There are plenty of enticing things to do in Greenville NC, and our North Carolina travel guide focuses on the best of them here.
Home of the East Carolina University Pirates, Greenville, North Carolina, is more than just a college town; it is a vibrant city with incredible local events, fantastic restaurants catering to every palate, and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities.
There are plenty of things to do in Greenville, and we want to show you how to explore Downtown Greenville, the Tar River, and more. From hitting the Brews and Cue Trail to soaking up local art and all in between, there are plenty of ways to explore Greenville.
If you need to find something specific in our Greenville guide, we’ve organized it into the following sections:
- Where to Stay
- Annual Events
- Things to Do in Greenville NC This Weekend (and Most of the Year)
- Nearby Places
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Greensville area and are wondering, “What are the best things to do near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
Read More: 100+ Places to Visit in Eastern North Carolina
Vote for your favorite North Carolina spots for the Annual Best of NC 2025! From scenic getaways to local BBQ joints, your voice matters.
Where to Stay in Greenville
If you are looking to stay in the heart of downtown Greenville, the Hilton Garden Inn Greenville University Area is a brand-new eight-story hotel with easy access to East Carolina University and beyond.
There are 101 thoughtfully designed comfortable guest rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, and pet-friendly accommodations that add to the experience.
This Downtown Greenville has a beautiful rooftop bar (with arguably the best views in the city!), 1717 the Rooftop serves up coastal-inspired Eastern North Carolina dishes with creatively crafted cocktails.
If you are looking for a unique experience, we recommend checking into The Music House in Uptown Greenville. Built in 1901 and owned by an ECU Music Professor, this Victorian home is beautiful both inside and out.
Each room is filled with quirky yet nostalgic memorabilia, as well as a plethora of music-themed items. You’ll find yourself looking around throughout your stay and discovering something new. Take your coffee out on the porch and enjoy the ease of walking downtown. Additionally, John is a gracious host!
Annual Events in Greenville
- PirateFest (April): PirateFest is Greenville’s largest and most popular festival, typically closing down eight city blocks. Don your peg-leg and enjoy free music, street food, carnival rides, and plenty of Pirate-themed events!
- Farmville Dogwood Festival (April): For over 32 years, the Farmville Dogwood Festival has brought family and friends together in this downtown Farmville celebration. Concerts, artisans, craft-making for kids, and amusement rides make this a family fun event.
- Oktoberfest (October): German food, crafts, entertainment, and beer from Greenville breweries make this annual event a lot of fun!
- Festival of Trees (December): With support from local businesses, the Festival of Trees brings Christmas spirit to the Greenville Convention Center! One hundred beautifully decorated trees are on display, and children can even read a story with Santa.
Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events)
Things to Do in Greenville, NC This Weekend (and MOST of the Year!)
Brews and Cues Trail
Did you know that Greenville and its Pitt County neighbors host some of the best North Carolina Barbecue? With legendary historic pits like B’s in Greenville, Skylight Inn and Bum’s in Ayden, eating some barbecue should be the first thing you do in Greenville.
But what goes excellently with barbecue? Beer. And Greenville has plenty of incredible breweries to keep you thirsty!
Check out the cool vibe at Pitt Street Brewing, or head into Winterville for Local Oak Brewing. A pint glass awaits you at either place you choose—or both!
If you’ve had your fill of barbecue, there are plenty of delicious restaurants in Greenville waiting to take your order. Enjoy farm-fresh and upscale dishes at Starlight Cafe, Julep Contemporary Kitchen, and Ford + Shep. Catch casual bites at places like Sup Dogs, Nash, and The Scullery. And don’t leave town without a visit to Crush- home of the legendary Sup Crush!
True foodies flock to Greenville, and after we spend the day sampling some of this menu, we can see why! This guide shares a few more places to eat in the area if you’re hungry!
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
Outdoorsy Things to Do in Greenville
Explore the outdoors of Greenville, North Carolina, through the arts, history, or along the Tar River. Here are some ways you can get outside and enjoy Pitt County.
Greenville Metal Zoo
Address: 701 Dickinson Avenue, Greenville, NC
When you’re walking around Greenville, you may start to notice these familiar salvaged animals dotted around. They are a defining part of the cityscape of Greenville and are the work of Jonathan Bowling, a Kentucky-born sculptor who earned his MFA from East Carolina University.
