It’s finally fall — and to help you take full advantage of the festive season, we’ve compiled our Greenville fall bucket list, complete with 50+ events and activities to try. 🍁
👟 Activities
Take pictures of the fall foliage at the South Carolina Botanical Garden
Take time to stroll through the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson for prime fall foliage viewing. Click here for more places to see the best fall foliage.
Run a race
Get out + movin’ with a race, whether it’s a virtual or in-person 5K or a marathon. Here are some Upstate races happening this fall plus some training tips.
Watch a scary movie
Head over to Birds Fly South to watch a Halloween/horror movie every Wednesday night in October at the back bar.
Cook something scrumptious
Learn how to make + decorate Halloween shaped sugar cookies at Greenville Technical College’s Culinary and Hospitality Innovation Center (CHI). Bonus: You get to take home the extras. This is a great class for parents and kids to take together.
Dine under the stars
Every Friday night in October, the City of Greer will be shutting down Trade Street for a unique dining experience under the stars.
Live reenactment of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
On Halloween Eve, the House of Mann will be hosting a live reenactment of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (complete with pizza) at Swanson’s Warehouse.
🍎 Farms + orchards
Is it really fall if you didn’t post a picture of your family at a local farm or orchard? #DoItFortheGram. Here’s a few regional options for apple picking, pumpkin picking, cider + more. Looking for even more options? Check out this post from our friends at Kidding Around Greenville.
Sky Top Orchard | Now-end of Oct. (see their picking schedule here) | Flat Rock, N.C.
Because apple pie tastes a little bit better when you’ve picked the apples yourself. Just a ~45 min. drive from Greenville, Sky Top in Flat Rock, N.C. is one of several regional orchards. Their U-Pick season typically runs until the end of October.
Stewart Farms | Sat., Sept. 26-Sun., Nov. 1 | | 6600 SC Highway 92, Enoree
In addition to their pumpkin patch, Stewart Farms has a honey bee observatory, farm animals, a market with decor and specialty foods + a corn maze (with non-spooky or Big Boo options).
Denver Downs Farm | Sat., Sept. 26-Sun., Nov. 15 | | 1515 Denver Rd., Anderson
Fall Festival at Denver Downs opened Sept. 26 and while we may prioritize picking the perfect pumpkin, we’ll also make sure to check out the corn maze (recently ranked a Top 10 maze in the US), pig races, and adult beverages at the Silo Bar.
Jurassic Farm Corn Maze | Sat., Sept. 19-Sun., Nov. 1 | Strawberry Hill USA, 3097 Highway 11 W., Chesnee | $8+
Check out this Jurassic Park themed corn maze with the whole family.
🎟️ Fall festivals
Here are some of the events we have marked on our calendars.
Central Railroad Festival | Sat., Oct. 17 | Central, SC | Free
Live music, train rides for kids, good eats, and festivities for all ages.
Boo in the Zoo | Three weekends in October | Greenville Zoo | Free for Greenville Zoo Member Adults, $9+
The Greenville Zoo’s signature Halloween event, with trick-or-treat stations, dragon alley, a princess castle, and an extinct species graveyard.
GCA Fall Festival and Holiday Market | Sat., Nov. 7 | Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church, Simpsonville | Free
A family-focused event with local artisans + concessions – open to pets on a leash.
Travelers Rest Harvest Market | Thursdays in October | Trailblazer Park | Free entry
Bring a lawn chair + a friend to fully enjoy these falling temperatures with vendors, food trucks, and live music.
TD Essential Market | Saturdays through Dec. 12 | McBee Ave. + Main St. | Free entry
The TD Saturday Market presented by Prisma provides the finest in-season produce, flowers, gourmet foods, and artisan goods on Saturdays – this year with extended dates.
Foundation Fest | Fri., Oct 23 + Sat., Oct. 24 | BMW CCA Foundation Museum, 190 Manatee Ct. | Free
The Foundation Museum is bringing you an exceptional collection of BMWs from the beginning to 1965.
All You Can Eat Oyster Roast | Sat., Nov. 7 | Charleston Sports Pub, 15 W. Washington St. | $20
Awww, shucks. Oyster season is in full swing, and Charleston Sports Pub is hosting an All You Can Eat Oyster Roast + Clemson football watch party.
Drive-Thru SC State Fair | Tues., Oct. 20 + Wed., Oct. 21 | SC State Fairgrounds, Columbia | Free
Check out our friends at COLAtoday’s guide to navigating this year’s drive-thru edition of the state fair.
Indie Craft Parade: The Shop Edition | Fri.-Sun. Sept. 18 -Dec. 20 | 2909 Old Buncombe Rd. | Free entry
Instead of cancelling the 2020 Indie Craft Parade, the event was reimagined by creating a new hybrid event – a combination of the annual festival and holiday popup shop.
