Driving Downtown History Tour
Dear Guest,
So glad to have you signed up for the Downtown Driving tour! This tour provides the convenience of some downtown hotel pick-up/drop off (see schedule below). If you do not need this service, please meet in front of City Hall (206 South Main St, Greenville, SC 29601; detailed directions are provided below) for pick-up between 11:00-05am for the morning tour and 12:05-10pm for the afternoon (12:30-1:30pm) tour. The tour van is a 15 passenger black Ford Transit 350. Please be there 5-10 min early.
VERY IMPORTANT HOTEL PICK-UP INFORMATION: There is a tight window for hotel pick-up times in order for the tour to stay on schedule. Please be promptly ready within the 5 min time frames below. If you are not ready when the van arrives, we may have to leave for the next hotel without you (unfortunately, no refunds).
The pick-up schedule for the 11am-12pm tour:
Hyatt Regency (main lobby/Beattie Place entrance) 10:40-45am
Home2Suites (come to Main St at the curb in front of the hotel) 10:45-50am
Holiday Inn Express (main entrance doors) 10:50-55am
Residence Inn/Springhill Suites (main entrance, Washington St) 10:55-11am
The pick-up schedule for the 12:30pm-1:30pm tour:
City Hall (in front of building) 12:05-10pm
Residence Inn/Springhill Suites (main entrance, Washington St) 12:10-15pm
Hyatt Regency (main lobby/Beattie Place entrance) 12:15-20pm
Home2Suites (come to Main St at the curb in front of the hotel) 12:20-25pm
Holiday Inn Express (main entrance doors) 12:25-30pm
***Because guests may not be being picked up at each hotel, the tour may start earlier than the 11am or 12:30pm start times if everyone is ready. However, your time windows for the hotel pick ups will remain the same with no adjustments unless you are notified otherwise. Again, PLEASE be ready for pick-up within the window of time given as waiting additional time can throw off the tour for everyone else.
What Is Not Included?
Customary guide service gratuity of 15-20% is not included in the price of the tour.
What to Wear
Casual clothing is appropriate. High-heels are discouraged for ladies. In the summer and winter months, dress appropriately.
What to Bring/What Not to Bring
We encourage you to bring a camera to capture your experience on the tour. If you would like to purchase available guidebooks or cookbooks, bbq sauces, etc., you can pay by cash or check.
Other Tips & Guidelines
Disclaimer: Greenville History Tours acts only as an agent for the companies that supply food and drink products on the tours and cannot be held responsible for losses, delays, damages, accidents or injuries caused by persons engaging in carrying out the services of the tours.
Important: Any directions or maps provided by GVLTours are only a rough guide. You are responsible for arriving at the activity's meeting location on time, so make sure to check with a second source that can provide specific directions from your starting point.
Detailed Directions
The tour will meet on the sidewalk in front of City Hall (206 South Main St, Greenville, SC 29601). The van will pull up into the loading zone in front of the building. If you have trouble finding us, please call 864-567-3940.
Directions from I-385:
• Drive towards downtown Greenville on I-385 N.
• As I-385 ends it becomes E. North St. in a residential area.
• Bear right onto Beattie Pl. as you pass the Bi-Lo Center on the right hand side.
• Continue straight on Beattie Pl. passing Church St. and Spring St.
• Turn left on Main St. and continue until you reach Court St.
• The address for City Hall is 206 S. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601.
• We will meet on the sidewalk in front City Hall.
• Parking is available throughout the vicinity.
Directions from Poinsett Hwy (276):
• Drive towards downtown Greenville on Poinsett Hwy (276).
• Turn left on Buncombe St. (183).
• As Buncombe St. (183) passes S. Academy St. it becomes W. North St.
• Stay straight on W. North St. and get in the right lane.
• Turn right on Main St. and continue until you reach Court St.
• The address for City Hall is 206 S. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601.
• We will meet on the sidewalk in front of City Hall.
