We love spreading the word about the fun places to go, things to do and the best places to eat in South Carolina. This article has a little of each as we visit a historic small town that every true South Carolinian should visit at least once. Known as The Front Porch of the Lowcountry, Walterboro, SC dishes up a heaping mound of history, charm and hospitality. Take a look for yourself below.
Now a thriving small arts and antiques hub, Walterboro's beginnings travel all the way back to 1783, when two of the earliest to settle near here, the Walter brothers, formed a small hamlet they referred to as "Hickory Valley." The town was later named for the brothers, and in 1817, Walterboro was named the county seat of Colleton County.
Today, there is much to see and do in the small city with approximately 5,200 residents. The town is famously popular for the row of antique shops found in the historic downtown. Whether you're looking for refined furniture or are bargain hunting, you'll find something to take home from one of the many antique stores.
If you're more on the hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures from local artisans, then you must make it a point to visit the South Carolina Artisans Center. From folk art to fine art, this Lowcountry art center represents more than 300 juried artists and craftsmen.
Next, plan a visit to the Colleton Museum and Farmers Market. Have a quiet lunch in the cafe and then enjoy exhibits featuring the history of Lowcountry plantations. The location also hosts a seasonal farmers market held on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Year-round, Walterboro is replete with fun and interesting activities in addition to shopping. The annual Rice Festival (held in April) is in its 43rd year, and this past fall the Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural Fall Festival with exciting fall activities for the whole family.
The Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary dishes up more than 800 acres of outdoor exploration with a network of boardwalks, hiking, biking and canoe trails that offer a true Lowcountry immersion experience.
Walterboro residents are extremely proud of their rich history. The Headquarters of the Colleton County Historic & Preservation Society is located in a historic old residence known as the Bedon-Lucas House. Tours are offered regularly, as you can imagine. More info on the tours can be found at this link.
No visit to Walterboro would be complete without sampling the local eats. For an Italian little treasure you won't soon forget, check out Carmine's Trattoria on Washington Street downtown.
The authentic Italian cuisine found at Carmine's is not only mouthwatering, but also reasonably priced and the atmosphere is lovely as well. Try the Chicken Parmigiana, paired with a bottle of wine. Yum!
If you're looking for something a little more regional, then head to Dukes Bar-B-Q on Robertson Boulevard. Not to be cliche, but you'll truly be in hog heaven when you try this famous Bar-B-Q!
The pulled pork, coleslaw and hush puppies rule the menu at Dukes, but you can also find other Lowcountry staples such as fried chicken. The food and the friendly service will have you coming back to Walterboro just to have more Dukes!
Much to our delight (and soon to be yours!) Walterboro has somehow managed to overcome the plight of many small towns around the country that struggle with retail competition as cities and towns grow outward from their historic Main Streets. This small town in South Carolina is worthy of a trip (or two!) to discover all the charm and hospitality this historic city has to offer.
