Quality of Life Quiet country living with access to two metro areas

Union County

Union County's lifestyle offers a variety of opportunities for leisure activities and relaxation.  Golf, tennis, youth sports, championship high school athletic programs, a national championship ROTC rifle team, and a host of outdoor recreational opportunities highlight Union County's quality of life.  When added to very affordable housing with a number of architectural choices and a low cost of living, there is no doubt that Union County is a great place to raise your family.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Union County offers considerable resources for hunting, fishing, boating, fishing, camping, or simply relaxing in the great outdoors.  Nearly 55,000 acres of the County have been reserved as part of the Sumter National Forest which is nationally known for its abundance of deer and wild turkey.  Thousands of hunters converge on Union County each year during turkey and deer season to take part in some of the best hunting in the country.

The scenic Broad River flows through Union County and the Upstate of South Carolina, not only providing electricity, but serving as a recreation source for those who enjoy canoe trips, sliding past pine forests and getting an opportunity to enjoy nature upclose.

A 24-mile stretch along the Tyger River in Union County is designated as the Tyger River Float Trip and a 30-mile stretch along the Enoree River provides another enjoyable boating excursion for those who love the water and nature.  The Palmetto Trail, a hiking and camping path which stretches from the mountains to the Atlantic coast will cross a 25-mile length of Union County when completed.

Fishermen enjoy the county's five lakes where they fish for bream, bass, and catfish.  In addition to the Broad, Tygerj, Pacolet, and Enoree Rivers, Union County residents are within a short drive to several lakes with excellent fishing, camping, and watersport opportunities.

Union County has always played an integral role in the history of South Carolina.  From Revolutionary War battles, to antebellum plantations, and a legacy of Civil War history, Union County residents are proud of their past.  Rose Hill Plantation State Park offers a nostalgic look at the antebellum South.  Located just minutes from downtown Union, Rose Hill State Park provides visitors with an array of activities on the grounds of the home of the former secession Governor of South Carolina, Henry Gist.  Built between 1828-1832, Rose Hill Plantation has been beautifully restored and visitors can enjoy tours of the home and gardens.  The park also offers picnic areas, walking and bike trails, and nature trails. 

Union County provides several facilities to participate in such popular activities as tennis, swimming, golf, bowling, archery, skating, and golf.  The local YMCA and the Union County Recreation Department offer dozens of programs for young and old alike.  In addition, area health and fitness clubs offer weight training, and aerobic classes, as well as other programs to promote physical well-being 

All of us enjoy the outdoors, and the small town way of life.  It's relaxing, allows us to slow down a bit and enjoy life.  But residents of Union County not only enjoy the benefits of life in a small Southern town, they have access only minutes away to three major metropolitan areas where they can experience a myriad of arts and entertainment choices.

Union County is located only an hour's drive from two major metropolitan areas - the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg (less than an hour away); and the nation's 20th largest city, Charlotte, North Carolina (1 hour away).  Within a 3-4 hour drive are the Blue Ridge Mountain chain of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; and the Atlantic coastline including vacation hot spot Myrtle Beach and the beautiful and historic City of Charleston.  The following quality of life summary, highlights some of the many arts, cultural, and entertainment opportunities in the Greenville-Spartanburg and Charlotte metro areas and a brief look at the recreational and entertainment opportunities available to residents statewide.

Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson (The Upstate) Region

South Carolina’s Upstate region, which includes the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas, is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Appalachian Mountains.

As the nation was forming in 1776, the region's first business was built – a trading station and grist mill – on the falls of the Reedy River in what is now downtown Greenville. Following the Revolutionary War, treaties with the Native Americans opened up what was called the Pendleton District – now Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties, and settlers flowed in. Many settlers planted cotton, which, combined with the development of the cotton gin and the waterpower available from the region's rivers, provided the foundation for the textile industry.

Today, diverse businesses from around the world have put down roots in the Upstate, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. The region’s quality of life is a positive feature and recruiting advantage for some of the world’s most recognized companies, including: BMW, Michelin, Fluor Daniel, and Mita. The Upstate has a long and remarkable history as an area that attracts and nurtures technological innovation and application across broad industry sectors.

Leisure Activities

Parks and Natural Areas

Whether visiting local community parks, hiking in the mountains, or inland sailing on the local lakes, the climate and geography of the Upstate invites outdoor recreation. Area parks, forests, and nature reserves give the Upstate a unique character. Table Rock Mountain is probably the Upstate’s best-known landmark, and the state park named for it is one of the state’s oldest and most popular parks. Record numbers of visitors have enjoyed camping, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and nature trails.

