Best Neighborhoods in Travelers Rest, SC | Kiersten Bell

Welcome to Travelers Rest

A quaint, hip town nestled in the mountains with access to lakes and plenty of outdoor activities

Travelers Rest is a unique and charming town near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina. What once was cherished as a welcoming stopover for tired travelers and Native American tribes eventually developed a railroad and highway system which became lucrative enough to lead to the town’s development. Over time, more and more professionals and families have migrated towards Travelers Rest and have further made it more of a pleasant home than a sleepy resting point. Today, the community is seen as active and invigorating, and many folks enjoy the town’s balanced straddling of a small-town approach paired with a generally active lifestyle.

What to Love

Charming small-town feel
Laidback mountain and lake vibes
Fine dining and drinking options
Community engagement

Local Lifestyle

The residents of Travelers Rest are known for their relaxed approach to life. People here love to spend a day in the mountains as much as they enjoy a night out and taste of culture. Most folks are flexible to any idea of a good time and are sure to include their community members in their hikes and daytime adventures. Locals pride themselves on being outdoorsy and hip, but also cherish their town’s humble, quaint feel. Perhaps the best distinction of Travelers Rest is that it’s home to many organic, natural, and farm-to-table restaurants. Between the food scene and the revitalization of the Pinestone Development, the present and future bode well for Travelers Rest.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

For a cozy start to the day, Tandem Creperie is the perfect spot. This upscale coffee shop offers sweet and savory crepes and sustainably sourced espresso drinks. Come evening, Topsoil Kitchen and Market is a high-end farm-to-table restaurant.

The Monkey Wrench offers tasty barbecue on a green lawn surrounding South Carolina’s Swamp Rabbit Trail. TruBroth Vietnamese is another popular casual spot, serving fast Vietnamese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

For shopping and entertainment, many locals head downtown to Travelers Rest’s district of unique, locally-owned shops and venues. Beyond the Threads and Co is an eclectic clothing and monogramming shop. Kramer’s Korner Shops has over 85 unique artisan and antique vendors.

For drink enthusiasts, Copperhead Mountain Distillery is an excellent distillery and tasting room. To make a night of it, bring your friends to The Tasting Room or Swamp Rabbit. You also can try Communtiy Tap for craft beer and select wine. Nearby is FH Cigars, where many folks pick up a fine cigar for their evening.

Things to Do

Whatever your activity of choice, Travelers Rest is sure to have it. While many residents love the area’s charming, bustling downtown area, they also have a lot to do in the way of outdoor opportunities. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is a magnificent stretch of walking and bicycling trail. Families who are in search of a day trip frequent green spaces and historical landmarks such as Caesar’s State Park, Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, and Campbell’s Covered Bridge.

The area also lends itself well to magnificent drives and day trips. The Blue Ridge Parkway is nearby and has a breathtaking road that winds throughout South Carolina’s most scenic pockets. Likewise, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway is a gorgeous road through the Piedmont hills.

For a taste of culture, families enjoy crossing into North Carolina to visit the Biltmore Estate, a 250-room chateau hailing from the esteemed Vanderbilt mogul. A little bit more down to earth is the Hagood Mill Historic Site, an old corn and wheat mill whose rich history takes visitors back to the earnest beginnings of Travelers Rest.

The area is also home to various beloved annual and seasonal events. Every summer, Travelers Rest hosts the cherished Kids Bike Parade as well as Folk Craft Day. Once autumn rolls around, folks from across South Carolina stop by for the annual autumnal Apple Fest. The Fall Bluegrass and Harvest Market is another spot for their sustainable and locally sourced produce and artwork. There’s also the Travelers Rest Farmers Market, which regularly holds events.