As newcomers move into the Upstate region, they are pleased with the range of things to do in South Carolina’s Upcountry. From family activities at state parks to events covering interests from hiking, nature and sports to arts, theater and museums, there is something for every season and budget.
But, since fall has arrived, here are two key web sites that list all the possibilities right through the end of this year. Whether you want to see college football or immerse yourself in our region’s history, you can find the perfect adventure at these sites:
1.
www.theupcountry.com. A great activities web site covering places to eat, shop, explore and attend festivals such as Pumpkinfest or Holiday Lights.
The site also publishes a monthly newsletter on events in the Upstate.
2.
www.upstatescusa.com. This web site covers the major cities in South Carolina’s Upstate. Just click on “Things to Do” and pick your favorite. The site gives full descriptions and contact information so you can make your plans easily.
For locals, there are fall and winter traditions that are “musts” to do each year, like the 1850s Piedmont Fall Harvest Festival. Volunteers in period dress demonstrate making apple cider and sorghum molasses. The family can take a hayride then stroll through the food vendors, listen to live music, and visit the animals at the Living History Farm.
This area is rich in history from the Revolutionary and Civil wars, so history buffs will feel right at home in Piedmont.
Take a weekend drive and absorb the fall colors when you hit the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC Highway 11). This will take you from the Georgia/South Carolina border at Lake Hartwell through the rolling hills of the Piedmont all the way to historic Gaffney. The drive takes about four hours and there are plenty of stops along the way.
If Woodruff is your favorite place for fun, then check out Autumn Fun at the Price House held in late October. This event is styled for families with children. It includes games, locally-renowned storyteller Evelyn Parks, tours of the house that include a scavenger hunt, and the chance to cook hot dogs and roast marshmallows over an open fire. All food and activities are included in the admission price.
By mid-November you can get in the holiday spirit as Greenville hosts two splendid lighting events. The Holiday Lights Safari at Hollywild Animal Park makes the night sparkle. Drive through the park that’s magically decorated with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, dazzling holiday themes, light sculptures and tunnels of lights.
Visit the Enchanted Deer Forest, which houses herds of free roaming animals that you can feed by hand – great for all ages! Say hello to Kashmir, the park’s precocious baby tiger.
Greenville’s Annual Roper Mountain Rotary Holiday Lights open on Thanksgiving night at the Roper Mountain Science Center. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely drive through the natural setting as towering light displays capture holiday traditions. Using more than 200,000 lights, some displays are animated and landscape lighting accents the precisely timed movements. While you’re there, check out “Starry Nights” in the center’s planetarium.
Complete your pre-Christmas activities with Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” It’s a holiday gift to residents from Spartanburg’s cultural community. Bringing the Victorian spirit of Charles Dickens’ time to downtown Spartanburg, participants are taken back to that historic era. Enjoy the sights and sounds of street entertainers, strolling carolers, hand bell choirs, chestnut roasters, horse-drawn carriage rides, and give your wish list to a Victorian Santa.
If you prefer a quiet, year-round activity, then check out the branches of our county libraries. From Bouncing Babies to Storytime, there are programs for kids and adults of all ages. Spartanburg’s County Library offers music and lunch on Wednesdays, quilting circles and writers’ workshops. The entire family can enjoy Friday Flick Night. Just check the monthly calendar at www.infodepot.org.
There is no better place to enjoy the wonders of nature than Falls Park in downtown Greenville. You are only moments from the action on Main Street but it feels like a meditation garden when you sit on the benches down by the river. The park hosts cultural events such as Shakespeare in the Park each summer and is a favorite location for outdoor weddings or family picnics. Bring a treat for the ducks on your first visit!
When you are ready for an extreme adventure, the Upstate region provides several choices. Maybe you could start with a Clemson football game to see some extremely enthusiastic fans! How about a hot air balloon ride starting in Anderson and ending in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains? If that’s not enough excitement, try white water rafting on the Chattooga and Oconee Rivers. You can try a family-rated course or go for the white-knuckle rapids.
But, what if your favorite thing to do is shopping? Not to worry, there are five major malls in the upstate. For those who love bargains, you can check out the outlet malls. The Prime Outlets is located between Charlotte and Greenville in Gaffney. It features a collection of more than 70 leading designer and brand name stores including Ann Taylor Factory Store, Coach Factory, Pottery Barn Outlet and Banana Republic.
If you are an antique lover, then a visit to the Pendleton Historic District is a must. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features more than 40 points of historic interest, many of them private homes. Pendleton’s unique antique, art and gift shops, as well as restaurants, bed and breakfast inns and Southern hospitality make Pendleton one of the most visited places in America.
As you can see, South Carolina’s Upstate offers variety when you want an active lifestyle. The most difficult part is fitting it all into your schedule! Both of the websites mentioned in this article do cover new activities every month. Check them out to find the days/times and specific event details. And welcome to the Upcountry of South Carolina!
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