Some of the Upstate’s parks even offer visitors a taste of history. Kings Mountain is a national military park featuring exhibits and a battlefield trail. Contiguous to the national park is Kings Mountain State Park. The state park maintains and operates a frontier homestead known as the Living Farm; the park also offers camping, swimming, and other recreational amenities. Nature lovers can also combine outdoor recreation with history when visiting the historic Reedy River Falls Park, which is the site of the original 1776 settlement in Greenville. The park is now a riverside greenway with walking paths, picnic spots, six landscaped garden areas, and two waterfalls all in the midst of downtown Greenville. In addition, Croft State Natural Area, which was once part of a World War II Army training camp, now offers visitors 7,054 acres of rolling terrain, including a 21-mile equestrian trail. The park also provides a natural habitat for deer, wild turkey, and many other animals.

Caesars Head is an excellent park for nature enthusiasts and photographers. This park joins Jones Gap State Park and other natural areas to comprise the Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area. At 3,266 feet above sea level, Caesars Head provides a panoramic view of nearby valleys, Table Rock, Pinnacle Mountains, and other distant peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Raven Cliff Falls, situated along one of the Park's many hiking trails, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, and bird watching.

Paris Mountain State Park, located only a short drive from downtown Greenville, offers visitors a quiet place to relax in a mountain setting. Formerly a watershed for the City, Paris Mountain is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. This 1275-acre park is well known for its stands of large trees, lake swimming, hiking, and numerous picnic areas.

Nearby Chimney Rock is also a popular destination. Native Americans were probably the first to climb the giant rock, followed by settlers who also enjoyed the spectacular view. Throughout the year, the Park is host to a variety of special activities including rope and rock climbing demonstrations, nature workshops, the annual Easter Sunrise service, Heights of Spring celebration, Krazy With Kudzu fall programs, and December holiday programs.

Corporate residents have even added to the outdoor recreation possibilities in the Upstate. Milliken & Company’s grounds offer the public a grassy, wooded area with a duck pond and fountains. The company’s campus is great for relaxing strolls and picnics.

Horseback riders enjoy the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center. This 210-acre preserve combines resources for nature study with award-winning equestrian facilities. The facility also hosts the famous Blockhouse Steeple Chase.

Lakes and Rivers

The Upstate’s rivers and lakes offer residents and visitors some of the finest fishing and boating opportunities. In particular, Lake Hartwell’s 56,000 acres are an outstanding recreational resource, offering fishing, boating, camping, and picnic facilities. Another spectacular area is Whitewater Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, which plunges more than 400 feet.

Sports

Spectator Sports

In the Upstate, across the Carolinas, and over to Atlanta, there are spectator sports for every type of enthusiast. Professional sports have become a prominent feature with basketball, baseball, and football available in Atlanta and Charlotte and minor league ice hockey in Greenville (Greenville Grrrowl). Area collegiate sports include the football, basketball, and baseball teams of Anderson College and Clemson, Furman, and Wofford Universities. Spectators also enjoy the close proximity to professional golf at The Masters in Augusta.

Golf

Incredible views and wooded fairways make up the Upstate’s more than 35 golf courses. With designs by Willard Byrd, P.B. Dye, and Tom Jackson, this part of the state rivals the coast for variety and challenge. In fact, Cherokee Valley Golf Club is considered one of the toughest courses in the area, and Links O’Tryon frames itself with a different view on every hole.

In addition, the Furman University Golf Course, which is set among 170 acres on one of the nation's most beautiful campuses, is rightfully acclaimed as one of the best collegiate courses in the country. Other well-known area courses include the Cliffs at Glassy and Greenville Country Club.

Arts and Entertainment

Theater, Music, and Dance

The Upstate supports more than 160 art-related organizations, and the Peace Center for the Performing Arts is the epicenter. The Peace Center is a multifaceted cultural and special-event complex located on a historic six-acre site along the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. The complex features a unique blend of renovated historic buildings, contemporary theatre space, and an outdoor amphitheatre within a park setting. Performances ranging from ballet to symphonic concerts and repertory theater are also performed at facilities such as the Spartanburg Little Theater, the Dance Center, Theater on the Green, Anderson Community Theater, Electric City Playhouse, and the Center Stage of Greenville. In addition, local college and independent stage troupes perform throughout the year.

