We are so blessed to be located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, affording us the opportunity to watch the trees as they change into their fall colors. If you’re visiting Greenville and hoping to see the beauty that Autumn has to offer here is a driving tour that will take you into the mountains, through small towns, waterfall strolls, and lunch all before returning here to enjoy downtown Greenville for dinner.  Be sure to check the Fall Foliage Map to plan your trip to the region. 

Miles of switchbacks and curvy mountain roads make this a tour that’s not for the faint of heart, but the breathtaking beauty of waterfalls, mountains, and color-changing forests render the drive worth taking.  

From downtown Greenville, you can head to the city of Pickens to see the Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center.  Restored with its original wheel components, it gives an authentic glimpse into the mid-19C life. Before heading to your next stop, you should swing over to the Bee Well Honey Coffee Café for a warm caramel latte or Rivyve Juice Bar for a whole fruit smoothie (try the Punchin’ Pineapple). 

A winding 11 miles away is our next stop.  Stretch your legs on a 10-minute walking trail that leads to the viewing deck of Twin Falls, which cascade down a 70ft drop, with one waterfall tumbling over boulders, and the other dropping straight down. 

Back in the car to Sassafras Mountain Observation Area with an observation deck offering 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains from atop Sassafras Mountain. 

By now you should be ready for lunch at Wild Thyme Gourmet in Highlands NC for a sandwich on the patio. 

Once you’re full and happy it’s time for more leaf peeping! Just 10 minutes away you can park to see Bridal Veil Falls from a roadside viewing area of the 60ft falls as well as surrounding foliage. 

Another 0.8mi to the west (look for National Forest signs on the left) is Dry Falls where you can walk behind the incredible 80ft falls and not get wet! 

Its time to return to South Carolina and Issaqueena Falls, inside of the beautiful Stumphouse Park in Walhalla.  Worth every minute of the 15-minute hike through Oconee’s lush forest to the 100ft waterfall.  If you have time and desire, you can make it to the other side of the park to see the Stumphouse Tunnels (a great and interesting place to visit, but as you can image not so many leaves in the tunnel!). 

Now’s your chance to ride Hwy. 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway with views of Table Rock Mountain.  This will take you to Devils Fork State Park covering 622 acres on the southwestern shore of Lake Jocassee, known for crystal clear water.  The mountains, trees, and sky make a breathtaking backdrop of the lake. 

On to Caesars Head State Park where you can walk out on the rock overlook for a view of Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain rising in the distance from the top of the 3,266ft-high peak at Caesars Head. 

Through Travelers Rest (don’t be afraid to stop any of the cute shops) and Furman University you can make your way back to Pettigru.  Meet us for wine and cheese and tell us all about your day before heading off to dinner downtown.

Here is a link to map out your day, but some of these lovely remote locations don’t have cell service.  You may want to download these directions or print them out. 

Now that you have a map to see the mountains in all their glorious shades it’s time to plan the rest of your trip to Greenville. 

Recurring Events:

Saturday mornings from 8:00 – 12:00 – TD Saturday Market – On Saturday mornings from the beginning of May until the end of October, two blocks of downtown Greenville’s Main Street are transformed into a bustling farmers’ market. The market features over 75 vendors selling the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high quality crafts.  Each week thousands of people flock to the TD Saturday Market for locally-sourced products where all food must be grown or produced within 100 miles of Greenville and crafters are highly-encouraged to use locally-sourced supplies.

Moonlight Movies– Falls park Come early to grab a good spot and play trivia with us before the show. Movies begin at sundown in Falls Park every Thursday in September and October. Local food trucks and Poppington’s Popcorn will be on-site.

Feel free to bring your own picnic, chairs/blanket and enjoy a cozy night under the stars! $1 wristbands must be purchased on-site if you plan on bringing alcohol.

Ongoing Events:

June 7, 2025 – January 18, 2026 – Upcountry History Museum – Avengers: Endgame – The Exhibition – The first exhibition of its kind in the United States, the project invites visitors of all ages to traverse the Marvel Universe. This once-in-a lifetime experience will explore the fourth installment in the Avengers saga and is the culmination of 22 interconnected Marvel films and the climax of a journey. The exhibit’s design and messaging will emulate Avengers: Endgame’s principles of friendship, teamwork, and setting aside differences to overcome impossible obstacles.

