Group Tour Planning

Welcome to the Group Tour Program of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. Listed below are just a few of the opportunities offered to group tour operators. However, the opportunities for touring the Heritage Corridor are endless. We're a one stop shop and as always welcome the opportunity to customize a tour just for your group.

Haunts of Abbeville
Begin your day in Abbeville at the Chamber of Commerce where you will be greeted by your tour guide dressed in 19th century clothing. Take a backstage tour of the Opera House and hear stories of ghosts and haunting's, have lunch at the Belmont Hotel, and walk the streets to listen to tales of Confederate Generals, lost souls and stories of the past.

Peaches, Politics and Pottery - Historic Edgefield
Arrive at the Region 2 Discovery Center in historic Edgefield for a guided tour of the museum. Walk the narrow paths of the "Political Graveyard" where 7 out of 10 Governors are buried and have lunch at the Ten Governors Cafe. Meet master potter Stephen Ferrell and learn the history of slave potters in Edgefield District. Sit a spell with 18th Century Woodworker Ike Carpenter and be entertained by his humor and style of woodworking.

"A Taste of South Carolina " Blueberries and Peaches
Tour the peach country of South Carolina in Edgefield County . Watch Ike Carpenter, the 18th century woodworker, carve monkeys and baskets out of peach seeds just like his father and grandfather before him. Learn the history of peaches at the Peach Museum in Johnston and enjoy lunch at Riley's on Main . After lunch, take a visit to Titan Farms packing shed where you will be amazed at the journey from field to grocery store of your fresh peaches. Last stop is Cooks Peach Stand where you can buy the freshest produce.

"A Taste of South Carolina " Strawberries
Take a step back in time at Redcliffe Plantation where one of South Carolina 's governors lived. Enjoy fresh strawberries for lunch at the North Augusta Living History Park where you will have lunch and take a tour of one of the states most unique spots. Try a scoop of ice cream at the famous Pink Dipper in downtown North Augusta on the way to the Berry Plantation. There you can pick fresh strawberries and shop at the on site market for fresh baked bread, jams and slushies all made with strawberries.

"A Taste of South Carolina" Lowcountry
Begin your day in the Lowcountry with a tour of Legare Farm, one of the oldest farms on Johns Island, where they raise a wide variety of animals and crops. Legare Farms is also home to a HUGE harvest festival every October that is fun for the whole family. Be amazed at the site of the worlds largest and oldest oak tree "Angel Oak". Drive the back roads of Johns Island and to Wadmalaw Island and visit Irvin House Vineyards where you will enjoy a wine tasting along with a BBQ lunch. Last stop on the island is the only Tea Plantation in the United States - Charleston Tea Plantation. Tour the tea fields and factory where the tea is produced for retail sale around the wor 

"A Taste of South Carolina " Apples and Alpacas
Begin your day at Lucky Acres Farm in Townville where you will learn about raising alpacas. Visit the gift store where you can purchase pure alpaca fleece, scarves, sweaters and much more. Next stop is the Oconee Heritage Center in downtown Walhalla where you will learn about the German Heritage in the upcountry. Hungry for lunch? Let's take a short drive up the mountain to Liberty Lodge Bed & Breakfast where we will eat in "high style" in their lovely dining area. Ready to work off that delicious meal, lets stroll over to Chau Ram Falls . Walk across the only suspension bridge in the state and enjoy the view of the falls. Listen to Native American story teller and fiber artist, Nancy Basket. Nancy is known for her creations made from Kudzu. Head up the mountain for some apple picking at Bryson's Apple Orchard in Mt. Rest , SC. Take home homemade apple butter, apple cider, a wide variety of apples and other goodies at their roadside stand.  

History, Heritage and the Gullah Culture
Get ready to experience Gullah Culture in the lowcountry of South Carolina ? Take this day tour of Charleston . Begin the day at the Charleston Museum . This museum is the oldest museum in the United States and it will give you a good overview of life in Charleston in the 18th and 19th century. Tour two historic town homes while in downtown - the Joseph Manigault House and the Haywood Washington House. These two homes will give you a glimpse of life in 19th century Charleston at its finest. It will also show you how far Charleston has come in preserving its history. Enjoy lunch at one of Charleston 's unique local restaurants. After lunch take a Gullah Tour. The Gullah Tour takes you to the heart of Gullah Culture and teaches you the language and traditions of this heritage.

Rice, War and Plantations
Begin your day at the Charleston Museum , the oldest museum in the United States , for a history lesson of life in the lowcountry in the 18th -20th century. Enjoy the downtown Charleston Revolutionary War walk. See some of the oldest homes, graveyards, churches, and Theatres. Ready for lunch? Dine at one of Charleston 's most famous sites, Boone Hall Plantation's, Selena's Kitchen. Take stroll on the grounds of the Charles Pinckney Plantation and learn about one of the most famous South Carolinians .  

Grit's, Goats and General Stores
People of all ages will enjoy Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer , SC. There is also a market on site for you to buy milk, cheese, and local produce. Take a step back in time at the Obediah Shirley House in Honea Path. This house was originally one log cabin and grew, as his family of 12 grew, into a two story log structure. Meet a Frontiersman re-enactor demonstrating his gun powder horn, rifles and ax. It's time for a BBQ lunch at Timms Mill while learning how a grist mill works. Head back to the historic town of Pendleton for a tour of downtown Pendleton and Hunters Store. Hunters Store has been transformed into a retail store and visitors center. Next stop is Split Creek Farm where we will get to taste goat milk cheese, milk and fudge from the Grade A goat dairy. Don't forget to bring your cooler to put all of your goodies in for the road.

Mennonites, Railroads and War
Arrive at the Region 3 Discovery Center in Blackville where you will tour the railroad themed museum and learn the history of the 4 counties of Aiken, Barnwell, Bamberg , and Orangeburg. Take a driving tour of historic Blackville. Enjoy lunch at Millers Bread basket, a Mennonite owed family style restaurant that is famous for its homemade bread and deserts. Tour the Mennonite Community and Mennonite Church and learn the history of this unique religion. Next stop is afternoon tea at Lil's Herb Garden . Take in the scents of fresh herbs and flowers as Lil teaches the art of cooking and decorating with fresh herbs.  

Native Americans, Mill Villages and Nuclear Energy
Begin you day of touring at the Oconee Heritage Center in Walhalla. The Oconee Heritage Center is filled with history and culture of the wide variety of influences from many cultures including the Native Americans, Germans, and Irish. Step into the beautiful St. Johns Lutheran Church to see the Tiffany stained glass windows and visit the grave of a Civil War Union Soldier buried there. Hungry for lunch? Let’s take a short drive to the historic Liberty Lodge where you will be enchanted by tales of love and wealth. Take a step back in time at Oconee Station State Historic Site where Native Americans traded with the settlers for hides, copper and iron. Have a "Hair Raising" experience at the World of Energy Nuclear Station. Tour the exhibit space and learn how Duke Energy is making clean energy. Drive through the Town of Newry Mill Village that is on the list of National Historic Places. This is a town that has not changed from the 19th century. The  last stop is the town of Seneca where you will get to spend time shopping in Ram Cat Alley's many unique stores.

For more information, please contact Whitney Ellis at (803) 637-9861 or wellis@scprt.com.