September/October 2024


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Made up of five counties nestled in the Upper Western section of South Carolina, the Old 96 District’s summers are packed with experiences for the whole family. Enjoy hiking, camping, boating and biking in the area’s many parks and nature preserves, such as Hickory Knob State Resort Park and Calhoun Falls State Park. Get a taste of authentic southern culture with summer events like South Carolina Festival of Discovery in Greenwood (great if you’re a BBQ aficionado), the Ridge Peach Festival in Trenton or the Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival. Visitors can also take a trip back in time at the Ninety Six National Historic Site, home to a unique star-shaped fort that played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.


THE OLD 96 DISTRICT THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF


ALL AROUND... Electrifying Fun In Anderson


Nicknamed “The Electric City” for its


pioneering use of hydroelectric power, Anderson is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and buzzes all summer long. Start your family trip at Ballyhoo Petting Zoo, the Upstate’s favorite little zoo with over 30 different species. You’ll meet Skippy the Red Kangaroo, Pocahontas the African Crested Porcupine, and other furry friends. Next, Split Creek Farm is a Grade A dairy barn designed and built by the owners to include the milking and cheese operations and a kid nursery. Lastly, for those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina offers hands-on experiences to learn about the culture and history of farming in South Carolina.


WHETHER you are a true believer in things that go bump in the night or a die-hard Mythbusters fan, South Carolina is a fascinatingly haunted destination. Here, countless spooky stories have been passed down over time. From haunted opera houses to Boston Terrier ghosts, here are three of the state’s most thrilling spots that have chilling tales and ghoulish hotels to beware of … Abbeville


The Best Small Town Of The South A few years ago, Southern Living magazine dubbed Aiken its “Best Small Town of the South” — and this charming South Carolina spot peaks during the summer months. On Monday nights through June, bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to scenic Hopelands Garden for a free, family-friendly Concert Series featuring the best local musicians. Meanwhile, the Alley happens every Thursday evening from April through October — dance to the live music, let your


kids play in the Alley and enjoy a delicious dinner downtown. At the same time as the Alley, the Market in the Alley offers a festive environment with farm fresh produce, artisan goods, samples and food and drinks. For some fresh-air fun in the great outdoors, Hitchcock Woods & Gateway Park is among the largest urban forests in the nation, home to more than 2,100 acres of protected forest. Equestrians, hikers, dog walkers and runners enjoy the 65 miles of sandy trails that provide access to a stunning variety of ecosystems in the woods.


Abbeville is a quiet small town under two hours from the state capital of Columbia, with just over 5,000 residents … including at least three ghosts. When you visit the Abbeville Opera House, look up to the balcony level; there among the modern red seats you will find a single, ancient-looking chair. That chair is left there for the ghost of a young actress who, after falling ill and dying during a performance at the theater, haunts the opera house to this day. Stay at Belmont Inn – This recently renovated inn still can’t get rid of its two resident ghosts, Abraham and an unnamed Scotsman, to find less active digs. The pair have been sighted, but always separately – Abraham on the ground floor and the Scotsman on the main staircase. The pair’s high jinks include knocking on guests’ doors in the dead of night, rearranging objects and breaking glasses. Unmannerly behavior, for sure, but eviction seems out of the question for now. Charleston


As one of the oldest cities in the country, there are bound to be a few spirits in the Holy City. Take a tour with Bulldog Tours of the Old City Jail, which housed some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals, including 19th century pirates. Hear about hotel owners from the 1800s that supposedly poisoned their guests, and still haunt the property to this day. Dine at Poogans Porch, where you can get a taste of Southern comfort food and learn about Zoe and


Elizabeth, the two devoted sisters who used to live here in the 1800s. There have since been multiple accounts of sightings and bizarre happenings, such as radios, water faucets and lights turning on without human assistance or apparitions in the mirror, and even sights of their ghosts walking in the hallways. Experts in haunted history report more than 200 sightings…


Stay at South Battery Carriage House – Ghosthunters staying at this 1843 inn should ask for an overnight stay in Room 8, site of an appearance by the “Headless Torso.” Or, choose Room 10 for a more refined experience with the “Gentleman Ghost,” a genial, well-dressed fellow looking for a comfy bed and warm body to snuggle up to. No need to move over – he reportedly takes up very little space. Spooky and cozy! Georgetown


Don’t be deceived by this welcoming and lovely seaside town. Georgetown is one of the most haunted places in America. Here, you’ll find a haunted harbor, where maritime ghosts abound, hauntings of pirates, lost ships, and lovelorn ghosts. Year-round tours are offered with Ghosts of Georgetown, where you’ll learn about The Gray Man that always appears on Pawleys Island right before a hurricane is set to strike the island, warning beachgoers about the impending storm; and Alice Flagg, who haunts the marsh and rooms of the Hermitage, after dying of what many say was a broken heart. Stay at the Pelican Inn – This beachfront bed & breakfast on Pawleys Island offers the chance to unplug, enjoy the serene Lowcountry scenery, and perhaps have a “petrifying experience.” Legend has it that two canine ghosts haunt the property – Boston terriers to be exact. One of the dogs sadly perished while swimming out to sea to save a drowning boy … and the other died of loneliness. But they’ve been reunited supernaturally. Some have seen the dogs on the property, and even heard them barking.


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