Published: September, 2025
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College Tour: Greenville, South Carolina / Clemson

Plan on eating, walking, shopping, and enjoying the beauty of Greenville. If you can, try to get out of town for a hike, lake time or a football game.
— Nina Smallhorn
  • More about your Oliver Guide:
  • Trip type: Adult, Family, Group getaway, Solo, City, Mountains
  • Activity level: moderate
  • Ideal length of trip: 3-4 days

to & from

Fly direct to GSP from many major cities (Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, Philadelphia)  The airport is about 20 minutes from downtown.  You can rent a car, but don’t necessarily need one if you are spending most of your time in Greenville.  Uber/Lyft are plenty if you want to explore.  If you plan on hiking or visiting a lake, you will need a car

Drive from Charlotte (1.40), Atlanta (2.15), or Asheville (1.20)

Where to Stay

  • Grand Bohemian Lodge:  Beautiful property located on the Reedy River.  Dining, lounge, and even a very well-curated art collection in the lobby.  This is where the celebrities stay when they come to town….think Stevie Nicks or Andre Botticelli
  • AC Hotel: Central to downtown right on Camperdown Plaza.  They have a rooftop restaurant called Juniper that is worth a visit.
  • Courtyard Marriott: Clean, affordable, reliable, and right in the center of town
  • Westin Pointsett: One of the oldest hotels downtown. It’s in a historical building.  And may or may not be haunted.
  • Hotel Hartness: 15 minutes from downtown but more of a destination with a Spa, Pool and Patterson’s restaurant.
  • Hotel Domestique: Located in Travelers Rest, with access to Paris Mountain and Furman University.

For Clemson specifically:

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Jones Oyster Co: amazing selection of oysters and an excellent lobster roll- Maine or Ct- your choose!
  • Soby’s– One of the early established restaurants. Excellent wine list and, in my opinion, the best Crab Cake in town.
  • Indaco or Jianna- both delicious Italian fare.  Indaco is a small chain but the menu adjusts with the seasons and there is a lovely outdoor area.  Jianna is a local favorite with a seasonal menu and a great view of Falls Park
  • O-ku- Sushi – YUM
  • Anchorage- located in the village of West Greenville.  Thoughtfully prepared small plates to share and creative cocktail menu
  • Gather GVL or The Commons- modern-day food court.  Gather is by Fluor Field Baseball and close to the West End of Downtown.  The Commons is in Unity Park, which offers lots of open green space and connect with the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
  • Paserella’s– drop into Falls Park and sit on the outdoor patio.  Lunch or dinner. Walk across Liberty Bridge up the river to have dessert at Carmella’s for dessert and or a night cap.
  • Claire’s Creamery– you need a car as it’s just outside of town (UBER too) the most delicious ice cream made on premises.

Greenville loves its breweries:

For Clemson specifically:

What to Do

  • Swamp Rabbit Trail
  • Falls Park
  • Main Street- see if you can find all the mice of Greenville
  • Fluor Field Baseball- Single A baseball associated with the Boston Red Sox. The field is modeled after a mini Fenway Park which includes a Green Monster
  • Peace Center- check to see what’s playing – music and Broadway tour
  • Bon Secours for hockey or musical event
  • Greenville Zoo- clean and cute especially if traveling with young people

Shopping Downtown:

Main Street:

  • Marin and Main- great selection, cute clothing that updates seasonally
  • M. Judson Booksellers- local book store and cafe, central on Main Street
  • Anthropologie, Free People and Blue Mercury if you are looking for some basics.

West End– Main Street on the West side of the Reedy River.

  • A40- more high end brands like Ulla, Doen
  • Monkees- southern preppy with lots of good finds tucked in the packed racks.  The sales girls are the BEST at helping you find exactly what you are looking for.
  • Copper Penny – cute dresses, jeans, and accessories
  • Vintage- antique furniture store with lots of local knick-knacks. Brass mice for a souvenir to always remind you of your time in Greenville.

A little outside of town:

  • Cooks Station- incredible selection of cookware.  They have cooking classes too.
  • Swamp Rabbit Grocery- if you know you know….but go out of your way to get the Stecca Bread (also available on Main Street during Farmers market)

Inside Scoop

What to Pack

Fall is warm but can cool down in the evening. Spring is warm and a little more humid.  The Azaleas are gang busters in early April.  Always can pack layers.  Winter is seasonably cool. Summer is very hot.

More...

If you have time visit to Clemson University and if your are lucky go to a football game in Death Valley. It is electric. Go Tigers!

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