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BMW M5 gets sideways for 51 miles to set new drifting world record

Description:

Back in February at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Abdo “Dado” Feghali set a new Guinness World Record by getting sideways in a stock Chevrolet Camaro SS fitted with an EasyDrift system for over 10 minutes, covering a distance of 6.95 miles (11.18 km). Pretty impressive, right? Well, it’s not looking quite so impressive after BMW Performance Center Instructor Johan Schwartz spent a large slab of his Saturday ... Read more

Cycling Gorgeous Greenville, SC

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Greenville, South Carolina has long been on the radar of elite competitive cyclists, as the host location for many years of the annual USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships. Although 2012 was the last year for the event to be held in this Upstate city for a while, competitive cyclists still come to Greenville to train. Recreational cyclists also enjoy the city, however, with its shaded, hilly terrain, moderate temperatures and bike ... Read more

Discover the world of science in Spartanburg

Description:

When you are in the Spartanburg area, make a point to visit the Spartanburg Science Center at the Chapman Cultural Center. The learning facility has received 11 exhibits from Discovery Place in Charlotte.

In the Center, your family can learn how to make better food choices at the magic refrigerator and take a stroll through the live backyard animal exhibits, where you’ll meet Fluffy, the bearded dragon, fish, ... Read more

Routes of History-Aviation in Anderson

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Before Anderson ever had an airport, Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, landed her Beech-Nut Autogiro in Anderson near the present-day Civic Center. On Thursday, April 18, 2013, the Anderson County Museum opened Phase One of their Routes of History transportation exhibit which features Earhart’s landing and the building of the Anderson Airport.

Earhart was on a thirteen state southeast tour when she landed here on November 14, 1931. The tour was ... Read more

Spring 2013 Newsletter

Description:

Tips on spring trips, weddings, animal sightings and more in the Upcountry of SC. Check out our latest e-newsletter to find things to do and explore on your trip.

Click on the link below or click here to view the newsletter.

Want to receive the next one in your Inbox? Sign up. ... Read more

Spartanburg Philharmonic to Celebrate 100 Years of Stravinsky¹s Rite of Spring through Music, ...

Description:

It’s hard not to see images in your mind’s eye when you hear Igor Stravinsky’s famous Rite of Spring. If nothing else, you remember seeing Disney’s 1940 cartoon movie Fantasia that used the score to depict the dramatic creation of the universe and prehistoric Earth.

In celebration of The Rite of Spring’s 100th anniversary, the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Sarah Ioannides will perform this passionate music Saturday, ... Read more

Road Trip to Gaffney
Description:
It's a small town, midway between Charlotte, NC and Greenville, SC, that's filled with history, charm, shopping and friendly people. Today, it's attracting folks from all over who think it's got everything going for it. Plan your visit today. Begin at the Gaffney Visitors Center located on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway #11. These friendly folks can help you plan every aspect of your stay and share ... Read more

Come Out & Play Day
Description:
Have you ever visited Oconee State Park?

Here's the best reason in the world: on April 20, everything is free!

Its their "Come Out & Play Day" with free admission, free activities and free food to the first 200 guests. Sounds great to us! ... Read more

Something To Look At: Nature-Based Sculpture at the South Carolina Botanical Garden
Description:
The South Carolina Botanical Gardens at Clemson University provide ample grounds for exploration. Known as a place “where nature and culture meet,” the garden has become a treasure trove of arts activity.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the upstate facility is its nature-based sculpture program, which features one of the largest collections of nature-based sculptures in the United States. Each piece was ... Read more

The Oconee Bell
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One of South Carolina’s most unique and earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell, can be found blooming from mid-March to early April. Colonies of the Oconee Bells blooming in their entire splendor can be seen along the Oconee Bell Trail at Devils Fork State Park, a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges.

The Oconee Bell is a rare flower of the southern Appalachians found only in a few locations in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia in moist wooded areas along streams. ... Read more

Golf comes to Greenville: BMW Charity Pro-Am tickets on sale
Description:
The return of the BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by SYNNEX Corporation to the South Carolina Upstate is still a ways away (May 16-19), but tickets for the state’s lone Web.com Tour event are now on sale.

The BMW Charity Pro-Am, in its 13th year, has become a tradition in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson area, with state residents and tourists flocking to three of the area’s top golf courses to watch young ... Read more

SC’s highest peak gets new overlook
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Visitors to Sassafras Mountain — South Carolina’s highest point — now have a spiffy new overlook to enjoy the peak’s Upcountry vista.

The old wooden platform has been replaced by a sleek structure created by a team of Clemson University architecture and landscape architecture graduate students.

One of the coolest features is the sky-blue painted steel railing designed to leave visitors feeling as ... Read more

Ask The Chef
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What’s the best way to learn to season your food properly?
What’s the No. 1 kitchen gadget we should have and why?
What local products are in season now?

Those are some of the questions posed to Table 301 Corporate Chef Rodney Freidank in a new Ask the Chef feature on the Table 301 Facebook page.

Chef Rodney: Chef Rodney here! These ... Read more

Spring Festivals
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It’s not too early to start planning your Spring outings, is it? There are lots of things happening in the Upcountry when our area is bursting with flowers and sunshine. You can always use our Virtual Suitcase on our website to help you perfectly plan your trip. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Read more

The Hunt for Treasure
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The Children's Museum of the Upstate will host NRG! Exhibits "The Hunt for Treasure!" from February 16th through June 2nd, 2013. This traveling exhibit explores the intrigue and excitement of treasure hunting. On display "The Hunt for Treasure!" invites visitors to learn about ... Read more

Our February 2013 E-newsletter
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Check out the Upcountry SC newsletter filled with spring festivals, music, an art & antique show along with a new "soil-to-city" restaurant.

Click on the link ... Read more

Roost brings another farm-to-table focus to downtown Greenville
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Sleek and warm, sophisticated and family-friendly: that’s Roost, the Hyatt’s new 220-seat, “soil-to-city” restaurant. Natural stone and wood accents feather the nest inside, while seating outside on NOMA Square accommodates 60 people. At the back of the restaurant, the counter overlooking the exhibition kitchen puts foodies in front-row seats.

Executive Chef Trevor Higgins rules the roost, in the kitchen anyway. This Tennessee native describes his cuisine as “fun ... Read more

The Cuban Missile Crisis Pilot Whose Death May Have Saved Millions
Description:
October 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis – a time when the world was close to a massive global nuclear war.   A local, Major Rudolf Anderson was shot down on October 27, 1962.   He and his fellow pilots played a key role in defusing the situation.

On the 50th anniversary of his death, the city of Greenville—in conjunction with Furman University and the Upcountry History Museum—unveiled the redesigned Major ... Read more

Six & Twenty Distillery Off to a Running Start in Powdersville
Description:
Six & Twenty Distillery is off to a great start after selling out the first run of its inaugural product, Six & Twenty Blue.    The distillery, in production since its opening in March 2012, has been manufacturing its signature wheat whiskey and barreling product on site.

“We’re excited to see the response to our products,” says Robert Redmond, co-founder of Six & Twenty and its chief marketer. “I don’t know if others in the ... Read more

March with Daniel Morgan
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March back in history 232 years along the same route where General Daniel Morgan gathered his “Flying Army” and planned the great victory at Cowpens. Back then the Americans had many worries and tension as Tarleton’s British army pushed them to either fight or surrender the backcountry of the Carolinas.

On our march, we have fun reliving Morgan’s miracle of ... Read more

Short film festival brings together South Carolina authors and filmmakers
Description:
Now in its 2nd year, the upcoming Expecting Goodness Short Film Festival - to be held on March 23, 2013, in the David Reid Theatre at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg - unites South Carolina's emerging and experienced writers and filmmakers in a ... Read more

Family Fun at The Children's Museum of the Upstate
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Looking for a fun place to take the kids? The Children's Museum of the Upstate is a great hands-on, learn-about-how-things-work kind of place. Children can grocery shop and make healthy food choices, complete with grocery store shelves and a checkout counter or learn how to make a movie using a green screen in the animation studio.

"As the 7th largest Children's museum in the country TCMU is delighted ... Read more

Spotlight on Cowpens
Description:
If you haven’t been to Cowpens, SC, you need to add it to your list of places to visit in 2013! Cowpens is Americana at its best! Located just minutes outside the city limits of Spartanburg, Cowpens is nestled in the mid-eastern section of the county. With about 2,000 people residing in the area, Cowpens is the quintessential small town! With antique shops and locally owned restaurants lining Main Street, one may find themselves falling in love with this charming town.

Stop in for ... Read more

Winter Waterfall Excursion
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Enjoy a stay in a lakeside villa at Devils Fork State Park and a ranger-guided trip to scenic waterfalls and historic sites in the Upcountry of South Carolina.