September 20, 2025 – February 1, 2026 – Upcountry History Museum – War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes   Twenty pieces of art paint a more complete picture of dogs at work, detailing the most menacing war dogs to goggled high-flying dogs to sleeping warriors and keen detectives. Artifacts include items used by war dogs and their handlers. Dog uniforms, medical kits and Purple Hearts share poignant stories of perseverance and bravery. Military working dogs have served and protected countless lives in war, this inspiring exhibition tells their amazing story.

October 18, 2025 – March 22, 2026 – Upcountry History Museum – Beyond Halloween Land/ Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – Just in time for the holidays, the Upcountry History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will present an exhibition dedicated to Filmmaker Tim Burton. Beyond Halloween Land | Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the iconic 1993 stop-action animated film by showcasing a carefully curated collection of models and original artwork used to bring the beloved film to life. The exhibition will invite visitors to reconnect with the endearing yet quirky characters from Burton’s iconic The Nightmare Before Christmas, such as Oogie Boogie, Bone Crusher, Sally, Dr. Finkelstein, and the beloved hero Jack Skellington. The exhibit will weave together maquettes originally crafted for Burton’s iconic film, and an array of artworks, inviting visitors to embark on their own imaginative journeys into the realms of fantasy.

Week by Week Daily Events:

October 1 – 5

October 3 – First Fridays – Greenville Area Gallery Crawl – First Fridays invites you to navigate Greenville’s visual arts scene each month as galleries and venues are open to the public from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Follow the link here for a number of resources to help you plan your route. You can visit maps to find the main areas where the galleries are located. Our gallery directory contains contact information and directions through Google Maps to each location.

October 4 – Greenville Shrine Club & Events Center – Southeastern Doll & Toy Show Antique, Vintage and Modern Dolls, Toys and Miniatures Admission is $8 with $2.00 off coupon on our website.  Children 12 and under admitted free. Door Prizes every 30 minutes. Appraisals available.

October 4 – Runway Park – Warbird Weekend – Warbird weekend is the first weekend in October. Historic planes put on a static aviation display and show for the public. Free to attend. You can pay to ride in a historic plane. We have had B17 bombers, Ford Trimotor, and T6 Texans over the years. Historic military vehicles from the MHCC Military History Museum,  Civil Air Patrol, Greenville City Fire Department, Greenville Sheriff, other hands on events from various vendors were all on display!

October 4- Hejaz Shrine Event Center – Bottle Share Join us for an exclusive evening of camaraderie and fine spirits at the Hejaz Shriners Bourbon Bottle Share! This is the perfect chance to share your favorite bourbons, discover new favorites, and enjoy the company of fellow bourbon enthusiasts. As a special highlight of the night, we’ll be drawing the winners of the highly anticipated Hejaz Shriners Bourbon Raffle, with four incredible pulls valued at over $12,000 total. Don’t miss out on this exciting event—come for the bourbon, and maybe walk away with an extraordinary collection!

October 4 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Blues Is Alright Tour – featuring Tucka, King George, Pokey Bear, Lenny Williams, Theodis Ealey and J-Wonn.

October 4 – 5 – Peace Concert Hall – The Greenville Symphony presents : Opening NIght: Hollywood Retrospective – Step into the glamour of Hollywood and celebrate the opening of the GSO’s “American Season” with Opening Night: Hollywood Retrospective! Music Director Lee Mills takes the stage with iconic music from legendary films, including Ben Hur, Casablanca, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Enhanced by the rich voices of the Clemson University Singers, this red-carpet event promises an unforgettable evening of cinematic splendor, community pride, and timeless music. Join us at Peace Concert Hall and let the magic of the movies come alive!

October 6 – 12

October 8 – The Peace Center – The Witcher in Concert   is coming to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt! Witness the open-world RPG’s timeless score brought to life with a live orchestra performance, featuring special appearances by Polish folk metal band Percival, the original co-composers of the game’s soundtrack. This cinematic experience combines breathtaking in-game visuals with live music, making it a must-see event for fans of The Witcher and epic orchestral performances alike.

October 8 – Foxcroft Wine – South Africa Wine Dinner Throughout the evening, you’ll enjoy a selection of South African wines paired with a thoughtfully crafted five-course meal by our culinary team.

October 10 – The Peace Center – Joss Stone: The Less is More Tour  Bursting onto the scene at just 16 with her multi-platinum debut The Soul Sessions, Grammy and Brit Award-winning artist Joss Stone has captivated audiences around the globe with her stunning vocals and fearless artistry. With over 15 million albums sold and a billion streams in the U.S. alone, she’s a true force in modern soul. 

October 10 – Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium – Matt Mathews Boujee On A Budget Tour Widely known and celebrated for his relatability and situational humor, Matt discusses a variety of topics and personal experiences in his stand-up, including his daily life of living on a farm, his career as a boudoir photographer, relationships, and more.

