From the locals at GVLtoday

Greenville’s not just a cute city between Asheville + Columbia anymore – it was listed second 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 1.5 hours away. (Our editor Chloe is actually planning a college reunion in GVL because it’s 2 hours or under for everyone in Atlanta, Charlotte + Cola. Pretty sweet.)

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. You’re welcome for all that time saved on Yelp.

Disclaimer: They tried their best to pack as many activities into the schedule while still keeping it as realistic as possible; so they couldn’t include everything they wanted to (if only we could all be in three places at once).

🍾Start the weekend (Friday):

5 p.m. – 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.

7 p.m. – Grab dinner at The Anchorage: Definitely try the grilled cantaloupe and blackberry oysters on the half shell. And take some photos in front of the massive mural.

9 p.m. – Check out a show at Alchemy Comedy Club ($10).

☀Good morning, sunshine (Saturday):

8 a.m. – Grab a rental bike (if you don’t have your own) and head up to the farmer’s market in Travelers Rest on the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail.

🚴‍Where to rent a bike:

Pedal Chic | 250 Riverplace Suite B | Sell bikes + accessories and provides maintenance services.
Reedy Ride | 12 W McBee Ave. | It offers specialized (picnic, brunch) and custom tours for couples, friends or any corporate event.

Greenville B-Cycle | 507 Pettigru St. | Once you become a member of the bike share program, the first 60 minutes of each trip you take is free.

10 a.m. – Don’t feel like exerting energy so early? Pop over to Greenville’s Main St. for the Saturday Market (open 'til noon). Grab a cold brew or a fresh juice and 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 and need to grab lunch quickly, try Happy + Hale – vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available. 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 take you back to your Airbnb or hotel safely.

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. – Some of our faves include Biscuit Head (for that jam + butter bar), Southern Culture (for those bottomless mimosas), and Passerelle Bistro (for the views of Liberty Bridge).

3 p.m. – Pretend you’re in Dirty Dancing and take some lessons at Carolina Ballroom Dance Studio or check out some local art at Greenville Center for Creative Arts. 💃🏿

If you want to do your own foodie tour of Greenville, here are a few must-try places.

If you want a taste of the South…

🍗Soby’s | 207 South Main St. | Rich in history and 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) – 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. Finish off the meal with fresh warm Banana Puddin’.

If you’re on a health kick…

🥗 Happy + Hale | 600 S. Main St. 101 | Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available with quick service.

Fan Favorite: Try the ahi poke bowl or create your own salad bowl and wash it all down with The Almond Brothers smoothie.

🥗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 more local products.

Fan Favorite: The cheddar scone with a vanilla latte is the way to go. And, of course, their homemade brick oven pizzas made with seasonal ingredients are amazing.

🥗Farm Fresh Fast | 860 S Church St. | A healthy diet doesn't have to mean giving up delicious foods.

Fan Favorite: The weekly meal prep packages (saves time on grocery shopping if you’re here for an extended stay)

If you’re ready to raise your glass…

🍺Pour Taproom | 7 Falls Park Dr. | Pay by the ounce, not the glass, so you can try a few ounces of anything in their large selection before committing.

🍷Sip Whiskey & Wine |103 N Main St. | Between the wall of wine choices, extensive whiskey labels, and signature cocktails, what could make this place better? The vibrant rooftop bar and Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m.

🍸Up on the Roof | 250 Riverplace #800 | Creative cocktails, regionally brewed craft beers, and a live music summer list every Wednesday + Sunday.

If you can never have too many tacos…

🌮 ASADA | 903 Wade Hampton Blvd. | All their tacos actually come with two tortillas – one to scoop up the spillage from the first. 😋

🌮 Cantina 76 | 103 N. Main St. | Treat yourself to hand-crafted margarita or order a pitcher for the group. Try the “skinny” Margarita (the Cantina Margarita with low-glycemic agave nectar).

🌮 Tipsy Taco | 215 Pelham Rd. + 15 Conestee Ave. | Locally owned and operated distinctly made from scratch tex-mex style food and drinks

🌮 White Duck Taco | Hampton Station | 1320 Hampton Ave Ext Suite 12B | Perfect Place to let the kids run around while adults enjoy chips + salsa and a margarita

If you could eat breakfast all day, every day…

🍳Biscuit Head | 823 S Church St., Ste C | Originally started in Asheville, N.C., this place has been recognized nationally for using locally-sourced products + creating some great biscuit combinations

Fan Favorite: The butter + jam bar.

🍳Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse | 2 S Main St., Travelers Rest | High quality coffee and tea are the perfect pairing to either their savory or sweet crepes

🍳Eggs Up Grill | 31 Augusta St. + 1939 Woodruff Rd. Unit E | Your place for that classic breakfast you know and love. Eggs done everyway, “ultimate” french toast, and even burgers and wraps are there to enjoy.

Where to check in:

🏨The Westin Poinsett | 120 S Main St. | Rates start at ~$150/night | Experience a refined and elegant nights sleep at Greenville’s historic hotel. Located in the heart of downtown it is only steps away from the city’s best food, drinks, and stores.

🏨Swamp Rabbit Inn | 1 Logan St. | Rates start at ~$115/night | A beautifully furnished rooms (eached named after different animals) with a cozy home-away from home feeling.

🏨Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast | 302 Pettigru St. | Rates start at ~$190/night | Local favorite spots are only 15 minutes from the house. The perfect place to begin and end your adventure each night.

🏨Aloft | 5 N Laurens St. | Rates start at ~$120/night | Overlooking the city’s vibrant One City Plaza, this chic hotel has perfect access to Greenville essentials such as Falls Park and the Peace Center.

🏨Hyatt Regency | 220 N. Main St | Rates start at ~$160/night | A charming hotel found in the heart of downtown holds a balance of Southern hospitality and modern needs. Dining and drinks located right in the hotel.

🏨Courtyard by Marriott | 50 W. Broad St. | Rates start at ~$140/night | Whether in Greenville for business or for pleasure, the Courtyard is a modern choice for discovering the city.

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.

Keep serving up that Southern hospitality, GVL.

–Karlee + GVLtoday team