January 25-27, 2013 at Devils Fork State Park.

Itinerary:

Friday evening – check-in at Devils Fork State Park

Saturday – Visit waterfalls and various historic landmarks in the Upstate including: Read more

Experience the Sights and Sounds of the American Revolution
Description:
To celebrate the 232^nd anniversary of the decisive American victory over the British, Cowpens National Battlefield will host a weekend of special events on January 18 - 20, 2013. Visitors who have attended previous anniversary events will recognize some old favorites in the upcoming event: a smoke-filled encampment of ... Read more

Bicycle friendly communities let the good times roll!
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When it comes to outdoor fun, South Carolina’s sandy beaches, fish-filled rivers and scenic mountains have always taken top billing. But these days, it’s the state’s bike trails that are getting all the recreational raves.

Winding through popular vacation destinations from the Lowcountry to the Upcountry, the ever-expanding network of pathways ... Read more

Two great Upcountry attractions, just steps apart
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Two of the most interesting stops in the South Carolina Upcountry are just a few feet apart.

One shows how man tried to alter nature and was stymied; while the other shows the power of just a small trickle of water.

Stumphouse Tunnel, (864) 638-4343, was started in the 1850s as a railroad tunnel that would serve as a connector between Charleston and the Midwest. The plans went awry during ... Read more

In the Kitchen with Chef Patrick Long
Description:
The Green Room in Greenville, which just celebrated its third birthday, has become known for its TGR meatloaf, a sweet chipotle-glazed meatloaf served with jalapeno macaroni and cheese and creamed green peas.

Chef Patrick Long describes The Green Room as “an upscale comfort food establishment that blends great food in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Read more

UpcountrySC holiday newsletter filled with things to do.
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Holidays are wonderful in the Upountry of South Carolina. Here are some great ideas of things to do with your family and friends from now through the Christmas holidays. There is no reason to be stuck in the house with so much happening in the Upcountry...from ice skating outdoors to unique shopping to easy day trips for great photos.

Click on the link below to read the newsletter. Subscribe ... Read more

Animal Adventure: Mini Miracles Farm in Taylors
Description:
My family has gotten our pumpkins at Mini Miracles Farm in Taylors for years, so on the opening day of their pumpkin patch my daughter and I ventured out in the rain to say hi and see some of the rescue animals that call the farm home.

Joseph Brookshire gave us the grand tour around his family’s working farm. He introduced us to two llamas named Dolly and Gracie and a big Tennessee Fainting goat. He pointed out a ... Read more

No hiking required to reach highest point in the state
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It may be the highest point in South Carolina, but it’s the easiest 3,560-foot peak you’ll ever summit. Sassafras Mountain is just a car ride up a wooded winding road and a short walk from the parking lot.

You won’t sweat a drop getting there, but you’ll reap the rewards worthy of an epic hike. From a wooden platform at the edge of the mountain — technically a few feet shy of the apex ... Read more

Muscadine Wine--The Healthy Choice!
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We grow all our own grapes at Chattooga Belle Farm. We chose to grow muscadine not only because it is a native grape but it is also filled with healthy antioxidants and immune benefits. There are phytochemical compounds found naturally in muscadine grape skins that are extracted during the fermentation process. Muscadine wine is not only delicious but is considered to be approximately 40% healthier than typical wine ... Read more

Art of the Chase
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The Upstate air is a frosty 30 degrees, and today the count for the Tryon Hounds’ hunt is a field of about 30 riders on horseback with 30 yelping hounds. Anita Williamson, the “road whip,” has offered to let us ride in her truck to tail the party once the chase begins—throughout the hunt, she’ll follow the riders’ progress, open fence gates, and watch for any stragglers—canine or equine.
This is one impressive and natty hunt club. Attire of the men and ... Read more

Music in the Upcountry
Description:
You don’t want to miss out on some amazing live music that happens in the Upcountry. Whether you like jazz or bluegrass, rock or even a little ukulele, you’ll find something that will entertain you here. Here’s a list of festivals and events by season that feature live performances by local and regional acts. Learn about nationally renowned musicians that hail from the Upcountry and listen to their music Read more

Sunrise Hike to Table Rock
Description:
When I signed up this month for one of the ranger-guided sunrise hikes offered by Table Rock State Park, I expected to find the forest alive with activity. After all, we were hiking in the dead of night when all those wild nocturnal party animals come out of hiding to wander the woods in search of munchies.

If they were out there, they weren’t raising a ruckus. The only caterwauling we ... Read more

Ice skating rink opening in downtown Greenville
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This holiday season you and your family can ice skate outdoors in the Upcountry.

Ice on Main, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, will be open daily for public skating from Nov. 23 until Jan. 21 at Village Green, in front of the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Greenville.

Starting in the middle ... Read more

Horseback Waterfall Tours
Description:
Horseback Waterfalls Tour offers unique way to enjoy fall colors

Want to change things up this fall on your leaf-peeping trip to the Upcountry? Saddle up for a horseback ride through the mountains.

Offered year-round, this new cowboy adventure takes riders through stunning backcountry terrain from the rugged Jocassee Gorges to the ... Read more

Fall 2012 newsletter
Description:
Heading to see fall color? Our itinerary gives you a good start. Plus we've got a roundup of Oktoberfest activities in the area, a slew of fall festivals and a few more tidbits.

Read the fall newsletter here.

If you subscribe, we'll drop one in your inbox every couple of months so you can stay in the know on ... Read more

Clemson’s Walker Golf Course: Traffic, kickoff times dictate Saturday play
Description:
Golf is always a part of the South Carolina experience, but in the fall it’s college football that dominates the sports scene. Still, most of the state’s football-playing colleges and universities have found ways to combine great golf with great Saturday games and pageantry.

It’s entirely fitting that The Walker Course in Clemson first opened on Oct. 5, 1995 – right in the ... Read more

10 Reasons To Buy A Cheap Southwest Ticket to Greenville, SC. No, Really!
Description:
The word "quaint" is often overused as a descriptor, but for a place like Greenville, South Carolina — a town where the sidewalks of Main Street are scattered with tiny bronze mice from the book Good Night Moon for children to find and the meter maids drive Smart Cars — the term is accurate.

However, Greenville is developing a knockout culinary scene. This is actually not surprising considering Greenville's proximity to other Southern food Meccas like ... Read more

South Carolina Fall Foliage
Description:
South Carolina fall foliage features brilliant hues and spectacular scenery. The changing colors of leaves in autumn is one of nature’s most beloved rites of passage -- and makes for one of the most popular and inexpensive getaways for families. Here are three recommended spots for viewing South Carolina fall foliage.

Table Rock State Park

Table Rock Mountain makes a forceful case for South Carolina that fall foliage is not the exclusive bragging right of ... Read more

Geocaching in State Parks
Description:
Geocaching is a great activity for all ages. Most all of our parks have at least one geocache located on the park. Some of our parks have many geocache locations. To find the coordinates of these caches and for all other information, consult the official geocaching website and type in the name of the park or geocaching locations you are interested in visiting.

So grab your ... Read more

Walk, skate, run or ride on Spartanburg’s Rail Trail
Description:
You might expect a bumpy ride biking on an old railroad bed. But on the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail in Spartanburg, the ballast that once held the train tracks in place has been swapped out for silky smooth asphalt.

This 1.9-mile path is so seamless, you can push a sleeping baby in a stroller and not worry about a jarring ... Read more

Croft State Park offers trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding
Description:
Walking along the rocky shoals of Fairforest Creek in Spartanburg’s Croft State Park, it’s hard to imagine the surrounding woods once exploded with anti-tank rockets, 60-millimeter infantry mortars and anti-aircraft artillery.

The park’s 7,000 acres of rolling, wooded terrain was part of Camp Croft, an Army infantry ... Read more

Come Get Lost at Strawberry Hill!
Description:
As they say at Strawberry Hill USA “HEY Y’ALL, IT’S OFFICIALLY FALL!” If you want to have some fun this fall, you have to visit Strawberry Hill USA.

Beginning September 17th, the Cooley gals’ Wild Wild West Corn Maze will be open for the fall season. Visit and take a ride on the farm hayride, “Get Lost” in the 10-acre corn maze, and then find your perfect pumpkin in the 20-acre pumpkin patch.

The corn maze includes two different mazes; a ... Read more

Apple Season is Here
Description:
With fall right around the corner, that means our orchards are now loaded with apples! What could be better than bringing your family to the farm and enjoying a day of fun picking apples right off the tree? One of Spartanburg County’s most-visited orchards is Nivens Apple Farm and apple-picking season is in full swing there.

