Downtown Greenville
Self-Guided Walking Tours

Walks Off Main: Gateways to History


Just beyond the white-light district (but still in downtown) lies a treasure trove of discoveries. It's easy to fall in love with Greenville. Main Street will quickly cast its spell as you stroll along the wide, tree-shaded sidewalks lining both sides of the two-lane street. Storefront after storefront invites you in to discover what unique merchandise, services, artwork, or great food awaits inside. Though there's plenty to keep you occupied along the city's main artery, make no mistake— there are all kinds of surprises waiting just a short walk away. 

Put on that FitBit, Garmin, or Apple Watch and explore some of the lesser-known gateways that will introduce you to even more of what this alluring city has to offer. ⌚🏙️

Gateway #1 - Due North

1.8 miles from first to last stop

On the Itinerary:

  • Trinity Lutheran Church
  • American Legion War Museum
  • Kilgore-Lewis House
  • McPherson Park
  • We Took to the Woods
  • Stone Pin Company
  • Hyped Experience
  • The Community Tap

Gateway #2: Head Out West

1.5 miles, a good jaunt!

On the Itinerary:

  • Café and Then Some
  • St. George Greek Orthodox Church
  • Heritage Green
  • Buttercream Bakehouse
  • Earle Towne House
  • F.W. Poe Home
  • Whitehall

Gateway #3: Looking East

2 miles round-trip

On the Itinerary:

  • Southern Tide
  • Maple Street Biscuit Company
  • Christ Church Episcopal
  • Eugenia Duke's
  • Alexander Graham's Victorian Home
  • Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast
  • Museum & Library of Confederate History

Gateway #4: Southern Hideaway

1.75 miles on the SR Trail

On the Itinerary:

  • Falls Park on the Reedy
  • RiverPlace
  • Cancer Survivors Park
  • Major Rudolf Anderson Memorial
  • Rock Quarry Garden
  • Cleveland Park
  • Greenville Zoo


Prefer someone else to do the guiding? Try a walking or driving tour with local historian, John Nolan, who actually came up with the four walking tours above. Author of A Guide to Historic Greenville, South Carolina and American Palate's Lost Restaurants of Greenville, travel writers have featured Nolan's tours in publications ranging from the Boston Globe and the Chicago Tribune to the New York Post and National Geographic Traveler, among others.