10 interesting daytrips within an hour of Greenville, SC
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Daytrip 6: Spartanburg
- Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
- Location: Start off at The Crepe Factory (137 W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306)
- Highlights: Hub City bookshop, Hatcher Garden preserve, the only contemporary art museum in the Upstate
- Tip: Check the lineup for upcoming shows, concerts, and events at the Chapman Cultural Center
I recommend a daytrip to Spartanburg for any history buffs. The town is most well-known for its’ role in the Revolutionary War. In fact, the town’s name arises from the Spartan regiment, a local militia who helped win the Battle of Cowpens. Admission to the Cowpens National Battlefield site is free.
Similar to Greenville, the charming downtown is a hotspot for local dining and boutique shopping. In my opinion, it’s not quite as nice but still a decent daytrip for anyone looking for something new to do.
The Crepe Factory is a great place to start off your morning. Afterwards take a stroll down the tree-lined Main Street and admire the historical architecture and various boutique shops. The Tea and Spice Exchange offers an amazing array of loose leaf tea and spice blends. I like to stop by Little River Roasting Co for a quality espresso on the patio and then browse through local and national treasures at Hub City Books, one of the region’s few independent bookstores.
The Chapman Cultural Center houses a theater, a regional history museum, and an art museum. Both the art and history museum are free, so a great value if you are looking to keep your trip budget friendly.
Vintage Warehouse is a must stop for all treasure hunters. Dozens of independent vendors are on-site in this massive space. The selection is diverse – you’ll find quality furniture, fantastic art, and regional specialties. I have found a lot of great knick knacks from local artists here and they weren’t at all overpriced.
If getting lost in nature is more your thing, I recommend heading over to Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve for a tranquil stroll around this woodsy nature preserve. There is a small but beautiful waterfall here. For most exercise, head out to Croft State Park where you will find more than 10 miles of trails.
Daytrip 7: Jones Gap State Park
- Distance from Greenville: 1 hour
- Highlights: Relatively uncrowded, gorgeous maintained trails, beautiful fall foliage
- Tip: Save this hike for the fall – the foliage is spectacular!
Jones Gap and Caesars Head are located in the same region, so if you are not overly tired, you can save some time and visit both on the same day. However, as the hike to Raven Falls is a bit exhausting, you may want to keep your hiking to a minimum and enjoy other recreational activities such as birdwatching, fishing, and picnicking. Combined the two parks comprise a massive 11,000 acre wilderness area known as the Mountain Bridge wilderness area.
Hikers who want a challenge usually embar on the hard trek Rainbow Falls which involves over 1000 feet of elevation gain. If completely busting your butt does not sound like a fun vacation activity, you may want to consider one of the park’s easier, but still rewarding trails.
A great, but sadly often overlooked alternative is the hike to Jones Gap falls, a beautiful secluded 1 mile hike to a pretty 50 foot waterfall which cascades down a rocky staircase. I am in decent shape and I really liked this trail. The scenery is gorgeous and it’s so secluded, plus the waterfall is so photogenic. In the fall, you can enjoy some of the region’s best leaf peeping! Also, this is a great birdwatching destination (look into the Annual Hawk Watch).
Instead of spending extra money in Greenville, considering bringing with a picnic and enjoying the natural surroundings. For breakfast on your way out, I recommend stopping by Tandem Creperie in Travelers Rest. Although always crowded, this local gem serves great coffee (from local Carolina roaster Counter Culture) and both sweet and savory crepes. Plus, the patio is quite nice during the warmer season.
Daytrip 8: Table Rock State Park/Twin Falls
- Distance from Greenville: 30-45 minutes
- Highlights: Easy hiking, terrific fall foliage, pretty waterfalls in the region
- Tip: Consider a quick detour to Bald Rock Heritage preserve, a quick roadside stop featuring an overlook with tremendous views of the mountains.
Picken’s County is another easy daytrip which offers much bang-for-your-buck. Located just a half hour away, the picturesque country drive -(far away from the tourist congestion) alone makes a daytrip to Pickens worthy of consideration. The region is home to numerous outdoor based attraction including an amazing rare double waterfall.
I recommend starting your day off at Coyote Coffee Company in downtown Pickens. This cute local shop serves delicious coffee and pastries, along with light breakfast fare. After your caffeine boost, take a quick walk downtown and check out the antique shops. One of the things I love most about the small towns in South Carolina is that I can do a lot of fun antique shopping. I love searching for a hidden treasures from the past.
Table Rock State Park
Table Rock State Park is one of the more popular parks in the region. The arduous climb up Table Rock is only suitable for the most dedicated hikers. However, the Carrick Creek Nature trail is a nice casual and scenic stroll for walkers and nature lovers. This short 1 mile trail features several small waterfalls. I love how quiet it is: I heard nothing but the sound of flowing creeks. Thankfully, the tourists skip this one over so it remains a hidden gem.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is the must-see in this area. This beautiful double waterfall is one of the most mesmerizing in the state. I’ve only come across a handful of double falls in my years traveling and this one was so easy to get to, so definitely a hidden gem. The walk is only 20 min or so and super quiet. It is an easy 10 mile detour from Table Rock so you can save yourself an extra trip.
