Travelers Rest

Travelers Rest is a perfect spot for city-working outdoor enthusiasts to let their hair down. Boaters are less than an hour from picturesque Lake Keowee and for hikers, Paris Mountain is less than 20 minutes away. Take a hike or simply picnic on the banks of quiet Lake Placid. Looking to bike? How about to Greenville? Yes, we said that! The Swamp Rabbit Trail connects Travelers Rest to Greenville and its section of the multi-use trail system is just under 18 miles. There is also the Bunched Arrowhead Nature Preserve Loop, a short 1.3-mile loop that was rated number one for trails in Travelers Rest on AllTrails.com.

The town, being tucked at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a close distance to larger hikes with commanding views of the well-worn mountain range. Caesar Head State Park and Table Rock State Park are both within a 30-minute drive and offer ample hiking trails, fishing spots, campgrounds, and views for miles.

Like many idyllic small southern towns, Travelers Rest has a strong sense of community and it’s woven throughout all of its shops and restaurants. Local restaurants source from nearby farms and have a welcoming ambiance. Shops offer unique selections including locally sourced goods and artists’ works. And events throughout the year encourage visitors to enjoy the town and the best of local’s handmade or hand-grown work.  Here are our favorite spots in Travelers Rest that give you a true taste of the town:

• Monkey Wrench Smokehouse: No southern town is complete without an amazing BBQ joint and Monkey Wrench doesn’t disappoint.  Wood smoked BBQ and brisket, buttermilk fried, and flavorful southern sides with a wide selection of craft beer, bourbon, and whiskey.
• Kramers Korner Shops is a charming little shop located in the heart of Travelers Rest that features locally made artisan gifts, art, and clothing. You never know what you’ll find! And if you have a bit of a pickin’ bone, we love Charlie’s Southern Rustiques. It is filled with small odd treasures to use in your home, from iron hooks to mill stones and baskets.
• There are a few galleries in Travelers Rest that feature local artists, including the White Rabbit Gallery and Wild Hare Gallery.
• Enjoy a locally crafted beer with Travelers Rest’s own brewery, the Swamp Rabbit Brewery. Take an afternoon break and cool down with a cream or cherry wheat ale.
• Finally, no small town review is complete without a great coffeehouse.  Tandem is a coffeehouse that serves up Counter Culture Coffee, a Durham coffee company,  as well as delicious crepes, waffles, and their own housemade pecan granola (yum!).  Set inside what looks to be an old general or hardware store, the shop oozes local charm and is a perfect place to start your day in Travelers Rest.

Once just open during warmer months, the Travelers Rest Farmers Market has started to hold pop-up events in January through April as well. The market is a true weekend event, filled with local farmer’s produce, meat, honey, baked goods, and other handmade items like quilts, soaps, and candles. The market will also host food trucks and live music during many of its weekends, making it a go-to weekend attraction for the whole family. Click here to view upcoming events.

Travelers Rest is also home to a growing number of luxury communities, built to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and views. The following are located in or near Travelers Rest. To look at homes or homesites at any of the featured communities, reach out to our team and our local area specialists will be in touch with you!