Discover the Best Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC

No matter the time of year, you can find an abundance of fun things to do in Downtown Greenville, SC. A dynamic and bustling area, Downtown Greenville boasts a scenic waterfall and a picturesque bridge center surrounded by lively events and entertainment suited for all ages. Whether you're exploring with loved ones or discovering the city on your own, there are lots of Downtown Greenville activities to choose from for a memorable day out.

Summary:

• Best Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC

• Events in Downtown Greenville, SC

• Best Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC, Conclusion

Best Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC

Whether spending the day outside, finding the perfect date night location, or enjoying an attraction that’s fun for everyone, here are our recommendations for some of the best things to do in Downtown Greenville. 

Outdoor Downtown Greenville Attractions

Greenville is known for being situated along the Reedy River, which weaves through the heart of the city. The river ebbs and flows through the downtown’s green spaces, connecting the city’s parks and featuring a stunning waterfall. Surrounded by so much lush greenery, Downtown Greenville offers a variety of outdoor attractions and activities that help give residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty around them:  

• Falls Park: Locals and visitors alike can be found marveling at the picturesque Reedy River Falls or strolling Liberty Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that connects the two sides of the city. The iconic waterfall and bridge are located within Falls Park, one of the top Downtown Greenville, SC, attractions.

• Cleveland Park: Affectionately dubbed the “City Park” by Greenville residents, Cleveland Park was established in 1922 when a local family donated 122 acres of land alongside the river. Now, visitors can play tennis, volleyball, or softball on the various sports courts. There are playgrounds, fitness trails with workout stations, and numerous picnic spots. The park is also home to the Fernwood Nature Trail and the Greenville Zoo.

• Swamp Rabbit Trail: If you’re looking for a perfect place to hike and sightsee, this 28-mile trail stretches from Downtown Greenville alongside the Reedy River and the city’s parks before heading into nearby Travelers Rest, SC. You can hike, run, or bike the trail and hop on or off at any point. Residents in Pulte new construction homes in Easley, SC, are only four miles away from a similar multi-use trail called the Doodle Trail, which runs parallel to the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

• Greenville Zoo: The city zoo is a delightful place for all ages and one of the best Downtown Greenville things to do. Spend the afternoon observing monkeys, alligators, birds, and other wild animals. The zoo also offers special children’s programming throughout the year. 

• Public art installations: Explore Downtown Greenville by roaming the city and spotting the numerous murals, sculptures, and statues on display around the city. These Greenville, SC, attractions downtown offer you a chance to learn more about the city and its history.

Downtown Greenville, SC, Activities 

Downtown Greenville offers much more than the great outdoors when it comes to activities you can enjoy. These fun things to do in Downtown Greenville offer you opportunities to learn more about art, history, and music, cheer on the local baseball team, or watch popular movies under the night sky: 

• The Children’s Museum of the Upstate: Spanning 80,000 square feet, this museum focuses on play-based learning and features several events and programs for children of various ages. It’s a great place to spend the day.

• Greenville Drive at Fluor® Field: Sports fans enjoy catching baseball games at Fluor Field, a mini version of Fenway Park, while cheering on the Greenville Drive, a local team and affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. With seats that feel like you’re on the field with the players, it’s an immersive and exciting experience.

• Sigal Music Museum: Music lovers and history buffs can explore the galleries and exhibits, gazing upon instruments from the 1500s through today. Be sure to check out the museum’s calendar of events to catch a live performance.

• Greenville County Museum of Art: This museum primarily focuses on American art, but it also features rotating exhibits, so you can always find something new to inspire you. Free to the public, the museum offers workshops, yearly events, and educational programs for youth and adults. 

• Upcountry History Museum: Immerse yourself in history at the Upcountry History Museum. While there is an admission fee, the museum hosts monthly Neighborhood Nights, which are free. Additionally, you’ll find a variety of events, like Bingo at the Museum and Toddler Time.

Downtown Greenville Nightlife

Beyond the hip bars, hidden speakeasies, and trendy restaurants, Downtown Greenville, SC, offers no shortage of nightlife, ideal for a date or a night out with friends: 

• The Comedy Zone: For an evening of laughs, head to The Comedy Zone. Watch a rising local star or a well-known comedian over food and drinks. As of May 2025, this spot’s got a 4.5-star rating on Google, with reviewers commenting on the great atmosphere and food.

