If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, spring break road trip, or detour on your way to the beach this Spring, South Carolina’s Old 96 District is just the place.
Located in the southern part of South Carolina’s lush upstate, the region features three large freshwater lakes perfect for fishing and boating, lakeside camping, outdoor recreation, Revolutionary history, farm-to-table dining, and so much more. Less than 3 hours from Atlanta, Charlotte, Greenville, Charleston, and Asheville, the Old 96 District is truly a hidden gem within arm’s reach.
Plan your visit around one of the many upcoming spring events or festivals, and make a weekend out of it at a local bed & breakfast or inn!
- April 4, 2026: Chef Ambassador Erica McCier at Indigenous Underground in Abbeville, SC is teaming up with a local antique store, Revived Abbeville, to host a Bridgerton themed Spring Dining Experience. Grab your ticket soon—seats are limited!
- April 11-12, 2026: Ninety Six National Historic Site, the location of the first southern land battle of the Revolution, will host their spring encampment and revolutionary era demonstrations weekend. This is a free, family-friendly event, where you can get up close and personal with colonial and revolutionary history.
- April 18, 2026: Join the first annual Abbeville Porch Fest—a new family festival concept with live music and vendors on the historic downtown Abbeville square!
- April 25, 2026: Right in the heart of Greenwood, SC sits an important spot on the National Civil Rights Trail at the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site. Dr. Mays was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and played a pivotal role in Civil Rights history. You can tour Dr. Mays’ birth home and museum throughout the year, or attend the museum’s 15th Anniversary celebration on April 25th starting at 10:00am.
- April 25-26, 2026: Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site is hosting their annual Revolutionary War encampment, and it’s a must-see event for history buffs and families alike! Meet reenactors portraying both Patriot and Loyalist militiamen, British Regular and Provincial soldiers, Continental soldiers, and civilians representing a variety of backgrounds. Throughout both days there will be several historic weapons demonstrations, historic lectures, militia musters for children, historic craft demonstrations, kid’s games, and tradesmen selling goods to the public. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
- April 30-May 2, 2026: Abbeville Spring Festival will be filling downtown Abbeville with live music, food trucks, carnival rides, artisan vendors, and more! This is a great event to kick off the festival season here in South Carolina.
- May 16 & 30, 2026: The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour is a free, self-guided tour of farms and markets that feature local artisans at every stop! During the tour, visitors have the opportunity to see first-hand where their food comes from, watch artists in action and purchase their works, enjoy the melodies of local musicians, and learn more about rural life. The tour is the largest free farm and art tour in the nation with over 150,000 visitors participating since 2012. Enjoy the tour in Abbeville and Laurens on May 16th, and McCormick on May 30th. Click here for a full schedule of South Carolina’s Ag + Art Tour.
- June 4-7, 2026: The South Carolina Festival of Flowers is celebrating their 59th year this spring! This festival is a family-friendly favorite featuring world-class topiaries, a garden symposium, the Bloom & Beats concert series, garden tours, a juried art show, bike tours, scavenger hunts, a makers market, and more! While the main festival weekend is June 4-7, the giant topiary displays are displayed throughout Uptown Greenwood all summer long, so stop by anytime!
With all of this and so much more, we can’t wait to see what Unexpected Wonders you’ll discover in South Carolina’s Old 96 District!
