South Carolina’s capital, Columbia, is well-known for its bustling atmosphere and urban attractions, but just beyond the city lies a collection of small towns in South Carolina that offer unique experiences of their own. If you’re seeking to escape the hustle and explore the heart of the state, these charming Midlands towns provide the perfect mix of history, nature, art, and culture. Each destination, just a short drive from Columbia, holds a distinct character and charm that will make your visit memorable.
From the artsy revitalization of Cayce to the historical treasures of Lexington and the lakeside wonders of Chapin, these towns are rich in stories and local experiences. Whether you’re interested in learning about local history, relaxing by the water, or sampling local cuisine, these five small towns offer a taste of authentic South Carolina that shouldn’t be missed. And, while you’re in the area, you should stop by Congaree National Park too!
Small Towns in South Carolina Included:
- Cayce
- Lexington
- Chapin
- Newberry
- Ridge Spring
Cayce
Exploring the Riverwalk and Art Scene
Cayce is a small city just across the Congaree River from busy Colombia. In contrast, Cayce is a quiet town that has 20 miles of Riverwalk and trails and now lots of art. In Cayce, we met with Mayor Elise Partin at Steel Hands Brewery taproom, where we had lunch. She told us how she started the revitalization with art.
Steel Hands Brewery: Where Art Meets Beer
Steel Hands does its part in adding to the art in Cayce. They bring musical artist to perform regularly either inside the brewery taproom or in their outdoor gathering space. Their restaurant offers a menu of small and big plates.
The art of their logo “Steel Hands,” a powerful hand holding a rebar, was inspired by CMC Steel, one of the nation’s largest rebar manufacturing plants, located across the street from the brewery.
Several of their beers aid local residents, like Folds of Honor Lime Lager, a portion of which goes to support Palmetto State’s fallen, disabled service members and their families and first responders.
Their food is top-notch. We sampled some. Pawleys Island Soft Pretzels, a Steel Hands staple, was my favorite. It’s served with Irish Red beer cheese and whole grain mustard Wings of Steel. I was so hooked on the cheese beer dip I didn’t do the mustard justice.
The jumbo crispy wings were a close second. They offer a choice of sauces. My two favorites are Buffalo and Carolina Gold BBQ.
I barely had room to sample one of the Pimento Cheese Pulled Pork Egg Rolls stuffed with house-made pimento cheese and Chesty’s 12 hour pulled pork with a side of Thai truffle chili sauce for dipping. Bruschetta is not always one of my favorites, but theirs was delicious. The garlic butter toast points were topped with freshly diced tomatoes, red onions, garlic, and fresh basil and sprinkled with parmesan, and drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
A Growing Creative Community
When we left Steel Hands, we drove to the Cayce Art Trail and River Arts District that have two of the most colorful murals, Ija Charles’ “Cayce Wonders” mural that highlights places within the city and Michael Geddings’ “Creative Chameleon” that is a brightly; colored giant chameleon holding a dripping paint brush that looks like it just painted a Cayce river scene.
Mayor Parton told us the “Cayce Wonders” mural was Ija Charles’s first mural and her big break. When telling reporters how she painted it, Charles said, “I did it in about a week and a half, working from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m.” to avoid the summer heat.
Further up the block, across from the Riverwalk, Michael Geddings’ “Creative Chameleon” is so vibrant, you feel he might jump off the building and make a run for the river.
Just a few doors down, Levi Wright opened State-of-the-Art Gallery and Pottery Studio, another sign that the community is revitalizing.
The River Walk art is so welcoming it makes everyone want to stroll deeper along the Congaree River that divides Cayce from Columbia. Even the sidewalk has art work as you cross the street from the murals. At the entrance to the Riverwalk, a bright blue lacy butterfly forms a bench to rest on and the silhouette of a rider on horseback hints at what might lie ahead along the river.
