Not to be confused with the South Carolina city of the same name, Greenville, N.C. is the 10th-largest city in the state and is considered the cultural, educational, medical and economic hub of the Tidewater region. Known as the “Emerald City,” it is home to nearly 185,000 residents, although it still retains the Southern charm and hospitality of a small town. It’s that down-home feeling, combined with a multitude of things to do, that also make it a popular spot for travelers visiting the Tar Heel State.
First, there’s the heart of the city — the uptown district. Here, you’ll find a variety of restaurants for every palette and budget, including some unique finds like Crave Uptown that offers fresh items from local farms by day and turns into an entertainment venue with DJ’s, bands and comedians by night. Dickinson Avenue Public House, a gastropub that serves modern American dishes made with local ingredients, is also a great choice. You’ll also find lots of unique shops and boutiques, and from May through August, the city’s farmers market that features fresh produce, meats, seafood, jewelry, crafts, baked goods and more.
Wine and beer connoisseurs will love the plethora of breweries, wine shops and bottle shops there are to explore in Greenville, like Pitt Street Brewing Co. This craft brewery is located in the old Coca Cola Bottling Co. building and serves up a variety of brews, including the award-winning Dapple Dog Dry Stout that features notes of dark chocolate, honey and espresso. Meanwhile Uptown Brewing Co. — a craft brewery that was born from two brothers’ love of craft beer — serves a variety of brews, as well as hard cider and ginger beer. Wine lovers will enjoy relaxing with a glass at The Wine Shop at Jefferson’s or Firefly Wine Shop, which carries over 300 varieties of wine and has an on-site sommelier.
For the art lovers, Greenville has several fine art galleries like the City Art Gallery, Emerge Gallery and Art Center, and the Strickland Art Gallery, as well as the Greenville Museum of Art. The museum, which attracts more than 15,000 visitors each year, is a collecting institution that features works by many North Carolina artists including Kenneth Noland, Francis Speight and Sarah Blakeslee.
History buffs will find no shortage of things to do with several historical sites located in and around the city of Greenville, including the Eastern Carolina Village and Farm Museum, which dates all the way back to 1840 and exhibits hundreds of local farm artifacts. The property also is home to 20 historical buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse from 1903, a country store from 1879, a pigeon house from 1902, a milk house from 1910, a tobacco barn from the 1890s and a log church that was built in the late 1700s.
But perhaps one of the best things to do in Greenville is to get outside. Between sporting events, recreation activities and agritourism, there’s always a reason to be outdoors here, whether it’s to play golf, go hiking, ride a bike, take in a baseball game, go to a farmer’s market or explore the Tar River. Feeling adventurous? Knee Deep Adventures rents kayaks, standup paddleboards, tents and camping gear for you to explore the great outdoors!
