Why Greenville, South Carolina?

With so many places on the map how do we choose? Sometimes it is to hang with family, visit a national monument, check out a funky museum, or because we want to see a bunch of Cadillac's sticking up out of the ground. And, sometimes we visit a town simply because there is a hamburger joint that was mentioned in our travel bible – Hamburger America.

Yep, the sole reason we put Greenville on the map and parked the rig there was so we could eat a hamburger at a legendary place called Northgate Soda Shop that has been dishing up good eats since 1947.

The pimento cheese hamburgers and vanilla milkshakes were good but the place was classic with old cola bottles on the wall, antique tin coffee cans, a counter to sit at, and a multitude of locals who filed in and were greeted by their first name.

With burgers in our bellies (and milkshakes and fries and onion rings), it was time to head downtown and see why all the fuss over Greenville's downtown and just why it has been ranked among "America's Ten Best" by Forbes Magazine. Greenville sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains which automatically instills scenic charm, outdoor adventure, and southern charm. The downtown melds together natural beauty and contemporary cool.  The revitalized downtown is attractive and inviting.  Falls Park is a large regional park with gardens, paths, and waterfalls that makes the downtown super attractive and popular.  The $15 million park brought the downtown back from decline. The centerpiece of the park is the Liberty Bridge which spans the Reedy River and links together shopping and eateries nestled amongst modern buildings and theaters.

Our day in Greenville passed quickly but we vowed to come back and spend more time exploring the city and visiting the many attractions that make this city so interesting and hip.