Rust colored horses, camels, giraffes, elephants- shaped from pitchforks, an old transmission, or a bumper. You can find the highest concentration of the animals on Dickinson Avenue (across the street from Native), but you can also find them in alleys, parking lots, and scattered throughout the city.
Read More: The Best Day Trips from Raleigh (Fun Getaways!)
Kayak with Knee Deep Adventures
Experience a one-of-a-kind adventure when you paddle with Knee Deep Adventures. The Tar River is filled with beautiful views and wildlife that can only be experienced from the water.
Rent a boat or schedule a guided tour, Kelsey and her team at Knee Deep Adventures will make sure you are all set to have a memorable experience!
KDA also hosts cool events like Paddle and Pints, Dog Paddle, and SUP Yoga! Kesley even offers guided night paddles, where you see unexpected wildlife under the moonlight!
Read More: Day Trips from Durham
Jaycee Park
Address: 2000 Cedar Lane, Greenville, NC
There have been more X-Game medals earned by BMX riders living in this area than anywhere else, so Greenville will naturally have a fantastic bike park.
Extreme Park has everything from the pro ramps to beginner ramps, whether you’re ready to jump the ramps yourself or catch some of the action.
For those wondering what to do in Greenville, NC, to get their heart pumping, stopping by Jaycee Park is a great option.
African American Cultural Trail of Greenville–Pitt County
African American Cultural Trail of Greenville–Pitt County is a self-guided walking or driving tour with six thoughtfully curated stops that chronicle the legacy of African American educators, medical professionals, cultural leaders, and community members.
To plan your experience on the African American Cultural Trail, download a brochure or access the Visit Greenville, NC app for expanded content and audio interviews.
Town Common
The Greenville Town Common is the city’s outdoor gathering space with 21 acres right on the banks of the Tar River and only steps from Downtown Greenville. The Town Common is seamlessly connected to the South Greenville Greenway through a series of paved walkways, the Town Creek Bridge, and a scenic 1,500-foot riverwalk.
Improvements are underway (Summer 2025) to include a new multi-use trail, riverfront plazas, scenic overlooks, sustainable rain gardens for stormwater management, enhanced amphitheater access, and a 160-foot floating dock for boaters.
Shopping in Greenville, NC
Greenville’s downtown is full of local eateries, coffee shops, and cool little vibey shops. Here are a few that I noticed during my last visit to Greenville that I thought were worth sharing!
Dickinson Avenue Farmers and Makers
Address: 714 Dickinson Ave, Greenville, NC
Website
Dickinson Avenue Farmers and Makers was probably my favorite shop in downtown Greenville. It is an indoor market housed inside a 100-year-old former Coca-Cola bottling plant and features items made or grown within 50 miles of Greenville.
This is one of the places that you can find Jenni’s Ugly Chocolates (made in small batches, filled with local farm-sourced ingredients, and wrapped in 70% semi-sweet chocolate). However, be sure to take your time and browse through all the different vendors, as you are bound to find something amazing!
Cook’s Closet
Address: 409 Evans St, Greenville, NC
Website
Cooks Closet is a vibrant, community-rooted boutique specializing in vintage, Y2K, and “hype” fashion treasures. When I read that, I realize that I am now old enough to be vintage… Cooks Closet is for the cool kids- even if we weren’t cool kids back in the 90s.
Cooks Closet can be found in downtown Greenville, or they have a location inside of Backstage Coffee House- another place that gives cool vibes with a splash of sparkle.
Aji
Address: 801 Dickinson Ave, Greenville, NC
Website
Aji is an international foodie’s dream – sweets, snacks, pantry items, and condiments from regions across the globe. Think Swiss chocolates, French jams, Japanese candies, Italian pasta, and more. And to my gluten‑free and vegan friend, you can rejoice! They have an excellent selection of both, as well as hard‑to‑find nostalgic treats.
The store features a bottleshop and wine bar serving a curated selection of craft and imported beers, wines, and seasonal brews. I found some familiar drinks from our travels, like Korean soju and the Thai beer that cooled us off after a hot day of exploring. Aji is genuinely a fantastic store in Greenville – whether you’re looking for gifts, indulging, or simply wanting to have a global experience.
