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For Outdoors Enthusiasts, Moving to Greenville, SC Is A No-Brainer!
September 6, 2023
Are you thinking of moving to Greenville, SC? Then Cothran Homes is your builder. Our experience and expertise mean we know what you can expect when you move here. Including all of the exciting adventures to look forward to once you’ve settled into your new Cothran home! Greenville is a beautiful city with plenty of outdoor fun for everyone. Explore this guide to fun things to do in Greenville, SC that everyone in the family will enjoy.
There’s Plenty of Fun Things to Do in Greenville SC!With its mild year-round climate, there is always something fun and engaging to do outside in Greenville. From tons of outdoor adventures to countless kid-friendly events, here are a few of our favorite things to do in Greenville, SC!
For All Outdoor Enthusiasts
- The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail | The 28-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail links the cities of Travelers Rest and Greenville via a former railroad corridor. Originally conceived as a 9-mile rail trail, it is now a growing network of trails with sections in Conestee, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn. Ranging from 8 to 12 feet wide, the trail features a paved surface for bicycles, skaters, and walkers, and a rubberized surface for runners. Amenities along the trail include lighting, picnic areas, benches, water fountains, restrooms, and bicycle racks. The City of Greenville's public transit system offers access to the trail via bus and trolley. Use the map to plan your route!
- Treetop Quest | Greenville’s first aerial adventure park and zip lines has a variety of courses for all ages and skill levels. Participants experience physical and mental challenges as they maneuver from tree to tree through over 60 obstacles and zip lines. You’ll learn how to operate your equipment and be able to swing through each course as many times as you want for 2.5 hours. Conveniently located inside Westside Park just 5 minutes from downtown Greenville. Enjoy outdoor adventure from spring to fall as you escape to the trees and discover the excitement of aerial adventures.
- Falls Park on the Reedy | Greenville’s downtown park, Falls Park holds a special place in the hearts of locals. In addition to the beautiful views along the banks of the river, the park has dozens of small gardens that offer natural beauty all year round. Named a “Top U.S. Park” with giants such as Central Park and Golden Gate Park, Falls Park is the site of the Upstate Shakespeare Festival, and the 345-foot expanse of the Liberty Bridge that connects downtown to the West End. Spanning the Reedy River, this sculptural bridge is built to reveal the falls. The concrete deck has a distinctive curve and is supported by a single suspension cable with supporting cables on the outside.
- Table Rock State Park | Located in Pickens, Table Rock State Park gets its name from the iconic rock face that overlooks the mountains and forests of the Blue Ridge Escarpment region. At nearly 3,000 acres, the park is full of the natural beauty of the Appalachians. Visitors admire the great blue hills by following the park's many hiking trails to stunning overlooks. They can swim or fish in one of the park's two lakes. Kayak, canoe, and pedal boat rentals are available seasonally at the Lake Pinnacle boathouse. The park has a children's playground and plenty of picnic shelters.
For Hikers
The Carolina foothills surrounding Greenville are home to myriad trails that are varied enough to stimulate a lifetime of exploration. Hikers of all skill levels will find trails that challenge or soothe. Here are some of our faves.
- Paris Mountain State Park | Closest to home in Greenville, Paris Mountain is very familiar to locals. Its large lakefront area is the site of family get-togethers, school field trips, and child-friendly nature walks and hikes. Within the park’s 1,500 acres are trails that can challenge even experienced mountain bikers and hikers. The loop around Lake Placid is accommodating for an easy walk, while the Sulphur Springs trail meanders past several tranquil springs and the old Greenville water reservoir, affording opportunities to see wildlife habitats over a nice variety of terrains.
- Bald Rock Heritage Preserve | A natural scenic overlook, Bald Rock is easily accessible from a small parking area along the east side of US 276. Visitors cross the wooden pedestrian bridge and walk approximately 50 yards to a huge, football field-sized rock outcropping and then gaze at the panoramic view. In the distance, are the foothills of Pickens and Greenville counties as well as the impressive dome of Table Rock.
- Jones Gap State Park | Rainbow Falls Trail in Marietta is a steep, strenuous, five-mile (round trip) hike. Work up a sweat as you cross footbridges and ascend some 1,200 feet. At the end of the trail is a gorgeous, 100-foot waterfall plunging over a granite cliff, Rainbow Falls. Jones Gap is also well known for bird watching, fishing, and a network of hiking trails, some of which lead to other waterfalls. After you’ve experienced Rainbow Falls and feel you are ready for an even bigger challenge, try the 12-mile Rim of the Gap.
For Kids
- Fluor Field is home to the Greenville Drive team, the High-A East affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The 6,700-seat baseball-only stadium replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park and even has its own “green monster” and a manual scoreboard. There are references to Shoeless Joe Jackson throughout the park, as he lived and died in the Greenville area. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum is located nearby, too.
- Greenville Zoo offers 14-acres of wildlife from around the world. Orangutans, red pandas, lions, and many more call this zoo home. The Greenville Zoo is among only 10% of US exhibitors to be AZA-accredited, meaning they display a steady commitment to animal welfare. The staff is also dedicated to promoting conservation through youth education programs throughout the summer and school year.
- Riverbend Equestrian Park has stables for horseback riding as well as a simple trail that loops through the woods that run to the right of the stables near the back of the park. Combining beautiful animals with an outdoor stroll is a great way to spend quality time with young children.
- Various Parks throughout Greenville offer playgrounds, sports facilities, mini golf courses, and more for children of all ages.
Once you’ve decided that living in Greenville, SC, is right for you, Cothran Homes has an array of townhomes and single-family homes waiting for you.
Holly Ridge inspires active living and community spirit. Throughout the community are spaces for connecting with nature, your neighbors, and yourself. From its skyline views of Greenville to its charming curb appeal, vibrant pool, and walking trails, Holly Ridge has a distinctive feeling you won’t find anywhere else. And the new single-family homes & townhomes in Holly Ridge have a modern farmhouse style that’s just as sophisticated and comfortable as it is smart. The townhomes offer the ease of low-maintenance living and luxurious features like custom cabinetry and spacious lofts. There is a range of floor plans with open-concept layouts and outdoor living spaces. The single-family homes are just as breathtaking, with open, airy floor plan layouts fit for families of any size. Best of all there are plenty of homes for sale in charming Holly Ridge.
Miller Park is just 15 minutes from downtown Greenville, located on 15 quiet acres in Mauldin. It is just minutes from shopping, dining, and entertainment. Hop onto Hwy-276 for a quick commute into Greenville, or buzz to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in no time. The modern farmhouse-style townhomes offer charming exteriors with board-and-batten siding with brick accents and farmhouse-style garage doors. Inside, there are high ceilings, open living spaces, and optional first-floor owner's suites. Choose from four different floor plans with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and up to 2,140 square feet of beautifully-designed living space. There is thoughtfully placed storage throughout, including extra-large bedroom closets, walk-in attic storage, and even a pet cubby under the stairs! The low-maintenance townhome lifestyle is unmatched. No more lawn care, landscaping, roof repairs, or cleaning the gutters.
Whether you’re new to the area or love being a tourist in your own town, you will find plenty of outdoor activities in Greenville, SC to keep the whole family active and entertained. Now that you’ve learned about the fun things to do here, we invite you to browse our communities and available homes here so you can start enjoying life in Greenville sooner rather than later. We have a range of unique floor plan designs and unlimited ways to personalize them. If you are interested in learning more about living in a Cothran community in Greenville, connect with us today!