The 'Friendliest City In South Carolina' Offers Outdoor Fun Near The Blue Ridge Mountains

For those craving rugged, unmatched natural beauty, the Blue Ridge Mountains deliver no matter the season. Scattered throughout these rolling foothills are some of the underrated cities in America's south you shouldn't skip, and Anderson, a city of about 30,000, is one you need to visit. Anderson took South Carolina's reputation as a friendly state and ran with it, dubbing itself "The Friendliest City in South Carolina." Visitors aren't just guaranteed top-shelf outdoor fun, they're met with genuine southern hospitality that makes staying longer feel natural.

Once the hunting ground of the Cherokee tribe, the city was named after Robert Anderson, an American Revolutionary War hero who explored the area during the 1700s. Established in 1826, Anderson grew into a manufacturing hub, particularly for textiles. That growth demanded reliable power, and in 1897, William C. Whitner spearheaded an ambitious project. Working with Westinghouse's engineering team, the city harnessed hydroelectric power from the Rocky River. Anderson became the first U.S . city to maintain continuous electric power, and among the earliest to use electricity for cotton gins. That innovation inspired the nickname "Electric City," which sticks today.

Located about two hours from Atlanta and two and a half from Charlotte, Anderson makes an easy road trip from either. Travelers flying in can use Anderson Regional Airport five miles from downtown, though Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, about 50 minutes away via I-85 North, is the closest major option. Outdoor recreation is woven into everyday life here, with parks surrounding the city that invite hiking, biking, wildlife-spotting, and time on the water, especially on 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell. The 16-block historic downtown district, lined with shops and restaurants along with nearby arts and museum spaces, gives visitors plenty to explore on and off the trail.

In a city with more than ten parks, start at Sadlers Creek State Park. This 395-acre spot charges just $1 to $3 for admission. You can hike the 0.6-mile Pine Grove Trail or tackle the six-mile beginner-friendly mountain biking trail that winds through the woods with occasional lake views. Both trails are perfect for spotting wildlife and a variety of birds, and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of the park's most recognizable resident, the fox squirrel. The park also features two boat ramps, picnic shelters, and a 100-foot fishing pier, though the pier is currently closed for repairs. Just south of the park sits one of the southeast's largest lakes, Lake Hartwell, an angler's paradise, and Sadlers Creek offers easy access.

Lake Hartwell isn't just a local favorite. It's a must-stop for anyone passing through Anderson. With more than 950 miles of shoreline, the lake is home to black bass, striped and hybrid bass, black crappie, and bream. If fishing isn't your thing, the water offers plenty of other activities.

Several marinas and boat launches line the shore, but Big Water Marina stands out for its boat, kayak, paddleboard, pontoon, and hydrobike rentals. The marina also operates Splash Island, where visitors can swim and play during warmer months. To enjoy the water recreation course, participants must be at least seven years old, or four years old and at least 42 inches tall with supervision from someone 18 or older. Life jackets are compulsory, with sessions priced at $15 for an hour or $35 for the full day.

If you're looking for underrated winter getaways across the U.S., Carolina Wren Park is where your outdoor adventure continues. This downtown park delivers with its ice skating rink for cold-weather fun. The park also hosts live music, community events, and the occasional Shakespeare performance. You shouldn't miss the striking mural honoring Chadwick Boseman, the Anderson-born actor who portrayed T'Challa in Marvel's "Black Panther." Want more art? The Anderson Arts Center offers free entry and rotating visual exhibitions year-round. A short walk away, the Anderson County Museum houses more than 20,000 artifacts tracing the city's history.

Anderson has several solid options for grabbing a bite after a day's adventure. For a quick lunch, try Pompous Pig. This cozy spot holds a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor and serves tasty, well-smoked barbecue. For more substantial eats, Doolittle's is a local favorite, with one TripAdvisor reviewer gushing about "Great food! Salmon, burgers, salad, and fries all delicious." Split Creek Farm lets you taste freshly-made cheese and yogurt and holds daily tours by appointment. Palmetto Distillery, the first micro-distillery in South Carolina to produce legal moonshine, serves southern whiskey. It's also one of the top-ranked attractions in Anderson, according to TripAdvisor.

When it's time to rest, you have camping options at Sadlers Creek State Park, with 65 campsites on Lake Hartwell's shores, while Lake Hartwell State Park offers 109 standard sites plus eight camper cabins. For more lodging comforts, check into Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn. Both are highly-rated on Tripadvisor, and cost about $100 to $120 a night. Exploring the region further, Clemson, one of America's best small college towns, sits just 30 minutes away.