Like many other famous cities, Greenville offers plenty of attractions and events to enjoy, but it doesn't mean you have to spend money to enjoy this beautiful town.
Greenville offers plenty of free things to do in and around town for free such as parks, museums, and unique features spread all over the city.
Poinsett Bridge
Poinsett Bridge is the oldest bridge in South Carolina and today part of the 120 acre Poinsett Bridge Heritage preserve owned by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. It was designed by architect Robert Mills, who is also known for the Washington Monument, and built in 1820 as part of a street connecting Charleston to Tennessee.
It is a 14-foot Gothic arch stone structure that stretches 130 feet over Little Gap Creek. It was named after Joel Poinsett, a notable Greenville resident and eventual U.S. ambassador to Mexico.
The Poinsett Bridge is a historical landmark connected to both local and national history, a must-walk across bridge for all residents and visitors passing through Greenville.
Image by Erin Martin from Pixabay
Bald Rock Heritage Preserve
Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, located not far from Highway 276, is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and spans 165 acres. The Bald Rock is a massive granite gazing rock the size of a football field easy to reach thanks to a wooden footbridge near the parking area. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the South Carolina foothills and mammoth granite dome known as Table Rock standing in the distance.
The natural scenic overlook of Bald Rock it's easy to miss since there are no signs posted pointing visitors in the right direction; that's why you should look for some cars parked in a small area on the east side of U.S. 276, about five miles from the park headquarters.
A forest of hardwoods and pines surrounds the rock while lichens and mosses have settled on it creating openings and cracks. Bald Rock is also sadly known for modern graffiti ruining its natural look.
"Shoeless" Joe Jackson Museum
The "Shoeless" Joe Jackson Museum and Library is dedicated to Greenville's most famous native, the baseball player Joe "Shoeless" Jackson.
Jackson was a member of the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal. Even if he has never participated in the corruption, he was banned from playing after the 1920 season.
He scored a World Series record with 12 base hits and also counts on a .356 batting average, the third-highest in baseball history.
The museum is his five-room brick house, moved from its original location in 2006 to 356 Field Street; the location number was chosen as a way to honor Joe's .356 career batting average. The museum contains over 2,000 books related to baseball and some "Shoeless" Joe Jackson memorabilia.
Worth a visit is Jackson's statue next to Greenville Drive Team Store at Fluor Field, 947 S Main Street.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
A visit to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail with its 22-miles multi-use greenway is a must for lovers of the outdoors.
This trail is one of the most visited landmarks in Upstate, especially among cyclists, and there are many bike rental companies in the area.
The trail is ideal for family trips. The path is flat and easily accessible by bike for both adults and children.
The trail, opened in 2009, largely follows the bed of a former railroad trail. It begins at Greenville Technical College, crosses Greenville's city, continues through Falls Park and the Furman University. It ends about a mile north of the Travelers Rest city limits.
Fountains and restrooms are available along the trail, and everybody is invited to keep the path clean and be courteous.
The City of Greenville GIS Division, with support from the City's Parks and Recreation Department and the Greenville County Recreation District, created an interacting map for you to check before going and while on the trail.
NOMA Square
If you are looking for free events and connect with locals, NOMA (NOrth MAin) Square is the right place for you! It is the largest square in downtown Greenville.
It is located on 220 N Main St. just outside of Roost and the Hyatt Regency Greenville, a 330-room AAA Four-Diamond Hotel in the heart of the city that opened in 1982 and soon became the major landmark of downtown Greenville.
NOMA Square regularly hosts free events for the community, from yoga lessons to live music events and even an annual Oktoberfest festival. Always check the calendar to make sure traditional events are still in place and if there are new events to attend to.
The plaza is also surrounded by cafes and restaurants like Kilwins Chocolate, Fudge and Ice Cream, famous for its ice creams and the Mackinac Island fudge; Roost Restaurant renowned for fresh seasonal, organic, and local food; or Jersey Mike's Subs offering great sandwiches made with fresh bread and quality ingredients.
Furman University
Located in the heart of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Furman University counts on classical red brick buildings, sparkling fountains, and 750-acre campus.
The university, founded in 1826 and named for the clergyman Richard Furman, is the oldest private institution of higher learning in South Carolina.
Furman University is free of charge to explore and offers visitors picnic areas, paved walking paths, a remarkable rose garden surrounding a small but charming gazebo. A must-visit are the Place of Peace, a Japanese temple moved directly from Japan, and the Asia Garden.
The Florentina Bell Tower is another of the university's landmarks; it overlooks a scenic lake where swans swim peacefully.
Other notable points of interest are the James B. Duke Library's Special Collections & Archives Department, which houses the South Carolina Baptist Historical Collection and the South Carolina Poetry Archives and always has some exciting exhibitions going on, and the Timmons Arena, a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena built in 1997 home to the Furman University Paladins basketball team.
Photo by David Siglin on Unsplash
Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
Situated right behind the old Greenville Braves Stadium, the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve offers its visitors 13 miles of trails (6 miles of paved pathways and 1 mile of boardwalk) around Lake Conestee and the Reedy River.
It was opened in 2006 and consists of 400-acre (160 ha) of hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, and a large number of species of reptiles, mammals, and birds.
National Audobon Society designated the park as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance since about 214 different species reported in the park.
The park also hosts monthly events open to the general public, such as guided hikes, yoga classes, and educational activities for children from pre-k through high school-age students.
While exploring the preserve, it's free; a donation of $3 is highly recommended to support the natural area's maintenance and preservation.
Mice on Main
If you are looking to entertain children, Mice on Main is the free activity for you!
Nine bronze mice were placed along Main St. in Downtown Greenville in the early 2000s by Jim Ryan for his high school senior project.
Local sculptor and illustrator Zan Wells brought to life the mice that, in 2007, inspired Linda Kelly to write a book about them from the idea of her granddaughter.
The nine bronze mice are still nowadays a popular attraction for young and adults looking to spend a few hours of fun around Downtown Greenville.
Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy
Falls Park on the Reedy, located in downtown Greenville's Historic West End, is one of the "Top U.S. Park" by TripAdvisor users. The park is a multi-use facility where locals go for a walk, relax or enjoy one of the many events, like the free Upstate Shakespeare Festival in the summer.
The best part of the park is the 28' waterfall of the Reedy River and the 345 ft long, 12 ft wide Liberty Bridge.
The bridge, made of a concrete reinforced deck supported by a single suspension cable spanning the Reedy River, is a unique and exceptional architectural masterpiece.
From the bridge, visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the Reedy River, waterfall, and the Downtown Greenville skyline.
