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 feels more 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:
There's a fun and engaging city park paid for by generous donations of the town's residents.
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.
Pickens is also a town that's found a way to move forward in a difficult economy.
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.
The multiuse trail is open to hikers, walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and anything non-motorized.
The city also just built a very hip bike park!
But Pickens is more than just outdoor hiking and unique parks.
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!
It's true that Pickens residents love their music.
In 2013 the city constructed an outdoor amphitheatre right in downtown.
The first Saturday in October Pickens hosts the Founders Day Music Festival that has this stage hopping with toe-tappin' Bluegrass all day long.
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.
Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Rd, Pickens, SC 29671
There are several historic buildings to explore here as you wander around.
There are even ancient petroglyphs discovered on site here.
Hungry? Head over to the Burning Brick Tavern on Main Street for a grilled hand-pressed burger that'll melt your socks off.
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.
And if those eateries aren't enough to pique your interest, there's always the iconic Aunt Sue's at 107 Country Creek Dr. Pickens, SC 29671.
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.
If the horseback waterfall tour isn't the pinnacle of your visit to Pickens, then a visit to Table Rock State Park will definitely hit the mark.
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!
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