Fruitful Finds Along Hwy 11

DAY 1

Breakfast/Coffee at Strawberry Hill

Start your day with a country breakfast that might include livermush, an omelet, or pancakes, but definitely get the “Cathead” biscuits. Then head across the road to The Shed for a tremendous selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, like more pumpkins than you may ever seen in one place. There’s an awesome corn maze and hayrides, if you want the full experience.

Less than 10 miles away (about 15 minutes) is site of the “turning point of the war in the South” where troops led by Daniel Morgan defeated the British regular army. Located in Gaffney and part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group, the 841-acre Cowpens National Battlefield offers a 1.2-mile walking trail that crosses through the battlefield, a 3.5-mile biking and driving trail that loops around the battlefield perimeter, interpretative signs, a visitors center with a museum, plus a restored log cabin that belonged to Robert Scruggs who farmed the land before the park was established. Beyond the battlefield, the park offers a picnic area with shelter and restrooms.

Stop by Peach Country and get more info on Scenic 11, a national scenic byway, from the QR code on the map. While you are there, check out what is in season but don’t leave without a real fruit slushie. Makes for a great snack!

Fish and Chips? Definitely. Pint of Guinness? Certainly. But also burgers, quesadillas, salads, wine and spirits. After lunch, stroll downtown and check out the many antique stores and galleries that line the streets.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge, the oldest remaining covered bridge in the state, built in 1909. It sits in a park and is a very peaceful stop.

Check in at the Red Horse Inn. Whether you stay in the main inn or in one of the charming cottages, you’ll have sweeping Blue Ridge mountain views. This 21+ age facility is a perfect romantic retreat. There’s a great wine bar and plenty of animals on the property to see, like a pet potbellied pig and alpacas, and of course, the horse, the great-great-grand daughter of Secretariat.

Dinner in Landrum. Lots of choices here, but hard to go wrong with one of South Carolina’s chef ambassadors who runs Southside Smokehouse and Grill. You’ll find everything from NC style BBQ to Creole dishes to steaks and tacos. Plus 12 taps, over 300 Whiskeys and 60 Tequila options. Olé!

DAY 2

The day starts with breakfast at the Red Horse Inn (it is a bed and BREAKFAST, after all).

Poinsett Bridge — built in 1820, it is the oldest in the state, and one of the most significant historic structures as well. It sits in a beautiful 120-acre preserve.

MacGregor Orchard: 40 varieties of apples, plums, persimmons, pears, and preserves, plus fresh apple cider and apple sauce.

Sidetrip: Highest point in the state — Sassafras Mountain. It’s a beautiful drive filled with fall color when the leaves are changing. From the observation deck you can see four states, as you straddle the NC/SC border and the Eastern Continental Divide.

Lunch: Aunt Sue’s Country Corner. Grab some ice cream or homemade fudge and pull up a rocking chair after lunch of fried green tomatoes and brisket sandwich, or maybe pizza and a milkshake.

Walk off lunch while exploring two attractions in one location: Issaqueena Falls & Stumphouse Tunnel. In this 440-acre park, there is a well-maintained trail that leads from the parking area to a platform for viewing this 100-foot cascade of Cane Creek. Nearby is a picnic area and Stumphouse Tunnel, which is 25 feet high, 17 feet wide, and although it was not completed as a railroad tunnel, extends 1,617 feet into the mountain. You can walk a ways into the tunnel.

Dinner: Humble Pie. Pizza is the star of the show here at this family owned restaurant, but you can also get a Philly or a Cuban sandwich or a salad. It’s a short drive to Westminster or Walhalla for more options.

Check in at Chattooga Belle Farm. There’s a lot to do on property. There is u-pick fruits, an 18-hole Disc Golf course, a farm store, a distillery, a Bistro…and then there’s the view…200 degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When deciding where to stay, choose from tiny homes, a large lakehouse, 30+ campsites, RV sites, and a camping cabin. You may want to stay an extra day to recover from all this vacationing!