Weekend Getaways

Falls Park on the Reedy is a 32-acre park located in the historic West End District of Greenville, S.C.

A GUIDE TO

This South Carolina town is your one-stop shop for outdoor activities, food, and culture

Courtesy of Southern Cross Creative

The Greenville Center for Creative Arts I’ve heard people compliment the city of Greenville, S.C. for years, but aside from a visit or two back in the 1990s, I have failed to include it on my list of nearby places to get away. That was a mistake. On a beautiful sunny day recently, I made the two-hour drive to the city for a little exploring and was blown away by what I found. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway or a simple day trip, here are five things you’ll want to do in Greenville.

Spend time outdoors. When I first asked people for recommendations of things to do in Greenville, the resounding answer was “go to Falls Park on the Reedy.” It did not disappoint. The 32-acre part sits right in the heart of downtown and features a 40-foot natural waterfall and floating pedestrian Liberty Bridge. It reminded me a lot of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and I enjoyed watching all the people picnicking and lounging on the green grass along with plenty of pups enjoying the sunshine. The park also connects right to the Greenville Zoo. Another popular activity is cycling along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile multi-use trail system that runs along the Reedy River. If you don’t have your own bike there are plenty available to rent.

Aerial shot of Main Street.

Greenville At the annual Artisphere Festival held each May. by Renee Roberson photography by VisitGreenvilleSC

Explore public art. It’s everywhere you look in Greenville. The streets and parks of the city are home to almost 100 pieces of public artwork. You can access an interactive online map of public art to explore on your visit. The “Rose Crystal Tower” by Dale Chihuly is especially striking and the “Wings of the City” interactive exhibit, presented by Bank of America, is available through October. This is the first time the exhibit has ever been further east than Houston, Texas. Standing for the desire of the body to fly, the exhibit represents the capability of flying with our mind, going beyond one’s physical abilities, and inviting us to transcend our limits. The sculptures celebrate victory, dreams, and the human potential. And even though the figures are corporeal (i.e., they have a body), they are also dynamic and defy gravity as they balance on spheres, alluding to their self-restraint.

Indulge in retail therapy. There are so many places to shop in Greenville. From storefronts displaying funky pieces of artwork to antiques, to farmhouse décor, urban outfitters, and boutiques with carefully curated clothing brands, I could spend two days wearing out my credit card. There’s also an Artists Guild Gallery co-op that represents more than 20 local artists and many other storefronts where you can shop for handcrafted mixed media pieces, jewelry, watercolors, and photography.

Have a drink. There are 20 breweries in Greenville County, and you can explore as much as you want by booking a brewery experience van tour or e-bike brewery crawl. There are a variety of brewery tours you can check out, from mid-week tours to evening tours and ones only offered on weekends. If wine is more your speed, there are nearby wineries with vineyards, urban wineries and tasting rooms with shops.

Plate it up. Greenville has also become well known for their world-class cuisine. West Greenville has transformed many of the area’s former mills into eating establishments along with breweries and retail stores. Throughout the city, you’ll find gourmet treats, barbeque, international cuisine, farm to fork, fine dining and more. Need someone else to help you make a decision on what to eat? There are tours for that, too, specifically for cocktails, desserts, barbeque, and breakfast.

Top: A directional sign on the Raffaldini Vineyards property. Right: A path at Raffaldini Vineyards. Below: An indoor tasting room at Piccione Vineyards.

Tasty

Northern California is likely the first spot that comes to mind when considering wineries, but there are tons of beautiful vineyards right here in Northern North Carolina—a short hour long drive from the Lake Norman area. The Yadkin Valley Wine Region is home to three dozen vineyards each with a unique collection of wines.

swan creek wine Trail

A few separate visits is the only way to hit the plethora of wineries in this region, but if you’re looking for a weekend getaway (or even a quick day trip) the Swan Creek Wine Trail is ideal, located at the foothills of the Brushy and Blue Ridge Mountains and featuring six wineries that are minutes away from each other. This region, which is mostly inside the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area, was recognized as its own AVA, reflecting its particular microclimate.

TREKS

explore norTh carolina’s wine counTry as a relaxing escape

by Lara Tumer Photos courtesy of Visit NC

Plan a place to stay, pick a designated driver, and stock up on snacks at the Shiloh General Store before exploring everything this wine trail has to offer.

lodging

Camping, cabins rentals, hotel, or Airbnb/VRBO are all solid options in this area. The Days Inn in Yadkinville is a quick and convenient 10-minute drive from most of the wineries on this trail. Looking for something a bit more picturesque? Check out the Vintage Inn Bed and Breakfast—a stately 1934 grand old home that sits on a two-acre lot surrounded by large old willow oaks and maple trees.

