Looking for Free Things to Do in Greenville? We have some great ideas on this extremely packed list. This list is an ode to that song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Make memories and take advantage of all the great things around Greenville. Enjoy!
Do you want to keep tabs on all the things to do in the Upstate? Don’t skip our giant list of Things to Do Near Greenville, SC, full of fabulous family fun any time of the year.
This article includes:
Free and Cheap Things to Do Outdoors in Greenville
Free Historic and Educational Places to Visit in Greenville
Free Things to Do with Kids in Greenville
Food, Fitness, and Fun Things to Do
Hours and openings are subject to change, so be sure to check with venues before visiting.
Also, we have the following articles about free things to do!
Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville
Free Things to Do with Toddlers in Greenville
Free Things to Do in the Summer in Greenville
Free Things to Do in the Winter in Greenville
Inexpensive or Free Things to Do Over Spring Break in Greenville
Free Dates in Greenville
Free Things to Do Outside in Greenville
Have your photo taken at the Medusa tree in Falls Park.
Explore the Children’s garden and sculptures at the Cancer Survivor’s Park.
Go bird watching at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve.
Spend the day at the expansive Unity Park near Downtown, Greenville.
Explore the parks around Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Visit one of these amazing gardens near Greenville or if you have time to drive take in the views at Pretty Place at Camp Greenville. (Just be sure to check their schedule as many weddings take place during the warmer months there).
Volunteer with REI to help keep our beautiful trails trash-free. You can keep tabs on the REI events and join a guided hike or take an outdoor skills class. Or, try one of these places to volunteer outdoors in the Upstate.
Put your hiking shoes on and try one of these great local hikes. If you have small children, try a hike that’s perfect for small kids.
Visit a FREE car show, Cars & Coffee on the 4th Saturday of everything month.
Play tennis in this cooler weather and use our comprehensive list of public courts.
Free fishing thanks to the South Carolina Fishing Tackle Loaner program where you can borrow a rod, reel, and tackle box for FREE. Check out Jackie Vest’s best fishing spots list.
Enjoy some free mini-golf at McPherson Park.
Extend the frisbee fever and play disc golf for free. The Upstate Disc Golf Club has a great review of the courses.
Chase waterfalls near Greenville with Kristina, our waterfalls expert. If you prefer waterfalls with no hiking, try our waterfalls driving tour.
Other than your picnic blanket, don’t forget your kite! See Greenville’s great spots for flying a kite.
Ride bikes on one of these trails or parks that are perfect for bike riders.
In downtown Greenville? Be sure to see our list of Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville!
Historic & Educational Free Things to Do Near Greenville
Great for visiting friends and family, take a free tour of downtown Greenville and ride the Downtown Trolley.
Anderson County Museum is free to visit (donation accepted), and has many kids’ events. During your visit, you can explore a one-room schoolhouse, a water well, and a harness shop.
Be a tourist in your own town and find out the story behind all those sculptures around town. Use the Art in Public Places Downtown Public Sculpture Guide.
A baseball fan? Don’t miss the newly relocated Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Museum and Baseball Library, see the player’s former home and enrich your knowledge of baseball trivia. Admission is free.
A great way to learn about history is to experience it! Check out Poinsett Bridge and Stumphouse Tunnel.
Unplug and learn what life was like during the pioneer days with a visit to Hagood Mill. Admission is free.
Our little Biltmore, have you been to the Kilgore-Lewis Historic House by Greenville Garden Club?
Venture out with the kids to one of these local, free storytimes!
Join Greenville Center for Creative Arts every first Friday of the month for a fun art activity at their kid’s art table, snacks and a peek at some great art studios. Guests can also meet with local artists during their visit. This event is free.
A Greenville gem, visit Greenville County Art Museum to see a fine collection of art and historical artifacts including rare pieces by potter and poet David Drake. Admission is free.
