32 Ways to Have Fun Without Spending a Dime!

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Agricultural Museum

Pre-1925 farm equipment and tools, along with Cherokee Indian and local history artifacts, are in this 6,000 square foot building, resembling a race horse barn which earlier was on this property.  Located at 120 History Lane, just off US Hwy 76, Pendleton, across from Tri-County Technical College. (800) 862-1795.
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Anderson City Fire Department Museum

Experience an amazing collection of four fire trucks from the late 19th and early 20th century. The collection includes: a 1880s horse-drawn wagon; a 1911 American LaFrance Hose & Chemical Truck, the city's first motorized fire truck has solid rubber tires and is driven by a chain drive; a 1915 Seagrave Motor Pumping Engine, the first with spring-loaded bumpers and a 1919 Seagrave Motor Pumping Engine. The museum also features other antique fire fighting equipment. 400 S. McDuffie St., Anderson. Open Mon.-Fri. 9-5 and by appointment. (864) 231-2256

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Anderson County Museum

Enjoy three new exhibits: The Anderson County Fair, the McGee Brothers Harness Shop and Duke Energy. Other exhibits include the Anderson County Hall of Fame; an interactive Heritage Corridor exhibit that features in-depth history of the nine Anderson County municipalities; a special military exhibit; a large 3-in-1 exhibit discussing the intertwined history of agriculture, textiles, and electricity. 202 E. Greenville St., Anderson. Open Tuesday 10-7, Wednesday-Saturday 10-4. (864) 260-4737.

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Anderson County "Small Town Life" Driving Adventure

Explore the highways and byways of Anderson County during a driving tour that will take you to every interesting corner of the county. Developed by the Anderson County board of the SC National Heritage Corridor, the tour will take you to historic churches & buildings, delightful small towns and through beautiful countryside. Click here to download the tour brochure (8 MB File).

Anderson Historic Districts

The city is home to four historic districts: Anderson, Boulevard, Downtown and Westside. Click on the website link to download maps of the districts.

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Anderson University

A group of public-spirited citizens, who wanted an institution of higher education in Anderson, offered 32 acres of land and $100,000 to the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1910. The offer was accepted and Anderson University was chartered in 1911. Today, 1,700 students select from 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 29 fields of study. Visitor attractions include the Rainey Fine Arts Center, the city's largest performing arts facility; the Vandiver Gallery of the Thrift Library, which features changing art exhibits throughout the year and the Anderson University Trojans, who compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports.

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Ashtabula Historic House

This house museum, built in the 1820's, contains many fine period furnishings and historic items.  It's located three miles east of Pendleton on SC Highway 88 (2725 Old Greenville Hwy.) 2008 Open April-October: Thurs. 1-4 pm, Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm. November 28-30: 1-5 pm. December 13-14, 20-21, 26-30: 1-5 pm. (864) 646-7249.

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Bob Campbell Geology Museum

Located at the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University, the museum's mineral collection consists of more than 5,000 specimens. Spectacular fossils from all over the world are on display. Polished sections of several famous meteorites are on display along with a fragment of the meteorite that formed a mile-wide crater when it fell in Arizona. Admission: $3 adults, $2 children (Free admission the third weekend of each month). Open Wed.-Sat 10 am - 5 pm, Sun. 1-5 pm. Hwy. 76 & Perimeter Rd., Clemson. (864) 656-4600.

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Central History Museum

This 1893 residence features artifacts and history of the town and surrounding area. The well-kept grounds are highlighted by a formal rose garden. Open Sundays 2-4 pm. 416 Church Street, Central. (864) 639-2794.

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Clemson University

Clemson University was founded in 1889, a legacy of Thomas Green Clemson, who willed his plantation home, its land, and other property to the state of South Carolina to establish a technical and scientific institution. Today, more than 16,000 students select from undergraduate and graduate degree programs in more than 70 fields of study. Visitor attractions include; Fort Hill, John C. Calhoun's home. Fort Hill was named a national treasure by the Save America's Treasures program and is on the National Register of Historic Places; Rudolph E. Lee Gallery presents exhibitions of outstanding regional, national and international artists and architects; T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena, a 100-acre complex and the showplace for livestock activities and agricultural exhibitions in South Carolina. (864) 656-3311.

