The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Summer Bucket List (Greenville, SC Edition)

There’s still one more month of summer, so there’s plenty of time to plan and execute the ultimate summer bucket list in Greenville, SC. The city’s got it all: a safe, scenic downtown, live entertainment, iconic walking trails and hiking, tasty dessert spots, and free community events. Fortunately, there’s no need to break the bank in order to have a good time in this city; there are so many free and/or inexpensive activities available. Check out our ultimate budget-friendly bucket list below, perfect for locals, students, families, and anyone who appreciates getting the most bang for your buck. 

#1 Visit Falls Park on the Reedy

Falls Park on the Reedy, “the heart of Greenville,” is an iconic spot in downtown Greenville that seemingly transports one away from the hustle and bustle of a city and into the quiet calm of nature. There’s a reason it has been deemed “Top U.S. Park” by TripAdvisor. Consider adding the following goals to your bucket list:

• Cross the 345 ft. Liberty Bridge and take in its majestic beauty
• Take formal or informal pictures amongst the bridge, rocks, and/or lawn 
• Picnic on the grassy lawn and people watch! 
• Explore the Swamp Rabbit Trail via Cancer Survivor’s Park 
• Keep an eye out for sculptures and live performances

#2 Enjoy Free Live Music Downtown

Spontaneous street performances are seemingly around every corner in Greenville, SC, making for a different experience each time one visits. Additionally, there are scheduled live performances that make for a fun evening out, too! For example, check out: 

• Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays
• PNG Downtown Alive @ Noma Square
• “Live & Local on the Porch” @ The Commons 
• Live music at The Radio Room 

#3 Hike Near Greenville’s Downtown 

Hiking in the downtown area is possible via the Swamp Rabbit Trail, but there are so many other hiking spots that are also worth a visit. With your hiking gear, water bottle, and positive attitude in tow, be sure to check out: 

• Paris Mountain State Park (30 minutes from downtown) 
• Table Rock State Park (45 minutes from downtown) 
• Jones Gap State Park (45 minutes from downtown) 
• Caesar’s Head State Park (1 hour from downtown) 
• Lake Jocassee (1 hour and 20 minutes from downtown) 

#4 Sample Tasty Sweet Treats 

Sometimes an inexpensive sweet treat can be just the ticket to making an evening that much more memorable. In Greenville, they have a wide selection of candy shops, ice cream parlors, cafes, and bakeries that offer unique and tasty goods. A few standouts include: 

• River Street Sweets
• LaRue Fine Chocolates
• The Cream Shack 
• Brick Street Cafe 
• Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar 

#5 Check Out Free Community Events 

Check out Greenville’s free community events for a guaranteed great time. Getting out there is a great way to meet people, after all. Whether you’re looking for an event in the morning, afternoon, or evening, Greenville most likely has something happening. You won’t want to miss: 

• The TD Saturday Market, the best Farmer’s Market around (Saturdays from 8-12 pm) 
• Moonlight Movies in Falls Park (Select Fridays from 6-9 pm) 
• Trivia Nights (Held weekly at the Radio Room, Pangea, Group Therapy, and more) 
• Library Events (See Greenville County’s calendar for free storytimes and programs) 

Sometimes it’s fun to spend an extravagant amount of money on a special occasion, as a luxury. But it’s not always necessary. Greenville, SC, in particular has such an abundance of inexpensive parks, hikes, shops, performances, and events, that individuals can save their money for other ventures, if they so choose. With summer running out, now is the time to check off such activities from your summer bucket list! 

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