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Following is a list of just of a few of the many attractions that make the Upstate area one of the Southeast's leading tourist destinations. Click on links for more information about specific attractions.
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Go Blue Ridge Card
Go Blue Ridge Card is the Parkway’s ultimate attraction pass, featuring pre-paid admission to over 25 of the best attractions and activities in Western North Carolina! Visit as many of the included attractions as you like for one low price and save money over buying tickets directly at the ticket gate. Plus, receive a full-color guidebook to the area. Attractions include Biltmore, Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain, White Water Rafting, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, and MORE! Visit www.goblueridgecard.com.
800-887-9103
Greenville County Recreation District
Follow the link for a list of available activities at area centers.
Pavillion Indoor Recreation Complex
Full size ice skating rink, tennis courts, gameroom, concessions, summer daycamps and afterschool programs. The Pavilion is home to the Brushy Creek & Southern miniature passenger railroad. 864 288-6470
Greenville Zoo
Find out more about what this zoo has to offer. . . .
Greenville State Farmers Market
1354 Rutherford Road -
The Greenville Market, assisting farmers who truck seasonal fruits and
vegetables from surrounding counties, NC, and northeast GA, offers
selections from the freshest and best in the Piedmont area.
Hours of retail operation:
8 AM - 6 PM, Monday through Saturday, 864-244-4023
The Poinsett Curb Market
Starts April 26 and runs through Oct. 25 from 8-12 on Saturdays. Market is on
East Court Street in downtown.
Pavilion Indoor Recreation Complex
Full size ice skating rink, Competition size Inline rink, tennis courts, gameroom, concessions, summer daycamps and afterschool programs. The Pavilion is home to the Brushy Creek & Southern miniature passenger railroad. One of only two public indoor rinks in South Carolina. Located on Scottswood Drive in Greenville. 864/ 322-7529.
Westside Aquatics Center
Westside Aquatic Center features South Carolina’s only public 50 meter enclosed swimming pool and a year-round menu of daily recreation swim and lap times, instruction, senior citizens aquarobics, scuba and kayaking.
2700 West Blue Ridge Dr.
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 295-0032
Roper Mountain Science Center
Owned and operated by the School District of Greenville County, the Science Center's primary purpose is to provide high quality enhancement to the school district's classroom curriculum. Through its numerous hands-on and attention-grabbing science programs available to school-age children, the Science Center has earned a reputation throughout the state of providing students with dynamic, entertaining and thought-provoking science programs that, no doubt, are leading many of today's students into future careers in science.
The Roper Mountain Science Center is located off I-385 at Exit 37 (Roper Mountain Road); cross over the Interstate bridge and the entrance is the second road on the right.
864-281-1188
Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt created Biltmore Estate in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge
Mountains more than a century ago as a retreat for family and friends;
a place to rediscover gracious hospitality and revel in nature’s beauty.
His vision holds true today. Explore Biltmore House, a magnificent 250-room
château filled with priceless art and antiques. Stroll through century-old
gardens designed by America’s first landscape architect. Savor award-winning
wines and taste our chefs’ creations using estate-raised foods. Enjoy our
8,000 acres of forests, farmlands, and rivers on bikes, horseback, and rafts.
Request a FREE 32-page Visit Planner
1-800-543-2961
Chimney Rock Park
In one place, the best of the mountains. Here you’ll find a variety of hiking trails – fun for the whole family or a little time alone; 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and the Blue Ridge foothills; 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls - showcased in the 1992 movie, “The Last of the Mohicans”; a 26-story elevator blasted out of the inside of the mountain and special events, guided hikes and rock climbing and activities for groups, too. Just 60 miles NE of Greenville. Open all year. Live it up! 800-277-9611
BMW Zentrum
BMW Zentrum is a state-of-the-art visitors center that highlights the company's commitment
to engineering and its neighboring communities. Be sure to ride the line via the Virtual
Factory Tour. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Factory tours by reservation only. Admission charged. Call 1-888-TOURBMW.
1400 Hwy. 101 South, Greer SC 29651
(864) 989-5297
16th S.C. Volunteers Museum of Confederate History
Located in downtown Greenville's Pettigru Historic District, the museum houses a collection of Confederate relics and artifacts, both military and personal, as well as a research library.
Fort Hill, Former Residence of John C. Calhoun
Fort Hill was the home of John C. Calhoun, South Carolina's preeminent 19th century statesman, from 1825 until his death in 1850. The antebellum plantation home, office and kitchen are furnished mostly with family artifacts.
South Carolina State Botanical Garden
Some 2,200 varieties of ornamental plants are raised in the 270-acre consolidation of five smaller gardens. Located on the campus of Clemson University. 864/ 656-3405.
Flat Rock Playhouse
Flat Rock, NC
The State Theatre of North Carolina, and one of the finest local playhouses in the United States. Highly acclaimed throughout the theater world. The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina. Check the web site for schedule:
www.flatrockplayhouse.org.
Outdoor Attractions
Brushy Creek & Southern Miniature Children's Railroad
This 50 year old miniature passenger train, housed at the
Pavilion Recreation Complex, takes passengers on a
memorable half-mile ride around the soccer complex. The train
is a great family outing! 400 Roper Mountain Rd.
Greenville, South Carolina 29615
864) 288-6470
Pleasant Ridge Park
Pleasant Ridge County Park features 300 acres of beautiful mountain wilderness complete with a 5 acre fishing/swimming lake, nature trail, and playground.
