We started with an appetizer, and then proceeded to the images of Greenville.
Fried Goat Cheese with Pistachio Dust and Vanilla Honey Drizzle
It was a tranquil view from the floor-to-ceiling windows, a mixture of old and new architecture, separated from us by a gently flowing river. My friend and I were having lunch at Lazy Goat restaurant, known for its globally inspired food and social atmosphere. It was the perfect setting to get reacquainted and anticipate the next few days.
We were there to capture images of Greenville, S.C., and by chance had the treat of a lifetime in the nearby mountains!
Audra and I are from opposite ends of the East Coast; she is from New York, and I am from South Carolina. We met on a photography expedition to Jordan last year and discovered we share a love of travel, photography, and delicious food! After returning from Jordan, Audra had an inkling to visit Greenville, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We visited in October, when the air is refreshingly cool but not yet cold.
The Cherokee Indians once held exclusive hunting grounds in the area that is now Greenville. The natural landscape offered protection, freshwater, and abundant wild game. When Europeans settled there, visitors began enjoying picnics along the river and excursions to nearby mountains. Audra and I planned with this in mind. We spent part of two days photographing and dining around the West End Historic District, the Peace Center Campus, and Falls Park. In between, we enjoyed a full-day outing to nearby Caesar’s Head State Park.
After catching up over lunch at Lazy Goat, we began a walking tour at RiverPlace, using the Downtown Greenville Map as our guide.
The open air brick venue of Wyche Pavilion takes center stage from West End along the RiverWalk near Art Crossing.
Built in 1835, the brick shell of the old Coach Factory is now preserved and repurposed as a venue on the Peace Center Campus and is one of Greenville‘’’s most photographed structures.
We crossed the Reedy River on the colorful walking bridge that rises over pillars forming the Reedy River dam, an area of old rail passage. The dam is another example of how Greenville incorporates its heritage into beautiful, purposeful spaces. The walking bridge is now the Eugenia Duke Bridge, named for the endearing legend and pioneer businesswoman who launched our favorite brand of mayonnaise.
Continuing upstream from the river, we passed the Peace Center Amphitheater and then spilled onto Main Street in front of the Peace Center for the Performing Arts.
Casual open-air dining beckons weary shoppers in the heart of the shopping district and make perfect venues for images of Greenville.
Our visit coincided with the annual Fall for Greenville festival, where music venues and food-tasting booths attract thousands of people. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials promised a virtual festival where fans could enjoy their favorite musicians and sample food fare from takeout.
Fluor Field Ball Park is at the far end of South Main Street. At the entrance, visitors tip their hats to the statue of Greenville’s own baseball legend, ‘Shoeless Joe’ Jackson.
Along the way, we were captivated by ghost signs, iconic images of Greenville.
These iconic hand-painted, weathered advertisements offer nostalgic windows into Greenville’s past.
The next day, we drove from Greenville to Caesar’s Head State Park, a one-hour scenic drive along US-276. The park is part of South Carolina’s Mountain Bridge Wilderness and offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. It has long been a North American Hawk Migration Site.
This time, we were surprised by swarms of monarch butterflies fluttering around the wildflowers!
Caesar’s Head is also a Monarch Butterfly Fueling Zone. The butterflies love the abundant wildflowers, especially milkweed.
On our last day in Greenville, we returned to West End to explore Falls Park on the Reedy. The Liberty Bridge on that side is a spectacular pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the falls and garden. Passerelle Bistro sits at one end. Bright red umbrellas and stunning views from the patio of the French restaurant called our attention to lunch.
Both Audra and I ordered this mouthwatering appetizer, knowing that it would be too good to share!
Crispy Goat Cheese served with Phyllo, Blueberry & Lavender Jam, Candied Walnuts, and Citrus Gel.
After savoring every morsel, we anticipated our main courses as we watched the breathtaking falls below.
Meandering footpaths led us from a bird’s-eye view of the falls to the lower park and another spectacular view.
Peering up from below, another of ghost sign; these images of Greenville conjures thoughts of a distant past.
That evening, we rode the Greenlink Trolley through part of downtown. If you’re spending a day in downtown Greenville, park at Commons Garage on the north end. Walking leisurely along Main Street to Falls Park on the Reedy is the best way to enjoy Greenville’s captivating atmosphere.
We were lucky to get a seat for dinner at Jianna, Modern Italian & Oyster Bar. The maître d’ asked if we minded sitting outside on the upstairs balcony. We said no; we didn’t mind at all! He led us to stools at the bar, facing an open-air window and the dessert station. Was it coincidence or karma? We got seats that let us watch the station chef as he rolled, filled, and dusted the Italian delicacies.
We started with Prosciutto followed by Fresh House-made Pasta TBG (roast tomatoes, basil, and garlic) with Grana Padano cheese and meatballs on the side.
Dessert? Of course!
Salted Caramel Semifreddo with Biscotti Crumb, Shaved Chocolate, and Caramel Sauce; images of Greenville is also a food story.
Later that evening, we captured the starbursts of streetlights along RiverWalk as the magical visit to capture images of Greenville came to a close.
History
In 1968, a group of like-minded citizens and community leaders set out with the simple goal of making Main Street in Greenville pedestrian-friendly.
Today, that goal drives the public/private collaboration that continues to make Greenville one of the greatest downtown revitalization success stories. See the fascinating step-by-step story in ‘Downtown Reborn‘.
Top magazines consistently list Greenville as one of the top-10 cities in the U.S.
See a complete list of articles shared by the Greenville News, last updated on January 14, 2020.
How we got the images of Greenville.
Growing up in Ninety Six, S.C., I’d visited Greenville and Ceasar’s Head State Park many times and knew their beauty. Family road trips to the nearby mountains were a rich part of our lives. Some of my ancestors lived and worked in Greenville and the surrounding rural towns, part of the area’s agricultural and textile heritage.
Sometimes we lose sight of the incredible beauty right in our own backyards.
This time, it was my New York friend Audra who brought me back to the beauty of Upstate South Carolina, on our quest for images of Greenville.
Greenville is a one-hour and thirty-minute drive from my home in West Columbia. Audra flew from New York to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, 13 miles from downtown Greenville. I picked her up there and drove to our hotels.
For cool climates and fall foliage,
October and November are the best months to visit!
Go to Greenville to see information on restaurants and hotels.
Go to Caesar’s Head State Park for see-and-do information and when to see the monarch butterflies.
About Audra
Audra is a traveler, photographer, blogger, and writer. She generously shared some of her photographs for this story.
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