Other Things to Do in or Near Cayce:
- Cayce Historical Museum – A museum dedicated to showcasing Cayce’s role in early South Carolina history, including Native American, colonial, and agricultural artifacts.
- Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve – This 627-acre preserve offers walking trails through forests and wetlands, with opportunities for birdwatching and exploring natural habitats.
- Granby Park – Located along the banks of the Congaree River, this park offers scenic walking trails and access to the river for fishing or kayaking.
- The Vista in Columbia – Just across the river from Cayce, the Vista is a popular Columbia neighborhood filled with restaurants, art galleries, and nightlife options.
- Cayce Farmers Market – A local market offering fresh produce, plants, and local goods.
Lexington
Stepping into History at Lexington County Museum
The focus here is history. Director J. R. Fennell gave us a tour of the Lexington County Museum, a seven-acre pioneer village with over 30 historic structures dating to pre-Civil-War times. Some buildings are original to the site and some were moved here from locations throughout the county. All have a unique story.
Director Fennell led us first to the Federal style architecture style, 1800 Leaphart/Harman house. It was the centerpiece of a thriving plantation and mill seat owned by the George Leaphart family and later sold to the Harman family.
Inside there are some exhibits of life in that era and artifacts that explain that life. He told us the earliest settlers were the German speaking Swiss followed by Germans. He said, “They brought with them their traditions and culture. They brought food traditions. One thing we think of today is their love of sauerkraut. Every house had a sauerkraut barrel. One of their traditional foods that survived here is liver nips. Liver dumplings is basically what it is.”
German-Swiss Roots and Cultural Traditions
Some other customs that to us might seem odd are their religious customs. One belief was you could be hexed. If you wanted to protect yourself, you put a horseshoe over your door. Director Fennell told us of another protection popular in the 1920s. “You get a silver bullet and shoot it at a drawing of the person you thought was hexing you.” He told the story of a blacksmith in Lexington who offered a “community service.” The blacksmith said, “You bring me a silver dollar and I’ll make you a silver bullet.” Years later, it turned out the blacksmith was pocketing the silver dollar and giving them tin bullets.
We visited many of the homes from the simple Lorick Log House built around 1780, that was the family home until 1830, they built a more modern house and gave this structure to their slaves for their home, to the John Fox House built in 1832. John Fox bought it in 1843, and his family lived in for over a century. The interior is decorated as it would have been as the home of a prosperous, local farming family.
There are many other building like a corncrib, a blacksmith shop, post office, school, chicken coop, pigeon roost, privies, and more. There is a garden growing herbs and crops similar to ones these early settlers would have grown. One watermelon growing there looked like it was ready to be picked and eaten. I bet it tastes better than the store-bought hybrids we get now.
The office is in what was Ernest Hazelius House built around 1832. Hazelius was a professor of the Southern Lutheran Seminary, while it was located in Lexington. This house is where the hymn “Give Me That Old Time Religion” was written.
Much of what stands in the village was built on the backs and forced labor of the enslaved. Nothing can change that history. There is a list at the Fox House of the enslaved people, their work and contributions. One interesting notation is about Theodore, who according to the records “was not suited for plantation work”. He was rented out to local hotels in Lexington.
Other Things to Do in or Near Lexington:
- Lake Murray – Known for its beautiful views and recreational opportunities, Lake Murray is a prime spot for boating, fishing, or taking a scenic walk along the dam.
- Dreher Shoals Dam – Offers stunning views of the lake, a walking path, and opportunities for picnics along the shore.
- Harmon Tree Farm – A lovely destination for family-friendly seasonal events like Christmas tree picking, hayrides, and more.
- Virginia Hylton Park – A hidden gem in downtown Lexington with playgrounds, walking trails, and lovely gardens.
- Icehouse Amphitheater – Catch a live performance or outdoor concert at this charming venue right in Lexington.
Chapin
Witness the Spectacular Purple Martin Flights
Nature takes center stage as we did a sunset boat tour from Putnam Harbor Marina in Chapin, to see a unique phenomenon; the flight of about a million purple martins that take off each day at dawn and sunset from Bomb Island.
