Places of Interest
There's not much in Downtown Greenville that isn't a place of interest. Museums, galleries, retail shops, and a spectacular city park, complete with walking trails, flower gardens, a waterfall, and a modern, seven-story suspension bridge.
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Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum
The terror and bugaboo of pitchers would not have recognized his small brick home, now seated in the shadow of Fluor Field and filled with memorabilia and baseball fans from around the world. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library's address, 356, is also Jackson's lifetime batting average-the third-highest in baseball history. Several of the 950-square-foot home's original features remain intact, while vintage photographs and memorabilia dot the remaining interior, including a whistle from the Brandon Mill where Jackson worked and played his first games.
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Local Lakes
Chances are, if you've called the Upstate home for at least one summer, then you've packed a cooler, smeared on some sunscreen, and embarked on a half-tank-trip to one of the three destination lakes right in Greenville's backyard: Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Jocassee. With 82,000 acres of open water between them those who go know: There are waterfalls to hike along and sandy shorelines to picnic on. History abounds here all year. And in the summer, the water's just right. So drop in your canoe, dock your pontoon, or strap on some SCUBA gear and get set to explore. The adventures are endless, and with these lakes all within an hour's drive, it's easy to come back again.
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Caesar's Head and Jones Gap State Parks
Caesar's Head and Jones Gap state parks together form the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area: 11,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands on the Blue Ridge Escarpment. These parks have long been favorite destinations for hiking, biking, camping, and bird watching. The views are breathtaking all year long, especially when fall sets the hardwoods ablaze. With so much to offer, one can marvel at the beauty of Raven Cliff Falls, or experience the excitement of mountain river fishing in the Middle Saluda River, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of abundant wildlife during a picnic outing with friends and family.
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Greenville Zoo
Greenville's award-winning zoo, just a few blocks from downtown, is located within a 14-acre park with more than 300 specimens of exotic animals. Home to wildlife from around the world, one can see giraffes, orangutans, giant tortoises, lions, and elephants, all while experiencing the most visited "family facility" in the Upstate.
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Falls Park
Falls Park on the Reedy River offers an oasis in the heart of downtown Greenville's historic West End. The park features a one-of-a-kind curved suspension walking bridge, scenic overlooks, outdoor amphitheaters, world-class works of public art, picnic areas, nature trails, garden areas, and of course, the beautiful Reedy River and its impressive series of waterfalls. It is a beloved destination to all, especially on sunny days, and features numerous events and festivals throughout the year.