Your 48-hour guide to Greenville, S.C.

From the locals at GVLtoday

Greenville’s not just a stop between Asheville + Columbia anymore– it was listed as No. 2 on Travel + Leisure’s list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018 (right under Šolta, Croatia) + featured in Vogue as a city at the forefront of the food scene.

The best part is, you don’t even need to take a three-day weekend to enjoy this little city... because it’s only about three hours away.

We asked our sister-publication GVLtoday to give you the scoop on what to see + do during a weekend in Greenville from a locals’ perspective. So there’s no need to bookmark all those TripAdvisor attractions.

Disclaimer: They tried their best to pack as many activities into the schedule while still keeping it as realistic as possible.

🍾 Start the weekend (Friday)

3 p.m.: Check in
Before getting into the Greenville groove, drop off your things to lighten your load.

Here are a few places where you can lay your head for the night:

🏨 The Westin Poinsett | 📍120 S Main St.
Starting rate: ~$150/night
Experience a refined + elegant nights sleep at Greenville’s historic hotel. Located only steps away from the city’s best food, drinks, + stores.

🏨 Swamp Rabbit Inn | 📍1 Logan St.
Starting rate: ~ $115/night
Boasting beautifully furnished rooms (each named after a different animal) with a cozy, home-away-from-home feel.

🏨 Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast | 📍302 Pettigru St.
Starting rate: ~$190/night
Local hot spots are easy to get to, being only 15 minutes from the house.

🏨 Aloft | 📍5 N. Laurens St.
Starting rate: ~$120/night
Overlooking the city’s vibrant One City Plaza, this chic hotel has perfect access to GVL essentials– such as Falls Park + the Peace Center.

🏨 Hyatt Regency | 📍220 N. Main St.
Starting rate: ~$160/night
Nestled in the heart of downtown, this oasis holds a balance of southern hospitality and modern needs. Plus, dining + drinks are located right in the hotel.

🏨 Courtyard by Marriott | 📍50 W. Broad St.
Starting rate: ~$140/night
Whether in Greenville for business or for pleasure– the Courtyard is a modern choice for discovering the city.

5 p.m.: Pre-dinner drinks
Head to the rooftop of Embassy Suites for drinks + views at Up on the Roof. 🍸 Try the “Don’t Call me Shirley”– or, if you’re on a budget– check out this list of happy hour spots.

Here are a few more spots to raise your glass:

🍺 Pour Taproom | 📍7 Falls Park Dr.
Pay by the ounce– not the glass– allowing you to try a few sips of anything in their large selection before committing.

🍷 Sip Whiskey & Wine | 📍103 N. Main St.
Between the wall of wine, extensive whiskey labels, and signature cocktails– what could make this place better? Happy hour. This vibrant rooftop bar host deals until 7 p.m.

7 p.m.: Grab dinner at The Anchorage. Try the grilled cantaloupe + blackberry oysters on the half shell– and be sure to take some photos in front of the massive mural.

9 p.m.: Check out a show at Alchemy Comedy Club. We recommend the Local Legends: Improv.

☀ Good morning, sunshine (Saturday)

8 a.m.: Grab a rental bike (if you didn’t pack your own) + head up to the farmers market in Travelers Rest, via the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail.

🚴‍ Where to rent a bike:

• Pedal Chic | 📍 250 Riverplace, Ste. B
  Sells bikes + accessories, and provides maintenance services.
• Reedy Ride | 📍12 W McBee Ave. |
  They offer specialized (think: a packed picnic or brunch) + custom tours for couples, friends, or any corporate event.
• Greenville B-Cycle | 📍507 Pettigru St.
  A local bike share program. Once you become a member (daily options available), the first 60 minutes of each trip you take are free.

10 a.m.: Don’t feel like exerting energy so early? Pop over to Greenville’s Main Street for the Saturday Market. Grab a cold brew or a fresh juice + pick out some produce. Pro tip: bring your own canvas bag to hold all the goodies you’ll buy.

