If you’d like to take a vacation but can’t take time off of work, a weekend trip in upstate South Carolina can offer a much-needed getaway. The upcountry region is home to historic towns with old-fashioned main streets filled with shopping and dining opportunities; scenic natural areas with lakes, rivers and rolling hills perfect for walks or hikes; and cultural attractions such as museums and art centers. A stay in a country inn or bed and breakfast can complete your upcountry weekend experience.
The town of Greenville offers a variety of activities to fill your weekend. Spend a few hours walking through Falls Park. Located in downtown Greenville, the park features a series of “garden rooms” designed to capture the colors of each season and showcase native and ornamental species. Stroll along the 355-foot Liberty Bridge, a suspended walkway over the Reedy River waterfalls. Stay at Greenville’s Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast, set in the heart of the Pettigru Historic District. Guests receive a glass of wine and cheese board upon arrival, a full gourmet breakfast in the morning and use of the inn’s English gardens. Rooms offer private bathrooms, ceiling fans, free Internet access and cable television. The inn is within walking distance of downtown Greenville shopping, museums, art galleries and more than 60 restaurants.
Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast
302 Pettigru Street
Greenville, SC 29601
864-242-4529
pettigruplace.com
Head to Rock Hill and spend a weekend enjoying South Carolina culture and scenery. Spend an afternoon experiencing the history and culture of the area at the downtown Gettys Art Center, home to a working pottery studio, fine art galleries and artists’ studios. Learn about the region’s indigenous peoples at the Catawba Cultural Center. Housed in an old schoolhouse, the center offers exhibits, artifacts and pottery. The next day, get back to nature in the Anne Springs Close Greenway, a forested 2,300 acre park. The greenway offers trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding; a nature center; historic cabins; an interpretive site; and a gift shop.
Gettys Art Center
201 E. Main Street
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-328-2787
Catawba Cultural Center
1536 Tom Steven Road
Rock Hill, SC
803 328-2427
catawbaindian.net
Golf enthusiasts will enjoy a weekend in the town of Salem, home to the Cliffs Communities’ eight golf courses. Designed by golf celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Fazio, the courses offer challenging play and scenic shots. While in Salem, stay at the Three Pines View Lodge, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. All rooms offer mountain views, wine coolers, refrigerators, porches, flat screen televisions and DVD players. Gourmet breakfast is included with your stay.
Three Pines View Lodge
151 Shack Hollow Rd.
Salem, SC 29676
864-280-0482
threepinesview.com
