Atlanta, GA
Between Atlanta And Charlotte Is South Carolina’s Small City With Friendly Vibes And A Walkable Downtown – Islands
In South Carolina, small towns reign supreme. While each region in the state has its own major city, the real hidden gems are the historic small towns with proud, locally-owned businesses serving their communities. The Upstate has plenty of small towns to choose from, like the hiker’s paradise that is Travelers Rest or the artsy suburb of Simpsonville. However, Belton is a friendly community with a walkable downtown shopping area that’s also worth checking out. Festivals draw crowds year-round, but on any regular day or weekend, Belton is a great place to visit for small-town vibes without straying too far from the urban attractions in nearby Greenville.
Belton became a town in 1855 with the construction of the railroad depot. That vital connection allowed the town to grow. Belton’s economy boomed through the early 1900s. Mills were built. Shops and businesses went up. Tennis came to town and never left. By 1970, Belton was the “Tennis Capital of South Carolina.” Today, the historic railroad depot that made the town official houses the city’s history museum, gift shop, and the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. The historic Standpipe water tower still stands proudly above the city, and those same shop buildings line the main square, home to thriving modern businesses.
What to see in Belton
Start in Belton’s walker-friendly city square area, lined with boutiques and antique shops. A five-minute walk will take you past over 20 shopfronts. Across the street is the historic train depot, now home to the Belton Area Museum Association, which houses the Belton Museum, the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, an art gallery, and a gift shop. The museums are free to visit, but check operating hours in the low season. Don’t forget a quick photo stop at the historic Belton Standpipe, the city’s water tower, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
There are a handful of restaurants mixed in with the city square shops, and fast food options line Main Street, but it’s worth a 15-minute drive to the outskirts to eat at Grit & Groceries. The menu features dishes that change with the seasons, only using ingredients grown within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant for a truly local dining experience. This spot boasts a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews with many praising the high quality of food and service.
Family-owned and operated Callaham Orchards, five minutes from Belton’s downtown in the opposite direction, is worth a stop in every season but winter. Spring starts in March with tulip picking and gradually gives way to summer berry and fruit picking. Fall features apple cider donuts, slushies, and a corn maze. Hours are seasonal, so check their website for updates before your trip.
Exploring Belton and the nearby area
Belton is best visited by car while exploring South Carolina’s Upstate over several days. There are no Amtrak stations or public transportation options that service the area. It’s only a 40-minute drive from Greenville, South Carolina and the nearest airport, but flight deals are more likely to happen at hub airports, like Atlanta and Charlotte, both of which are about 2.5 hours away without traffic.
A day trip to Belton pairs well with other nearby adventures. That’s the advantage of exploring small towns. Belton is only an hour’s drive from five South Carolina state parks and within two hours of several more, making it a great pitstop option before or after visiting a park or historic site.
Don’t miss the South Carolina State Chili Cook-off Championship, held each April in Belton, where you can taste all the competitors’ best chili for a small fee. Proceeds stay in Belton and support local non-profits. Chili is just one part of this community-wide festival, which also includes local craft vendors, an antique car show, tennis showcase matches, art gallery viewings, and live music from local musicians. This is a chance for visitors to come be a part of Belton and its friendly vibes for the day or the full weekend.
Atlanta, GA
Power outage impacts more than 5,000 customers in Midtown Atlanta
Thousands of people are without power in Midtown Atlanta as crews work to restore service following an equipment failure, according to Georgia Power.
The outage affected nearly 5,300 customers, stretching from Currier Street Northeast to 11th Street.
Georgia Power said the outage was caused by an equipment issue, and crews are on-site making repairs.
Officials added that, thanks to smart grid technology, service is expected to be remotely restored to more than half of affected customers soon.
An estimated restoration time was listed at 10:15 a.m.
Atlanta, GA
The Best Vintage Shops in Atlanta
Vogue’s guide to the best vintage stores in Atlanta is part of our directory of the very best vintage around the world, curated by editors from all over. Whether you’re traveling and searching for some superb stores to visit on your trip or are curious about your local vintage treasure chests, Vogue’s directory has you covered.
Come to Atlanta for its southern charm and lush greenery, stay for its vintage. The Hollywood of the South has a lot more than on-set locations and an upcoming roster of FIFA World Cup games, and whether exploring shops along the Beltline, losing your voice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or itching for the eccentric pleasures of a roadside antique mall, these vintage gems make the journey to the A more than worth it.
Photo: Courtesy of The Clothing Warehouse
Dutch field pants, netted shirts, prairie dresses, and a floor-to-ceiling selection of cowboy boots are a few of the many goods awaiting your search at this Atlanta mainstay. Opened by Jim Buckley in 1992, the Clothing Warehouse now calls the hipster Little 5 Points home. Its redbrick exterior is hard to miss—head upstairs for womenswear and union-made dresses, then downstairs to a room of seriously color-coded tees—it’s likely you will find plenty of Atlanta history in the form of 1996 Summer Olympics shirts. Plus, its wholesale location is a 15-minute drive away in West Midtown, if you’re up for an afternoon dig.
Address: 420 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta
At the vintage and makers market Mother Lode, there’s something for every lover of old things. Founder Lindsay Short’s estate sale background is well-reflected in the shop’s range of garments, decor, and wares. Find 1930s beach pajamas beside bowling shirts and Edwardian tunics at Fellows Vintage’s booth, or ’60s wedding dresses that seem more Factory Girl than bride-to-be from Iron Pony. The hunt continues at Mother Lode’s sister location in college town Athens, which opened in 2023.
Address: 3429 Covington Hwy Ste B, Decatur
Monet Brewerton-Palmer first got her love for bridal from her grandmother, who was a shop seamstress. Then, after shopping for her own wedding dress in 2014 and ending up with four, her interest (and personal collection) only grew. Now, Brewerton-Palmer offers brides an array of dresses by Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Catherine Rayner, and more. Standout pieces include a 1959 one-of-one from Jacques Heim, a silk rose-covered Christian Dior for the romantic, and a fur-accented Muriel Martin for the nontraditionalist.
Atlanta, GA
Former Atlanta principal back at his old school as its new handyman:
Retirement did not last long for one Atlanta school principal.
After 10 years leading Burgess Peterson Academy, David White is back, and this time he’s making sure everything inside the school’s building runs smoothly.
White retired last September from being the school’s principal, but home didn’t suit him for long.
“I found myself really kind of lonely and disconnected,” White said. “I had lost my sense of community, for sure, so when this position became available, I kind of laughed because I used to say that it would be the perfect retirement job.”
White applied for the open site manager position and got the job. Now he enjoys being back in the same halls that bring him joy.
He is six weeks into the new job.
“I find myself now always looking to see if there are lights that are burned out, if there are issues that need to be addressed,” said White. “There’s always the need for touch-up painting, right? Because kids have dirty little hands, and they love to pick paint.”
During CBS News Atlanta’s visit, White was repairing a broken lightbulb in the boy’s bathroom.
“The light started flickering, like, just blinking off and on, and so of course the kids were saying it was haunted,” he said.
Around the school, his impact hasn’t faded.
Students and staff light up when they see him.
“It’s been really great to see their excitement to be here every day and to see Mr. White,” said principal Dr. Holly Brookins. “I really feel that having him back has added so much value to our community, and it’s really been a joyful thing for all of us.”
With a tool belt and new titles, White proves that no matter the role, some people never stop showing up for the places they love.
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