Getaway to Greenwood, Abbeville & Ninety Six, South Carolina

It’s time for a little food-centric adventure… this trip finds us in the towns of Greenwood, Abbeville and Ninety Six, SC. You’ll love it all as much as I did! This area is one of my favorites.

You may remember this delicious pound cakes I wrote about last year – they are from Swartzentruber Bakery in Abbeville, SC… reason alone to go back and visit.

I’ve written about this area of the Palmetto State, known as the Old 96 Tourism District, many times. You can read past travel posts I’ve penned on events and sites to see, and food to eat the area using links to the all at the end of this post. Most recently, I’ve written a post on Cooking with SC Pecans – you’ll find that link at the end of this post, as well. I love going back and now it’s time to discover even more.

Before you head out, watch all the details on TV

As I have done with each of these past posts, it is my pleasure to share all these details with viewers of WCNC’s Charlotte Today.

My food-centric travel TV segment, featuring details on what you’ll find in Abbeville, Greenwood and the town of Ninety-Six, SC, as outlined in this post aired on Wed, Dec 15, 2021 with show co-host Eugene Robinson. I had so much to share, he almost didn’t get a word in 🙂

Here is the link to the video – watch first and then read on for all the details.

Go now for a great getaway from all the holiday hubbub, and enjoy some fun shopping opportunities  and terrific food finds that will keep you coming back for more, all through the year. Its a quick and easy getaway with fun, food and a little bit of history thrown in between.

Start with a Delightful Stay at Sharon Manor in Abbeville, SC

Start your adventure in Abbeville SC with a  one or two night stay at Sharon Manor. This is an historic elementary school turned into a charming home and family run B&B.

Large gorgeous bedrooms  – the size of a classroom with seating areas, a dining spot, walk in closets and a large shower are a comfy cozy place to call your home away from home.

A Stay at Sharon Manor features local fare for breakfast

In the morning move from your room to the large open living space for a breakfast featuring several courses of  all local fare. It goes without saying, this is my kind of place!

But First, Coffee

Start with coffee not only brewed, but roasted onsite in a locally hand-crafted pottery mug. Here is a fun little video I shot with Sharon Manor owner Benita Chupp as she was making coffee the morning I was there. Take it from me, you are going to want to stay more than just one night.

Then, along with the coffee, enjoy fresh fruit with yogurt,  fresh squeezed grape juice and orange juice  farm eggs, local sausage and cheese grits sourced from a local mill, homemade jams, just baked cinnamon rolls! Oh, my!

This fabulous meal was a wonderful way to start the day. Conversations with Brandi, Benita and David Chupp made it all even better. I cannot recommend a stay here strongly enough. It’s a wonderful little getaway. Make reservations for your food-centric adventures in 2022 now! Contact the Chupp’s to make reservations. Be sure to #TellThemHeidiSentYou

Shop while you Stay

If you are looking for gifts to take home to friends – you can support the area’s local businesses and shop while you are still at Sharon Manors to take home their own brand of roasted coffee called Thru The Flame and candles from Good Gracious Candle Company.

Spend time in  Abbeville for more great shopping and good eats  – In the town of Abbeville find lots of antiquing, a cute bed and bath shop called Breezy Quarters with handmade soaps and toiletries and a wonderful home and garden shop called Divine Your Space.

I’ve told you about both of these fun places and other great places in Abbeville, SC, before, read more in this past post.

Eat like a Local: Dinner at The Village Grill

At night don’t miss dinner at The Village Grill in Abbeville this is a real hidden gem  and a popular spot among locals so be sure and make reservations. This night I very much enjoyed a wonderful plate of local trout with a delicious local okra maque choux. Whatever you eat, take this pro tip and be sure to save room for the homemade Cashew Butter Pie.

In Greenwood be sure to stop at the Dr. Benjamin Mays HIstoric Site and Museum

After some time exploring Abbeville, head back to Greenwood for a lesson in our country’s history. Don’t miss a thoughtful stop at the Benjamin Mays Historic Site and Museum.

Benjamin Mays was a front runner in the civil rights movement in this country. An advisor and mentor to Martin Luther King and several presidents since, he was the the son of ex-slaves who grew up to be the author of eight books and  served as the President of Morehouse College from 1940-1967.

Dr. Mays’ boyhood home has been restored and moved onsite at the museum property. It’s a fascinating look back in history.

While the Museum is in Greenwood, SC, Dr. Mays was born in Ninety Six, Sc which is where we will end our trip. Ninety Six is full of history as it is the small Southern town where the Civil War began and ended.

More history and Food-Centric Adventure in Ninety Six, SC

Ninety Six is also the home to Murray Farms and the 96 Pecan Company.

Regular readers will remember that I talked about Murray Farms and the farm store for 96 Pecan Company in my recent Cooking with SC Pecan’s post. It’s a gorgeous family farm – don’t miss it along the way.

All of the pecans and pecan candies sold at the farm store are pecans grown onsite. You can walk and picnic in the orchard if you would like – the trees here are majestic. Then back at the store, enjoy a pecan tasting unlike any other.

John and Charlotte Murray do not ship or sell online, so go down see and taste for yourself and be sure to bring back plenty of delicious nuts and sweet treats to enjoy until you can go back for another South Carolina adventure. Be sure to #TellThemHeidiSentYou

Want to read more about the area?

Check out these past posts at HeidiBillottoFood.com…

More about Abbeville, The Benjamin Mays Museum in Greenwood and Greenwood’s annual BBQ Festival here: South Carolina Roadtrip: BBQ and Music, too.

For info on the annual Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, SC + plus tips on places to eat and things to see – Take a Day Away: Destination: Greenwood, SC

Find more on the Festival of Flowers in this post: 3 Day Weekend: Greenwood, SC

Do You Love Boiled Peanuts? Look at what a trip to the Greenwood, SC Farmers Market inspired me to do : Cooking with SC Boiled Peanuts

In the mood for a sweet treat: check out this recipe post on the chocolate chip Cookies at Inn on the Square in Greenwood, SC.