Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Upstate South Carolina, Greenville has taken on many roles in the course of America's history: a textile center during the early 20th Century, a training ground for the US military in World War I and World War II, and one of the hotspots of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Today, Greenville is the third largest city in South Carolina, and has evolved into one of the busiest industrial centers in Upstate South Carolina while maintaining a thriving arts and culture community. Surrounding Greenville are multiple tech universities, and with the development of business communities like the Millenium Campus on the eastern end of the city, it's no wonder corporations like Michelin, BMW and the Fluor Corporation call Greenville home. Downtown, the implementation of an ambitious renewal project led to a blossoming of commercial and cultural activity, for which Greenville has twice won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visitors will find theaters, concert halls, galleries, parks and museums throughout the city, with plenty of activities and attractions that are suitable for families and business travelers alike.

Downtown Greenville & West End
The Downtown area starts around Stone Avenue and stretches down to the Reedy River area, and includes the Pettigru Historic District to the east and the West End Historic District. The Hyatt Regency, one of the first businesses to relocate to the area during the renewal project, is still one of the best hotel options in town. The historic bed and breakfast, Pettigru Place, gives visitors a nice dose of Southern hospitality. Visitors will find delightful parks and plazas interspersed between watering holes like the Blue Ridge Brewing Co. and fine dining institutions like Soby's. Main Street is also filled with unique, locally owned shops and galleries where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts and mementos. The LC Art Gallery and Llyn strong fine jewelry both carry fine art and jewelry for sophisticated shoppers, while Michelin on Main offers Michelin merchandise for all ages in an architecturally interesting space. For a taste of historic Greenville, a visit to Mast General Store is a must. Here, you'll find outdoor gear, old-fashioned toys and gourmet foods in a 1920s setting. After shopping, do not miss the chance to catch a Broadway show or a ballet at the Peace Center, which is adjacent to the Reedy River. However, if that type of show is not your cup of tea, there's always a hockey game or a rock concert going on at the enormous BI-LO Center on North Academy Street. Get a full evening's worth of entertainment at The Brown Street Club, where fine dining meets melodious jazz for an unforgettable night out. A quieter, calmer experience can be had at the Heritage Green on College Street, which comprises three art museums, the Children's Museum, and the renowned Greenville Little Theatre.

The West End Historic District is on the other side of the Reedy River across from the Peace Center, and is bounded by the West End Market and the exquisite Falls Park on the Reedy, which contains the Liberty Bridge and the Reedy River Falls. Visitors staying at the Greenville Downtown RiverPlace can take a scenic walk to the park, and enjoy a meal at Rick Erwin's West End Grill afterward. For a little more excitement, visit Fluor Field at the West End where you can watch the Greenville Drive play some minor league ball.

East Greenville
East Greenville covers the area from Cleveland Park on the west to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on the east, with the Greenville Downtown Airport in the middle. Though event venues and museums are not within the immediate vicinity, hotel options that are perfect for business travelers abound. Located next to the Greenville Downtown Airport, the Hilton Greenville and Hyatt Place Greenville Haywood provide an extremely convenient commute to the corporations that populate the area, like Hubbell Lighting, General Electric, Verizon and 3M, to name a few, as well as area attractions like the Greenville Zoo, the American Legion War Museum and the Bob Jones University. The Sleep Inn First Carolina Center is located right next to the Carolina First Center, and is perfect for business travelers on a budget. Closer to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, the Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center combines top business amenities with a luxurious stay on the par 72 Verdae Greens Golf Course. The Greenville Marriott is equally convenient, and also features the Spa at Marriott for those who need an extra bit of relaxation. A short drive west to the charming downtown area affords great dining and entertainment options for a relaxing yet invigorating night out. Those strapped for time will find that most hotels have their own restaurants on-site, or are located near restaurants like Sushi Masa, and steakhouses like Saskatoon or Chophouse 47. For some barbecue, head to Bucky's Bar-B-Q on Roper Mountain Road. The Haywood Mall provides a perfect place to get items you might have forgotten to pack before your trip.

