The Travelers Rest Antique and Thrifting Trail
Come Friday. Hunt Saturday. Brunch and bike Sunday.
One person’s castoff. Another person’s treasure. And maybe the perfect excuse for a weekend in Travelers Rest.
Lately, I’ve been spending a surprising amount of time hunting for old things.
As I’ve been furnishing and refreshing a local inn, a friend suggested I stop looking only at furniture stores and start making the rounds of the antique and thrift shops scattered around Travelers Rest. It turned out to be very good advice.
There is something especially satisfying about finding the one piece you weren’t necessarily looking for — an old side table, a vintage lamp, a stack of pretty dishes, a piece of artwork, an interesting chair or some slightly quirky object that suddenly makes a room feel collected instead of decorated.
And once I started looking, I realized we have the makings of a pretty fantastic little Antique & Thrifting Trail right here in Travelers Rest.
So grab a friend, leave some room in the back of the car and make a day — or better yet, a weekend — of treasure hunting in TR.
Start North of Town
Begin your adventure on Highway 25 north of downtown Travelers Rest.
Best Antique Shopping in Travelers Rest, SC
Hunt for vintage treasures, one-of-a-kind finds and secondhand gems along the Travelers Rest Antique and Thrifting Trail. Start with the roadside antique shops along Highway 25, make your way into downtown Travelers Rest, then turn your treasure hunt into a getaway with lunch, brunch and an overnight stay in TR.
Country Antiques & Curiosities
Country Antiques & Curiosities, LLC
At 2465 North Highway 25 Bypass, just across from the Travelers Rest/North Greenville KOA area, Country Antiques & Curiosities is the kind of place where you need to give yourself time.
The shop has been part of the area for more than 40 years and contains more than 7,000 square feet of antiques and vintage finds from multiple vendors. Think furniture, old linens, pottery, glassware, artwork, books, jewelry, collectibles and plenty of things you didn't know you needed until you spotted them.
This is a true treasure-hunting stop rather than a quick pop-in.
2465 N. Highway 25 Bypass
Open Wednesday–Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Tuesday.
Follow Highway 25 Toward Travelers Rest
Now start winding your way south toward downtown. This stretch of Highway 25 has several smaller antique shops that are easy to miss if you don't know they're there — which is part of their charm.
Miss B Haven Antiques
Miss B Haven Antiques
At 2325 US-25, Miss B Haven is a smaller shop filled with an eclectic assortment of antiques, vintage pieces and collectibles. It's exactly the sort of place where slowing down and looking closely pays off.
The shop currently lists limited weekend hours, so this is one reason Saturday makes an especially good day for the Antique & Thrifting Trail.
If It's Junk Antiques
If Its Junk Antiques
Continue south and look for If It's Junk Antiques, another of those classic roadside antique stops where you never quite know what will be inside.
It's filled with a rotating assortment of antiques, vintage pieces and collectibles and is very much a "dig around and see what you discover" kind of shop.
Current listings show weekend-only hours, generally Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., but with small independent shops like these, it's always smart to check before making a special trip.
Shades of the Past Antiques
Shades of the Past Antiques
At 1761 US-25, make another stop at Shades of the Past.
This one has earned a reputation among treasure hunters for good prices and plenty to browse. You'll find an assortment of antiques and vintage pieces rather than one particular specialty — which makes the hunt more fun.
Current listings indicate weekend hours, with Saturday and Sunday being the days to visit.
By this point, there's a good chance something has made its way into your trunk.
But you're not finished.
Head Into Downtown Travelers Rest
Once you reach downtown, park the car and switch from road-trip antiquing to strolling Main Street.
Charlie's Southern Rustiques
Charlie's Southern Rustiques
You can't miss Charlie's at 226 South Main Street — just look for the old Sinclair gas station.
The building itself feels like it belongs on an antique trail.
Inside you'll find a fun mixture of vintage collectibles, old signs, home goods, furniture, gifts and unexpected finds. It's a more curated experience than some of the Highway 25 treasure-hunting stops, and the old filling station makes it an especially fun place for visitors.
Charlie's is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Antique Shopping in Travelers Rest
Visit Charlies Southern Rustiques and Retro Marketplace on Main Street in downtown Travlers Rest SC. Make a day of it and browse more shops in TR
RetroMarketplace
RetroMarketplace, Inc.
Just down Main Street at 128 South Main Street, head downstairs into what RetroMarketplace calls its "vintage underground."
