Think a day trip escape would be a welcome change for your family? These cities and small towns near Greenville, SC will do the trick! It’s time to take a fabulous relaxing stroll down a small-town sidewalk with a coffee in hand, browse shops, get some lunch, or check out an amazing park. We love visiting new places near Upstate, SC and we love making day trip adventures for our family and readers.
If you’re looking for a fabulous town where you can spend the day, check out this list of towns that are an easy day trip from the Upstate. We have ideas for things to do, places to eat, and even places to stay if you decide to make a weekend of it.
Day Trips From Greenville, SC
There are dozens of small towns near Greenville that are perfect for a day trip. We gathered a list of some of the best where you can see something new, grab a bit to eat, and enjoy the day with your family.
Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville, NC is known for apple orchards and brisk fall adventures, but it also has a fabulous small town near Greenville, SC that is full of shops, museums, parks, and more. It is just about an hour from the Upstate, making it a perfect place to spend a day away with your family.
Asheville, NC
A popular place to spend the day, Asheville, NC is full of things to do, a fabulous art scene, and delicious food. Asheville offers a lot for families including the WNC Nature Center and the NC Arboretum, as well as easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We love Asheville for a day trip, and we also love to combine it with other WNC towns like Hendersonville, NC for a mini road trip feel.
Cashiers, NC
If you haven’t visited the little town of Cashiers, NC, and discovered all the amazing waterfalls in Sapphire Valley, you’re missing out. Enjoy fabulous hiking and even waterfalls you can see without any hiking at all. Cashiers is one of the most beautiful places in Western North Carolina, so it is worth the trip.
York County, SC
In York County SC you’ll find farms and orchards to explore in the surrounding areas, plus nature parks and more fun things to do. We also have recommendations for some tasty treats you won’t want to skip!
Landrum, SC
Landrum, SC is a South Carolina border town with fabulous food and a walkable downtown area with interesting shops and antiques. There’s hiking nearby and Landrum parks to explore. The town is less than a 45 minute drive from Greenville, so you can make loose plans for a fun day.
Greer, SC
The Upstate’s own Greer, SC is a great place to spend the day or an afternoon and is one of the best small towns near Greenville, SC. With great shops and dining, plus a renovated downtown area and gorgeous Greer City Park, Greer should be on your list of places to visit for the day.
Travelers Rest, SC
You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants in Travelers Rest, SC plus fun coffee shops, a driving range, and more all set beside the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail. Travelers Rest is one of my family’s favorite places to go for the afternoon.
Simpsonville, SC
Check out several local parks in Simpsonville, SC, plus an adorable downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the train at Heritage Park.
Pickens, SC
Want to explore the outdoors? Pickens, SC is the place to spend your day. Hike, bike, swim, and boat through the many parks and lakes in Pickens County, SC. You can enjoy Lake Keowee, head to Clemson, and check out the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, hike Table Rock State Park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or explore the natural beauty of some of Upstate South Carolina’s most beautiful natural places.
Camden, SC
Explore Revolutionary War history, eat delicious food, hike, shop, and more all in Camden, SC.
Newberry, SC
Historic Newberry, SC has been named one of the “most charming small towns in America.” Find out why with a visit to the historic town, with an urban hike, museums, a Japanese Garden, and even an opera house.
Glenn Springs, SC
Glenn Springs is a historic town known for its mineral springs with healing properties. You can take a driving tour of the town, hike the Glenn Springs Passage of the Palmetto Trail, visit the Old Stone Church built in 1908, and take in the history.
Columbia, SC
Spend some time in the South Carolina state capital, Columbia, SC. Enjoy the Riverbanks Zoo and don’t miss their splash pad at Waterfall Junction, or head indoors to EdVenture Children’s Museum or the Columbia Museum of Art. Columbia may be a big city, but there are so many niche areas to explore.
Blairsville, GA
Blairsville, GA is a fantastic mountain town. You’ll find many places to hike and enjoy the outdoors, plus a great little downtown area, restaurants, and even a petroglyph site.
Dunwoody, GA
Dunwoody, GA is full of great things to do, like a visit to the Atlanta Zoo. You’ll also find great restaurants and tons more to do in this Atlanta suburb.
Looking for more day-trip ideas? Here’s our Day Trip Guide packed full of ideas for every season.
What is one of your favorite small towns near Greenville, SC?
We tried visiting the “Japanese Garden” in Newberry several months ago. You may want to visit places before recommending them to readers. The “garden” was an old lot, about the size of a couple of houses. It was overgrown with weeds. Nothing was blooming. There was one structure of a Japanese style. Seeing the whole thing took about 5 minutes and we were quite disappointed. Try Gibbs Gardens, in Ball Ground, GA, for a real Japanese Garden: 43 acres of waterlily ponds, trees, a bridge that looks like the one in Monet’s painting, “Waterlillies,” many plantings and beautiful scenery within… Read more »
Thanks. We will certainly look into Gibbs Garden. I’m sorry that the Japanese Garden in Newberry was a disappointment. As stated in the article, it was closed when our reviewer was in the area but was mentioned since it is a landmark. While we do our best to personally review the places we mention, sometimes spots are temporarily closed, not on our itinerary, or have seasonal or changes in experience outside of our visit but are still interesting spots that deserve a mention in our article.