Overbrook & North Greenville
About a fifteen-minute drive north of Greenville, you'll find an inexhaustible amount of outdoors activities to enjoy with friends and family. The Paris Mountain State Park is the ideal spot for a scenic hike, a picnic, some swimming, and camping. The reserve is filled with lakes and ponds, so consider calling ahead to see where the fish are biting. Adjacent to the park is Furman University, which boasts its own championship golf course along with the Latham Baseball Stadium and the Timmons Arena. A bit further south towards Overbrook, the art collections at the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery are a must - the knowledgeable docents at this museum make a tour through the galleries priceless. The entertainment gem of the area would be The Handlebar: A Listening Room. Complete with bar and restaurant, concerts at this more intimate venue are a welcome change of pace from the larger stadiums and halls nearby. If food is all you're after, Irashiai Sushi Pub is the perfect place to stop for seafood in a friendly atmosphere. For the foodie, no visit to South Carolina would be complete without a plate of tantalizing barbecued meat, which Henry's Smokehouse supplies in abundance. Though the hotels in Downtown Greenville and East Greenville are by no means very far from these attractions, hotels like Savannah Suites Greenville are good options for budget-conscious travelers.  

Spartanburg
Nestled in the foothills of the Upstate and bordering the bustling city of Greenville, Spartanburg has a rich military and textile history, a vast amount of outdoor activities for the avid sportsman and a slew of art and entertainment events going on in this small yet cultured Southern town. The Spartanburg Art Museum is a great place to stop in and see fresh exhibits from local artists. For a fun-filled outing with friends or loved ones, head on down to the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium for live entertainment and the ever-popular country-western concerts. Known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the state, Spartanburg attracts many young professionals and families looking to enjoy the great weather and geography of this area outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city itself has numerous bike paths ideal for city exploration, as well as many bike rental shops for all your cycling needs. Due to the warm climate here, picnics in the park are a great outdoor activity. Barnet Park, located in the historic downtown area, has picnic tables, walking trails and the Zimmerli Amphitheater which regularly hosts art and theater events for the community. Home to four universities, Spartanburg is also considered a vibrant college town with nightlife and restaurants geared toward students. Wild Wing Cafe and Mellow Mushroom are two popular spots to choose from and a great way to mingle with the locals. Wild Wings has great happy hour specials and a lively football crowd, while Mellow Mushroom features many beers from local brewery RJ Rockers on tap. Wofford College and Converse College are widely-respected Southern universities with over 100 years of history. For a cozy night's stay in this charming community, The Inn on Main offers the best of Southern hospitality accommodations.  The inn keeps tradition alive with beautiful antique furnishings, an expansive porch with sun-drenched sitting areas and a gourmet breakfast that will leave you wanting more Carolina cuisine. For bigger parties or corporate travel, the Marriott at Renaissance Park offers luxurious guest rooms and suites with many value-added amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, high-speed wireless internet, an on-site restaurant and lounge and a fully-equipped fitness facility.

Outside the Area
Some must-see attractions of South Carolina's Upstate reside just outside the actual cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. For car enthusiasts and engineers, The BMW Zentrum is an interesting place to view the history of the infamous German brand and learn about new innovations in the automobile industry. For children and animal-lovers, Hollywild Animal Park makes for a great jaunt outside the city. This unique park earned its name by creating one of the most successful animal talent agencies in the country and houses a number of creatures that have made it on the big-screen in both film and television. There is also an entertaining Safari ride to transport visitors around the beautiful 70-acre (28-hectare) property. Clemson University, known for its sprawling green campus and beautiful historic buildings, is less than an hour drive outside Greenville and is a must-see for Tiger fans. This Atlantic Coast Conference school is most recognized for its world-renowned engineering program and athletics, especially football where the Tigers play in Memorial Stadium (also known as "Death Valley" to alumni and locals). The school itself is large, enrolling about 20,000 students per year but the town is anything but. With one main drag housing all the noteworthy restaurants and bars (College Avenue), this community is an easy one to navigate. The Courtyard Marriott in Clemson is a great place to rest after a long day of sight-seeing and feasting on Carolina BBQ. If you are looking to stay closer to Greenville but want to remain outside of the city, The Hampton Inn at Gaffney offers comfortable accommodations with a swimming pool and business center. South Carolina's upstate is entrenched in history and rural life. To get a true sense of the area and the economy that surrounds the city, visitors should make a stop at one of the nearby plantations like the Walnut Grove in Roebuck and the T. Ed Garrison Arena that helps support the state's billion-dollar livestock industry. The arena hosts some of the biggest rodeos, horse shows, bull rides and Kennel Club dog shows in the nation.