A Perfect Day In Greenville, SC - Live Music

Looking for live music in Greenville, SC?  Where the marmots are marching (but mostly munching), the Swamp Rabbits are hopping, and the terrapins are tapping to the tunes coming from Greenville on a nearly nightly (or daily) basis.   It's always wise to pack your dancing shoes when you head to the Swamp Rabbit Inn because you're guaranteed to encounter live music in Greenville without even trying.  I prefer to dance in my furry feet, so if you feel comfortable you can go barefoot too!  As most events head indoors with the falling leaves let's recap and keep that beat.

I know there will be a lot of barefootin' at our new signature event, Swamp Rabbit Music Fest presented by Local Green.  It's coming up next Saturday, September 10th, so get your tickets and come on out to the Swamp Rabbit Lodge!   The lodge is just past past Furman, right off the Swamp Rabbit Trail at 790 Roe Ford Road.  Tickets for students are $5,  early bird online $10, and $15 at the door.  Fun starts at noon and keeps rockin' into the night to 10 p.m.

There will be 11 performers for 10 hours of enjoyment!  You can look forward to LOZ Band, Kelly Jo, Rush Morgen and many more!  We will have food trucks, craft beer, wine, and local makers.  Bring your blankets and chairs to lounge in the high grass and under the tall trees.  Our event is family and pet friendly.  A portion of the proceeds go to benefit Feed and Seed.

Can't leave out a shout for the next Truck Inn Tuesday, Sept. 13th!  Just enough time to rest up between events. Featuring Contra Blues Band for tunes and Automatic Taco for eats this one will be a great way to spend a mild autumn evening.

While the outdoor concerts in the city may have waved goodbye for the season, we expect them to take over our streets again next spring and summer.  This year saw the first edition of ViLLive concert series in the Village of West Greenville as well as the Shoeless Jam (speaking of bare feet).  Downtown Alive Thursdays in NOMA square may be gone until spring but Heritage  Main Street Fridays is going strong until September 30th.  Put Oktoberfest on your calendar for Sept 29th - Oct 2nd!

Traditional big name concerts can be found at The Peace Center and The Well arena, but we'll wrap up with a reminder of the smaller venues that have live offerings on a weekly basis.

The Radio Room features local and regional bands in an "intimate dive bar" setting.   Considered by many to be 'Greenville's favorite rock 'n' roll dive bar' and THE place for "ear-blistering, in-your-face alternative", they serve up fresh talent for the 18+ crowd starting at 9:30 Thurs - Sat.  Located at 2845 N. Pleasantburg Drive.

Smiley's -  is just up the street from the Swamp Rabbit Inn at 111 Augusta Street.  Their week begins with Monday open mic night with live acts Tuesday through Saturday staring at 6:30.  With a full bar and homemade Southern favorites, this makes for a cozy evening out.

WXYZ Bar at Aloft  - has a plush lounge setting and that great balcony overlooking the city.  For a mix of emerging artists and DJ sets on Thurs through Sat nights combined with creative mixed drinks, this is a great stop for your night on the town.

IPA  - Independent Public Ale House, holds the space on the corner at 110 Poinsett Hwy and in Greenville's heart.  Serving Lunch and dinner with a full bar, outdoor patio and large venue for music IPA kinda has it all.  Open 11 a.m - 4 a.m. Mon - Fri, and until midnight on Saturday.  Click the link for their schedule of events.

Gottrocks  - Funk, Soul, Apalachian Rock?  Gottrocks gots it!  And they 'get it'.  A music hall feel accompanied by locally sourced menu items and regional brews and wines.  Touring acts to local emerging artists, it's a fine evening out. See their website for the lineup.

Mac Arnold's Restaurant and Blues - Just like it sounds!  The largest blues venue in Greenville and an anchor of the West Village.  With a weekly lineup of music, full bar, and a menu based on the the Southern barbecue tradition of "meat and 3" (click the link to find out) including cornbread (!), you will not be disappointed! Find it all at 1237 Pendleton Street.

