Top 7 Things to Do in Greenville SC This Weekend
The Eugenia Duke Bridge as seen from South Main Street in Greenville, South Carolina
Nature trails, museums, restaurants, and theatre: these are just a few of the top things to do in Greenville SC!
Of the cities in South Carolina, Greenville is one of my favorites, second only to Charleston, of course.
For a smaller city, Greenvilles packs in a little bit for everyone as you’ll see below.
It has recently undergone a massive revitalization to become the best place to live and visit in Upstate South Carolina.
Basically, if you haven't been to this corner of Upstate South Carolina, you're missing out on some fantastic fun for the entire family.
Here are my favorite fun, cultural things to do when I visit Greenville, South Carolina.
This post contains affiliates. If you choose to purchase through the links, I will receive a small commission.
Thank you to the Greenville CVB for providing complimentary access to the museums. As always, opinions are my own.
Updated 6/2022 | Written 12/2015
Greenville: A Revitalized Town
To say that Greenville, South Carolina, has plenty to do is currently an understatement.
However, 2 decades ago, that was as far from the reality of this town as possible.
When I graduated from Clemson in 2007, downtown Greenville, South Carolina was just starting to rally itself from the boarded up stores that had crept into the area over the previous decades.
It wasn't until I saw a commercial for Greenville in a movie theatre in Charleston that I suspected that Greenville had changed for the better.
So, I set off to see what had caused Greenville to go from a downtown in need of revitalization to a city that charted on national lists.
In the last 10 years, it has been named one of USA Today's Top Places to Retire and CBS News' Hottest Travel Destinations of 2015.
I kept thinking, "That Greenville?! No way!" which is quite appropriate since the CVB has launched a campaign with a tagline of "Yeah, that Greenville."
In short, today, Greenville lives up to the hype, and I can see why locals and national media alike are buzzing about it.
Top Things to Do in Greenville SC
1) See what's playing at the Peace Center.
Statue in downtown Greenville near the Peace Center
The Peace Center has long been a staple of the Greenville arts scene.
It actually predates the more recent revitalization of the downtown area as it was built in 1990.
I remember going to see a play here with Landon (my husband, but then boyfriend) during my sophomore year at Clemson.
Today, it still offers plays, ballets, lecture series and more.
Each year, the Peace Center does a Broadway series which shouldn’t be missed.
Definitely check the calendar when you're in town to see what's on.
Address: 300 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Phone: (843) 467-3000
2) Take a walk through Falls Park.
The Reedy River inside Falls Park
For an afternoon out that the entire family will enjoy on your Greenville, SC, visit, head over to Falls Park on the Reedy River.
The stars of this 32-acre park are the pedestrian suspension bridge and the cascading Reedy River Falls.
History buffs will appreciate the plaques scattered through the park that explain the different eras of this space including the original grist mill from the late 1770s, the ruins of which are still on site.
If you're visiting during the summer, make sure to catch a performance at the annual Shakespeare Festival held here.
Explore more outdoors, and discover the best hikes near Greenville SC!
3) Learn as you play at the Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
Children’s Museum of the Upstate exterior
A short walk from Falls Park is the Heritage Green, a one block space that packs a massive punch for those interested in the history, culture, and arts of Upstate South Carolina.
Within this concentrated area, you can find several major Greenville, SC, points of interest including 4 museums, a theatre, and a county library.
We began our adventures on the Green at the Children's Museum of the Upstate, something that my toddler had been begging to do since we'd started our day.
We're no strangers to kids' museums, having visited ones in Rutherford County, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; Memphis, Tennessee; and Charleston, South Carolina, among others.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate managed to surprise me with its unique approach to learning.
As the daughter of a commercial banker and the wife of a retail banker, I thought the banking area, complete with ATM and drive through teller counter, was adorable.
My toddler couldn't get enough of the multi-story climbing exhibit that runs up through the heart of the museum.
Grandma Betty's Farm, which is aimed towards toddlers, had a cow to milk, a farmhouse to organize, and eggs to collect.
Address: 300 College Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Phone: (864) 233-7755
4) Relive history at the Upcountry Museum.
The Upcountry Museum, which is on the other side of Heritage Green from the Children's Museum, is also well worth a visit.
This museum, which has been open to the public for eight years, provides an in-depth look at the history of upper South Carolina.
The entrance to the Upcountry Museum
I was amazed to learn that the Upstate felt as if they were separated (both in ideology and geography) from the lower part of the state as Charleston made the decision to enter the Civil War.
The exhibits follow the area from the antebellum hardships to the textile culture of the early 20th century and are well researched and imaginatively presented.
Address: 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Phone: (864) 467-3100
5) Get inspired at the Greenville County Museum of Art.
The nearby Greenville County Museum of Art is located in quite an austere building, but fans of photography, prints, and watercolors will be delighted in a visit.
The Greenville County Museum of Art houses the world's largest collection of works by Andrew Wyeth.
The Southern Collection, which focuses on artists with ties to the South, is well curated and cover more than 300 years of history and culture in this region.
Don’t miss the Sundays at 2 programs, which range from free acoustic concerts in the galleries to kid-centric art programs.
Address: 420 College Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Phone: (864) 271-7570
Exterior of the Greenville County Museum of Art
6) Support local theatre at the Greenville Little Theatre.
PIN ME!
Also housed in Heritage Green is the Greenville Little Theatre.
Organized, directed, and populated by locals, the Greenville Little Theatre invites the city’s patrons to participate intimately in the process of theatre.
Each season, the theatre offers up a wide array of productions to suit any taste as well as selected, shorter productions for families and school field trips.
Check their calendar to see what it on while you’re in town!
Address: 444 College Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Phone: (864) 233-6238
7) Find the mice on Main.
One of the mice on Main | source
Several years ago, a high school student wanted to do an art installation in Greenville based around the beloved children’s classic, Goodnight, Moon.
With the help of the city and a local sculptor, he designed, cast, and placed 9 bronze mice around the downtown area for people to find.
The Greenville mice have become a bit of a local phenomenon, spawning a children's book and t-shirts.
Today, you can find the Mice on Main with the help of the website or the book, each of which gives unique clues as to where you can find the entire mice family.
It's one of the most fun things to do in Greenville, SC, so add an hour or so into your itinerary. And, best of all, it's free!
Get the clues for the Mice on Main scavenger hunt here.
Trip add-on:
Do you have more time in Greenville?
While you're in the area, make sure to pop over to nearby Travelers Rest, another part of Greenville County that has seen an amazing revitalization in recent years.
Which of these top things to do in Greenville SC would you like to try this weekend?