TransporTaTion

A designated driver is a must when wine tasting, but if you can’t find someone who wants to miss out on the fun, hiring transportation is a great option. Yadkin Wine Shuttle Service is one of the several options available for hire. Avid bikers should check out the Swan Creek Trail, a 31-mile loop. Elk Vine Line is an incredible hop on / hop off service. Jump on any of the lines in downtown Elkin and head out into wine country. The Green line is the best option for those looking to explore the Swan Creek wine trail with stops at Raffaldini, Windsor Run, Shadow Springs and Piccione. Dobbins Creek and Laurel Grey can be found on the blue line.

vineyards

Laurel Gray Vineyards Located on farmland that has been run by the Myers family for 10 generations, their award-winning wines are sold exclusively in the tasting room and on their website. Established in 1999, this vineyard produces estate-grown French vinifera wines. They are known for their sustainable practices. 5726 Old U.S. 421, Hamptonville, N.C.

Raffaldini Vineyards Visit this vineyard for the scenery alone, with panoramic views

The Raffaldini family was not only the first among the vineyards on the East Coast to plant certain varietals, but also the first in the United States.

My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine. –Ernest Hemingway

A trip to Raffaldini Vineyards is reminiscent of the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy.

paired with classic Italian red wines. The vibes are that of Old World Italy, charming and romantic. 450 Groce Road, Ronda, N.C.

Dobbins Creek Vineyards A no frills, German style tasting room with mountain views and a local, laid back atmosphere. Charles, the owner, is known for his welcoming ways. Come here to taste Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Hemric Mountain Red and Hemric Mountain Blush. 4430 Vineyard View Lane, Hamptonville, N.C.

Piccione Vineyards Although this is a younger vineyard, the quality of wines does not disappoint. The views and staff are a definite bonus. Visit for top-quality reds like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero Amaro, and delicious whites such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Vermentino. 2364 Cedar Forest Road, Ronda, N.C. grape varietals. Wine slushies are also on the menu—a fun summer treat. 5543 Crater Road, Hamptonville, N.C.

Windsor Run Cellars The vineyard, tasting room, and brandy distillery all sit on fertile farmland. Originally opened in the mid 2000’s, the ownership changed in 2011 and resulted in an expansion of the tasting room. 6531 Windsor Road, Hamptonville, N.C.

This gorgeous area of North Carolina is begging to be explored by wine aficionados and novice drinkers alike making it perfect for a girl’s weekend, a romantic getaway, or even some time outside with family and friends. Most wineries operate from Wednesday through Sunday, but be sure to check the individual wineries’ websites for specific hours and visiting details.

To plan your trip, visit yadkinvalleywinecountry.com.

The Perfect Pairing Divine Llama Vineyard

by Allison Andrews photography by Allison Andrews

A North Carolina winery has found the perfect pairing for their wine…. llamas. Divine Llama Vineyard is just over an hour from the Lake Norman area in East Bend, N.C.

Grapevines greet you at the entrance of the winery landscaped with outdoor seating areas and shady spots for sipping. There’s a food truck on-site on the weekends.

You can grab a glass of wine and walk down the short path to the barns of the Four Ladies and Me farm. It’s the largest llama farm in the Southeast. There are around 100 llamas of different types, sizes, genders, and ages. Groups of people casually stroll along the fences to take photos.

If you want a more interactive experience, I recommend scheduling a llama trek in advance. My group met for a brief orientation that included instruction on how to walk the llamas properly. The day I was there, four baby llamas had been born in one week. Llamas are pregnant for an entire year before giving birth. It’s one of the many llama tidbits I learned from the well-versed guides.

The llamas were freshly sheared for the coming warmer months, making them look a bit like characters out of a Dr. Suess book. Each person gets their own llama. Several are Grand Champions and National Champions, including the one I walked named Merlot.

The trek is two miles through the property, mainly in the woods and across a few creeks. At the halfway point, you get to take a break and feed the llamas treats out of your hand or mouth. Yes, I thought the mouth was a joke, too, when they first suggested it, but it’s not. I might add it’s not a wet experience like you might think.

As you crest the hill to go back down to the barn many of the llamas start running through the rows of vines, so be prepared!

We recounted the experience afterward over wine named after the llamas. I’m a white wine gal and enjoyed the Chardonel Gold. Only a few other vineyards in North Carolina offer a varietal Chardonel wine. A friend of mine prefers red wine and liked the In a Heartbeat label so much she took a bottle home.

The only downside to the experience is now my daughter wants a llama. She hasn’t stopped talking about them since the visit. Too bad she’ll have to get by with memories from the photos and the souvenir T-shirt.

Schedule a llama trek in advance for a more interactive experience at Divine Llama Vineyard.