The upstate of Southern California is home to many pleasant towns, but perhaps none as special as Greenville. The city contains many hills and knolls, thanks to its pleasant positioning in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The prominent peaks of Sassafras Mountain and Paris Mountain create a pleasant backdrop and a new adventure around every corner means that this is the perfect destination for your next driving holiday.
Greenville is home to many diverse museums, thrilling outdoor recreation, shopping galore and many fine eateries. It is the ideal place to hire a car because there is so much to see and do within and outside of the city limits.
1. Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
To begin your journey of Greenville, pick up your rental car and embark on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. This 115 mile scenic route begins near the Georgia-South Carolina border and features many stop-off points that are sure to capture your eye's attention.
Make your first stop in Walhalla, which is South Carolina's home of Oktoberfest. Browse the antique and specialty shops and marvel at the historic buildings that line this town's streets.
Be sure to check out the Whitewater Falls which descend over six sets of cascades, making them the highest set of falls east of the Mississippi. Enjoy a picnic at Sassafras Mountain or Twin Falls and take in your stunning natural surrounds. This drive really is spectacular, so much so that you may never want it to end. However, you will eventually end up in Greenville, where you can start an exploration that is sure to remain in your memory for a lifetime.
2. Children's Museum of the Upstate
Scheduled to be opened next year, this museum is a hands-on discovery and life-long learning centre of fun and entertainment. This museum, which is being built especially for the kids, will focus on arts, humanities, sciences, health and nutrition. The centre will serve the needs of children and families alike and if nothing else, will ignite a passion for learning.
3. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
The Chimney Rock State Park brings the best of the mountains together in one place. The highlight of the park would have to be Chimney Rock, which you can climb and take in the 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont. Take some time to hike the Hickory Nut Falls and you will be rewarded with 404 ft falls. These falls are known to be one of the highest waterfalls in the east so they are definitely worth a look at.
4. City of Greenville Parks, Recreation and Zoo
The city of Greenville is scattered with parks and recreational grounds, giving it a pleasant feel and natural ambience. The city zoo is home to open-air exhibits of wildlife from around the world, which are sure to entertain and amuse members of the whole family. There are also many picnic shelters in and around the city, which will make your holiday even more enjoyable.
5. Falls Park on the Reedy
Falls Park is a tribute to the Reedy River and is an oasis in downtown Greenville. Home to many scenic outlooks and nature trails, it is the perfect place to get back in touch with nature and discover some of the city's finest natural and man-made attractions. Other features of the park include a pond, landscaped gardens, waterfalls and a new pedestrian footbridge. The park is home to some particularly interesting architecture and there is sure to be something here for everyone.
6. Greenville County Museum of Art
The Greenville County Museum of Art is regarded as one of the country's premier American art museums, featuring some of the nation's finest collections. An exhibit of particular interest would have to be the Southern collection, which traces the history from colonial times to the present. This experience is guaranteed to educate, inform and please all visitors.
7. Rockhouse Vineyards
Specialising in producing award-winning wines, the Rockhouse Vineyards are situated in an idyllic location in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The winery features a cosy tasting room and an inviting porch that will give you sweeping views of over 10 acres of the vines and mountains beyond.
Greenville surely does live up to its name, featuring so much greenery that it will be hard to decide where to start your exploration here. The surrounding mountains and parks are perfect for day long getaways, and these journeys will be made really simple in your rental car. All you have to do is enjoy the scenery and sights that abound.
Christine Barton
