Charming, quiet, and underestimated. That’s what comes to mind when I think of Spartanburg.
This small southern city is often overshadowed by its larger counterparts in the region. But what it may lack is also what makes it appealing. If you’re looking for a break from the crowds, the noise, and the traffic — without sacrificing the restaurants, shops, and recreational activities — Hub City is worth checking out.
Located where I-85 intersects with I-26, Spartanburg makes for a great day trip from Greenville or Asheville and can be easily added to the itinerary if you’re going between the two. Whether you’re here for a couple of hours or a whole weekend, there are plenty of things to do and see in Sparkle City.
Explore downtown
If you only have time for one thing to do in Spartanburg, my top recommendation is this.
The city is going through a revitalization, and the result is a charming, walkable downtown with plenty of things to see and do.
The heart of downtown runs about a half mile along Main Street, bookmarked by the two tallest buildings — AC Hotel by Marriott and Denny’s Corporate Headquarters — on the west and east ends, respectively. In between, you’ll find bars, salons, shops, restaurants, breweries, art installations, murals, and more. Here are some places you might want to pay a visit.
Locally owned coffee shops
Spill the Beans, both a coffee and ice cream shop
Beer, cider, wine & more
RJ Rockers Brewery (my personal fave is the Son of a Peach)
FR8Yard, an outdoor urban biergarten
Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery (Like Guiness? See if the Victorian Quay is available!)
Recreation & activities
Underpin Lanes, a boutique bowling alley
Speed Factory indoor go karting
Sparkle City Mini Putt, a free 9-hole mini golf course (No putter? No problem. There are several downtown businesses that will lend you a putter and ball for free.)
Rick Erwin’s Level 10 is technically a restaurant, but the sky-high views you get from the 10th floor of the AC Hotel make it worthy of an activity
Ice cream & desserts
Spill the Beans, both a coffee and ice cream shop
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
Shopping
Hub City Bookshop & Press, the city’s only independent bookshop and literary press
Paisley Paw, a boutique pet store
The Kindred Spirits, for art, jewelry, and more
Visit a free art gallery
Spartanburg is the only city in the upstate to be named a cultural district by the South Carolina Arts Commission. (There are only nine in the entire state.) According to the commission, a cultural district is a walkable, geographic area that “has a concentration of cultural facilities, activities and assets,” such as galleries, live performance venues, artist studios, and museums.
In addition to the art installations throughout the city, there are two main places where you can check out art for free.
One is the Spartanburg Art Museum. Located downtown in the Chapman Cultural Center, this free museum houses exhibitions as well as a permanent collection.
The other is the Artists Collective, just west of downtown on Main Street. Housed in a former church, the 20,000-square-foot space is both a studio co-op for artists as well as a gallery. Three gallery rooms host different artists’ work throughout the year and are open to the public.
Both the Museum and Artists Collective are open Tuesday through Saturday, but your best bet for viewing artwork in Spartanburg is on the third Thursday of the month between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is when Art Walk occurs, an event where both public and private places housing artwork open their doors to the public for free viewing. Check to see which galleries are participating on the Spartanburg Art Walk website.
Shop at Reinvintage Warehouse
If you want to buy local — whether it’s candles, clothes, jewelry, furniture, artwork, or postcards — Reinvintage Warehouse is the place to shop.
Located in (you guessed it) an old warehouse just south of downtown, Reinvintage Warehouse is a treasure trove of unique items ranging from vintage phonographs to hand-made signs and lotions. The 30,000-square-foot space is a storefront for almost 60 vendors, which almost guarantees you’ll find something new every time you visit.
The warehouse is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays with hours varying the rest of the week. While I highly recommend an in-person visit, you can also shop online.
Learn about Spartanburg’s train history
One of Spartanburg’s nicknames is Hub City, which I always thought was due to its location; a central hub between Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, and Columbia.
Turns out I’m not totally wrong. Spartanburg was once a major train station, with railroads coming to the city from all directions. On a map, they appeared like spokes on a wheel, with Spartanburg at the hub.
