Planning a Last-Minute Summer Road Trip? Visit Travelers Rest, SC

Just 2.5 hours from Knoxville and a half-day drive from Florida or Virginia, Travelers Rest, South Carolina is a charming mountain-edge town perfect for a spontaneous summer escape. Whether you’re a family looking for kid-friendly fun or a couple seeking a weekend getaway, this guide covers where to stay, eat, and explore in Travelers Rest — one of the best-kept secrets near Greenville, SC.

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🗺️ Where Is Travelers Rest, SC and Why Is It Perfect for a Last-Minute Trip?

Travelers Rest is a walkable, small-town destination at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, located:

• ✅ 2.5 hours from Knoxville, TN

• ✅ Under 3 hours from Atlanta, GA

• ✅ ~5 hours from parts of Virginia and North Florida

• ✅ Just 25 minutes from Greenville, SC

That makes it ideal for a spontaneous weekend road trip — no plane ticket, no stress, just fresh mountain air and southern hospitality.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What Can Families Do in Travelers Rest, SC?

🛏️ Best Place to Stay With Kids

Stay at the Hampton Inn Travelers Rest.
It’s clean, convenient, and located right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, so you can walk or bike to nearly everything.

🚴‍♀️ Day 1: Ride, Explore, and Eat Ice Cream

Sunrift Adventures

Bike and boat rentals and gear for your outdoor adventures!

Bike Rental

• Rent bikes from Freehub Bicycles or Sunrift Adventures

• Ride the Swamp Rabbit Trail through Furman University (2.5 miles down the trail)

• Lunch at Swamp Rabbit Café – fresh, local, and perfect for picky eaters (7 miles down the trail)

• Cool off with a scoop from Pink Mama’s Ice Cream

• Walk the trail and find bunnies in the Beyond the Burrow public art scavenger hunt

• Dinner options (all walkable):

  • 🛤️ The Whistle Stop Café

  • 🌮 Farmhouse Tacos

  • 🍛 Chicora Alley

Beyond The Burrow

Find all six rabbit along the Swamp Rabbit Trail and adjacent streets in downtown Travelers Rest. Click below for locations

Find the Rabbits

🌲 Day 2: Parks, Pizza, and Playtime

• Visit Paris Mountain State Park for hiking, swimming, and paddle boats

• Lunch at Sidewall Pizza (great for families)

• Let kids create at The Treehouse Café – an art café that feeds their creativity

• Shop for souvenirs or fun finds at:

  • Urban Hare – local gifts + lifestyle goods

  • Wilder Plant Shop – for little plant-lovers

  • RetroMarketplace + Charlie’s Southern Rustiques for vintage treasures

🥞 Day 3: Breakfast and Back Home

• Grab sweet or savory crepes from Tandem Crêperie

• One last trail walk or shop stop before heading out

Tandem Creperie

Delicious sweet and savory crepes and coffee to start your day in Travelers Rest, SC

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🍷 What’s a Great Grown Up Getaway Itinerary in Travelers Rest?

🛏️ Where Should Adults Stay?

Book a stylish room at The Station by Compo Hotels — a boutique stay right in downtown Travelers Rest. You'll be steps away from cafés, shops, yoga studios, and tasting rooms.

The Station

Eight stylish, modern cottages right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail

Check Availability

🧘‍♀️ Day 1: Biking, Yoga, and Farm-to-Table Dining

• Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail (rent from Sunrift Adventures or Freehub Bicycles)

• Lunch at Swamp Rabbit Café or Chicora Alley

• Morning flow class at Zen Rabbit Yoga

• Shop at Urban Hare, Wilder Plant Shop, and Sunrift

• Dinner at Topsoil Restaurant – a James Beard-nominated, farm-to-table gem

• Grab a drink at:

  • 🍻 Swamp Rabbit Brewery

  • 🍷 Community Tap TR

Swamp Rabbit Brewery

Sample award-winning German style beers brewed on-site. Board games and corn hole, family friendly.

🍣 Day 2: Nature, Tastings, and Elevated Dining

• Spend the day at Paris Mountain State Park

• Grab coffee at Bridge City Coffee

• Lunch at Sidewall Pizza or Farmhouse Tacos or an sandwich at Upcountry Provisions

• Wine tasting at TR Tasting Room

• Dinner options:

  • 🍣 Sushi Yama

  • 🍕 Coastal Crust (wood-fired pizza in a romantic garden courtyard)

  • 🍷 Chicora Alley (burgers, Carribean fare, nachos)

Paris Mountain State Park

Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, paddling and camping at Paris Mountain State Park

More Info

🎻 Day 3: Bluegrass Brunch & Farewell

Topsoil Restaurant

Dine at James Beard nominated restaurant for dinner Thursday-Sunday or brunch Saturday and Sunday

Reservations

• Weekend Brunch at Topsoil with live bluegrass music on Saturdays

• Shop vintage at RetroMarketplace or Charlie’s Southern Rustiques

• Optional coffee + crepe stop at Tandem Crêperie before hitting the road

🔍 FAQ: What Else Should I Know Before Visiting Travelers Rest?

❓ Is Travelers Rest good for a weekend trip?

Absolutely. You can bike, hike, eat, and relax without ever leaving town — or venture just 25 minutes (10 miles) to downtown Greenville.

❓ What is the Swamp Rabbit Trail?

It’s a 22-mile paved greenway connecting Travelers Rest to Greenville — ideal for biking, walking, or stroller cruising.

❓ Can I do a last-minute trip here with no planning?

Yes! Everything is walkable or bikeable, and many restaurants and shops don’t require reservations.

❓ Is Travelers Rest good for both families and couples?

Yes — it’s one of the rare places that has kid-friendly charm and adult-friendly flavor in one compact destination.

We’re here to help!

Email us with any questions you have about planning your trip to Travelers Rest at

info@visittravelersrest.com

 

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