Greenville, SC: A guide to a weekend getaway in a vibrant city less than two hours away
If your goal is to travel more in 2025, that task doesn’t have to feel daunting. Visiting the next town over from yours or a city a short drive away counts as traveling just as much as hopping on a plane and going somewhere completely foreign.
For those of us who live in the Charlotte area, there are plenty of great places to explore right here in the Carolinas — and one of those places is Greenville, South Carolina.
Greenville is an eclectic, small city with a great food scene and plenty of nature and activities to enjoy. Plus, it’s less than a two-hour drive from Charlotte, making it the perfect place for a weekend visit. (You don’t even have to take time off of work!)
We’ve done the planning for your next trip to Greenville right here, so all you have to do is hop in the car and enjoy a new (or old) favorite destination.
[MOST CHARMING SMALL TOWN DOWNTOWN: Greenville is on HGTV’s list. Which other towns are included?]
Getting there:
Greenville, South Carolina is less than a two-hour drive away from Charlotte. It’s a straight shot down I-85, which isn’t the most scenic route, but it’ll get you to your destination quickly and efficiently.
If that route looks particularly traffic heavy when you plug it into your GPS, you can also hop on I-77 for about 30 miles, then take a variety of local South Carolina highways instead.
There are flights between Charlotte and Greenville, SC, but they can be pricey. Typical costs range between $300 and $500 for a less than one hour flight.
Friday night:
The Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville
Location: 44 E Camperdown Way, Greenville, SC 29601
Leave Charlotte on Friday afternoon and arrive in Greenville by the early evening. Your room at the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville will be ready for you to check into upon your arrival. While this hotel is centrally located in the city of Greenville and steps away from the downtown, its rustic decor will make you feel like you’re tucked away in the mountains.
Enjoy the fireplaces and stone architecture throughout the hotel’s lobby, or step out onto the porch and take in a view of Greenville’s Reedy River Waterfall. When you’re ready to venture outside, the vibrant city is just steps away waiting to be explored.
Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint
Location: 19 Augusta St Suite H, Greenville, SC 29601
After your drive and getting acquainted with the hotel, you’re probably ready for dinner. Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint is an absolute must-try for burger lovers and less than a ten minute walk away from the Grand Bohemian. Decked out in colored lights year round, with walls covered in signed dollar bills, this funky joint serves delicious burgers.
One of the fan-favorites on the menu is called the Greg Brady, a burger topped with mac and cheese and BBQ potato chips. It sounds strange, but it’s a perfect combination of flavors. Order fries on the side, and don’t forget to dip them in Jack Brown’s signature sauce.
Spirit & Bower
Location: 44 E Camperdown Way, Greenville, SC 29601
Following dinner head back to the hotel, but don’t go up to your room just yet. Instead venture downstairs to Spirit & Bower, a dimly-lit, speakeasy style bar in the basement of the Grand Bohemian for a nightcap. The menu has seasonal and classic cocktails, as well as a lengthy selection of whiskeys and bourbons for sipping.
Alternatively, you could also grab a drink from the Lobby Bar upstairs and enjoy a drink by the fire before turning in for the night.
Saturday
Coffee Underground
Location: 1 E Coffee St, Greenville, SC 29601
Fuel up for a full day in Greenville at Coffee Underground, located in the downtown area about a 15-minute walk from the Grand Bohemian. This tiny coffee shop is literally underground and filled with mismatched furniture that creates a homey feel.
Grab a coffee to pair with a pastry or bigger breakfast item from the menu such as pancakes or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Plus, Coffee Underground also hosts a live improv comedy show every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night if you’re interested in coming back at night for a laugh.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Location: 103 McDaniel Ave, Greenville, SC 29601
Now that your energy is up from the caffeine and food, walk back toward the hotel to get on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 28 mile greenway throughout Greenville that’s perfect for walking, biking and taking in the sites of the city. You can get on the trail right outside of the Grand Bohemian and start your walk with an up-close view of the Reedy River Waterfall.