You can learn more about Spartanburg’s rich railway history at the free Hub City Railroad Museum. This one-room museum is housed inside the Southern Railway Spartanburg Union Depot, which is still used for Amtrak passengers, right off of Magnolia Street downtown. A very nice volunteer gave me a tour and explained the history of trains and rail companies in Spartanburg. Including the fact that the city is home to the only active train tunnel in the state.
In addition to the museum, there’s a renovated passenger caboose you can check out with more volunteers happy to talk about the history and answer questions. Picnic tables are available if you want to enjoy lunch and watch the trains go by.
Hub City Railroad Museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Watch a game on South Carolina’s oldest baseball field
Just south of downtown in Duncan Park you’ll find the Duncan Park Stadium. Built in 1926, it holds the title of being the state’s oldest baseball park. In its nearly 100 years, it’s been home to the former minor league team the Spartanburg Phillies, and has had the privilege of seeing legends like Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron play on its field.
Today it’s the home field for Spartanburg High’s baseball team and Spartanburg American Legion Post 28’s teams.
While attending a game is the best way to enjoy it, you can still check it out while exploring Duncan Park. Duncan Park has several trails for walking and mountain biking, and the lake offers a peaceful spot to hang out.
Looking for more modern amenities? Plan to come back in a couple of years! Spartanburg is getting a new 3,500-seat minor league stadium and games may be held as early as 2025.
Immerse yourself in nature
Head in any direction from downtown and you’ll find an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
Local nature reserves, parks, and gardens
On the east side we’ve got the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve. Its 116 acres offer more than 4 miles of trails along Lawson’s Fork Creek, including a 550-foot boardwalk across wetlands. If you were to follow the creek to where it hits a dam, you’d find yourself at Glendale Shoals Preserve. Home to an old cotton factory, you can go for a walk or relax by the waterfalls.
South of downtown is Duncan Park and north is the Milliken Arboretum. Home to Milliken’s corporate headquarters, its 300-plus acres are open to the public. My fellow distance runners: if you’re looking for a place to do some cross-country running, this is it.
Finally, on the west side, there’s Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve. If plants are your thing, this is your stop. This 13-acre botanical garden is home to more than 10,000 species of trees and shrubs, hundreds of hostas, and dozens of woodlands and wildflowers. And it’s free!
Spartanburg’s state park
If you’re looking for a little more than a walk in the park, head down to Croft State Park. You can camp overnight or explore its 7,000-plus acres for the day. The park offers more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders — keep your eyes peeled for remnants of former homesteads throughout the woods. Croft is also home to Lake Craig. Swimming isn’t permitted in this 165-acre lake, but you can boat and fish in it. Kayaks, canoes, and standup paddle boards are available for rent.
Just keep in mind that state parks in South Carolina charge an admission fee. In 2023, Croft charges $3 per adult, $1.50 for seniors, and $1 for kids ages 6-15. Children ages 5 and under get in for free.
Best events in Spartanburg
While there’s plenty to do in the city all year long, there are three annual events that I think present the prime opportunity for locals to visit the Burg.
The first is Spring Fling, a 3-day street festival in April. In addition to all the classic carnival rides and food you’d expect, on Friday it hosts the Spartanburg Criterium, a cycling competition featuring amateur and professional riders.
The second is the Carolina Panthers Training Camp. Held at Wofford College from the end of July into August, football fans can watch the pros practice and get some autographs for free.
And finally, we have A Dickens of a Christmas, a one-night Victorian holiday event held in early December. In addition to the annual tree lighting ceremony, you can expect living window displays, carolers, food and hot chocolate, a Christmas market, carriage rides, and more.
Have you been to Spartanburg?
If so, what was your favorite thing? What would you add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know what I should check out next!
I live only 2 and a half hours from Spartanburg, but I haven’t made the trip there yet. However, you’ve made some awesome suggestions that make it worth taking my kids there for a day trip. We love exploring parks and ice cream shops for sure. Thank you for these suggestions.