South Carolina Vacation Guide - SC 2025

REGION

From dramatic cliffs and gorges to pristine lakes and waterfalls, this area is just plain aweinspiring. Amidst all that natural beauty, find scenic cities with revitalized historic districts and thriving cultural hubs where museums, art galleries and concert halls beckon. In between, discover family-owned farms, sprawling peach and apple orchards, Revolutionary War sites and plenty of outdoor recreation.

REGIONAL MUST SEES Palmetto Distillery, Anderson | Fort Hill National Historic Landmark, Clemson | Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville The Village Bakery & Cafe, Pendleton | Hagood Mill Historic Site, Pickens | Hatcher Garden, Spartanburg | Gateway Park, Travelers Rest

RAVE-WORTHY DINING

This region is home to a foodie's feast of must-try restaurants. Start at Topsoil Kitchen & Market in Travelers Rest, where James Beard-nominated chef Adam Cooke crafts his prix fixe menu with fresh ingredients from the restaurant's nearby 16-acre farm.

Tiffany-blue metal chairs and distressed wood tables — the inviting Coyote Coffee Cafe in Pickens will make you want to stay awhile. Go on, order a Howlin’ Scramble Bowl … and then a Spring Chicken Flatbread … and then a specialty drink, maybe the Snoodleberry smoothie.

The 40-foot bar with seating inside or out is the signature of Jianna, a modern Italian open-kitchen concept in downtown Greenville. From housemade pastas to just-shucked oysters, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

With four locations, The Smokin’ Pig is a stone’s throw from just about anywhere in The Upcountry. Each has its own vibe, whether you’re tailgating or just passing through. Dine on ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chopped chicken, BBQ hot dogs, and don’t forget the sides, from jalapeño cheese grits to sweet potato crunch (not technically dessert, but it might as well be).

Serving Up the Classics

Family recipes are at the heart of the meat-and-three menu at Wade’s Restaurant in Spartanburg, which received a 2024 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award. Every day, Wade’s serves:

750 plates of turkey & dressing

1,500 orders of mac & cheese

3,500 scratch-made rolls