This Small South Carolina Town Is The Bucolic Retreat To Take Now

Perched on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina, Landrum is the stuff of small-town dreams. Venture on a drive through the area’s rolling hills and pastureland, while taking in views of the mighty Blue Ridge Mountains. When you’re ready to get to know the community of just over 2,500 people, a quaint downtown awaits with a healthy collection of antique shops, boutiques, and welcoming local restaurants. Surrounding downtown, you’ll find outdoor attractions like a you-pick lavender farm, a nature preserve, and historic covered bridges. Here’s how to spend an idyllic weekend in Landrum, South Carolina.  

The Best Things To Do In Landrum, South Carolina

Landrum is known for its gorgeous landscapes, so you won’t want to waste a second indoors. Start with a drive to see Campbell’s Covered Bridge, which is the state’s only remaining covered bridge. Constructed between 1909 and 1911, snag some photos with the iconic red pine covering that spans across Beaverdam Creek. A short drive away, you’ll find Poinsett Bridge, the oldest remaining stone bridge in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the South. Some say the bridge is haunted, but regardless of if you’re not a fan of the paranormal, you’ll want to see 16-foot Gothic archway for yourself.

After a short driving tour, get out and stretch your legs at the Blue Wall Preserve, a 575-acre preserve where hiking trails crisscross all around the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A favorite hike to check out is the Palmetto Trail at Blue Wall, an easy 2.7-mile route along the Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto Trail. The extended hike runs through downtown Landrum and Lake Lanier for 14 miles. If you visit Landrum in the late spring or early summer, be sure to make a stop at Elf Leaf Farm, a family-owned operation offering you-pick lavender. Harvest season falls between April and July, with mid-June as the peak. For more seasonal bounty, pay a visit to the Landrum Farmers Market, which is located downtown from April through December.

Rows of brick buildings and colorful awnings span downtown Landrum, which is not only a great place to window shop but an absolute paradise for antique lovers. Start at The Shops at Landrum Antique Mall, where you’ll find everything from vintage furniture, treasures, and collectibles to teas, soaps, scarves, and new clothing. Find fine arts and crafts at The Millstone Gallery. The best thing about shopping downtown? Everything’s a stone’s throw away. In fact, Foothills Amish Furniture, P3 Retail for Rescue, and Carriage House Consignments and Estates Sale are all located on the same block.

The Best Places To Eat In Landrum, South Carolina

Local eateries are a big part of the culture and the community in Landrum, so take time to visit a few favorites for lunch or dinner. Harvest House trends casual during the day with a large menu of homemade sandwiches, salads, and soups. At dinner, you’ll find everything from filet mignon to vegetable risotto to pecan-crusted trout. Just be sure to start your meal with the Fried Green Tomato Tower (layers of tomatoes, pimento cheese, and bacon drizzled with balsamic glaze) and end with Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or Great Granny Smith’s Southern Banana Pudding.

Another beloved neighborhood haunt is The Hare & Hound Pub, a former mercantile that has served as a classic pub and restaurant since 2002. On the menu you’ll find traditional pub fare like Fish & Chips and Guinness Beef Pie, along with Southern delicacies like the Friday and Saturday special Rick’s Famous BBQ Ribs.

Stone Soup Market & Café does a bit of everything. Visit the market for specialty food products like local and imported cheeses and meats, sauces, house-made baked goods, gourmet crackers, and dips, as well as grab-and-go meals and take-home casseroles. Sit down in the café for fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers, and wood-fired pizza, plus wine, beer, and craft cocktails. You can even bring your furry friend along and watch them frolic in the dog park located directly behind the building.

At Southside Smokehouse, Chef Sarah McClure dabbles in cuisine from across the South with dishes ranging from traditional Carolina-style barbecue to Shrimp Creole and Fried Oyster Po’Boys. If you order a smoked meat platter, you’ll have a choice between Lexington pulled pork, sliced pork, chopped chicken thighs, Cajun sausage, and Newberry hash, a South Carolina staple of barbecue pork and sauce mixed with potatoes.  

While Landrum offers a fair share of excellent Southern and homestyle cooking, that’s not the only cuisine the tiny town excels in. Head to Soulisa’s Fine Thai Dining for a creative menu of Thai, Japanese, and fusion eats. Order the Pad Karee Roast Duck and decide how hot you want your curry on a scale of 1 to 10. Sushi lovers will also be pleased to find an extensive selection. A platter for two includes two specialty rolls, two orders of nigiri, and two orders of sashimi for just $55.

The Best Places To Stay In Landrum, South Carolina

Traditional hotels are decidedly not the way to go when visiting Landrum. Instead, let your stay be part of your escape by booking a room or a cottage on a sprawling horse farm or in the rolling countryside. The Red Horse Inn gives a wonderful glimpse into quiet Upstate life, where you’re encouraged to unwind, unplug, and breathe in the fresh air. The 200-acre property features six private cottages as well six inn rooms, plus a wine bar and a flower-filled courtyard. On Saturdays you can take part in an Alpaca Wine Experience, where you’ll sip on Chardonnay while getting up close and personal with fuzzy and friendly alpacas.

For another pastoral hideaway, stay overnight at Barking Fox Farm, a 43-acre horse farm tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills. The rambling property is home to only two guest cottages, so you’ll want to book early for a chance to experience the peace and tranquility of this very special place. Each cottage is equipped with a full kitchen, elegant chandeliers, 11-foot ceilings, and a whirlpool tub. Your refrigerator is stocked with eggs and milk for breakfast, and there’s also a daily delivery of pastries from a local bakery. Home away from home has never been sweeter.