Coastal Fog
Address: 210 E 14th St, Greenville, NC
Website
The outside of Coastal Fog is unassuming. It’s a 25,000-square-foot warehouse with whitewashed brick, but on the inside, it’s one of the most beautiful coffee shops in North Carolina. Coffee, wine, sundries, ice cream, lunch bites, aviary, and enclosed space for babies? I don’t think this is even a coffee shop- it might be my new home.
The retail section features a variety of items, including mercantile, home decor, apparel, and that one spice mix you’ve been searching for since you ran out months ago. The café serves handmade breads, pastries, seasonal paninis, and specialty coffee (or an early evening glass of wine). Catch up with friends, get some work done surrounded by plants, or check out one of their weekly events!
Arts and History Attractions in Greenville
Eastern Carolina Village and Farm Museum
Address: 4570 Country Home Rd, Greenville, NC
Website
Travel back in time to experience North Carolina circa 1840-1940 at the Eastern Carolina Village and Farm Museum. Touring this 5.6-acre farm takes you to a one-room schoolhouse, a country store, and a milk house. Tours must be arranged in advance, but they are totally worth it!
Emerge Gallery & Art Center
Address: 404 Evans St, Greenville, NC
Website
With a mission to make art accessible to the entire community, Emerge Gallery is the home of Pitt County Arts. The gallery is located in the heart of downtown Greenville and features three main galleries, a gift shop showcasing local artists, as well as a range of workshops and classes suitable for all ages. Stop in and enjoy the rotating exhibits!
Greenville Museum of Art
Address: 802 South Evans St, Greenville, NC
Website
The FREE-to-visit Greenville Museum of Art is truly a masterpiece. With an impressive display of local creations, the Greenville Museum of Art is an excellent activity for families, a date night, or for those looking for unique things to do in Greenville, NC.
They also hold some really great events (like Halloween Artini, GMoArcade, and an Art Ball) that can elevate your experience at the museum! I’ve visited the Greenville Museum of Art several times over the years, and I am always impressed with the quality of the exhibits they present.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Greenville
Address: 226 West 8th St, Greenville, NC
Website
Located in Downtown Greenville, the Greenville Science Center is an extension of the North Carolina Natural Sciences Museum and offers hands-on educational learning in a fun and engaging way. The exhibits are a lot of fun- even if you don’t have kids! They also hold camps and e-mentoring programs to support STEAM education in Pitt County.
Extend your learning experience and head 30 minutes south to their Grifton Nature and Science Center, which features 380 acres of nature preserve, kayaking, and the Chia-yu Li Planetarium!
Things to Do Near Greenville
Farmville
As far as North Carolina small towns go, Farmville is probably one of the cutest. With beautiful murals and a community of warm smiles, it’s worth taking the 15-minute drive from Greenville to check it out!
The GlasStation
Address: 3732 W Wilson St, Farmville, NC
Only 15 miles away from ECU’s main campus is The GlasStation. Developed through grassroots efforts by volunteers of The Farmville Group, this facility is a glass studio open to both college students and the general public.
Guided by ECU professor and glass artist Mike Tracy, class participants will spend three hours making their own hand-blown piece of art.
Dapper Dan’s Antiques
Address: 3743 S Main St, Farmville, NC
Facebook Page
With 5,000 square feet of antiques, furniture, vintage clothes, and more, there is something fun and unique waiting for you at Dapper Dan’s Antiques.
The store is filled with a great selection of vintage items and is an absolute wonderland where you could spend hours exploring its treasures.
Winterville
Strawberries on 903
Address: 4084 NC-903, NC
Website
Strawberries on 903 is a roadside produce stand in southern Pitt County, part of 1600 acres that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The stand is part of a 100-year-old tobacco barn that is absolutely stunning.
In addition to picking up fresh produce, Strawberries on 903 offers u-pick strawberries and vegetables during spring and summer. You can also join a farm tour, enjoy the farm animals, and catch a hayride!
Ready To Visit Greenville, NC?
Whether you are coming to cheer on the Pirates or searching for some legendary NC barbecue, you’ll find that there are so many fun things to do in Greenville, NC.
Go antiquing, paddle down the Toe River, and, of course, grab a pint and cue. There are numerous places to explore and discover.
Have you ever spent time in Greenville? If so, we’d love to know your favorite things to do here. If you’ve never been, let us know what you’re going to do first!
