Skip to main content

Our Favorite Finds in Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville, S.C. travel guide
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Greenville, S.C. is definitely coming of age as a great tourist playground and vibrant place to earn a living. Known in the early 1900s as the “Textile Center of the World,” Greenville is now getting some recognition as a serious food town and was noted by CNN Money as one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.

With fall approaching, the Greenville area offers great hiking and biking opportunities along with amazing farm-to-table restaurants with complementary beverage options that we think are the perfect way to end a perfect day. Let our travel guide to Greenville help you figure out where to eat, play, and stay in this city filled with Southern charm.

PLAY

Falls Park on the Reedy River  features the $4.5 million dollar Liberty Bridge (above) designed as sort of an optical illusion—it appears to be floating in mid-air. If you’re into exploring on a bicycle, check out the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. Don’t have a bike with you? No big deal—Reedy Rides can get you set up: $20 for half day rental; $30 for full day.

SHOP

we took to the woods
Tucked just around the corner from Main Street, a shop called We Took to the Woods beckons with its appreciation for unique items and surprising finds. We especially love their hand-poured soy candles in a variety of rich, masculine scents.

For your dose of Southern prep head to Rush Wilson Limited at 23 W. North Street. They have perfect pieces to build your wardrobe—from suits and dress shirts, to casual attire, outerwear, accessories, and shoes. Plus, you can even find an authentic Scottish kilt here. They carry Lochcarron of Scotland.

EAT & DRINK

Soby's GreenvilleAn excellent way to find out about the city’s history is to join John Nolan, owner of Greenville History Tours, for a downtown walk, driving tour, or culinary tour.

We recommend Nolan’s “At the Chef’s Table” tour, which takes participants to five highly-rated restaurants in the downtown area: Soby’s on the Side, Nose Dive, Soby’s New South Cuisine, Passerelle Bistro, and The Lazy Goat.

It’s a rare treat to experience five different restaurants within a two and a half hour span. You’ll sample creative dishes and drinks at each eatery and also get to chat with the chefs who prepared your food.

Between stops, Nolan teaches about Greenville’s history as well as provides insight about what makes this town a hot place to visit or live.

If you want to feel like you have stepped into the ultimate gentleman’s club, head to Hall’s Chop House for a martini and a serious steak. All of their meat comes from Allen Brothers of Chicago and can’t be beat. Oh and they don’t play around when it comes to Sunday brunch.

You’ll also rub shoulders with area chefs each Saturday morning at the Saturday Market. It runs 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturdays, May through October. Local farmers and other vendors sell fresh produce, plants and other items, plus cooking demos and samples. Find it on Main Street at McBee Avenue.

STAY

park house bed and breakfast room
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The downtown area is the place to be. Park House Bed & Breakfast offers great convenience with its location within walking distance of downtown. This 100-year old home features four guest rooms and a guest cottage, which is a fully furnished three room apartment with its own entrance and garden.

We are also fans of The Westin Poinsett in the heart of downtown. Built in 1925 it was fully restored in 2000 and is still ‘Carolina’s Finest.”

Top photo courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC; Nose Dive catfish dish photo by Hannah Milling.

Marla Milling
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the…
How to get over jet lag quickly — Try these effective tips
Forget about jet lag and enjoy your trip
Inside of plane

Jet lag, the dreaded consequence of crossing multiple time zones, can wreak havoc on your body and shake up your travel plans. From headaches, to fatigue, to insomnia, jet lag can leave you feeling drained, making it difficult to enjoy your vacation. However, with a few simple adjustments, you can minimize the effects of jet lag and start enjoying your travels in no time. This is how to get over jet lag.
How long can jet lag last?

While jet lag symptoms are generally temporary and tend to improve as your body adjusts to the new time zone, the duration of jet lag can vary from person to person. A few factors that influence the duration of jet lag include:

Read more
The 9 best Tumi backpacks you can travel with in 2024
Tumi

Avid and frequent travelers know the importance of owning well-made and versatile luggage. Whether that be a carry-on bag, backpack, duffel bag, rolling suitcase or trunk, purchasing reliable luggage makes traveling ten times easier and more efficient. Most of the time, the type of luggage you choose to purchase is dependent on your personal needs, the duration of your trip or how often often you will use your new bag or suitcase. No matter what type of trip you have planned on you calendar, a luxurious, high-quality and durable backpack should be added to your shopping list.

With so many luxury luggage brands out there to choose from, it might be hard to narrow down your choices. But that's why we are here to let you know that purchasing a backpack (or any kind of luggage) from Tumi is one of the best decisions you will ever make. Known as one as one of the best Rimowa alternatives, Tumi is a popular choice among professional travelers everywhere due to their classic designs, durable materials and luxurious look. If you are on the market for a brand new travel backpack, there is no better option than Tumi. We've rounded up the nine best Tumi backpacks you can travel with in 2024 that will help you explore new destinations with ease.
Tumi Montana Backpack

Read more
This airline now has peak pricing for checked baggage — will others follow?
How to avoid these baggage fees
Baggage claim in airport terminal. Suitcases on the airport luggage conveyor belt. 3d illustration

With the travel industry booming more than ever, airlines are recalibrating their strategies to adapt to changing demand in the behavior of consumers. JetBlue Airways, one of the nation’s leading airlines, recently announced a notable shift in its baggage fee structure, particularly during peak travel periods. These increased JetBlue baggage fees have many customers wondering how it will impact their budget, and whether or not other airlines will follow suit.
JetBlue baggage fees: the details

JetBlue already charges a different fee for checked bags based on how far in advance you check your luggage. If you check your bag within 24 hours of your departure time, you can expect to pay $45 for your first bag and $60 for your second bag. For transatlantic flights, you can expect to pay $65 for your first bag and $105 for your second bag. 

Read more