Best Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Don’t let the name fool you, there’s a lot more here than chicken. The indoor/outdoor spot near the end of Main St. is known for its shrimp and grits and porcini and truffle ravioli.

If you’re in the South, you’ve gotta get fried chicken. And Greenville’s best is at Soby’s, where the chicken’s equally as satisfying as an entrée — with mac and cheese and black pepper honey — as it is on a biscuit with sausage gravy.

Though you’ll find this spot in several cities around the South, the menu changes based on location and season, so it’s always unique.

Closed as of July 2022

Located on Greenville’s Main Street, Husk BBQ is a legit barbecue joint where you can get classic pulled pork and other pitmaster specialties alongside an impressive array of bourbon.

Greenville’s downtown is held up as a model of rehabilitation and walkability, and it’s where you’ll find the city’s best restaurants, live music venues and rooftop bars. Hit Up on the Roof for a glass of wine and a view if the weather’s cooperating, or Nose Dive if you want cocktails crafted to your specifications. And if Southern food isn’t your jam, you’ll find some of the best burgers in America at Grill Marks and stellar tacos at Cantina 76.

For a long time overshadowed by trendy downtown, West Greenville has exploded in the past five years, anchored by the Greenville Center for the Creative Arts. The former home of Shoeless Joe Jackson also has studios for several local artists, including Darin Gehrke and Sunny Mullarke. And the new Poe West space houses a distillery, brewery and fine chocolatier.

There are few better ways to spend an afternoon in Greenville than renting a bike in downtown Greenville and heading down the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail. You’ll pedal through city parks and lush trees to the town of Travelers Rest, where Sidewall Pizza awaits, rewarding you with hot pies and craft beers.

The Instagrammable highlight of Greenville is the Liberty Bridge, a 345-foot suspension bridge sprawling over Reedy River. You’ll find it in Falls Park, a cascading swath of urban green space where you can relax by a waterfall, jog along waterfront paths or enjoy your lunch with a stunning view of the city and the falls for which the park is named. 

The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area boasts 50 miles of hiking trails between Jones Gap and Caesar’s Head State Parks. But by far the coolest trek you can make is to the top of the 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls at Caesar’s Head. At the top, you’ll find a solid suspension bridge that’s perfect for a wilderness photo op.

Greenville’s Embassy Suites is home to the city’s best rooftop bar at Up on the Roof. The hotel itself is also a lot more modern than the atriumed Embassies you’re used to. And this one’s right on the river.

This isn’t just the most pet-friendly hotel in Greenville, it actually offers its own pet adoption program if you’d like a four-legged souvenir from your trip. It’s also home to the W XYZ Bar, another of the city’s great elevated drinking experiences.

Also see

Aloft Greenville Downtown

The name might sound like some kind of modern dance studio, but this spot — founded by a group of former “American Ninja Warrior” competitors — lets you practice everything from parkour to flips on a spring-loaded floor.

The upstairs bar in this downtown gastropub serves up the best cocktail menu in Greenville. And if you’re not feeling any of their creations, tell the bartender what you’re into and they’ll make up something special.

On the north end of Main St., you’ll find a collection of hundreds of bourbons tucked into this gray-wood drinking den. If the 2-oz. pours are a little aggressive for you, there’s also a solid menu of cool, original whiskey cocktails too.