For a small fee, visit one of Greenville’s relatively new special interest museums, the Sigal Music Museum.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Greenville for Kids
Always at the top of any free things list is our all-time favorite, Mice on Main.
Don’t forget to get your free kids’ workshop kits at local home improvement stores. Here is the Home Depot Free Kids Workshop schedule. We also have information on the DIY Kids Workshops available free at Lowe’s.
If you have a kid who loves crafts, head to JC Penney for their monthly free craft activity for kids.
If downtown Greenville has Mice, downtown Greer has Toads on Trade! Another fun hunt for kids has been revived thanks to a ten-year-old’s efforts.
There are many awesome free playgrounds in Greenville and here’s a list to prove it.
Take your family to one of these free (or cheap) spring festivals.
Earn prizes for free by reading in the summer with this list of places that offer free summer reading programs.
During the summer enjoy a free scavenger hunt at our local parks and earn prizes with the annual Park Hop.
Another secret free destination for little animal lovers is a visit to Petco or local pet stores around. Kids love examining the fish and animals in their dens. Check out more Secret Spots in Greenville.
Love bowling? During the Summer, Kid’s Bowl Free through several bowling alleys throughout the Upstate
In the summer, head to one of the free splash pads near Greenville.
Greenville County Animal Care’s Doggy’s Day Out program is a fun full-day option for animal-loving families, as well as the canines in their care! You get the company of a dog for a full day and one of their dogs gets a break from the shelter for a day by going on an adventure with you and your family.
Go to a free outdoor movie at one of our local parks. If you prefer indoor movies, try the cheap summer movies near Greenville offered by some local theaters.
Musgrove Mill in Clinton is a Revolutionary War Historic Site and is only $3 for adults, $1 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under to visit. Special events occur there throughout the year.
Take a free tour of the Duke Power Plant in Huntersville, NC and learn what happens when atoms collide! Open by appointment only.
Or, visit Duke World of Energy at Oconee Station.
Food, Fitness, and Fun Things to Do
Many of our local Farmers’ Markets have a festive atmosphere with live music and more.
At Christmas, take the family on a free driving tour to see Christmas lights.
Want to add to your gardening knowledge? Check out free garden workshops by local master gardeners, or take a stroll, jog, or power walk through one of these Gardens Near Greenville.
Go on a free date with one of these ideas.
Celebrating your birthday? Sign-up for these goodies and get your free birthday treat thanks to these thoughtful local businesses.
Free Events for Families: Greenville, SC
These events and things to do have no admission and may have other free things like crafts and activities. Just click on each event for more information.
I am so impressed with this site! It is refreshing and simple to navigate. Being a grandmother of two toddlers I am always looking for new and exciting things that we can experience together. Thank you for making my google search worthwhile!
Thanks so much! We’re so glad that you have enjoyed Kidding Around Greenville SC. : )
How do we get to some of the wonderful things you mentioned? We are new to the area! We are hoping to ride the trolley and see the childrens garden! Any help greatly appreciated!
Hi Kristie! You can find a trolley map here: & The Children’s Garden is at Linky Stone Park. You can park over there or walk to it from Falls Park by walking past the water jets, down the sidewalk, across the street, and it will be on your left. You can recognize it by the tall painted poles on the overpass. Have fun!
Be sure to visit gcma.org/events to find upcoming children’s programming. Visit gcma.org/see to find summaries of exhibitions on view.
Thanks, GCMA! I just added that information into the post. I know that my family has enjoyed every program that we have experienced at the museum.
I lived all my life in Greenville and i can remember when west end was noting and up town did not have much.know I can say Greenville looks so good now.my wife and I go downtown a lot .we now lived in Greer ,sc.So proud of Greenville and the people that put it together.people like you
Do you know when the jets downtown will be up and working? They have been closed since June.
They are back up now!
Thanks for the heads up about the burgers at Hall’s. My family will have to try them.
Apparently Halls Chop House no longer has the $5 burger?