If you are looking for a fun weekend away there are so many things to do in Florence Sc. It’s a gem that promises a fun time for both individuals and families. It has many architectural beauties, culture, history, and nature.
It is one of the reasons people call it the Magic City and Flo-town.
What’s nice about it is that it offers a unique look into the laidback and relaxed lifestyle in the South with a pleasant atmosphere and very friendly people. Those that prefer to get lost in amazing nature can do so here, as well.
Whereas others can embark on an unforgettable adventure in the numerous museums, gardens, and other buildings that are of great cultural importance. Does this sound like something you would be up for?
If you answered yes, rejoice as there are many things to do in Florence SC. To give you a hand, in this guide we will show you all the details you need to plan your weekend getaway in this wonderful city. Starting from things to do in Florence SC and near the city up to interesting facts about it, there is plenty of information to go through. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
10 Things To Do in Florence SC
Take a walk in the Timrod Park
If you’re a person that likes spending time with your loved ones and creating everlasting memories like myself, you will love Timrod Park. It’s a place where you can let go of everything that’s bothering you and focus exclusively on your physical and mental well-being.
As it’s spread over a land of 18 acres, it offers plenty of space for sport and recreational activities. Moreover, you can use one of the 14 courts to play tennis, jog and run on the numerous trails, or simply sit on a bench and admire the lovely scenery.
I like the wildlife, the trees, and shrubs in the park as well as the picnic areas and the playgrounds. They represent a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your family, friends, and colleagues.
The center for recreation is superb, too, together with the interesting amphitheater and pavilion. So, there is something for everyone.
You can find the park at the address – 400 State Rd S-21-234, Florence, South Carolina.
Explore the history at the Florence County Museum
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Out of all Florence SC attractions, the Florence County Museum is a must. As a lover of history and culture, I enjoyed the exhibitions by different artists. Especially, the works of the popular Florence artist William H. Johnson are something that should be experienced firsthand.
What’s nice is that you can take the whole family with you. The museum features interesting activities for everyone. You can explore the Colonial and Civil War eras together, Southern artworks and handicrafts as well as the lectures and family programs. This way, both the younger ones and the older ones can learn new things about history and have fun along the way. I know I did.
Due to the museum’s nice reputation, local contemporary artists are encouraged to create works in Florence. Not to mention that this place is the host of the oldest art competition with a jury in South Carolina. This is thanks to the Pee Dee Art Competition that happens there.
So, if you’re looking for interesting things to do in Florence South Carolina, this place should earn a spot on your bucket list.
You can find it at the address – 111 West Cheves Street, Florence, South Carolina.
Stop by Julia Belle’s Restaurant
Feeling hungry? Among the fun things to do in Florence is Julia Belle’s Restaurant, too. It’s a local restaurant that operates within the Farmers Market in Florence. That’s why it’s considered to be a local gem that many tourists don’t know about.
Established in 2014, it has the name of the owner’s great-grandmother. According to people’s telling, she enjoyed cooking for all visitors and transferred the love onto her offspring.
I liked the delicious dishes. You can taste meals with sausages, shrimp, green tomato, traditional pot roast, and many others. As the food is taken directly from the market, it’s traditional and fresh.
There are many tasty desserts, as well. They mainly consist of pastries that are made in the bakery during the whole day. And the staff is very pleasant, making it clear why Southerners are known as very warm and hospitable people.
Another nice detail is the unique appearance. The restaurant is located inside a red building made of wood with an interesting design both inside and out.
So, if your path leads you to the address 2513 West Lucas Street, Florence, South Carolina, make sure you stop by this restaurant.
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Visit Palmetto Peddlers Antiques Mall
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Are you a fan of antiques? If you are, we have a thing in common. I enjoyed this place as it has a rich collection of objects that depict different historical periods.
And the good news is that you can buy them.
Spread across 38,000 square feet, the Palmetto Peddlers Antiques Mall provides a unique shopping experience. Some antiques range from jewelry and home decorations to collectibles and vintage objects that bring people back to a time that has passed.
To prevent harm from happening to the antiques, the temperature is maintained at the right level, so you shouldn’t worry about adapting to it no matter the outside conditions. Not to mention that considering the vastness of the space, you will have a lot to cover in a day.
Another interesting detail is that those, who own special antiques can sell them in the mall, as well. They have a chance to display what they have to offer and see if the customers buy some of the objects.
Are you planning on visiting this place already? Then you should know that it’s open from 10 AM to 6 PM between Monday and Saturday. On the other hand on Sundays, you can visit it from 1:30 PM to 6 PM. And it’s located on 2295 Hoffmeyer Road, Florence, South Carolina, USA, 29501.
Taste strawberries at Cottle Strawberry Farm
As a strawberry lover myself, this is one of the best places for fans of this wonderful fruit.