The Grove at Upcountry Provisions - Winner of the TR Beautification Award,  is new to the area, up the road in Travelers Rest, and hatched by and adjacent to Upcountry Provisions who have already made a name for themselves with delicious and original food.  An outdoor venue as the name implies, so getting late in the season, but there are plenty of balmy nights and sunny days left.  Keep them on your radar and check their schedule as their events are bucolic, sublime, creative and ever so tasty!  Holding down the block at 6809 State Park Road in Travelers Rest.

All this crowd surfing has made me thirsty!  I think I will grab a drink on my way back up to the Swamp Rabbit Lodge to continue assisting preparations for the music fest.  I am the Lawn and Greens Supervisor, after all!

--Peace Out, Percy

Check out more of our "Perfect Day in Greenville, SC" posts!

Are You a Tail-Gator? Time to Tailgate in the Upstate!

It's that time again!  FOOTBALL season is upon the Upstate and the über picnic plans have begun.  Just because you are out in a parking lot or a grassy field next to your car does not mean you intend to “rough it”.  Au contraire, mon frère!  We plan (months in advance) to tailgate and cheer our team in style!

In case you didn't know, season parking passes alone start in the thousand-dollar range and go up from there depending upon proximity to the stadium and are bought, sold and traded like precious commodities.  A prestigious tailgate spot and reputation is highly coveted and fiercely maintained from generation to generation.

Of course a tent is recommended. A table (or three) and chairs (8 or 10) is a must.  From there, feel free to go wacky, and folks in these parts abso-effin-lutely do!   A vehicle with special features may be bought from the factory, or custom oufited, or, a entire tailgate wagon/trailer can be purchased with team theme, or rented to decorate, temporarily, of course.

Next there must be food, LOTS of food!  Tailgate tradition for noon games begins with a hearty breakfast. Traffic is often so horrendous following the game that tailgaters plan an early evening meal as well and just hang out.

Grills are the thing whether stand alone or somehow built into your rig.  Grill like a pro with over-the-top, built-in grill table and chair set ups.  Low country boil is very popular and often prepared onsite as well. Crockpots are a standard to prep, and plug in at the site. 

Elaborate coolers have been designed to make the bar tending easier.  Tailgaters party with coolers that would get Thurston Howell III by in style on that deserted island.  If all your cooler can do is hold ice and drinks, well, check this out: http://coolest.com built in blender, speakers, phone charger and more. 

If you really want to live lux, companies like Bell Tower catering and others at Furman will pretty much handle it all from parking pass to football feast.  Clemson also has many catering options.

Fun and games?  Have to keep everyone entertained and occupied.  In addition to a football or two to toss around, yard games complete the experience.  DIY plans for  jumbo jenga, dominoes, cornhole and ladder golf are available.  You may also find these items online already professionally logo-ed.

Now to the finer points - décor and fashion!  Bring all, all ALL your bunting, frou frou and accessories in theme school colors please!  Decorate the cupcakes appropriately, shape any food you can into footballs, and don't forget flower arrangements for your tables.  You have a legacy to uphold!

Do your best to dress in the school colors with style.  T-shirt and shorts?  Try a little harder, this is team pride after all.

If you need more tips and inspiration have a look at Kathy Miller's tailgate blog or Taylor Tailgates, and remember - tailgating can be an art form, so be creative and pull out all the stops.  Have a blast out there ya'll, win or... WIN!

--Percy

A Munch Betwixt Breakfast and Lunch? Where to Brunch in Greenville SC

It’s too late for breakfast, too early for lunch, when time is no crunch and you want booze in your punch, I have a hunch you’re going for brunch!   No need to get your drawers in a bunch. Pile your hair in a scrunch and scroll down this list. Whether Southern style, classic, simple, Jewish, or Frunch I’m sure you will find something lovely to munch!  Let's investigate brunch in Greenville in no particular order of any kind!

Nose Dive 

Open for brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nose Dive really does brunch proud.  The unique feature is the Adluh Mills Grits Bar -  get your grits and pile on the toppings of your choice.  Outdoor seating at 116 S Main to watch the world go by - with cocktails!

Biscuit Head

Open Sat and Sun 8 am - 3 pm, Mon - Fri 7 am - 2 pm, the name practically screams “Brunch!”.  Here the biscuit is the star and everything else is on the side. Beginning with a flight of seven gravies to choose from including sweet potato coconut and venison sausage, add everything from eggs to fried catfish and vegetarian selections.  Then there’s the Cajun Benendict…  Decisions, decisions!  Oh yes, the cocktails are available too.  All shiny and new at 823 S Church.

