For all those who crave getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, travelling from Atlanta to Upcountry, SC makes for the perfect weekend road trip. As you travel up Interstate 85 Northbound, jump onto Highway 11 at Lake Hartwell via Exit 1 to start your Scenic Route 11 weekend excursion! Let us guide you through a fantastic two-day itinerary for a little something for everyone to see, eat, and do along the way.
Maps and Directions: We can’t squeeze all there is to see and do into one weekend, so check out this map to explore more from Scenic Route 11! Check out the link here for more on the stops we did (and didn’t) highlight this trip.
Day 1 Options: Walhalla, Salem, & Pickens, SC
From museums to waterfalls, historic sites to food stops, Walhalla is a wonderful town to make our first pit stop on this Route 11 weekend. If the weather is good, start your trip exploring Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls. The tunnel was a project that was planned in the 1850s to connect SC to the Midwest with a direct rail line (and later abandoned). Stumphouse Park includes the falls, picnic areas, and multiple hiking trails. For history and museum lovers, consider visiting Oconee Station State Historic Site/Richards House and these three adjacent locations: The Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina, the Oconee History Museum, and the Oconee Military Museum. For great restaurants in and around downtown, don’t miss The Steak House Cafeteria (a famous meat & three), 3 Amigos Mexican Grill, Steph’s Steaks, and Carolina Pizza Company.
Visiting Salem, SC, is all about Lake Jocassee! Head to Devil’s Fork State Park for local boat tours of nearby foliage in the fall or waterfalls only accessible by boat. Then stop for a meal at Il Mercato & Crave Kitchen or Sisters Restaurant nearby.
For more outdoor adventures, don’t miss some of the sights in Pickens, SC! From Carrick Creek Falls to Table Rock State Park, this is the place for a fantastic view of nature. For sweets and eats, check out the Full Plate Creperie, The Porkette, and The Rock Restaurant & Bar at Table Rock Resort. We’ll end Day One at our B&B of choice this trip – The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, SC – A delightful inn and six charming Victorian cottages on 190 acres with sweeping mountain views.
Day 2 Options: Landrum, Campobello, & Cleveland, SC
Good morning from Landrum! Spend the morning exploring the quaint downtown area, then take a drive to Campbell’s Covered Bridge (to view the only remaining covered bridge in the state of SC). For lunch, stop by The Hare & Hound or Southside Smokehouse before heading to nearby Chesnee for local produce and more from Strawberry Hill, USA.
You can also find great produce and shopping in Campobello, SC, at Peach Country off of Highway 11. The Country Peddler Antiques and General Store isn’t one to miss, along with local favorite Dutch Plate Family Restaurant, for everything from breakfast pancake roll-ups to classic diner specials.
Finally, heading back towards Atlanta, check out two of the waterfalls off of Scenic Route 11 in Cleveland, SC (there are plenty more in town, but these are the closest). Ashemore Falls is more of a hike, but Wildcat Branch Falls can be seen from the roadway and is an excellent stop for a photo opportunity!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our latest itinerary for a scenic trip from Atlanta to some of the best Route 11 has to offer. For another incredible weekend away, check out this article on a “Weekend in Long Creek, SC – Where to Eat, Explore & Play”!
By: Sarah (Moore) Gross, Contributing Author