Greenville, NC: A Perfect Fit for Families

Aaron Hines

When looking for your perfect place to live, it’s vital to consider a city’s environment and offerings. Families often look for a community that’s safe and provides opportunities for exercise, good food and fun. Life in Greenville, NC, offers all the above – and more.

The area is bursting with friendly folks, more than 60 parks, a flurry of festivals, free concerts, delicious food and sporting events.

“Greenville is home because every meal is a celebration, the people feel like family and the thrill of college sports is just around the corner, making every weekend an adventure,” says Mary Craig Palmatary, who moved to Greenville to attend East Carolina University (ECU).

After graduating, she lived in Arkansas and New York, then she and her husband moved back to the Greenville area in 2014 when they were expecting their first child. Today, they have two children and two French bulldogs. 

“We have found there are many fun things to do in Greenville,” she says. “We are avid sports fans, and we are lucky to be within walking distance of ECU. Tailgating for Pirate football and baseball is a family tradition. There are also tons of great parks for the kids to burn some energy. We love to run and ride bikes along the greenway, as well, which features nearly 9 miles of paths.”

Ahead, find more about why families can’t get enough of life in Greenville and Pitt County.

Enjoy Scores of Outdoor Activities

The city is home to plenty of parks and recreation facilities, including the Green Mill Run Greenway, Wildwood Park, Alice F. Keene Park, Elm Street Park and Town Common Inclusive Playground, which offers adaptive equipment for children and adults. 

Nature lovers can explore Pitt County Arboretum’s lush gardens, which include over 7 acres of unique wildflower, butterfly, perennial, vegetable and herb gardens. Also, the Greenville Town Common features 21 acres of green space as well as the Greenville Toyota Amphitheater, where you can get outdoors and enjoy live music.

Find Plenty of Fun Events

Greenville has a full calendar of events – and many are free. In addition to the Sunday in the Park series, a family-friendly concert held on Sundays during the summer, check out the African American Music Series, which celebrates the rich heritage of African American musicians. At Greenville’s First Friday ArtWalk, you can view the work of local, regional and national artists in galleries downtown. 

Other “must-attends” include the Winterville Watermelon Festival, Farmville Dogwood Festival, Grifton Shad Festival and Ayden Collard Festival. Don’t miss PirateFest held each April in Greenville, where food vendors, fine arts and crafts, costumed pirates, sword fighting and music collide. 

Get in the Games (or Cheer on the Local Teams!)

Attend a football game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to cheer on the ECU Pirates or root for the university’s basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse and soccer teams.

Greenville’s Recreation and Parks Department offers youth and adult baseball, pickleball, kickball and flag football. For a new experience, don’t miss the Greenville Yard Gnomes, a collegiate summer baseball team that plays at Guy Smith Stadium. Greenville’s Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park is also home to the Little League Softball World Series.

Savor Plenty of Fabulous Food

Palmatary says there are several great dining spots in Greenville, with options ranging from dive bars to fine dining. 

“If you’re looking for a quick and casual option,” Palmatary says, “check out Christy’s Euro Pub or Chico’s Mexican Restaurant, both of which are family-friendly staples. If you’re looking for a fancy date night spot, I recommend Ford + Shep, Native Fine Diner or Starlight Cafe.”