Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Greenville, South Carolina

From historic architecture to city landmarks, Greenville manages to provide cultural experiences typically found in larger urban centers without sacrificing intimacy and community spirit. Best of all: It’s an extremely walkable city, making it easy to access everything that Greenville has to offer without needing to worry about a car.

Falls Park on the Reedy

Photo: Robin Thomas

Located on the banks of the Reedy River in downtown Greenville, this 32-acre park is a testament to the city’s commitment to natural preservation. The park’s history dates back centuries, when the Reedy River’s impressive waterfall powered Greenville’s early mills, laying the foundation for its industrial growth. Today, visitors can stroll across the iconic Liberty Bridge, a curved pedestrian walkway spanning 345 feet, for views of Reedy River Falls and Falls Park.

For nature lovers, the park is home to an array of wildlife, so it’s not uncommon to see ducks, blue herons, geese, and other wildlife. There are also a number of restaurants in and around the park where you can grab a bite, as well as events like outdoor concerts to keep an eye out for.

Falls Park on the Reedy: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

Flying Rabbit Adventures

Photo: Robin Thomas

Flying Rabbit Adventures is an outdoor aerial park that sits on approximately five acres of wooded land just outside of downtown Greenville. The park contains an assortment of obstacle courses and zip-lines for all ages. There are three stories of different courses, which include rope walks, climbing, moving platforms, and zip-lines that wind between the trees. Rest assured that you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy Flying Rabbit Adventures — there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, making it a particularly great choice for a family outing.

Flying Rabbit Adventures: 821 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607

Greenville Breakfast Tour

Photo: Robin Thomas

I’ve done a number of food tours during my travels, but this breakfast tour hosted by Greenville History and Culinary Tours was one of my favorite yet. My group got to feast on treats at restaurants around Greenville — including breakfast tacos at Papi’s Tacos, mimosa fried chicken sandwiches at Biscuit Head, and a delicious acai bowl at Southern Pressed Juicery — while also learning about the history of the city. Better yet, the tour came with transfers to each spot, which is a boon for summer visits when the temperatures are high.

John, the owner of the company and our tour guide, let us know that his was the first tour company in Greenville and that he’s been guiding visitors for 20-plus years. He runs a variety of tours for both foodies and history buffs, so be sure to check out what’s on offer.

Group Therapy Pub & Playground

Group Therapy is a fun and unique pub that offers games and activities along with the typical bar libations. Located right in the heart of downtown Greenville, Group Therapy has a full bar featuring specialty cocktails, a food menu, and a self-serve beer tap wall. What makes this venue stand out from other bars are its games and activities — you can play a round of mini golf, try your hand at ax-throwing or duckpin bowling, give ice curling a go, and more. Group Therapy also hosts karaoke happening on certain nights, so practice your solo or find someone to belt out a duet with. The pub’s fun, welcoming atmosphere is perfect for a date night, friends looking to unwind, or groups celebrating special occasions.

Group Therapy Pub & Playground: 320 Falls St Suite G, Greenville, SC 29601

CAMP Modern American Eatery

CAMP serves comfort dishes with an upscale twist. The space itself is nothing short of beautiful, with indoor, outdoor, and chefs-table seating that’s complemented by clean and elegant decor. The menu is a testament to culinary creativity, featuring a diverse array of dishes that highlight locally sourced ingredients, bold flavors, and exquisite presentation. Some of the menu highlights include a lobster linguine, pork and shrimp dumplings, pickled vegetables, and a half chicken. CAMP also has cocktails and an extensive wine list, so you can have something refreshing in your glass during your meal. I highly recommend getting an early reservation at the chef’s table to watch the magic happen up close.

CAMP Modern American Eatery: 2 E Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601

Juniper

If you enjoy good food and drinks on a rooftop with views of the city, Juniper is the place for you. Located on top of the AC Hotel, Juniper is a rooftop bar and restaurant whose decor mimics a lush garden with floral decorations and bright colors. The rooftop has become a hotspot for both locals and visitors due to its central location and breathtaking views. On some evenings, the restaurant also has live entertainment to enjoy during your meal. Some items you might see at dinner include rock shrimp tempura, blue crab agnolotti, and a rosemary focaccia. If you stop in during brunch, be sure to order the burrata avocado toast or the crab cake Benedict.

Juniper: 315 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

Le Petit Croissant

Starting the morning with the perfect cup of coffee and breakfast is essential, and Le Petit Croissant bakery is exactly the place for that. It makes croissants, macarons, and other baked goods in-house every day. The house-made croissants are large and buttery, and the macarons come in an assortment of flavors such as mango, lavender, coca-cola, and pink lemonade. Le Petit Croissant also hosts monthly classes, such as macaron- and pizza-making classes, all of which leave you with goods to take home. Note that these classes tend to book up weeks in advance, so be sure to sign up early.

Le Petit Croissant: 640 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

Society Sandwich Bar

Society is a sandwich shop and bar off Main Street that’s perfect for anyone who is looking for a no-frills meal with great service. The name says it all: Society is known for its delicious and unique sandwich menu. Options include caprese sandwiches with house-made pesto, slow-braised beef sandwiches, smash burgers, and a fried bologna option. If you aren’t big on sandwiches, Society also has fresh salads, ramen, and other tasty delights. Another thing to love about this place is that, at night, you can head upstairs for a more social club vibe with good music and maybe some dancing.

Society Sandwich Bar: 18 E Coffee St, Greenville, SC 29601

Tupelo Honey

There’s no way you can come to the South and not indulge in some good-old Southern comfort cooking. Tupelo Honey brings your favorite Southern cooking and traditions right to the table with farm-to-table dishes that will leave your tastebuds craving more. Started in Asheville in 2002, the restaurant prides itself on its from-scratch dishes and responsibly sourced ingredients. Some of the menu highlights include honey-dusted fried chicken, collard greens, fried green tomatoes, gumbo, smothered chicken and biscuits, and brown butter pecan pie. This is a very popular spot, especially on weekends, so making a reservation is a must.

Tupelo Honey: 1 N Main St, Ste T, Greenville, SC 29601

AC Marriott Greenville

Photo: Robin Thomas

The AC Marriott is the perfect place to stay during your trip to Greenville for many reasons, but the main one is its Main Street location — it’s quite literally situated in the center of downtown, with everything you need being only a few blocks away in each direction. The decor is sleek and modern, and the hotel features artwork from Greenville artists. The rooms are spacious and homey, with amenities to cover all of your needs.

Though the hotel is surrounded on all sides by restaurants, it also offers its own on-site dining options, including Paloma, a tapas-style restaurant and bar; Juniper, a rooftop restaurant; and The Press Room, a secret speakeasy that changes its theme every few months. If comfort, access, and Southern hospitality are important to you, this is the hotel you want to stay at.

AC Marriott Greenville: 315 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601

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