Tupelo Honey

Southern Poutine Scramble, Seersucker Steak and Eggs, The Debutante Omelet, Watermelon Salad… just to name a few.  Tupelo Honey is a Southern staple and serves a great brunch menu with cocktail and wine pairings for all!  Brunch served Sat and Sun 8 am - 4 pm, and Mon  - Fri 10 am - 4 pm.  Tucked away in the plaza at 1 N Main.

Eggs Up Grill 

Featuring a Tomato Florentine and Hash Benedict  Eggs Up is an easy go to (beeline to) in the West End at 31 Augusta Street.  Serving classic and inventive breakfast/brunch favorites daily form 6 am  - 2 pm.  One of our Innkeepers favorites!

Hall's Chophouse 

Lavender scented brioche French Toast with espresso mascarpone cream… well knock me over with a feather!  How about Crabcake Benedict or Prime Rib Benedict?  If that doesn’t do it for you the Oysters Rockefeller is available too.  Wash it all down with peach Bellinis.  Hall's is the place for a special occasion brunch or… just because.  Served Sunday 10 am - 2 pm.  At 550 S Main overlooking the river.

Passerelle Bistro

Sigh.  What can we say?  Brunch at Passerelle is so very FRENCH and sublime, with cafe tables in Falls Park it’s quintessential.  If you miss Paris, want a preview or just a 2 hour vacation this is the spot for you.  Croque Monsieur and Madame are on offer also are crepes, Galette Complete, Niçoise Salad, mussels, and quiche.  Champagne.  Save room for dessert!

Mary Beth’s

A local habit!  Open 7 days a week, 7 am - 3 pm,  Mary Beth’s has the classics including pastries, and Nutella banana crepes, crab and asparagus Benedict,  lemon ricotta pancakes, and the Mega Breakfast.  A relaxed and happy hometown place.  Perfect.  Find them at 500 E McBee in McBee Station.

Greenfield's Bagels and Deli  

Reubens and Rachels.  Big city folks, you’re home!  Everything bagel and deli your little heart could desire.  Kosher for days.  Seven kinds of homemade cream cheese spreads. Bagels galore.  Omelettes on bagels and so munch more!  Go already!  At 101 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 180.  Open Mon- Fri 6 am - 4 pm, Sat 7 am - 4pm, Sun 7am - 3pm.  Psst, they have Jewish pastries too!  Gasp!

Southern Culture Kitchen

Bottomless mimosas and a Bloody Mary bar.  Do we have your attention?  Chicken Waffle Tacos - whaaa?  Apple stuffed French toast…  Live music on Sunday after 11:30.  All this and so much more can be brunched upon Fri - Sat 11am - 3 pm, Sun 10 am - 3 pm.  At 2537 N Pleasantburg.

Brew & Ewe

The Brew & Ewe is a coffee house on one side and knit shop on the other!   Going low key and alcohol free?  So quiet, relaxing, cozy, and adorable it’s hard to believe it’s less than a block from Main street and across from the Peace Center offices at 108 W Broad.  They have scrumptious wraps and sandwiches, plenty of fresh, healthy options… and bagel sandwiches, including lox and cream cheese!  At 108 W Broad, open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Mon - Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Are you salivating yet?  I’m drooling!  Pick me up on the way, please!  I’ll be on the purple porch swing in front of the Swamp Rabbit Inn.  We can chalk about our experience on the wall in the hallway after!  With all those Bloody Marys, Bellinis and Mimosas do be a good bunny and keep that Uber number handy!

Merry brunching!

--Percy

Who, Who, Who is Looking for Late Night Restaurants in Greenville?!

Night owls unite!  Night.  Owls.  Aptly named, as most owls hunt at night… which means we Swamp Rabbits scurry to the safety of our burrows as the sun sets.  Most rabbits are experts on vegetarian breakfast joints.  Lucky for you THIS Swamp Rabbit is an expert on late night restaurants in Greenville.  I’m stealthy.  I get around!