Lake Murray in the midlands of South Carolina and surrounded by many small towns. Each summer, the birds return to Bomb Island to roost and rest up for their trip to Brazil.
Our Captain, Ben Stickney, who owns Pilot Cove Ventures, said the Purple Martins have adapted to people so much so that they are accustomed to nesting in gourds or birdhouses instead of natural cavity nesting spots. Bomb Island, about a mile from the nearest inhabited land, offers protection from predators, like birds of prey or land-based predators like raccoons or snakes.
Late June to early August is the peak time to view the flights with the largest number of birds in mid to late July. Bomb Island is the country’s first officially designated Purple Martin sanctuary.
It helps the birds that people are not allowed on Bomb Island because it was used by the air force for bombing practice during WWII and there might still be bombs there. It was first named Dolittle Island, for Lt. Col. James Doolittle, famous for his raids on Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
A Lake Full of History: Discovering Lake Murray
The lake covers about 50,000 acres and has 650 miles of shoreline. It offers lots of outdoor fun, like boating, water-sports, fishing excursions, and private tours. The Lake was created when South Carolina Electric and Gas/Dominion Energy needed a dam to generate electricity from 1927 through 1930.
They moved many of the towns and people living where the lake is today, but there are lots of stories about what’s still under the lake. The relocated townspeople didn’t want the cemeteries where loved ones were buried, dug up and moved, so over 2,300 graves are still under the waters of Lake Murray. Scuba divers visit an old rock house that’s still standing under the lake. Railroad tracks, an old trestle bridge, six schools, three churches, and more still lie under the waters.
During World War II, B-25s conducted practice runs over the island. Five of the planes used ended up crashing into the lake and only four were recovered then. 62 years later, in 2005, the fifth Lake Murray B-25 was recovered.
Outdoor Adventures at Lake Murray
Lake Murray has two public parks managed by the energy company that you can visit. On the Irmo side, the park is open 24 hours year-round and has a boat launch, picnic facilities, fishing docks, and restrooms. Pets on leashes are allowed.
On the Lexington Side, the park has picnic facilities, swimming, and restrooms but is only open April to Labor Day and no pets allowed. There is a $5 per vehicle fee at the parks from April to Labor Day or a season pass for $50.
The dam has 1.7 miles walking pathway along the top called Lake Murray Dam Walkway that offers great views of the lake and the 11 mile away downtown Columbia skyline.
Pro tip: Driving between Chapin and Newberry, it’s worth veering off to hike Peak to Prosperity section on the Palmetto Trail. You can take a short hike over the 1100 foot former train trestle across Crims Creek where you might see bald eagles and other wildlife.
Other Things to Do in or Near Chapin:
- Crooked Creek Park – A community park that offers walking trails, playgrounds, and athletic fields, perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Lake Murray Public Park – Offering lake access, picnic areas, and a swimming beach, this is a popular spot for relaxing by the water.
- Liberty Tap Room – A local favorite in Chapin for great food and craft beer, perfect for winding down after a day on the lake.
- Saluda Shoals Park – Located just a few miles from Chapin, this park offers trails, canoe and kayak rentals, and scenic river views.
- The Chapin Theatre Company – Catch a local theater production at this charming community playhouse.
Newberry
A Town Rich in History
Newberry was founded in 1789 and has preserved its history. Newberry Opera House, a red brick Victorian civic style building dating back to 1882, is at the core of its history. It was the most popular entertainment venue in the midlands until into the 20th century. But over the years, the building began to decay. Until the mid-1990s, the city used it for offices, the firehouse, and the jail. After that, it was almost ready to meet the wrecking ball. However, local citizens formed the Newberry Opera House Foundation to preserve the classic building.
