Greenville (South Carolina)

Greenville is the primary city of "the Upstate" of South Carolina, an area that includes the six counties of northwestern South Carolina along the borders of North Carolina and Georgia. It is the principal city of the Greenville Metropolitan Statistical Area (2005 estimated population: 591,251) which is included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area (population 1.2 million according to 2005 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau). Greenville County is both the most populous and most dense in the state at 407,383, but because its city limits enclose less than 30 square miles, the population of the city is 67,453 (2015 estimate). Perhaps a more accurate representation of Greenville's size is the urbanized area, which includes all of the city plus adjacent unincorporated areas and some suburbs that have a high population density — this figure is 302,194 (2015 estimate).

By plane

Greenville is served by two airports, Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), in nearby Greer. Greenville-Spartanburg International is the state's second busiest airport.

By train

Amtrak serves Greenville via its Crescent line, running daily from New Orleans to New York City's Penn Station, with stops including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C. Northbound trains are in Greenville at 5AM and southbound trains at 11PM. 1120 W Washington St.

By car

Greenville is on the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Charlotte, and Interstate 26, which is in nearby Spartanburg, goes northwest through Asheville on to Tennessee, and southeast on to Charleston. It also is at the northern terminus of the Interstate 385 corridor. The other freeways that converge in the area include Interstate 185 and U.S. Highway 123 (Calhoun Memorial Highway). Other major highways include U.S. Highway 25, Business U.S. Highway 25, U.S. Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 276. Main Street is home to many of the downtown area's shopping and dining destinations.

By bus

Greyhound offers service from on its route between Charlotte and Atlanta. The station is at 9 Hendrix Dr.

• Greenlink, Main Office: 1021 S. Main St; Transfer Center: 100 W. McBee Avenue, +1 864 467-5001. Greenlink offers 11 fixed routes to destinations all across Greenville County. All Greenlink buses are wheelchair-accessible, and each Greenlink bus is equipped with a bike rack to make commuting easier for bike riders. Free WiFi is available on all Greenlink Buses. Single rides $1.50; day passes $5.00; 20-ride pass $27.00; discounted fares available for children and seniors.
• Yellow Cab of Greenville, 529 W Washington St, +1 864 233-6666,
• Downtown Pedicab has eight pedicabs in downtown Greenville.
• Downtown Trolley. The City of Greenville operates two downtown trolleys.
• Pedal Chic Bicycle Rentals, 651 B South Main Street, +1 864 242-2442. Women's, men's, and kid's bikes and baby trailers for rent. Limited availability, so please call ahead to book your reservation. $15 for 4 hours; $25 for 8 hours.

• Falls Park on the ReedySouth Main Street. This is a unique and beautiful urban park. The park surrounds the 60-foot Reedy Falls. It creates an oasis in the midst of the bustling city. This is also the original birthplace of what would eventually become known as "Pleasantburg" - later renamed, "Greenville."

• Heritage GreenAn urban arts and cultural campus with several institutions:

• The Children's Museum of the Upstate

• Greenville County Museum of Art

  phone: +1 864 271-7570
  address: 420 College Street
  If you weren't expecting great art in this corner of South Carolina, you will be in for a surprise. Regular traveling exhibits combine with the museum's own 32 paintings by Andrew Wyeth to make this a worthwhile stop for any art lover. Free.

• Greenville Little Theatre

• Hughes Main Library

• Upcountry History Museum

• Sargent Wilson Museum & GalleryPreviously a Coca-Cola bottling plant, now an annex of the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery.

Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery

phone: +1 864-770-1331

address: 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd

A thorough presentation of European Old Masters from the fourteenth through the nineteenth centuries including one of the finest collections of Italian Baroque painting in the United States. Includes religious art by Rubens, van Dyck, Reni, Tintoretto, Le Brun, Cranach, Ribera, and Murillo set among period furniture, sculpture, tapestries, and porcelains. Closed for renovation through 2019, but selected artworks are on display in the Gustafson Fine Arts Center Atrium and Rodeheaver Auditorium 1st and 2nd floor lobby.

Cleveland Park

address: 150 Cleveland Park Drive

Adjacent to the Greenville Zoo, this park features four playgrounds, six tennis courts, two sand volleyballsu courts, and a dog park. There are 4½ miles of paved paths used for running and biking which connect to the longer 1½ mile Swamp Rabbit Trail. Cleveland Park also includes a fitness trail with pull-up bars, parallel bars, climbing rope, and other body-weight exercise stations.

As the largest city in the Upstate, Greenville offers many activities and attractions. Greenville's theaters and event venues regularly host major concerts and touring theater companies. Four independent theaters present several plays a year.