The Upstate is also home to the Bi-Lo Center, the area’s premier sports and entertainment complex. The Center offers diverse music concerts, such as pop, rap, and classical; ice shows; basketball games; and hockey. In addition, the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center is a 45,000-square foot facility that provides both a conference center and an entertainment arena.

Art Museums and Galleries

Museums and galleries throughout the region host local, regional, and traveling international shows. Area museums and galleries include the Greenville County Museum of Art, Spartanburg Museum of Art, The Artist’s Guild Gallery, Parsons Gallery, and Milliken Gallery. The Greenville County Museum of Art boasts a regional and national collection that includes works by Andrew Wyeth, Georgia O’Keefe, and Andy Warhol, to name a few. In addition, the Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery houses one of the best collections of religious art in the nation with over 400 works including some by artists such as Rembrandt, Petri, and Rubens.

Attractions

Festivals

The Upstate area enjoys a yearlong calendar of festivals that offer opportunities for family entertainment and outdoor fun. Some of the most popular festivals in the Upstate include the following:

• The Coca Cola RiverPlace Art Festival celebrates the arts and
  highlights local and regional musicians along with nationally known
  performers.
• Freedom Weekend Aloft is the largest hot-air balloon festival east of the Mississippi River. Every Memorial Day Weekend in Anderson, people come and enjoy 100 beautiful hot-air balloons, exciting concerts by the nations top entertainers, fireworks, food, arts and crafts, amusement rides, and a motorcycle show.
• During Fall for Greenville, area restaurants prepare sample-size portions of their specialties at booths set up along the street. Other highlights of the festival include a waiter's race; ice carving contest, a professional bike race, and a fireworks show.
• Spring Fling in Spartanburg features entertainment, food, crafts, and artwork.
• First Night Greenville is a family-oriented non-alcoholic celebration of New Year’s Eve.
• The area also boasts many concert series including Greenville’s Main Street Jazz Friday evenings from April to September, Downtown Alive every Thursday night, and the Reedy River summer concert series. Spartanburg also has its own Music on Main, which hosts free concerts after work. These events are a favorite with the area’s young professionals.

The Greenville Zoo

Cleveland Park is located in downtown Greenville and is home to paved walking and running trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and the Greenville Zoo. The Greenville Zoo is one of the top family attractions in the Upstate and is home to more than 250 animals including lions, monkeys, reptiles, flamingos, the white tiger, and Joy, the elephant. Within the next few years, the Zoo2000 expansion will allow for the addition of orangutans, leopards, and giraffes.

Gardens

The South Carolina State Botanical Garden is home to some 2,200 varieties of ornamental plants. Of special interest are the azalea and camellia trails; the wildflower, fern, and bog gardens; nature trails; the pioneer garden labeled in Braille; and the flower and turf display garden of bedding plants and turf grasses. Another area garden, Hatcher Gardens in Spartanburg, is a haven for birds and wildlife with its ponds, trails, and 10,000 plants.

Historic Attractions

Upstate South Carolina has an interesting history, and attractions such as historic homes, battlefields, and museums reflect this rich past. Fort Hill in Clemson, the homestead of South Carolina's eminent statesman John C. Calhoun, has been designated as one of the nation's great historic shrines. The 1803 homestead has 14 rooms and three white-columned piazzas. In addition, another local favorite, Walnut Grove plantation, was built in 1765 and houses eighteenth century antiques.

Another famous attraction is the Poinsett Bridge, which is one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of early road builders' craftsmanship. The stone bridge dates back to 1820 and was part of the original State Road connecting Greenville and Asheville. Additionally, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in the state.

The Upstate region is also home to historic battlefields. Cowpens National Battlefield was the site where Daniel Morgan led a rustic militia to victory over Tarleton’s elite corps of British regulars in 1781. Featured at the battlefield are a walking trail, a marked road tour, picnic grounds, and a visitor center with exhibits, memorabilia, and a multi-image slide presentation.

Some of the area’s favorite museums include the Museum of Confederate History, which houses both military and personal relics from the Civil War and a research library. One of the area’s most famous companies, BMW, has its own BMW Zentrum Museum and Visitor Center where visitors can see classic BMWs, motorcycles, and aircraft engines.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Union County is located one hour south of the Charlotte metro area.  There is an incredible variety of recreational activities available in the region including boating, fishing, golf, and professional sports. The area also boasts a cultural lineup that includes nationally recognized museums, a symphony, opera, theater, and dance companies.

