Greenville, SC: The Southern Gem Earning Raves from NYT, WSJ, and More
Greenville might sound familiar—36 U.S. cities share the name—but South Carolina's version consistently earns top honors from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, and National Geographic Traveler.
With its walkable downtown, exceptional dining scene, and abundant natural beauty, Greenville, SC, is highly accessible: nonstop flights from 14 East Coast and Midwest cities, easy I-85 access for road trippers, and hotels for every budget (with new options opening soon).
Discover five key reasons behind the buzz:
1. Stunning Natural Displays Await
Known as the Upcountry—or the Cherokee-named Great Blue Hills of God—this region features river-laced mountains and cascading waterfalls. Spring transforms the foothills into a jaw-dropping spectacle with blooming dogwoods and azaleas.
Explore three nearby state parks: Caesars Head and Jones Gap form the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, offering heavenly hikes like the popular Raven Cliff Falls trail (a 420-foot creek plunge). Paris Mountain State Park, minutes from downtown, provides camping, birdwatching, and rentals for kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats on spring weekends.
Stay in the city for Falls Park on the Reedy—a 32-acre downtown oasis with gardens, trails, and a 345-foot suspension bridge overlooking the falls. Rent bikes from 10 B-cycle stations or shops to cruise the 21-mile GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail along the river.
2. A Southern Trip with Global Flair
German, Austrian, and Swiss firms—including BMW's first U.S. manufacturing plant—have made Greenville home. Visitors enjoy fresh German breads at the European Market, wiener schnitzel at Schwaben House, and brews at Hans & Franz Biergarten.
Michelin's North American HQ brings French influences, like the accredited Bilingual School and dishes at Passerelle Bistro—overlooking Falls Park with crêpes from a seasonal cart.
Diverse options include Belgian at Trappe Door, Italian at Jianna, Korean at Kimchee, plus the Scots-Irish heritage shining at the late-May Gallabrae festival with parades, music, and games like axe-throwing and caber-tossing.
3. World-Class Local Cuisine
Greenville blends Southern comfort with international twists. Stax Original, a '50s staple, offers 13 homemade biscuit varieties like aged country ham or bacon. Husk by chef Sean Brock elevates classics with deviled eggs featuring pickled okra and trout roe. Stella's Southern Brasserie fuses Euro-Southern flavors in pan-fried crab cake sandwiches.
Main Street hosts a vibrant Saturday market (May–October) with fresh produce, cheeses, and baked goods. Nearby, Poppington's Gourmet Popcorn boasts 75 flavors, including Havarti dill pickle and Cheese Louise.
4. Exceptional Drinks Scene
Greenville excels in beverages. Birds Fly South Ale Project, named among BeerAdvocate's top new U.S. breweries, offers sours and Saisons. City Scape Winery provides tastings, lessons, and a resident pig named Pinot. Vault & Vator speakeasy serves craft cocktails like Vow of Silence (mezcal, green chartreuse, and more).
Embrace Upcountry tradition with moonshine at Dark Corner Distillery, a nod to Scots-Irish roots.
5. Vibrant Arts and Culture
Tiny bronze Mice on Main sculptures spark a scavenger hunt, while the Peace Center hosts Broadway hits like The Color Purple (March 13-18) and Waitress (May 8-13). Bon Secours Wellness Arena features Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, and Sugarland. Artisphere (May 11-13) draws crowds with music from Mandolin Orange and more.
Year-round: First Fridays Gallery Crawls and the Art in Public Places tour. Perfect alongside hikes, bikes, global bites, biscuits, or speakeasies.
Plan Your Visit
Explore the best local hotels and see why Greenville, SC, is creating such a buzz.