To celebrate apple season, Nivens will be holding an Apple Fest on September 29th from 10am-6pm. There will be bluegrass and gospel music, barbeque, an apple recipe ... Read more

2 new films about Gaffney SC
Description:
Stories of our history are around every corner of the Upcountry, stories that deserve to be told in the most dynamic possible way. Film, not only allows us to view these stories but preserve them as well. That is why this past year, Reflection Films has partnered with The Chamber of Commerce of Cherokee County & The City of Gaffney to produce two short films, about the how Gaffney, SC was established.

The first film Plans for a future (10 ... Read more

Let the good times roll with Roller Derby
Description:
Are you looking for an activity that will leave your family screaming in the stands? Take them to see roller derby!

At home, Lorena Collins is a wife and a mother of two with a full-time job, but in the evening, she puts on her roller skates, helmet and protective gear to refine her hip-butting, side-stepping, speed-racing skills as a roller derby girl. When she’s on the track, she’s known as Lorena Block-it, and fans line up to cheer her on.

She says ... Read more

Best State Parks to View Fall Color
Description:
The State Parks located in the Upcountry of South Carolina are ideal for viewing fall foliage, especially those located on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway.

We thought we’d compile a list of best places to view the changing leaves, some traditional and some you might not think of, to help you plan your fall state park vacation most anywhere in the state.

Caesars Head Overlook, Caesars Head State ... Read more

The nearby Red Horse Inn
Description:
A luxurious cottage in the country awaits you just 30 minutes from Greenville. Situated on the highest point of 120 acres just outside of Landrum, The Red Horse Inn offers captivating views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an experience like no other.

“This is a special, almost spiritual place,” says Mary Wolters, who owns The Red Horse Inn with her husband, Roger.

For all this natural, rural beauty, you are hardly required to rough it during your stay.

The ... Read more

Duncan Park offers mountain biking thrills
Description:
Get ready to rumble! Spartanburg’s new mountain biking trail offers stump jumpers plenty of air-catching thrills. And this rock-’em, sock-’em ride is right in the middle of town.

Opened last summer, the six miles of single-track trails wind their way through the woods in the heart of Duncan Park, home to the oldest minor league stadium in the country.

Read more

Underground Guide to Spartanburg is all that and more
Description:
Want to see Spartanburg like a real insider? Pick up the edgy new Underground Guide to Spartanburg, a compilation of the coolest restaurants, nightclubs, shops and art venues in town.

This recently released guide is not your typical tourist publication. In fact, it doesn’t even mention some of the city’s most prominent landmarks. You can find ... Read more

Cooking Classes in Greenville
Description:
Charleston Cooks!, a bustling kitchen retail shop and teaching kitchen at 200 N. Main in Greenville has announced its culinary class line up which includes demonstration and hands on cooking classes.

The store features a model residential kitchen classroom with Thermador appliances and seating for guests. With both demonstration and participation classes, beginners and experts alike delve into an array of deliciousness, from savory sauces to wonderful wines. ... Read more

Life as a Highway
Description:
Historic Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11 is more than a journey—it’s a destination

With strains of the Marshall Tucker Band’s Take the Highway stuck in your head, take the Spartanburg band’s advice and get off the Interstate for the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway, the meandering 112-mile highway that was once used by English and French fur traders and, of course, the ... Read more

Student-made ice cream licks the heat
Description:
Ice cream is nothing new. Parlors, trucks, even gelaterias populate the area. But there is something to be said for nostalgia—and, ironically, nostalgia never grows old.

Clemson University is a destination for ice cream, churning out the icy stuff of summer in addition to its academics and sports programs, and, of course, its blue cheese.

The student-run ice cream program began sometime in the 1920s inside the Dairy Building, which once stood behind Sikes Hall next to the ... Read more

Revolutionary War Sites in the Upcountry
Description:
Independence Day, also known as July 4th, is when we, the citizens of the United States, celebrate our freedom from Great Britain. It was marked by signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and we commemorate the event with parties, parades and fireworks. But did you know that there were more battles and skirmishes fought right here in South Carolina than in any other colony during the Revolutionary War? So to commemorate this, plan a visit to one of these Upcountry ... Read more

Jones Gap grows by 300 acres
Description:
South Carolina’s notorious summer heat and humidity couldn’t stop dozens of donors and members of the South Carolina State Park Service and The Nature Conservancy from coming out to Jones Gap State Park to celebrate a long awaited milestone.

On Friday, June 22, 2012, The Nature Conservancy officially transferred ownership of 300 acres of land in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area to the state park ... Read more

Attention All Football Fans!
Description:
It’s time for kickoff! The Carolina Panthers return to Spartanburg and Wofford College for their 18th annual summer training camp on Saturday, July 28. This is your opportunity to see NFL football up close and personal!

Spartanburg will celebrate with the Panthers Kickoff 2012 Party Saturday, July 28th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium, taking a break for fans to watch the first practice of the season from ... Read more

Sunrise Hike to Table Rock
Description:
When I signed up this month for one of the ranger-guided sunrise hikes offered by Table Rock State Park, I expected to find the forest alive with activity. After all, we were hiking in the dead of night when all those wild nocturnal party animals come out of hiding to wander the woods in search of munchies.

If they were out there, they weren’t raising a ruckus. The only caterwauling we ... Read more

Cotton Owens: NASCAR Legend, Local Hero
Description:
In the road of life there is certain to be a green flag (birth) to a checkered flag (rolling of the hearse). Before NASCAR was America’s number two spectator sport on Sunday afternoons, a bunch of old Moonshiners would build hot rods made for speed. It was the speed that was needed to outrun the police when they were on a run with a cargo full of fresh out-of-the-still moonshine. These machines became such an attraction that contests began of racing to see who had the fastest car. That evolved ... Read more

The Best Peaches in South Carolina
Description:
Bite into a South Carolina peach, and you'll know exactly what summer tastes like.

Kissed by the sun and blessed by nature, this Southern favorite bursts with flavor. Peaches are sweet and juicy, nutritious and delicious. When you sink your teeth into a tree-ripened peach and let the juice trickle down your chin, it's an act of pure pleasure. It feeds the body and soothes the soul.

Contrary to what most people believe, South Carolina produces more peaches than any ... Read more

Some of the best mountain-biking trails in the US are right here in the Upcountry
Description:
With a bevy of options—from high-impact and high-action to low-intensity, beginner-friendly—you can go from road to rugged with ease. With no shortage of experts, enthusiasts, and accessories, mountain biking is hot—and summer is just beginning.

Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina offer some of the best mountain-biking trails anywhere. “Our trails are as good as anything out there,” says Tad Nielson of Sunrift Adventures in ... Read more

Horseback Waterfall Tours offers a different view of the great outdoors
Description:
Of all the ways to see the Upcountry's most rugged and scenic spots, including the area surrounding Jocassee Gorges and the waterfalls of neighboring North Carolina, by horseback has to be one of the most memorable.

Lifelong horseman Rhett Leonard started his business, Horseback Waterfall Tours, less than a year ago, and since then, he’s created a hallmark experience for enjoying some of the most ... Read more

Summer 2012 Newsletter
Description:
There is a lot happening in the Upcountry during the summer. Find out where to see fireworks on the 4th of July, what festivals happen when and the where to find live music. Plus we've got details on moonshine, Shakespeare and The Mighty Moo. Dig ... Read more

All about grits -- at Pendleton's Timms Mill
Description:
Whether you're looking for a chance to see a 200-year-old grist mill in operation or just a peaceful place for a picnic, stop by Timms Mill in Pendleton.

The mill, in South Carolina's Upcountry, first started on the banks of Six and Twenty Creek in 1784. It was moved to a few places along the water and now stands on the spot established in 1898.

Read more

Get ready to meet the Pendletonians
Description:
Some real characters will be coming to life June 2 at the Ashtabula and Woodburn plantation houses in South Carolina's Upcountry.

Meet the Pendletons, a chance to meet people who lived in the Old Pendleton district of South Carolina from 1800 to about 1908, who will mingle with the audience and talk about their lives back in the day.

This year, expect a visit from Manse Jolly from 1865, a man wanted for ... Read more

Upcountry High Schooler racks up 2.5M hits on YouTube
Description:
YouTube captures 48 hours of video every minute, so getting any attention for a homemade cover of LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" -- done on acoustic guitar -- is no small feat. So when Noah Guthrie posted his video last week, he never expected to wake up the next morning with 200,000 hits. In the short time since then, the South Carolina high schooler (who goes by just "Noah" and is from Spartanburg) has racked up more than 2.5 million hits on the song, and he joined TODAY's ... Read more

Chauga Narrows begs the question: Is it a waterfall or whitewater?
Description:
When it comes to waterfalls, size matters. The higher the drop, the more impressive the cascade — or at least that’s the conventional wisdom.