Places

• Sky Zone Greenville

  address: 2465 Laurens Road

• TD Convention CenterIs the largest convention center between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, DC, has more than 315,000 square feet of exhibition space and 88,000 square feet of meeting and conference space. Many trade shows, conventions, and other events are held here each year.

• Bon Secours Wellness ArenaFormerly the Bi-Lo Center, it is a 16,000-seat arena in downtown Greenville which hosts major concerts and sporting events each year.

• Greenville Swamp Rabbits

  address: 650 N Academy St, Greenville, SC 29601
  Greenville's ECHL hockey team since 2010. Minor league affiliate to the New York Rangers.

Centre Stage, Greenville's Professional TheaterStage is a year-round, 285-seat professional theater offering a wide range of entertainment that includes music, comedy, drama and special events within easy walking distance of Falls Park and the historic West End. Free parking, assistive listening devices, art exhibitions, chamber music concerts, independent film screenings, galas and more await visitors to this state-of-the-art performance facility, noted for its unique configuration, comfort and intimacy.

Peace CenterA performing arts center that hosts touring Broadway shows, symphonies, concerts, and civic events. Known internationally for its excellent acoustics, the Peace Center is also home to the Carolina Ballet Theatre, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and Greenville Chorale.

The Warehouse TheatreIs a black box theater operating for over 32 years, is in the Historic West End.

CrossWinds Golf Course

phone: +1 864-233-6336

address: 61 Villa Road

This golf course is unique because each of its 18 holes was designed by a different designer. It’s a fun par 3 course that can be played in 2 hours for 18 holes or in 1 hour for 9 holes.

Skatepark of GreenvilleA skatepark in Mauldin. Fun for all ages and all experience levels.

Greenville Zoo

phone: +1 864 467-4300

address: 150 Cleveland Park Drive

A 14-acre facility featuring hundreds of wildlife from all over the world including giraffe, monkeys, giant tortoises and elephants. Go on a wildlife adventure through the zoo’s beautifully landscaped acres filled with up close and personal views of its residents.

Swamp Rabbit TrailThe Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 17½-mile multi-use trail system that runs along the Reedy River connecting Greenville County with schools, parks, and local businesses.

Saturday MarketMore than fifty vendors, including local family farms, bakeries, and coffee, on two blocks of Main Street.

Fluor Field

• Greenville Drive

  phone: +1 864 240-4500
  address: 945 South Main Street
  Greenville's minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox plays at Fluor Field in Greenville's West End. Fluor Field boasts its own "Green Monster," a 30-foot high wall in left field, equipped with a manual scoreboard. The dimensions all around the outfield wall are to the same specifications as Fenway Park, including "Pesky’s Pole" in right field. Tickets purchased prior to the day of game - at the Drive Box Office, by Phone or Internet - are $5 for Lawn and Deck; $6 for Reserved Terrace; $7 for Reserved and $8 for Box Seats. Tickets purchased on the day of game will cost $1 more than advance sale tickets.

Annual events

• InnoVentureEach March helps build Communities of Innovation around corporations, universities, and emerging companies.

• ArtisphereEach April showcases the arts, reflects the area's international flair and maximizes existing arts programs by providing a diverse menu of experiences that center around the arts.

• Living GalleryAround Easter each spring, employs drama, music, and live portrayals of great works of art to bring the works of the Old Masters to life. Reproduced paintings, some as large as square, feature live models and extraordinary detail. Each year's production is unique and the program is offered several nights each spring. Annually attended by over 10,000 people.

• Fall for GreenvilleA major festival held on the 1st weekend in October. This festival features local cuisine, live performances on several stages, and the Greenville Cycling Classic bicycle race.

• Greek Festival is a major street festival that is held in May by members of the Greek Orthodox Church that offer Greek food and cultural activities.
• Art in the Park is a major arts festival that takes place in Reedy Falls Park near downtown Greenville.

• AT&T Red White & BlueAn exciting annual event celebrating Indepenence Day. The event is held on July 4, in Downtown.

• Greenville News Shaggin' on AugustaAn annual one-day beach music festival held in May at Lewis Plaza, on Augusta Street.

• Countybank Main Street JazzAn annual tradition in Downtown Greenville. Every Friday evening from April to September, a portion of North Main Street is closed to vehicle traffic, and an exciting street festival is opened to pedestrians of all ages. Live jazz bands are brought in for the occasion, plus food, drinks, and other entertainment are available.

