According to the all-knowing Internet, South Carolina is currently home to 68 cities and 202 towns, plus a number of unincorporated communities. (Source: Wikipedia.)
But we’re only concerned today with one of these special places. Nestled in the heart of the South Carolina Upcountry is a charming little city that actually feels more like a small town and it’s anything but ordinary.
The City of Pickens, South Carolina rests within two-and-a-half square miles just south of the exact center of Pickens County.
This small city has a little more than 3,000 residents, compared to Pickens County with a total of 119,000 residents.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
But even with a countywide population that’s equal to one-fifth of the population in the entire state of Wyoming, the City of Pickens manages to retain that southern small town appeal. Let’s take a quick peek:
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
There’s a fun and engaging city park paid for by generous donations of the town’s residents.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
Many of the city’s streets are lined with stunning old homes on plots of rolling hills with mature trees and streetscape. It really is a beautiful town.
Google Maps [streetview]
Pickens is also a town that’s found a way to move forward in a difficult economy.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
In 2015, Pickens and neighboring Easley joined together and opened the Doodle Trail, an eight mile rails to trails project that connects Pickens and Easley using a former historic railway bed.
TripAdvisor/southernchetz
The multiuse trail is open to hikers, walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and anything non-motorized.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
The city also just built a very hip bike park!
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
But Pickens is more than just outdoor hiking and unique parks.
Google Maps [streetview]
In Pickens, there seems to always be something fun and interesting going on.The residents are just as fun as the town. Here’s a shot of a 2012 Bluegrass “flash mob” in the parking lot of a pizza restaurant. How “uniquely” Pickens!
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
It’s true that Pickens residents love their music.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
In 2013 the city constructed an outdoor amphitheatre right in downtown.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
The first Saturday in October Pickens hosts the Founders Day Music Festival that has this stage hopping with toe-tappin’ Bluegrass all day long.
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
But you don’t have to wait until next October to visit Pickens. There are plenty of things to do between now and then, like visit the grounds of Historic Hagood Mill just outside of town.
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Fitzpatrick Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Rd, Pickens, SC 29671
There are several historic buildings to explore here as you wander around.
Facebook/Visit Pickens County
There are even ancient petroglyphs discovered on site here.
Wikimedia Commons/John Foxe
Hungry? Head over to the Burning Brick Tavern on Main Street for a grilled hand-pressed burger that’ll melt your socks off.
TripAdvisor/Amy B
Or, check out the really unique restaurant stop out on Highyway 11 (3414 Hwy 11, Pickens, SC) known as the Pumpkintown Opry. You’ll enjoy the interesting fare in the gift shop at least as much as the eats in the restaurant.
TripAdvisor/Barbara B
And if those eateries aren’t enough to pique your interest, there’s always the iconic Aunt Sue’s at 107 Country Creek Dr. Pickens, SC 29671.
TripAdvisor/hooked_on_travel77
Wherever you eat, hurry it up so you won’t miss your very own Horseback Waterfall Tour in Pickens. We’re pretty sure it’s the only one of its kind in the entire state!
Facebook/Horseback Waterfall Tours
Pickens and Pickens County are laden with show stopping waterfalls and there’s a company in Pickens that offers thrilling horseback trail rides that dish up some amazing waterfall and mountain views. More info on that here.
Facebook/Horseback Waterfall Tours
If the horseback waterfall tour isn’t the pinnacle of your visit to Pickens, then a visit to Table Rock State Park will definitely hit the mark.
Flickr/Cody Wellons
This iconic state park was recently closed due to wildfires but reopened on November 29. Not all the trails are open yet, but they’re all as amazing as this one!
TripAdvisor/Kristin S More information on trail openings at Table Rock can be found here.
If Pickens County is like the mother of all oysters, then Pickens is definitely the perfect pearl found within. Put this small city on your bucket list soon and discover why she is anything but ordinary!
Facebook/City of Pickens, SC - City Hall
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/southernchetz
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Fitzpatrick
Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Rd, Pickens, SC 29671
Facebook/Visit Pickens County
Wikimedia Commons/John Foxe
TripAdvisor/Amy B
TripAdvisor/Barbara B
TripAdvisor/hooked_on_travel77
Facebook/Horseback Waterfall Tours
Flickr/Cody Wellons
TripAdvisor/Kristin S
More information on trail openings at Table Rock can be found here.
Are you already in love with Pickens? Tell us why in our comments!
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