Greenville
Despite the ravages of the Civil War, the city recovered. Greenville soon became known as the textile center of the world as many mills relocated from the Northeast. Falls Park on the Reedy preserves the site of the city's first settlement and the succession of mills that once stood there. The park offers gardens, waterfalls, picnic sites and several paths along the river.
During the Civil War Greenville was an important hospital center for Confederate soldiers. The city supports the Shriners Hospital for Children, which is one of the most modern hospitals of its kind; guided tours are available by phoning (864) 255-7863 between 10 and 3.
Performances by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra as well as ballet, chorale and theater groups are staged at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Main St.; phone (864) 467-3000. The cultural and entertainment complex also includes an outdoor amphitheater and pavilion overlooking the Reedy River. The Greenville Little Theatre, established in 1926, presents six plays each year in the Charles E. Daniel Theatre, 444 College St.; phone (864) 233-6238.
Greenville has more than 60 city parks, including Cleveland Park, home to the Greenville Zoo . Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, northwest of Greenville, is lined with still lakes, greenery and historic sites.
Fluor Field at the West End is designed to resemble Boston's Fenway Park. The home team is the Greenville Drive, Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Just like at Fenway, fans are treated to Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline” at each game.
Shoeless Joe Jackson fans will want to stop by Shoeless Joe Jackson Plaza, at the intersection of South Main and Augusta streets, for a photo of the bronze statue of Jackson. White Sox fans: make sure you check out the statue's base, which is made of bricks from the old Comiskey Park in Chicago where Jackson played.
Nearby at 356 Field St. is the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library, the former home of Joe (1888-1951) and Kate Jackson; it was moved from 3 miles away to this site in 2006. The seven-room brick home, which displays artifacts, photographs and other items of interest, is open Saturdays 10-2 or by appointment. Phone (864) 346-4867. Jackson and his wife are buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park on US 29 (Wade Hampton Blvd.). The flat headstone is in Section V; the baseball memorabilia should give it away.
Visitor Centers
Visit Greenville S.C. 206 S. Main St Greenville, SC 29601. Phone:(864)233-0461 or (800)717-0023
Shopping
Belk, Dillard's, JCPenney and Macy's are among the 100 stores at Haywood Mall (700 Haywood Rd.). Tree-lined Main Street, in downtown, features antique shops and specialty stores.
Things to Do
The Children's Museum of the UpstateGreenville County Museum of Art