A Guide to Exploring Downtown Greenville, South Carolina
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
The must-do’s for first time visitors
Below are few of the attractions you will want to place high on your to-do list. There is a bit of something for everyone, whether you enjoy theater, art, sports, or museums.
For baseball fans…
Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum: Shoeless Joe Jackson, most known for the infamous Chicago Black Sox Scandal of 1919, lived & died in this area. His childhood home was transformed into a museum and relocated across from Fluor Field. You can take a free tour or simply browse through the various memorabilia.
Fluor Field: Fluor Field is home to the Greenville Drive, a minor league team, Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Games begin in April and start at just 5 bucks. This is a great budget friendly activity on a nice spring/summer day whether or not you are a huge baseball fan. Mac’s Speed Shop is a touristy sports bar favorite right across the street.
For art lovers…
The Greenville Museum of Art: Although quite small, this local gem features the largest collection of watercolors from artist Andrew Wyeth so that alone makes it worthy of a visit. Admission is free (there is a small parking fee) and the museum takes no longer than an hour or so to stroll through. In addition to the permanent exhibits, you will find a few special exhibits throughout the year.
Art in Public Places self guided tour: Scattered about the downtown region, you will find more than 70 unique public art pieces. Many of these are very unusual and colorful. Download the handy Art in Public Places guide for your convenience.
I love this Rose Crystal tower by artist Dale Chihuly. I have seen Dale’s glass blown pieces at many museums throughout the country. His work is so colorful and creative – it’s easy to spot out anywhere once you have seen it once.
For fitness buffs…
The Swamp Rabbit trail: This very popular paved recreational path runs a 20+ mile course through several sections of the city, as well as a portion of nearby Travelers Rest, a small community just north of the city. Although exercising while on vacation may not sound all that attractive, biking/walking this trail is a nice way to get in a relatively easy workout while enjoying the leafy natural surroundings. There is a nice section which travels through downtown, although you can access quieter starting points at Lake Conestee Park and Furman University.
If you do not have a bike with you, Reedy Rides (conveniently located downtown) offers half day rentals.
Cleveland Park: This is a small city park, home to the Greenville Zoo, one of the nicer sections of the Swamp Rabbit trail, a huge playground, picnic facilities, and over a dozen fun fitness stations. As one of the largest parks in the area, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers. There are numerous well maintained tennis courts here too, although they are packed most weekends. We often set out alarms to make sure we got a spot, but the courts are in fantastic condition, not to mention in a great location. Bonus: free electric car chargers!
