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On your way to Newberry, stop by the Little Mountain Unlimited Antique Mall and Café, where you’ll find more than a sprawling shop of collectibles, furnishings and artwork, but also a cozy basement café. (Try their signature “PB&J”—it’s not what you’d expect!)
Photo by John Russell
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The Tiny Paris Carolina café and wine bar in Newberry might be the next best thing to the real Parisian deal.
Photo by John Russell
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The Wells Japanese Garden in Newberry is filled with water features and ponds, native and exotic flora, peaceful pathways and traditional Japanese architectural elements such as a temple, torii gate, moon bridge and teahouse.
Photo by John Russell
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You’ll find all eight (yes, there are eight) swan species and 120 varieties of Japanese iris at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, on your way to Bishopville.
Photo by John Russell
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The Sumter Cut Rate Pharmacy has been serving since 1935. Try its most famous dish, the Whirly Ding: homemade chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, a pickle and crackers.
Photo by John Russell
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The Button King, Dalton Stevens, died in 2016, but he left behind for our enjoyment this most delightfully bizarre exhibit, Bishopville’s Button Museum.
Photo by John Russell
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Don’t leave Bishopville without grabbing a bite at a restaurant honoring the town’s most famous mythical resident, The Lizard Man. Try the Lizard Man burger at Harry & Harry Too.
Photo by John Russell
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At just 10 feet by 12 feet, the World’s Smallest Police Station in Ridgeway is an, ahem, arresting building. Stop by on your way to Rock Hill.
Photo by Libby Wiersema
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You could take home an original “Christy” artwork as a road trip souvenir when you stop at the SHE Garden in Winnsboro.
Photo by Libby Wiersema
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Check Elsie’s Facebook page for the daily password to enter this elegant speakeasy in Rock Hill.
Photo by Libby Wiersema
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Round out your Rock Hill road trip by stopping by the Rock Hill Fountain Park, perhaps with a pastry from Amelie’s French bakery in hand.
Photo by Libby Wiersema
Quaint, quirky and quintessentially South Carolina, sights and stops along the state’s back roads can add up to one amazing day trip.
Consider this trio of one-tank road trips designed to deliver a little something for everyone in two hours or less total driving time, one way. While each originates from the capital city, begin wherever you are and map out your journey from point to point. No need to count your pennies, either, as admission or access to each stop is free.
Whether the aim is family fun, a quick getaway with friends, a couples outing or a solo sightseeing adventure, treasures await rovers willing to ditch the fast lane for the relaxing pace of rural, scenic byways.
For each day trip, set your GPS to “avoid freeways” and enter the address or name of each destination. Then, grab the car keys, get your camera ready, meander the miles and make some great memories, South Carolina-style.
Columbia to NewberryBack roads: U.S. 76 West and S.C. 34 EastApproximate one-way distance: 50 milesTotal driving time, one way: About 1¼ hours
First stop: Little Mountain Unlimited Antique Mall and Café, 1528 Main St., Little Mountain
What seems like a modest-sized gift shop on the outside morphs into a grand 25,000-square-foot curiosity shop once you walk through the doors. It’s easy to spend a couple hours or more in this marvelous maze of vintage jewelry, glassware, artwork, bric-a-brac, seasonal decor, antique furnishings and collectibles. Don’t skip a visit to the basement, where you’ll find rock ’n’ roll memorabilia and an eclectic, artsy café with a drool-worthy, from-scratch menu. Try the signature PB&J: house-made pimento cheese, crisp bacon and spicy raspberry jam on grilled sourdough.
Second stop: Prosperity Frog Mural, North Main Street, Prosperity
History has linked this tiny town to everyone’s favorite throaty amphibian: the frog. According to town lore, Prosperity was originally known as “Frog Level,” a name that stuck after an inebriated fellow muttered the words after falling asleep near a pond and awakening to a frog symphony. In 1873, residents demanded a name change to reflect their civic pride in being a hub for the Southern Railroad. Today, residents embrace their froggy roots and adore the colorful mural by artist Austin “Slim” Gee that appoints their quaint Main Street. Mural fans may also want to navigate the few blocks to McKibben Street to see the restored and nostalgic Coca-Cola mural.
