The South Carolina Town In The Middle Of Nowhere That’s So Worth The Journey
Sitting on a hilltop and not too far from Interstate 77 is a little town that’s seemingly in the middle of nowhere – but oh, it’s so worth the effort to get there! Since its beginning in the 1780s, what would become the City of Chester has had much to offer in the way of friendly streets, historic buildings and neighborhoods as well as a peaceful escape for the day or weekend. Take a look at all this small town of a little more than 6,000 people has to offer:
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Get high above it all with a birds-eye view of the Palmetto State. One of the few diving schools in South Carolina is located in Chester. It's called Skydive Carolina and is currently rated the #1 thing to do in Chester by TripAdvisor users. It's easy to see why...this looks absolutely terrifying and thrilling at the same time!
Historic downtown Chester is most notably located on a hill - a somewhat rarity in this part of the state. The natural phenomenon gives much reason to celebrate, as does the charming and historic architecture.
The annual HILLarity Festival in Chester attracts folks from all over the state. The festival celebrates fall with a great flair and features food and craft vendors, two stages for entertainment, a car show and more — all perched neatly on the HILL in historic downtown. The 2017 date for HILLarity is Saturday, October 21.
They're beautiful - and everywhere. The Romanesque City Hall and Opera House (shown above) was completed in 1891 and dominates the skyline. If you love 1800s architecture, you'll find plenty to admire in Chester.
If art is your first love, the Chester Arts Council could be your new best friend. They regularly host art classes and unique events, like the Southern Porch and Garden Party and Greek Night. Stop in. They're located right on Main Street and are open Tuesday through Friday.
Speaking of art, their Farmers' and Artisan's market is open each Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until noon. It's located at 111 Columbus Street, right behind City Hall. You'll find locally grown fruit and veggies as well as arts and crafts from local artists.
Housed in the 1914 Chester County Jail, the Chester County Historical Museum is a stoic reminder of the past - in more ways than one. Among other notable things you'll find on display is the largest collection of vintage photos in the area.
The creamery closed for a short while in 2016 but reopened in July of this year. You'll find an assortment of goats milk cheeses and soaps, among other great gifts. Plus, the goats are quite cute, too. They're located at 3694 Fishing Creek Church Road in Chester.
Last, but certainly not least, head to Chester State Park for a day of R&R. Whether you're seeking the best display of fall colors in autumn, or a chance to get a little sun in the spring, Chester State Park offers a variety of things to do. From camping to picnicking and hiking, you'll find it at this outdoor oasis.
Have you been to Chester yet? We’d love to know all the things you love most about this small South Carolina city!
For another great afternoon escape, tackle one of these short and sweet hikes in the Palmetto State.