• Reedy River Run a 10K race that is held in late February or early March.
• The Red Party annual dance party, held at the History Museum of the Upcountry, is a fundraiser for AID Upstate, an AIDS Service Organization serving Upstate South Carolina (Anderson, Oconee, Pickens and Greenville counties). AU serves, on average, more than 750 clients and families touched by HIV/AIDS.

Downtown

• Liz Daly Designs

  phone: +1 864 325-4445
  address: 1801 Rutherford Rd
  Daly Designs, LLC is the working studio of Liz Daly-Korybski, an internationally renowned Glass Jewelry Designer. Over 73 different product lines in house, ranging from glass, vintage, and upcycled Jewelry to vases and functional art. Dog-friendly.

• Llyn Strong Fine Art Jewelry

  phone: +1 864 233-5900
  address: 119 North Main Street
  Earrings, gemstone rings and bracelets with natural-colored gemstones, precious materials and inspiration, she creates works of art that are distinctive and wearable.

• Mast General Store

  phone: +1 864 235-1883
  address: 111 North Main Street
  Clothing, hiking and camping gear, shoes, old-fashioned toys, candy, cookware and pottery, etc.

• O.P. Taylor's

  phone: +1 864 467-1984
  address: 117 North Main Street
  Independent toy store. Dog-friendly.

• Urban Thread

  phone: +1 864 255-3330
  address: 207 North Main Street
  Consignment clothing and accessories.

Eastside

• Haywood Mall

  phone: +1 864 288-0512
  address: 700 Haywood Road
  More than 150 specialty shops like Apple, Banana Republic, Coach, J. Crew, Francesca’s Collection, Sephora and Williams-Sonoma are anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney and Sears.

• Shops at Greenridge

  phone: +1 (864) 297-4950
  address: 1125 Woodruff Road
  Outdoor shopping center anchored by PetSmart, Best Buy, Marshalls, World Market and numerous small specialty stores and restaurants.

Falls Park and the West End

• Beija-Flor

  phone: +1 (864) 373-9497
  address: 618 S Main Street
  Popular women's clothing store west of downtown Greenville.

• Lilly Pulitzer - West End

  phone: +1 (864) 271-4332
  address: 105 Augusta Street
  Colorful women's boutique shop offering designer resort and beachwear.

• Cocobella

  phone: +1 (864) 283-0989
  address: 21 Augusta Street
  Cool, brick-lined shop offering stylish contemporary clothing, shoes and accessories for women.

Southside

• McDaniel Village

  address: 1922 Augusta Street
  Shopping center with small restaurants and boutique shops.

• The Plaza

  address: 6 E Lewis Street
  Shopping square with a grocery store and other smaller boutique shops and eateries.

With over 80 restaurants in Downtown, Greenville has become known as a culinary center in South Carolina. Below are the most popular in distinct Greenville areas.

Downtown

• Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria

  phone: +1 864 232-3706
  address: 25 West Washington Street
  In a 19th-century hardware and feed store one block off Main St. in historic downtown Greenville, the focus of Barley's has been to create the best beer selection in the Southeast. Barley's has been the regular recipient of local "Best of" awards for its pizza, beer list, poolroom, bar and best place to hang out. 72 craft beers on tap as well as over 200 bottled beers.

• The Cazbah

  phone: +1 864 241-9909
  address: 16 West McBee Avenue
  Tapas restaurant and wine bar. Outdoor seating available.

• Grill Marks

  phone: +1 864 233-5825
  address: 209 S. Main Street

• Handi Indian Cuisine

  phone: +1 864 241-7999
  address: 18 North Main Street
  Lunch buffet available as well as full menu. Full bar and covered outdoor seating available.

• Lemongrass Thai Cuisine

  phone: +1 864 241-9988
  address: 106 North Main Street

• Luna Rosa Gelato Café

  phone: +1 864 241-4040
  address: 123 S Main Street
  A family-owned and -operated restaurant featuring authentic artisan gelato made fresh daily, and homemade food for lunch. Outside seating available, weather permitting. Dog friendly.

• Nose Dive

  phone: +1 864 373-7300
  address: 116 South Main Street
  A casual GastroPub offering high quality "pub fare", unique cocktails, a distinctive wine list and handcrafted brews that provides a "neighborhood" social scene on Main Street.

• Ristorante Bergamo

  phone: +1 864 271-8667
  address: 100 North Main Street
  Modern Northern Italian cuisine. Try the in-house made limoncello. Reservations highly recommended.

• Roost

  phone: +1 864 298-2424
  address: 220 North Main Street
  Focused on local, organic, and seasonal food.

