A Local's Guide: What to Do in Greenville, SC
Trimarni
Lodging
If you are planning a cycling-focused train-cation in Greenville, SC, there are a few options for lodging. You can always go the VRBO/Airbnb route or book a hotel but there are a few other options to make your stay feel more like home.
Swamp Rabbit Inn TR (Traveler's Rest) - closer to the mountains/bike-friendly routes
Swamp Rabbit Inn Greenville (downtown) - walking distance to our award-winning downtown
The Bike Barn (close to Furman University and the Swamp Rabbit Trail)
Swamp Rabbit Trail
The SRT connects downton Greenville to downtown Traveler's Rest. With over 20 miles of paved road, you can run, bike or walk on our heavilyused trail. If you are close to downtown, be sure to stop at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and grocery for a delicious treat or Stecca bread.
Falls Park
Our picture-worthy downtown has everything you would want in a downtown. Small businesses, farm-to-table restaurants, a park, waterfall, a scenic bridge and so much more. Located in the West end of downtown Greenville, this nature-filled park is worth the visit. You can also check out our art distric and Peace Center. Our downtown is also very pet-friendly.
Hiking
If you need a break from riding the roads on two wheels, be sure to visit some of our many popular hiking destinations. Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork) is one of our favs (you can rent a paddle board or kayak to see more of the lake). Other locations include Paris Mountain, Dupont State Forest (which is popular for mountain biking), Table Rock, Jones Gap state park, Lake Conestee, Caesar's Head and Pleasant Ridge. Most South Carolina state parks require a park pass (or a one-day park fee) and can get very busy on the weekend.
Eating
There are so many restaurants to choose from in and around Greenville. You'll find over 100 restaurants around downtown Greenville and several options in downtown Traveler's Rest.
Here's a blog post that I wrote in 2014 (a few months after we moved to Greenville) discussing some of our favorite recent finds.
Where to ride
There are many notable cycling routes. We have lived in Greenville for 6 years and we are still discovering new routes! Here's a list of our favorite scenic climbs:
The Watershed
Green River Cove loop
Saluda Grade
Skyuka
Caesar's Head
Paris Mountain
Sassafras
Where to start your ride
Trailblazer Park
Furman University
Traveler's Rest Museum
Hotel Domestique
North Greenville University (Tigerville location - behind the theater off 414)
Extra StuffRun In - Run store
Carolina Triathlon - tri/bike shop
Set up Events - SC triathlon series - local race series
Greenville Humane Society - adopt, foster, donate
Westside Aquatics - lap swimming
Greenville Spinners - local cycling club
Greenville Triathlon Club - local triathlon club
Greenville Track Club - local track/running club
If you are planning a cycling-focused train-cation in Greenville, SC, there are a few options for lodging. You can always go the VRBO/Airbnb route or book a hotel but there are a few other options to make your stay feel more like home.
Swamp Rabbit Inn TR (Traveler's Rest) - closer to the mountains/bike-friendly routes
Swamp Rabbit Inn Greenville (downtown) - walking distance to our award-winning downtown
The Bike Barn (close to Furman University and the Swamp Rabbit Trail)
The SRT connects downton Greenville to downtown Traveler's Rest. With over 20 miles of paved road, you can run, bike or walk on our heavilyused trail. If you are close to downtown, be sure to stop at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and grocery for a delicious treat or Stecca bread.
Our picture-worthy downtown has everything you would want in a downtown. Small businesses, farm-to-table restaurants, a park, waterfall, a scenic bridge and so much more. Located in the West end of downtown Greenville, this nature-filled park is worth the visit. You can also check out our art distric and Peace Center. Our downtown is also very pet-friendly.
If you need a break from riding the roads on two wheels, be sure to visit some of our many popular hiking destinations. Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork) is one of our favs (you can rent a paddle board or kayak to see more of the lake). Other locations include Paris Mountain, Dupont State Forest (which is popular for mountain biking), Table Rock, Jones Gap state park, Lake Conestee, Caesar's Head and Pleasant Ridge. Most South Carolina state parks require a park pass (or a one-day park fee) and can get very busy on the weekend.
There are so many restaurants to choose from in and around Greenville. You'll find over 100 restaurants around downtown Greenville and several options in downtown Traveler's Rest.
Here's a blog post that I wrote in 2014 (a few months after we moved to Greenville) discussing some of our favorite recent finds.
There are many notable cycling routes. We have lived in Greenville for 6 years and we are still discovering new routes! Here's a list of our favorite scenic climbs:
The Watershed
Green River Cove loop
Saluda Grade
Skyuka
Caesar's Head
Paris Mountain
Sassafras
Where to start your ride
Trailblazer Park
Furman University
Traveler's Rest Museum
Hotel Domestique
North Greenville University (Tigerville location - behind the theater off 414)
Carolina Triathlon - tri/bike shop
Set up Events - SC triathlon series - local race series
Greenville Humane Society - adopt, foster, donate
Westside Aquatics - lap swimming
Greenville Spinners - local cycling club
Greenville Triathlon Club - local triathlon club
Greenville Track Club - local track/running club
Greenville Splash - local master and open water swim group
Lake Summit run route - Popular crushed gravel loop around Lake Summit (park at Tuxedo Park).
Although the word is slowly getting out, Greenville, SC is a hidden gem in the southeast. We are so happy to live in such a beautiful and friendly community. If you love nature and live an active lifestyle, you too will quickly fall in love with our incredible city.
Lake Summit run route - Popular crushed gravel loop around Lake Summit (park at Tuxedo Park).
Although the word is slowly getting out, Greenville, SC is a hidden gem in the southeast. We are so happy to live in such a beautiful and friendly community. If you love nature and live an active lifestyle, you too will quickly fall in love with our incredible city.
