Discover the heart of Greenville, SC, with a private guided walking tour that highlights historic sites, local culture, and hidden gems. Get ready to explore this vibrant city in a relaxed and informative way.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; moderate walking on mostly flat, paved surfaces.
Wildlife
History
Greenville’s downtown flourished as a textile center during the early 20th century before evolving into a hub for arts and culture.
Conservation
Efforts to revitalize the Reedy River and downtown parks help protect urban green spaces and promote sustainable tourism.
Greenville History Tours
Discover the heart of Greenville, SC, with a private guided walking tour that highlights historic sites, local culture, and hidden gems. Get ready to explore this vibrant city in a relaxed and informative way.
Greenville History Tours is a local tour operator based in Greenville, South Carolina, offering guided experiences that highlight the city’s culinary scene, historic neighborhoods, architecture, and cultural landmarks.
The company runs a diverse schedule of walking, driving, and van-based tours tailored to varied interests and time frames. Signature experiences include the At The Chef’s Table Culinary Tour (Tuesday night and Saturday afternoon options), the Greenville Coffee Tour (1.5 hours), the West End Walking Tour (90 minutes), and the Springwood Cemetery Historic Walking Tour (75 minutes) led by “Big Chuck.”
The Saturday afternoon At The Chef’s Table tour spans about three hours and features five courses paired with drinks at four restaurants, while the Greenville BBQ Trail Tour is a 2.25-hour driving tour showcasing local smokehouses and generous tastings and is noted among America’s top 10 BBQ scenes. The Carolina Countryside Tour is a five-hour excursion visiting scenic routes, a tea farm, and South Carolina’s oldest bridge.
Guides include local authors and historians such as John Nolan and storytellers who connect food, culture, and civic history with neighborhood transformations. Tours emphasize small-group settings, tastings at restaurants and roasters, behind-the-scenes access to chefs, and photographic documentation of architectural changes and homeowner stories. Partnerships with restaurants, coffee roasters, historic sites, and homeowners create curated itineraries that reflect Greenville’s revitalization and regional traditions. Flexible durations—from roughly 75 minutes to five hours—and a mix of walking and comfortable van transportation make these offerings suitable for visitors and residents seeking immersive, educational, and flavorful explorations of Greenville’s past and present.
Base Location
Greenville, SC
Operates from downtown Greenville
Tour Lengths
75–300 min
Short walks to full-day trips
Specialties
Culinary, History, BBQ, Coffee
Local-focused experiences
Local Guides
Named Guides
Includes guides like John Nolan
Reserve a culinary, coffee, history, or countryside tour and explore Greenville with knowledgeable local guides.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
This tour involves walking on paved streets and sidewalks, so comfortable, sturdy shoes will keep you comfortable throughout.
Stay Hydrated
Bring a reusable water bottle, especially in warmer months, to stay refreshed during the walking tour.
Bring a Hat or Sunglasses
Many parts of the tour are outdoors with limited shade—protect yourself from sun exposure.
Charge Your Camera
Downtown Greenville offers many photo opportunities, so be sure your camera or phone is fully charged.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Supports feet for extended walking on pavement and city streets.
Reusable Water Bottle
Helps keep you hydrated during warmer months while on the tour.
summer
Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
Provides shade and reduces sun exposure on sunny days.
summer
Light Jacket
Keeps you comfortable during cooler mornings and evenings.
spring