Guest Post By Alex at TwentySomethingTraveler.com
Hello Fellow North Carolina Travelers! Today I have a special treat for you.
I’ve asked Alex from TwentySomethingTraveler.com to share her personal and professional opinion on why a day trip to downtown Greenville, SC makes the perfect day trip from North Carolina.
Continue reading to hear about the ideal itinerary that she’s created just for you!
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Greenville, South Carolina is one of the most underrated cities in the south. This hidden gem of a town is where modernity meets southern charm and historical architecture, and with its adorable downtown, it is the perfect destination for a couples’ day trip.
Whether you’re a nature lover, admirer of the arts, or a shopaholic, everyone can find something to enjoy in downtown Greenville.
How to Get to Greenville, SC:
With it being less than a 2 hour drive down I-85 from Charlotte, North Carolina, Greenville is an easy city to get to.
Once you’re there, getting to downtown Greenville is very simple whether you choose to drive, take public transportation, or use a ride share service.
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After getting downtown, you will find that it is a very walkable area and offers other fun ways to get around such as by bike or trolley.
What Makes Greenville, SC a Good Day Trip?
Part of what makes downtown Greenville so special is its architecture and ability to boast a waterfall in the middle of the town. You just don’t see many cities with such an impressive natural water feature.
With the mix of nature and charming businesses, is truly one of the coziest urban areas you will ever visit.
When Is The Best Time to Visit Greenville, SC?
The best time to visit would be between September and November when the Fall foliage is showing off its warm colors, temperatures are cooler, and the amount of tourists have lessened from the end of Summer.
Since you will likely be doing a lot of walking, you will quickly be grateful to be missing out on the Summer heat and crowded streets.
Where Are The Best Places To Stay In Greenville, SC?
When finding the perfect place to stay in Greenville, there are several ways to go.
Photo Courtesy of Expedia.com
If you wish to stay in the heart of downtown with views of the waterfall, you can book a unique and luxurious stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge. This is such a beautiful place to settle in with its eclectic lodge decor, wellness spa, and art gallery.
Photo Courtesy of Expedia.com
For a less expensive room that still puts you in the middle of the action, you can book a room at at the Hyatt Place Greenville Downtown. The Hyatt gives you that familiar hotel cozy feeling and offers great amenities such as an indoor pool so that you can enjoy a swim no matter the weather.
Photo Courtesy of Expedia.com
Of course if you are hoping for more budget friendly lodging, you can opt for a room outside of the downtown area such as the Urban Boutique Hotel. It is only 2 miles away from downtown, super cute, and offers all the necessary amenities.
If you are traveling with your furry loved ones, each of these hotels are pet-friendly
One Day Sample Itinerary in Downtown Greenville, SC
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Morning:
To start your day in downtown Greenville, grab a delicious bagel and coffee from Sully’s Steamers. Here, they have a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches severed on a steamed bagel, and it is super tasty. You really can’t go wrong here.
Afterwards, enjoy walking around the town and do some shopping.
Downtown Greenville has a lot of great stores both local and familiar. Whether you’re hoping to thrift, get a souvenir, find a gift for a friend, or spruce up your wardrobe, you will find a shop to satisfy your needs.
One of my favorite stores, is the bookstore, M. Judson Booksellers. Not only is it beautiful on the outside, but it is pleasant on the inside as well.
I also would recommend grabbing a cookie or sweet treat form Camilla Kitchen located inside the store.
Afternoon:
Once you’re ready to grab lunch, head on over to Grill Marks. While they are best known for their tasty and over the top burgers, they also have other types of sandwiches, salads, and wings. If you are traveling with kids, they will certainly be eyeing the crazy milkshakes. It would be hard not to.
When you’re stomach is full, walk down to the Falls Park on the Reedy to relax by the falls and learn more about the city’s history.
With great green spaces to sunbathe, a bridge for views of the skyline, and a beautiful waterfall to admire while you watch the geese, this is the perfect spot to rest your legs and soak in the day.
Other than the bookstore, this is my favorite part of Greenville. I love coming to this spot to read a book or hangout with a friend.
As you walk around, you will find signage educating you on the history of the waterfall and the journey of preserving this gorgeous landmark. I would recommend giving them a read if you enjoy learning more about the places you visit.
Evening:
When your stomach starts to growl again, grab dinner at Nose Dive for some “urban comfort food.” Whether you’re hoping for fish, beef, pork, or greens, Nose Dive has it all, and they do it well. They provide such a nice dining experience as well as an outdoor patio for when the weather is just right.
If you’re hoping to get a drink to top off the night, Nose Dive has an excellent selection of cocktails, brews, and wines.
For some night time entertainment, I would recommend catching a Broadway show at Peace Center. In fact, the reason I discovered Greenville was because I wanted to watch a performance of Beetlejuice The Musical. The show was amazing, and I was so happy it introduced me to this city which has become one of my favorite day trip choices.
If you are not a Broadway person or are just hoping for a more hands on activity, check out Group Therapy Pub & Playground. Here they have several games and experiences such as duckpin bowling, axe throwing, karaoke, and indoor mini golf.
The indoor mini golf course is super cool and unique with each hole being based off a nostalgic piece of pop culture.
After 8pm, Group Therapy is only open for those over the age of 18, so if this is a family trip, you might want to visit before dinner.
Something I don’t usually say about places, but is necessary to say for Group Therapy is, make sure you use the restroom. When in there, look for a picture on the wall saying “In need of some therapy?”, swing the picture forward, and press the hidden button for a fun surprise!
Other Things To Do In Greenville, SC
If you’re hoping to do a little more with your day, you can visit one of the various museums, catch a Greenville Drive baseball game, complete an escape room, or listen to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
Also, feel free to explore all the other dining options not listed in this blog. Greenville doesn’t miss when it comes to the food.
I want to say a great big thank you to Alex for taking the time to share her personal experience, tips, and sample itinerary on how to enjoy a day trip to Greenville, SC.
Her insights on the best ways to get to Greenville, what makes it a perfect day trip destination, the ideal times to visit, and the best places to stay have been incredibly helpful.
Plus, her detailed one-day itinerary for downtown Greenville and other activity suggestions offer plenty of inspiration for anyone planning a visit.
Be sure to check out her blog at Twentysomethingtraveler.com for more fantastic travel tips and adventures!
About Alex at TwentySomethingTraveler.com:
As a travel blogger in Atlanta, Georgia, Greenville is an easy day trip for me. Like I said before, I first learned about and visited Greenville when catching a Broadway performance, and I have visited several times since then. Not only is it a great destination to visit with my boyfriend, but it is the perfect place for a solo trip as well. I could easily spend the whole day here by myself with most of my time being spent at the Falls Park and eating salted chocolate chip cookies from Camila’s Kitchen. As a city girl and a nature lover, downtown Greenville just has everything I could hope for in a short trip. I hope you enjoy your time here too and continue to visit more in the future.
Other Related Day Trips
Are you looking for more places to explore? Check out these other nearby day trip ideas!