Third stop: Tiny Paris Carolina, 1109 Caldwell St., Newberry
Tiny Paris Carolina is a jewel of a find and the next best thing to the real deal. Whether you drop in for lunch, sips or shopping, this diminutive bistro/wine bar/gift shop offers a sweet European experience, à la française. Get cozy over a warm baguette with olive tapenade, herbed butter and a glass of champagne. Just like while on vacation, you’ll want to take home a souvenir. Our suggestion: an exotically scented bespoke candle in vintage glassware.
Fourth stop: Wells Japanese Garden, 1608 Lindsay St., Newberry
You can go from Tiny Paris to tiny Japan in a matter of minutes. This lovely garden (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is small in size but big on Zen with water features and ponds, native and exotic flora, peaceful pathways and traditional Japanese architectural elements such as a temple, torii gate, moon bridge and teahouse. Refresh in the quiet, shaded beauty before heading to your final destination.
Final stop: Enoree River Winery, 1650 Dusty Road, Newberry
Do a tasting of hand-crafted, natural wines made from grapes grown on this 8-acre vineyard. Stretch your legs then sit a spell on the homey back porch with its sweeping views. Grab an iced coffee or soda and a few snacks for the ride home.
Columbia to BishopvilleBack roads: U.S. 378 East/U.S. 76 East, U.S. 15 NorthApproximate one-way distance: 64 milesTotal driving time, one way: About 1¼ hours
First stop: Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter
Home to all eight swan species and 120 varieties of Japanese iris, this park puts on a stunning show each spring. But there’s plenty of beauty to behold any time of year. The swans are always in fine form, gliding across the gentle waters as other wildlife—geese, wood ducks, Muscovy ducks, egrets, herons—go about their own routines. (Bring binoculars for a close-up look.) A sensory trail, talking tree trail, rose garden, azalea garden, butterfly garden and chocolate garden filled with plants and flowers that smell like, yes, chocolate invite exploration. Plan to spend at least an hour here. At least.
Second stop: Sumter Cut Rate Pharmacy, 32 S. Main St., Sumter
Tucked inside this compounding pharmacy is a diner and soda fountain that have been serving since 1935. The menu is about as classic as it gets. Think biscuits and gravy, omelets, BLTs, chef salads, chili dogs and patty melts. Recently, Saturday brunch debuted with more adventurous fare like huevos rancheros. But the Cut Rate’s most famous dish has always been the Whirly Ding: homemade chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, a pickle and crackers. Elevate your visit with a creamy milkshake topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a cherry—just like in the good old days. Stroll downtown afterward to see local artists’ street installations of fiberglass butterfly sculptures, a symbol of the town’s growth and change.
Third stop: Button Museum, 53 Joe Dority Road, Bishopville
The Button King, Dalton Stevens, died in 2016, but he left behind for our enjoyment this most delightfully bizarre exhibit. Housed on farmland in a small metal building, the museum is a self-guided adventure. Just open the door, flip the lights on and let the jaw-dropping commence. A hearse, a guitar, a piano, a casket and even a toilet all covered in buttons glued on by hand—nothing was off-limits for Dalton, whose first wacky work of art was a suit covered in 16,333 buttons. Locate the remote control to begin a video presentation about the Button King and his many television interviews with big-timers like Johnny Carson. This is the stuff great road trips are made of, and seeing is believing.
Fourth stop: Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, 145 Broad Acres Road, Bishopville
Pearl Fryar once called himself a “man who cuts up bushes.” While that might be true, it’s not quite accurate. Fryar, the son of sharecroppers, honed his talents with hedge-clippers and earned international acclaim as an abstract topiary artist. People come from across the globe to get a firsthand look at his craft, so South Carolinians would be remiss not to follow suit. Though illness has forced Fryar into retirement, other topiary artists now help maintain the garden’s hundreds of plants. As you walk the pathways, you’ll want to give thanks for the man called Pearl and his phenomenal gifts.
