Discover Greenville South Carolina's Hottest New Destination

Named by The Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 places of this year to visit in the USA, with a downtown area that was also ranked among ‘America’s Ten Best’ by Forbes Magazine, the city of Greenville is quickly becoming one of South Carolina‘s most popular travel destinations.

Priding itself on the hugely diverse range of activities it has on offer, from cultural museum and gallery trips, to world-class culinary experiences, to picturesque rivers and cycle trails, it is little wonder that Greenville is building up such a reputation for itself. We catch up with Taryn Scher from VisitGreenvilleSC to find out what visitors can expect from this very underrated city.

Describe your town in three words.

Charming; Innovative; Happy.
Where are the must-visit places in your town?

The list could go on forever – there is just so much to see and do. However, I always tell visitors they must take a photo in front of The Liberty Bridge at Falls Park. It’s the one photo that you want that really says ‘I was in Greenville’.
What’s the go-to place for authentic local cuisine?

If you want Southern BBQ and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, go to Henry’s Smokehouse; if you want Southern comfort food, try Soby’s New South Cuisine.
What makes your town unique? Is it the people, the sights, the food scene, or something else entirely?

Greenville offers a remarkable blend of international culture that you don’t really expect to find in the South, much of which can be attributed to BMW – the International Manufacturing HQ for BMW is here in Greenville, and is on track to be the largest manufacturing facility in the world for the company by 2016. This blends with the town’s culture in order to create a wonderful atmosphere in which to work and to play. Just look at Main Street; there are more than a dozen international cuisines offered in restaurants in a three-block radius alone.
What should I spend my last five dollars on in Greenville?

A happy G phone dot! I get asked absolutely all the time where I got mine. They can be purchased through the VisitGreenvilleSC website.
What is Greenville’s most bizarre tradition?

We love to close down Main Street. Whether it’s for a concert, road race, a festival, our Farmer’s Market… Main Street gets closed down a lot. But it’s always for something fun and open to the public. If Main Street is closed, you probably want to go find out why and be part of it.

Where should culture lovers go in Greenville?

The Greenville County Museum of Art has the largest collection of Andrew Wyeth watercolor paintings, and The Bob Jones Museum & Gallery houses the largest religious art collection in the Western Hemisphere. Art Crossing Studios along the Reedy River is a great place to meet some of the local artists.
What is Greenville’s proudest moment in history so far?

Being named by The Lonely Planet as one of the Top Ten places in the US to visit in 2015 was huge – immediately followed by Peter Greenberg telling CBS Saturday Morning that Greenville was one of the top six places in the World to visit in 2015.
What is the best kept secret of Greenville?

Why everyone here is so happy all the time.
What brings tourists to Greenville?

Cycling has become a huge draw in this area. The 18+ mile GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail has really brought attention to the area, not just for avid cyclists but for leisure riders too.

Why do you think your town has made the Top 10 in South Carolina?

Greenville is surprising – people come here with little or no expectations, and just can’t believe all there is to do here. From world-class culinary experiences to amazing cultural amenities, Greenville will surprise and delight at every turn.

Greenville is one of the winners of The Culture Trip’s South Carolina Local Favorite 2015 Award. The Local Favorite badge is awarded to our favorite local towns, restaurants, artists, galleries, and everything in between. We are passionate about showcasing popular local talents on a global scale, so we have cultivated a carefully selected, but growing community.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.