up any forgotten essentials or cool off with an ice cream float at Cut Rate Pharmacy & Diner , where the interior is retro and the atmosphere is pure Americana. FLORENCE Treasure hunters will lose track of time in Palmetto Peddlers antiques mall, an expansive space with quirky finds, including period furniture and vintage records. Then fill your cooler at Pee Dee State Farmers Market , situated on sprawling farmland right off the highway and overflowing with fresh produce, plants and pies. small town” felt like strolling through Mount Pleasant’s Old Village historic district, with mom-and-pop merchants and antique shops. SUMMERVILLE Known as the birthplace of sweet tea, Summerville delivers plenty of sugary charm. Follow the Sweet Tea Trail before stopping into Main Street Reads for your next beach book or browsing retro fabrics and quilting keepsakes at People, Places & Quilts . Along the way, quench your thirst at the soda fountain at Guerin’s Pharmacy (the oldest in South Carolina), and fill up for the next leg at the Icehouse with buttermilk fried chicken and a warm slice of bourbon pecan pie. WALTERBORO Immerse yourself in local heritage at The Colleton Museum & Farmers Market , then stroll to the South Carolina Artisans Center , an enchanting Victorian cottage filled with handcrafted treasures from over 300 local artists. BLUFFTON Perched on a bluff overlooking May River, Old Town Bluffton is all colonial shutters and porch swings among historic farmhouses. Admire local art at The Society of Bluffton Artists or find children’s storytime treasures at The Storybook Shoppe . Swing through Bluffton General Store for gourmet goodies, classic treats and artisan-made gifts before venturing inland. faded. Find everything from lumber and fuel to boiled peanuts to country-style ham. Be sure to try its authentic South Carolina barbecue, cooked the old-school way over wood embers, and snap a selfie in front of its storied gas pumps before hitting the road. MANNING Admire the decorative cornices and red-brick architecture of the Manning Commercial Historic District , which features a collection of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then dig in at Gullah Gullah Fish , where the shrimp and flounder are fried golden and the stories are rich with cultural heritage. SUMTER Catch the action at Sumter Speedway , a dirt-track racing venue that’s been thrilling locals since 1957. Pick SELLERS The scent of slow-cooked pork leads you to Shuler’s BBQ , where down-home barbecue is served buffet-style and sweet tea is poured with pride in a rustic wood-cabin setting. Browse the on-site general store to stock up on nostalgic sweets and quirky souvenirs like Peach Pie Moonshine Jelly. LATTA Cap off your trip with a stay at the grand Greek Revival-style Abingdon Manor Inn & Restaurant , a AAA Four Diamond inn set amid lush, manicured grounds. MEMORIES THROUGH THE MIDLANDS SALTERS Cooper’s Country Store is a living time capsule from a way of life that’s long DiscoverSouthCarolina.com 41
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