The Upcountry Uncovered

South Carolina’s Foothill Region is Worth Visiting This Fall

By Denise K James

For those of us who reside in the Lowcountry, smaller coastal towns such as McClellanville or Bluffton are already well-traveled and loved for their off-the-beaten-path charm and quirky businesses. But what about the towns and communities of South Carolina’s upcountry? We love Greenville just as much as the next person, but there’s a treasure trove of cool towns just waiting to be explored from a variety of angles – shopping and attractions, delicious, local cuisine, and even surprisingly luxurious lodging.

“It’s not all about the food for these towns – but the food is definitely part of the equation,” comments Tim Todd, director of the Discover Upcountry Carolina Association.

“What I’ve observed about the surrounding food scene is that it’s starting to grow,” adds Brooke Carman, better known as The Pickens Foodie. “Greenville is thriving because of the influx of people moving there, and some of those people are opening restaurants, which is making the community more diverse. I see that Pickens has grown a lot as Greenville grows.”

Both Todd and Carman are confident Southern Flavor Magazine readers will love their next trip into the foothills of the state; each town has its own distinct flavor, and many offer walkable, quaint town centers, not to mention great scenery and interesting stops along the way.

To help you make a plan, we’ve curated five towns and a few attractions well worth a visit – but consider this a loose itinerary, as you’re sure to find your own adventures beckoning.

Equestrian fans will not want to skip over Landrum, South Carolina, tucked between Asheville and Spartanburg. An overnight stay at The Red Horse Inn is “amazing,” in the words of Todd — the bed and breakfast offers a picturesque view of peaceful pastureland (Yes, you’ll likely see horses) from the windows of six coxy main rooms and five private cottages.

The town center of Landrum is small, covering just a few blocks, but the modest population (and savvy tourists) enjoy congregating for meals, libations, and shopping. Visit The Hare & Hound, an authentic, British-styled pub, or Southside Smokehouse and Grill, a Louisiana- style BBQ joint with beer on tap and a patio for people-watching. The next day, savor some lunch at Stone Soup, where you can pick up fresh jams, breads, and other wares — plus let Fido run around in the onsite dog park. In need of home decor? Stop by Foothills Amish Furniture, which Todd calls “worth the trip to Landrum alone.”

Don’t miss the state’s only remaining covered bridge, also located in Landrum and named Campbell’s Covered Bridge. Fall is the ideal time to explore this area, and even take a picnic lunch to enjoy the surroundings. For hiking, The Blue Wall Nature Preserve offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, a fancy term for where the mountains meet the foothills of South Carolina.

Although Anderson is smaller than Landrum, you’ll find plenty to see and enjoy. Start the day with Mr. Rivers Breakfast Joint, featuring a menu of literally every breakfast and brunch indulgence you might want, from fluffy biscuits to fried dough to the Duck Egg BLT. For a sweet treat, try Cocobon Chocolatier, and for some farm-to-table cooking, SummaJoe’s offers fare from Polecat Farms, Split Creek Farm, and Walker Century Farm. “They use local goat cheese from just eight miles away,” Todd notes.

For lodging, Anderson’s Bleckley Inn is both an event venue and a 22-room boutique hotel with intriguing local history. Outdoor adventurers will definitely want to visit Sadlers Creek State Park for fishing, boating, and even late-season swimming on Lake Hartwell. And remember the goat cheese at SummaJoes? You can meet the goats yourself at Split Creek Farm — then buy yourself some goat milk fudge and hike it off later.

For fall-themed family fun, visit Denver Downs Farm, where you can try a flashlight maze and “Barnyard Bonfires” complete with s’mores and live music.

Just a half hour from Anderson, the town of Seneca offers a cool area for locals and visitors known as Ram Cat Alley. “There are three or four stories about why it’s called that,” Todd laughs, “but the name has always stuck and has been that way for decades.” Today, Ram Cat Alley is “the place to be,” with two blocks of upscale shops and restaurants. Visitors can also sit outdoors and listen to live music at certain times of the year with the town’s Jazz on the Alley series.

For a high-end dining experience, Vangeli’s Bistro offers entrees such as dry-rubbed lamb and bone-in steaks, plus upscale cocktails and desserts. For something more casual, Keowee Brewing Company is within walking distance from Ram Cat Alley.

Two county parks, High Falls and South Cove, offer plenty of outdoor recreation for visitors to Seneca. Lake Keowee, one of the area’s most beautiful reservoirs, is just eight miles from the town of Seneca, with two 75-foot waterfalls known as Twin Falls on its north end.

Halfway between the bigger cities of Greenville and Spartanburg, Greer is known for the BMW plant more than anything else, but it’s worth visiting for some additional fall fun. Greer’s walkable downtown area offers closed-off streets each Friday night, ideal for watching the crowd and savoring the local fare.

Those who crave a festive autumn brew should visit the Blue Ridge Brewing Company, which, in addition to great beer, offers a wide variety of sandwiches, smoked meats, and salads — plus a rooftop to scope out the scene. Fans of Rick Erwin’s restaurant group will be pleased to know one just opened in downtown Greer with its trademark menu of seafood and steak. But if you ask the Pickins Foodie where to eat, she recommends White Wine & Butter, an Italian restaurant with a cajun flair, thanks to the talent of Chef Michael Sibert.

Curious about BMW? The plant offers tours, one of the area’s bestloved attractions. And if you choose to stay overnight in Greer, the Whole Hearts Bed & Breakfast, a quirky, adults-only inn, is available for lodging with a Victorian twist. Don’t miss the Greer Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off in early November, or the Albino Skunk Music Festival in early October, featuring bluegrass, Americana, folk, and more.

Though Gaffney is one of the upstate’s smaller towns, it’s not to be slept on, Todd insists. For those with a sweet tooth, Sunny’s Donuts is “worth the trip on its own to Gaffney,” offering scratch-made doughnuts each morning within a mom-and-pop setting. But come early; they will sell out!

Downtown Gaffney’s Harold’s Restaurant, which was featured on the Food Network and established in the 1930s, boasts “world famous” chili burgers and hot dogs, as well as plenty of other sandwiches, salads, and soups. After a decadent lunch, shop around the Gaffney Outlet Mall, the Upcountry’s prime spot for name brands, or hang out downtown for quirky, independent shops.

Because Gaffney is known as the state’s peach capital (and just recently hosted the Peach Festival for 2023), you’ll want to visit its most notorious attraction: the Peachoid Water Tower, serving as both a water tower and a work of Southern art. Finally, check out the Lake Whelchel Trail, which runs along the south end of the town’s Lake Whelchel and is ideal for mountain biking among the autumn foliage.

Between the changing colors of the leaves and cooling weather, the upcountry of South Carolina promises to be an ideal region to explore this fall.