Accessibility | Greenville, SC

Greenville, SC is a destination that every traveler can enjoy.

Accessibility meets adventure in Greenville, SC, and travelers with special needs can find a variety of accessible attractions and helpful resources. From mobility-friendly activities to accommodating attractions, Greenville welcomes all visitors. Keep reading to explore a variety of helpful resources, or use the menu below to jump to a specific section.

Access GVL

Transportation

Things To Do

FAQ

The City of Greenville is the 2023 recipient of the Silver Palmetto Award from @scddsn and Special Needs. Nominated by the @CDSpartnership, the city is recognized for our AccessGVL app, and @gvilleparksrec for efforts to build Brooks' playground where ALL children can play. pic.twitter.com/YTnRZN9Qkq
— City of Greenville (@CityGreenville) January 12, 2024

The City of Greenville, Barbara Stone Foundation, and Greenville CAN have collaborated with local restaurants to create Access GVL, a new interactive map and accessibility guide to Downtown Greenville.

This web-based app provides accessibility information for participating restaurants, the location of city-owned accessible parking spaces, accessible routes, potential barriers, public elevators, and public restrooms. Users can search for accessible restaurants and parking using lists or a map. The app also includes information on how loud a restaurant typically is, how bright or dark the interior is, whether there are captions on TVs, how easy the menu is to understand, and more.

TRANSPORTATION

Greenville's Greenlink bus service offers wheelchair-accessible transportation to 12 fixed routes across Greenville County. They also offer a free wheelchair-accessible Downtown trolley service from Thurs-Sun.
Greenville Area Paratransit (GAP) provides services for qualified applicants. Eligibility information and applications are available online.
Tandem Transport serves those in a wheelchair or with other medical needs and can accommodate longer distances. Charges are by the hour or per mile.
1st Transportation Group serves those in wheelchairs, scooters, or with other medical needs. They serve Greenville County as well as most of SC, so they can transport anywhere in SC. Charges are by distance/time.

Request a Free Visitor's Guide

THINGS TO DO

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Heather's Ride offers a free adaptive bike rental at the Kroc Center in Downtown Greenville to ride on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System. Call their Founder, Stephen, at (864) 525-0412 or The Tennis Center – Kroc Greenville (864) 241-2116 for availability.
Coming Soon: The Roger C. Peace Foundation is building an adaptive sports center at Unity Park, expected to open in fall 2024. Initial offerings include adaptive yoga classes and low/no-cost bike rentals, with future offerings expected.
Adaptive MTB trails are located at Pleasant Ridge County Park and Lakeside Park.

Boating, Fishing & Kayaing

Lake Robinson offers boating and an accessible fishing pier.
Lake Cunningham Recreation Area offers boating and an accessible fishing pier.
Dolly Cooper Park has an accessible kayak launch, a disc golf course, and a walking trail.
Tygerberry Landing offers an accessible kayak launch and fishing.
Lake Cooley has an accessible kayak launch and an accessible dock.

Urban Parks & Trails

Falls Park on the Reedy: Located Downtown, an elevator and winding ramp can be found next to Spill the Beans. The Swamp Rabbit Trail runs through the park, and a wide, paved section offers accessibility to those in wheelchairs.
Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail: Varying from 8-12 feet wide, this paved 28-mile trail system goes right through the heart of Downtown Greenville before continuing to Furman University. There are several parking options along the trail, including designated accessible spaces.

Unity Park: Located Downtown and mobility-friendly for ages 2-6 with an accessible playground, basketball courts, paved walking trails, and mostly level terrain.
Cleveland Park: Located next to the Greenville Zoo and includes an accessible playground, walking trails, fitness equipment, tennis courts, a softball/baseball field, a basketball court, and picnic shelters. The 1.2-mile walking path is paved and mostly level.

Furman University Lake Loop Trail: A 1.5-mile loop around the University's 40-acre lake with Paris Mountain in the background. Home to the University's famed Bell Tower. While on campus, check out the Janie Earle Furman Rose Garden, an accessible hidden gem with paved brick paths.
Doodle Trail: Varying from 5-8 feet wide, this paved 8.4-mile trail connects Easley and Pickens along the former Doodle railroad line. This shaded urban trail crosses two wooden bridges. Parking is located at both trailheads.

Natural Parks & Trails

Paris Mountain State Park: This park has a paved trail from the parking lot at the main entrance down to Lake Placid, and there is a wheelchair-friendly dock. Note: This is the only paved trail, and the remaining routes are not paved or accessible.
Ceasars Head State Park Visitor Center: The visitor center has a paved walkway and bridge to an overlook to view the escarpment: where the mountains meet the Piedmont area of SC. The main overlook is on top of the rock, which is not wheelchair friendly and may be difficult to walk on. Sidewalks lead to picnic areas, a gift shop, and restrooms, which are wheelchair accessible.
Table Rock State Park: This park has accessible options, but the trail to the summit is not wheelchair friendly. The welcome center features a VR headset to experience the hike to the summit that can also be viewed on YouTube. The nature center is wheelchair accessible, and guests can see snakes and other wildlife while learning about nature.
Conestee Nature Preserve: Just 6 miles from Downtown Greenville, there is a 2.2-mile paved loop with a 0.7-mile paved shoot-off. Park at entrance A, the River Entrance (840 Mauldin Rd.) to start the loop. This loop crosses the Reedy River and has two observation decks, picnic shelters, and restrooms. Take the offshoot to view two more observation decks. Note: Not all trails are accessible.
Eastatoe Passage of the Palmetto Trail: Accessible parking, a paved path, and a trout fishing platform

