Selfies with the Grandkids: The Best Instagram-Worthy Places in Greenville, SC

A teenager takes a selfie with her grandparents while on a nature hike

If you’re looking for a fun outing with the grandkids this summer, why not schedule an Instagram tour? We’re lucky to have a variety of scenic Instagram spots in Greenville, SC. Instead of waiting while the kiddos take their photos, you can join them. Show them the best places for selfies around town, and create some cherished memories for a modern platform.

If you’d like to know more about retiring in Greenville, SC, or about the vibrant lifestyle at Rolling Green Village, contact us. We’d be happy to provide details about any aspect of life here — or about the best Instagram spots around our own campus.

Why Instagram?

Instagram is a visual social media platform that is incredibly popular with young adults. According to studies from the Pew Research Center, 67% of adults ages 18-29 are active on Instagram. And the number of older adults with Instagram accounts is increasing all the time. It’s a great way to keep photos and share them with friends and family.

Tips to Take a Great ’Gram

  • Natural Light
    Sunlight creates better depth and impact in a photo, and each distinct time of day offers a unique type of light. Many photographers seek out “magic hour,” which is a time either shortly after sunrise or during sunset when the light is universally flattering.
  • Rule of Thirds
    Imagine a balanced nine grid — three vertical lines and three horizontal lines — across the camera screen. Where the lines intersect will be the best places to focus the subject of your photo.
  • Color Contrast
    Consider the colors in your image and how to make them pop in the frame. If you’re posing against a lush green background, you might wear a bright red or pink shirt.
  • High Angles
    If you’re taking a picture of people, high angles — meaning the camera is raised above the subjects and shot downward — are slimming and define a person’s features well.

1. Wildcat Wayside

This short but scenic hike passes by three tumbling waterfalls. The backdrop is great for a quick but memorable photo.

2. Kilgore-Lewis House Gardens

There’s a very good reason why so many couples decide to have their weddings here: The gardens are gorgeous. The gardens and arboretum are open during daylight hours. The pond, gazebo, and wide variety of flowers and trees provide you with a wealth of scenes for different photos.

3. Wall Murals

Many artists have made canvases of the walls around Greenville. You can choose one favorite mural or several for a fun modern photo series.

a. Stone Academy Mural Project

b. Quest Mural at Quest Leadership Academy

c. Live Big Mural at 217 E. Stone Avenue

d. The Great Wave Mural at Half-Moon Outfitters

4. Rock Quarry Garden

The Rock Quarry Garden in Cleveland Park offers a botanical oasis in downtown Greenville. You and your grandkids could pose on the fairytale-esque stone footbridge or by a waterfall or among the beautifully manicured gardens.

5. Liberty Bridge

This bridge, with its unique geometry, is the only one of its kind in the United States, and it offers beautiful views of the Reedy River and Falls Park.

6. Root Tree in Falls Park

Also known as the Medusa Tree, this 70-year-old beech tree sits just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Falls Park. Its exposed roots create a remarkable sight and a testament to the beauty and scope of nature.

7. Furman University

The oldest private university in South Carolina was founded in 1826, and its charm has only grown. The bell tower is a favorite spot for photos, but you can also explore the Japanese garden, the rose garden or the Place of Peace. Maybe you and your grandchild could spend an afternoon and discover all the university has to offer.

If you’d like to know more about retiring in Greenville, SC, or about the vibrant lifestyle at Rolling Green Village, contact us. We’d be happy to provide details about any aspect of life here — or about the best Instagram spots around our own campus.