MARIE MCADEN 2020-12-10 06:00:32
Rediscover the pleasures of the all-American road trip on South Carolina’s scenic byways. Our back-road routes will take you to picturesque small towns, fascinating historic sites and beautiful natural wonders. Upcountry Scenic Highways From a country general store to an old-fashioned ice cream shop to pit-smoked barbecue, South Carolina’s foothills offer an enchanting slice of Americana. CLEMSON Take a tour of Fort Hill, the historic home and surrounding acreage that would become Clemson University Stop by the South Carolina Botanical Garden and wander through the state’s diversity of habitats reproduced on the 295- acre property SIX MILE Enjoy one of the great pleasures of childhood with a visit to The Scoop Ice Cream Shop This quaint shop dishes up a heaping helping of nostalgia with every scoop of its delicious ice cream PICKENS Set off on a treasure hunt at Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market You never know what you’ll find at this oversized yard sale spread out over 60 acres with vendors selling everything from antiques to fresh produce PUMPKINTOWN Join the locals at Pumpkintown General Store for a hearty Southern breakfast or casual lunch and experience the old-time charm and warm hospitality of this Upcountry landmark It’s famous for its hot dogs and cordial service GREENVILLE Stroll along downtown Greenville’s lively Main Street and check out its fun array of locally owned shops Among the favorites are M.Judson Booksellers and O.P. Taylor’s toy store, a shopping adventure at any age SPARTANBURG Step inside the Hub City Railroad Museum in the historic Spartanburg Union Depot for a trip back in time when railroads were the lifeblood of small Southern towns Watch Norfolk Southern trains roll through town from the museum’s trackside observation deck COWPENS Bring an appetite to Bluegrass BBQ where the mouthwatering pork, chicken and ribs are slow-cooked on a refurbished 1921 boiler-turned-smoker using pecan wood For the full Southern barbecue experience, order up a side of fried green tomatoes BLACKSBURG Learn about the one-hour battle that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War in the South at Kings Mountain National Military Park. A 1 5-mile interpretive trail takes you to the ridge where frontiersmen attacked Loyalists on Oct 7, 1780 Out-of-the-Ordinary Discoveries Visit historic sites from the Colonial era, foodie hot spots and unspoiled natural areas on this road trip from the Midlands to the coast. NINETY SIX Get a glimpse of life in our country’s earliest days on the trails at Ninety Six National Historic Site Walk the terrain traversed by traders, trappers and Cherokee Indians, and explore a Revolutionary War earthen fort built to protect Loyalists in South Carolina’s backcountry PROSPERITY Spend time outdoors fishing, hiking or simply enjoying nature in the 348- acre Dreher Island State Park set on three islands in beautiful Lake Murray Borrow a rod and reel through the Tackle Loaner Program and try your luck catching one of the lake’s famed stripers COLUMBIA Embark on a foodie expedition along Devine Street with its array of culinary offerings, from specialty coffee to Peruvian shrimp tacos Must-stop spots include Cantina 76, The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli, Blūm Coffee and Craft and Draft HOPKINS Hike through Congaree National Park’s champion trees, among them a 17-story loblolly pine Nine trails and a boardwalk loop take you into the oldgrowth bottomland hardwood forest If you’re visiting in the spring, be sure to stop by Cottle Strawberry Farm for some of the sweetest, juiciest berries you’ve ever tasted YEMASSEE The brick walls and columns of the Colonial-era Old Sheldon Church are a haunting reminder of war’s toll on South Carolina Set on fire by the British during the American Revolution, the church was rebuilt in the 1820s only to be burned down a second time by Sherman’s troops on his “March to the Sea ” BLUFFTON Located next to the last remaining hand-shucking oyster house in South Carolina, Bluffton Oyster Factory Park overlooks the May River and its pristine tidal marshes Take a guided tour of the small restored cottage on the property that was once the home of freedman Cyrus Garvin HILTON HEAD ISLAND End your trip with a walk along the sandy shoreline of Hilton Head Island Beach or on the wetland boardwalks of Sea Pines Forest Preserve Then visit nearby Stoney Baynard Ruins, remnants of a 1790s tabby mansion and cotton plantation
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