10 Reasons Why Greenville, SC Should be Your Next Travel Destination! #FFGVL

Beyond the Blue Ridge Mountain and the flamboyant foliage, a burgeoning scene beckons, in the quaint small town – Greenville. Like us, if you seek a vacation spot packed with local eats and natural beauty best experienced via hiking or biking, add the food and music festival – Fall for Greenville to the colorful mix, and you have an irresistible destination.

Here are ten splendid reasons why Greenville, SC should be on your next travel list.

1: Refresh and Rejuvenate with Nature: Falls Park, a nationally acclaimed green space with a spectacular bridge that allows unobstructed views of the Reedy River Falls. The Liberty Bridge – a 345-foot, curved bridge held in the air by a single suspension cable – is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Bike away through the popular GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail – a 21-mile multi-use trail that has received a multitude of awards including #1 America’s Best Urban Bike Paths by Fodor’s Travel, #3 Best Urban Trail by USA Today 10Best, #12 Most Incredible Bike Trail in the US by the Daily Burn.

Need a pick me up after a picturesque bike ride or just because you are aching for acai, stop by Greenville’s first 100% organic, plant-based cold-pressed juicery and restaurant Southern Pressed Juicery by the Local Restaurant Group – Table 301, for acai energy bowls, cold pressed juices, super food smoothies, raw snacks and salads, and more.

2: For the liberal arts lover there are currently more than 70 works of art are featured as part of Greenville, South Carolina’s Arts in Public Places initiative. An “Orbital Trio” serves as the anchor of North Main Street downtown at NOMA Square. “Nexus of Light” anchors the corner of South Main Street and Augusta St. And the newest Dale Chihuly “Rose Crystal Tower” sits at the other end of Falls Park. M. Judson Booksellers and Storytellers-on main street pays homage to local business with literature gems, edible magazine, and regular pop-up events and tastings held with local chefs and guest authors.

3: Taste the Town through Poppington’s Popcorn offering over 75 different kinds of popcorn flavors like Bloody Mary, Dill, Buffalo Wing and more. For 21+ dedicated to making the World’s Best Moonshine (49 medals, but whose counting) is Dark Corner Distillery. Saturday morning’s brings 60+ local purveyors to Main Street for the weekly Farmer’s Market. For oenophiles Caviar & Bananas features a wine and espresso bar, and nibbles.

4: Support Local Business: According to SBA (small business administration), there are more than 28.2 million businesses operating in the United States, accounting for 99.7% of all US businesses.

By supporting your local business/Restaurant, not only do you boost the local economy by circulating dollars within the community, reduce environmental impact, invest in your and your children’s future; you literally build character in your community, and nurture your minds, in this case literally one drink/plate at a time. Lazy Goat is one of fifty-nine and growing local restaurant, offering a Mediterranean menu featuring global influences from Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Greece, Africa and the Middle East. The lip-smacking Lazy Paella loaded with calasparra rice, green beans, shrimp, roasted chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams, calamari had us transported to the Spanish Coast with each mouth-watering morsel. PS: add the Crispy Brussels Sprouts to your must do list, you can thank me later!!

Pair it with Raventos I Blanc Sparkling Cava or Donna Fugata Tancredi wine, a blend of Italy’s native varietal Nero d’avola for an unforgettable meal.

5: Kitchen Sync: A family affair, Kitchen Sync is the brain child of brother and sister Kevin and Karin, who are joined by their sister, Amanda Paton as GM, Karin’s husband as a partner, and their mom Chris Feeny as the resident interior designer. A stalwart of locally sourced ingredients, Kitchen Sync’s gets it’s Green on – boasting the highest Certified Green rating amongst independent restaurants in the US.

Two of our favored dishes combined Salad + Pizza = Salad Pizza garlic pie, topped with arugula, feta, and pine nuts tossed in Italian ranch vinaigrette ($14) – Brilliant!! And the Loaded Grit Bowl – Hurricane Creek Farms Truckers Favorite Grits, Applewood smoked bacon, house Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms and smoked provolone. Topped with a sunny side up local farm egg and fresh scallions ($10) lived up to the Southern reputation of whipping up some of the creamiest grits we have had the pleasure of tasting.

6: FFG (Fall for Greenville) US Foods Silver Spoons Award: Celebrating all things local, 44 regional restaurants including food trucks vie for the coveted Silver Spoons Award, and we had front row seats judging as “secret shopper”. Judging criteria included Taste, Appearance, Creativity, and Portion Size and Ticket Value. A tall order, with only nine hours to judge the contestants, we slept well on full bellies, and in awe of Greenville’s local culinary talents.

Drum Roll!! The winner of 2017 Silver Spoons Award went to food truck One Love Fusion Foods for their Jerk Chicken Nachos brimming with bold flavors and tantalizing textural components.

7: Craft Beer Garden: Asheville might be the hub of craft beer movement in America, Greenville follows suit, a close second, showcasing 50+ renditions from refreshing crisp pilsners, hoppy floral ipas, wheat Weisses, fruity lambic sours, to dark roasted stouts, from Greenville gems –  Brewery 85, Quest, Thomas Creek, and 23 more breweries.

8: Celebrate Diversity:.Hankering for some ethnic cuisine? Greenville’s first and only Persian restaurant Pomegranate, offers an extensive menu, swaggering delicately spiced dishes with for both vegetarians and meat eaters from Kashk Bademjan – eggplant and yogurt, Borani Spinach, Veggie Kabobs, Eggplant Stew, and rosemary kissed Rack of Lamb. Conclude your meal, with a cup of hot tea, as Iranians do.

9: Indulge your Senses: Tap your way through FFG with over 70+ artist sprawled over seven stages, spinning drums to electric strings, stimulating soul singers, exhilarating ensembles of Jazz, melancholy melodies of Indie, to rocking the blues, country music, and pop.

For the entire line-up – Fall for Greenville Fest. October 12-14, 2018.

10: Lavish Indulgences: There is nothing better than a boozy brunch to melt away your weekend woes. It’s like a mini-getaway, to nourish your soul and body, with bubbles and butter. South Carolina’s hottest family steakhouse Halls Chophouse Lavender scented Brioche French Toast will permanently alter your perception of french toasts. A sublime interpretation, supple softness of the brioche, contrasted with the crunchiness of cornflakes, adorned with espresso mascarpone cheese and applewood smoked bacon, aka our new favorite. Douse it with bubble bellini or if you are feeling adventurous, pick a wine from their extensive wine list.

 

Greenville far exceeded our expectations. Whether you come for the festive fall colors or the vibrant music scene, sweetening the deal is the unparalleled southern hospitality. A melting point of cultures and cuisines, think hipster Austin meets food-centric Philadelphia, but with the friendliest people.

Could it be America’s best kept secret?

Credits:

Photo: The Bokeh Studio

PR: TK Public Relations

The Daily Meal.

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