Greenville, S.C. is a city that you can enjoy year-round, but the summer fun is not to be missed! Whether you want to beat the heat or explore the great outdoors, we have something for everyone.

Parks & Gardens

For those interested in leisurely strolls, I am happy to suggest any number of flowering gardens and parks. Falls Park on the Reedy is an obvious first choice. Enjoy the view of the falls from the curved Liberty Bridge, down below in the manicured gardens, or even from the lookout dining area of Passerelle Bistro.

Kilgore-Lewis House and Gardens, built in 1838, has a ballroom featuring a beautiful parquet floor. You are welcome to tour the gardens, creek, pond, and see another spring house that is still active and bubbling at one of Greenville’s oldest structures. You can tour the inside of the house during set hours.

Furman University has plenty to offer the garden tourist. Named one of the “30 Most Beautiful Campuses,” it features miles of trails, a lake, an arboretum, and multiple gardens (Rose, Wildflower, Ethnobotany, and Asian).

Roper Mountain Science Center is a beautiful educational property to spend time wandering through, including its butterfly garden dedicated to hosting over 25 species of “flying flowers” throughout the year.

Outside of town, you can visit the 295 acres of South Carolina Botanical Garden near Clemson University.

Hiking Trails Near Greenville

Paris Mountain and Conestee Nature Preserve are perfect for those wanting a beautiful day outdoors without being overly experienced in hiking. Both offer plenty of views, flora, and wildlife.

For more strenuous adventures, you can visit Caesar’s Head, Table Rock, or Sassafras Mountain, where the views will be worth the work.

Biking the Swamp Rabbit Trail

No outdoor list of Greenville is complete without mentioning the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Running along the Reedy River, the main line of the trail is 18 miles long, with 10 more miles branching off to explore more of the area.

This mixed-use path has plenty of places to stop for water, snacks, and breaks along the way. Bring your own bike or rent one from our friends at Reedy Rides.

Lakes, Waterfalls & Swimming Spots

Of course, if a little water activity is what you need, we’ve got you covered.

• Saluda Lake Landing rents kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and paddle boats. They have a café that serves delicious food and drinks, offers specials, and regularly hosts live performances to keep the atmosphere lively.
• Lake Placid at Paris Mountain State Park has a small sandy beach and paddleboard rentals available.
• Lake Jocassee and Pinnacle Lake both have sandy beaches that fill up fast on hot summer days.
• Jocassee Lake Tours offers pontoon trips with waterfall views and swimming opportunities.
• Riley Moore Falls rewards a one-mile hike with a refreshing swim.

For more adventurous guests, you can call Oxbow River Snorkeling to reserve an all-inclusive guided river snorkeling tour.

Sports

Greenville has two soccer teams, Triumph and Liberty. They both play at GE Vernova Park at Bridgeway Station. Triumph plays through October, while Liberty’s season runs through July.

You can enjoy Greenville Drive baseball games all summer long. Home games are played downtown at Fluor Field, with each win ending in fireworks!

If you would rather do the playing yourself, we have pickleball, golf (outdoor, indoor, and mini), tennis, basketball, and even ice skating at the Pavilion year-round.

Best Ice Cream & Frozen Treats in Greenville

Clare’s Creamery is a family-owned and operated shop that offers small-batch ice cream.

Keeping all things local (and mobile), Honest Scoop curates ingredients from local farms and businesses, serving us out of their vintage van at Unity Park.

Rolled right in front of you with your choice of toppings, you can create any number of combinations at The Creme Shack.

The Nomadik Few Gourmet Shaved Ice offers shaved ice so fine it mimics fresh snow. With traditional, gourmet, and organic flavors, as well as mix-ins, the options are truly endless.

Now that you’ve had all the summer fun—and heat—you can stand, you can go visit one of our museums, shop at any of our wonderfully air-conditioned boutiques, or enjoy a meal at the area’s fine restaurants.