October Punk Flea Market | Sat., Oct. 17 + Sun., Oct. 18 | Greenville Shrine Club, 119 Beverly Rd. | $5 at the door
If you are a fan of weirdo art, vinyl records, vintage clothes, or possibly a collector of strange and unusual things, this event is for you.
Happy Cow Pumpkin Festival | Sat., Oct. 31 | Happy Cow Creamery, Pelzer | Free
Enjoy a free day of family fun full of inflatables, trolley rides, pumpkin putt putt, decorating + bowling, and more.
Oztober | Thurs., Oct. 1-Sat., Oct. 31 | SC State Museum, Columbia | $8.95+
Wizard of Oz-themed activities and shows will take place throughout the month of October, including 4-D showings of the movie + a Halloween-themed planetarium experience.
☕ Food + drinks
Arguably our favorite part of the season is the food + drinks that come with it. Apple cider, pumpkin pie, squash soup…yum. Here’s a few local menu items deemed a #MustTry.
Pumpkin Pie Mylk from Southern Pressed Juicery
Almond mylk made of pumpkin, H2O, agave, cinnamon, vanilla extract, grey sea salt, almonds + dates.
Pumpkin pie crepe from Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse
Other seasonal options at Tandem include the roasted roots crepe, apple crisp crepe, and a pumpkin pie latte.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone from Swamp Rabbit Cafe
Baked to perfection + paired perfectly with steamed apple cider.
Apple Cider Frozen Slurry from The Eighth State Brewing Company
This slurry is bound to give you the “fall feels.” It’s masterfully mixed with apple cider, spiced rum, horchata rum cream, and Eighth State’s “I Hate the Name Game” carrot cake sour beer.
The Pecan Latte from The Village Grind
A taste of fall in a coffee cup full of pecan flavors is back at The Village Grind this season.
Third Season Latte (aka TSL) from Due South Coffee
The (appropriately named) Third Season latte is made with carrot cake, nutmeg, espresso + milk. Not only can it be made with alternative milks, it’ll be available until winter.
The Rosemary Latte from Bridge City Coffee
Flavored with rosemary, sweetened with brown sugar + made with house made syrup. Comfort in a cup.
The Apple Pie Chai from Leopard Forest Coffee
Mixing all of our favorite fall ingredients, this latte has chai, apple cider, and oat milk.
💸 The buy
Bring the outdoors in with some of these local goods. From candles to decor, your whole home will feel like fall.
A Butterbeer candle from Greenville Soy Candle Company
Helping your whole house smell like fall – the Butterbeer candle has notes of pumpkin and a hint of spice. Other options include the Candy Corn candle and the Mulled Cider candle.
Fall signs and decor from AR Workshop Greenville
Sign up for a class at AR Workshop where you can make DIY patio signs, drink trays, frames, and door hangers. Add the perfect aesthetic to your at-home Halloween décor.
Day of the Dead: Sugar Skull Pendants from MakeMade
Make your own Day of the Dead sugar skull necklace in this 2.5 hour, hands-on class. Even better, you can personalize your pendant exactly to your liking.
Ceramic pumpkins from Hollowed Earth Pottery
If you’re looking to add a homemade touch to your fall décor, try making + painting your own ceramic pumpkins with Hollowed Earth Pottery. (#ProTip: They also have some festive winter holiday classes already available.)
Remember the Wicked Witch Lounge with this t-shirt from Pickwick Pharmacy
If you grew up in Greenville in the 70s and 80s, you might have been a regular at the Wicked Witch Lounge. Grab this spooky t-shirt to wear throughout the season (or all year round).
👻 Haunted houses
Who are we kidding, we’re kind of scaredy cats when it comes to these things, but read on if you’re looking for somewhere to get spooked.
Nightmare Dungeon | Fri., Sept. 11-Sat., Nov. 7 | 645 Old Anderson Rd. | $30 for adults | A 2-story, 117-year-old cabin in the woods with “an infestation of evil actors.” Open every night, rain or shine.
Madworld Haunted Attractions | Fri., Sept. 11-Sat., Nov. 7 | 147 Country Manor Rd., Piedmont | $30+
Madworld is ranked as one of the scariest haunted houses in the US but offers a range of activities for different ages + comfort levels. Normally open Fri.-Sun.
Waves Express Car Wash Haunted Tunnel | Fri. Oct. 16 + Sat. Oct. 17, Fri. Oct. 23 + Sat. Oct. 24 | Waves Express Car Wash, 1016 Woodruff Rd. | $20 per vehicle | Get your vehicle washed all while getting spooked from the comfort of your car.
