Situated in the northwest portion of South Carolina, Greenville is the county seat of Greenville County. It is also the largest city in the county.
It’s trendy Main Street gets all the attention these days, but it is also worth noting that there are many natural attractions nearby as well.
Plus, the neighboring states of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina also make available some fantastic day trip options.
Let us explore some of the best day trips that you can take from Greenville SC.
Asheville, North Carolina
Located just 45 minutes away from Greenville SC, Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful city makes for a fun and convenient day trip from Greenville.
Asheville is also near to the Appalachian Trail and the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway which the visitors can take advantage of.
The city is also known for its foodie scene lately. There are various restaurants that visitors should stop by like Biscuit Head, White Duck Taco, Tupelo Honey.
Art lovers can also have a good time here as there are dozens of galleries and museums downtown. River Arts District is known for artist studios which you can visit as well.
Other attractions worth visiting include Biltmore estate and the Basilica of Saint Lawrence.
Distance: 45 minutes
Ideal for: Foodies and nature lovers
DuPont State Forest, North Carolina
DuPont State Forest makes for one of the most compelling day trips from Greenville SC. There are more than 10,000 acres of land that is encompassed by DuPont State Forest.
If you love waterfalls, then there are 3 beautiful waterfalls here to explore on the 2.5-mile trek. These waterfalls have served as a background for some movies like The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games.
Also known as the Triple Falls Trailhead, you will get to awe at the beauty at not one, but 3 incredible falls.
Apart from that, the DuPont State Forest is also known for 86 miles of hiking trails as well.
Distance: 1 hour
Ideal for: Nature lovers
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Located just 45 minutes away from SC, Spartanburg offers a diverse selection of things to do and makes for a great day trip from Greenville SC.
Spartanburg is one of the most popular cities in South Carolina. A great city for history buffs, the town is known for its role in the Revolutionary War.
Similar to Greenville, Spartanburg is a hotspot for local dining and boutique shopping. Nature enthusiasts will also love the city as the Blue Ridge Mountains and Croft State Park is located nearby.
Art lovers can also have a great time here as they can browse the exhibits at the Greenville County Museum of Art located on the campus of Bob Jones University. For a lovely end to your day, visit the Crepe Factory.
Little River Roasting Co is also a great place for a quality espresso on the patio.
Distance: 45 minutes
Ideal for: Relaxed getaway
Table Rock State Park, South Carolina
Located around 30 to 45 minutes away from Greenville, Table Rock State Park sits on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This state park encompasses almost 3,100 acres of scenic South Carolina mountain country. There are plenty of hike trails that lead on top of the mountain.
However, the arduous climb on top of the mountain is best suitable for dedicated hikers only. If you still want to hike, then the Carrick Creek Nature Trail is perfect for casual walkers.
Other attractions include paved cycling trails, two lakes, one of which boasts a welcoming swimming hole and more.
Distance: 37 minutes
Ideal for: Outdoor lovers
Athens, Georgia
This college town in the state of Georgia boasts of a beautiful Victorian-era historic district. Athens makes for an excellent day trip from Greenville SC.
Visitors can roam around the college city and have a good time at some of the local restaurants and cafes. Athens also has a lively arts scene that can be taken advantage of.
In the evening, you can catch a performance at the Georgia Theater or the 40 Watt Club. There are also great music scenes here. Athens has given birth to the likes of R.E.M. and the B-52s.
Distance: 1 hour and 42 minutes
Ideal for: relaxed getaway
Charlotte, North Carolina
The largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is a great city to visit on a family vacation or romantic getaway. This never-ending metropolis offers a great choice of restaurants, shopping areas, and attractions.
Charlotte is home to the Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, the Carolinas Aviation Museum and much more. The modern downtown here is called Uptown and it’s dotted with soaring skyscrapers and high-profile attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Distance: 1 hour and 47 minutes
Ideal for: Family getaway
Easley, South Carolina
Located at the base of Blue Ridge Mountains, Easley is the biggest city in Pickens County. Visitors can roam around the lovely downtown area and shop fresh farm produce from the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Apart from that, they also have many antique shops, restaurants, and specialty stores that are open all throughout the week. Families with children can head to the children’s splash park.
