Greenwood
Around Greenwood
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Town and around · South Carolina · 94k people
Greenwood
Locals say Lakelands · “Emerald City”
Lakeside living, peach-sweet days.
Lander University GoldDeep Forest GreenLake Blue
Welcome to the Lakelands, where the lakes are wide and the peach tea is sweet. Whether you're here for the fishing, the festivals, or just the slow pace, you'll find a friendly wave and a porch to sit on. Come on in—the water's fine.
Clubs for Greenwood
No clubs for Greenwood yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Greenwood. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Greenwood. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lake Greenwood State Park Camping, fishing, and boating on a 11,400-acre lake.
- Abbeville Opera House Restored 1908 opera house hosting performances.
- Ninety Six National Historic Site Revolutionary War battlefield with a reconstructed fort.
- Uptown Greenwood Walkable downtown with shops, restaurants, and the Greenwood Community Theatre.
- Lake Thurmond (J. Strom Thurmond Lake) Huge lake on the Savannah River, popular for fishing and boating.
- Erskine College Historic liberal arts college with a scenic campus in Due West.
- Outdoors Fish for bass on Lake Greenwood
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Ninety Six
- With kids Picnic and swim at Lake Greenwood State Park
- With kids Tour the Abbeville Opera House
- Evenings Catch a show at the Abbeville Opera House
- Evenings Listen to local bands at Uptown Greenwood venues
- Locals love Lake recreation areas
- Locals love Peach orchards and stands
Through the year
- South Carolina Festival of Discovery June Live music, food vendors, and a barbecue competition in Uptown Greenwood.
- Greenwood County Fair September Rides, livestock shows, and local food at the county fairgrounds.
- Abbeville Fall Festival October Arts and crafts, street food, and live entertainment in historic Abbeville.
- Ninety Six Revolutionary War Encampment March Historical reenactments and living history at the national historic site.
- Lake Greenwood Fireworks July 4th Independence Day fireworks display over the lake, with boat flotillas.
Humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall, when the weather is gentle and the lakes are calm. Best: Spring and fall are perfect—mild days, low humidity, and blooming peach trees.
Talk like a local
- “Uptown”
- Downtown Greenwood.
- “the lake”
- Lake Greenwood, the main local lake.
- “the opera house”
- Abbeville Opera House.
- “the park”
- Lake Greenwood State Park.
Getaways
- Newberry Quaint downtown with antique shops and a historic opera house.
- Upstate (Greenville) Falls Park, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and a lively food scene.
- Augusta Riverwalk, golf history, and the Augusta Canal.
- Spartanburg Chapman Cultural Center and the Hub City Railroad Museum.
Local flavour
Rooting for Clemson Tigers (NCAA), South Carolina Gamecocks (NCAA), Atlanta Braves (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Peach Cobbler Peaches are a regional icon; cobbler is a classic dessert.
- Southern Barbecue Pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce is a Lowcountry/Upstate staple.
- Pimento Cheese A Southern spread often served on crackers or as a burger topping.
- Sweet Tea The quintessential Southern drink, served over ice.
Where people go
- Lakes Lake Greenwood and Lake Secession for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Peach Orchards
- Historic Downtowns Quaint main streets in Greenwood, Abbeville, and Ninety Six with antique shops and cafés.
- Abbeville Opera House A historic theater hosting live performances.
- Old Textile Mills Repurposed brick mills that recall the area's industrial past.
Heritage and traditions
Greenwood and the Lakelands are proud of their Southern hospitality, rich Revolutionary War and Civil War history, and a strong community centered around lakes, peaches, and a resilient textile heritage.
This time of year in Greenwood
- Fall foliage fall October; scenic drives and harvest festivals.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something
Festivals
- McCormick Gold Rush Days spring Celebrates the 1820s gold rush with reenactments and crafts.
- Greenwood First Friday monthly Monthly art walk and live music in Uptown Greenwood.
- Abbeville Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through historic downtown Abbeville.
- Ninety Six Colonial Trades Day spring Living history demonstrations at the Revolutionary War site.
Landmarks with a story
- Burt-Stark Mansion Where the last Confederate council of war was held in 1865.
- Abbeville County Courthouse A historic government building in the town square.
- McCormick Gold Rush Historic District Remnants of the 1820s gold rush, including old mines and structures.
- Greenwood County Museum Local history exhibits, including textile and peach industry artifacts.
- Ninety Six Star Fort Part of the National Historic Site, a Revolutionary War earthwork.
Food traditions
- Boiled peanuts Roadside snack sold at stands, especially in summer.
- Peach ice cream A local summer treat made from fresh peaches.
- Catfish dinners Fried catfish from the lakes, often served with hushpuppies.
- Hoppin' John on New Year's Black-eyed peas and rice for good luck.
- Sweet potato pie A holiday dessert, often at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and gospel music Strong local tradition, celebrated at the McCormick County Bluegrass Festival.
- Abbeville Opera House Historic theater hosting plays, musicals, and concerts.
- Uptown Greenwood arts district Growing scene with galleries, live music, and First Friday events.
A little history
- 1781 Battle of Ninety Six
- 1865 Last Confederate Council of War held at Abbeville
- 1820s Gold rush in McCormick County
- 1839 Erskine College founded in Due West
- 1930s Lake Greenwood created by Duke Power
Rivalries
- Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks The Palmetto Bowl divides households every fall.
- Greenwood vs. Abbeville high school football Friday night lights with a long history.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Bass fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Camping at Lake Greenwood State Park
- Outdoors Water skiing on Lake Greenwood
- With kids Lander University Planetarium
- With kids Greenwood Splash Pad
A relaxed Southern drawl with common use of 'y'all' for plural, 'fixin' to' for about to, and a tendency to say 'supper' for dinner. Sweet tea is simply 'tea' and barbecue means pork.
Only here
- Greenwood is nicknamed the 'Emerald City' due to its textile heritage.
- The region is called the 'Lakelands' for its three major lakes: Greenwood, Thurmond, and Secession.
- Ninety Six got its name from a mistaken distance of 96 miles to a Cherokee town.
- The Burt-Stark Mansion is where the Confederacy effectively ended.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers; stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- Try boiled peanuts from a roadside stand—they're a local obsession.
- Use 'y'all' for groups; it's the standard plural.
- Sweet tea is the default drink; ask for unsweetened if you prefer.
- Explore the lakes—they're the heart of the region, with boating, fishing, and swimming.
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Part of Greenville area
Nearby
Every areaMcCormickSouth CarolinaLake days and country waysNewberrySouth CarolinaA quiet place with a big heart.ElbertonGeorgiaGranite quarries and antebellum charmHartwellGeorgiaWhere the red clay meets the lakeGreenvilleSouth CarolinaA waterfall downtown and mountains on the horizon.AugustaGeorgiaA river town with a green heartSpartanburgSouth CarolinaA hub of Southern charm and industry.SenecaSouth CarolinaWhere the mountains meet the lakes, and every day feels like a getaway.
Greenwood, SC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.