• Parking is available throughout the vicinity.
DIRECTIONS from S. Church St. (29):
• Drive towards downtown Greenville on S. Church St. (29).
• Turn left on E. Washington St.
• Turn left on Main St. and continue to Court St.
• The address for City Hall is 206 S. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601.
• We will meet on the sidewalk in front of City Hall
• Parking is available throughout the vicinity.
DIRECTIONS from Easley Bridge Rd. (123):
• Drive towards downtown Greenville on Easley Bridge Rd. (123).
• Stay straight as Easley Bridge Rd. (123) becomes S. Academy St.
• From S. Academy St. (123), turn right on Court St.
• The address for City Hall is 206 S. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601.
• We will meet on the sidewalk in front of City Hall.
• Parking is available throughout the vicinity.
Free street parking is available throughout the city, and parking garages are paid during the day and free on nights and weekends. Please visithttp://www.greenvillesc.gov/Transportation/parking.apsx for more information on parking garages in the area.
Map
This tour of downtown Greenville brings you to highlights and history throughout the West End, South and North Main St. areas. In the West End, we'll trace the development of the coming of the textile industry that transformed this small village to the textile center of the world and see remnants and photos of the mills that grew up around the falls. Other items covered include Furman's original campus and development, Shoeless Joe Jackson, the area around the historic intersection of Augusta, Main, and River Streets, Chicora College, Charles Townes (inventor of the laser), and the Riverplace complex. South Main St. area highlights include Greenville's earliest industry (wagon making), the Huguenot textile mill, statues of Vardry McBee and Joel Poinsett, Court Square's historic development (Mansion House, Poinsett Hotel, Chamber/Liberty Building, Courthouses, etc.), and architectural gems scattered throughout the area.
In front of Greenville City Hall, 206 S. Main St., Greenville SC
VERY IMPORTANT HOTEL PICK-UP INFORMATION: There is a tight window for hotel pick-up times in order for the tour to stay on schedule. Please be promptly ready within the 5 min time frames below. If you are not ready when the van arrives, we may have to leave for the next hotel without you (unfortunately, no refunds).
The pick-up schedule for the 11am-12pm tour:
Hyatt Regency (main lobby/Beattie Place entrance) 10:40-45am
Home2Suites (come to Main St at the curb in front of the hotel) 10:45-50am
Holiday Inn Express (main entrance doors) 10:50-55am
Residence Inn/Springhill Suites (main entrance, Washington St) 10:55-11am
The pick-up schedule for the 12:30pm-1:30pm tour:
City Hall (in front of building) 12:05-10pm
Residence Inn/Springhill Suites (main entrance, Washington St) 12:10-15pm
Hyatt Regency (main lobby/Beattie Place entrance) 12:15-20pm
Home2Suites (come to Main St at the curb in front of the hotel) 12:20-25pm
Holiday Inn Express (main entrance doors) 12:25-30pm
***Because guests may not be being picked up at each hotel, the tour may start earlier than the 11am or 12:30pm start times if everyone is ready. However, your time windows for the hotel pick ups will remain the same with no adjustments unless you are notified otherwise. Again, PLEASE be ready for pick-up within the window of time given as waiting additional time can throw off the tour for everyone else.
In front of Greenville City Hall, 206 S. Main St., Greenville SC (or the location of your hotel pick up)
Dress in casual comfortable clothing suitable for the season.
*Please note that the vehicle is a passenger van with row seating. Guests who sign up will need to be able and willing to step up into the van and to maneuver to the row seating.
Historical information supplemented by historical photos of Greenville throughout the tour.
Tour Guide Gratuity ($3 - $5 per person is customary).
*Please note that the vehicle is a passenger van with row seating. Guests who sign up will need to be able and willing to step up into the van and to maneuver to the row seating.
Visitgreenvillesc Disclaimer
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If Greenville History Tours must cancel the tour, you will have the option of rescheduling or receiving a refund. No refunds will be given for other cancellations.