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Farmer's Hall

The Pendleton Farmers Society has met in this building continuously since 1828. It is one of the five oldest farmers halls in continuous use in the nation. (864) 646-8161.
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Hagood Mill

Travel back in time to the 19th century and experience this working, water powered grist mill, built in 1825. The mill operates the third Saturday of every month. The grounds are open from 10-4 Wed.-Sat. 138 Hagood Mill Rd., Pickens. (864) 898-5963.

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Hunter's Store (currently closed for renovations)

The headquarters of the Pendleton District Historical, Recreational and Tourism Commission has historical exhibits and changing displays.  The entire town of Pendleton is on the National Register of Historic Places. Information at the visitors center is also available on many historic and tourism sites in the region.  Also in the building is a local history and genealogy library.  Located at 125 E. Queen Street in the heart of Pendleton. (800) 862-1795.
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Oconee Heritage Center

Located in an historic tobacco warehouse, the Center features a 250-year old dugout canoe, a Depression-era tenant farmer's house and much more. Open Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 12-5 pm and Saturday 10 am - 3 pm. 123 Brown's Square Dr., Walhalla. (864) 638-2224.

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Oconee Station State Historic Site

This 210-acre park in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, contains two historic structures: a stone blockhouse (fort) known as Oconee Station and a two-story brick residence known as the William Richards House. The blockhouse was constructed around 1792 as one of a chain of such buildings established during a period of tension between white settlers and the Indians. The brick house was built in 1805 by William Richards, a native of Ireland. Richards established a successful trading post at Oconee Station. Open daily

9 am-6 pm. 500 Oconee Station Rd., Walhalla. (864) 638-0079.
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Old Stone Church

Built in 1797 by Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Pickens and others as a Presbyterian church. It stands watch over a fascinating cemetery which includes the graves of Pickens & his family and General Robert Anderson, another Revolutionary War hero. Located between Pendleton & Clemson on U.S. Hwy. 76 at 101 Stone Cir. (864) 654-2061.

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Pedal Car Display

Relive your childhood while enjoying the permanent Antique Pedal Car display at the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau's Visitor Center. Six cars from the 1930s, 40s and 50s are always on display and new cars are featured every three months. To view a sample of the cars click here. Open Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. 110 Federal St., Suite 8, Anderson. (877) 282-4650.

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"Radio" Statue

Anderson native James Robert "Radio" Kennedy is memorialized in this wonderful statue. Radio's life was the subject of the 2003 motion picture "Radio" starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ed Harris. Radio has been a fixture at T.L. Hanna High School since he started attending football practice in 1963. The statue is outside of the football stadium at T. L. Hanna High School, 2600 Hwy. 81, Anderson.

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South Carolina National Heritage Corridor
Tracing a path through Anderson County, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor extends 240 miles across South Carolina, stretching from the mountains of Oconee County, along the Savannah River, to the port city of Charleston. The 14 counties of the corridor offer a cross-section of the state's history, culture, and natural landscapes. The area describes the evolution of upcountry and lowcountry life, from grand plantations and simple farms to mill villages and urban centers, and how their history affected South Carolina as a state and America as a nation. (866) 915-0942.

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Timms Mill

This recently restored grist mill on Six and Twenty Creek was originally built in 1784. The current site of the mill was built in 1898 and is powered by a 13-foot original Fitz Waterwheel. It offers fresh stone-ground grits and cornmeal to visitors, local residents and restaurants. Open most Saturdays 1-4 pm. 150 Timms Mill Rd., Pendleton. (864) 261-3366.

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The upstate is home to eight other restored grist mills. For more information, click here.

South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame

Portraits by acclaimed sports artist Wayland Moore, a Belton native, are featured. The Hall of Fame also contains memorabilia from coaches, players, and tennis professionals with South Carolina connections.  Three Wimbledon competitors have donated items to the museum.  Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Located in the historic railroad depot building at 50 N. Main Street in downtown Belton. (864) 338-7400.
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Woodburn Historic House

A house museum, built ca. 1830 by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, contains period furnishings and historic items. Located on History La. at US Hwy 76 adjacent to the Pendleton District Agricultural Museum. Open April-October: Sunday 2-6 pm. (864) 646-7249.
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