Surprisingly intriguing museum with a wide variety of art which is presented in a gorgeous,…read morewell-lit space and organized well. Excellent staff who were cordial and knowledgeable. Highly recommend! It would be nice to provide a bit more info about each painting beyond the donor info.

The Art Museum was easy to find and is one of several museums all near each other, The Children's…read moremuseum, The Music Museum and The History museum as well as a Library and Theatre. We were greeted at the entrance and they explained about standing 3 feet back from the art on the wall. I was given a sheet of paper explaining what exhibits were on each level. The works of art were displayed nicely with cards listening Artist, title and mediums used. Also on the walls were interesting facts about the featured artist and their works. The Andrew Wyeth pictures were a beautiful representation of his work spanning several decades of his life. There was also a wonderful exhibit of American artist Bob Ray's work. I was not familiar with his work but it was lovely and intriguing. There are elevators and stairs and ramps making transitions to each floor very easy for all. We went to the top floor and a wonderful gentleman who works there, John , told us quite a bit about the mixed media bird sculptures that were made by Grainger McKoy and and featured at the museum. Gravity defying and extremely detailed we were in awe. John was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and we had a wonderful time. There was a delightful group of young children on a school trip, that were at the museum and were incredibly well behaved. They were listening to their guide and I was smiling as they were told to discuss with their partners different aspects of the works..... their sweet voices sounded like music as I was behind a wall. The gift shop was small but lovely and I bought some cards and beautiful paper masks. There is no admission fee, so we took an envelope to send in well deserved donation.

Spending time along the Reedy River in Greenville is such a special experience. There are several…read morebeautiful spots to sit and relax, especially near the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, and the bridge is a wonderful place to stroll while enjoying the soothing sound of the river and waterfall. What makes it even more meaningful is the history behind it. Beginning in the late 1700s, water-powered industries clustered along the Reedy River, including trading posts, grist and corn mills, a sawmill, an ironworks, the Gower, Cox and Markley Coach Factory, a paper-making factory, and an armory. A century later, textile and apparel mills were established along its banks. Unfortunately, the mills discharged waste and excess dyes into the river, and the Reedy began to suffer from the spoils of progress. By the mid-20th century, downtown Greenville's stretch of the river was so severely polluted by upstream textile mills that the once pristine and popular falls became desolate and unsafe. Seeing how beautiful and vibrant the area is today makes you truly appreciate the restoration and revitalization efforts. It's peaceful, scenic, and rich with history -- definitely a must-visit when you're in Greenville. Cheers!

Walking through Falls Park was an amazing experience. The sweet sounds of the waterfalls was very…read morenice especially right in the heart down town Greenville. I enjoyed walking on the suspension bridge overlooking sites.

Absolutely stunning mural -- the scale, the detail, and the emotion captured in these faces are…read morebreathtaking. You can really feel the connection between generations and the community spirit it represents. We saw it while driving through and had to pull over just to take it all in. It's not just public art -- it's a tribute to humanity. A powerful and moving piece that makes the city more beautiful. Definitely worth seeing in person!

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]

Located in the Heritage Green museum area of Greenville, the Upcountry History Museum is the…read moreperfect small city museum. It has well laid out and informative permanent exhibits, giving you a great overview of the history of the region without it being information overload. They have a fairly large theater that plays a film if you're not too interested in walking around the exhibits. It's fairly compact in size, so you can visit both floors quickly if you are in a rush, or take an hour or two depending on your level of interest. They have several rotating special exhibits, which I feel is essential to keeping things fresh and encourages repeat visits. On my visit, I found both the special exhibits on the Avengers and Lady Bird Johnson to be of excellent quality. However, there was a dinosaur exhibit which I felt was of poor quality and not very informative, and it seemed to be more of an area for younger kids to play rather than have visitors learn. They are setting up to have a Looney Toons special exhibit some time in the next year. There is a small gift and cafeteria area with vending machines on premises. They participate in the Bank of America Museums on Us program, providing complimentary visits to cardholders the first full weekend of every month. Overall, I'd rate the Upcountry History Museum a 4.5 stars out of 5 for a small city museum, but happy to round up since I enjoyed my visit and found it vastly superior to the Greenville County Museum of Art a few minutes away.

The commercial build up for this exhibit was more exciting than the actual exhibit. I don't mind…read morepaying the entry fees to help keep them stay open , but I expected a better display of the special exhibit . One room and hardly any items to support the display. We went to see the Warner brothers display. Disappointed.

Walking around downtown Greenville, you might spot this abstract sculpture with a small caption…read morebelow. It is at the corner of Spring Street and East Washington Avenue. The caption reads, "On his journey from The Liberty Theater in Greenville to the stages of New York City, 'Peg Leg' Bates danced around anything that dared get in his way." And it notes the sculptor is Joseph R. Thompson. The modernistic memorial was unveiled in 2013 and is near the historic Liberty Theater, where Bates was first discovered in 1926. Born in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, Bates lost his leg in a cotton mill accident at age 12 but refused to let his disability define him. His uncle crafted a wooden peg leg, allowing Bates to continue dancing and eventually rise to prominence in vaudeville, Broadway, and television, including multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. Bates not only broke racial barriers but also founded the Peg Leg Bates Country Club, a resort catering to African American clientele. This is a powerful reminder of Bates' legacy, inspiring future generations with his story of resilience and success. A must-see for those who appreciate history, dance, and the triumph of the human spirit. The statue was Greenville's 62nd piece of public art, further enriching the city's cultural landscape. [Review 251 of 2025 - 1271 in South Carolina - 23815 overall]

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!

It's hard not to be Jolly when you're greeted by this tall and colorful statue in front of the…read moreChildren's Museum of the Upstate. Standing about ten feet tall and on the lawn where I think the school bus would stop to unload the kids, this smiling "clown" looks ready to play. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any details on the artist or the statement along with the sculpture. [Review 2215 of 2024 - 1185 in South Carolina - 23233 overall]

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]