Nothing says South Carolina more than the tiny lovable little communities scattered all over our fine state. Some of them are just census-designated with seemingly no desire to incorporate into an official town. But we still use the word “town” interchangeably due to the sense of community found in these small places. Such is the case with the little “town” community of Cleveland, SC – where what you see is not what you get. This eccentric little community has plenty of delightful surprises. There are so many cool things to do in Cleveland, South Carolina.

Head west on one of the prettiest scenic highways in the Upstate, SC-11 – a.k.a. the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway, and you’ll find it ends at Highway 276 in Greenville County.

Turn right and only a few hundred yards up the road is where the real journey begins.
Google Maps [streetview]
The tiny "town" of Cleveland is one of those dots on the map you could seemingly miss if you blink as you pass through. But wait, there is SO MUCH MORE to this curious Upstate community.
To begin with, most people don't realize that in the 1960s this tiny town used to have a full-on old Wild West Amusement Park.
YouTube/Crowefly Images
It was called Echo Valley, and in the 1960s visitors got treated to the real wild west experience here.
They came from far and wide and loved the faux gunfights that took place right in the middle of the street.
YouTube/Crowefly Images
And when the Swamp Rabbit rolled through town, for some reason it ALWAYS got robbed. And for some reason, the engineer ALWAYS captured the robbers and saved the day.
For sure, having had their own old Wild West Amusement Park qualifies this little "town" as eccentric.
Facebook/The Whistle Stop at the American Cafe
In the short time it was open, Echo Valley was where scores of families from all over made memories they'll never forget.

To see more about Echo Valley watch this short video interview with the engineer of that train that always seemed to get robbed. It's from YouTube user Crowefly Images:


Echo Valley has all but disappeared in Cleveland, except for the dance hall with the same name - where every Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. you can kick your heels up all evening long.

But even without the kitschy old Wild West attraction, Cleveland has so much more than meets the eye as you pass through town in under a minute.

Take a look:
Caesars Head State Park is in Cleveland.
TripAdvisor/Linderloo254
That's right. This little community whose only sign with the name "Cleveland" on it is at the Cleveland, SC U.S. Post Office - has one of the most traveled State Parks in the Palmetto State. Head up to the observation deck and check out the view.

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Pretty Place Chapel is located in Cleveland, but again you'd never know it passing through "town."
Flickr/Jeremy Taylor
There's no other chapel in the world like this one perched on the side of a mountain in open-air fashion. The views from this spot in Cleveland are truly inspirational. But if you're headed here, you need to call first to make sure they're not closed for a private function.
Victoria Valley Vineyards in Cleveland offers spectacular wine and views!
Facebook/Victoria Valley Vineyards
Sip on wine made from the grapes grown on the terraced vineyard that sits between you and a spectacular view of Table Rock. The vineyard is also a great spot in Cleveland to grab a bite to eat.
Speaking of drinking, there's one super eccentric spot in Cleveland that turns heads:
TripAdvisor/moonshine falls
Moonshine Falls. This walk-behind spectacle is a bit of a challenge to get to. However, when you arrive you'll see how she got her name.
Hikers make the trek to this waterfall in the Upstate of South Carolina just to see the old moonshine still.
TripAdvisor/onemichael
Tucked away in the big cave underneath the waterfall are the obvious remnants of an old moonshine making operation.
Speaking of hiking, Cleveland offers more of it than you'd imagine, including a hike to the top of Bald Rock.
Yelp/Jamarcus T.
From Ceasars Head and Moonshine Falls to the Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, this tiny little unassuming community has more than its fair share of attractions that aren't so obvious as you make your way through "town." Throw in that kitschy old Wild West theme park from days gone by, and you'll realize just how eccentric, and lovable, Cleveland is.

Did you know Cleveland has so much to see and do? Did you know about the old moonshine still hidden under a waterfall? And what about that old Wild West Amusement Park? Do you know of some other great things to do in Cleveland, South Carolina? We’d love to know your thoughts in our comments.

For more Upstate fun, head to this waterfall campground for an unforgettable weekend getaway.

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More to Explore

Things To Do In South Carolina

William Suphan | March 24, 2023

What are the most bizarre roadside attractions in South Carolina?

The most bizarre roadside attraction in South Carolina include:

  • J’s Tearific Teapot Museum. Yes, the place calls it “tearific,” and the collection of strange teapots looks like the tea party from Alice in Wonderland.
  • Upside Down House. This intriguing structure at Myrtle Beach is an upside-down house that holds interactive science exhibits.
  • Pearl Fryar’s Topiary. This collection of topiary is mesmerizing and so intricately detailed with unusual shapes.
  • Mars Bluff B47 Bomb Site. This is where a nuclear bomb was accidentally dropped on Mars Bludd in 1958 and thankfully didn’t detonate.

Learn more about the most bizarre roadside attractions in South Carolina. 

What are the most amazing lesser-known attractions in South Carolina?

The most amazing lesser-known attractions in South Carolina include:

  • Castle Pinckney. This is the ruins of a castle that was abandoned in 1951 and once defended Charleston.
  • Lake Jocasse. This is the clearest lake in the state and is a beautiful place for setting up camp.
  • Runway Park. Located in Greenville, this is a children’s playground where you can watch planes take off and land on the adjacent runway.
  • Boneyard Beach. This is seven miles of beach that are accessible only by boat and has tons of seashells.

Learn more about the most amazing lesser-known attractions in South Carolina.

What are the most amazing attractions in South Carolina?

The most amazing attractions in South Carolina include:

  • God’s Acre Healing Springs. The waters here have been believed to have healing properties by Native Americans and British soldiers.
  • Fort Sumter. Take a tour of this famous fort and learn all about its history in the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
  • Tunnel Vision. Created by local artist Blue Sky, this wall painting looks like you could drive right through it.
  • The Angel Oak. This gorgeous tree is several centuries old and was going to be cut down but thousands of locals got together to save it.

Discover more about the most amazing attractions in South Carolina. 

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Cleveland, SC 29661, USA