4232 Hwy 11, Marietta, SC 29661
(864) 836-6589
Camp Spearhead
This unique residential camp, in existence since 1968, serves individuals 8 years and older with special needs. Weekly activities at Spearhead include a petting zoo, Ropes course, miniature golf, horseback riding, hiking, hay rides, boating and drama.
100 Civitan Camp Rd., Cleveland, SC 29635
(864) 836-2336
Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park
This unique historical park pays homage to former Chicago White Sox great Shoeless Joe Jackson who grew up and played ball in the Brandon Mill Community. 864/ 288-6470.
Hatcher Gardens
This beautiful garden contains more that 10,000 plants, as well as dams, ponds, and trails. It also serves as a haven for local birds and wildlife. Located on Reidville Road in Spartanburg. 864-574-7724
Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tuckasegee River Excursion (3½ hour round trip), Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4½ hour round trip) and the Gourmet Dinner Train (2½ hours) are just a few of the wonderful excursion trips available to passengers.
1-800-872-4681 or (828) 586-8811
Chimney Rock Park
Find the best of the mountains in one place. This privately-owned scenic attraction just north of Greenville offers spectacular 75-mile views, a 404-foot waterfall, hiking trails and more. Take a day trip to the cool, green mountains. You deserve a break today!
Pearson's Falls
Located between Tryon and Saluda is Pearson's Falls. The Tryon Garden Club has own this 250-acre site for nearly 70 years. Hours are 10am -6pm Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults. (828) 749-3031.
Cowpens National Battlefield
In 1781 Daniel Morgan of Virginia led his militia troops to victory against the elite British troops led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton. The battlefield features a walking trail and marked road tour, a picnic ground, and a visitor's center with exhibits, memorabilia, and a slide show presentation. Located off of S.C Scenic Highway 11 and S.C 110 in Cherokee County. 864/ 461-2828.
State Parks in the Upstate
Caesars Head State Park
Croft State Park
Devils Fork State Park
Jones Gap State Park
Keowee Toxaway State Park
Kings Mountain State Park
Lake Hartwell State Park
Oconee State Park
Oconee Station State Park
Paris Mountain State Park
Table Rock State Park
Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River
Born high in the Carolina mountains and dropping an average of 49.3 feet per mile in its race past the stately woods of Sumter National Forest, for 40 miles this tumultuous (and sometimes disarmingly placid) mountain river separates South Carolina and Georgia. The Chattooga became a sort of national quest after its starring role in the movie "Deliverance." (For guided raft tours, contact Wildwater Ltd., Box 309, Long Creek, SC 29658, (800) 451-9972 or (864) 647-9587
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (S.C. 11)
Often right at the foot of high mountains, this beautiful but still utilitarian two-lane road leaves I-85 at Gaffney, makes a 130-mile arc through peach orchards and villages, past Cowpens Battlefield, over I-26, past several state and county parks, over Lake Keowee at a scenic spot and on past Salem, Walhalla, Seneca and Westminster to rejoin I-85 at the Georgia line.
South Carolina Trails
Our goal is to foster a statewide network of trails and greenways by promoting trail use, management, and development.
Foothills Trail
The main stem of this nearly
100-mile long hiking trail extends from Table Rock State Park in Pickens County to Oconee
State Park in Oconee County. The trail crosses some of the most rugged and beautiful
terrain in the Southeast and provides access to Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in
South Carolina, and to major mountain streams and breathtaking views. Contact the
Foothills Trails Conference, PO Box 3041, Greenville SC 29602; (864) 233-9403.
Heritage Preserves
Hiking is permitted in the following
Upcountry Heritage Preserves: Eastatoe Creek, Buzzard Roost, Ashmore, Watson, Glassy
Mountain, Laurel Fork, Bunched Arrowhead, Pacolet River and parts of Chandler. Contact the
S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources, PO Box 167, Columbia SC 29202; (803) 734-3893; (864)
654-6738.
Walnut Grove
Kate Moore Barry's 1765 plantation house had been lived in only a few years when the Revolution rocked the colonies. She then served as a scout for General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. Walnut Grove was a community in itself, with a school, doctor's office and various outbuildings. Fully restored and furnished.
Mountain Bridge Wilderness
& Rec. Area
More than 11,000 acres and 50 miles
of trails connect to the Sumter National Forest with one trail leading to the Foothills
Trail. This network of trails provides an excellent view of scenic vistas, including Raven
Cliff Falls. Primitive trailside camping is permitted by registering with a ranger. Call
Caesars Head State Park at (864) 836-6115 or Jones Gap State Park at (864) 836-3647.
State Parks
The majority of state park trails
are considered nature/walking trails because of short length and/or relatively flat
terrain. The 14-mile Table Rock trail is difficult terrain and the 15-mile Kings Mountain
trail is moderate. Other trails are located at Caesars Head, Jones Gap, Paris Mountain,
Oconee and Keowee-Toxaway State Parks. Shorter nature trails located at Croft, Sadlers
Creek and Lake Hartwell State Parks. Call the park or S.C. State Parks at (803) 734-0156.
Appalachian Trail
This national scenic trail begins in Georgia and stretches across 2,144 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridge lines to end in Maine. Along the way, it traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and parts of Western North Carolina. For more information on the trail, and day hike suggestions, contact the Appalachian Trail Conference. > 828-254-3708
visitor center links:
lodging . attractions . activity guide . maps/directions . help desk
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