Downtown Greenville: The South’s Best Kept Secret

Here I am, once again, facing a long Pennsylvania winter. If you’re familiar with Pennsylvania winters, you may be aware that we can easily get mountains of snow. This is always great fun for the kids, but for adults, not so much. This is why I am eyeing South Carolina as a permanent destination and am making it a point to keep an eye on the real estate market during the next few years. If we plan it right, my husband and I will be resettled there by the spring of 2025.

And although I realize that I may not be sunning myself while sipping a cocktail with an umbrella in it during my birthday in March, I do think I’ll be quite a bit warmer and as for that white stuff? I do hope I’ll be seeing less of that and more of this below.

(Man walks dog at Falls Park Along the Reedy)

(Another shot of Falls Park along the Reedy)

By now you may have deduced that I’m exploring the Greenville area of South Carolina. Just last month we rented a very cute Airbnb with a balcony downtown. The only problem was that we were awakened most nights around 4 a.m. as food deliveries arrived at the local restaurants. This is a normal feature of urban life.  So while the location was super convenient, it was also a bit noisy.  If you’re one of those people who like to sleep past 8 a.m., you might want to trade convenience for a good night’s sleep and stay either in a high rise, or in the suburbs.

The most striking thing about downtown Greenville is the Falls Park on the Reedy. The city, using funds from a hospitality tax, transformed a 32-acre area in the West End District into a beautiful public garden and area where the public can walk, shop, or simply people watch.

Part of the project included a suspension bridge designed by architect Miguel Rosales, to offer dramatic views of the falls and gardens below.

Visitors can also enjoy the artwork in Falls Park. Among the pieces installed there are the Rose Crystal Tower by Dale Chihuly, commissioned to honor Harriet Wyche, who was a life-long Greenville resident and community volunteer. Wyche was instrumental in establishing Falls Park.

Another work includes Falls Lake Falls, located at the entrance to Falls Park and sculpted by Bryan Hunt. Then there’s “Untitled 2002-2003” by Joel Shapiro, which is the most valuable piece in the city’s collection and known as the dancing, or running sculpture. There’s also the “Sunflower Fountain,” which can be found in Pedrick’s Garden and was created by Ed Ziegler, Charles Gunning and Robert Brown. The cast bronze fountain was named after Pedrick Lowrey, a principal fundraiser for the park; it was also his favorite flower.

Walking through the park is not only a lovely way to get some exercise, but also a way to spend time in some of the area’s boutique shops, of which there are quite a few. Among the items sold are jewelry, apparel, art, and more and if you get hungry, you can always stop at one of the restaurants.

(“Rose Crystal Sculpture” by Dale Chihuly. Photo credit: Stephanie Thorn)

(Passerelle Bistro, Credit Vanzeppelin Arial/Visit Greenville, SC)

(The Grand Bohemian Lobby, featuring a stone fireplace)

(A bison stone sculpture in front of the Grand Bohemian Hotel)

When we’re out of town seeing the sights, it’s difficult to pass up a local bookstore, so my husband and I spent time browsing the books at M. Judson Booksellers located at 130 Main, where I spotted an interesting light fixture comprised of spoons.

(The entrance to M. Judson  Booksellers)

(Joel Roberts Poinsett sits here)

(A boar statue crafted in the likeness of Florence’s Il Porcellino)

(Vardry McBee, also known as the Father of South Carolina)

Another sculpture you’ll come across in downtown Greenville is of Vardry McBee, a saddlemaker, merchant, farmer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has also been called the father of South Carolina.

(The Westin located in the heart of downtown)

(In this building, you’ll find a restaurant and a bookstore)

(In the foreground is the visitors center.  In the background is the Fidelity Investments Tower)

Of course, I had to take a photo of the local newspaper building, since I may be doing some work with them when I move. You never know.

(The Greenville News Building)

The Mast General Store is famous because of its history, the first of which dates back to 1883. Mast stores sell home goods, work clothes, outdoor clothing and gear, old-fashioned candy and more.

(Mast General Store Candy Barrels. Credit: South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

(Mast General Store Sign.  Credit: Visit Greenville, South Carolina)

Another business of note, particularly for its uniqueness, is “Gather GVL” I spotted the colorful place about a year and a half ago when I was riding a tour bus. It certainly commands attention from the street and I vowed to return later to check it out.

(Gather GVL can be described as a food court, crafted of colorful shipping  containers)