• Greenville Theatre: Featuring classic comedy and dramatic plays, these local productions offer high-quality performances in the area’s oldest and largest professional theatre.

• Jack n’ Diane’s Dueling Piano Bar: Experience a unique blend of live music and karaoke at this wonderfully entertaining spot. Gather your friends, order your favorite drink, then find a seat and get ready for an unforgettable night.

• Bon Secours Wellness Arena: Catch a hockey game with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits or a concert with one of your favorite artists. This arena hosts almost every kind of event, from famous performers and popular children’s acts to monster truck shows. 

Events in Downtown Greenville, SC

In addition to the many things to do in Downtown Greenville year-round, the city’s robust events calendar offers even more options for fun. Whether it’s attending the weekly farmers market or annual festivals like the Jazz Fest or Shakespeare in the Park, you can turn an ordinary weekend into a lively, exciting, and memorable one by checking out some of these Downtown Greenville events:

• TD Saturday Market: One of the more popular weekly events in Downtown Greenville since it began in 2003, this farmers market spans two blocks on Main Street, offering the freshest produce from Greenville farmers as well as homemade treats and handmade products, such as woodwork and artwork. It also features cooking demos, live music, and booths with special crafts and programming for children. This unique market, which runs from May through October, hosts upwards of 75 vendors each week and only allows vendors who have a business within 100 miles of Greenville. 

• Moonlight Movies: Watch a movie under the stars at Downtown Greenville’s Moonlight Movies. This movie series is free and takes place every Thursday during the summer at Greer City Park Amphitheatre. 

• iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival: Every April, the iMAGINE STEAM Festival arrives in Downtown Greenville. Hosted by Fluor, an engineering and construction firm, the event is designed specifically for students from Pre-K through high school living in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties. This free festival invites them to learn about career pathways in the math, tech, and science, arts, and engineering industries, complete science experiments, watch and play with robots, and interact with the latest technology.

• Artisphere: Another annual spring event is Artisphere, when hundreds of visual artists flock to Main Street in Downtown Greenville to sell their designs each May. Vendors represent dozens of art mediums, such as jewelry, glasswork, painting, wood, and ceramics. The festival also includes special programming, including live art demonstrations, chalk art, and an art lab. While you browse the booths, you can enjoy live music and performing artists. The event is free, open to the public, and hosted by Prisma Health®, one of South Carolina’s largest health systems. Artisphere has received numerous accolades, including being named the 2025 Best Art Festival in the USA Today® Readers’ Choice Awards, helping make it one of the top Downtown Greenville events.

• Greenville Jazz Fest: Another spring event on the Downtown Greenville calendar, the Jazz Fest takes place at the end of May and features New Orleans jazz, swing, funk, smooth jazz, Latin jazz, and much more. While the event is free, you can purchase and enjoy drinks and light bites from local food trucks and tents that are scattered around Main Street while lively jazz notes fill the air.

• Upstate Shakespeare Festival: This annual event runs from May through July and typically features two of The Bard’s famous plays. The Warehouse Theatre hosts this event, performing Shakespeare’s most popular and important works at Falls Park since 1995. The shows are free and open to the public; just make sure you arrive with enough time to find a spot. Grab a cozy blanket and lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy an evening of Shakespeare’s iconic and timeless wordplay.

• Fall for Greenville: One of the best things to do in Downtown Greenville, SC, in the fall is to attend this yearly event, held one weekend in October on Main Street. Dozens of local restaurants set up tables and serve their most popular, signature dishes. The event generally boasts over 50 restaurants, craft beers, and wines, as well as dozens of bands performing across six stages. While admission is free, to truly experience the event, you’ll want to buy a taste ticket. Fall for Greenville offers an incredible weekend full of delicious local food, drinks, and live music. 

Best Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC, Conclusion

There are many reasons why Greenville has become such a popular spot for homebuyers and visitors alike, and the downtown area’s unique blend of outdoor adventure, attractions, and activities is one of them. Whether you already live in one of Greenville's neighborhoods or are considering a move here, be sure to explore all the Downtown Greenville, SC, things to do, as well as the annual events that bring the community together.

Explore new construction homes in Greenville, SC, today, or browse more Pulte blogs. 

Written By: Alexandra Shimalla, Freelance Journalist

Last Updated: INSERT PUBLISH DATE HERE FORMATTED LIKE: 9/18/23