It's no secret that the South Carolina Lowcountry is one of the crown jewels of our beautiful state. Yet today we'd like to take you inland quite a bit, to a place where the foothills give way to flowing rivers and beautiful mountainscapes. It's here, nestled near the border of North Carolina, that you'll find one of the state's most beautiful natural wonders: Lower Whitewater Falls. Whether you're looking for a bit of hiking, picnicking, or an excuse to enjoy the serenity of nature, you'll be glad you visited this South Carolina landmark.
Not far from Salem, South Carolina awaits one of the most picturesque waterfalls on the East Coast. Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, and it's shared between South Carolina and North Carolina.
The platform will offer hikers breathtaking views of Lower Whitewater Falls, a 200-foot drop that some argue is the most impressive section of the entire waterfall series.
Benjamin Franklin is famous for his role as the only Founding Father who signed all three documents that freed America from Britain, and his words are frequently referenced even to this day: "... in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Taxes and other financial obligations leave many of us with little for entertainment and fun. To make our dollars stretch, we need some options that will fit with a tighter budget. Thankfully, one of our most fun cities in South Carolina has also been deemed affordable! We'll take a look now at some fun things to do in Greenville, SC that won't empty the wallet.
Any first visit to Greenville needs to include a stop at Falls Park on the Reedy and the incredible Liberty Bridge. This beautiful spot is the centerpiece of the downtown area, comprising 32 acres of gardens, greenspaces, and historic ruins of mills. There is no admission for this park and you may even catch a free showing of a movie or a performance of one of Shakespeare’s famous plays here at certain times of year.
Throughout Greenville, you'll find stunning pieces of art, including statues, murals, and sculptures. You can take a self-guided tour using an interactive map provided online by the City of Greenville.
The Greenville County Museum of Art provides guests the opportunity to see the largest and most complete collection of Wyeth watercolors owned by any public museum in the world. Admission is free.
Kids and kids-at-heart will love looking for the nine tiny bronze mice scattered along a section of Main Street Greenville. Known as Mice on Main, this scavenger hunt was inspired by the children's book, Goodnight Moon. You can get a list of clues at the VisitGreenvilleSC Visitor Center in City Hall or at VisitGreenvilleSC.com.
For a bit of exercise and time out in nature, bike or take a walk or run along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a point-to-point trail stretching for just over 15.5 miles from Greenville to Travelers Rest. It's an easy route and both kid-friendly and dog-friendly.
Another wonderful experience in nature can be found at Paris Mountain State Park, which features Paris Mountain, a 15-acre lake, 17 miles of biking and hiking trails, campsites, picnic shelters, and more.
Kids and kids-at-heart will adore the aviation-themed playground adjacent to the Greenville Downtown Airport. Watch planes take-off and land while playing or enjoying lunch or dinner at the Runway Cafe onsite. What a fun activity in Greenville for anyone interested in aviation!
Did you know playgrounds aren't just for kids? In fact, there's an adult playground in Greenville full of all your favorite games and recreational activities including wacky mini golf, ping pong, ice curling, axe throwing, backyard games, and so much more. It's a place to experience the connection with others we desperately need but seems more and more evasive in our digitally-driven culture. Costs for games vary and there are free weekly events like karaoke and trivia. You can also get food at Group Therapy Pub & Playground if you get hungry while playing! It's one of the most fun things to do in Greenville, SC.
Downtown Greenville is often busy with fun free events. On Thursday and Friday evenings throughout the spring and into the early fall season, you can enjoy live music at Downtown Alive and Main Street Fridays. From May to October and once in December on Saturdays, join thousands of people along two blocks of Main Street taken over by the TD Saturday Market, featuring over 75 vendors selling the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high quality crafts. Check the VisitGreenvillSC Events page for announcements of all upcoming events you can check out on the dates of your visit.
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Where to Eat in Greenville on a Budget: The Clock Drive In
If you're not eating at any of these incredible attractions or you didn't pack a picnic lunch, you can always stop by one of the budget-friendly restaurant spots in Greenville. A few to consider include The Clock Drive-In on Wade Hampton Boulevard for a good old-fashioned burger meal ...
... the White Duck Taco Shop on Hampton Avenue or Airport Road for, well ... tacos!
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The nice thing about a road trip like this is it's so flexible. You could make it a day trip if you're not traveling from too far away, or if you'd like more time or would rather stay at least one night, you can always book an affordable Vrbo in Greenville, such as the Marigold River Pod on the Saluda River.
Everyone loves trains, and even if you've never traveled by train chances are you're at least a little intrigued by the idea. South Carolina has limited day trips on the rails but that doesn't mean the available trips don't pack a punch. These five incredible day trips by train dish up some fun and interesting agendas that are perfect for a single-day excursion from the Palmetto State. Consider one of these scenic train rides in SC for your bucket list, a unique and memorable experience.
Search for your train at the Amtrak website. Enter CHS for the departure city and SAV for the arrival city. You'll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
Once you arrive in Raleigh, have a bite to eat and then head over to historic Yates Mill County Park before heading back to Columbia later in the evening.
Search for your train at the Amtrak website. Enter CLB for the departure city and RGH for the arrival city. You'll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Columbia.
Search for your train at the Amtrak website. Enter YEM for the departure city and CHS for the arrival city. You'll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Yemassee. We think you'll enjoy this ride — it's one of the most family-friendly train trips in SC!
There are several nearby family-friendly restaurants where you can have a late lunch and then explore some shops while you wait for the late afternoon train back to Charleston.
Search for your train on the Amtrak website. Enter CHS for the departure city and FLO for the arrival city. You'll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
5. Winnsboro scenic ride on the historic Rockton, Rion & Western
Trains can be a fun way to travel and see the countryside. You'll have a blast planning and taking one of these day trips. Which of the scenic train rides in SC would you enjoy most and why?
Side note: Unfortunately the trains leaving the Upstate Amtrak terminals (Clemson, Greenville, and Spartanburg) all depart in the middle of the night - and arrive at their in-state destinations in the middle of the night. And that's the only reason the Upstate is not on this list.