Continue on the trail past the Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. Memorial, which is a life-size plane which recognizes a pilot who lost his life during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Not far from the memorial is the Greenville Zoo, where you can exit the trail and take a loop around the zoo to see the animals. Admission is less than $20 (less than $10 if you visit during the off-season) per adult and it takes roughly an hour and a half to see the entire zoo. Close your loop by walking back toward the hotel and into the downtown area.
Paloma
Location: 315 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
All that walking probably has you working up an appetite, so take a lunch break at Paloma in downtown Greenville. Paloma is a stunning restaurant and perfect for a light lunch with a menu of small plates and tapas such as croquettes, albondigas, hummus, shrimp, chicken skewers and more.
Order your favorite dishes off the menu to share with the table and pair them with a signature cocktail to get your energy back up.
Group Therapy Pub & Playground
Location: 320 Falls St Suite G, Greenville, SC 29601
If you want to take a break and relax at the hotel before dinner, now would be the time, but if you’re feeling good and are in the mood for a fun activity head to Group Therapy Pub & Playground. This place is truly a playground for adults and kids alike, featuring ice curling, axe throwing, claw machines and more.
The highlight of Group Therapy is the wacky mini golf — an indoor, 18-hole course in which each hole is themed after a recognizable TV show or movie. During your game, you’ll hit your ball around a toilet, bounce it off boxes of wooden presents and even throw it down the mouth of a giant frog.
After your game of golf, hang out and play the other games, grab a drink from the full-service bar or take advantage of the beer wall, which is self-serve through a wristband.
[DOWNTOWN VIBES: 55 best towns in the Carolinas and what to do at each.]
Passerelle Bistro
Location: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Head back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner, which will be at Passerelle Bistro. Located steps away from the Grand Bohemian, Passerelle is just over the Liberty Bridge, which passes over the Reedy River Falls, so you’ll have a nice view on your short walk. This French bistro was named by CNN as one of the most romantic restaurants in the world, making it the ultimate date night spot in Greenville.
Order a bottle of wine and start your meal with an appetizer such as escargot or crusty bread. For main dishes, the lamb lollipops are divine, as are other menu options such as goat cheese gnocchi, duck confit and steak frites. To finish your meal, the creme brulee is a must-order. You’ll be so stuffed by the time you leave, you’ll be eager to crawl into bed back at the Grand Bohemian.
Sunday
Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar
Location: 355 S Main St Suite P301, Greenville, SC 29601
Start your day by walking across the green at the Grand Bohemian to grab coffee and a pastry at Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar. Carmella’s was a smashing success in Charleston, so the owners opened another location — which is just as good — in Greenville.
There are plenty of coffee options on the menu, including the basic house coffee, an iced vanilla latte and even a wide awake shake made with cold brew, espresso gelato and whipped cream.
Shopping stroll
Sunday is the day to truly explore downtown Greenville. Leave your bags with the front desk at the Grand Bohemian after check out at 11 a.m., then head to Main Street. This area downtown stretches ten blocks full of shops and restaurants. Spend a few hours getting lost within this radius, popping into all the shops and businesses that interest you the most. A few favorites are:
Mast General Store: Filled with trinkets such as mugs, magnets and merchandise, it’s the perfect place to get a souvenir.
M. Judson Booksellers: An independent bookstore located inside a historic courthouse building, you could easily spend an hour exploring here alone.
O.P. Taylor’s: A toy store recognizable by the two toy soldiers guarding the doors outside, this is a fun visit for kids and adults alike.
River Street Sweets: Known for its homemade praline and other treats, River Street Sweets will satisfy your sweet tooth every time.
Gather GVL
Location: 126 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29601
Before you leave town in the late afternoon, make one final stop for lunch at Gather GVL. Gather is a food hall that was named the fifth best food hall in America by USA Today’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards. The hall is entirely outside, with food stalls located in shipping containers surrounding a seating area in the middle with fire pits, picnic tables, green space and lounge chairs.
There’s bound to be something for everyone at Gather GVL — food options range from an acai shop, to fried chicken and donuts, to lobster, to sushi, to pub food and more. Sample something from all your favorite stalls and pair it with a beer from Greenville Beer Exchange or wine from the Juice Box.
After enjoying a leisurely meal at Gather GVL, head back to the hotel to pick up your luggage and drive or fly back to Charlotte.
