Greenville, South Carolina is a popular destination for recent college graduates, young families, established professionals and retirees alike. So, how is one city able to attract all of these different demographics of people? By offering up a whole lot in terms of food, entertainment, nature and overall quality of life.
Ready to learn more about the hidden gems lying within this beautiful city along the Reedy River? We reached out to local experts to give you the inside scoop on some places that have flown under the radar. Until now, that is.
1. Main Street
Source: facebook.com/mjudsonbooks
Allie Combs of Cosmic Rabbits Tea Company, a mother-daughter-owned and operated store downtown, had four Main St. recommendations that make for a great day in Downtown Greenville. “I always recommend people visit M. Judson Booksellers, Coffee Underground, Neat Bourbon Bar, and Menkoi Noodle House for ramen.”
2. Women-Owned Shopping in West End
Source: facebook.com/custardgville
Sonja Miller, Owner and CEO of Samantha Grace Designs, loves starting off her day in Greenville with, “an early morning visit to the farmer’s market on Saturday with a follow-up stop at Rainer’s.”
“Then a bit of shopping in the West End is great because most of the stores in the West End, like mine, are locally owned and run. Fantastically, probably 90% are women-owned, like mine as well. There are some must-stops like, Custard Boutique, Augusta Twenty, Vintage Now Modern and, of course, I pop in to check in on my own store, Samantha Grace.”
“After some shopping, we meet up with some friends and walk down to Urban Wren for dinner. They have a great atmosphere and always something really interesting on the menu. It’s a good spot to go for a nice dining experience that’s dog-friendly. The covered patio is ideal as well.”
Arguably the best part about this full day out and about, says Sonja, is, “you can do all of this parked in one location, never having to get back in a car all day.”
Big city amenities with small-town convenience. That’s a winning combination right there.
3. The Commons, Pomegranate and Coral
Source: facebook.com/thecommonsgvl
Natalie Laster of Vagabond Trader, a lady’s boutique with a fun boho vibe, had some great dining suggestions for every meal. Natalie suggests heading to the Commons just off of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The commons is a chic and modern food hall featuring local fare and a great ambiance for everything from morning coffee to evening drinks.
Natalie’s lunch suggestion embraces a different vibe. “I love Mediterranean food, so my go-to lunch option is Pomegranate. The hummus is fantastic and be sure to add the pomegranate martini.”
Finishing off the night, Natalie opts for a seafood restaurant downtown. “My dinner choice is Coral, the restaurant is fairly new and the food is fantastic. I’m Italian, so the bread appetizer with a glass of red wine is just what I want to wind down after a long day.”
Another fan of the Commons area is local marketing professional, Jon Nichols Duncan. His go-to spot is located in the same stretch of building as the Commons. Jon recommends heading over to Pangaea Brewing. This laid-back brewpub offers up “Good pizza and even better beer.” That’s a time-tested combination right there.
When it comes to washing down a slice, Jon opts for the Citrus got Real, a light yet tart lime Gose. Sounds like a solid way to spend a beautiful day in Greenville.
4. Methodical Coffee, Swamp Rabbit Trail and Falls Park
It should come as no surprise that the team over at Glory Cycles took a more fitness-minded approach to their response. The Glory Cycles crew suggests starting your day at Methodical Coffee.
Once you’re properly caffeinated, they recommend hopping on a bike (of course) and hitting the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This trail is ideal for bikers and walkers. The Swamp Rabbit Trail passes through downtown Greenville and extends through the neighboring city, Traveler’s Rest.
The Glory Cycles team recommends planning your bike ride in a way that brings you through Falls Park at the end. This scenic park in the center of downtown is the ideal spot to hop off the saddle and enjoy a little downtime next to the falls.
5. West Greenville
Source: facebook.com/TheRabbitHoleGVL
When it comes to hunting down hidden gems in Greenville, Joe from MODAL, an innovative hostel and coffee shop, suggests heading out of downtown and over to West Greenville. He recommends:
Joe is not alone in his opinion that the West Greenville area is where it’s at. Fellow Greenvillian, Tony Weaver from downtown’s favorite decor store, Vintage Now Modern, identified a cocktail bar and pizza joint in the West Greenville area as undeniable hidden gems.
With all of this packed into one of Greenville’s most exciting up-and-coming areas, you’d be missing out if you didn’t dedicate an hour or two of your time, at least, to West Greenville.
6. Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee
One of the great things about calling Greenville home is the fact that you’re surrounded by nature. With Paris Mountain a short drive away and multiple lakes nearby, there’s no shortage of options when you want to spend a day reconnecting with Mother Nature.
Just ask Katie from Make Made Jewelry. “On a day off, we’d most likely be found at one of our beautiful nearby lakes, Jocassee or Keowee.” While these lakes may not technically be “in town” they are only a 30-45 minute drive from downtown. The perfect length for a day trip with friends and family or a relaxing day on your own.
Keowee and Jocassee are both known for exceptional fishing. Lake Keowee is also famous for its surprisingly warm water, an ideal attribute for water sports like wakeboarding and jet skiing.
7. Cherokee Valley Golf Course
Source: facebook.com/cherokeevalleysc
“We have several outstanding golf courses in the area,” says Shane Sharp from Southbound 4, a golf-based content, marketing and PR company. “While there are so many amazing things to do in this city, you’d likely find me at Cherokee Valley Course and Club. It’s located about 30 minutes north of downtown in the Tigerville area, and the course was designed by P.B. Dye.”
No need to leave the links for food, says Shane, he’d then head to “CORE 450 for dinner. CORE 450 is a new chef-driven restaurant on the property above the golf shop. The views of the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills are fantastic.”
Give Greenville a Shot
Whether you’re thinking about making the move or just passing through town for the weekend, Greenville has something to offer everyone. It’s a great place to call home if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a connoisseur of the arts, a young professional looking to carve out a future and everything in between. Give some of these hidden gems a try and see a whole new side of the city today.
Source: rent.com