• Soby's New South Cuisine

  phone: +1 864 232-7007
  address: 207 South Main Street
  Soby’s is a blend of contemporary cuisine infused with traditional southern ingredients. Signature dishes include Barbecue Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes with Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Crab Cakes Remoulade. The wine list offers more than 500 selections and is a Wine Spectator Magazine award-winner for the past eight years, a 'Best of Award of Excellence' the past two.

• Soby's On The Side

  phone: +1 864 271-8431
  address: 22 East Court Street
  A deli-bakery that serves breakfast, lunch and selection of baked goods for eat-in, take out or corporate delivery.

• Stellar

  phone: +1 864 438-4954
  address: 20 North Main Street
  Tapas and wine overlooking Main Street.

• Sushi Murasaki

  phone: +1 864 271-2452
  address: 4 South Main Street
  Delicious, fresh assortment of sushi in a modern restaurant. Licensed to serve beer, wine and liquor.

• Trappe Door

  phone: +1 864 451-7490
  address: 23 West Washington Street
  Belgian restaurant and bar, with a huge selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers and excellent mussels.

• Trattoria Giorgio

  phone: +1 864 271-9166
  address: 121 South Main Street
  Offering traditional Italian cuisine, this was a favorite dining spot for actors George Clooney and Renee Zellweger during the Upstate filming of the 2008 film, Leatherheads. The dining room is elegantly casual, and reservations are strongly recommended. Patio dining is available if the weather permits.

• Trio Brick Oven Café

  phone: +1 864 467-1000
  address: 22 North Main Street
  An eclectic fare of gourmet wood-fired pizzas are a specialty, with sauces made fresh daily and in such intriguing combinations as roast chicken with basil pesto. A wide variety of homemade pasta dishes like sautéed crawfish and rotini are another specialty of the house. Rotisserie chicken as well as a variety of wraps and sandwiches round out the menu. Enjoy your meal outdoors, weather permitting.

Falls Park and the West End

• Chicora Alley

  phone: +1 864 232-4100
  address: 608B South Main St.
  Veggie-friendly and tasty food. Southern cooking meets Tex-Mex, so expect collard greens in your quesadilla.

• Larkin's On The River

  phone: +1 864 467-9777
  address: 318 S. Main Street
  Premium cut steaks, fresh seafood, and fine wines.

• The Lazy Goat

  phone: +1 864 679-5299
  address: 170 River Place
  A Mediterranean-themed restaurant with a "made from scratch" menu featuring global influences from Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Greece, Africa and the Middle East.

• Pomegranate on Main

  phone: +1 864 241-3012
  address: 618 South Main Street
  A modern, inviting atmosphere with an open dining room accented by traditional Persian touches. Iranian artists provided the amazing one-of-a-kind pieces of art. The outdoor patio offers a cozy feel under the pergola and beautiful sky.

Eastside

• Henry's Smokehouse

  phone: +1 864 232-7774
  address: 240 Wade Hampton Blvd
  Get your BBQ fix at what some aficianados consider the best BBQ in town. As befits the food, simple decor, but a pleasant outdoor seating area with a view of the highway.

• Pita House

  phone: +1 864-271-9895
  address: 495 S Pleasantburg Dr
  The best Middle Eastern food in Greenville is at the Pita House. Casual dining and a family atmosphere.

Southside

• Augusta Grille

  phone: +1 864-242-0316
  address: 1818 Augusta Street
  Classy restaurant offering New American small plates & entrees, plus wine and a full-bar.

• Davani’s

  phone: +1 864-373-9013
  address: 1922 Augusta Street #111-A
  Warm, relaxed restaurant lined with wine racks that serves both French and Italian food.

• The 05

  phone: +1 864-412-8150
  address: 3016 Augusta Street
  New and upcoming bar and grill offering American fare.

Alcohol

• Blue Ridge Brewing

  phone: +1 864 232-4677
  address: 217 North Main Street
  A Greenville landmark known for signature beers and an ever-changing seasonal brew lineup. Handcrafted ales brewed on site by brewmaster Johannes.

• Carolina Ale House

  phone: +1 864 351-0521
  address: 113 South Main Street
  Sports bar. Rooftop seating available, open air weather permitting.

• Connolly's Irish Pub

  phone: +1 864 467-0300
  address: 24 East Court Street

• Dark Corner Distillery

  phone: +1 864 631-1144
  address: 241-B North Main Street
  A craft micro distillery focusing on hand-spiriting small batches of whiskey and other spirits. Tastings and tours offered daily.

• Northampton Wines & The Wine Café

  phone: +1 864 271-3919
  address: 211-A East Broad Street
  Retail store and wine bar.

• Two Twenty One North Ultra Lounge

  phone: +1 864 233-9202
  address: 221 North Main Street
  This place has a line of more than 100 people on Thursdays, when it is college night 18+. Hip-hop, and dance music, and pricey drinks for Greenville.

