Home on the venue-centric re-invented Main Street
Greenville, South Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is in the south, yes. But meeting planners who convene in this growing upstate destination, equidistant between Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, will find something less moonlight and magnolias and more everyone’s Main Street, USA. Main Street, Greenville, which was completely revitalized in the 1990s, is a central hub of activity with dozens of charming, walkable, locally-owned restaurants, boutiques, hotels and meeting venues, many in revitalized landmark buildings.
Falls Park on the Reedy, an urban park in the heart of Main Street, offers fine-weather options for walks and mini-hikes, too. And although you’re upstate not in Charleston or Savannah, you’ll be ma’am’d and sir’d and in keeping with Southern hospitality, you won’t starve either.
Stay Here
AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville at the top of Main Street is lodged in the former digs of the Greenville News, the local newspaper which moved next door. The feel is modern, sleek and comfortable with a fun lobby bar, Paloma, five event rooms and 8,890 sq. ft. of meeting space and a super-generous morning breakfast spread that evokes European flair more than American canned convenience. A short walk away is the heritage hotel of town, The Westin Poinsett, Greenville. With soaring ceilings, exquisite ballrooms and rich marble moldings carefully preserved, The 200-room Poinsett retains 1920s historic detail and ambiance and features 9,669 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a ballroom with natural light and an outdoor landing.
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Fun fact, General Poinsett, whom it’s named after is the namesake of the famed holiday season plant. Also in walking distance to Main Street, Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville is perched on the waterfalls of Falls Park on the Reedy River. With rich woods and organic stone accents, Grand Bohemian has 187 guest rooms and 4,270 sq. ft. of meeting space along with original Native American-inspired art, geodes and cases of stunning vintage Native American jewelry. Designer rocking chairs on the porch over the river complete the ambiance. A short drive from town, the brand new 73-room Hotel Hartness offers 13,000 sq. ft. and 73 guest rooms with fine dining, spa and local nature walks added for incentive-bookers. Imagine the Hamptons transplanted to the South and you’ll get the idea.
Meet Here
Along with hotel space, Greenville’s Main Street area offers purpose-centric meeting space steps away from shops and dining including Greenville One Center with 36,000 sq. ft. of space, including a 274-seat auditorium. The Huguenot Loft at the Peace Center concert venue in an 1882 mill building boasts views of the Reedy River and can host up to 400. Avenue, one block from Main, overlooks the cityscape and can host 200 for seated events and 400 for receptions.
Eat This
Greenville’s Main caters to both casual and fine dining. For quick lunches off property try Sully’s Steamers where the owner steams bagels into soft sandwich delights. Don’t miss the Reuben for a pastrami-filled hunger-delayer. Soby’s New South Cuisine opened 25 years ago and helped usher in a new era of great dining on Main Street. Traditional Southern ingredients are fused with contemporary cuisine. Another don’t miss: the Diplomate Mousse Pinecone Cake with edible moss.
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Fun to Know: Shoeless Joe Jackson, the famed character from Field of Dreams was from Greenville and is the subject of the local Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum.
This article appears in the May/June 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
