The soundscape of Greenville, SC

falls park

February: Breaking down Greenville Parks and Recreation success in 2024 by the numbers
We love our parks, we love the people who keep them beautiful, and you loved this article celebrating it all.
Photo by GVLtoday

What is ASMR? It stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response — a feeling of well-being caused by a specific stimulus, like a sound.

There are certain sounds you’ll hear around downtown Greenville that will either have you wondering “what was that?” or offer you a sense of place. Whether it’s the whizzing of cars down East Stone Avenue or the buzz of people trekking up and down main street, these ambient noises give our city life.

While much of the downtown area is dominated by honks and the hum of city traffic, there are a few sounds that are uniquely Greenville. Let’s take a look at some of those, and how they make us feel at home.

via GIPHY

Ring-ring

You’re riding the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail on a Saturday morning. “On your left,” you hear a cyclist shout as they swoosh past you, the clicking of their bike chains rotating in perfect time. As you continue forward, you hear the “ring-ring” of a child’s bike bell. By the end of this year, the trail will extend even further, connecting more people to the fun.


Shhhhhh

No, it isn’t the sound you make when getting the kids to quiet down. It’s the serene, rushing sound of water tumbling down at Falls Park. The center of Greenville features natural waterfalls, giving natural ambient sound unlike anywhere else. It’s why the park ranked No.3 on USAtoday’s “10Best Readers’ Choice” list for Best City Park + was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning.

Copy of Copy of PHOTO RESIZE WP 1 (1)

Splish splash

From one park to another, the sound of children laughing + playing can’t be silenced by the splishing and splashing sound from the Greenville Water Splash Pad at Greenville’s new Unity Park, but we don’t mind. It’s a sound members of the Southernside and West Greenville neighborhoods have waited decades to hear. Before you go, check out our ultimate guide to Unity Park.


Share your favorite

More from GVLtoday
The Bassmaster Classic hooks another return to Lake Hartwell — and a major economic catch for Greenville.
The annual food and wine festival features events similar to the main euphoria festival, which will take place Sept. 19-22. Proceeds from euphoria events support local nonprofits that fight food insecurity in Greenville.
As the city explores making the block pedestrian-only, design plans for a new eight-story building on Court Street were just approved.
Trueline is launching founding memberships for its private Green Room club, offering exclusive access, priority ticketing, and elevated hospitality ahead of its 2026 opening.
You can’t scroll without seeing a WIP Wednesday or a Finish Friday, so whether you’re an experienced stitcher or new to needlepoint, we’re rounding up where you can get canvases, supplies, accessories, and support.
Discover the top Greenville business podcasts, voices, and local resources our readers are tuning into — from must-listen interviews to expert insights.
The Civil Rights Icon, who died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, is one of the most prominent Greenvillians in US history.
One Greenvillian was sick of the dating apps, so she took matters into her own hands creating a new product to make connections.
From Italy to SC, here’s your chance to see the gold medal Team USA figure skaters on home ice.
As the Olympic torch is lit, and our ambitions get the best of us, we’ve compiled a list of Upstate spots to turn your Olympic dreams into a reality.