I’m here to challenge that premise. As proof, I offer exhibit A: Chauga Narrows. Spilling a mere 25 feet over a 200-foot run in South Carolina's Upcountry, one might argue this puny waterfall is hardly worth a mention.

But don’t be so quick to judge the Chauga until you’ve heard this baby roar. ... Read more

Community garden growing in Greenville
Description:
A vacant lot behind Funnelicious in Greenville is being transformed into a community garden.

Mike Pennington, owner of Funnelicious, said the small lot wasn’t being used, and he saw it as a way to give back to the community.

Funnelicious, across the street from Read more

I came, I paddled, I conquered.
Description:
I came, I paddled, I conquered. And boy, was it fun!

I participated in my first Tame the Tyger River Race and Festival in Spartanburg. Joining me were 190 other kayakers and canoers eager to run 7.75 miles of this Class I and II whitewater river. It was the biggest turnout since the event started 13 years ago.

I am happy to ... Read more

Short walk to a beautiful waterfall
Description:
You don’t need to hike through rugged mountain terrain to enjoy a great view of Station Cove Falls, a 60-foot cascade near Oconee Station State Historic Site in Walhalla.

The three-quarter mile trail to the falls is easy and pleasurable, passing through a beautiful Appalachian cove forest that becomes a wildflower wonderland in the spring. This time of year, you may see trillium, ... Read more

The Official Storytelling Festival of South Carolina
Description:
Mark your calendar for the official storytelling festival of South Carolina, held each year in Woodruff, SC. We all love a good story. As children, we are read stories before bed time and later as we grow older we begin to create our own stories and share them aloud with others. Storytelling allows our minds to enter another world and get lost in the tale.

The town of Woodruff knows the importance of a good story. Woodruff is a small town of about 5,000 people and is located in Spartanburg ... Read more

Oconee Station takes visitors back to 18th century
Description:
Given its geographic location along the East Coast, it’s hard to imagine South Carolina was once part of America’s Wild West. But in the late 18th century, European settlements were just beginning to expand across the state, making areas like Oconee County the wild frontier.

To protect white settlers from Indian attack, a half dozen military outposts were built in the Upstate as the westernmost defensive points. ... Read more

Hidden Falls is a great hike for the family
Description:
If you’re visiting Oconee State Park this spring, put Hidden Falls Trail on your must-hike list. This easy-to-moderate trail ends at a beautiful cascade in the lush upcountry forest.

Like the Tamassee Knob Trail I wrote about earlier, it starts along the Foothills Access Trail and crosses the Read more

Tamassee Knob Trail takes you through an old growth hardwood forest
Description:
Compared to the 3,533-foot Sassafras Mountain — the highest point in South Carolina — Tamassee Knob is a pipsqueak. But the 1,620-foot peak is impressive all the same, rising abruptly from the Piedmont in the northwest corner of the state.
Read more

Pack up your paddle and try taming the Tyger
Description:
Are your ready to Tame the Tyger? I’m game. New as I am to the sport of whitewater kayaking, I plan to head up to Spartanburg County April 14 (2012) and run that bad boy. (Happens every year in mid-April)

That’s what is so cool about the Tame the Tyger Race & Festival. You can race or float down this classic upcountry Class II whitewater river, which means everyone can get in on the ... Read more

Oconee County is a great destination for a girls’ weekend
Description:
With temperatures warming up this month, it’s a great time to gather up your gal pals for a getaway to the mountains. One of my favorite destinations for a “girls’ weekend” is the scenic Oconee County.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, Oconee boasts three beautiful lakes — Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee — the National Wild & Scenic Chattooga River and more than 25 Read more

Clemson golf coach shares where he likes to play, eat & have fun
Description:
Hometown: Dallas, N.C.

Bio: First-team All-ACC as player in 1980-81; Clemson assistant coach 1982-83, head coach 1983-present; seven-time ACC coach of the year; seven ACC team titles; won NCAA title in 2003. In early March, Penley's 2011-12 Tigers team captured the 15th USC-Aiken Cleveland Golf Intercollegiate at Aiken's Palmetto Golf Club. That gave him his 62nd career win, second in tournament wins by ACC coaches only to former Wake ... Read more

SC Dairy Farm Producing Award-Winning Cheese
Description:
On a recent trip to Greenville, we found ourselves at a fantastic dairy farm that is producing some amazing goat milk, goat cheese, fudge, and yogurt. And we're not kidding (we know....bad pun).

Split Creek Farm in Anderson, South Carolina (about 30 minutes from Greenville) is a labor of love for owners Evin Evans and Patricia Bell. Utilizing their background in animal science and human nutrition, Evin and Patricia ... Read more

The ‘other’ Head Ball Coach--Clemson's Dabo Swinney--on the greens
Description:
There’s a college football coach in South Carolina who’s noted for his passion for golf, for playing as often as he can in the off-season, who challenges his golf-playing football players to take him on – one time each.

Then there’s Clemson’s Dabo ... Read more

Looking for something a little different? Here's the Underground Guide to Spartanburg
Description:
Whether you’re a longtime local, recent transplant or just in town for a few days, The Underground Guide reveals a side of Spartanburg you probably didn’t know existed. The new guidebook, compiled by Hub City Press, reveals “the authentic, gritty, strange, exhilarating and soulful side of Spartanburg.”

From jam nights to bike trails, from obscure eateries to dive bars, this little book has the lowdown on the Hub City’s often-overlooked attractions.

More ... Read more

Grab a dog at Skins'
Description:
Tiger paws and famous hot dogs -- you'll find both in South Carolina's Upcountry, home of Clemson University and Skins' hot dogs.

On a recent trip to Anderson (home of the original Skins' at 203 Hudgens St.), we followed the orange paws and took the short drive over to Clemson to check out ... Read more

Our Spring 2012 newsletter
Description:
Ideas for spring trips, upcoming festivals and the most unique wildflower in the area along with suggestions on things to do in the Upcountry of SC.

Check out our latest newsletter. Click here to read it.

If you like it, subscribe and we'll drop one in your email every couple of months. (We won't share your info and you can unsubscribe at any time.) There is a ... Read more

Travel & Leisure named The Red Horse Inn one of America's Most Romantic Hotels
Description:
Love is always in the air.

Imagine you and your better half cuddling fireside as the sun dips behind the distant mountains.

You don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth (or beloved spots like Paris or the Caribbean) to find that spark-kindling setting. Cozying up in a country bed-and-breakfast has its own appeal. Hillside Victorian cottages with a white picket fence and fairy-tale-like setting draw couples year round to Read more

First Light Upstate: Land of Mountains and Water
Description:
Early daylight is our god.

We are disciples all. We go where the light leads us, and it leads to a crumpled, carved land where the earth flexes rock-hard muscles. Here, in this uplifted land of tangled greenery, early light uplifts the spirit. No place slakes a thirst for wanderlust like these conflicted highlands and their crusade eternal — water versus rock.

Witness the magnificent clash.

In the northwest corner, pilgrims heed the call of early light. Twisting ... Read more

Table Rock fireplace rekindles memories
Description:
Warmed by fond memories and flames dancing in the fireplace at cabin 12 in Table Rock State Park, 106-year-old Thelma Richey reflected on her many visits here.

“It was just a joy to be here,” said Mrs. Richey, of Greenville, who came to the park with her four sons, her daughter and their children for four days at Christmas from 1969 to 1989. The family made day trips to Table Rock in the summer, but Christmas vacations were special. “I thought the sunsets were ... Read more

Poinsett Bridge now has safer access
Description:
Now even handicapped visitors have easy, safe access to the bridge.

A wider-than-normal concrete sidewalk, with curbing and protective metal fencing, extends for a distance equaling 10 car lengths, which provides a full view of the east side, center and west side of the bridge. Waters of Little Gap Creek and the bridge’s 15-foot-high Gothic arch are easily seen from the sidewalk. A number of giant boulders were placed on the bridge side of the road then filled in with dirt to provide a ... Read more

First Look: Dark Corner Distillery
Description:
To get a feel for the history of the Dark Corner, known for its mountainous area of Greenville County's Upcountry and for its moonshine, all you have to do is head to Main Street in downtown Greenville. On the north end you'll find Dark Corner Distillery. It's bringing the long-time illegal drink back to the area and it's gaining in popularity once again.

As you ... Read more

Want to know why Spartanburg is called the Hub City?
Description:
If you have been to Spartanburg, you probably have quickly caught on that Spartanburg is nicknamed the Hub City. With signs welcoming you to the Hub City at the gateways to the community and businesses with the name Hub City Coffee, Hub City Coffee Shop, Hub City Farmers’ Market, it’s hard to miss.

If you want to know how the city got its famous nickname, visit the Hub City Railroad Museum (see there it is again…Hub City).

