My husband and I road-tripped through northern South Carolina. This small town surprised us the most.

My husband and I are always looking for fun weekend adventures. When we realized there was a direct flight into Charlotte, North Carolina, we planned a trip to explore South Carolina’s Olde English District, which is just across the state line.

After picking up our rental car, we drove an hour south to the small town of Lancaster, South Carolina. Though the Olde English District is known for its Revolutionary War history, we didn’t have any historic sightseeing lined up. We had plans to check out the local agritourism scene — pick berries, taste local wine, and try microbrews. We were also going to stay at a charming historic inn.

Lancaster is a small town with a big heart

When we arrived, we noticed the streets lined with local UFO art, colorful murals, boutique shops, and BBQ restaurants, like 521 BBQ. I didn’t expect the town to have this emerging, artsy vibe, but it captivated me through whimsical pieces hanging from the street lamps.

We got to Lancaster early and found a local diner to grab breakfast. I ordered scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, and an iced tea. The tall, friendly gentleman with a deep voice at the counter asked, “Would you like sweet tea or half and half?”

I looked at him blankly and asked him what half and half meant. This is when I learned that in the South, ordering half and half means you order an iced tea with half-sweet and half-unsweetened tea. I grew up out West, and sweet tea wasn’t part of my upbringing. But I can assure you it’s one of the most delicious refreshing beverages I’ve ever had.

After breakfast, we found a paved trail, the Lindsay Pettus Greenway, near the high school and wandered beneath the towering tree canopy to walk off our breakfast. It was nice finding a local trail.

Gorge on fresh-picked berries at a U-pick farm

After strolling the greenway, we drove outside Lancaster to the Ivy Place Berry Farm, a local U-pick farm. We roamed fields of blueberry and blackberry bushes, and my husband and I could hardly contain our giddiness. We were having so much fun picking berries. There’s something primal and rewarding about harvesting your own food.

When we went to pay for our bounty, standing in the open-air market selling produce, I met Stuart Graham, whose family has owned the Ivy Place Berry Farm since 1978. Their farm is a departure from South Carolina’s commercial agriculture.

Graham told me, “I want people to know where their food comes from. We don’t use pesticides or herbicides and pride ourselves on good farming practices.”

No wonder my husband and I couldn’t stop eating the mouth-watering berries.

Planning tip: Strawberry picking season starts in April and goes into May. You can pick blackberries and blueberries from June through July.

Taste authentic South Carolina-grown wine

Next, we drove to the Laurel Haven Estate Vineyard and Winery. After parking our car, we immediately noticed the beautiful white mansion and fountain and couldn’t wait to enter. We walked in and were awed by the inside, the views of the pool, and the green vineyard. We met a smiling Jenna Blice standing behind the wine bar.

Blice is a seventh-generation South Carolinian who previously traveled the world as a flight attendant before opening the Laurel Haven Winery outside of Lancaster. Blice is hard at work preserving South Carolina’s wine history, which dates back to the 1700s. They have European grapes bred with American grapes, which helps the vineyard thrive.

We sampled a hand-crafted white wine flight and loved some of the wine so much that we flew a bottle home. Be sure to try their sweet summer Symphony wine.

The estate is a luxurious place to get away for a weekend. It’s also a bed and breakfast.

Relax and try local microbrews

After visiting the winery, we drove to Bedford Brewing, a local microbrewery. It’s a little outside town and a great spot to stay if you do Harvest Hosts and need a place to park your van or small RV for the night.

Bryan O’Neal, the owner, invited us to chat over one of their local craft beers. In addition to selling brews, you can pick up local beef, hand-crafted wood epoxy furniture, and other locally grown food. Bedford Brewing also occasionally has food trucks and live music.

O’Neal built this place from the ground up and is proud of the space it has created for the community.

Stay at the oldest surviving dwelling in the area

After our fantastic day exploring the area, we drove to the Kilburnie Inn, a boutique Bed and Breakfast, to spend the night. As we pulled up to the white three-story Southern-style mansion, aside from the giant porch and massive white pillars, I couldn’t help but notice the porch ceilings had light blue paint. Our eyes marveled over the property and perfectly manicured gardens.

Johannes Tromp, the owner, innkeeper, and European-trained chef, warmly greeted us. Tromp shared stories of how the inn came to be. A nearly 200-year-old refurbished mansion was relocated and is now nestled against the trees in a rural area on the Craig Farm.

Our eyes danced from room to room as we admired each’s unique character and personality. We were awe-struck by the beauty of the parlor and its handcrafted crown molding by famous artist Jim Shore before settling in for the night in the Walkup Suite. The attic suite, where we stayed, was beautifully decorated and inviting, with exposed beams and a hydrotherapy spa tub.

Staying here was the best possible way to end the day. The Southern hospitality during our visit left us eager to revisit South Carolina.