Final stop: Harry & Harry Too, 719 Sumter Highway, Bishopville
Even if you’re not real hungry, stop by this rustic restaurant that pays homage to South Carolina’s favorite resident of Scape Ore Swamp. The hoopla of that 1988 sighting of an upright, lizard-like creature has long died down, but the legend lives on through Bishopville’s annual Lizard Man Stomp Festival as well as this oddly named eatery. From yard art to wall art and a few nods to reptile lore on the menu, this funky little burger joint is dearly loved by the locals. The Lizard Man burger, topped with pimento cheese and applewood bacon, is a favorite, although the Lizard Man, himself, has yet to weigh in.
Columbia to Rock HillBack roads: U.S. 321 North, S.C. 97 North, S.C. 121 NorthApproximate one-way distance: 73 milesTotal driving time, one way: About 1½ hours
First stop: World’s Smallest Police Station, South Palmer Street, Ridgeway
At just 10 feet by 12 feet, this tiny hub of law enforcement could only accommodate a wooden desk, file cabinet, rotary telephone and wood stove when it was active. From 1940 to 1990, it served as the town’s police station until a larger one was built next door. It is a superstar of sorts, having appeared in the 1989 film “Staying Together” (filmed in Ridgeway) and served as an official stop for the Centennial Olympic Torch Relay—yet another proud moment for this arresting little building. Kick around downtown for a bit and check out the quaint shops and cafés, too.
Second stop: South Carolina Railroad Museum, 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro
Indoor and outdoor exhibits at this volunteer-staffed museum tell the story of the railroad industry’s glory days and more. Immerse yourself in the experience by making reservations to take a train ride along a once-bustling spur formerly utilized by a nearby granite quarry. Themed train rides, some offering meals, are a fan favorite and sell out quickly, so get on board! Admission to the museum is free, but fees apply for train rides.
Third stop: Cornwallis Tea Company, 141 S. Congress St., Winnsboro
It’s time for a little refreshment, and this charming downtown café is the perfect place to find it. Chicken salad and other delicious sandwiches, soups, salads and sweets are among the tasty offerings. Need a spark to fuel the next leg of your trip? Choose from a list of house-blended teas and order a pot.
Fourth stop: Christy Buchanan’s SHE Garden, 1450 Newberry Road, Winnsboro
Artist Christy Buchanan has created a kaleidoscopic garden that is hard to resist. Follow the pathways and feast your eyes on one-of-a-kind folk-art installations bursting with whimsy and color. See something that speaks to your art heart? Chances are you can make a purchase and own an original “Christy.” Admission to the garden is free, but donations are appreciated.
Final stop: Old Town Rock Hill, East Main Street, Rock Hill
Start to explore the historic, revitalized downtown with a stroll down Freedom Walkway. The mural and brick path created by local artists invites contemplation. Note the nine stools that represent the Friendship 9, a group of Black men arrested in 1961 after staging a sit-in at a segregated McCrory’s lunch counter. The McCrory’s site was preserved and is now an acclaimed restaurant aptly named Kounter. Take a seat at the original counter on stools that bear the names of each protester.
Afterward, head next door to Elsie’s, a small deli specializing in Italian meats. While the shaved prosciutto is divine, resist ordering. Instead, pull out your phone and check the deli’s Facebook page for the password of the day. Utter it, and the clerk will lead you to a secret door. Behind it, you’ll find a dim-lit, elegant speakeasy serving light bites, classic cocktails and mocktails. You must be 21 or older to enjoy this experience.
Before leaving Old Town, grab a coffee and pastry on Main Street from the French bakery, Amelie’s, then walk to nearby Rock Hill Fountain Park. Watching the graceful dancing waters while sipping a cappuccino and nibbling a Napolean is a perfect way to end this unforgettable back-road adventure.