Things To Do in Greenville NC

Dec 20, 2022

As the home of East Carolina University, Greenville is the epitome of a college town. As one of NC’s youngest cities, it is known for its bar scene and seasonal events. It’s also a great place for young families, as there is so much to do in and around Greenville. Great dining, excellent parks, outdoor activities–Greenville has it all.

East Carolina Sports

Greenville loves its sports teams. East Carolina University is a school with oversized spirit that supports all of its athletes. However, football games are the real standout in terms of entertainment. Tailgating is huge and the fans get a little bit rowdy. ECU is known as a party school after all. That’s reflected in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, which has an official capacity of 51,000. That makes it the second-largest college football stadium in North Carolina. Not to mention, it is located directly on ECU’s gorgeous campus.

Greenville Museum of Art

The Greenville Museum of Art is a great way to spend an afternoon. This museum welcomes over 15,000 visitors per year and it’s easy to see why. It features many North Carolina artists, with both limited and permanent exhibitions. Admission is free, making it a great activity for families or a date night. The museum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar before you visit.

Extreme Skate Park/Jaycee Park

Greenville is sometimes referred to as “BMX Pro Town USA.” That’s largely because it is home to X-Games legend Dave Mirra. Through him, there have been more BMX X-Games medals from this area than anywhere else in the world. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Greenville features a public park skate park with everything from beginner to professional-level ramps. Extreme Skate Park is a part of the larger Jaycee park, that also includes a softball field, library, and cultural center.

Greenville Greenways

The Greenville Greenways are a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the outdoors. This park system is made up of interconnected paved trails that run through several different parks in Greenville. The largest section is the South Tar River Greenway, which runs along the Tar River. The greenways feature playgrounds, over 5 miles of paved trails, a historic bridge, and more. Town Common Park is probably Greenville’s most popular park is in connected to the greenways. It includes Greenville Amphitheater, which hosts Sunday in the Park and other events.

River Park North

River Park North is also a great family-friendly park but is perhaps a better destination for nature lovers. It sits on 324 acres close to Pitt-Greenville Airport. It includes picnic shelters and a sand volleyball court. Yet River Park North also offers camping areas, two piers, a wildlife observation platform, and a fossil pit. That makes it a great place for fishing, hiking, kayaking, and camping. It also contains Walter L. Stasavich Science & Nature Center, which offers a freshwater aquarium, theater, and various exhibits.

Knee Deep Adventures

Knee Deep Adventures is Greenville’s original mobile kayak rental company. Go solo or with a group. They are willing to deliver kayaks and paddleboards to Town Common or Port Terminal along the Tar River, (or elsewhere depending on group size). KDA also offers guided tours and host various events. These includes everything from kayak lessons to special events like Paddle and Pints, Paddleboard Yoga, Dog Paddle, and their Full Moon Paddle.

Sawyer’s Fun Park

Technically, Sawyer’s Fun Park is located in Winterville North Carolina, just outside of Greenville. Still, it is one of the best family attractions in the Greenville. It features epic attractions like two-story laser and ninja courses. Along with that, it has a trampoline park, rock walls, and a full ropes course (zipline included)! Parents will also be happy to know that there is a toddler area. Plus, Sawyer’s has a café with a bar, putting green, cornhole, outdoor seating, and occasional live music.

PirateFest

Greenville is also home to the largest pirate festival on the East Coast, PirateFest. Every April, this three-day event closes down several city blocks and brings in over 50,000 people. It features a wide variety of attractions such as free concerts, BMX, food trucks, and art vendors. There are also many pirate-themed diversions like treasure hunts, sword fighting, a pirate encampment, and lots of costumes. Plus, there is a large kid’s area. If you’re looking for a fun and unique event, be sure to check out PirateFest.

Brews and Cue Trail

The Brews and Cue Trail is a great way to explore some of Greenville’s best breweries and barbecue restaurants. This trail includes eight different breweries and six barbecue joints. Each stop offers something unique. For example, Uptown Brewing Company is located in an old Coca-Cola bottling plant. Whereas, Pitt Street Brewing Company is located in an old auto shop. As for the barbecue, you’ll find everything from Southern-style to Carolina-style barbecue. Not to mention, the Visitor’s Center offers rewards to those who complete the trail. If you love beer and barbecue, this is the trail for you.


Do you know of a great destination in Greenville we missed? Please leave it in the comments below! Or, share your experience at any one of the locations we mentioned below. And if you’re considering moving to the area or have other temporary housing needs, you might consider our rental homes.

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