When you want to visit a locale that’s virtually free of other people, head to this little known arboretum in the Upstate for a few hours of peaceful escape from reality. The Milliken Arboretum is located at 920 Milliken Road in Spartanburg. Let’s take a look:
Found at the intersection of Interstate 85 and Interstate 585 in Spartanburg, the Milliken Arboretum is a private arboretum that allows the public to have access.
It's comprised of 600 acres of prime real estate roughly the size of 454 football fields. In other words, it's an expansive green space — with much to admire and explore.
It's owned by the Roger Milliken Center. If you're unfamiliar with Milliken, he is best known as possibly the most influential leader ever in the textile manufacturing industry. By the time Milliken died in 2010 at age 95, his company which was founded in Spartanburg, had expanded to 50 manufacturing plants in seven countries.
His facility in Spartanburg was his home base and he purposely bought extra land when he built the plant so it could have ample landscaped grounds perfect for walking.
The Milliken Arboretum is technically a private property but Milliken and Company allows visitors as long as you clean up after yourself and follow the rules. (Skip to three photos down from this one to see the rules).