We are already into fall and per usual, the fall temps have plunged into action as of just this Friday! Fall for Greenville, Greenville’s largest festival, was this past weekend. That got me thinking about what other fall activities I typically do for fun. Today I want to share my favorite fall things to do in Greenville, SC.
I always prefer to get a locals’ perspective and since I am a 8+ generation Greenvillite, I figured you might enjoy stealing some of my favorite fall plans. If you are interested in the outfit links, there is a link to this outfit post at the bottom of the page. Please read along for a Native’s Guide for fall things to do in Greenville, SC.
Greenville Fall Bucket List
Fall for Greenville – Fall for Greenville is Greenville, South Carolina’s largest festival of the year. The festival is 3 days of music, events, and local vendors selling street food. Check out the music schedule HERE. For more information, visit THE WEBSITE. Note: This event has passed in 2018.
The NESS fest – The Ness Fest is a health and lifestyle festival on Fluor Field in Greenville, SC that brings the community together to encourage mindfulness, goodness, fitness, and wholeness among families and the community. The event features seminars, fitness classes, one-on-one talks, personal trainers, and many local health vendors. BUY tickets HERE. Use code AUDREYREEL15 for 15% OFF your tickets!
See a Greenville Swamp Rabbits Game – Greenville has a hockey team that plays at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The games are easy family friendly and it is easy to get tickets. iew the schedule and buy tickets HERE.
See a Clemson or Carolina football game – My family is a house divided. We are both die-hard, but we tolerate each others’ teams out of love. I can honestly say that one has not truly experienced the South without going to a Clemson or South Carolina football game. Go early and get the entire tailgating experience. ou can buy a ticket there or find one early on facebook or Craigslist.
Do a distillery tasting at Six & Twenty Distillery – Six & Twenty Distillery is the only LOCALLY OWNED distillery in the Greenville area. The distillery is right around the corner where I used to skateboard in high school (oh, Lord), and right off Highway I-85 Exit 40. 3109 Highway 153, Powdersville, SC 29673
Camp on the Chattooga River – If you are the least bit into fly fishing, the Chattooga River is the closest, easiest fly river. The suckerfish are aplenty, but shoot for deep eddies with pheasant tails, san juan worms, eggies, and hairs ears. Even if you are not into fly-fishing, the river that borders South Carolina and Georgia is a beautiful place to camp, explore, or simply pitch a hammock and get away from it all.
Take the dog to DuPont National Forest – DuPont National Forest is an easy hour from Greenville, SC, between Hendersonville and Brevard, North Carolina. It is a great place for an easy family hike with children or pets. A lot 3 hours in order to see all 3 waterfalls. Start at the Parking lot and go left toward Triple Falls. This is a great area for a picnic on the rocks or wading if you are willing to brave the cold. After your picnic, walk further away from the parking area to see Hooker Falls, down the Galax Trail. Locals aplenty will be swimming in the chilly water, especially in the summer. Finally, walk back the opposite trail at Triple Falls that follows the Little River. This path will lead you to an overlook of High Falls and back around to the path that loops back to the parking lot. High Falls is the one with the Covered Bridge on top. Although there is not much of a view, one can hike the short trail to the covered bridge atop High Falls. DuPont State Recreational Forest, 1300 Staton Road, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
Greenville Craft Beer Festival – If you are a craft brew fan, you cannot miss the Greenville Craft Beer Festival on November 10th, 2018, 12 – 5 PM, at Fluor Field. General Admission tickets are $55 and you can even pay $20 for a designated Driver. Get tickets and find more information out HERE.
Hike Table Rock – Table Rock is perhaps the best-known hiking trail to Greenville. Just a 45 minute drive, the trail is considered difficult and is a 4-mile hike to the summit. The trail is often pretty crowded, but it is a must-do at least annually. I would not recommend this for small dogs or children under 10. There is a beautiful lake at the base of the huge granite rock and a covered resting point halfway up the trail. 159 East Ellison Lane, Pickens, SC 29671
Hike Paris Mountain – Greenville, SC contains Paris Mountain State Park, the first mountain part of the Blue Ridge one sees from Greenville. The mountain overlooks Travelers Rest and Greenville. The park is 1500+ acres and includes several shorter hikes. Paris Mountain is the best place to go when you want to get out of the city but are short on time. Visitors can get a good hike in around 1-2 hours, and the park is just 15 minutes from downtown.
Take the dog to Connestee – The best dog park in Greenville is housed in Connestee Park. The Park is where the old Greenville Braves used to play, off Mauldin Road. There is a playground for the kids and many short, flatter trails throughout the park. Fall is a great time to look out over the swamp and see the ducks flying in to roost at dusk. Connestee Park, 840 Mauldin Road, Greenville, SC 29607.
Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail – There are several places that rent bikes for the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I like to start and park at Soul Yoga on Delano Drive, ride to TR, grab brunch or lunch at Tandem in Travelers Rest, and ride back. If you go a little past downtown Travelers Rest you can hit 20 miles total upon your return to Greenville. I prefer starting/ending in Greenville because it is downhill on the way back. Be sure to take a loop through Furman University’s trail around the lake for a little more adventure.
Pick a pumpkin at Denver Downs Farm – Denver downs is $15 a person and children under 3 are free. Go pick up a pumpkin to carve and get some great photo ops with your significant other and family. The festival is an excellent way to entertain a toddler with a cow train, a corn maze, a corn box, goat walk, hayrides, a petting zoo, and more. I am exhausted just thinking about it! Learn more HERE. 1515 Denver Road, Anderson, SC 29625.
Skytop Orchard. Are you even from Greenville if you do not dress in booties and your cutest flannel in 75 degree weather and take cute pictures at Skytop? They have over 25 varieties of apples good for picking August through November. Pick your own apples, have a picnic, enjoy cider, and Skytop’s famous apple cider donuts for a great fall day! Sky Top Orchard, P.O. Box 302. Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.
Mad World Attractions. Mad World is the number one haunted attraction in Greenville, SC. Prices range from $25 – $85 and you can get a “no scare” medallion if you do not enjoy being scared but also want to hang out with the crew. Mad World is a perfect way to get into the spooky mood for Halloween! Find more information and buy tickets HERE. 147 Country Manor Rd, Piedmont, SC 29673.
Grab coffee at all the bests around town: The Village Grind (artsy and picturesque), Methodical Coffee (Seattle feel), Coffee Underground (the oldest in town), Grateful Brew (eclectic and largest variety), and Tandem (crepes and best in TR).
Pack a picnic for a Sunset South Carolina’s tallest peak, Sassafrass Mountain. Sassafrass is a less known secret of local photographers. There is a beautiful 360 degree view from the top, just a quarter mile hike from a parking lot. The mountain is about 1 hour, 15 minutes from Greenville. Be sure to bring a blanket, boots, and a friend. Search “Sassafrass Mountain” on your GPS and drive to the parking lot at the end of the road.
SHOP THIS LOOK THIS WEDNESDAY.
I hope you have some new big plans of fall things to do in Greenville, SC. Have a beautiful, southern fall with your families!
With Joy,
Audrey