Attractions

Greenville Zoo: An ADA-accessible zoo that has partnered with Kulture City to offer free sensory kits with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a "feelings card" to help relay emotions, and a lanyard to help zoo staff identify visitors with sensory needs.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate: An ADA-accessible kid-centric museum with an outdoor wheelchair-friendly playground, a large elevator serving all three floors, and accessible restrooms on all floors.
Upcountry History Museum: A history museum of the Upstate region with accessible facilities, free manual wheelchair loans, open captioning on exhibits, and assistive devices for the visually impaired upon request.
Frankie's Fun Park: An ADA-accessible indoor arcade with wide spaces between games for individuals in wheelchairs to maneuver. The outside area features go-karts, and two-seater karts are available. Please note: no load-in system is available for karting.
Hughes Main Library: An ADA-accessible and wheelchair-friendly library offering an assistive technology station, full-page magnifiers, handheld digital magnifiers, talking book services, and more.
The Peace Center: A performing arts venue with accessible seating and aids to help you enjoy your show. They suggest calling Patron Assistances Service in advance. Other offerings include patron drop-off, transport chairs, wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, and ASL interpreters for certain shows.
South Carolina Children's Theatre: A children's theatre with a hearing loop system to improve the experience for hearing-impaired guests by removing background noises to create a clear sound directly through existing hearing aids. Available upon request at the Box Office. Other accommodations include sign language interpreters and accessible seating.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena: Greenville's Downtown arena with an enclosed sensory suite that serves as a quiet space with soft seating, low lighting, and sensory accessories. A free Sensory Kit is available at arena events. The kit includes noise-reducing earmuffs, antiglare glasses, a fidget toy, sanitizing wipes, and more. Other offerings include accessible seating inside and nearby accessible parking. Check out their Accessibility Guide.

• Other mobility-friendly attractions include ServusVR, Craft Axe Throwing, Spare Time Entertainment, Main Event Entertainment, Flying Rabbit Adventures, and Dave & Busters.

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Accessible & Inclusive Playgrounds

Unity Park: An ages 2-6 accessible playground with basketball courts and mostly level walking trails
Cleveland Park: An accessible playground for all ages with fitness equipment, tennis courts, and mostly level walking trails
The Children's Garden at Linky Stone Park: An accessible garden on a mostly level path, featuring a geology wall, a textile garden, a Hansel and Gretel cottage, and a secret garden
Adventure Park at Trailblazer Park: An accessible playground in Travelers Rest with an ADA carousel and swing
Kids Planet at Century Park: An accessible playground in Greer with areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12 with inclusive equipment featuring transfer stations and ramps, and an accessible swing
Simpsonville City Park: An accessible, enclosed playground opening in Simpsonville with ADA-inclusive equipment, restrooms, a paved trail, and a dog park. Note: Closed until Fall 2024 for renovations.
The Pavilion Recreation Complex Boundless Playground: A fully accessible enclosed playground in Taylors with inclusive equipment featuring wheelchair-friendly swings, a sandbox, green space, and restrooms
Sunset Park: A fully accessible, enclosed playground in Mauldin with restrooms and picnic shelters

FAQs

What organizations and additional information are available?

Barbara Stone Foundation
GreenvilleCAN
Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital
Wonders Within Reach
Kidding Around Greenville - Classes & Activities

Where can I park in the City of Greenville?

Vehicles displaying a valid SC or other state-issued disability license plate or disability placard may park in:

Designated spaces for persons with disabilities, as long as the vehicle is driven by or is transporting the person whose name appears on the license plate registration certificate or placard certificate. The placard must be clearly visible – either hanging from the rearview mirror or lying face-up on the dashboard.

Any of the City's time-limit parking spaces with no time restriction, as long as the vehicle is driven by or is transporting the person whose name appears on the license plate registration certificate or placard certificate. The placard must be clearly visible – either hanging from the rearview mirror or lying face-up on the dashboard. Please note that this does not apply to spaces where public parking is prohibited. Examples include loading zones; spaces where parking is prohibited during street sweeping operations and spaces marked "Reserved" in general, or specifically reserved for law enforcement, food trucks, valet parking, etc.

Are there any medical device rental companies in the area?

Need to Rent a Scooter, Patient Lift aka "Hoyer lift," or Hospital Bed while you are here?

Reserve your equipment with My Mobility Medics and they will have it delivered and waiting for you when you arrive.

This page is constantly changing and updating as new resources and accessible travel experiences arise in the Greenville community. Please feel free to reach out to gsosa@visitgreenvillesc.com with additional resources for inclusion.