October brings some of the best weather in Greenville. Warm afternoons and cooling evenings make for a great time to get outside and explore. We’ve got waterfall hikes, kayaks to rent, and bike trails to ride, all before (or after) you stroll downtown for seasonal fall menus, tasty bakery treats, and coffee shops showcasing their favorite autumn flavors.

Another benefit of living in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the changing of the leaves. If you plan your trip just right, you can start off in a still-green Greenville, SC, and make your way up to the scenic overlooks for breathtaking views of the trees decked out in all shades of yellows, oranges, and reds. We’ve laid out a tour that will have you leaving Pettigru Place (having just enjoyed a wonderful breakfast) and driving into the mountains along twisting roads. Stopping to enjoy the valleys below, stretching your legs on the way to tree-lined waterfalls, sitting down for lunch and coffee, then heading back for an evening in Greenville. Is it an ambitious list? Yes! You can treat this like an all-day excursion or just pick and choose where you want to visit. There will be plenty to see, no matter how long you want to be out.

First stop: Caesars Head State Park. With easy access to the granitic gneiss outcropping (an exposed bedrock surface made of granitic gneiss, a banded metamorphic rock derived from granite under intense heat and pressure. Thank you Purdue Arboretum for that little nugget!) that allows you to walk out over the trees, not only to enjoy the colors, but to watch the birds fly below you. Table Rock State Park is our next beautiful location for you to “choose your own adventure.” You could view the colors from your car as you drive Scenic Highway 11 or stop at the park and take the Carrick Creek Falls Path (0.2 miles) to a 15-foot waterfall or the Pinnacle Lakeside Trail (easy 1.8-mile loop) to view the leaves reflecting off the water. Back onto Highway 11 to Twin Falls. Follow the directions. You might think you’ve gone the wrong way, but trust me you’re almost there.  Once parked, follow the 0.25-mile path to the large observation deck to watch two falls tumble down 70 feet of granite. Keowee-Toxaway State Park is another beautiful lake that mirrors the trees. This stop is more for the adventurous hikers to follow the Natural Bridge Trail, it can be a little strenuous. Devils Fork State Park is the only public entrance to view Lake Jocassee with its picturesque crystal-clear water. Sit and enjoy the view from the small beach or make plans to join one of the lake tours to see even more of this 7,500-acre reservoir and all its hidden waterfalls.

Assuming you have run out of cookies taken from the inn, I would say it’s time for lunch! Next, we’re off to North Carolina for Wild Thyme Gourmet, an Asian twist on American classics. Over 20 years in business and countless five-star reviews let you know that chef-owner Dindu Lama knows what he is doing. Back on the road  to Bridal Veil Falls, followed by Dry Falls, just a few miles away from each other. Both have easy parking and allow you to walk behind the cascading water.

Returning to South Carolina, we visit Oconee County in a stop that will be a two-for-one deal! Visit Stumphouse Tunnel, the unfinished railway tunnel from the 1850s, then see Issaqueena Falls as it drops 200 feet. As the leaves start to drop, your view will be even better. A coffee and a treat is all you need before you head home to Pettigru Place. I suggest Alexander’s Coffee House & Café in Walhalla.

There are plenty of big or small trips you can take while visiting Greenville. Some great resources to help you narrow down your plans can be found at Upcountry South Carolina or Visit Greenville SC.  Be sure to check this Fall Foliage Map to see the peak times to visit, then give us a call or book below!  We would love to take care of you during your travels through South Carolina’s upstate.

Recurring Events

Thursday Evenings in September and October – Falls Park – Moonlight Movies – 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.

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.  As an important reminder for all, please leave all pets at home, do not bring glass cups or bottles, and no smoking on-site. Movies shown TBA.

Saturday Mornings May – October – 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. 

Saturday until December 19, 2026 – Greenville State Farmers Market

Join them every Saturday morning April-December to shop with our small vendors. Fresh produce, plants, a variety of handmade crafts, soaps, jewelry, and baked goods will be available. From 8am to 1pm.

October 1–4

October 5–11

October 12–18

October 19–25

October 26–31