There are lots of “villes” attracting travelers from across the world these days. There’s Tennessee’s Nashville, aka Music City, North Carolina’s mountainous arts district Asheville, but there’s one other ville that is climbing the ranks.
(Hint: It’s not the other little-known “ville” in Tennessee, Greeneville, spelled with that awkward fourth "e.")
"Yeah, that Greenville" as its slogan suggests. Burrowed in the Blue Ridge Mountains roughly midway between Charlotte and Atlanta, Greenville, South Carolina, recently became a recommended global stop by New York-based, destination magazine Travel + Leisure.
The international publication included the radically reinvigorated South Carolina city as part of its list of "The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018."
"With more than 200 event days a year, there is almost always something special happening," said Taryn Scher, public relations representative for VisitGreenvilleSC.com. "The acclaimed downtown and Main Street area is truly the center of the action, but recently the growth is spreading outside of the downtown area as well."
Greenville's natural, upcountry scenery joined picturesque locations such as the Caribbean's Grenada; Africa's Egypt; Oceania's Fiji; and Brazil's São Paulo in the travel magazine's list.
Rightfully so. The city has transformed into a culinary citadel with historic to high-end accommodations to match its Southern charm. When you visit, add these must-experience sites of Greenville to your travel plans:
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Main Street. Landscaped with pocket parks and original sculptures, this award-winning area bustles with pedestrian-friendly, cultural adventures. "Along Main Street, there are more than 100 locally owned restaurants, countless boutiques, museums, galleries, performance theatres, a baseball stadium, arena, and a stunning 32-acre green space all within walking distance of the hotels," Scher said. "Every Friday night bands from across the region come out to play while people eat, drink and dance in the street during this weekly music series, which runs from mid-March through the end of September."
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Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail. Meandering alongside shoal and waterfall centerpiece Reedy River, the approximately 20-plus-mile trail was formerly a weekend passenger service and industrial hauling rail line before city officials gave the green light to transform it into a popular, sightseeing pathway during 2009. Today, the trail caters to more than 500,000 people annually — many interested in geocaching, biking and hiking. "A newly revitalized spot that's accessible off the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail is Hampton Station," said Scher, "which is where Due South Coffee, Birds Fly South Ale Project and White Duck Taco Shop draw massive crowds on nice days."
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Falls Park. Another outdoor oasis of Greenville, Falls Park on the Reedy River features manicured gardens, nature trails, a pedestrian suspension bridge and pristine waterfall overlooks. "Falls Park is a nationally acclaimed green space with a spectacular bridge that allows unobstructed views of the Reedy River Falls," said Scher. "The Liberty Bridge — a 345-foot, curved bridge supported by a single suspension cable — is the only one of its kind in the United States."
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Art in Public Places. While wandering downtown streets, admire authentic artwork of playful forms and public figures to celebrate Greenville's history. "Currently, more than 70 works of art are featured as part of Greenville, South Carolina's Arts in Public Places initiative," Scher said. The red steel 'Untitled 2002-2003' sculpture — referred to by many residents as Gumby — winds up in the background of almost every iconic photo taken in Greenville as it sits at one end of The Liberty Bridge."
Village of West Greenville. Less than 2 miles from Main Street, this landmark village is laden with historic buildings renovated to accommodate more than 65 establishments. From trendy retail stores and contemporary restaurants to creative galleries and design firms, this section of the city artfully merges the old with the new. "The Village of West Greenville has become the city's unofficial arts district with a number of celebrated restaurants, shops and galleries sprouting up," Scher said. "It's also home to the Greenville Center for the Creative Arts, which features a regular exhibit and art classes."
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