Spartanburg became the Hub City back in ... Read more

The Ring of the Hammer Beckons
Description:
Griz Hockwalt is an Artist Blacksmith who volunteers as the Blacksmith at Pickens County’s Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center. Every Third Saturday visitors can hear the ring of the hammer on the anvil “calling” them toward the Blacksmith shop. Griz answers questions, demonstrates traditional Blacksmithing techniques, and forges historical style items. He particularly enjoys sharing stories and making those ... Read more

So we went to Spartanburg...
Description:
So we went to Spartanburg (aka Hub City, aka Sparkle City) to sign some books at the Hub City Bookshop and to see if we had missed anything on earlier visits. Sugar-n-Spice restaurant, aka The Spice, has been serving roast beef, burgers and fried chicken livers a-plenty since 1961.

Boy, did we ever miss something.

We started off at Sugar-n-Spice(aka The Spice), a former drive-in restaurant that ... Read more

View from the top of SC
Description:
Sassafras Mountain — South Carolina’s highest peak — just got a new overlook, allowing visitors a safe vantage point to take in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

From the platform, which sits just shy of the 3,560-foot high peak, you can see from Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina down to Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee all the ... Read more

"Round as a ball, sharp as an awl..."
Description:
A favorite riddle in the mountains of Dark Corner for over 100 years went like this:
“Round as a ball, sharp as an awl;
lives in the summer, and dies in the fall.”

The answer? A chestnut burr.

The round, ball-like burrs were covered with hard, spiny and sharp thorns in a mesh that resembled a coarse fabric. They were difficult to gather without the use of gloves. Each burr contained a three-part nut, very unlike those of other native ... Read more

Early pioneer left indelible mark on Dark Corner
Description:
Indian fighter, pioneer, trapper and trader, Gresham Callahan, came to the mountains of the Dark Corner in the very early years of the nineteenth century. He first appeared in the census of 1810.

He settled at the foot of a mountain that bears his name. The modern day roadway that traverses the route of the old State Road passing by his mountain is now aptly named Callahan Mountain Road.
A higher mountain on the opposite side of this roadway is called Old Indian Mountain. There are ... Read more

Head to the Beacon and 'Call it'
Description:
“Caaalll it.”

That’s the sound of the Beacon, one of South Carolina’s most popular restaurants for 65 years. The voice belongs to J.C. Stroble, and that’s his way of asking what you’d like to eat. A Beacon employee for 57 years, he’s the man who makes sure you get exactly what you order. He’s such an institution at this institution that you ... Read more

Trail tips for newcomers to Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
Description:
This time of year, the Upcountry is a popular destination for visitors looking to experience the beautiful fall foliage. If you’re ready to get out of your car and enjoy the show in living color, a great starting point is the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.

Within the 12,000 acres of woodlands are miles and miles of trails to suit every level of experience and fitness. At Caesars Head ... Read more

Fuel up at mountain-top restaurant
Description:
If you visit Caesars Head State Park this fall, be sure to stop at The Mountain House Restaurant next door to the state park’s Visitor Information Center.

Not only is this cool little roadside eatery the “highest’ restaurant in South Carolina, it’s the only one within several miles of Caesars Head.

The historic stone building, built in 1926, originally ... Read more

Make tracks on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
Description:
More than a dozen years after its untimely demise, the ol’ Swamp Rabbit is running through South Carolina's Upcountry once again.

The defunct Carolina, Knoxville and Western Railway — humorously nicknamed after a wetlands version of the cottontail — has been replaced by a paved trail running from Travelers Rest to Greenville. Runners, ... Read more

The story behind the town of Fountain Inn
Description:
In addition to an enormous amount of natural beauty, the Greenville County city of Fountain Inn boasts, understandably, about its two most famous native sons -- syndicated columnist Robert Quillen of the Fountain Inn Tribune, who chronicled village life, and Read more

Fall Leaf Report
Description:
If you want outstanding fall color in South Carolina, you have to head to the Upcountry.

What’s happening with the color of the trees? ”Decreasing amounts of daylight and lower temperatures will continue to slowly usher the foliage towards its brilliant peak around the end of October," says Scott Stegenga, a South Carolina Park's Interpretive Ranger. " A few tulip poplars here and there have begun to show some yellow and the reds of the ... Read more

Romance Reigns at The Red Horse Inn
Description:
There’s nothing like a restful getaway to help restore your soul, your senses, and, of course, your sanity. And that’s just what the stunning Red Horse Inn in Landrum, South Carolina was designed to do. With sweeping mountain views, pastoral vistas, and the peacefulness of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Red Horse Inn is a perfect romantic retreat to celebrate and renew. And with accolades from top reviewers and ... Read more

The Big Picture in Greenville, SC
Description:
Say you marry your first boyfriend. You know about boys before that, the way you know about internal combustion engines: You can recognize one when you see it, and you have expectations it will take you somewhere. A boy ought to spin you around, buy you dinner, bring you flowers every once in a while. Say you meet a boy, and he does all that, and you go ahead and get married. You’re young. It’s not like you can say you know what you’re doing, but nobody’s going to tell you ... Read more

Hot Spots of Greenville
Description:
Indoors and out, by foot or by bike, Greenville is full of surprises

Eat
American Grocery Restaurant Ditching big-city careers in Hollywood and the Big Apple, Joe and Darlene Clarke returned home to South Carolina to open this cozy restaurant, where Joe helms the kitchen and Darlene runs the wine program. The menu changes weekly (even daily), depending on what the ... Read more

S.C. Waterfalls: Your guide to the 10 most spectacular shows around
Description:
After hiking half-way up a mountain, through sylvan thicket and over winding creek, there’s no better payoff than a spectacular waterfall. South Carolina’s Upcountry is full of these scenic wonders — and not all of them require a rigorous trek through the woods to view.

I’m going to tell you about my 10 favorite falls. Most of them can be reached by trail with only moderate effort. One is best seen by boat, another by raft. While the cascades range from a modest 50 ... Read more

Challenge: Can you eat on $40 a day vacationing in Greenville?
Description:
Food Insider Gwen Fowler took that challenge.

Greenville has so much to offer visitors. The vibrant downtown is chock full of interesting shops and boutiques, and a number of hotels offer fine lodging. Falls Park, with its Liberty Bridge to carry pedestrians across the falls of the Reedy River, is an oasis in the city.

And then there are the ... Read more

Up in the Hills
Description:
“Travel writing is something you do for the money, not a lot of money, but the working conditions can be pleasant,” wrote James Salter. He’s right. It’s not about money. It’s about adventure. You travel to wonderful places and meet interesting people. Along the way you pick up a little pay and often some expenses are covered as well.

I consider a travel assignment a subsidized vacation but it’s far more than that. It’s a chance to see how other people ... Read more

Heading to see fall color? Our itinerary gives you a good start.
Description:

You know it’s fall when a) the dog isn’t the only one who wants to ride in the car with the windows rolled down; b) warm apple pie tops your favorite dessert list; or c) you’re feeling like a road trip.

Answer: All of the above.

Time to gather up the family and take to the mountains for that annual rite of autumn — leaf gawking. South Carolina’s Upcountry is getting ready to cut loose with color as fall’s ... Read more

A Short History of Apples in Oconee County
Description:
Ask people in Upcountry South Carolina where they go in the fall to pick up fresh apples, and more than likely most of them will not mention South Carolina. Though fruit stands selling apples can be found in abundance along the highways of the foothills, many drivers barrel past them on their way to North Carolina.

It wasn’t always like this. At one time, many apple growers in the Upstate—in Oconee County, for example—belonged to a co-op, and the South Carolina Apple ... Read more

Grinding corn at Hagood Mill - A Family Affair
Description:
Every Third Saturday at the Mill Reed Severance, his wife Sandy, daughter Leah, and Ethan dress in period clothing and all help in the milling process at Pickens County’s Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center. Reed, the miller, is a mechanical engineer by trade. He, along with his 11 year old son Ethan, and fellow miller, Bob Martin, can be found every Third Saturday at the 19th century ... Read more

Strap on Your Seatbelt for the Experience of a Lifetime!
Description:
Spartanburg is home to one of the premier automobile manufacturers in the world since 1995, and now there are four extraordinary opportunities, one ultimate experience! The Ultimate BMW Experience, giving visitors access to go behind the scenes and behind the wheel at the one and only home of BMW in North America.

BMW’s Plant in Spartanburg is the only manufacturing facility in the world where you can see the inner workings of an automobile manufacturing plant. See all ... Read more

Burgers and Brews in the Hub City
Description:
If you love a good burger, then Spartanburg (nicknamed the Hub City) is the place for you. Ask a local where the best burger in the area is and you are bound to get a different answer from everyone you ask.

