India, Feb. 16 -- Tucked into South Carolina's Upstate region, Greenville has quietly become one of the Southeast's most appealing small cities-equal parts outdoorsy, food-driven, and easy to explore.

At its heart is a walkable downtown anchored by Falls Park on the Reedy, where waterfalls, lush landscaping, and the Liberty Bridge create a postcard-worthy setting just steps from Main Street's shops, restaurants, and galleries. Add in a burgeoning culinary scene, and easy access to hiking, biking, and waterfalls in the nearby Blue Ridge foothills, and Greenville delivers far more than first-time visitors expect.

Its culinary scene is one of the city's biggest draws, and its momentum is only building. Longtime Southern institutions sit al...