10 things to do this winter in Upstate South Carolina

6. Browse through unique shops & galleries

A number of interesting shops line downtown Greenville, including mainstream retailers as well as unique boutique shops. From high end designer shops, to gourmet food specialties, to a gem shop where you can hunt for your own treasures via flume mining, there are more than enough shops to keep you busy on a cold day. I find myself strolling the shops more during the winter months as the recreation in the Upstate is just too enticing to pass up when the weather is warm.

My favorite local shops

Mast General Store: Old-fashioned general store with an old time candy counter, nostalgic toys and games, outdoor gear, holiday gifts, books, southern style foods, and much more. I have a hard time walking out of here without buying anything.

Poppington’s Gourmet: Delicious homemade popcorn in a variety of interesting flavors. You will find lots of cute gift sets and knick knacks. I love their cute Christmas gift tins! This place has a lot of holiday ambiance; I love the vibe!

CR Tea Company: A local gem specializing in over a hundred different loose leaf tea combinations, in green, black, and herbal based blends. Enjoy a cup of tea in the cozy setting or purchase your own bag to brew at home. The Pumpkin Cream, Strawberry Fields, and Lavender Limoncello are great selections.

Oil & Vinegar: You can pick up basically any flavor of olive oil and vinegar, plus tons of great gift sets.

Tip: Stop by the visitor’s center (206 S. Main) to pick up a handy map of the downtown.

If you prefer bargain hunting…

Antique shops: There are numerous antique shops lining the tiny town of Travelers Rest (just north of Greenville) if you love hunting for unique treasures. Rock House Antiques (415 Mauldin Ave) is another nice local choice.

Horizon records: Tons of new and used records, plus DVD’s and Blu Rays. You will find a huge clearance section of records for just a buck. Located just outside of downtown Greenville at 2 W. Stone Ave.

7. Check out a roadside waterfall

This region is loaded with amazing waterfalls. I knew nothing about the area before relocating but really racked up the miles hiking every weekend. Access to many of these require a lengthy trek, while others are conveniently located right off the highway.

Wildcat Branch falls is one roadside wonder conveniently located just 20 minutes north of Greenville. If you are up for a more invigorating hike, you can walk an additional mile to another smaller waterfall.

More roadside beauties

Twin Falls: This beautiful set of waterfalls is located in Pickens County and requires a simple 10 minute hike – not a bad trade off for such a wonderful view! Surprisingly, this beautiful short trail sees very little traffic – I’ve never seen another hiker!

Issaqueena Falls: A quick 5 minute stroll leads you to an observation deck of this beauty.

8. See a show

The cold season is a great time to cozy up inside with a great play, symphony production, or special event. Fortunately, there are plenty of interesting events and special holiday extravaganzas this time of year.

The PeaceCenter, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, and the Greenville Little Theater always offer an interesting lineup of events. Be on the lookout for special holiday productions from November-January. Recent productions include: Trans Siberian Orchestra, Stars on Ice, and an Evening with Steve Martin and Martin Short.

9. Plan a day trip to the Omni Grove Park Inn

The Omni Grove Park Inn resort in Asheville, NC (just a short 1 hour drive from Greenville) transforms into a gorgeous holiday wonderland each December. Home to the prestigious National Gingerbread Competition and decked out in festive Christmas decor, this is my go to for getting into the holiday spirit. The entire property looks stunning this time of year. If you are up for a splurge, it’s a gorgeous place to stay. I took many daytrips here to enjoy the incredible decor and marvel at the amazing gingerbread creations.

The Gingerbread competition features hundreds of elaborate, totally edible, and totally creative gingerbread houses which are festively displayed throughout the property. Past winners have included a Monopoly board game, reindeers playing poker, and an old-fashioned Grandfather clock.

Be sure to cozy up to one of the lobby’s massive 14 foot stone fireplaces with a cup of the resort’s iconic salted caramel hot cocoa. Or treat yourself to a delicious, albeit pricey brunch at the Blue Ridge Artisanal buffet, featuring an elaborate lineup of breakfast fare. Best of all are the amazing views of the Blue Ridge mountains via the floor-to-ceiling windows. Note that there is a steep $30 self parking fee and viewing hours are limited if you are not staying at the property. Check the Omni website for more details.

Location: 290 Macon Ave. Note: There is a $25 parking fee this time of year.

10. See over 5 million lights at Carowinds Winterfest

Carowinds is a theme park which sits on the border of North and South Carolina. During the holiday season, they put on a spectacular Christmas extravaganza called Winterfest. From themed shows, to live holiday dance numbers in front of a giant Christmas tree, to holiday shops and themed sweet treats, this park is transformed into the ultimate holiday wonderland.

Only a handful of rides are open (most coasters are closed), but the shows are awesome and the lights totally over-the-top. I would definitely attend this event again – it was a fabulous time and I really was impressed by the talented singers and dancers. The Charlie Brown show was so incredible!

This is a great day trip for anyone staying in Greenville as the drive is just under 2 hours. With 5 million lights, incredible shows, festive treats, rides, and an ice rink, it’s easily the best Christmas event in the region in my opinion. If your goal is to see a lot of lights, I recommend putting this one on your bucket list. The park tends to get insanely crowded which means long ride wait times for the few that are open.

Location: 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Charlotte