Around Greenville: Day Trip to Clemson, S.C.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, current businesses’ hours may differ from what is posted on their websites. Also, keep in mind that some may require guests to wear face coverings before entering their doors.

The city of Clemson began as the town of Calhoun in 1892. With the help of a newly founded college and the local train depot, the town grew slowly, and its name was changed to Clemson in 1943.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the city started to become what it is today. By 1995, Clemson had acquired land that tripled its size and increased its population 600 percent in 35 years. Once the city began its drastic growth spurt, businesses began popping up everywhere, creating a vibrant city that offers more than just college sports. Here are just a few essentials of Clemson.

Places

Fort Hill Plantation

You might say that Fort Hill Plantation is what made the city famous today. The house at Fort Hill was originally called Clergy Hall, a four-room parsonage built in 1803 for a local church. Statesman John C. Calhoun’s mother-in-law eventually bought the house, added 10 rooms, and purchased more land. In 1830, she and her family renamed it Fort Hill after Fort Rutledge, which had been on the property during the Revolutionary War.

After Calhoun’s mother-in-law died in 1836, Calhoun owned Fort Hill until his death in 1850 when his wife became the owner. She died in 1866, and three-fourths of the land went to her daughter Anna, the wife of Thomas Green Clemson, and the rest went to Anna’s daughter.

Anna willed her portion to her husband Clemson upon her death in 1875. Her will also said that he needed to leave the land to someone. Clemson arranged for the land and $80,000 to be given to the state of South Carolina upon his death in 1888 for a public scientific and agricultural college, which became — you guessed it — Clemson University.

Today, the house is a museum open to the public, which Clemson also requested in his will. Furniture and artifacts the Calhouns and Clemsons used are on display, including a chair that was originally owned by George Washington.

The house is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4:30 p.m. On Sunday, it is open 2–4:30 p.m. Because the house is on the Clemson campus, it is closed for university holidays and is currently temporarily closed along with the rest of the campus. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Metered parking is available on Fort Hill Street. Before planning a visit, read more details about visiting the site.

Abernathy Waterfront Park

Just off the road on an inlet of Lake Hartwell, Abernathy Waterfront Park lines the shore. The park is essentially a boardwalk slightly longer than half a mile. Visitors can enjoy benches — some swinging — a pavilion, observation decks and a fishing pier. There is a playground on one end of the boardwalk, a parking lot at the middle, and a temporary boat dock at the other end.

Enjoy this quiet spot just north of downtown to take a break during the day or to watch a sunset.

South Carolina Botanical Garden and Hanover House

A camellia collection that started in the 1950s has grown to 295 acres of diverse vegetation known as the South Carolina Botanical Garden. The paved paths take you over small wooden footbridges and boardwalks, by benches and ponds, and to separate areas with unique plants and landscaping. There is even a section that features desert plants, and the Natural Heritage Garden is an entire area — rather than just a small section — dedicated to mountain greenery. Signs identify and teach about the thousands of plant species in the garden.

The garden is also home to a geology museum, the Hunt Cabin built in 1826, and the Hanover House, which was built in 1716 for French Huguenot Paul de St. Julien. Admission to the garden is free, and it is open sunrise to sunset. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the garden is currently open only for trail use.

Shops

Mr. Knickerbocker

What would Clemson be without a sports fan wear store? One of several in the area, Mr. Knickerbocker — named for the logo of a golfer in knickers — stands out as the first team-specific college sports apparel retailer. First opened on the Clemson campus in 1973, the store expanded and moved to its current location on College Avenue in 1981. In 1987, the Mr. Knickerbocker Greek Gallery was opened just down the street to sell fraternity and sorority apparel.

Additionally, there is a store at the Shoppes at Greenridge in Greenville and at Hartwell Village across the lake from Clemson.

As long as you’re a Clemson fan, visit this nothing-but-Clemson store and find the perfect gear, decorations or tailgating equipment, including hand-sewn customized jerseys. Online shopping is also available.

All Inspired Boutique

Looking for clothing “where style meets grace”? All Inspired Boutique has just about any type of clothing or accessory you might want that is trendy yet tasteful. The boutique also stands out for supporting charities through events and some everyday sales. Additionally, jewelry, signs and pottery are often made by local artisans in Georgia. Opened in 2017, All Inspired Boutique in Clemson is the second of three store locations, the other two being in Johns Creek and Alpharetta, Georgia.

Elkmont Trading Company

Named for the owners’ family roots in Elkmont, Tennessee, Elkmont Trading Company features “rustic-meets-refined” merchandise, whether that be active apparel, everyday clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods or outdoor gear. The earth tones of their clothing especially reflect the nature that draws people to this region. Even the store is designed with brick and barnwood to fit the mood. In addition to the store in Clemson, check out their selections online or the second location in Powdersville.

