The city of Greenville is always abuzz with activity, but the fun is dialed up a notch in the heat of summer. Given that the town serves up almost too much to choose from, we have drawn up the ideal weekend itinerary to get the most out of your visit.
From Greenville Drive action on the baseball diamond to the local love on display at the TD Saturday Market, there is no shortage of fun to be had during a weekend of summer fun right here in the Upstate.
Day one: Rooftop pool, baseball and live music
If you're traveling, you'll need a place to stay and there are plenty of quality hotels ready to accommodate you during your visit. During summer months, however, there is one spot you should check into over all others: Aloft. What makes that decision so easy, you might ask?
Well, besides a central location accessible to everything that downtown has to offer, Aloft has one particular feature that sets it apart from all others – a rooftop swimming pool. Basking poolside has never been more fun than when you're gazing upon the skyline of the city you're calling home for the weekend.
Fridays are also a great time to catch a ball game in one of the nicest minor league parks in the nation. Fluor Field, home of the Boston Red Sox affiliate Greenville Drive, is designed as a miniature version of the famed Fenway Park, complete with our very own Green Monster. For added fun, time your visit when the New York Yankee’s Charleston River Dogs are in town for a minor league version of one of the greatest rivalries in professional sports.
For Friday night eats (besides a ballpark hot dog, of course) there is plenty to choose from between Aloft and Fluor Field. You can't go wrong with a pizza and a beer from Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria right by the hotel, or there are some darn good burgers at Liberty Tap Room right next to the stadium.
After the game, live music at Aloft’s W XYZ Bar is never a bad decision. Local and regional artists are always livening up the evening and the view of the city lights at night is a treat.
Day two: Foodie options galore
No matter where you live, Saturday mornings are for visiting the local farmers market, and Greenville has one of the best ones around. The TD Saturday Market features more than 70 local farmers and artisans every Saturday morning from May through October and is a great way to get a feel for the true spirit of the city.
Participating vendors are the backbone of the Upstate food system and it's fascinating to see them all come together every Saturday of the summer. Bring a cooler and load up on snacks; they will come in handy later in your adventure.
While you're at the market, you'll want to hop a couple of blocks over to Greenfield’s Bagels & Deli. This is the bagel shop where the New Yorkers eat and the authentic flavor is the perfect brunch bite for a day exploring the city.
After the market and a bagel, you can explore the easily walkable city on foot, venturing in and out of the countless shops and galleries Greenville has to offer. Or you can take advantage of that rooftop pool at Aloft and not a soul on earth could blame you.
Either way, work up an appetite because Greenville has some spectacular dining options for a Saturday night on the town. Husk serves up some great farm-to-table cuisine, UP on the Roof pairs a great meal with rooftop views, and Halls Chophouse offers an unforgettable fine dining experience, just to name a few of the options at your fingertips.
Day three: Brunch, bikes and picnic blankets
The Falls at Falls Park — Photo courtesy of Brett Barest
Sundays are for brunch and the best brunch buffet in town is coming out of the kitchen at Roost. Chef Daniel Dobbs's fried chicken and macaroni & cheese are some of the best in town and, really, everything on the sprawling buffet is top-notch.
Washing it down with a Bloody Mary or two is never a bad idea and, provided you do not gorge yourself into naptime, is a great start to a day on the town. Rent bikes from any number of the city’s rental stations and hop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail for a visit to the Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery or Hampton Station for a visit to Birds Fly South Ale Project or Craft Axe Throwing.
Most guides to exploring the city of Greenville would have Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge listed as one of the first places you should see when you visit. In the summer, however, that trip is best saved until late afternoon on Sunday when you can be there for the Upstate Shakespeare Festival.
The annual festival invites you to relax on a blanket in the gorgeous setting of Falls Park, just under the shadow of the visually stunning Liberty Bridge. And those locally-sourced breads, cheeses, fruits and chocolate you procured at the market the previous morning? This is the perfect time to feast on them while you kick back on a blanket and enjoy the show.