Sisters Edith Garrett and Mary Webb have filled the shop with the things they love to hunt for themselves: vintage clothing, costume jewelry, old cameras, barware, lamps, furniture, craft supplies and plenty of mid-century modern finds.
If you're looking for something with a little personality, this is a good place to linger.
RetroMarketplace currently lists hours Wednesday 12–4 p.m. and Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Now Go Thrifting
Antiquing and thrifting are different sports — and we recommend trying both.
Miracle Hill Thrift Store
Miracle Hill Thrift Store
At 552 Roe Center Court, Miracle Hill is a large thrift store where the inventory changes constantly. Look for furniture, lamps, artwork, dishes, linens, baskets, books, clothing and housewares.
And there is another reason to shop here: purchases support the work of Miracle Hill Ministries in the Upstate.
The Travelers Rest location is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.
Goodwill + rePLAY Sports
Goodwill Retail & rePLAY Sports
At 1 Krieger Drive, Travelers Rest's Goodwill gives you one more chance to find the thing you didn't know you were looking for.
Along with the traditional thrift-store mix of clothing and household goods, this location includes rePLAY Sports, a secondhand sporting-goods concept — particularly fitting in an outdoorsy town like TR.
It's worth a stop whether you're searching for a lamp for the house or gear for your next adventure.
Treasure Hunting Requires Lunch
Grab a Bite to Eat
Whatever you have a taste for, Travelers Rest has many delicious restaurants to choose from
At some point, you're going to need to refuel.
Fortunately, you've landed in downtown Travelers Rest, where lunch can be every bit as much a part of the adventure as the shopping.
For an old-school TR experience, stop at Whistle Stop at The American Cafe.
Make brunch part of the outing at Topsoil Restaurant, where the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients and local farms.
For coffee and a sweet or savory crêpe, try Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse.
For freshly baked treats and a welcoming place to pause, add Joybird Bakeshop to your itinerary.
Or settle in for tacos and a margarita at Farmhouse Tacos.
There's no need to rush. That's the beauty of making a day of it.
Better Yet — Make It a Weekend
Here's our favorite idea: don't drive home.
Stay in Travelers Rest
Make it a getaway! Check in Friday - Shop Saturday - Bike and Brunch Sunday.
Check into Travelers Rest Friday evening, have dinner downtown and get an early start Saturday morning when all of the Highway 25 antique shops are open.
For a traditional hotel stay with breakfast included, book Hampton Inn Greenville/Travelers Rest.
For a modern cottage-style stay directly along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, try The Station by Compo Hotels.
Or make yourself at home at Swamp Rabbit Inn TR, where rooms, cottages and larger group accommodations put you close to downtown and the trail.
Then wake up Sunday morning, have brunch, walk or bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail and revisit any shop where you can't stop thinking about that one piece you left behind.
Because experienced antique shoppers know:
If you're still thinking about it the next morning, you probably should have bought it.
Build Your Travelers Rest Antique & Thrifting Trail
For an easy north-to-south route, put these stops on your list:
Country Antiques & Curiosities — 2465 N. Highway 25 Bypass
Miss B Haven Antiques — 2325 US-25
If It's Junk Antiques — Highway 25 / Travelers Rest
Shades of the Past Antiques — 1761 US-25
Charlie's Southern Rustiques — 226 S. Main Street
RetroMarketplace — 128 S. Main Street
Miracle Hill Thrift Store — 552 Roe Center Court
Goodwill + rePLAY Sports — 1 Krieger Drive
Bonus stop for secondhand outdoor gear: Swamp Rabbit Gear & Spin at 206 N. Poinsett Highway carries consigned and used outdoor clothing, sporting goods and gear.
A Few Tips Before You Go
Go on Saturday. That's the sweet spot when the weekend-only Highway 25 shops overlap with the downtown antique stores and thrift shops. Many are also open on Sunday too!
Give yourself more time than you think you'll need. Antique shopping is best when you're not in a hurry.
Bring measurements. If you're hunting for furniture, keep room dimensions, doorway widths and the size of any particular space you're trying to fill on your phone.
Leave room in the car. This is important. You may start the day looking for a candlestick and somehow come home with a six-foot farm table.
Plan a bakery break. Joybird Bakeshop makes an easy stop for coffee and something sweet while you're exploring downtown.
Check hours before heading out. Small independent antique shops and eateries sometimes change their schedules seasonally.
And most importantly, don't go with too rigid a shopping list.
The best part of antiquing and thrifting is finding the thing you weren't looking for.
That's exactly how I got hooked.
Happy hunting — and we'll see you in Travelers Rest.