Glazed

Express your artsy side by painting your own pottery at the studio Glazed. Normally, you wouldn’t have to make an appointment, and once you arrive, you could wander the studio to choose the piece you want to paint, whether it be dishware or a figurine. To paint, you only have to pay for the piece you paint plus the $5 studio fee. Depending on the size of your piece, glass fusing costs $8–$40, and someone is always there to help if you don’t know how to use the kiln.

Under the current coronavirus restrictions, you can only paint in shop by appointment, but you can also shop online for pieces and paints. After you pick up your supplies and paint, return your pottery for firing. Stay updated on changing business hours and events with the shop’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Food

’55 Exchange

Clemson University has been serving ice cream since the 1920s and today, its ice cream is served via its shop ’55 Exchange. Clemson’s Class of 1955, which celebrated its golden anniversary in 2005, funded the renovation of a hair salon so that Clemson could have a store specifically for its ice cream. Named ’55 Exchange in their honor, the shop has been serving Clemson’s original recipe since 2006. It is student-operated and revenues are used to help those students academically and professionally.

Signature flavors include peach, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, dark chocolate chocolate chip, golden tiger and lemon custard. The store also features the Tiger Slab where you can create your own flavor. In addition to traditional ice cream, ’55 Exchange sells shakes, coffee chillers and smoothies — plus blue cheese and T-shirts.

Since the store is located in the Hendrix Student Center, it is temporarily closed along with the rest of the campus. However, ’55 Exchange offers online orders, and they ship their pints of ice cream across the nation. They also have a tent at the Clemson Farmer’s Market in Patrick Square featuring flavors posted weekly on Instagram.

Sunny Side Cafe

If you’re looking for breakfast and lunch featuring local ingredients, Sunny Side Cafe is the place to go. Self-described as “farmhouse chic,” the cafe offers entrees that represent a variety of cultures, like the Curried Tofu Wrap or the Miami Breakfast Sub based on Cuban cuisine. Another unique item is the Citrus Polenta Hot Cakes. Pick your favorite soup, salad or sandwich and take advantage of multiple vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

All In Coffee Shop

Chosen to represent the shop’s mission, the name “All In Coffee” marks the coffee house as a place where all cultures are welcome, especially for Clemson’s international students. To reflect this goal, it offers coffees from Africa, Central America and South America, and teas from across Africa and Asia. There are also baked goods made at the shop from scratch, including bars, scones and a variety of cheesecakes. The shop is dimly lit to create a soothing atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the porch is also available

Calhoun Corners Restaurant

Calhoun Corners Restaurant has been part of the Clemson community since 1979. It sits on a quiet street corner across the tracks from the Clemson Train Station. The historic building was first a community center in 1893, then a church building, then a general store. Even though a fire damaged the building in 1997, it was renovated to keep as much of the original structure as possible, including five fireplaces used during the winter.

At the top of the steps of the romantically lit entrance shadowed by the one of the oldest post oak trees in South Carolina, you enter an atmosphere that the owners describe as “warm, rustic and elegant all at once.” The menu features steaks, seafood and other meats with vegetarian and gluten-free options. The prices are higher for this fine dining venue, so the appetizers are more affordable than the plates. Some plates, however, may be large enough to split.

Burgers Grilled Right

So what makes a burger grilled right? Well, BGR offers burgers “grilled to temperature, and cooked to order, on an open flame using the finest meats and fresh ingredients.” They have their own grilling technique that makes specialty burgers — like the Clemson Burger or the Greek Burger — or build-your-own burgers worth the visit. And don’t forget to try one of their famous handspun milkshakes.

Some of the perks include specials throughout the week and rewards to earn free burgers. BGR also offers a nine-pound burger, which is actually a total of 15.4 pounds with toppings. It feeds 10–15 people but is free if one person eats it in one sitting. More details about the challenge are on the menu.

There is only one BGR in South Carolina, but there are locations in six other states, the District of Columbia and even Kuwait if you happen to pass by. Each franchise has a slightly different menu.

Mac’s Drive In

In the early 1950s, Harold “Mac” McKeown was studying mechanical engineering at Clemson University. One night, he lost his wallet at a movie theater. Since he needed money, he got a job at a hamburger restaurant, one of the only restaurants in town at the time. The owner saw that he loved the business and encouraged Mac to start his own place. So after Mac got his degree, he opened Mac’s Drive-In in 1956, and it has been a Clemson staple ever since.

The short-order menu keeps things simple with burgers, iced tea and milkshakes, among other items. In fact, everything about the building is purposely kept down-to-earth to make all sorts of clientele feel welcome. The place is small with only one booth, a number of stools at the counter and a few tables outside. But what it lacks in seating, it makes up for in atmosphere. Mac’s prides itself on filling the walls with old pictures of Clemson athletes and coaches, many of which are autographed.


Catch up on our Around Greenville series to see more of what our city and the area around it has to offer.

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