We’re going to keep this simple, because it’s late!  And you’re hungry!  And the clock is ticking as kitchens are mopping up and closing tight while the moon sets slowly in the west and your options for a decent meal dwindle rapidly.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Open really late - 3 a.m. to 24 hours

✶ ✶ ✶ Open until  1 0r  2 a.m.

✶ ✶  Open until midnight

✶  Open until 11 p.m.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Waffle House  Let's start with the all-night All Star the Waffle House!  Yes it's a chain.  Yes it is ubiquitous.  But if you want breakfast! (or lunch or dinner), dammit!, at 5 a.m. it is there for you and Greenville has one at the corner of North Main and E Stone.  Practice the address now so you can tell your cab/uber driver.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Liberty Cafe  Basically a diner with menu items from all over the map.  Lots of mediterranean offerings. Certainly something for everyone.  And get this: open until 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Sunday until 2 a.m., and  M - Th until 3 a.m. AND they also freaking deliver!  Find them at 33 Liberty Lane, off Laurens Road near Fresh Market.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Sully's Steamers  Open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. the rest of the week.  It's where all the cool kids roll in after the bars close.  The bagel sandwiches are top notch and somewhat addictive.  The menu is long and you are certain to find one that suits your tastes.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ The Flat  "Not your typical bar food place."  With chef specials, locally sourced ingredients and fare made from scratch.  We hear the sliders are a hit.  Open M - F until 3 a.m., and Sat until midnight. Find The Flat at 1606 Woodruff Road at Feaster Road (ahem).

✶ ✶ ✶  The Cazbah is a classy little tapas bar and bistro.  The food is scrumptious and the prices reasonable.  Nice wine selection. You may be beat and bleary but you'll feel chic.  Great after hours with your date.  Open Mon - Sun until 2 a.m.  Stroll in at 16 W McBee just off N. Main.

✶ ✶ ✶  Stellar  Restaurant and Wine Bar, also classy, also cozy, also right downtown.  Open Mon - Sun until 2 a.m. What makes this boite hawt is that it is upstairs above Main and you can sip your drinks while looking down on the nighttime scene.   The fare includes farm-to-table dishes and small "stellar" plates. Full bar.  "22 steps above ordinary".  Wind down from a long damn day in urban style!  At 20 Main Street.

✶ ✶ ✶  Addy’s Dutch Cafe  Something a little different?  Open Tues - Sat until 2 a.m.  Cozy, Old World atmosphere, serving Dutch and... Indonesian food!  You'll have to read the story.  Known for it's European beer selection - and of course the Swedish meatballs.  At 17 E Coffee Street just off Main.

✶ ✶ ✶  Halls Chophouse moved into High Cotton’s scenic spot above the Reedy River Walk in Downtown Greenville and hit the ground running with rave reviews.  A little more pricey, open Mon - Sat until 2 a.m., bar menu after 11:30.  As the name implies, they have a way with meat.  The desserts get notice as well.  Nice view.  At 550 S. Main.

✶ ✶ ✶  Ink and Ivy  is a recent arrival to Downtown Greenville.  Notable for its seafood, including  a raw bar,  also tasty steak salads, and chocolate whisky cake.  The place is stylish, hip and comfy, and serving Mon - Sun until 2 a.m.  Yippee!  At the corner of E. Coffee and Brown Street just off Main, this block of E. Coffee St. is becoming a late night food destination!

✶ ✶ ✶  Mac's Speed Shop  At 930 S. Main right around the corner from the Swamp Rabbit Inn in Greenville's West End, Mac's has BARBECUE and wings and such.  You could say it's a "saucy" place!  Open until 2 a.m. Fri and Sat,  Sun - Thurs until midnight.

✶ ✶ ✶ Brixx Wood Fired Pizza  is out at 1125 Woodruff Road at hwy 85 and open Mon - Sat until 2 a.m., and even Sunday until 1 a.m.!  They occasionally have BOGO pizza deals and others so check it out.  Reliably good, late.

✶ ✶ ✶  Local Cue Game and Sports Bar  It's  out at 30 Orchard Park, near Pelham Rd and Haywood.  Open Mon - Sun until 1:30 a.m.  Known for the after work beer, they too, have  BBQ -  and board games!  Pool tables, darts, and foosball.  Eat and play your cares away.

