Visiting South Carolina Upcountry, Lakes and Rivers

Have an adventure in the Palmetto State – the chill of winter has faded and the warmth of spring and summer has descended upon South Carolina. Head up-country and check out Fort Mill, which is set just along the South Carolina and North Carolina border, and home to Anne Springs Close Greenway – relax with a calming nature walk, or enjoy a festive picnic. West of Fort Mill are Piedmont and Greenville – two cities in close proximity that feature authentic SC attractions. You can fish the Saluda River, in Piedmont, or explore the South Carolina Confederate Museum in Greenville. You’ve got plenty of choices in South Carolina’s northern region – make this visit memorable.

Centrally located in South Carolina is Columbia – the “Capital of Southern Hospitality,” and home of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Head to Colonial Life Arena and watch as the Gamecocks basketball, both men’s and women’s, wrap up their seasons and fight for bids into their NCAA tournaments. Baseball fans can also catch a Gamecocks baseball game at Carolina Stadium – watch as they try to slug their way back into the College World Series. For a taste of Columbia, don’t miss a Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden, set for April 27. And you can always enjoy an afternoon at the Columbia Museum of Art – be sure to check out Our Time; Our Place – Photographs of the Black South by Richard Samuel Roberts, set to run through April 29.

Just over an hour to the southeast of Columbia is Santee – a pleasant and quaint lakeside town, home to the South Carolina Wildlife Refuge and easily accessed from I-95. Spring and summer are phenomenal times of the year to visit – don’t miss out on a boat cruise around Lake Marion, or head out in the advantageous weather for a stroll around Santee State Park. Play a round at Lake Marion Golf Course, or, in March, experience the South Carolina Hummingbird Festival, set to the west in Woodford. Continue exploring the area with a visit to the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, set for late April and into early May. Back in Santee, many guests and birders are sure to make plans for the 5th Annual Santee Birding and Nature Festival, scheduled for late April.

In the north of the state, travelers will find Greenville – set just 20 minutes from Piedmont, this charming city has one of the largest populations in South Carolina, and is home to Bob Jones University, and Timmons Park. Spring and summer visitors are in for a treat as the Greenville Drive are all set for another season of minor league baseball. Watch as the Drive, the Boston Redsox single A affiliate, slug their way through the South Atlantic League. Drive games are played at Fluor Field at the West End. For travelers not so enamored with baseball, don’t miss Paris Mountain State Park – take full advantage of the fine weather and plan a tasty picnic, or rousing hike.

South Carolina Upcountry, Lakes and Rivers Hotel Map