We met Anne Pinckney Smith, the foundation’s executive director, who took us on a tour and told us the story of the Opera House. It’s currently undergoing renovation and closed until September 12, 2024, but the renovation is cosmetic, so we could see much of the theater. They currently show mostly live shows now.
Over the years, celebrities from Edwin Booth and Tallulah Bankhead to present day stars like Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and Olivia Newton-John have performed here. The theater’s large stage has a pit for an orchestra. The dressing rooms are convenient to the stage, plus they have a rehearsal space that is the same size as the actual stage.
Anna told us there are definitely spirits lingering in the theater, although the story of Penelope the ghost was mostly created for promotion. She said when she is working alone at night in the building, there are lots of strange happenings with the lights and sometimes she sees something unexplained “out of the corner of her eye.”
The opera house isn’t Newberry downtown historic district’s only treasure. The Greek revival style former courthouse was built in 1852 as the fourth town courthouse. It’s now the home of the chamber of commerce and welcome center. The former Bank of Newberry, built in 1908, now houses Ameris Bank. Central United Methodist Church’s bell tower with its four narrow arched openings in a tiled pyramidal roof is another architectural treasure. The Revival style church dates to 1832. With so many historical buildings, it’s no surprise there are lots of antique stores here.
Discovering Unique Shops and Antiques
You might not think a hardware store is worth a visit, but C. T. Summer, Inc. gives a few reasons to visit. The name on the window offers two clues. It says, “established in 1884” and “seen on American Pickers.” It’s not your run-of-the-mill hardware store.
Inside it’s so filled there is little room to walk between the antiques, collectables, and just ordinary hardware. We met Bill Shull, the grandson of Clarence T. Summer, the store’s namesake. Bill inherited the store in 1972, and he loves to talk about his family.
He told us about his father, Dr. Clifford G. Shull, a physicist who developed the neutron diffraction technique, used for CAT scan and other procedures, while working at Oak Ridge Laboratories. Dr. Shull was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1994 and there is a replica of that Nobel Prize in the shop.
Bill and the hardware store were featured on American Pickers. The episode aired in March 2011 on Season 2, Episode 23. Bill and C. T. Summer Store along with the Newberry Opera House were also featured on Our Vanishing Americana South Carolina, a one-hour documentary on South Carolina TV in August 2022.
Art mingles with history here. What was once a Romanesque Revival hotel built in 1880 houses the Newberry Arts Center. Sharon Graham, program coordinator for the Center, led us through the center. It’s easy to see that this community embraces art. The center displays many forms of art besides paintings, much of the art there is created by local artists. Sharon’s jewelry is on display. Erin White is a potter who was a former preschool teacher at First Baptist Church Preschool. She teaches some pottery classes for kids in a well-equipped classroom at the center. Another artist whose work was also on display was working as a cashier that day.
Savoring Local Flavor
Art and food combine at Tiny Paris Carolina. Alexandra La Noue Adler, the owner of Tiny Paris, wanted to add to the art of the community. She did so by commissioning a mural on her building. She choose a design of red and gold poppies with blue forget-me-nots and green leaves she loved from an antique water pitcher. Artist, Ricardo Ramirez, painted it on the outside wall while not losing the antique look of the wall. Tiny Paris combines the best of a boutique and a bistro. They serve local farm products to create classic French dishes and carefully paired wines.
The Gallery and Tea Room is another business that merges art with food and boutique items. The Gallery displays crafted items and local art for sale while in the back of the building, the tearoom would be at home in one of London’s finest restaurants.
Genesis Hub, a local coffee shop, combines a selection of Fair-Trade purses, beautifully decorated cups, handcrafted baskets, and other craft items along with food items like spices, coffee, teas, and snacks. They offer a wide variety of coffee and tea, both hot and iced, along with baked goodies.
We ate lunch at Bar Figaro, two beautifully repurposed historic buildings. The bar side was once a feed store. So much had been built from recycled material. The original red brick walls and pressed tin ceiling are beautifully restored while the floor was built with boards from the Apollo Theater in New York. The combination sets off the 1940 Brunswick Bar, one of only about six left in the world.
