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Downtown Greenville NC Things to Do

Downtown Greenville NC Things to Do

Famous for Eastern Carolina University, this former college town is fast becoming a trendy city. With a revitalized downtown and plenty of green space, Forbes recently named Greenville, North Carolina one of the “Best Small Places For Business And Careers.” So let’s take a walk and discover the best of Downtown Greensville NC things to do.

East Carolina University

Greenville loves its Pirates! Founded in 1907, East Carolina University is now the 4th largest in the state. The downtown campus has 530 acres of Spanish-Mission-style architectural buildings. The mall - a tree-laden grassy area - is the perfect spot to relax.

Join Freeboot Fridays every Friday during the fall before the Pirates football team takes the field on Saturday. Show your team spirit at the huge pep rally with beer, wine, great food, and live music.

Exploring Dickinson Avenue

A stroll down Dickinson Avenue is a must for any downtown Greenville NC things to do list! Discover trendy shops, great restaurants, art galleries, and charming pubs lining both sides of Dickinson Avenue. This National Historic District is known for its Classical Revival architecture dating from 1902 to 1956. Some notable buildings in the area are:

  • Brown Building (c.1916)
  • Hines Building (c. 1916)
  • First Christian Church (c.1916)
  • Roxy Theater (c. 1948)
  • Imperial Tabacco Company factory (1902-1964)

Need a break? Pop into the Dickinson Ave Public House. Their menu features upscale southern dishes with Creole and Asian influences. In the mood for comfort food, the brisket mac and cheese has received great reviews. Be sure to check out the oyster happy hour.

Pitt Street Brewing Company

Ready for an Irish Red Ale, look no further than Pitt Street Brewing Company. Just off the corner of S Pitt St and Dickinson Ave, their Irish Red Ale is the winner of the North Carolina Brewers’ Cup 2021. Enjoy the dog-friendly, comfortable tap room. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for upcoming events.

Uptown Brewing Company

You’ll enjoy an open view of the brew floor from any seat in the house. This production brewery in the heart of Uptown Greenville has a great live music schedule. Want a fun-filled evening? Check out trivia night, but come early as seats go fast.

Dickinson Ave Farmers and Makers Market

Located in the 100-year-old Cher-Cola bottling plant, this year-round indoor market features items made or grown within 50 miles of Greenville NC.

River Park North

Located on the Tar River, this 324-acre park features five fishing ponds and two piers. You’ll find fishing boat rentals, camping sites, a fossil pit, picnic shelters with grills, and a sand volleyball court.

Don’t have a fishing rod? No worries, they have a loaner rod and reel program.

Featured as a stop on the NC Birding Trail, at River Park North you can spot the Prothonotary warbler, a popular among bird enthusiasts. Or maybe you’ll see an osprey or bald eagle gliding over the ponds looking for their next meal.

With an extensive network of hiking trails, you’ll spend hours exploring all that this great park has to offer.

Hiking Trails Around Greenville NC

Looking to reconnect with nature. Check out these top hiking trails in Greenville, North Carolina.

  • Bicycle Post Trail - a moderate 10.9 km loop for walkers and cyclists.
  • Greenville Greenway Trail - an easy, popular 11.9 out and back hiking trail. It’s the longest trail in Greenville according to Alltrails.com.
  • Parkers Creek, Old Eason, and Willow Branch Trails - enjoy the solitude on this easy 4.8 km loop. Perfect for a quick excursion.
  • Port Terminal to Wildwood Park Paddle Route - not a hiking trail, but a paddle route perfect for kayakers, canoers, and paddlers. It’s an easy 6.3 km back and out.

Town Common

Take a stroll along the Tar River on the Town Common River Walk. The kids will love Trillium Park, one of the largest playgrounds in the Southeast. A popular place to get away for a while, Town Common hosts events almost every week, whether it’s live music, movie nights, or festivals.

Getting Artsy at Jaycee Park

Located in eastern Greenville, NC, Jaycee Park is a great place for families. The park features a grill, picnic shelter, rec center, and a lighted softball field. The Jaycee Park Center for Arts and Crafts offers dance, arts and crafts, and pottery classes for all ages.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? The Extreme Skate Park at Jaycee Park is popular among professionals and beginners alike, with ramps for all levels. The large number of BMX riders that come to ride the ramps here has given Greenville, NC the name Pro Town, USA.

Elm Street Park

Grab a picnic and head out to Elm Street Park, one of the oldest parks in Greenville. Located south of Stallings Stadium on Elm St, it has plenty of trails, playgrounds, parking, and ample shade. Best of all, it’s never too busy. You can even look for shark teeth in the creek!

Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum

Across from Alice F. Keene District Park on the southern edge of Greenville, you’ll find the Eastern Carolina Village & Farm Museum. Stroll through the well-preserved buildings and homes. See what life was like in Greenville, North Carolina from 1840 to 1940. Some popular events are the Ghost Walk - “Village After Dark”, the Taste of Pitt County, and an Old Fashioned Christmas.

Special Events in Greenville

Pirate Fest - celebrate all things pirate. Arghh! This annual festival spans over 8 blocks and features live music, great food, beer and wine, sword fighting, a pirate encampment…and more! Don your pirate gear and partake in the fun!

The First Friday Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of every month in downtown Greenville. Check out the art exhibits and enjoy special deals at local restaurants.

So what are you waiting for? Come check out Greenville NC. With the perfect blend of urban and rural life, you’ll never be at a loss for downtown Greenville NC things to do!

ENC Explorer
Author: ENC Explorer

After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.

This place is for Publicity

This place is for Publicity

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