✶ ✶ ✶  Krispy Kreme  Or you could just get donuts...  You could!  At 302 N. Pleasantburg Drive.  Open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.  We won't tell.

✶ ✶  Antonino Bertolo's Pizza and Wine Bar  Has, you guessed it, great pizza, pasta, calzones and stromboli and you can get them, downtown, at 200 N. Main, until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays with a late night pizza window open until 2:30 a.m.  Score!  Open until 10 p.m. the rest of the week.

✶ ✶ Universal Joint  Another recent addition to the Greenville food scene found at 300 E. Stone Ave. With an ever-rotating draft and bottle selection, and popular patio,  this neighborhood bar offers American favorites faithfully executed.  Open 7 days until midnight.

✶  Roost  A lot of folk end up at Roost, next to the Hyatt, downtown later in the evening.  It has a nice setting at the top of Main Street to watch the world go by.  An abbreviated menu is available - and quite tasty - from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m., 7 days a week.  Full bar.  Ambiance.  Waterfall.

✶  Grill Marks  Has. Great. Burgers.  And truffle fries.  AND an ice cream shake/soda bar that makes blissfully boozy ice cream treats!  So yum!  They will do all this for you Fri and Sat until 11 p.m., so scoot!

✶  Menkoi Ramen House  Do you need your ramen fix?  We got you!  It's out from town aways at 1860 Woodruff Road but locals swear by it. Open 7 days until 11 p.m.

✶  Lazy Goat  With an elegant patio overlooking Reedy River Walk downtown, this is a lovely place to nibble on upscale Mediterranean plates large and small - and desserts!  Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m.

✶  Augusta Grill  New American/New Southern cuisine at 1818 Augusta Street very near the West End of Greenville. Bistro at its best!  Save room for dessert.  Serving Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.

✶  Coffee Underground  could not be left out!  They dutifully serve up the joe until 11:30 p.m. on Fri and Sat, and until 10 p.m. all other days.  Bless them!

That covers the highlights!  If we left out your favorite late night haunt please let us know.  A gentle suggestion to Greenville from those night owl types: During Greenville's process of transformation, the night owls are trying to be patient. But as you will note the majority of late night fare is only available on weekends.  If we are to have a thriving nightlife, downtown especially,  WE ARE GOING TO NEED MORE PLACES THAT STAY OPEN AFTER 1o p.m. WITH MORE CONSISTENCY!!!  THANK YOU!!!  Do you think the right folks heard that?  Who! who! who!

Stay inn the know of all of our events! 

Subscribe to our mailing list

--Percy

"Lookin' for the love getaway..." Heading West on a Day Trip from Greenville

Do you have a Chrysler?  Does it seat about 20?  Then hurry up and bring your jukebox money!  We are heading down not the Atlanta highway (much) but west, mostly,  down hwy 85 in search of a great day trip from Greenville!  On the way we will hit two (inn)famous college towns and the place now referred to as Black Hollywood, as well as some famous forests, climbs, waterfalls, and a German village, just to keep it wacky.   Many places in this area have made their way into the collective imagination via pop culture, as well as some serious history.  If you take one of these adventures I’m sure you’ll soon discover why.

Clemson

Do you like the color orange?  Prepare to be enveloped in a sea of it.  We can always tell when there's a big game approaching in the Upstate because cars (and sometimes pedestrians) are festooned with orange paw flags and tiger tails.  Our first stop off the 85 is the home of Clemson University.  Take the exit at SC 88 and in about 45 minutes from Greenville you'll be there.  When you tire of touring the campus you can go play in the beautiful waters of adjacent Lake Hartwell.  Notable attractions in town are the immense and gorgeous (and free) South Carolina Botanical Gardens, and Fort Hill Plantation.

If you'd like to get a great view of the area from 3,563 ft, Sassafrass Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina.  It's sort of north into the mountains up US 178 from Clemson, but Clemson claims it as their architecture students built the lovely viewing platform shown above.  Clever kids!

Tallulah Falls & Toccoa Falls

If you head down the 123 from Clemson you will soon come to a place of many falling waters.  Tallulah Falls are a stunning standout in a region known for waterfalls and well worth the hiking involved.  Parts of the movie Deliverance were filmed here, and on July 18, 1970, a 65-year-old Karl Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas performed a high-wire walk across the Tallulah Gorge.