The meeting venue side, where we ate, was once a pharmacy. The local historic features are overpowered by a 400-year-old stained glass mosaic dome from Paris.
John Worthington, the executive chef and manager, told us they change the menu to provide seasonal dining. My Italian Sandwich was perfect, with tasty meat and cheeses. Figero has live music every Friday and Saturday night. Besides the bar, Figaro has Figaro, The Dining Room and Figaro Market.
We visited Enoree River Winery where the owner, Richard LaBarre, gave us a tasting of 11 of their local, hand-crafted wines ranging from an oaked dry red, Montepulciano, to Curiously White, a delicious sweet white muscadine.
The sweet Blackberry was one of my favorites, along with Barbarian, a blackberry Moscato Riesling. On a warm afternoon, nothing beats a refreshing glass of wine. The vineyard is beautifully tended and offers an outdoor deck or indoor tasting room.
We got a glimpse of nature at Carter and Homes Orchid Nursery, which also has an interesting history. It began in 1947 when two cousins, Bill Carter and Owen Holmes, opened a shop in town to sell cut orchids for corsages. They started hybridizing orchids a few years later in a little greenhouse. When the demand for cut flowers decreased, they began producing orchards to grow at home and sold them through mail-order catalogs. When the internet became popular, they switched to online. Today, it’s still in the family, managed by Mac Holmes, Owen’s son. Now they have 18 greenhouses with a wide variety of orchids in many colors and variations and are one of the top orchid nurseries and breeders in the United States.
Bridget Uzar led us on a tour through some greenhouses and explained hybridization to us. Bridget has been at Carter and Holmes for over 20 years and does just about everything from watering plants to pollinating them. Some orchids she hybridized are named for her or her family, including Tolumnia Bridget Uzar.
She told us so much about orchids, from pollinization to the different temperature requirements for different species. I never knew how long some orchids must be grown before they flower. I never heard of the tiny Butterfly Orchid, which grows wild in Florida, but I will start watching when I hike in the Florida woodlands. She travels around the country speaking about orchids and offers classes.
You can tour the greenhouses Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Another garden you don’t want to miss Newberry is Wells Japanese Garden. It’s a small traditional garden with a bright red gazebo set against a background of muted green bamboo and ponds with a waterfall and a little red bridge across a small creek.
The garden began in 1930 as part of Fulmer Wells’ family home garden. He based its design on the Golden Gate Japanese park in San Francisco., the Wells family donated it to the City of Newberry forty years later. Added to its traditional feel, there are a few South Carolina plants like bald cypresses and some saw palmetto.
The Travel Channel named Newberry one of the “Most Charming Small Towns in America.”
Other Things to Do in or Near Newberry:
- Sumter National Forest – For nature lovers, nearby Sumter National Forest offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding through beautiful wooded trails.
- Lynch’s Wood Park – A scenic park offering hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails through beautiful forested areas. Great for nature lovers looking for a peaceful retreat.
- Newberry Arts Center – This local hub for the arts offers exhibits, workshops, and events showcasing the work of regional artists. It’s a great spot to admire local talent and perhaps take home a unique souvenir.
- Newberry College – Take a stroll around the historic campus of Newberry College, which has been part of the town since 1856. The campus architecture and peaceful grounds make for a pleasant visit.
Ridge Spring
Small Town Charm and Peach Orchards
Ridge Spring is a tiny town with peach orchids all around it. Highway 23 is Main Street. As you drive in, you see the town’s pride. There’s a small brick Arts Center, an old-time wooden water tank painted with the words “Ridge Spring, take time” and a village square with a large white gazebo, a red caboose, antique tractor, an old-time clock, and a table and chairs.
