Treat Yourself to a Road Trip in South Carolina to America’s #5 Most Fun, Affordable City

Benjamin Franklin is famous for his role as the only Founding Father who signed all three documents that freed America from Britain, and his words are frequently referenced even to this day: "... in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Taxes and other financial obligations often leave many of us with little for entertainment and fun. To make our dollars stretch, we need a few options that fit within a tighter budget. Thankfully, one of our most fun cities in South Carolina has also been deemed affordable! We'll take a look now at some fun things to do in Greenville, SC that won't empty the wallet. Are you ready to explore one of the most fun and affordable cities in the country?

Falls Park on the Reedy and Liberty Bridge

Any first visit to Greenville needs to include a stop at Falls Park on the Reedy and the incredible Liberty Bridge. This beautiful spot is the centerpiece of the downtown area, comprising 32 acres of gardens, green spaces, and historic ruins of mills. There is no admission for this park, and you may even catch a free showing of a movie or a performance of one of Shakespeare’s famous plays here at certain times of year.

Art Attractions

Throughout Greenville, you'll find stunning pieces of art, including statues, murals, and sculptures. You can take a self-guided tour using an interactive map provided online by the City of Greenville.

The Greenville County Museum of Art offers guests the opportunity to see the largest and most complete collection of Wyeth watercolors owned by any public museum in the world. Admission to this museum is free.

Kids and kids-at-heart will love looking for the nine tiny bronze mice scattered along a section of Main Street, Greenville. Known as Mice on Main, this scavenger hunt was inspired by the children's book, Goodnight Moon. You can get a list of clues at the VisitGreenvilleSC Visitor Center in City Hall or at VisitGreenvilleSC.com.

Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail

For a bit of exercise and time out in nature, bike or take a walk or run along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a point-to-point trail stretching for just over 15.6 miles from Greenville to Travelers Rest. It's an easy route and both kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Because it's paved, this trail can also be used for biking and is accessible to those with strollers or mobility equipment.

Paris Mountain State Park

Another wonderful experience in nature can be found at Paris Mountain State Park, which features Paris Mountain, a 15-acre lake, 17 miles of biking and hiking trails, campsites, picnic shelters, and more. It's located only six miles north of the city of Greenville.

Runway Park at GMU

Kids and kids-at-heart will adore the aviation-themed playground adjacent to the Greenville Downtown Airport. Watch planes take off and land while playing at the playground or while enjoying lunch or dinner at the Runway Cafe located on-site. What a fun activity in Greenville for anyone interested in aviation!

Group Therapy Pub & Playground

Did you know playgrounds aren't just for kids? In fact, there's an adult playground in Greenville full of all your favorite games and recreational activities, including wacky mini golf, ping pong, ice curling, axe throwing, backyard games, and so much more. It's a place to experience the connection with others we desperately need, but it seems more and more elusive in our digitally driven culture. Costs for games vary, and there are also free weekly events, such as karaoke and trivia. You can also get food at Group Therapy Pub & Playground if you get hungry while playing! It's one of the most fun things to do in Greenville, SC.

Free City Events

Downtown Greenville is often busy with fun, free events. On Thursday evenings, between mid-March and late August, live music is hosted by PNG Downtown Alive at NOMA Square. Another fun event is Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays, which takes place from mid-March through late September. This event also features live music at NOMA Square.

From May to October and once in December on Saturdays, join thousands of people along two blocks of Main Street taken over by the TD Saturday Market, featuring over 75 vendors selling "the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high-quality crafts." Check the VisitGreenvillSC Events page for announcements of all upcoming events.

Where to Eat in Greenville on a Budget

If you're not eating at any of these incredible attractions or you didn't pack a picnic lunch, you can always stop by one of the budget-friendly restaurant spots in Greenville. A few to consider include The Clock Drive-In on Wade Hampton Boulevard for a good, old-fashioned burger meal.

The Drop-In Store on North Main for a delicious tuna melt sandwich (or something else from the menu for the day in its kitchen). The White Duck Taco Shop on Hampton Avenue or Airport Road for, well ... tacos!

The nice thing about a road trip like this is it's so flexible. You could make it a day trip if you're not traveling from too far away. If you'd like more time or would rather stay at least one night, you can always book an affordable Vrbo in Greenville, such as this 3-bedroom Townhouse located five minutes from downtown.