Are you thinking of visiting Greenville and you aren’t sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with several different itineraries depending on your family, traveling party and children’s ages. We have ideas for families with young children, big kids, a couples trip, and more. Let us do all the planning for you so you can just enjoy your time together.
It’s finally the weekend and you are planning on making a trip to Greenville, SC. Whether you have young children in your family or you’ve managed to find childcare and have a weekend away with your significant other, we’ve got lots of ideas to keep you and your family entertained once you arrive on Friday. Greenville is truly full of parks, events, concerts, restaurants, and trails and quite the destination in and of itself, which makes finding something to do on weekends more of an adventure than a chore.
Kidding Around Greenville has a really helpful calendar on the site of events happening daily, so be sure to make that your first stop when planning your weekend. And then use your imagination, or copy the itineraries listed below and claim them as your own!
This article includes:
Weekend Things to Do: Family With Small Kids Visiting Greenville, SC
Weekend Things to Do: Family With Older Kids Visiting Greenville, SC
A Great Weekend Family Trip to Greenville, SC
Visiting Greenville, SC for a Weekend Couples Retreat
Helpful Links for Visitors to Greenville, SC
Explore the Upstate, SC Area
Who’s coming to visit?
Family visiting Greenville, SC with smaller kids
Friday night: Do dinner in. Traveling is exhausting and the last thing people want to do is sit around a restaurant, especially with smaller children. So come up with an easy menu – quesadillas, a taco bar, pizza (homemade or order in – see our list of reader-recommended pizza places here), pasta – set up and serve.
Saturday: Head to a local farmers market, where kids and adults alike can sample lots of local food, get a tasty breakfast, see a cooking demo and pick up their favorite fruits and vegetables. If you’re in downtown Greenville, grab a coffee from Coffee Underground or Methodical.
After the farmers market, let the kids run around Falls Park in downtown Greenville while you visit with family and sit on the swinging benches and enjoy the view.
For lunch, either pack a picnic and stay at Falls Park or head to one of the many restaurants on or near Main St. or take a short walk over to the West End and enjoy awesome Southern BBQ at Smoke on the Water. Or if pizza is more your thing, the Mellow Mushroom on the same block is a good choice.
After lunch, walk over to M. Judson Booksellers and read to the kids or pick up a treat inside.
Before heading home, pick up dinner at Naked Pasta, which makes pasta and sauces from scratch. Enjoy the taste of Italy right here in the Upstate.
Sunday: Pick up bagels and cream cheese from Greenfields for brunch at home or enjoy one of the many wonderful brunch locations in Greenville. Then enjoy a day of play at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
If it’s raining, stop by the Upcountry History Museum. It’s an inexpensive way to spend time learning about South Carolina and playing with the unique and entertaining exhibits they always have.
During a lazy afternoon, check out one of these ice cream shops where you’re sure to find something yummy!
Family visiting Greenville with big kids
Friday: Go to a drive-in movie (yes, they still exist) at the Auto Drive In Theatre in Greenwood, SC. They’ve got food available for purchase.
Saturday: Jump in the car and drive to the Swamp Rabbit Café where a breakfast of scones and coffee from organic coffee roaster Counter Culture, will have you already planning your return trip.
But leave you must because you will be heading on over to Bike the Rabbit a few minutes away to pick up rental bikes (Reedy Rides is another bike rental place) and bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It’s a fantastic way to see the city and get in some exercise while having fun.
Stop for lunch at Papi’s Tacos on the river for authentic Mexican tacos and horchata, a yummy Mexican Rice milk drink with cinnamon. And gelato. They have delicious gelato.
For dinner, have hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill at home – easy, fast and tasty!
Sunday: Pack lunch while the older kids are sleeping in and get ready for a fun day on the water. Tubing is a great way to relax and enjoy family time together. Go tubing on the Davidson River.
Another option is renting a kayak at Lake Jocassee and enjoying the crystal clear waters. Bring a lunch and stop in any of the coves for a lakeside picnic.