Wompus Woods Haunted Trail | Fri., Sept. 18-Sat., Oct. 31 | 231 Parris Rd., Cowpens | $10+ | One of the oldest and largest haunted trails in the southeast with a 40+ min. walking trail and 25+ min. family haunted hayride.
Greer Ghost Tours | Fri., Oct. 19-Sat., Oct. 31 | 300 Randall St., Greer | $5 or $10 | Greer’s annual ghost tours are back for some frightful family-friendly fun. Walking tour that lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Trolley Ghost Tour | Sat., Oct. 17-Sat., Oct. 31 | 298 Magnolia St., Spartanburg | $13.50 | Hop on Spartanburg’s signature 1920’s blue and white trolley for a haunted tour of the Hub City.
🚘 Fall road trips
It’s hard to beat fall in Greenville – but in case you need a change of scenery, check out these destinations + local travel tips for each spot.
Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway | Starts in Cherokee County, ~50 min. from Greenville
The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway is 118 miles long + runs through the foothills at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In other words – the perfect drive to take in fall foliage.
Keowee-Toxaway State Park | ~50 min. from Greenville
Take the family on a camping adventure at Keowee-Toxaway State Park. They have ten paved campsites or furnished, heated cabins.
Raven Cliff Falls | ~1 hour from Greenville
Located in Caesars Head State Park, Raven Cliff Falls is the highest waterfall in SC. The trail to the falls is a moderate 2.2 mile hike.
Asheville, NC | ~1 hour and 15 min. from Greenville
There’s so much to do in Asheville, it’s hard to pack it all into one weekend, but our AVLtoday team gave it a shot – here’s their 48-hour guide to Asheville. (Note: Some options may be limited because of COVID-19.)
Linville Falls | ~2 hours and 15 min. from Greenville
One of the most popular waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its three-tiered waterfall. The trail to the falls is 1.6 miles roundtrip + ranked as easy.
The Blowing Rock | ~2 hours and 40 min. from Greenville
One of our top picks for a panoramic view of fall foliage. The Blowing Rock is handicap accessible + the self-guided trail typically takes 15-25 min.
🎃 Halloween happenings
The Best Halloween Party – Battle of the DJs | Fri., Oct. 23 | 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Zen, 924 S. Main St. | $20+ | Wear your best costume for this spooky Halloween dance party, and be prepared to witness a battle of the DJs like no other.
The Absolute Best Halloween Party Around | Fri., Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | The Venue at Falls Park, 631 S. Main St. | $20+ | Grab your finest costume and come out for some music, food, drinks, cash prizes, and a Thriller flash mob.
Quest Brewing Halloween Party | Thurs., Oct 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Quest Brewing Company, 55 Airview Dr. | $10 | Live music from Little Lesley and the Bloodshots + a costume contest with cool prizes.
All Hallows’ Gala: The Maskerade | Fri., Oct. 30 | 7:30-11 p.m. | The Rutherford, 520 Rutherford Rd. | $60+ | A Halloween Party to benefit Tell Every Amazing Lady about Ovarian Cancer.
Hostel of Horror Outdoor Community Extravaganza & Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Modal Hostel & Coffee, 813 Augusta St. | Free | A full day of fun with a pop-up market, trick-or-treating, games + a block party vibe.
5th Annual Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 8-11 p.m. | Ink N Ivy, 21 E Coffee St. | Free | Spooktacular specials, horrific décor, music and a costume contest with over $1,200 in cash and prizes awarded to the top 3 costumes.
Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | Gaslight Bar, 600 Keith Dr. | Cover charge | Head over to Gaslight Bar for some Halloween night fun.
Halloween Bar Crawl | Sat., Oct. 31 | 2-11 p.m. | Gringos Cantina, 11 Falls Park Dr. | Prices vary | Bar crawl around downtown in your costume starting at Gringos Cantina.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
🍫 Trick-or-treating
Because candy is arguably the best part of the Halloween season – here’s some of our top picks for local trick-or-treating. If you want even more options, check out this post from our friends at Kidding Around Greenville.
Trick-or-Treat at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate | Sat., Oct. 31 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 300 College St. | $10+ | An indoor trick-or-treat event where kids can come in costume + fill their sacks with treats. This socially distanced event will have timed ticketing, limited capacities + adults will be asked to wear masks.
Trick-or-Treat on Main Street | Sat., Oct. 31 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Main Street in downtown Greenville | Free | Over 30 participating merchants will offer sweet treats + take all safety precautions to ensure a fun and safe environment for trick-or-treaters.
Trick or Treat on Pendleton Street | Sat., Oct. 31 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | The Village of West Greenville | Free | After you and the fam are done trick-or-treating on Main St., head over to Pendleton St. to continue the festivities door to door + store to store.
Did we miss your favorite fall bucket list activity? Send us an email + let us know.