When here, of course, you can head to the Blue Ridge Mountains where they can enjoy the many lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
Distance: 21 minutes
Ideal for: Relaxing getaway
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is also referred to as “The Real Southern Hot Spot”, as there are an array of things to do here. Columbia makes for a great day trip from Greenville as it is only an hour and a half away.
The summers are scorching over here, but there are plenty of offerings that this town has. Choose from a variety of restaurants, sophisticated cocktail bars, and trendy stores. History lovers can explore the rich heritage that this city has to offer.
Visit the historic house museums like the South Carolina State Museum where you can learn more about the history of this city.
Distance: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Ideal for: Family fun
Georgia Aquarium, Georgia
Not your ordinary aquarium, Georgia Aquarium is widely known as one of the world’s best aquariums. It is home to a more aquatic life than any other aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Making for a great day trip, take your family along and explore the spectacular aquarium tanks plus catch sea lion and dolphin shows which are held several times a day.
If all that has left you wanting for more, then for an additional fee you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the animal cafeteria to watch whale sharks eat lunch.
Distance: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Ideal for: Family fun
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, South Carolina
If you love history, then head to the Musgrove Historic Site. This place was established to commemorate an important battle that took place here during 1780.
Learn more about the Revolutionary War here. Head to the Visitors Centre for such information. For a more interactive session, you can also hike the trails of 2.5 miles dotted with interpretive signs.
Visitors can also enjoy some other attractions in the park such as Enoree River, the beautiful Horseshoe Falls, and deciduous trees.
Distance: 50 minutes
Ideal for: Historic fun
Pigeon Forge, Tennesee
Known as the home of Dollywood, which is an Appalachian-themed amusement park owned by country singer Dolly Parton, Pigeon Forge can make for a fantastic day trip from Greenville SC.
Apart from the amusement park, this is a cute mountain town which is also famous for country music fans. Attend one of the lavish performances at the Smoky Mountain Opry or dine at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner theatre.
Additional attractions include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors can explore the Titanic Museum or walk through the Old Mill Square.
Distance: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Ideal for: Country music fans
Atlanta, Georgia
One of the busiest and the most inviting cities in Georgia, Atlanta always makes for a fun day trip.
If you are looking for some big-city entertainment and fun, there is no better city than Atlanta. Visit the Georgia Museum, the World of Cocoa-Cola museum, or the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Additionally, you can also spend your time dining at restaurants, take a walk through the Centennial Olympic Park, or visit the Little Five Points neighborhood.
Distance: 2 hours and 13 minutes
Ideal for: Big city fun
The Western North Carolina Nature Centre, North Carolina
For those looking for a family fun trip, then look no further than the Western North Carolina Nature Centre.
Located just a short drive away from Greenville, the Western North Carolina Nature Centre is located on a beautiful 42-acre property.
This museum is home to an impressive collection of living plants and animals native to the mountains of eastern North America. They have a trail system through which the visitors can explore the park while spotting animals like red pandas, river otters, and coyotes.
Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Ideal for: Family getaway
Boone, North Carolina
Located just around three hours away from Greenville, this thriving community of Boone makes for an excellent day trip from the city.
Named after Daniel Boone, the American pioneer, there are many things to do here in Boone. Visitors can travel to Grandfather Mountain to cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge or just enjoy some 200 miles of unique mountain bike trails through Pisgah National Forest.
For those looking for something indoorsy – Boone has some great art and shopping options as well.
Distance: 2 hours and 43 minutes
Ideal for: Outdoor lovers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Also referred to as the ‘City of Arts and Innovation’, Winston-Salem is known for its lively nightlife. Visitors can explore the downtown area which is full of bars, restaurants, and wonderful music venues.
Don’t miss out on the Reynolda House Museum of American Art which is the most well-preserved colonial heritage site in the nation.
Distance: 2 hours and 43 minutes
Ideal for: Outdoor lovers
Conclusion
As we saw, Greenville has a lot to offer to its visitors and there are plenty of places to visit around the city as well.
From the bustling cities of Atlanta to DuPont State Forest there are lots to explore.