Other attractions to check out include: the Pickens County Museum of Art, B Well Honey Shop, and Finders Keepers Antiques. The Pumpkintown General Store is located right on the route. This is a great place to take a little break, browse around, and perhaps grab a quick bite to eat. Also, Bald Rock is a quick scenic break to stretch your legs. Unfortunately, you will find a lot of graffiti which takes away from the view a bit.
Daytrip 9: Campbells Covered Bridge/Poinsett Bridge/Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Distance from Greenville: About a half hour
- Highlights: Beautiful waterfall at Pleasant Ridge, the last covered bridge in the state, scenic drive
- Tip: Start your day at Pleasant Ridge County Park (before it gets too hot and crowded), then Campbell’s Covered Bridge, and finally Poinsett
Pleasant Ridge County Park
This peaceful park is located just 20 min or so outside of Greenville and just a short detour from the 2 bridges. A beautiful half mile nature trail leads you to a small, but scenic waterfall. I didn’t find out about this gem of a park until several months of living in the area. I really love the quiet wooded scenery. The 6 mile JFA trail is also popular with hikers as well as mountain bikers.
Campbell’s Covered Bridge
I really love checking out old covered bridges. So few of them remain today so really seeing one is like taking a step back in time (I figure I might as well see as many as I can while they still exist!). It’s crazy to think that we went from 10,000 bridges to just 750!
Campbell’s Covered bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in the state which alone gives it some historical value. I see lots of couples and families taking pictures here especially during the peak of fall. It’s really popular for engagement photos too.
Poinsett Bridge
This is another interesting historical landmark to add to your bucket list. This fascinating piece of architecture was built in 1820 and still stands completely intact as the oldest bridge in the state.
According to the park sign, the bridge was originally built as part of a road which ran from Columbia to Saluda mountain. The 14 foot Gothic arch and secluded creepy setting gives the bridge a mysterious otherworldly vibe. Supposedly the bridge is haunted, which makes this detour all the more interesting during the Halloween season.
These 2 bridges are about 20 min apart. The mountainous scenery in between is quite beautiful. The drive is relaxing with barely a hint of traffic. Along the route, you can test out some southern boiled peanuts and pick up some fresh seasonal fruit & produce. If you are looking for a bite, the small community of Travelers Rest offers a number of popular eateries. As mentioned earlier, Tandem is a good choice if you like crepes.
Daytrip 10: South Carolina Botanical Gardens
- Distance from Greenville: 45 minutes
- Location: 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29634, Hours: Sunrise-sunset, 7 days a week
- Highlights: Over a dozen beautifully maintained gardens, an impressive geology museum
- Tip: Save this one for the cooler season! It was so hot on our visit!
Botanical Garden at Clemson
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is an overlooked gem which is worthy of a look if you are seeking more to do in the Upstate. While it wouldn’t necessarily be number one on my list, it’s a good add on if you have the time.
Located just 40 minutes outside of Main Street, this is an easily doable daytrip for nature lovers. The garden is located on the campus of Clemson University and is open to the public free of charge 365 days a year.
The massive 295 acre space includes a variety of gardens and nature trails. Over a dozen unique gardens include a desert garden, a butterfly garden, and a flower display garden. The Bob Campbell Geology Museum houses more than 10,000 rocks and minerals. This was my favorite part to explore – I especially loved seeing the giant amethyst.
Here are a few quick views around the botanical gardens & museum
Keowee-Toxaway State Park
If you are up for more adventure, hop in your car and proceed 20 minutes to Lake Keowee. Keowee-Toxaway State Park is a beautiful place for a boating adventure (rentals available). For hikers, the Natural Bridge nature trail is a peaceful walk through isolated nature, complete with small waterfalls and creek crossings. At just 1 mile and no more than moderate intensity, this is a great choice for hikers of all abilities.
For a delicious lunch, I recommend a stop at Todaro’s Pizza. This is by far my favorite pizza joint in the area (there is also a location in Greenville just off Main St.). The owners are Clemson alumni and the food here is quite delicious. Prices are super affordable and they offer an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for under ten bucks. And, don’t leave without treating yourself to some garlic knots!
Tips for an enjoyable day out
Fall is the best time to plan a daytrip. The temps are cooler and less humid and the leaf peeping in the Upstate is amazing. Summer in this area can be ridiculously hot and humid.
Head out to any waterfalls after a storm if possible. The water volume is typically highest following storms and during the spring season.
I recommend eating before you leave as some of these areas are a bit isolated. Fortunately, there are lots of independent restaurants and national chains in Greenville.
Bring with plenty of water and snacks like trail mix for any hike.
Book a hotel downtown, if possible. This will allow you to quickly walk to different restaurants and attractions on Main Street. My favorite hotel is the Hyatt Regency which is walkable to pretty much everything.
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