Coffee & Tea

• Coffee Underground

  phone: +1 864 298-0494
  address: 1 East Coffee Street
  Locally-owned coffee house and bistro with a cozy & friendly atmosphere. Take in performances in the Theater, where weekly performances by comedians, poets & singer-songwriters are hosted. Coffee roasted in-house. Also serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

• Methodical Coffee

  phone: +1 864 735-8407
  address: 101 North Main Street
  Cool, hip and cozy coffee spot serving college kids & locals.

• O-CHA Tea & Coffee Bar

  phone: +1 864 283-6702
  address: 300 Riverplace Suite #122
  Cozy corner cafe spot serving bubble & loose-leaf teas, pastries, sandwiches and coffee too.

• Hampton Inn Greenville

  phone: +1 864-288-1200
  address: 246 Congaree Road, Greenville, SC 29607
  5 minutes from I-85 and 5 minutes from downtown Greenville across from the only major shopping mall in Greenville.

• Hampton Inn Greenville/Travelers Rest

  address: 593 Roe Center Court
  A standard-issue Hampton Inn which has the virtue of being the closest hotel to Furman University.

• Hawthorne Suites Greenville

  phone: +1 864 297-0099
  address: 48 McPrice Court
  15 minutes from the Greenville Spartanburg airport, the hotel offers excellent access to major highways, shopping, restaurants, area attractions, businesses, and downtown Greenville.

• Hyatt Place Greenville/Haywood

  phone: +1 864 232-3000
  address: 40 West Orchard Park Drive
  8 miles from the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and three miles from downtown Greenville.

• Hyatt Regency Greenville

  address: 220 North Main Street
  330 total rooms, 17 luxurious suites, and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space featuring Greenville's largest hotel ballroom. A contemporary downtown hotel.

• Marriott Courtyard Greenville Downtown

  phone: +1 864 451-5700
  address: 50 W Broad Street
  In downtown Greenville.

• Marriott Courtyard Greenville Haywood Mall

  phone: +1 864-234-0300
  address: 70 Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29615
  In the Haywood Mall shopping and dining district.

• Microtel Inn Greenville (Airport-Pelham Rd)

  address: 20 Interstate Court

• Microtel Inn Greenville (Mall @ Woodruff Rd)

  phone: +1 864 297-3811
  address: 1024 Woodruff Road

• Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 864 242-4529
  address: 302 Pettigru Street
  Within walking distance of Main Street. Less than a mile from restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Five unique rooms, full gourmet breakfast, complimentary wine and cheese, bottomless cookie jar.

• Sleep Inn Carolina First Center

  phone: +1 864 240-2006
  address: 231 N Pleasantburg Dr.
  Several golf courses, miniature golf courses, movie theaters, picnic areas and playgrounds are within two miles of the hotel, pet-friendly, welcoming/helpful staff

• Westin Poinsett Greenville Downtown

  phone: +1 864 421-9700
  address: 120 South Main Street
  In a completely restored 1920s building on Greenville's charming Main Street, the historic Westin Poinsett is Greenville's only four-diamond hotel.

Consulates

• Germany (Honorary)

  phone: +1 864 879-9334, +1 864 313-9437
  address: 150 W Phillips Rd Ste F, Greer

• Paris Mountain State Park

  phone: +1 864 244-5565
  address: 2401 State Park Road
  15 miles of hiking/biking trails (no biking on Saturdays).

• Table Rock State Park3,083-acre park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Pickens County, South Carolina. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in the state.

Upstate

• Clemson - home of Clemson University, 45 minutes away from Greenville by car
• Lake Hartwell - bordering Georgia and South Carolina, this lake is used for fishing, sailing, and waterskiing. Boats can be rented for the day at numerous marinas.
• Spartanburg - Greenville's sister town with a charming downtown and numerous college campuses for biking or taking a stroll.

Out of state

Due to being within an hour of North Carolina and Georgia, there are many out of state day trips available from Greenville.

• Western North Carolina - A great way to spend the day away from Greenville is by taking a day trip to go hiking in western North Carolina. Take the scenic US 276 from downtown Greenville towards Brevard, NC. Stop by Dupont State Forest, where part of The Hunger Games was filmed, and hike to see some of the numerous waterfalls. Continue towards Brevard for a stop for lunch, and follow US 276 into Pisgah National Forest. Opt to take a trip down Sliding Rock, a 60 ft high natural water slide into a pool of water, or stop and see the roadside Looking Glass Falls, one of North Carolina's most popular waterfalls. This area is particularly beautiful in Autumn.