A Family Trip to Greenville, SC
Thursday: While technically not the weekend, why not get in the weekend spirit and start celebrating early by going to a free outdoor movie! Greer has them starting in June every Thursday night. If you can swing a family night on a Wednesday, Greenville has outdoor movies at Falls Park for free starting around 8 pm.
Friday: Hot dogs, popcorn and Red Box movie night. Pack a lunch for Saturday.
Saturday: Get up early and head out to Table Rock, or one of the many parks in the area for hiking. Table Rock, and some others, like Paris Mountain, are totally kid-friendly. Here’s a list of trails that KAG readers have recommended. Don’t forget the packed lunch and drinks!
If hiking isn’t your idea of fun, try heading to one of the numerous parks in the area with the kids. Greer’s Century Park recently finished remodeling, and Kid’s Planet is now one of the most popular playgrounds in the Upstate!
Let the kids sleep on the way home while you and your partner scout the highways for local fruit and produce stands, many of which have a great selection of some of the best offerings of the current season.
If the kids are old enough, go see The Greenville Drive at Fluor Field and grab dinner from the many restaurants surrounding the stadium.
Sunday: Go and pick your own berries (or peaches this summer) at one of the many area farms. KAG has the scoop on where to pick berries. Then head on home and make pies with all the juicy berries that ya’ll just picked!
Couples Retreat to Greenville
Friday: Get the kids set up for dinner, make sure there is food at home and pack for your Saturday night getaway.
Saturday: Pay the sitter a little extra so you and your partner can leave early. Depending on what you like to do together, either go horseback riding at Black Horse Run, go on the At The Chef’s Table culinary and history tour, or create a masterpiece while enjoying a glass of wine at Wine and Design.
Enjoy your special night together either at one of these great bed and breakfasts. You’ll only feel like you’re a world away.
Sunday: Before heading home, book a couples massage at Hand & Stone in Greenville and afterward take a walk along the Reedy River with a coffee in hand.
Best Friend in Town
Friday: Start the weekend off right with a craft beer from the Southern Growl in Greer. Their amazing selection and relaxed atmosphere is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy friends.
Saturday: Sneak away to Due South Coffee in Greenville’s Hampton Station for an amazing cup of pour-over coffee and scone. Catch up while lounging in their ultra-comfy couches.
After coffee, head over to the Travelers Rest farmers market on Saturday morning, listen to music, and learn a variety of cool things from their Market Talks series – like herbal medicine and specialty gardening techniques.
For lunch afterward, go over to Sidewall Pizza, which has incredible pizza and salads and a great outdoor seating area.
Take a walk along the beautiful Swamp Rabbit Trail or rent bikes from Sunrift Adventures for an afternoon ride in Travelers Rest.
For dinner on Saturday night, grab dinner and a comedy show at Café and Then Some.
Sunday: Brunch, brunch, brunch. There are tons of great places – Larkin’s, Soby’s on the Side, Southern Culture – just waiting to be discovered.
Helpful Info For Visitors to Greenville, SC
- Places to Stay in Downtown Greenville
- Fully Furnished Rental Homes in Greenville
- Vacation Rentals Near Greenville
- Greenville’s Event Venues
- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Greenville
- 100 Fun Things To Do In Greenville
- The Ultimate Guide to Spring in Greenville
- The Ultimate Guide to Summer in Greenville
- The Ultimate Guide to Fall in Greenville
- The Ultimate Guide to Winter in Greenville
- Snag Kids Eat Free or Cheap Deals in Greenville
- Kidding Around Daily Event Calendar
Staying A little Longer Than a Weekend, And Want to Explore Beyond Greenville?
- Weekend Itineraries for Visitors to Spartanburg
- The Ultimate Visitors and Locals Guide to Greer
- Day Trip: Spend a Fabulous Day in Pickens
- Guide to Travelers Rest
- Spend the Day in Simpsonville
- Spend A Day in Easley
- Things To Do In Clemson
- Visit York County, South Carolina
- Spend the Day in Landrum