There are several antique shops on Main St. I visited three, The Rabbit Box, Ridge Estate Services, and Ridge Antiques. As the name implies. Ridge Estate Services sell items for people who are disposing of entire homes full of items, so their selection is more varied and not all antiques. The other two have lots of genuine antiques. All of them are in old buildings. Rabbit Box even has the original floors and an exposed brick wall with the building’s original heating source, a fireplace in its back room. They have furniture, lots of antique China, some antique beer steins and some coke cases from the days when Cokes were sold in wooden cases of 24. Across the street, Ridge Antiques has jewelry and tee shirts along with the antiques and collectables.
Fine Dining in an Unexpected Place: Juniper
You might not expect to find a famous chef and award-winning restaurant in such a tiny town but checkout Juniper. Chef Brandon Velie and his wife, Jeanne, opened Juniper in 2005 in an old building on East Main Street that had been an auto parts store, a hardware store, a florist shop and an antique store. He wanted to be in an agricultural community where he could get fresh farm-grown ingredients.
South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Federation’s Palmetto Palate named Chef Brandon the 2015 Top Chef in 2015 for the third time. In 2014, he worked with Governor Nikki Haley and South Carolina’s Department of Agriculture and Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism to create the South Carolina Chef Ambassador Program that promotes South Carolina staples in agriculture and tourism. Governor Haley liked the idea and pushed the program through the legislature. Chef Brandon was named a South Carolina Chef Ambassador in 2015. He is now chef advisor emeritus.
Chef Brandon and his wife and restaurant co-owner met with us, and he told us about how the program began while feeding us some delicious, simple food. He gave us all a sample of his Corn Chowder and Chicken and Dumplings. Both were fantastic. I liked the corn chowder just a tad more. For lunch, I had the Rueben Sandwich with some chips and a pickle. Chef Brandon changes the menu often depending on what is fresh in the local farms.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Peaches and Such
Peaches grow all around here, so we had to sample some peach ice cream. Just down Main St. a few miles past blooming peach orchards we visited Peaches and Such, a small, homey ice cream parlor where we ordered our ice cream. Of course, I had a delicious peach ice cream cone.
It’s part of Watsonia Organics, a fourth-generation farm family, the Watsons, growing peaches, strawberries, corn, zucchini and more, all organically. Of course, I bought a bag of fresh peaches and still have a few, sliced and frozen now, but still delicious.
Other Things to Do in or Near Ridge Spring:
- Peach Tree Orchards – Take a scenic drive or stop at one of the many roadside peach stands during the harvest season to pick up fresh, juicy peaches.
- Ridge Spring Farmers Market – Open seasonally, this local market offers fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts from local artisans.
- Boyd H. Springs Memorial Park – A quiet and picturesque park for picnicking and relaxing in the outdoors.
- Aiken County Historical Museum – A bit farther away in Aiken, this museum showcases the history of the region, from Native American history to the Civil War era.
Isn’t it Time to Explore These Cute South Carolina Towns?
A trip to South Carolina’s Midlands offers more than just a visit to Columbia. The small towns that dot the landscape here are full of fascinating history, vibrant art scenes, and opportunities to get back to nature. Whether you’re strolling through Newberry’s historic downtown or enjoying a sunset over Lake Murray, the region provides a unique charm that brings together the old and the new.
Each of these towns offers something different, making them a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. Take the time to explore the hidden gems of South Carolina’s Midlands, and you’ll come away with new experiences and unforgettable memories. From local festivals to great dining spots, you’ll find that these small towns leave a lasting impression.
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About the Author
Kathleen Walls, former reporter for Union Sentinel in Blairsville, GA, is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways. She is a photographer with many of her original photographs appearing in her travel ezine as well as other publications, contributing to many online and print publications.
She is the author of travel books, Georgia’s Ghostly Getaways, Finding Florida’s Phantoms, Hosts With Ghosts, and Wild About Florida series. Her newest book is American Music: Born in the USA in color with pictures of places related to music history.
Member of International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers (IFWTA). You can find her on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter.
