According to the all-knowing Internet, South Carolina is currently home to 68 cities and 202 towns, plus a number of unincorporated communities. (Source: Wikipedia.)
But we’re only concerned today with one of these special places. Nestled in the heart of the South Carolina Upcountry is a charming little city that actually feelsmore like a small town and it’s anything but ordinary.
The City of Pickens, South Carolina rests within two-and-a-half square miles just south of the exact center of Pickens County.
This small city has a little more than 3,000 residents, compared to Pickens County with a total of 119,000 residents.
But even with a countywide population that's equal to one-fifth of the population in the entire state of Wyoming, the City of Pickens manages to retain that southern small town appeal. Let's take a quick peek:
Many of the city's streets are lined with stunning old homes on plots of rolling hills with mature trees and streetscape. It really is a beautiful town.
In 2015, Pickens and neighboring Easley joined together and opened the Doodle Trail, an eight mile rails to trails project that connects Pickens and Easley using a former historic railway bed.
In Pickens, there seems to always be something fun and interesting going on.
The residents are just as fun as the town. Here's a shot of a 2012 Bluegrass "flash mob" in the parking lot of a pizza restaurant. How "uniquely" Pickens!
But you don't have to wait until next October to visit Pickens. There are plenty of things to do between now and then, like visit the grounds of Historic Hagood Mill just outside of town.
Or, check out the really unique restaurant stop out on Highyway 11 (3414 Hwy 11, Pickens, SC) known as the Pumpkintown Opry. You'll enjoy the interesting fare in the gift shop at least as much as the eats in the restaurant.
Wherever you eat, hurry it up so you won't miss your very own Horseback Waterfall Tour in Pickens. We're pretty sure it's the only one of its kind in the entire state!
Pickens and Pickens County are laden with show stopping waterfalls and there's a company in Pickens that offers thrilling horseback trail rides that dish up some amazing waterfall and mountain views. More info on that here.
This iconic state park was recently closed due to wildfires but reopened on November 29. Not all the trails are open yet, but they're all as amazing as this one!
More information on trail openings at Table Rock can be found here.
If Pickens County is like the mother of all oysters, then Pickens is definitely the perfect pearl found within. Put this small city on your bucket list soon and discover why she is anything but ordinary!
Are you already in love with Pickens? Tell us why in our comments!
