Some of the top free activities in the 864.
BMW Zentrum
1400 Highway 101 S., Greer
BMWUSFactory.com/Zentrum
Located next to the only BMW manufacturing facility in the United States, experience a self-guided tour showcasing the past, present, and future of the “ultimate driving machine.” (The museum is free; factory tours are available for ages 12 and older with advanced registration plus entry fee of $10/adults, $8/students.)
Downtown Alive & Main Street Fridays
NOMA Square
GreenvilleSC.gov
Noma Square has live music every Thursday and Friday beginning late spring and going through early fall.
Downtown Trolley
GreenvilleSC.gov/597/Trolley
Hop on Greenville’s open-air trolley for a scenic ride on Main Street and the downtown area.
Foothills Philharmonic
FoothillsPhilharmonic.org
A series of complimentary masterworks and chamber performances. Venues include City of Greer Center for the Arts and Riverside Baptist Church.
Heritage Green
College Street at Academy Street, Greenville
HeritageGreen.org
An arts and culture hub for Greenville, this site is home to the Greenville County Museum of Art and the Greenville County Hughes Main Library—both are free to the public. Sigal Music Museum, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Upcountry History Museum, and Greenville Theatre charge admission, but are well worth checking out, too.
Hikes
SouthCarolinaParks.com/See-And-Do/Hiking-Trails
Get outdoors and explore the Upstate’s unparalleled beauty. The area has many hiking trails for all different skill levels, and South Carolina State Parks’ website has all of the information you need to choose the best trail for you.
Kilgore-Lewis House
560 N. Academy St., Greenville
Kilgore-Lewis.org
A historic 1838 home that provides a glimpse into early Greenville’s furnishings and home life. The home is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the headquarters of Greenville Council of Garden Clubs Inc. Tours of the home and 5.4-acre Arboretum are free. The space can also be rented for events.
Mini-Golf at McPherson Park
100 E. Park Ave., Greenville
A nine-hole miniature golf course in a delightful downtown park. Remember to bring your own equipment.
Moonlight Movies
Greer City Park Amphitheater
Preshow activities including inflatables begin at 7 p.m.; movies begin at sundown on Thursdays in June and July.
Music in Commerce Park
200 Depot St., Fountain Inn
FountainInn.org
Live, local music on Friday evenings: Sounds of Summer (June-August) and a Fall Music Series (October).
Runway Park + Military History Center of the Carolinas
21 Airport Rd. Ext., Greenville
GreenvilleDowntownAirport.com/Runway-Park
14 Airport Rd. Ext., Greenville
MILHCC.org
A fun, aviation-themed park with play structures for younger and older children. Children and adults alike will be delighted to watch planes take off and land from the Greenville Downtown Airport. Next door, experience a truly unique collection of military memorabilia at the Military History Center of the Carolinas.
Simpsonville Summer Music Series & Food Truck Rodeo
CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
861 S.E. Main St., Simpsonville
SvilleSummerSeries.com
A different live band and food trucks every Wednesday in June, July, and August.
Spartanburg Music Trail
Downtown Spartanburg
SpartanburgMusicTrail.com
An outdoor walking tour of the Hub City’s robust music history, with colorful markers describing local crooners who found national fame—Pink Anderson, Ira Tucker, The Sparkletones, and, of course, The Marshall Tucker Band, just to name a few. Bring a GPS-enabled smartphone so you can hear their music, too.
SC Botanical Garden
150 Discovery Ln., Clemson
Clemson.edu/scbg
A 295-mile oasis of walking trails, gardens, and a nationally recognized nature-based sculpture collection. There are events throughout the year including yoga, kids’ nature classes, and live music.
