There was a time, before urban sprawl, when our South Carolina main streets were the heartbeat of the town. They were places where people regularly met on the corner and in the establishments and kept up with each other. While you might think all of that is just in the past, a lot of them are still vibrant and full of fun and charm! We took an armchair tour of some of the cutest main streets and best downtowns in South Carolina and are happy to report that they look as beautiful as ever. Buckle up, South Carolina, and let’s get this tour of the best main streets started.
About 75 miles west of Columbia sits the charming town of Abbeville. This cute town's website says that Abbeville is "pretty near perfect." We agree, and we're sure that you will too once you have gotten the chance to visit.
Also called "The Friendliest City in South Carolina," the small town of Anderson in the Upstate has one of the best downtowns in South Carolina. Make plans to visit Anderson's biennial International Festival, which is always a great time. Bring your family and have a fantastic day enjoying this fun event.
Located on Port Royal Island in South Carolina's Lowcountry, Beaufort is billed as the state's second oldest city. It's also famous for the movie The Big Chill, filmed on location here.
Victorian and Greek Revival architecture in Bennettsville, South Carolina are found in both public buildings and the town's historic homes. You won't see buildings like these just anywhere! Named after South Carolina Governor Thomas Bennett, this small town is located in Marlboro County near the North Carolina border.
The Clover community began as a railway stop in 1876 and soon grew into a charming little town. Well, it's not so little anymore. Clover has more than 5,000 residents within its city limits of 2.8 square miles.
Columbia, South Carolina received its first town charter in 1805. But that was long after John Lewis Gervias, State Senator from Ninety Six, introduced a bill to create a state Capital here in 1786. Part of the new Capital's design included making the thoroughfares at least 100 feet wide. Supposedly, the streets were designed at least 100 feet wide because it was believed mosquitos couldn't fly more than 60 feet without starving to death.
Love this little town! I'm always surprised at the reactions I get when my fellow "House of Cards" fans find out there really is a Gaffney, South Carolina.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, downtown Greenville has seen steady growth and revitalization in recent decades. It's a vibrant place full of excitement these days! Ask anyone from Greenville, it's a gorgeous walk from the top of Main Street all the way to Falls Park.
Lexington is the County Seat of Lexington County. Originally, Lexington County was called Saxe Gotha but was renamed in 1785 following the battles of Lexington and Concorde - which were fought in Massachusetts.
Pitt Street in Mount Pleasant's Old Village still boasts a pharmacy with an old-fashioned soda counter. If you love old-world charm, you should definitely check out that spot! (Pictured: Old Village Post House Inn and Restaurant)
The small town of Orangeburg, located about 40 miles southwest of Columbia, is nicknamed "The Garden City." It's a fitting moniker given the town's annual "Festival of Roses" and its equally popular Editso Memorial Gardens.
Rock Hill is nestled next to the North Carolina border and only 30-40 minutes from busy metropolitan Charlotte, NC. In spite of its size, Rock Hill boasts plenty of small town charm in the downtown area. Notice any skyscrapers in this photo?
Many of the storefronts from the 1800's still remain in Spartanburg's beautiful downtown. Visiting here is like a lovely trip back in time in the best way. It's also one of nicest walkable towns in South Carolina.
Summerville is credited as being the "Birthplace of Sweet Tea." Summerville's Flowertown Festival annually attracts in excess of 250,000 visitors to their beautiful and lush downtown area.
Sumter is home to Shaw Airforce Base. But that's not all it has to offer. There are many lovely qualities about this pretty town, and its downtown is just one of them.
Walterboro is a charming and historic small town, and if you love the arts, it's a fabulous place to visit. It's also a lovely place to go antiquing, as there are several beautiful shops for you to enjoy on your visit.
This small town of about 4,000 residents in South Carolina's upstate is big on charm and enthusiasm. To prove it, Woodruff is one of 14 communities to participate in Main Street South Carolina - A program funded by the Municipal Association of South Carolina empowering members to revitalize their downtown city centers.
(A note about this story: I feel the need to acknowledge that most, if not all, of these photos were taken prior to the floods of 2015. But we – and the rest of the nation – are keenly aware that if South Carolinians are known for any one thing, it’s our ability to stand strong and bounce back in tough times. That one thing is called courage.)
What other great South Carolina main streets or wonderful downtowns can you think of? Did we miss any place you love to visit? Which ones of these spots are your personal favorites? Please let us know in the comments section.
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