 A lot of weddings take place with Toccoa Falls as a backdrop.  Located on the campus of tiny Toccoa Falls liberal arts college it one of the tallest free falling vertical drops in the Eastern US.

Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest & Chattahoochee River

Continuing with the nature theme a bit longer, keep heading west from the falls and you will soon be in the Chattahoochee Forest.  Spanning ancient Cherokee and Creek Indian lands, this wilderness area offers most everything you go to a forest for.  Hike in and check out the ancient carvings at Track Rock Gap archeological site. 

Alpine Helen

Would you like to do a little tubing on the Chattahoochee?  Would you like some schnitzel with that?  Perhaps some apple strudel...  Would you believe me if I told you that there was a Bavarian alpine village in the hills of Georgia with street names like “Edelweiss Strasse”? Well believe it!  It is also the jumping off point for a tubing enthusiasts.  Who knew?!

Brasstown Bald

Once upon a bike race... The Tour de Georgia was a premier cycling event in the US from 2003 to 2008.  It attracted professional teams from all over the world to compete over six days.  The most anticipated stage ended with the ascent of Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point.  You can visit it today and feel like King or Queen of all you survey.

Athens

Back to hwy 85, exiting onto 78 (the Atlanta Highway) Kate Pierson's tinroof house from her UGA college days that was the inspiration for "Love Shack" burned down some years ago but the boho campus culture that spawned the B52s is still going strong.  An alternative/progressive oasis in the more conservative leaning South, this classy college town is also ranked as the 7th best in the nation for dating!  Go DAWGS! Besides campus activities Athens is notable for the gorgeous Georgia Museum of Art.  Actress Kim Basinger is from here as is football legend Fran Tarkinton. In addition to the B52s, this burg also spawned Danger Mouse, the Whigs, Widespread Panic and Of Montreal, to name a few. Members of R.E.M. still maintain residences in Athens.

Calling all bike racers!  Athens Twilight Criterium, professional cycling event and festival was the first nighttime bike race in modern times. Take over the streets of Athens with other bike nuts over three nights of fun.

Buford

If you turn west (to 129) instead to 78 east you will come to Buford GA and nearby Lake Lanier islands.  The Bona Allen Tannery opened here in 1873 making, among other leather goods, the saddles worn by Hollywood's most illustrious cinematic cowboys like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.  The Bona Allen Shoe factory has been transformed into the Tannery Row Artist Colony.  The Mall of Georgia, the 36th largest in the nation also resides in Buford.

Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier was the site 1996 Olympic Games rowing and kayaking competitions and offers an array of watersport options for amateur athletes (vacationers) too! Start at the Port Royal Marina to get oriented.

Atlanta

From civil war to civil rights, Atlanta has earned her stripes and reinvented herself several times to become one of America's most iconic cities.  If most of what you know about Atlanta comes form a certain book by Margaret Mitchell, you have some catching up to do.  With current nicknames like "Black Hollywood" and "Hotlanta", this city puts diversity upfront for a vibrant cultural mix.

When you're done walking the historic nieghborhoods, visiting historic sites, dining at the vast array of fine and ethnic restaurants check out the Botanical Gardens or the Georgia Aquarium for a hit of nature in the heart of the city.  Your kids will love it!

Cyclists will enjoy Atlanta's 33 mile urban Beltline Trails and, northwest of Atlanta, the 61.5 mile Silver Comet Trail, which, in addition to walkers, runners, bladers, and skaters also accommodates horses!  So don't forget your bikes (or tack)!

So that about covers the region around Greenville and the Swamp Rabbit Inn.  We've gone north, south, east, and lastly, west.  Enjoy your adventures and when you come back to the Inn we want to hear all about it!  Make some memories.

--Percy

Sparkling and Shiny Cities to the East - Day Trip Destinations from Greenville

Downtown Greenville is an award-winning charmer.  It’s bright and bustling yet cozy, hip and modern yet classic and colonial, with great entertainments of all kinds.  But let’s say you’ve got more time to explore and need a big hit of BIG CITY.  I feel another day trip coming on!  As we’ve mentioned previously, Greenville is conveniently situated two hours from two BIG southeastern hubs:  Atlanta GA and… Charlotte NC!  This blogpost we head east toward the rising sun to stroll in the shadow of skyscrapers and follow in historic footsteps with a couple of regional highlights along the way.