The Food Network Magazine named the Nu-Way’s “Redneck Cheeseburger” the best burger in the state of South Carolina. Picture a thick, juicy burger grilled to ... Read more

Farmhouse Comfort & Places to Play
Description:
by Jeff Samsel

Nothing says “welcome” like cookies baked fresh for you, and 14-year-old Madison Pierce had baked our welcome cookies to perfection. Madison’s family operates Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast in Salem, and my wife and I were checking in for an anniversary visit.

Situated on a 10-acre Upcountry farm, Sunrise Farm has much to boast: a traditional farmhouse, two unique cottages, attention to ... Read more

Local Slow Food Market named first Earth Market in US
Description:
Slow Food Upstate’s farmers market in Greenville has been named the first Earth Market in the United States.

The market was first held in May and will continue on the third Thursday of each month through October. Holiday markets will be held in November and December.

About 20 markets in the world have been ... Read more

S.C. restaurants lauded in Garden & Gun
Description:
The August/September issue of Garden & Gun magazine sings the praises of several Greenville people and places.

Garden & Gun mentions lots to love about Greenville, especially American Grocery Restaurant, where Chef Joe Clarke changes the menu almost ... Read more

Weddings in the Upcountry
Description:
If there is one thing we can say for certain, it is that there are plenty of options for a wedding in the Upcountry of South Carolina. Whether you want an outdoor wedding with just a handful of people or you need a block of rooms and a reception area for 500, you’ll have choices here.

Some of the unique outdoor settings in the area for your ceremony or pictures are:
Hatcher Garden & Woodland ... Read more

Jones Gap Expansion Succeeds
Description:
You can’t plan a hike yet on the 600 acres that’s being added to Jones Gap State Park. It might be late 2012 before park-goers can begin to explore the natural treasures included in the 600 acres north and east of the existing 3,346-acres of rugged parkland. Despite the delayed gratification, it’s still a wonder that the S.C. State Park System, with the help of Naturaland Trust, The Nature Conservancy and ... Read more

Outdoor Leadership School Opens Challenge Course
Description:
Glendale Outdoor Leadership School has a newly constructed Low Challenge Course. It is a series of problem-solving experiences that physically engage teams to develop and execute a plan. The challenges include a variety of low elements and group initiatives. Each challenge draws on every team member's contributions—their ideas, their support, and their efforts. The course provides a challenge for successful team performances, and triggers learning that is transferable to ... Read more

Big flavors in a small Southern town
Description:
In less than 25 years, the Greenville, South Carolina dining scene has gone from downtrodden to sparkling. Nationally recognized revitalization efforts have brought Main Street and environs back from the dead, with weekly summer concerts, a 32-acre park in the middle of town, superb shopping, and riverfront dining.

One of the most obvious differences in today's Greenville is the vibrant restaurant scene. There has been a complete shift from fast-food fixes to a large number of ... Read more

Spartanburg Has First Bike Sharing System in the Southeast
Description:
Spartanburg B-cycle includes 14 B-cycles and 2 B-stations to help folks get around downtown. People can walk up, swipe their credit card and pick a bicycle from the rack. They can rent the bike by the day or get a membership for a month or a year.

The goal is for more people to use bicycles for short trips, reducing the number of brief vehicle trips, said Lee Jones, director of sales for Bcycle. After their ride, people can return the bicycle to any rental ... Read more

Summer 2011 Newsletter
Description:
Celebrating July 4th in the Upcountry? We've got a whole lot of suggestions! Some have a historical and educational angle and some are just pure fun filled with bands, games and fireworks. Take your pick and join the celebration!

Plus you'll find the run-down on summer activities all over the Upcountry-from museums to concerts to sports.

Click on the link below to read our Summer ... Read more

Learn to climb, kayak, mountain bike and more at GOLS
Description:
Ready to get off the couch and into a new recreational sport? Check out the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School (GOLS), a one-stop learning center for some of today’s most popular outdoor activities.

Located just east of Spartanburg, Glendale sits on a ridge above the shoals of the Pacolet River’s Lawson’s Fork, providing a great venue to learn ... Read more

Welcome to Sunrise Farm
Description:
There's nothing quite like a plate of freshly baked cookies to make you feel welcome, and 14-year-old Madison had baked our cookies to perfection. Madison's family operates Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast in Salem, SC, and my wife and I were checking in for an anniversary stay.

Situated on a 10-acre farm in the South Carolina Upcountry -- very handy to much of the state's most spectacular scenery -- Sunrise Farm has much ... Read more

Cycle Cities
Description:
Thanks to its year-round mild climate and diverse terrain, the Upcountry is a hub for South Carolina’s cycling community.

The USA Cycling Pro Championships are held here every year (end of May), and several cycling companies are based in the region including Legacy E-Ride (electric bike manufacturer), Read more

If you’re bored here, you’re not looking hard enough!
Description:
Fun is never far away in the Upcountry. Whether your idea of a good time is catching a Broadway show or a foul ball, the region has got you covered.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many things there are to do within an hour of anywhere in the Upcountry,” says Diane Wilson, director of information services for the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Biking up a mountainside, browsing Italian ... Read more

Chapel perched on 'Pretty Place' has breathtaking views
Description:
I have real gem for you in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. “Pretty Place” is a fair piece off the main mountain roads of U.S. 276 and S.C. 11, but worth the drive.

Part of the 1,600-acre YMCA Camp Greenville, this sweet spot is located on the South Carolina/North Carolina border atop Standing Stone Mountain. It is officially known as the Fred W. Symmes Chapel, but in the South Carolina Upcountry, everybody calls it by its appropriately dubbed nickname — ... Read more

Peach and Berry Stands in Western and Upstate South Carolina
Description:
Spring and summer deliver delicious fruit to the Upcountry.

We've put together a brochure that lists farms, farmer's markets, roadside stands and even a few recipes.

If you are looking for peaches, strawberries, black or blue berries, look no further. Whether you want to pick your own or just pick up a few baskets, you'll find it here.

Click on the link ... Read more

Foxfire cabins offer respite in Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
Description:
You could easily spend a week in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area hiking the extensive network of trails that connect Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. But you’ll need to stay in backcountry campsites with no water or bathroom facilities. Campgrounds are not available at either of these parks.
Read more

You have to be a fast learner to keep up with all the colleges in the Upcountry
Description:
Home to the nation’s first Ph.D. program in automotive engineering and one of the largest collections of religious art, the Upcountry’s 23 colleges and universities (serving some 80,000 students) have a well-earned reputation for quality and ingenuity in the classroom and beyond.

As the town-and-gown relationships between these schools and the Upcountry continue to thrive, students aren’t the only ones reaping the rewards. In addition to feeding local businesses with a ... Read more

Where to stay? Choose from hotels in the heart of it all, or away from it all.
Description:
When it comes time to book a hotel in the Upcountry, you’ve got plenty of choices. Downtown Greenville properties feature luxurious accents, and the location can’t be beat—everything is within walking distance. Throughout the area, business travelers can find a variety of full-service hotels that provide all the comforts of home and then some. And if you’re looking for a place with lots of personality, check into one of the region’s inns. The hard part is checking ... Read more

Innovators, educators, and international flair create a diverse economy in the Upcountry
Description:
The world is in hot pursuit of greener, safer, and more efficient ways to get from here to there. But in the midst of this amazing race, an unlikely competitor has emerged. Quietly, steadily—much like one of the hybrid vehicles being pioneered in the Upcountry—this Appalachian foothills community is winning the innovation race, in the automotive industry and beyond.

The Upcountry is fueled by automotive production and research—even the local minor-league ... Read more

It’s easy to find your place in the Upcountry
Description:
If friendly people, an affordable cost of living, big-city benefits, and unbounded natural beauty epitomize an ideal quality of life, then the Upcountry justifiably ranks among the country’s top places to be. Living is indeed easy here, and there’s a lifestyle to suit every taste.

Condominiums in downtown Greenville define convenience by putting residents within walking distance of the city’s showpiece, Falls ... Read more

7 side-trips off Hwy 11
Description:
One of the best ways to see the Upcountry is to hit the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC11). 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. You can do the drive in about four hours and there is plenty to see along the way, but we’ve lined up seven side-trips for you ... Read more

Check out some of S.C.'s best hiking trails
Description:
Some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina are located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, 11,000 acres of pristine woodlands on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the S.C. Upcountry.

Jones Gap State Park, the northernmost property in the state park system, provides access to this forested wonderland and a 50-mile ... Read more

Fishing Lake Jocassee
Description:
When the end downrigger rod popped up and then slammed back down with gusto, Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters was pretty sure the sort of fish we were seeking was at the other end of the line. Several intense minutes later, the flashing silver sides of a big rainbow confirmed what we both hoped, and then Jones slipped the net beneath a 21-inch, 5-pound trout.