This farm offers a unique opportunity to both locals and tourists to pick and collect strawberries directly from the vine. So, you can spend some quality time with other people if you’re traveling with someone else besides yourself. Don’t worry if you’re traveling solo, as you can have amazing alone time.
Once you finish with the strawberry picking, you can rest and catch your breath in the comfy restroom.
Handpicking strawberries may not be your thing and that’s completely fine. In that case, you can buy some delicious pre-picked strawberries. You won’t find just strawberries there. You can also check out other products like bread, preserves, syrups, and similar.
A super useful tip which I wished I knew earlier is to call the farm beforehand even though you aren’t required to make a formal appointment to pick some strawberries.
Cottle Strawberry Farm starts doing business every spring. It’s open Monday to Sunday (Monday – Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM and only on Sunday opens an hour later from 10 AM).
Visit the Cottle Strawberry Farm at the 2488 NC Highway 403 West Faison, South Carolina.
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Have fun in Locked Inn
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Going to Locked Inn is one of the most fun things to do in Florence, SC. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you don’t expect to find in a South Carolina city.
Before moving on to what this venue is all about, I have to tell you that I love the thrill and adrenaline.
So, escape rooms are a great idea for people like myself. And Locked Inn is a trailblazer in escape room games in the entire state.
Not to give plenty away, visitors can have some exciting times in versatile situations. Moreover, there are four very different themes to choose from. In each of them, you are locked in a room where your intelligence and perception are crucial for you to get out of there.
The escape room game lasts for an hour and the twists and scenarios are very innovative and will entertain you to the fullest.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do, check it out at the following address 214-A Dozier Blvd 29501, Florence, SC. One other thing to have in mind is that it opens in the afternoon, so you should check out the working hours before your visit.
Have a beer at Seminar Brewery
After a busy and crazy day of touring and visiting plenty of attractions, I always like to end with a nice cold beer, unwinding in a super comfy atmosphere. Seminar Brewery provides that in Florence, SC.
Furthermore, the wide variety of beer amazed me as soon as I saw the menu.
You shouldn’t worry that your favorite taste of beer will be missing. Also, don’t be afraid to try new tastes and be prepared to be positively surprised.
If you feel like trying something else, you can enjoy a range of delicious wines and tasting sessions, as well as local and international meals, for a real hedonistic experience.
There’s even an opportunity to try yourself (and your luck) at fun games like chess or checker and even enjoy a session of Jenga and cornhole. If you’re visiting with someone else, this will make the evening even more special.
Seminar Brewery is one of the great Florence, SC attractions you can fully enjoy with all of your senses. Find it at 551 W Lucas St 29501, Florence, SC.
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Go to Dooley Planetarium – one of the educational things to do in Florence SC
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When I usually plan my trips, I always make space for a new learning experience. The Dooley Planetarium is that type of opportunity, especially if you want to find out more about space, planets, and more.
Not just that – visitors can experience captivating images, vivid animations as well as live feed provided by NASA. All of that is done via a projector.
The Planetarium, which you can find at the premises of Francis Marion University, is very popular and regularly visited by students, the public, and other curious natives and tourists alike.
There’s a small catch, though. The exhibitions for the general public are available on the second and fourth Sunday starting from 3 PM. However, the circumstances are different for certain private groups like student groups who can check them out every working day.
The best thing about this planetarium is that it’s free of charge. So, you don’t have to pay anything to visit and learn a thing or two about space.
As we mentioned, this digital planetarium is a part of the Francis Marion University and the full address is as follows Francis Marion University, 200 Alumni Dr 29506, Florence, SC.
Shop at the Thieves Market
Don’t worry – this super cool marketplace for antiques and collectibles has nothing to do with thieves!
In turn, it’s a large space in the warehouse-style where you can find everything from clothes and handmade and unique presents to incredible furniture and items for your home, and everything in between. In short, it’s a real paradise for collectors and antique lovers!
And that is the best thing about this marketplace. You won’t expect what you’ll find in there. In a way, it’s like a fun treasure hunt where in the end you leave with a cool item your friends will envy.
Furthermore, Thieves Market opens in the morning. So, you have plenty of time to explore and find something that suits your taste. It closes its doors in the evening around 5 PM or 5:30 PM depending on the day.
To enter, you have to pay a $3 fee. The address of Thieves Market is 1820 E Palmetto St 29506, Florence, SC.
Read at Dr. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library
One more of the Florence SC attractions is Dr. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library. The locals love it, so it has immediately caught my attention.
What I like about it is its structured system and organization. Thanks to this, you can find the books you’re searching for at once. They are all neatly separated into categories and shelves, enabling you to browse through what interests you easily.
Among the titles are both new ones and classics, accompanied by CDs, cassettes as well as the Internet services for the visitors. To depict its originality and long existence, it’s filled with classical elements both inside and out.
