You don’t have to have a big budget to have a great time in Greenville, SC! Here are some free things to do—and some low-cost bonus ideas—to make the most of your trip to the area.
Falls Park on the Reedy & The Liberty Bridge
Visit the “crown jewel” of Downtown Greenville and gaze at the Reedy River Falls from atop the Liberty Bridge, the only single-suspension bridge of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Stroll within the park’s 32 acres of gardens, green spaces, and historic ruins of mills that once made their home on the Reedy. At certain times of the year, you can catch a free showing of a movie or a performance of one of Shakespeare’s famous plays in this Downtown park.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Grab an ice cream cone from Spill the Beans, adjacent to the Main Street entrance to the park, and enjoy sitting in the grass in one of the many open green spaces throughout the park.
Rent bikes from a number of local shops, like Reedy Rides or Pedego Electric Bikes, and cycle the trail. You could even run into former Tour De France cyclist George Hincapie!
Art in Public Places Self-Guided Tour
Art enthusiasts and casual art lovers alike will love a self-guided tour of public art, strolling the streets of Greenville, taking in the pieces of art that have become a part of the city’s DNA since the inception of the program. The City of Greenville has an interactive online map of the public art locations. Some notable works you might see include “Rose Crystal Tower” by Dale Chihuly (shown here) and Yuri Tsuzuki’s “Transformation,” which includes hundreds of steel butterflies placed throughout Downtown Greenville.
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While exploring the city, you’ll notice tons of unique shops and boutiques along the way. Stop in at Mast General Store and have a nostalgic candy treat from their many barrels of vintage-style candies to enjoy on your stroll.
Downtown Trolley & Heritage Green
Greenville’s delightful trolleys motor up and down Main Street to carry passengers to many Downtown destinations and Heritage Green. While at Heritage Green, head to the Greenville County Museum of Art (free admission) and check out the world’s largest collection of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth. Be sure to visit the South Carolina Room at the Greenville County Hughes Main Library. Staffed by experienced genealogists and historians, the SC Room features an extensive collection of genealogy and local history materials.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
For those traveling with children, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is a must-see. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum is the 7th largest of its kind in the nation and boasts all kinds of learning activities for young ones up to age 12.
Free City Events
There are numerous free events happening all over Greenville all the time. In spring through early fall, Main Street at NOMA Square shuts down on both Thursday and Friday evenings for live music at Downtown Alive and Main Street Fridays. On Saturday mornings May-October (and once in December), Main Street is shut down for the TD Saturday Market. Make sure tocheck out our Events page to see all the local events going on during your visit.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Greenville’s food trucks can be found serving up delicious street food at free city events, so be sure to grab a bite to eat from one of these mobile eateries while you are there.
Mice on Main Scavenger Hunt
Also part of the Art in Public Placesinitiative, the Mice on Main are 9 tiny bronze mice hidden along a section of Main Street for kids and kids-at-heart to discover. Inspired by the children's book Goodnight Moon, the mice were originally ideated as a local high-schooler's class project. Stop by the VisitGreenvilleSC Visitor Center in City Hall for your free copy of the Mice on Main clues or you can get them online.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Pop into O.P. Taylor’s toy store and grab a copy of the book, Mice on Main, written by Linda Kelly and illustrated by mice sculptor, Zan Wells, as an adorable reminder of your experience.
NOMA Square, ONE City Plaza & Camperdown Plaza
Three prominent gathering spaces Downtown, NOMA Square, ONE City Plaza, and Camperdown Plaza are hubs of activity and offer free yoga classes, live music, salsa dancing nights, dog-friendly "yappy" hours, and more.
Runway Park at GMU & Military History Center of the Carolinas
Take the kids for an exciting aviation-themed outing to the playground at Runway Park. The playground includes “runways” and “taxiways” for play, and one of the coolest parts of the experience are the park’s views of the planes at the Greenville Downtown Airport taking off and landing. Visit the Military History Center of the Carolinas next door to check out a fascinating collection of military memorabilia, including a rare Model-T ambulance from World War I.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Grab lunch to-go from local spots kids will love, like Sully's Steamers (or go straight to dessert at Clare's Creamery), and bring your treats to the park to turn your outing into an easy adventure.