South Carolina's Lake Jocassee has been one of my favorite places to fish since the late 1980s. The steep and rugged ... Read more

Distillery to create legal moonshine in downtown Greenville
Description:
The Dark Corner Distillery arrives this summer on North Main Street, only the third distillery in the state, with plans to brew legal moonshine.

The history of the Dark Corner area of Greenville County is a combination of fact and fable, of tall tales and truth that are mixed and mashed, percolated and filtered through time. In a way, it’s a lot like moonshine. Both the drink and the area have a lot of bite. The Dark Corner’s history is steeped in moonshine, ... Read more

What makes the Upcountry of South Carolina so special?
Description:
That depends on whom you ask, but one thing is certain: The counties that compose this region hold surprises at every turn. From the arts scene in downtown Greenville to the recreational wonderland in the Blue Ridge foothills, there’s a cultural and natural richness that’s hard to beat.

Snuggled against the broad shoulders of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 6,026-square-mile triangle that defines the northwest corner of South Carolina is home to more than 1 million people. As the ... Read more

Picture-perfect Greenville, S.C.
Description:
I take a lot of photos when I travel. My digital camera can capture hundreds on each trip. But the most indelible images from my recent visit to Greenville, S.C., are the ones impressed on my mind’s eye.

Picture-perfect vignettes seemed to compose themselves before me everywhere I looked: A young woman playfully waltzing in the fading afternoon sun inside an old riverside factory. Three tykes in matching pastel green outfits posing for the camera in a garden. Two chess players ... Read more

Spartanburg, S.C., savors its Colonial-era past and its BMW present
Description:
"What brings you to Spartanburg?"

I heard the question more times than I could count during my 2 1/2 -day stay in the unconditionally friendly city in South Carolina's upcountry. It was a natural query, falling somewhere between small talk and the genuine interest many of the people I came across seemed to take in me.

My standard answer was a variation of "I wanted to go somewhere I'd never been before." It was true.

As a writer ... Read more

Palmetto Trail star of photo contest
Description:
Brooke Gowder enjoys all there is to hear and see about the dawn of spring. “The flowers blooming, the birds chirping and the eggs hatching” are all things the Oak Grove Elementary first-grader sums up when pondering the early days of the season. It was during a recent nature walk with her father, Paul Gowder, when the 6-year-old caught a glimpse of a bridge between near Peak and Prosperity and decided to capture it on camera.

That photo is among the many ... Read more

Greenville History & Culinary Tours
Description:
Greenville History Tours acquaints locals and visitors alike with the city's hidden historical and culinary gems during a variety of small-group excursions.

You might want to wear a pair of expandable-waist pants when you take off on the three-hour At the Chef's Table Tour, offered on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. During the course of three hours, tour-takers will partake in the eating ... Read more

Discover underwater worlds with scuba in Lake Jocassee
Description:
When it comes to playing in the water, I’m game for just about anything—sailing, surfing, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding….

But “under” water — now that’s a different story. I’ve watched enough Shark Week videos to be leery of what lies beneath. Still, there is that inexorable lure of the last frontier, the mysterious aqua netherworld that covers three-quarters of the Earth.

For us oxygen-needy land ... Read more

Native Rivercane Restoration Project
Description:
A native rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) restoration project, lead by Naturalist, Joe Townsend, is now under way at the Historic Hagood Mill and Folklife Center in Pickens County.

Once an important part of the Southeastern ecosystem, canebrakes (cane thickets) have mostly disappeared from the landscape due to agricultural practices and livestock grazing. All that remains of once extensive canebrakes are remnant patches of cane that cling ... Read more

Our newsletter for Spring 2011
Description:
Here is our latest newsletter--info on spring events, details on a new website highlighting Scenic Highway 11 and tons of ideas for road trips. If you like it, we'd be happy to drop one in your email every couple of months. There is a subscribe button at the very bottom of the newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time and we won't share your info). Hope you enjoy ... Read more

Scenic Highway Winds Through SC's History
Description:
BY PAMELA SELBERT

The previous day's late-afternoon squall had cooled the air, and though the intense heat would return — this was the Deep South in July — early morning along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway in South Carolina's "Upcountry" was mild and pleasant under a robin's egg sky.

The drive runs along the 110 miles of State Highway 11, through the foothills of the Blue ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Klickety-Klack Bridge
Description:
By Dean Campbell, the Squire of Dark Corner. This is from a series that appears in the News Leader newspaper in Landrum, SC chronicling the culture and history of "the Dark Corner of SC."

A surprising sight suddenly greets motorists as they travel west on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (Read more

New Harmonies GETS INTO GAFFNEY first!
Description:
The City of Gaffney, in cooperation with The Humanities Council of South Carolina will explore the many aspects of America’s roots music as it hosts the local showing of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. New Harmonies will make its first stop in Gaffney, and will be on view beginning April 9, 2011 and continuing through May 29, 2011.

When you stop and listen, you quickly ... Read more

“Singin’ Billy” Walker and Carlisle Floyd inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame
Description:
On March 28, 2011, William "Singin' Billy" Walker was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in Myrtle Beach. Each year, two distinguished South Carolinians, one living and one deceased, are singled out for this honor. Walker (1809-1875) is also featured on the new downtown Spartanburg Music Trail.

Walker put the words and music ... Read more

Klickety-Klack Bridge
Description:
A surprising sight suddenly greets motorists as they travel west on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC 11) just 2.3 miles from its junction with SC 14 in the heart of Gowensville.

On the north side of the byway—at the entrance to Look Away Farm—stands a magnificent, 21st Century, covered bridge just off the roadway’s shoulder. It is known as the Klickety-Klack Covered Bridge.

This unique, open-sided, modern covered bridge was built as a gift to ... Read more

Video tour of Mushroom Mountain
Description:
Tradd Cotter of Liberty, SC grows mushrooms at his Mushroom Mountain business. Cotter, a microbiology student at Clemson University is getting ready to write a book between studies and speaking engagements.

This part-farmer, part-scientist has learned how to pick mushrooms, how to identify them in the wild, how to grow them on everything from logs to denim jeans. Now he’s learning how different kinds of mushrooms can be used to clean up oil, to act as insecticides, and break down the ... Read more

BMW Documentary on the Future of Mobility
Description:
“Wherever You Want To Go” is the first release under BMW Documentaries—a new franchise dedicated to crafting original, thought-provoking and entertaining content. The film aims to take audiences to a place they’ve truly never been: the future. From the minds of some of the most influential scientists, academics, pioneers, and entrepreneurs of our time, this four-part documentary paints a unique picture of technology, culture, cities, our past, present and how it all relates to ... Read more

Cycling championships adds events
Description:
A new addition this year, cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite riders during the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships. The event rolls into Greenville for the sixth consecutive year and moves to Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, 2011.

Presenting by TD Bank on May 28, the Main Street event will feature live entertainment, and several of the top teams and riders will display their team cars and be available for autographs ... Read more

Spartanburg's Music Trail
Description:
The Trail celebrates contributions of local musicians to the national and international music scene.

Spartanburg’s musical heritage did not start or stop with the Marshall Tucker Band.

While the band is arguably the headliner of the influential musical acts to come from Spartanburg, it is by far not the only one that has gone on to national or international prominence.

“Spartanburg may have more musical talent per capita than ... Read more

Small Towns of the South
Description:
We’ve picked a handful of small towns and cities to highlight, because let’s face it, bigger ain’t always better. If you are looking for a true Southern experience there is no better place than a small town. You’ll find friendly folks, unique places and just maybe, discover the secrets of Southern hospitality.

Gaffney was founded on historic crossroads by Michael Gaffney, an Irish immigrant, in 1804. Visit his restored log ... Read more

Water, Water, Everywhere
Description:
     The Upcountry of South Carolina is filled with rivers and streams. The Broad, Enoree, Pacolet, Reedy and Saluda are among the major rivers that originate in or near the Upcountry. Whether you’re looking for a secluded stream to pull out a prized trout or you are seeking heart-pounding thrills in whitewater or a scenic canoe float, you’ll find it here. We’ve put together an overview of the major waterways in the area and the recreational ... Read more

Aunt Sue's is a great stop after an outdoor workout
Description:
After burning a couple thousand calories hiking in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, I’m always up for a well-deserved treat. One of my favorite places to relax and refuel is Aunt Sue's Country Corner in Pickens.

Just off the Read more

Raven Cliff Falls is a great trail with a big payoff
Description:
If you’re going to hike just one trail at Caesars Head State Park, it has to be Raven Cliff Falls, a four-mile trek through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area with a big watery payoff at the end.