Leisure Activities

Recreation

There is a host of outdoor recreational opportunities in the Charlotte area. Andrew Jackson State Park and Lake Wateree State Park in Lancaster County offer hiking, biking, and camping opportunities for rest and relaxation. The following facilities can be visited in York County, which is home to over 50 public parks and several community centers:

• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: The 450-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers visitors seasonally changing annual gardens, extensive perennial borders, a walking trail, and a gift shop.
• Glencairn Garden: Glencairn Garden on Charlotte Avenue in Rock Hill displays nature’s finest colors, textures, and shapes. This six-acre oasis especially delights visitors in the spring.
• Kings Mountain State Park: Located in northwestern York County, Kings Mountain State Park offers visitors more than 10,000 acres of woodland terrain for camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, and learning about local history.

Lakes and Rivers

For water sports enthusiasts, the Charlotte area offers many opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The area is home to 3 lakes ? nearby Lake Wylie, Lake Norman, and Lake Wateree ? and the Catawba River.

Spectator Sports

The Charlotte-Rock Hill area is truly an area on the rise. Its success can be measured not only by its phenomenal business growth, but also by its success in attracting sporting events and teams to the region. The Charlotte area is home to the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting, NFL’s Carolina Panthers, East Coast Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers, and International Baseball League’s AAA-affiliate Charlotte Knights. In addition, the Lowe’s Motor Speedway offers exciting NASCAR racing.

Golf

South Carolina is a wonderful place for golfers. In fact, there are more than 50 golf courses in the Charlotte area and over 300 within a 3-hour drive.

Arts and Culture

Residents in the Charlotte-Rock Hill area have access to a myriad of artistic and cultural offerings. The area is home to nationally recognized museums; symphony, opera, theater, and dance companies; as well as a number of historic sites, living history exhibits, and annual community festivals.

Theatre

The beautiful uptown North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte hosts several Broadway plays each year. Aside from the main arts center, several excellent local theater companies put on a wide variety of productions throughout the year.

In addition, the Rock Hill Community Theater is the non-profit performing arts arm of the Rock Hill Arts Council. The group stages about four major productions a year as well as several minor productions and participation in local festivals and events

Art Museums and Galleries

The City of Charlotte is home to a growing number of artists and galleries. A popular event is "Gallery Crawl" which takes place the first Friday evening of each month in the artist’s community of North Davidson Street in downtown Charlotte.

Attractions

• Energyquest: This free, self-guided, high-tech tour through the world of nuclear power is located at the Catawba Nuclear Station. Plant tours are also available to visitors who call in advance to make reservations.
• Settlemyre Planetarium: Shows in the Settlemyre Planetarium explore the heavens using state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, slides, and special effects. The stars under the dome in the planetarium provide a backdrop of beauty for educational and entertaining programs, which change with the seasons.
• Paramounts Carowinds: Paramount's Carowinds is a theme park of nearly 100 acres that brings movie magic to life in a world of entertainment. World-class rides, a new water park, shopping, restaurants, and live shows are featured. The park's 13,000-seat amphitheater also hosts top name concerts and festivals each season.

Festivals

The Charlotte area is home to many festivals throughout the year. Festival goers celebrate the seasons, local and regional arts and crafts, and the area’s diverse culture.

• Come-See-Me: This Spring celebration takes place in Rock Hill and features home and garden tours, concerts, art exhibits, a craft market, road race, and fireworks display.
• Main Street Alive: After work street concerts and celebrations with live entertainment, food, and refreshments take place the first Thursday of the month, May through October.
• Summerfest: This street festival in York has everything from sports events, crafts, and food to live entertainment and a classic car show.
• Jubilee-Harvest of the Arts: Rock Hill’s Harvest of the Arts is an annual arts festival that brings music, dance, arts, and a multi-cultural program to the community.
• Hillarity: This event takes place in Chester and celebrates heritage, cultural diversity, and the town’s unique geography "on the hill." The festival features four music stages, food, storytellers, crafts, a car show, and a road race.
• Yap Ye Iswa (Day of the Catawba): This event explores the lifestyles and history of the Catawba Indians. Exhibits include pottery making, beadwork, basket making, storytelling, and Native American cuisine.

Historic Attractions and Museums

• Historic Brattonsville: From March through November, this restored village of over two-dozen structures is open for visitors to enjoy. Beginning with the pre-revolutionary backwoodsman cabin to the gracious Bratton Plantation Home and the heritage farm program, the site is alive with activity.
• Kings National Military Parks: Kings National Military Park in northwestern York County offers visitors a museum of period artifacts, a living history farm, and the site of the American Revolutionary War battlefield. The Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War.