Spartanburg

“Sparkleburg”!  That’s what we call it in these parts, less than 40 minutes up the road on hwy 85, practically  Greenville’s fraternal twin.  Perhaps you’ve noticed we share an airport.  It was named for the local Spartan Regiment after the Revolutionary War which participated in the decisive Battle of Cowpens.  Another half hour up the 221 through Cherokee Springs and you can tour the Cowpens National Battlefield or attend the Revolutionary War Weekend held there in October.  Like Greenville, Spartanburg was a hub of textile mills, and converging rail lines gave it another nickname, “Hub City”.  The historic Magnolia Street Station is home to the Hub City Railroad Museum and Caboose, and the Hub City Farmer’s Market.

For cyclists Spartanburg is famed as the start line for The Assaults on Mt Mitchell and Mt Marion, Mt Mitchell being the highest peak in the East.  Every May a thousand cyclists gather to test themselves on these ascents.  If you plan to join in, act lively because those spots sell out fast!

Nearby Walnut Grove Plantation has an intriguing Revolutionary War history and is rumored to be haunted… for good reason!  Built in 1765 on a land grant from King George III, tours are available most of the week in the warmer months with reduced hours in the winter.

Located just east of town, The Cottonwood Trail is a walking/cycling/running trail situated along the Lawson’s Fork area of the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve that features a raised path over an extensive wetlands area and access to sporadic sandbars. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound.

Sparkleburg is also a college town being home to historic (1854) Wofford College (where the Carolina Panthers hold training camp) and the University of South Carolina Upstate.  Signature festivals include Dickens of a Christmas, a Victorian holiday extravaganza, and the Hub City Hog Fest competition that draws over 40 barbecue teams.  Lots of ways to be entertained for a day in and around Spartanburg!

Calling all climbers!  Heading up interstate 85 from Spartanburg you will come to Crowders Mountain. The towering sheer cliffs at Crowders Mountain State Park, will keep busy and offer stunning views to those who 'make the grade'.

Heading east from Crowders you will come to Lake Wylie.  Straddling the North Carolina/South Carolina border, Lake Wylie is a manmade lake formed by the Catawba Dam in 1904 and has six public boat access areas and water recreation options aplenty.  The Catawba River below the lake offers interesting kayaking opportunities.   

Rock Hill

The Catawba Indian Nation, the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina, inhabited the area known today as Rock Hill when European settlers arrived.  Rock Hill is distinguished in modern history by pivotal events of the Civil Rights Movement which took place here in the early 60s.  In 1961 the Friendship Nine staged a sit in at the segrated Mc Crory’s Five and Dime lunch counter.  Later that same year Rock Hill was the first stop in the Deep South for a group of 13 Freedom Riders, who boarded buses in Washington, DC, and headed south to test the 1960 ruling by the US Supreme Court outlawing racial segregation in all interstate public facilities.

Cyclists know Rock Hill as the home of the Giordana Velodrome.  Many track cycling events are hosted here throughout the year. The city also boasts many famous NFL players in residence there.  Glencairn Garden is a delight for the senses.  Begun as a backyard garden in 1928, it now covers 11 acres with a paradise of landscaped beauty.

Charlotte

Nicknamed the "Queen City" for Charlotte, wife of King George III, Charlotte NC is the second largest banking center in the US after New York City.  It is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Carolina Panthers NFL team, and the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.    It's a great big city with skyscrapers, lots of big malls like South Park Mall to shop in, and diverse and distinctive neighborhoods full of character and charm.  

Charlotte is also BIG on the ARTS!  The city offers theaters, museums and public art galore.  If that doesn't float your boat, perhaps a roller coaster ride will.  Carowinds Amusement Park boasts the Fury 325, the fifth tallest coaster in the world.  For a more pastoral respite Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens is a 380-acre wonderland.  Look over your options carefully as there is so much to see and do, dull moments are virtually impossible to come by.

These little rambles from the Swamp Rabbit Inn are proving to provide a few surprises here and there, no?  Stay hydrated out there, pack the sunscreen and remember to hashtag us now and then.  Happy trails!  

--Percy