“One of America’s Hottest Destinations!”
Just off I-85 in South Carolina, sits a town that has jumped from being America’s 4th fastest-growing city to being one of America’s hottest destinations. Greenville, South Carolina offers a scenic Main Street, picturesque parks, excellent dining and a welcoming Southern Hospitality. On a short visit two years ago we were very impressed with Greenville. Desiring to again visit this unique Southern town in September, 2020, we go realizing there will be restrictions due to the Corona Virus. Greenville is still an exciting, vibrant, and fun city.
Main Street Greenville
Downtown Greenville is a great walking city with wide sidewalks and a lush, tree-lined Main Street. A variety of stores, shops, restaurants, civic buildings, museums, and hotels are located downtown. On our visit on Sunday the downtown is busy with people shopping, dining and strolling the town and Falls Park on the Reedy. Then on Monday, the impact of the Corona Virus is evident as the town is quiet with many restaurants and the majority of the retail shops closed. This also allows us the opportunity to become more enchanted with Greenville.
It’s the small things that add an extra appeal to Greenville. As we stroll Main Street, especially on Monday without the crowds, we delight in the numerous statues, artwork, amazing man-made waterfalls, and the real water falls on the Reedy River. Greenville has the Art in Public Places featuring 95+ pieces of stunning art throughout the city. We are impressed and educated on Greenville’s history with statues of Vardy McBee – “The Father of Greenville,” who was instrumental in Greenville’s industrial growth. Dick Riley “Education Really Matters” –the longest serving U.S. Secretary of Education and the Sterling High School Students – positioned in front of the Former Woolworth building where Sterling students were involved in the civil rights movement. We see other works of art that provide a deeper meaning such as Meditation, which depicts an angelic figure holding a flute. A unique artwork was designed and made by a Vietnam native, while in a concentration camp in the late 1980’s
Additionally, many buildings and hotels have incorporated a variety of water displays as artwork in their architecture. We pause in admiration of the Poinsett Society Waterfall, the City Plaza Waterfall and Riverplace Fountain. Truly in keeping with the fact that downtown Greenville is on the amazing and exhilarating falls of the Reedy River, these numerous phenomenal architectural waterfalls and fountain features create a captivating city.
Each time we walk Main Street, we spot another unique concept. Absolutely impressive are the Thoughts on the walk. Here we stop and carefully read many of the numerous inspirational statements causing us to contemplate and muse over these stirring thoughts. One that we snap a pic of is: If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” Frank A Clark
Falls Park on the Reedy & the Liberty Bridge
While Greenville is known for its exceptional beauty the stunning Reedy River Falls, Falls Park on the Reedy and the award-winning Liberty Bridge are Greenville’s signature attractions. As we approach the Reedy River Falls, it is magnificent. Crossing over the Reedy River into West Greenville, we stop to admire the River above the Falls. Here the Reedy River is peaceful as it passes under a bridge and gives a bucolic feel in an urban setting.
Walking down the steps to Falls Park on the Reedy, we find a true oasis along with the dynamic excitement of a cascading waterfall. Falls Park, a 32-acre park, located in the middle of an urban setting creates a refreshing hideaway in the middle of a thriving city. While most visitors are enthralled with the River and the Falls, the Park offers a fantastic scenery and setting. Near the River and Reedy Falls adults and children are climbing the rocks, wading the River, and snapping photos of this scenic setting.
Here we follow the path to walk the “one of a kind in the U.S.” Liberty Bridge with its unique single suspension cable. Spanning the Reedy River in Greenville the bridge is a 345ft. long, 12 ft. wide and it overlooks Falls Park on the Reedy, the cascading waterfalls on the Reedy and the beautiful gardens in Falls Park. The view from Liberty Bridge is spectacular.
Stepping away from the River, the Park at Reedy Falls features small gardens where there is more solitude in a relaxing calm setting. An amazing retreat with magnificent gardens. Careful collaboration with the town’s citizens assures a natural beauty year round in the Park. Fantastic! Falls Park takes full advantage of the slopes along the river banks blooming with flowers and numerous scenic settings. This oasis in the city is so refreshing that one easily becomes enthralled with the River, the Falls, the Gardens and the Liberty Bridge. A place to truly get away from it all and totally immerse oneself in the setting. We easily recognize why Greenville’s Falls Park on the Reedy has been named a “Top U.S. Park” by TripAdvisor several years in a row, along with the likes of Central Park and Golden Gate Park.
While across the Reedy River, we wonder through Greenville’s West End. Here we find numerous hotels, more scenic architecture along with cafes and restaurants. Again, Greenville has both scenic water architecture with the RiverPlace Waterfall.