To answer to the modern demands of young people, the library includes technological facilities that citizens and tourists can visit and use to learn something new or practice what they already know. Not to mention that there are porticos for public gatherings and a lot of greenery in the form of a park for a laid-back stroll.
In terms of the cost, people that live in Florence can use everything free of charge whereas those that aren’t citizens should pay a fee to use the resources. But the fee is small – $25.
If you want to visit it and explore everything this place has to offer, note that it works Monday – Thursday between 9 AM and 7 PM, Friday between 9 AM and 5:30 PM, Saturday between 9 AM and 1 PM, and it doesn’t work on Sunday. You can find it at the address 509 S Dargan St, Florence, SC 29506, USA.
Some Interesting Things to Do Near Florence SC
Since you’ve come to Florence, it’s a nice idea to look near the city, as well, and see what you can visit. As a person that doesn’t like to stay in one place for a longer time, here are a few things I recommend visiting near Florence SC:
- Interesting near-Florence SC attractions that are at a distance of around 30 miles – Marlboro County Jetport – H E Avent Field Airport, Cheraw State Park, Bass Lake Camp Ground, Quality Inn Dillon, Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, The Farm Campground, Bishopville, and Sand Hills State Forest
- Nearby cities – Selma, Dillon, Mullins, Lynchburg, North Hartsville, Lake City, Lydia, and similar
- RV campgrounds that are around 30 miles from Florence – H Cooper Black Jr Memorial Rec Area, Bass Lake RV Campground, Easterling Landing, and Little Pee Dee State Park
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Fun Facts about Florence, South Carolina
- The Pee Dee Indians were the first inhabitants of the Pee Dee Area, which now includes Florence and other counties.
- The main crop of the Florence agricultural area is tobacco. Not just that, the county has high levels of production and produces hogs, soybeans, chickens, wheat, and more.
- The origins of Florence, SC go way back when it was intended as a railroad terminal, which was located at a juncture of three rail lines. That’s why folks often say that Florence began as an inn and a railroad depot.
- The city got its name as a proposed name for the crossing site of the rail lines – Florence. This was done in honor of the daughter of the president of the railroad company who was called Florence Harrllee.
- The rails of Florence represented a real hub of activity during the American Civil War. Plenty of troops, machinery, supplies, and such, which were bound to Richmond, Savannah, and other cities, all passed through the city.
- The year 1890 saw the charting of the City of Florence and it represents the county seat.
- Do you know who is the so-called Father of Florence? That’s Jerome P. Chase who arrived in Florence in 1859 as a telegraph operator. He was a popular businessman who sold insurance real estate.
- The first map of Florence, South Carolina originates from 1860. Then, the city had just seven streets and ninety-six lots.
- Florence is located along the Pecan Trail in South Carolina. That means that the cuisine in the city has plenty of pecan dishes. Also, roasted peanuts from pop-up shops are quite popular, too.
- According to some recent data, 47.66% of the residents are white, 47.57% are African-American, 2.28% are Asian, 1.48% are biracial or have more races, and less than one percent each are Native Americans, Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders, and belong to other races.
- In the 1940s, Florence represented the biggest rail station in all of South Carolina.
- Florence is distanced from Ocean Drive and the ocean by 79 miles (driving distance) and 67.57 miles (straight line distance).
- Florence SC belongs in the 11th percentile when it comes to safety. That means that 11% of the cities are dangerous, whereas 89% of the cities are safer.
- The start of the twentieth century represented a turning point for Florence and a real golden age for this place. The advancement in arts and entertainment led to the formation of the Florence Little Theater (1923), the Florence Museum (1930’s), and the Florence Symphony Orchestra (1940’s).
- Florence, SC offers plenty of accommodations options when it comes to hotels. And not all of them are expensive as you can find some that start at $50 for a night.
- Besides other means of transport, the wider city of Florence area has a bus service with a fixed route via the Florence Transit System, courtesy of PDRTA.
Conclusion About the Best Things to Do in Florence SC
All things considered, Florence SC is a gem in the States that has many exciting things to offer. I had a lot of fun visiting all of the places, tasting the delicious meals, and shopping for unique objects. Also, I had the opportunity to discover some historical facts that I haven’t known before.
While it may not be the first choice for many tourists, I can vouch that it’s a valuable destination that provides a fun experience as well as learning opportunities. People of all ages can find something to do there and leave with memories they will cherish forever.
So, if you plan an adventure in South Carolina, make sure you stop by Florence and have a great time there alone or with your loved ones.
For more exciting destinations and fun things to do during your trips, check these out:
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Final Thoughts
So there you have it, some fun things to do in Florence SC for a great weekend away!
Now, it’s your turn, comment below and let us know have you been to Florence SC? What did you enjoy most about your trip? If not what are you looking forward to the most when you finally do visit!
Thank you for reading!