1 p.m.: If you’re running around to your next activity + need to grab lunch quickly, try Happy + Hale– which offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. (We recommend the Ahi Poke bowl, washed down with an Almond Brothers smoothie). If you want to sit down and enjoy a meal (and a marg), Cantina 76 has $2.50 margarita specials all day on Saturdays.

Mid-Afternoon: It’s the hottest time of the day, so we recommend hiding out in one of the 10+ breweries around the Upstate. If you want a guided tour– The Brewery Experience will pick you up, show you around the beer world of Greenville, and safely take you back to your Airbnb or hotel.

Not into beer? Sign up for a class at Swamp Rabbit Café Cook Local Classes. Learn about cuisines from around the corner to around the world. Then, scarf it all down at a group meal afterwards with your new cooking buddies.

7 p.m.: As the sun goes down, and the heat cools off– take a walk through Falls Park to see the Medusa Tree and The Cancer Survivors Park. Then, venture off Main St. to try the newly-opened, farm-to-table restaurant Fork & Plough.

🥞 Brunch time (Sunday)

11 a.m.: Every great weekend ends with brunch. Some of our faves include Biscuit Head (for that jam + butter bar), Southern Culture (for those bottomless mimosas), + Passerelle Bistro (for the views of Liberty Bridge).

1 p.m.: Choose your own adventure. If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, check out this guide to hiking around the Upstate. If you’re into the local arts scene, here’s where to go for public street art, or you can check out the Greenville Center for Creative Arts.

3 p.m.: Before getting back on the road, be sure to fuel up. Here are a few must-try places, based on “flavor”:

If you want a taste of the South…
🍗 Soby’s | 📍 207 South Main St.
Rich in history + southern charm.
Fan Favorites: Shrimp + grits, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and white chocolate banana cream pie.
🍗 Smoke On the Water | 📍 1 Augusta St., Ste. 202
Regionally inspired food that is smoked or grilled to perfection.
Fan Favorites: To be honest– anything from the smoker is a go-to (pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken)... Oh, and you can’t forget to try all the barbeque sauces
🍗 Southern Culture Kitchen and Bar | 📍 2537 N. Pleasantburg Dr.
Southern-style dishes with a modern twist.
Fan Favorites: Pulled pork nachos, signature fried chicken, or “Big Mama’s Meatloaf.” Treat yourself by finishing off the meal with fresh, warm banana pudding.

If you’re on a health kick…
🥗 Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery | 📍 205 Cedar Lane Rd.
A great stop along the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail. Their food is made with fresh, local ingredients. Can’t find something you like? Check out the shop– which sells even more local products.
Fan Favorite: The cheddar scone with a vanilla latte is the way to go. Or try their homemade brick oven pizzas– which are made with seasonal ingredients– and are equally amazing.
🥗 Farm Fresh Fast | 📍 860 S. Church St.
Fan Favorite: The weekly meal prep packages (saves time on grocery shopping + meal planning)

If you can never have too many tacos…
🌮 ASADA | 📍 903 Wade Hampton Blvd.
All their tacos actually come with two tortillas– giving you a second to scoop up the spillage from the first. 😋
🌮 Tipsy Taco | 📍 215 Pelham Rd. + 15 Conestee Ave.
Locally owned + operated. Distinctly made from scratch Tex-Mex style food + drinks.

🌮 White Duck Taco | 📍 Hampton Station
A place to let the kids run around, while the adults enjoy chips, salsa, + a margarita. 🍹

If you could eat breakfast all day, every day…
🍳 Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse | 📍 2 S Main St., Travelers Rest
Offering high-quality coffee + tea that pair perfectly with their savory or sweet crepes.
🍳 Eggs Up Grill | 📍 31 Augusta St., + 1939 Woodruff Rd., Unit E
A go-to place for that classic breakfast you know + love. Eggs done every which way, “ultimate” french toast, and even burgers + wraps for those needed more sustenance.