As we stroll along the streets adjacent to the Reedy River in West End, we come upon a unique venue. Here is beautifully sculpted train coming through a tunnel – it is The Children’s Fountain. As we admire the train, we find this is actually a railroad-themed splash fountain. Usually a popular spot to cool off in the summer months for kids. Sadly with the Corona Virus it is closed on our visit. Umm, maybe on another visit with our grandchildren, they can thrill in this unique splash fountain.
Fantastic Trail in Greenville GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail
Wow! Greenville has scenic waterfalls, beautiful Gardens in Falls Park, unique bridges across the Reedy River and a 20 mile trail along the Reedy River. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is an old railroad corridor which is now a scenic a greenway that traverses the Reedy River. For those seeking a long distance bike ride, the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail connects the City of Greenville with Travelers Rest, South Carolina. This well maintained paved trail is excellent for walking or biking.
For us the Trail is a terrific leisurely morning walk. Starting at Falls Park on the Reedy, we initially stroll along the Reedy River to the Swamp River Trail. As the Trail follows the winding Reedy River, it provides a nice wide walking path with some picnic areas along the route and occasionally it meanders on bridges across the Reedy River. Additionally the Swamp Rabbit Trail has several special areas. Ones we walk by are the Cancer Survivor Park, created to be a place for rejuvenation, inspiration and education for all touched by cancer during and after treatment. Due to the Corona Virus the Center is closed but we still appreciate the beauty of the inspiring gardens.
Further along as the Trail crosses over the River, is a jet memorializing Major Rudolph Anderson. On October 27, 1962, U-2 pilot Rudolf Anderson Jr. was shot down during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His death is attributed to preventing a Nuclear War saving millions of lives. On this beautiful and actually cool September Monday morning, the Swamp Rabbit Trail is serene. It is not busy but we do pass other walkers along the trail and a few bikers. We make a quick stop at the Veteran’s Monument that is dedicated to the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. We end our walk along this impressive and unique trail at the Greenville Zoo. Here we opting to return along the street to our hotel.
Dining Downtown Greenville
Visiting during CoVid19, we do find that restaurants are carefully following restrictions. Accordingly, restaurants hours of operation, days of the week open (a majority are closed on Monday), and limited seating for diners when adhering to both 6-ft. spacing regulations and 50% capacity. Still we have a tantalizing dining experiences while we delight in the scenic views. With limited seating capacity, we opt to make reservations for dinners.
For lunch we find a good variety and flavors of great beers at Barley’s Tap Room and Trio’s. On Sunday night we are off to dinner at Soby’s. Located in the heart of Main Street, Soby’s creates a modern twist to classic regional dishes. It is busy on Sunday evening and we seat outside at table with a bright red umbrella. Viewing their menu with its southern-inspired cuisine we opt for their “3 for $35 Special.” Starting with the “spicy’ pimento cheese appetizer, then the tantalizing crab cakes and finishing with a decadent chocolate mousse pie. Delicious! Plus on this pleasant evening, a musician is playing across the Main Street, creating an even more relaxing evening with the memorable music of old favorites. A wonderful dinner and setting, making a great Sunday evening in Greenville.
Finding many restaurants closed on Monday, we select Larkin’s on the River and their outdoor patio. Larkin’s is an upscale restaurant in downtown Greenville that offers inside and outdoor dining. Their large outdoor covered patio is great for an evening dinner when temperatures are cooler. Seated on the patio we can see the Reedy River, the amphitheater and scenic architecture. It is a relaxing setting and with tables spaced out with CoVi19 policies making it more intimate. The service is excellent and we opt for the hands free menu. The fresh oysters are delicious and entrees of the Sea Bass and the Scallops are each scrumptious. Dining at Larkin’s is the perfect finale for our short getaway to Greenville.
A Great Getaway
Our finale for the Greenville getaway is a stroll along Main Street and along the Reedy River after dinner. Under the lights Greenville is a mystical setting with the river, the lights, and the moonlit night. Stunning, romantic and truly a great ending to our visit to exciting Greenville. On this visit we are even more impressed with this amazing city. Even with CoVid having Museums closed and many businesses, we enjoy the outdoor activities of the Art in Public Places, the Falls on the Reedy River, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, the scenery of the town, and terrific dining venues. Take a visit to Greenville and find your own favorite place, tastes and ways to celebrate.
If you go:
The Corona Virus truly has an impact on many activities when visiting a city. As seen from our article most of our time is with outdoor activities including dining outside when available. Greenville has a lot of signage about being safe during the virus with wearing a mask while in town and also complimentary hand sanitizers throughout town. Restaurants, hotels and businesses all had basically good compliance with the social distancing and masks requirements. Just know on current visits that many public type attractions may still be closed.
Downtown Greenville offers a wide variety of hotel accommodations either on Main Street or a block or so off Main Street. Additionally, the West End offers a good variety of hotels which are on the Reedy River. We opted to stay at the Aloft Greenville Downtown for it’s location, price and accommodations. The location is terrific as it is just a block off Main Street.