The Skyliner

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Entertainment & Features

Media Credit: Michael Gibbons

Media Credit: Michael Gibbons

Media Credit: Andrea Brazell

Jennilyn Dempsey
Staff Writer


BMW Zentrum


Twenty miles from your dorm room lies the "ultimate" museum. Home to the only BMW manufacturing plant in the United States. Spartanburg County is the birthplace of all X5 sport utility vehicles and Z4 coupes and roadsters.

At the plant's museum, also known as the Zentrum, you can learn about the history of Bavarian Motor Works, see some of its first aircraft engines and vehicles and get a sneak peek at concept cars.

If you'd like to see X5s and Z4s being made, be sure to take a tour of the plant once it reopens (they are remodeling to produce a new vehicle).

The Zentrum is located at 1400 Highway 101 South in Greer. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Admission is free.


Highway 11


Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, a former fur trade route, offers 115 miles of historic landmarks, breathtaking sights, several state parks and a few quaint shops.

So, go ahead. Take Tigerville Road to Highway 11 and turn left.

See what rural South Carolina's most famous highway has to offer:

Aunt Sue's. Located only 22 miles from NGU. This Travelocity "Local Favorite" is a must explore: seven specialty shops offer everything from candles to gemstones to stuffed animals.

Be sure to grab a waffle cone at the Ice Cream House before you leave. The restaurant and Ice Cream House are open year round from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday-Sunday.

Table Rock. About two miles down the road from Aunt Sue's is the entrance to Table Rock State Park where you can enjoy some of the best sightseeing the state has to offer.

Adventurous hikers should make a point to venture to the peak of Pinnacle Mountain, the state's tallest mountain. Plan to spend the entire day tackling Pinnacle as it takes about six hours to hike up and back.

Park hours are Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the park closes at 10 p.m. Admission is $2.


Downtown Greenville


In addition to its great park and coffee shops, downtown Greenville is host to several other worthwhile attractions.
Mice on Main. Next time you decide to stroll down Main Street, let the mice guide your way.

Located between the Hyatt and the Westin Poinsett, these nine bronze mice hide on-and above-Main Street's sidewalks.

Don't forget to browse through Mast General Store and The Clothing Warehouse, enjoy some Italian at the locally-famous Trio Brick Oven Cafe, and stop for coffee at Coffee Underground while searching for these friendly tour guides. Visit http://www.greatergreenville.com/visitors/mice.asp for clues.
West End. After you've found the mice and wandered sufficiently through Falls Park, continue down Main Street to the West End District.

Formerly an area of ill-repute, the West End has only recently become downtown's star. The specialty gift shops found here are great places to find gifts for the woman who has everything, and the high-end restaurants provide great venues for special nights out.

Don't forget to wander to West End Field, Baseballparks.com's 2006 "Ballpark of the Year."

Enjoy this miniature Fenway Park beginning April 3 at 7 p.m. when the Kannapolis Intimidators take on the Greenville Drive.

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