October 10-12 – Downtown Greenville – Fall for Greenville  This family-friendly three-day smorgasbord of food and entertainment showcases 50+ local restaurants serving some 250-plus dishes with more than 50 beers on tap, wine vendors, and over 75 musical acts on six stages—it is an absolute must-do for food and music lovers alike. Sample wines, learn about local beers, and watch some of the best regional chefs show off their chops in exciting demos. Top-name acts shine a spotlight on Greenville’s robust music scene with free entertainment on stages along downtown Greenville’s charming Main Street. Consider yourself invited to the Southeast’s most popular outdoor festival!

October 11- Peace Center – John Crist:Jokes for Humans one of today’s fastest-rising stand-up comedians, earning more than one billion video views, more than 7.5 million fans on social media, and sold-out shows from coast to coast — continuously charting as one of Pollstar’s Top 10 Global Touring Comedians. John has sold out the majority of his 2025 U.S. ‘Jokes For Humans’ dates and continues to add multiple shows in select cities.

October 13 – 19

October 16 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Keith Urban: High and Alive World Tour – with special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins

October 17 – First Presbyterian Church – Sidewalk Prophets On the heels of their Grand Ole Opry debut and three RIAA Gold certifications, Sidewalk Prophets launches its “Looking Up Tour” in Summer 2025. The extensive nationwide outing will find the beloved band performing signature hits, such as “The Words I Would Say,” “You Love Me Anyway” and “Live Like That,” alongside fresh selections from their fifth studio album, Looking Up. Don’t miss your chance to experience this one-of-a-kind evening filled with soul-stirring music, heartfelt stories and genuine community.

October 17-19 – Greenville Theatre – Clue: On Stage You are cordially invited to our dinner party featuring murder, blackmail, mystery, and hysteria on the menu. Clue: On Stage brings to life, and death, the iconic 1985 movie and invites you to try and figure out if Wadsworth the butler, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock or Colonel Mustard committed the deadly crime. Don’t miss this famous murder mystery meets farce comedy to find out who done it, what weapon they used, and why they committed the crime.

October 18 – Petals Tea Shop & Bookstore – Book Fair We’re planning on hosting 40 authors and select special vendors for our first big book signing event! This event is absolutely free to the public. You’ll be able to pre-order books from attending authors in our group @Petals Tea Shop and Literary Lounge and pick them up/get them signed the day of the event. Guests will be able to complete an author scavenger hunt and earn a special prize at the end!

October 18 – Whiskeys- Fourth Annual Motorcycle Show   It will be an exciting day packed with beautiful bikes, great music, and an unbeatable experience! This event welcomes motorcycle owners from all over to showcase their rides and compete for trophies, ribbons and of course bragging rights!

October 18 – CCNB Amphitheater at Heritage Park – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Drone Light Show Experience storytelling like never before with a wonderful new 45-minute drone light show adaptation of the classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

October 20 – 26

October 21-26 – Peace Center – Water for Elephants The critically acclaimed bestselling novel  comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

October 24 – 26 – Judson Mill – Hog and Barrel Festival Get ready for a weekend of bold flavors, smooth sips, and Southern hospitality at the Hog & Barrel Festival 2025 in Greenville, SC! This three-day celebration brings together the best of the Upstate SC’s culinary talent, craft distillers, and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind experience centered around bourbon, BBQ, and bacon.

October 24-26 – Greenville Shrine Club & Events Center – 2025 Upstate SC Gem & Mineral Show Open to the public, this show brings together 2 dozen professional dealers, who will have all manner of items of geological origin available for purchase!

October 25- TD Saturday Market – Special Harvest Market  Join us Saturday, October 25th for the last TD Saturday Market of the year – Autumn Harvest! We’ll have a variety of special activities to celebrate the holiday weekend like trick-or-treating with the vendors, a children’s costume contest, and more. From 8 AM to 12 PM on Downtown Greenville’s Main Street, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

October 27 – 31

October 27- Downtown Greenville – Oktoberfest

October 31 – Ravenshade Manor – The Grimoire Gala Step into a realm where legends come to life and shadows dance with the moonlight. The Grimoire Gala is the ultimate Halloween fantasy event, an immersive experience where classic monsters roam, and the line between reality and myth fades into the night.

Now that we have inticed you with all the fun ways to spend your time in Greenville why don’t you give us a call so we can help you book your stay here at Pettigru?!?  (Or click below)