KeyMark's Horizons

“You don’t know me?” – asked Greenville, SC.

Stuck in Greenville, SC for a conference? Don’t know where Greenville, SC is in relation to the rest of the civilized world? Living under a rock? Come on now. Greenville, SC has been racking up awards lately, from #13 on Forbes Best Cities for Young Adults; #9 in CNN Money’s Fastest Growing Cities in the US; to #33 on The 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com. So, if you haven’t heard about #yeahTHATgreenville, then help us keep the secret to ourselves. Greenville, SC is quickly gaining a reputation for many great things, so get out of that hotel room, put away the XLS files and become part of our great city for a few days.

Take it from me, a transplanted, world-traveling, family-man that decided to call downtown Greenville my home for more than ten years.

Here are five must-do, really cool things you need to see in Greenville, SC.

1. Falls Park Park on the Reedy River and the Liberty Bridge

This park was named by Trip Advisor as one of the Top 10 Parks in the US. Not to mention, we have a one of a kind suspension bridge to view it from… And, we have a waterfall in the middle of our city. Boom!

2. Swamp Rabbit Trail

Oh I get it, you want to stay healthy after you binge on conference snacks? I hear you. Well how about running this trail to get the blood going. It starts in downtown Greenville and runs almost 19 miles north connecting cities, parks, and businesses. You don’t want to walk or run? There are even places in Greenville where you can rent a bike. Crazy I know. Google or Yelp it.

3. Downtown Greenville, SC

With over 100 stores and restaurants in downtown alone, there is always something to do in this little city. Take a walk down Main Street and then follow the River Walk along the edge of the Reedy River. You will not be disappointed. My suggestion, check out https://www.facebook.com/ochabar if you want something unique!

4. Craft (Fancy) Beer Snob?

Everyone’s got their favs. Me, I like Crown Royal, but I’m in the minority. So here are a couple local top spots to check out:

• Barley’s Taproom: 1 Gabillion (official term) beers on tap, great pizza and an upstairs billiards room
• Community Tap: May even have a food truck parked outside!
• Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom: Ok, it’s not Greenville, but it’s in the other hidden jewel called Traveler’s Rest. Not directly downtown, but worth the 20-minute drive or 19-mile ride up the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
• Thomas Creek: Ya, that Thomas Creek. It’s ours, you can’t have it. Also, not technically downtown, but pretty close.
• RJ Rockers: Yes, that one also. It’s ours; you can’t have it. It’s in our sister city, Spartanburg, but worthy of a mention.

5. Greenville Drive Baseball

Want to see a sporting event? You’re in luck. The Greenville Drive is the Class A affiliate to the Boston Red Sox. They have an amazing stadium right downtown with its own Green Monster (sporting term associated with Boston Red Sox stadium). They play the entire week of Horizons at home, and there’s always a fun atmosphere at these games. For you social media-ites, here are a few local accounts that help spread the word and keep you up to date on what’s going on: Instagram – VisitGreenvilleSC Twitter – VisitGreenvilleSC or #YeahTHATgreenville Alright, so there you have it. The inside scoop as they say. No excuse to not have fun in this city. Now, what are you going to do with your time?