Across the State

Recreation

South Carolina’s geography is defined by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean – from higher elevations ranging between 1,000 feet to 3,500 feet in the foothills, to sub-tropical conditions along 200 miles of Atlantic coast. With such a diverse topography and a temperate climate, South Carolina is perfect for year-round outdoor activities.

In fact, with more than 300 challenging golf courses, golfers can play 365 days a year. From the mountains of the Upstate to the beaches of the Lowcountry, South Carolina is a natural place to play golf, which has been a part of the state’s history for more than 200 years; the country’s first golf course was built in the Charleston area.

Hiking, camping, and backpacking opportunities abound in South Carolina. Dozens of state and national forests and parks, along with wildlife refuges and preserves, are located throughout South Carolina, offering unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. The temperate climate also supports year-round natural beauty found at such places as Middleton Place near Charleston, the home of America’s oldest formal gardens, and Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet, the world’s largest collection of outdoor sculptures nestled among 2,000 species of plants.

For those who want to experience South Carolina by bike, the state offers plenty of enjoyable trails that vary in intensity. Mountain bike trails range in topography from the rugged upstate to the flatter area of the coast.

In addition, South Carolina's 400-mile Palmetto Trail spans the state from the northwest mountains to the seacoast village of McClellanville, north of Charleston. When complete, the trail will offer users the chance to experience the dozens of habitats and ecosystems that comprise our great state.

South Carolina’s water resources offer recreational activities from kayaking and rafting on whitewater rivers; to fishing and boating on lakes; to blue water sailing and deep-sea fishing. In addition to the Atlantic coast, 830 square miles of the state are covered by water, including ten major rivers and three main lakes. Lakes Marion, Moultrie, and Murray together encompass 221,000 acres of water surface and are all man-made lakes built to furnish hydroelectric power plants. Lake Murray, located in the center of the state, boasts the second largest earthen dam in the world.

Arts and Culture

Steeped in Southern history and American heritage, South Carolina’s historic communities reflect a rich past that is evident in many different ways. Celebrating the past or celebrating the present, South Carolina’s smaller communities and metropolitan areas support a host of artistic and cultural events. There are over 300 festivals that occur across the state and throughout the year including the world-renowned Spoleto Festival held each Spring in historic Charleston. 

Because important Revolutionary and Civil War battles were fought in South Carolina, even celebrating history has become an art form. Thousands of people participate in living history demonstrations, from military reenactments to demonstrations of plantation life. Architecture is a subject of celebration as well, and dozens of tours of public and private dwellings throughout the state reveal some of America’s oldest and most beautiful buildings.

Sporting Events

Sports are a prominent feature in South Carolina’s quality of life; spectators enjoy a wide variety of events, from high school football to professional hockey. The state’s grade schools and colleges offer seasonal sports opportunities for their athletes as well as cheering fans. Each year, the impressive list of sporting events held in South Carolina and neighboring states grows:

• Minor league baseball in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach;
• Professional basketball NBA Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Sting (WNBA);
• Professional football NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers;
• College sports such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis,
  volleyball, and golf at several colleges and universities including Clemson and the University of South Carolina;
• East Coast hockey league teams in Charlotte, NC and Charleston, Florence,
  Greenville, and Columbia
• A Professional A-League soccer team in Charleston (The Battery) and professional soccer clubs throughout the state;
• Professional golf in Charlotte (Wachovia Championship); Augusta (The Masters) and Hilton Head (MCI Classic);
• Professional tennis in Charleston (Family Circle Cup)
• International SteepleChase in Camden (Carolina and Colonial Cup races); and
• Busch and Winston Cup series stock car racing in Charlotte, NC and Darlington and Myrtle Beach, SC.

Environment and Climate

Due to its southeastern location and varied terrain, South Carolina has a number of different climates, ranging from temperate to sub-tropical; yet, all are mild and conducive to year-round outdoor activity. There are four distinct seasons, but warm weather prevails through most of the year. Average temperatures range from the 40’s in the winter to the 80’s in the summer. There is very little frozen precipitation during the winter months, and the frozen precipitation that does occur rarely accumulates to an extent that results in business closures and travel delays. South Carolina’s temperate climate is not only a benefit in terms of quality of life, but also allows for year-round construction activity, an uninterrupted flow of transportation, and worker availability.