I hear many students talking about all the things that the City of Greenville is missing. I rarely ever hear students talk about all of the adventures that they have taken throughout the city and the fun things that they have found to do.
As someone who lived in Greenville before deciding to go back to school at ECU, I find this really frustrating because I know about all of the wonderful things that Greenville has to offer. Greenville is not a big city, but it has so much to offer with so many things to do. You can find anything from outdoor activities to museums, science centers, and art galleries, to amazing locally-owned restaurants, breweries, and shops.
Here is a list of 12 outdoor adventures for students to experience (& enjoy) in Greenville!
Greenville Town Common
Greenville Town Common
Photo by Ashley Gaskins
The City of Greenville Town Common is the epicenter of outdoor events, activities, and annual festivals for the city spanning over 21-acres of open green space located near the Uptown Greenville District. The Greenville Town Common is also connected to the South Greenville Greenway via paved walkways, the Town Creek Bridge, and a 1500-ft long river walk along the Tar River. There are also docks along the Tar River where you can enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking.
The Town Common is also home to the Greenville Toyota Amphitheater. The amphitheater plays host to the Sunday in the Park Summer Concert Series, PirateFest, Greenville Grooves Music Festival, and many other weekly and annual events.
I visit the Greenville Town Common often for a breath of fresh air and exercise. I have enjoyed the Sunday in the Park Summer Concert Series, PirateFest, and many other local events at the Greenville Town Common.
Greenville Greenway System
People enjoying the Greenville Greenway!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuggTV4H6St/
The Greenville Greenway System starts at the Greenville Town Common with the South Tar River Greenway running adjacent to the Tar River through the ECU neighborhood, then turns toward Green Springs Park. At Green Springs Park, it turns into the Green Mile Run Greenway which follows the Green Mill Run Creek through Elm Street Park to College Hill on the ECU campus.
With mile-markers, paved walk-ways, off-road trails, water fountains, and regular seating areas, this is a wonderful spot to go for a run, ride your bike, have a picnic, or just take a nice walk.
I always enjoy a good bike ride through the Greenway System on a beautiful afternoon. I have also joined many local running groups that utilize the Greenway for their weekly runs.
River Park North
River Park North Trail Map
https://www.greenvillenc.gov/government/recreation-parks/river-park-north
River Park North is a 324-acres of natural area and 1.2-miles of water along the Tar River. You can visit River Park North to enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, and other educational programs hosted by the on-site Walter L. Stasavich Science and Nature Center. The center offers many opportunities to learn about science and nature in Eastern NC with exhibits including a turtle touch tank, 10,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, live snakes, and more.
River Park North is located at 1000 Mumford Road in Greenville and hours vary based on the season.
Personally, I love River Park North and the Science and Nature Center. My boyfriend and I visited the Science and Nature Center one of our first few dates and we loved the scavenger hunt in the large glass display case!
Knee Deep Adventures
Knee Deep Adventurers on kayaks and a standup paddle-board!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Br-8y33nb5h/
Knee Deep Adventures is a mobile rental company that gives you the total outdoor experience! They offer kayak rentals for individuals, small groups, and large groups as well as standup paddle-board (SUP) rentals. You can also rent or purchase camping and boating equipment to enjoy and explore the Tar River area. If you are new to kayaking or standup paddleboards, then you will enjoy this new experience with someone to guide you through it. Make sure to make your reservation well in advance because they are very popular!
Knee Deep Adventures is located at 2800 E 12th St, Suite 111 in Greenville and is open Thursday through Monday from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Extreme Skate Park at Jaycee Park
Photo by Alexander Popov on Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/photos/5iA6qO_Ztv8
Many BMX riders have either lived in or visited Greenville, NC – Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, & Mike Laird just to name a few – which is why Greenville is known as Pro-Town USA. The Extreme Skate Park at Jaycee Park has ramps of all difficulty levels that all riding enthusiasts will enjoy! There are not just ramps – you can also enjoy in-line skating, hockey, and skateboarding. You can also contact Mike Mancuso with ProTown BMX for lessons.
The Extreme Skate Park is located at Jaycee Park at 2000 Cedar Lane in Greenville and is open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. for riders to enjoy!
Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market
Photo Courtesy of The Daily Reflector: "Ashley Gaskins and Amy Bonney during Uptown Greenville's Umbrella Market at Five Points Plaza, June 1 ,2016"
http://www.reflector.com/gallery/SCENE-AROUND-Umbrella-Market-June-1-2016?fullsize=1
Every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. beginning in May and running until the end of August you can visit the Five Points Plaza at the corner of Fifth and Evans Streets to visit the Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market. You will find local Eastern NC vendors selling everything from fresh produce, meats, and seafood, to handmade arts and jewelry, antiques, homemade ice cream, and baked goods, and local craft beer.
You can enjoy perusing all of this while enjoying live music from local Eastern NC artists. The Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market is the center of shopping and music and entertainment throughout the summer! I go all the time during the summer and there are a variety of unique and diverse vendors every week!
Uptown Greenville First Friday Artwalk
Maps of First Friday Artwalk
https://uptowngreenville.com/play/first-friday/
The Greenville Uptown District hosts this monthly showcase of Museums and Galleries in the Uptown First Friday Artwalk. You can find new art exhibits, free opening receptions, as well as enjoy restaurants and shops that offer special First Friday specials and discounts. Also, enjoy free rides on the Greenville Jolley Trolley throughout the evening.
The First Friday Artwalk runs year-round on the first Friday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Freeboot Fridays
Aerial View of Uptown Greenville's Freeboot Friday Event!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo1Hl_ADkhS/
Freeboot Fridays are "free, alive-at-five" events that celebrate ECU Home Football Games. These events offer live music, entertainment, an inflatable Pirate Ship for kids, arts and crafts, Uptown restaurant food trucks, and adult beverages for Pirates over the age of 21.
Freeboot Fridays are held at Five Points Plaza at the corner of Fifth and Evans Streets from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on ECU Home Football Game Fridays.
PirateFest
Photo by Ashley Gaskins
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhuhkFwB3zz/
PirateFest is a celebration of Eastern North Carolina's rich pirate history! This is an annual two-day festival held every April. This festival typically draws about 30,000 people who come to enjoy live music, a parade, roaming pirates, beautiful mermaids, and over 150 vendors with amazing food, art and crafts sales, live demonstrations, kayak rides, and so much more!
I have been to PirateFest every year since moving to Greenville in 2015. It never disappoints! The food is always plentiful and delicious, and the vendors have beautiful items that are unique to Eastern NC.
Sunday in the Park Summer Concert Series
Sunday in the Park Summer Concert Series featuring Chicago Reloaded in August 2017!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX6F6UJliGy/
Sunday in the Park Summer Concert Series is a free concert series held every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. from June through August at the Greenville Toyota Amphitheatre on the Greenville Town Common. Every week is a different local musical artist with a different style. No matter what kind of music you enjoy, you will find something you like at least once during this summer concert series.
Make sure to bring chairs or a blanket with whatever snacks you are in the mood for while enjoying this weekly musical event.
Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum 1840 - 1940
The Eagle School Building (Right) and a Country Store (Left) at the Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum in Greenville, NC.
Eastern Carolina Village and Farm Museum Facebook
The mission of the Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum 1840 – 1940 is to preserve and interpret architectural and agricultural life in Pitt County and Eastern North Carolina from 1840 – 1940. With more than twenty buildings to explore, there is plenty of history to fill the better part of a day! They also offer group tours and are available to host special events.
The Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum is located at 4570 County Home Road in Greenville. I recommend calling in advance for more details.
Pitt County Brew & 'Cue Trail
Brew N 'Cue Trail Prize T-Shirt!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_NGtDHAnF/
The Pitt County Brew & 'Cue Trail is a trail that takes you through Pitt County to enjoy the best Brew & 'Cue that Pitt County has to offer. You pick up your Official Pitt County Brew & 'Cue Trail "PassPork" at the Visitors Center located at 417 Cotanche Street, Suite 100 in Greenville. Make sure to take your PassPork to every place you visit so that you can collect official stamps from each establishment along the way.
Once you have filled up your PassPork with either BBQ Joints, Breweries (or both!), then you return to the Visitors Center to claim your prize of either a Pitt County Bew & 'Cue Trail t-shirt or a pint glass. Finally, have your picture taken for the Brew & 'Cue Trail Wall of Fame!
Make sure to use #visitgreenvillenc when sharing photos and videos of your trail adventures on social media so that the city can follow and share your experiences with others!
For even more information on local events, festivals, places to eat, and things to do and see, you can visit the City of Greenville website by clicking HERE! You can also follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also follow Uptown Greenville on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook even more events and information about what is going on in Greenville, NC!
Feel free to share your adventures with me so I can show more students how much there actually is to do in Greenville! Ã Instagram & Twitter!
Enjoy your adventures!
