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The Perfect Itinerary for A Day in Greenville, SC

We recently took a quick road trip to Asheville, NC from Atlanta, which is only about a 3 hour drive. We had to pick up some friends that were flying in for the weekend at the Greenville, SC airport on our way so we decided to build in some extra time to eat, drink, and sight see in Greenville.

With a population of roughly 70,000, Greenville is the sixth largest city in South Carolina. Greenville has recently been named one of the “Top Ten Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.” and “#3 Best Small City in the U.S.”

We personally had such a fun and enjoyable time exploring Greenville that we wanted to share an itinerary for you all to explore it for yourselves. Let us know what you think!

Morning

Known for great restaurants and a walk-able city, Greenville is the perfect place to take a breakfast tour. We recommend this one through Foothill Foodie Tours, but you also could create your own. Some of our favorite breakfast/brunch spots are:

  • Crepe Du Jour – This local joint offers handmade crepes with delicious sides and specialty drinks
  • Maple Street Biscuit Company – I’ts a chain, but so delicious! They offer biscuits in ways you’ve never even considered before. Anytime we visit a city with one of these, we are sure to make time for it!
  • Roost – This restaurant’s focus is “soil to city,” and you’re sure to experience a meal like never before.
  • Select –

Afternoon

Greenville has lots of parks and trails. You’re sure to find one that interests your crowd. Some of our favorites are:

  • Falls Park on the Reedy – This waterfall is in the heart of downtown and is open 7 AM to 9 PM with public restrooms available nearby. Surrounding it, you’ll find trails, green areas for picnics, gardens, and beautiful architecture. Within the park there are two restaurants. Mary’s Restaurant at Fall’s Cottage offers sandwiches and soups, and Passerelle Bistro offers French cuisine.
  • Swamp Rabbit Trail – This 20 mile biking trail is perfect for beginners and experienced bikers alike. You can bring your own bike or rent one and enjoy the sights like the Reedy River and Furman University.
  • Dark Corner Distillery – For 175 years, the northeastern portion of Greenville County has been referred to as the Dark Corner due to the production of illegal moonshine. Dark Corner Distillery products small-batch moonshine, whiskey, gin, and absinthe. Stop by the distillery for a $5 tasting with complimentary shot glasses to take home.
  • Birds Fly South Ale Project or Yee Haw Brewing Company – Who doesn’t love a local beer after a long day of exploring? Stop by either of these for delicious beer and fun times for all.

Evening

After a day exploring and hanging out, we recommend stopping for a quick bite to eat and drink. Some of our favorites are:

  • Husk – This restaurant features local Southern ingredients that combine to be delicious snacks and meals. They also have a delicious cocktail menu to choose from.
  • Nose Dive – This gastropub offers what they call “urban comfort food.” When we visited, Kevin had the burger and I had the fish and chips — both were to die for. On the second floor, you’ll find Crafted at Nose Dive which is their cocktail bar. Seating is first come first serve and you can order food from their full menu. We opted for this area because we liked the feel and didn’t want to have to wait for a table down below.

Night

If you haven’t grabbed a meal yet, we recommend dinner at any of the following restaurants to keep you energized for the night:

  • Soby’s – This restaurant focuses on contemporary cuisine with a southern twist. We love the fresh and seasonal ingredients and think you will too!
  • Kitchen Sync – This American (with a California flair) restaurant was recently voted the #1 Certified Green Restaurant in the country. With a recently renovated space, and a new outdoor patio, this place is sure to be the perfect dinner spot.
  • Sassafras – Known for its southern hospitality and located in the heart of downtown Greenville, this restaurant is sure to delight your southern cravings. Don’t leave without trying their hush puppies!

If you’re looking for more casual dinner options, we recommend these:

  • White Duck Taco Shop – This fast casual dining spot has delicious tacos and yummy drinks. A must if you need a quick and delicious bite to eat.
  • Smoke on the Water – This restaurant offers delicious BBQ and brews. Don’t be afraid if you aren’t a pork eater, as they offer delicious burgers, chicken, and seafood too.

If you’re looking for some desert after your meal, we highly recommend:

Lodging

Since we drove into town for just the day, we found one of the many public parking decks downtown and it was relatively cheap to park for the day. Although we did not stay the night in Greenville, we recommend that you stay in the heart of downtown if you do opt to spend the night. Besides Airbnb, there’s a Courtyard Mariott, Aloft, and Hampton Inn. If you’re looking to splurge for the stay, we recommend The Westin Poinsett.

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