Zoo and start planning your next wild adventure!
The Children’s Garden at Linky Stone Park
Explore this fairy tale-themed garden conveniently located at Linky Stone Park, a 1.7-acre greenspace that runs along the Reedy River. This lovely garden is designed to enrich children’s creativity through outdoor exploration and discovery.
While you’re visiting the park with your little ones, make sure you climb up the waterfall stairway, play the outdoor chimes, dance around the Winnie the Pooh statue, and tap a rhythm on the musical turtle in the park.
Fun Things to do in Greenville, SC for free
BMW Zentrum
See the cars, speed, and innovation that set BMW apart at the Zentrum– the only BMW museum in North America. Explore the history and novelty of BWM by walking through this free museum that showcases past and present BMW cars, motorcycles, and airplane engines.
Entrance to the Zentrum museum is free but if you want to further explore the BMW plant, guided tours are $7.00.
Falls Park on the Reedy
Located in the historic West End district, Falls Park on the Reedy is one of Greenville’s greatest treasures. This 32-acre park features a unique pedestrian bridge that curves around a magnificent waterfall on the Reedy River, making it a popular location for public events like festivals, concerts, parades, and stage performances.
Take a stroll across the suspended pedestrian bridge, explore the winding walking paths down to the river, and enjoy the tranquil gardens throughout the park.
NOMA Square
As the largest plaza in downtown Greenville, NOMA Square regularly holds free events for the Greenville community to enjoy. From yoga classes to live music and fashion shows, NOMA Square has an event for everyone.
Visit the NOMA Square Facebook page for more information on their Spring and Summer concert series!
Date ideas in Greenville, SC
Dark Corner Distillery
Home to the World’s Best Moonshine, Dark Corner Distillery is a craft micro distillery located on Main Street in downtown Greenville boasting the world’s most awarded corn whiskey. Founder Joe Fenten and “Brew Gang” craft specialized, limited batch distilled spirits the same way it was done long ago in the mysterious mountain region of Greenville County.
Stop by Dark Corner Distillery for a one-of-a-kind moonshine tasting.
Greenville Drive Games
Modeled after Fenway Park, Fluor Field is home to the minor league baseball team, the Greenville Drive, the Class A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The stadium borders the West End of downtown Greenville, where you’ll find a handful of restaurants perfect for grabbing a drink before a Drive game.
With affordable food choices, convenient parking, and fireworks, the Drive Stadium is a great date spot in the heart of Greenville.
Charleston Cooks!
Looking for something more hands on? Enjoy interactive cooking classes at Charleston Cooks! This lively teaching kitchen provides the space, tools, and instructions for food and wine enthusiast of all skill levels. Learn how to prepare a variety of dishes ranging from staple meals to gourmet delicacies.
What better way to learn than tasting delicious food along the way? Sign up for a cooking class at Charleston Cooks! and start planning a great date night in downtown Greenville.
Whether you’re new to the city or you’re a seasoned Greenville resident, there is always something new to explore. Do you have a favorite place to visit in Greenville? Should we add something to our list?