Brewmiceter Hops Hunt
Looking to sample some of Greenville’s finest beers but don’t know how to fit them all into your schedule? Put your mind (and beer-tasting palate) to the test with the Brewmiceter Hops Hunt! This self-guided scavenger hunt will take you all throughout Greenville and the surrounding areas, tracking down 8 hidden mice from 8 not-so-hidden local breweries. This will surely be a unique and fun-filled way to enjoy a refreshing treat while supporting our local community! Don’t worry, we’ll still help you out with some clues.
Low-Cost Level-Up
Enjoy this tour over multiple days to savor the moment and taste some great local brews. You can register for the monthly drawing, free of charge, to win some Brewmiceter swag or, better yet…a growler.
Kilgore-Lewis House
Take a docent-led tour of the Kilgore-Lewis House, a historic home built in 1838 with 5.4 acres of quaint gardens on a small beautiful lake that feels like a secret romantic hideaway.
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In the fall and winter, walk down the street to Bon Secours Wellness Arena for a Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey game. There are also year-round opportunities for concerts, sporting events, and other special events at “The Well” so check out the events that are happening during your visit.
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In the warmer months, make sure to pay a visit to one of the three Greenville County Waterparks. For dog-lovers, each year in the early fall, Discovery Island and Otter Creek waterparks both host Waggin’ at the Waterpark—events just for pups!
History Museum of Travelers Rest
This historic grocery store-turned-museum houses artifacts and exhibits related to Travelers Rest and surrounding areas, highlighting the history of the town being a “resting place” for people traveling through the mountains to the coast and beyond.
Designated an “Important Bird Area of Global Significance” by the National Audubon Society, Conestee Nature Preserve's 600 acres of natural habitat are a treat for any nature lover. You can also find deer, raccoon, beaver, fox, river otter, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
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The preserve hosts learning-based Knee-High Naturalists events led by local educators, where kids can do activities like building fairy houses. Keep an eye out for these special events on our Events page.
BMW Zentrum Museum
Visit the only official BMW museum in North America, where you’ll experience the past, present, and future of the famed automotive brand. You’ll see rare and important vehicles in the story of BMW, including one known as the “Bubblecar.”
Low-Cost Level-Up:
See how the Ultimate Driving Machine® is built by taking a guided factory tour of the BMW Manufacturing plant, the global producer of several BMW X models. And if you still didn’t get your fix of BMW history, visit the nearby BMW Car Club of America Museum. For the ultimate fan of the brand, check out theBMW Performance Center. While not low-cost, the experiences here are a must for anyone with a need for speed.
Poinsett Bridge & Campbell’s Covered Bridge
Step back in time at these two historic bridges in northern Greenville County. The Poinsett Bridge is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge in the state. It is a 14-foot Gothic arch stone structure and stretches 130 feet over Little Gap Creek. Historians believe that it was designed by Robert Mills, the architect of the Washington Monument. Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in the state. The area around the bridge is available for guests to explore the foundations of the old grist mill and home site that were once there.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Grab food for a picnic from one of many Downtown eateries like Sully’s Steamers or Rainer's Cafe to enjoy at either historic bridge.
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy 11 & The Blue Ridge Escarpment
Pack your walking shoes while visitingCaesars Head State Parkto hike the trails. You can also browse the unique wares available at the gift shop.
South Carolina Botanical Garden
Located just a short drive away in Clemson, SC, the South Carolina Botanical Garden is a 295-acre set of gardens, trails, and a distinctive and nationally recognized nature-based sculpture collection. While there, you may also want to visit the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, where admission is free.
Low-Cost Level-Up:
Visit the Clemson University ’55 Exchange and indulge in a long-standing tradition of eating student-made Clemson Ice Cream from their original recipe.
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