Having been to the Chihuly museum in Seattle, I was so happy to see this monument erected at the…read moreend of my swamp rabbit trail walk. Walking up on it, it seemed like a huge rose-colored Rock sugar sucker. The base is surrounded with flowers and benches to sit near by. It's simple yet beautiful. The little ladies walking by had to stop and touch the glass. It's inviting. I love little artistic surprises that show up in cities and towns as you walk around. Greenville has so many wonderful qualities all over town. I've enjoyed my short visit and look forward to next time.

We saw this on a map while walking in the park and knew we had to check it out. A little…read moreunderwhelming in person but still very cool!

My sisters and I actually did two tours with John the week we were in Greenville. We did the…read moreDowntown Tour and the Breakfast Tour. We thoroughly enjoyed both of them. John was a delightful tour guide and put up with our crazy selves. We enjoyed seeing all of the old pictures of the city and hearing all about Greenville. John was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I would not hesitate to recommend him in the future. You will not be disappointed if you take one of this tours.

The takeaway for my husband and I, is that from now on, anytime we want barbecue, we will be…read morehappily driving 30 minutes for the best. It was the first stop. Book a tour if you want to be in the know!

The carillon's 25 bells float within a basic structure of three painted steel columns, the highest…read moreof which is 54 feet tall. A continuously flowing water feature can be seen at the foot of the tower. The bell tower's open structure preserves the direct view from the RiverPlace courtyard to the river and the city beyond. The design and location of the bell tower and carillon were approved by the City's Arts in Public Places Commission and the former Design and Preservation Commission. It was unveiled in August 2012. The tower structure was dedicated in honor of Tommy Wyche, who was selected because of his love of music and lifelong support of downtown Greenville. Sadly, I didn't get to hear it ring today. [Review 2226 of 2024 - 1193 in South Carolina - 23244 overall]

The sculpture along one of the walking trails that are part of the Reedy River Falls park is by…read moreartist Bryan Hunt. It was completed in 2004. It is quite tall, depicting what could be a tree with a leafy canopy. I did find an artist's statement online, "I have often used water as a subject in my sculpture because it can take many forms, and water is the element of which all life comes from. It [water] is spiritual. To me, the waterfall is the figure in the landscape. Falls Lake Fall is somewhat like a totem with a waterfall figure high above at the edge of the pool of a lake. All of this [is] exposed by taking away the earthy cradle [landscape]." And it continues, "There are two versions. The first version is in Tokyo, Japan, at a place called Shiroyama Hills Building Complex. Greenville has the second version." The plaque reads, "Fall Lake Falls. By Bryan Hunt. Endowed by The F.W. Symmes Foundation. In memory of Katherine McKinnon Wilkinson." [Review 2228 of 2024 - 1195 in South Carolina - 23246 overall]

Nice place to enjoy an afternoon we love the sound of water flowing we will be come again !read more

Located on the east side of the Liberty Bridge that crosses Falls Park on the Reedy, this…read moreinteresting and brightly colored piece is by artist Joel Shapiro. It is in the Wyche Overlool. The caption simply calls it "Untitled 2002-2003." The bright orange artwork could be someone dancing or running or perhaps (because there was just a college football game here in town), kicking a ball. Shapiro's work is on display around the work including a similar "Untitled" piece in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art. From one article, "His work is "deceptively understated yet powerfully suggestive arrangements of simplified, rectangular elements... Shapiro is credited with reinvigorating the figurative tradition in modern art and has been compared to Rodin and Degas. He began working with wood beams and has progressed to cast bronze." [Review 2230 of 2024 - 1197 in South Carolina - 23248 overall]

This spot had some charm, but overall, it felt a bit underwhelming. The area is decently maintained…read moreand has potential, but there's not a lot going on--no walking paths, no real playground for kids, and not much shade or seating. It's a decent place to stop briefly, but don't expect to spend a lot of time here. Could use some upgrades or additions to make it more inviting.

This prominent bronze sculpture in downtown Greenville depicts two African-American students. One…read moreleft, a young man with an "S" on his sweater next to a girl carrying schoolbooks. It commemorates Sterling High School, the city's first Black public high school. It was created by artist Mariah Kirby-Smith and dedicated on November 19, 2006. Sterling High School was founded in 1896 by Reverend Daniel Melton Minus, originally as Greenville Academy, and later renamed Sterling. It served generations of Black students during segregation, becoming a beacon of academic excellence and civic leadership. The school was tragically destroyed by fire in 1967, but its legacy lives on through alumni like Reverend Jesse Jackson, who was a star quarterback there before becoming a national civil rights leader. The sculpture's location is intentional. It stands near the former Woolworth's lunch counter, where Sterling students held peaceful sit-ins during the 1960s civil rights movement. These protests helped desegregate public accommodations in Greenville, including libraries and buses. There are a number of plaques on display. Perhaps the most poignant is titled "Civil Rights" and is inscribed "The students of Sterling High School were the driving force that promoted the change of institutional segregation in Greenville County. During the 1950s and 1960s, Sterling students held demonstrations, marches and rallies that finally integrated the Greenville County Library and public accommodations, changed the seating arrangement on city buses and eliminated the segregated lunch counters at the former Woolworth's Department Store at this site." The two students are standing tall, descending the steps. The expression suggests determination. [Review 1394 of 2025 - 1338 in South Carolina - 24946 overall]

Why is there a pig in Greenville? Well this is a faithful bronze replica of Florence's beloved…read moreboar, offering a whimsical and unexpectedly poignant encounter right along Main Street. Having seen the original Il Porcellino https://www.yelp.com/biz/fontana-del-porcellino-firenze?hrid=UizYyvjrk5omTSqqxDyorQ nestled beneath the loggia of Florence's Mercato Nuovo three years ago, its snout polished to a golden gleam by centuries of hopeful hands, I was genuinely moved to find its twin in downtown Greenville. This version, cast in Florence by the Frilli Gallery and installed in 2011, sits just outside the TD Bank building, slightly more exposed to the elements and foot traffic than its Italian counterpart but no less dignified. The craftsmanship is excellent. The boar's bristled mane, alert ears, and slightly mournful eyes are all rendered with the same expressive detail I remembered from Italy. What makes Greenville's Porcellino especially endearing is its quiet placement. There is no grand pedestal or heavy signage, just the boar, a small fountain, and a grate beneath its mouth where coins can fall if you follow the tradition of placing one on its tongue. It is easy to miss if you are not looking, but that is part of its charm. It feels like a secret nod to those who have wandered the markets of Florence. For those who have never seen the original, this statue stands on its own as a delightful piece of public sculpture. But for those who have, it is a gentle echo of a distant city, a reminder that even across oceans, some traditions and symbols still manage to root themselves in new soil. Greenville's Porcellino does not just copy a classic. It carries a bit of Florence's soul into the Carolinas. [Review 1437 of 2025 - 4508 in North Carolina - 24988 overall]