Classified as “moderately strenuous,” this up-and-back trail is perfect for ... Read more

Trout stocked by helicopter
Description:
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources stockes rainbow and brown trout using a helicopter and a specialized lift bucket.

Helicopter stocking allows the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to better distribute trout up and down the river systems and prevents the concentration of fish in any particular area. Trout came from Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County. The Saluda River, near Columbia, is unique because its ... Read more

Spartanburg Sets Up Charging Stations for Electric Cars
Description:
The City of Spartanburg has announced the installation of charging stations in downtown parking decks.

Funded entirely through a federal grant partnering with “Plug in Carolina,” Spartanburg was selected as one of six cities in the state of South Carolina to receive funding. A total of eight, level II charging stations are installed in the St. John Street, Dunbar, Kennedy, and Magnolia parking ... Read more

Grab a brew made in the Upcountry
Description:
Local brewery gives tours, tastings and refreshment to football fans.

Gov. Mark Sanford was in Spartanburg in July, 2010 to publicly sign the brewery tasting/direct sales bill at RJ Rockers. Breweries can now sell a limited amount of beer to customers following a tour. Until the new law, beer — unlike wine — could only be sold in retail stores via a wholesaler. Those in the industry say the direct, one-on-one contact with customers is priceless.

Now once a ... Read more

Two Kinds of Plant Tours in South Carolina's Upcountry
Description:
By Tom Adkinson

Less than 20 miles apart from each other in South Carolina's Upcountry are two visitor attractions that may seem polar opposites, but they could appeal to the same person on the same day with two quite different plant tours.

One is a cacophonous manufacturing facility – 55 acres under one roof populated by 7,000 employees, 383 robots and seemingly endless conveyors – and the other is a quiet garden, a 10-acre retreat from a noisy world.
Read more

Hub City Press releases new book about outdoor adventures in the Upcountry
Description:
The South Carolina Upcountry is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. From the piedmont to the foothills, nature lovers and sportsmen alike discover adventure among pristine streams and waterfalls, winding trails and hardwood forests, and the region’s best-kept secret: its state parks.

Outdoor Adventures in the Upcountry is a collection of true stories about hunting, fishing, paddling, and other recreational pursuits by the area’s best nature and ... Read more

Field trip to BMW's only North American facility
Description:
We went to BMW's facilities in Greer, SC for the Ultimate BMW Experience.

For just $99 you'll spend four hours getting to know BMWs inside and out. You'll start with a tour of their museum, the Zentrum, then you'll have a guided tour of their only US plant. The day concludes on the track. Put the X series through its paces on the off-road course and then test drive four ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Jail escape undetected due to lack of a whisker
Description:
by Dean Campbell, the Squire of Dark Corner. This is from a series that appears in the Tryon Daily Bulletin chronicling the culture and history of "the Dark Corner of SC."

Little Bill Howard was not the son of Big Bill; he was a cousin. He was given the nickname because of his small, but stout, frame that made him stand out from Big ... Read more

Geotrail Trail Explores Spartanburg County Heritage
Description:
Spartanburg Parks Commission’s LEAF Outdoor Recreation and Upstate South Carolina Geocachers Association (USCGA) have partnered to bring the first geotrail to the Upcountry.

The Heritage Geotrail is a series of geocaches that will take participants on a historical tour of Spartanburg County. Participants will visit various locations that are significant to the heritage of the county. Each registered geocacher that finds 16 of the 20 caches, logs his or her finds at Read more

Hollywild Animal Park has welcomed a bouncing baby…tiger!
Description:

“Kashmir” was born on May 2, 2010 to the park’s tigress, “Liv,” a longtime park resident. At birth, Kashmir developed digestive trouble. Liv couldn’t feed him and quickly started nudging him toward her keepers, asking for help. In the wild, Kashmir would not have survived. Not so at Hollywild. The keepers worked with area veterinarians to identify and treat Kashmir’s digestive problems and now he’s making his first public ... Read more

New Magazine Explores the Edible Upcountry
Description:
"Who are the farmers and ranchers stewarding the land and tending the vegetables, fruit and animals which find their way onto our dinner plates? Who are the artisans, chefs and business owners carefully, thoughtfully crafting food and drink for our enjoyment and nourishment? Who are the leading minds in local and regional academia, in government and non-profit organizations spending their days furthering a vision and reality for a healthy, sustainable food system?

The ... Read more

Visit 3 Centuries of Bridges in 90 Minutes
Description:

In 90 minutes or less, you can visit the early 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries through four bridges (and a restored grist mill).

The oldest bridge in South Carolina, Poinsett's Bridge, was built in 1820 and named after Joel R. Poinsett, who among other things introduced to the U.S. the plant that now carries his name.

Campbell's Covered Bridge was built in 1909 and is the oldest covered bridge in the State.

Ballenger's Mill & Covered Bridge is a ... Read more

Field trip to the Children's Museum of the Upstate
Description:
We recently took a field trip to the Museum and had a great time. See a one minute video of our trip here. We had planned to spend several hours there, but before we knew it four hours had passed! Luckily there is nice cafe in the lower level that made the kids and adults much happier. We could have easily spent another couple of hours there doing EVERYTHING, which is what the kids wanted. But that is what second trips are for. We’ll be ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Madstones
Description:
Superstition has played a major role in folklore throughout the centuries, particularly in the expulsion of poisons, home remedies and old wives tales. Perhaps the top superstition for Dark Corner residents was the curative power of madstones, which had their beginnings in the Middle Ages. In those early days, they were called bezoars and their magical powers were thought to cure ... Read more

Shed Some Light Into The Dark Corner
Description:
For more than 200 years the Dark Corner of Upper Greenville County has remained South Carolina's most elusive and notorious district, until now. Join Anne McCuen, Dean Campbell, Mann Batson and many others in the Dark Corner for an exclusive odyssey beginning with the Archaic Indians, up through the ages to the Moonshinning era and beyond.

This independent film is a journey through the elusive history of the area known as the Dark Corner. An area once defined by murders, ... Read more

Visit the home of trout in the Upcountry
Description:

Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, built by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps in the '30's, raises brown, brook and rainbow trout for stocking the public waters of South Carolina. Most of the trout are raised to a catchable size of 9-12" before they are released. Fingerling trout are also produced to enhance the trout fishery. Approximately 500,000 trout are produced and stocked annually by the Hatchery. Very large trout (5-15 pounds) ... Read more

SC Botanical Garden opens new garden focusing on Cherokee Indians
Description:
Cherokee Worldview Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden by Karen Hall

On June 19th, 2010, the Cherokee Worldview Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden was opened to the public. Less than a mile from the last known location of the Cherokee town of Esseneca, it acknowledges the first human beings to inhabit the land that the Botanical Garden now stewards.

Meant to focus on ‘worldview’, the garden is not just a ... Read more

South Carolina Grist Mills & their History
Description:
Grist mills were an important part of everyday life in South Carolina during 18th and 19th centuries. Corn and wheat were ground by hand before the invention of grist mills.

Grist mills were named for grist meaning grain and a mill being something which grinds. They look like complicated machines, but they really work on simple principles. Each part must be kept in perfect working condition for the mill to operate properly.

Mills were built on fast moving river streams so ... Read more

Video Tour of Local Hot Spots
Description:
Looking for something to do in the area? Better Carolinas reporter Allison Lee was, so she grabbed her camera man and hit the road. Below are links to short videos highlighting daytrips and activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Aunt Sue's Country Corner: Table Rock State Park, snake wrangling, country store with wood carving, custom glass and metal work, gift shop and ... Read more

Hub City opens Railroad Museum
Description:
A Charleston newspaper writer referred to Spartanburg as a "hub" in the 1880s, but the actual nickname didn't come until years later, when so many trains stopped here or passed through.

Research indicates a large number of trains went through the area during the peak of the railroad system in the 1910s. Since that time, the city has worn the tag "Hub City" like a badge of honor. Local stores and groups have made it part of their official name.

Read more

S.C. Launches Statewide State Parks Recycling Program
Description:
The South Carolina State Park Service will become the first state park system in the country to offer recycling services for paper, plastic, aluminum and glass commodities at all its parks.

Participating with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) in the Recycling at the Park program are the S.C. Department of Health & Environmental ... Read more

Waterfalls of the Upcountry
Description:
Is it the sound and the beauty of the falling water or the scent and the feel of cool, clean mountain air that makes the senses come alive?

Whatever the reason, the waterfalls of the Upcountry are a treat for the soul and are some of the most beautiful in the southeast. More than thirty publicly accessible falls pepper the Upcountry with names like Issaqueena, Moonshine, Rainbow, Cheohee, Secret, Wildcat, Spoonauger, Miuka, Licklog and Pigpen that summon the rich heritage of ... Read more