Want to plan a weekend in Greenville, SC, but aren’t sure where to start?
We’ve got you covered with several different itineraries for a weekend getaway, Greenville, SC style. We have ideas for families with young children, big kids, a couples trip, and more. Let us do all the planning so you can enjoy your time together.
It’s finally the weekend, and you’re planning on taking 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 entertained once you arrive. Greenville is full of parks, events, concerts, restaurants, and trails. It’s quite the destination in and of itself, which makes finding something to do on weekends more of an adventure than a chore.
When planning your weekend, be sure to start with our helpful calendar of events.
Who’s coming to visit?
Itinerary for family visiting Greenville, SC with small 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 like quesadillas, a taco bar, pizza, or pasta. Then set up and serve. You can do homemade or order in. See our list of reader-recommended pizza places.
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. The TD Saturday Market in downtown Greenville is an excellent choice. It runs from May through October. If you’re in downtown Greenville, grab a coffee from Coffee Underground or Methodical Coffee.
After the farmers market, let the kids run around Falls Park on the Reedy in the heart of downtown Greenville. Visit with family, sit on the swinging benches, and enjoy the view. You can walk over Liberty Bridge to the Grand Bohemian Lodge and explore the gigantic crystals around the perimeter. That’s always a hit with young kids. After exploring, be sure to take a family photo at the Medusa Tree. It’s basically a requirement for all tourists.
After all that activity, the kids’ little legs are probably getting tired. A ride with Greenville Bike Tours is a great way to lug yourself and your kids around! You’ll get to see some of the best sites in downtown Greenville with an excellent guide biking you around.
As lunch approaches, either pack a picnic and stay at Falls Park or head to one of the many restaurants on or near Main Street. The West End is within walking distance of the park, and there are lots of dining options. Enjoy awesome Southern BBQ at Mac’s Speed Shop. Or if pizza is more your thing, the Mellow Mushroom is on the same block and is a good choice for little kids.
Before heading home, pick up dinner at Naked Pasta, a local business that 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 you’re looking for a place for your little ones to burn off energy, head over to the Play Cafe at Judson Mill. Here, you can grab a coffee while your kids run free in the three-story indoor playground.
To finish your trip with a lazy afternoon, check out one of these ice cream shops. You’re sure to find something yummy!
Itinerary for family visiting Greenville, SC with big kids
Friday
If you arrive in the afternoon, head to Group Therapy where you can grab a drink while your kids play indoor putt-putt. Then, grab dinner in downtown Greenville. There are many excellent dining options!
Saturday
Jump in the car and drive to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery. 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’ll be heading over to Bike the Rabbit a few minutes away to pick up rental bikes and bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Reedy Rides is another rental option. It’s a fantastic way to see the city, the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance, 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. Its 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 Saluda River, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Greenville.
Another option is to rent a kayak at Lake Jocassee and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. This lake is absolutely stunning, so you will not be disappointed. Bring a lunch and stop in any of the coves for a lakeside picnic. Arrive early as the park reaches capacity quickly on weekends!
Itinerary for a family trip to Greenville, SC
Thursday
While technically not the weekend, why not celebrate early by going to a free outdoor movie? Greer screens them every Thursday night in June. If you can swing a family night on Wednesday, Greenville has free outdoor movies near Falls Park starting around 8 pm.
Friday
Spend the day exploring some of Greenvilles best local shops! Here, you’ll find excellent souvenirs, books, toys, and unique merchandise. Then get ready for a big day ahead and prep for Saturday! Think hot dogs, popcorn, and at-home movie night. Pack a lunch for Saturday.
Saturday
Get up early and head to Table Rock State Park, or one of the many parks in the area for hiking. Table Rock, and some others, like Paris Mountain, are totally kid-friendly. You can swim at both, but there is also excellent hiking! Here’s a list of trails that KAG readers recommend. Don’t forget the packed lunch and drinks!
If hiking isn’t your idea of fun, head to one of the numerous parks in the area. With a splash pad in summer, a large green space, and multiple playgrounds, Unity Park in downtown Greenville is a great option for the entire family. Greer’s Century Park offers Kid’s Planet, 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 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 one of the many restaurants surrounding the stadium. Every Friday night game ends with a fireworks show! If you’re visiting in winter, there’s a pretty awesome hockey team, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, that you should check out.
Sunday
In warmer months, go pick your own berries (or peaches) at one of the many area farms. KAG has the scoop on where to pick berries. Then head home and make pies with all the juicy berries you just picked!
Itinerary for a couple’s retreat to Greenville, SC
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. There are many options depending on what you like to do together. You can 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 & Design.
You may also want to make reservations at one of these romantic restaurants before heading to a show at the Peace Center. You’ll also find lots of ideas for an excellent date night in our Ultimate Date Night Guide to Greenville. There are tons of options depending on how you want your trip to be. Consider exploring the Village of West Greenville, where you’ll find art galleries, amazing restaurants and shops, and so much more in this growing part of the city.
Enjoy your special night together either at one of these great bed and breakfasts. You’ll feel like you’re a world away.
Sunday
Before heading home, book a couples massage at Hand & Stone or a float in a blissful float tank at Drift Float & Spa in Greenville. Afterward, take a walk along the Reedy River with a coffee in hand.
Itinerary for a weekend with friends in Greenville, SC
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 time with friends.
Saturday
Sneak away to Due South Coffee in Greenville’s Hampton Station for a scone and an amazing cup of pour-over coffee. Catch up while lounging in their ultra-comfy couches!
Hampton Station has great food, coffee, and entertainment. It’s a one-stop shop for fun!
After coffee, head over to the Travelers Rest farmers market on Saturday morning. You can learn a variety of cool things from their Market Talks series, like herbal medicine and specialty gardening techniques.
For lunch, go to Sidewall Pizza for incredible pizza and salads and a great outdoor seating area. There are several other amazing restaurants in downtown TR, including Tandem Creperia & Coffee Shop, The Whistle Shop, and Monkey Wrench (which has the best BBQ ever!)
Take a walk along the beautiful Swamp Rabbit Trail, or rent bikes from Sunrift Adventures for an afternoon ride in Travelers Rest.
On Saturday night, grab dinner and a comedy show at Café and Then Some for a comedic treat.
Sunday
Brunch, brunch, brunch. There are tons of great places – Larkin’s, Soby’s on the Side, Nose Dive, Southern Culture – just waiting to be discovered.
Brunch is the BEST!
These restaurants in Greenville have the best brunch for you and your bestie to have a great time.
Helpful info for visitors to Greenville, SC
- Places to Stay in Downtown Greenville
- Fully Furnished Rental Homes Near 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
