Car Accident Attorney inTravelers Rest, SC

We love all of South Carolina's cities and towns, and especially love showcasing them one at a time so everyone can see just why they're so special.

Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Travelers Rest is one of the coolest towns in America. Let's take a look at all she has to offer.

Travelers Rest got her name from a naturally obvious situation. Her location is just before a large mountain range so travelers and cattlemen would pause here for a night before crossing into the mountains. The logical name stuck and Travelers Rest has been, well, Travelers Rest (affectionately, "T.R.") ever since.

Welcome to Main Street where you'll find quaint little shops, nice landscaping and this signature T.R. clock.

Main Street boasts some of the best restaurants around, including the iconic Williams Hardware. It's a restaurant called a hardware store, but that's more about the history of the building than it is the food - which is fabulous!Travelers Rest is about so much more than just a cute Main Street with great shops and eateries. Take a look at some of the things that also make this one of the coolest towns in America:

Trailblazer Park

A covered pavilion, an amphitheatre and fair grounds are all found at this grand "park" where locals go for festivals, fairs and concerts. Imagine watching some live music with friends and surrounded by mountain views. It's not Red Rocks, but since it's ours: it's better!

Travelers Rest Farmers Market

T.R. has one of the neatest Farmers Markets in the state of South Carolina. Here, you'll find everything from fresh fruit and veggies, to live music, arts and crafts and food trucks (yes, so many it's sometimes like a food truck bonanza). They also have fun stuff for the kids, including an old-fashioned food truck just for them - serving ice cream! The 2017 market opens next Saturday, May 6th at 8:30 a.m. More information can be found here on their official website.

Travelers Rest Speedway

T.R. has a speedway with track views that include a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Of course, you'll want to keep your eyes on the track though. It's three-eighths of a mile and red clay-based. Races happen every Friday night at TR Speedway. See their racing schedule here.

Travelers Rest Historical Society

A few years back, the Historical Society of Travelers Rest built a new History Museum. The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. It's located at 3 Edwards Street.

Farmhouse Tacos

Remember we said Main Street has amazing restaurants and shops? The newest restaurant in town is definitely worth checking out. It serves Tex Mex and has some fun menu items. Locally owned and operated, Farmhouse Tacos is located at 164 S. Main Street. Oh, and that name means something. The food here is all farm-to-table.

Wildcat Wayside

Head North on Main Street and in about 15 minutes you'll find a roadside waterfall, called Wildcat, that's all the rage. You can see the bottom waterfall (there are three in the series) from US 276. A word of caution, the rocks here are slippery. Please stick to the trails.

Hotel Domestique

Want to spend the night? T.R.'s got you covered there too, with a unique hotel 10 minutes north of downtown. Hotel Domestique is perfectly situated for breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains while you visit. More on their website.

There's so much to love about Travelers Rest, South Carolina. From its proximity to Greenville (about 10 miles) to its stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and all the signature things that set this small town apart, Travelers Rest really is one of the coolest small towns in the country.

For a look at one of the smallest towns in the Palmetto State, read Why Everyone Should Visit This One Tiny Town In South Carolina.

Love Travelers Rest? Consider checking out Poinsett Park with the kids. KAG Contributor Lindy Wilson visited with her family and is giving us all the details so you’ll know just what to expect. You’re sure to love all this park has to offer, including multiple playgrounds and a paved trail for walking!

Check out our Travelers Rest itinerary!

About Poinsett Park

This park is a little tricky to get to heading south, but worth it! If planning your day, its easiest to stop while driving northward, as you won’t have to fight traffic to turn off Main Street.

At first, I was skeptical. The park looks small, but we were there so why not check it out? It was gorgeous with a very decadent tree line and lush grass.

The playgrounds

The kids were enchanted with the tree house-themed playground. I was relieved that there was a toddler area to direct my little one towards. They liked the swings and enjoyed the many slides available.

Watch out for the climbing web- preschoolers will need your help but it’s very user-friendly! The forest of stairs shaped like trees also scared me, but my kids navigated them well. Little monkeys will surely enjoy all the climbing features!

For whatever reason, the rainwater didn’t pool much on the slides or swings or anywhere else for that matter. The low retaining wall surrounding playground also seemed to help waterproof the park a lot, as there were hardly any puddles. So this park may be a good bet after a rainy day.

The walking trail

Once we finally got the kids away from the playground, we took a family walk around the trail. This trail seemed popular with many people, and though there were quite a few pet owners walking their dogs, the park was very clean. It is a nice size yet has good visibility.

Those with older kids could probably walk the trail by themselves yet be in sight to wave at their children over on the playground. This feature makes it very family-friendly- adults can jog a bit, have an uninterrupted conversation, or just enjoy the walk.

There are also some nice picnic tables and a shelter that can be reserved for special occasions. The larger trail has a cut-through with tables near the playground so you can just circle nearby if needed.

Visit Poinsett Park

Poinsett Park is a great little destination for the whole family. We saw many generations there and families with kids of all ages. It’s not far from downtown Greenville and is just a stone’s throw from downtown Travelers Rest.

5 Pine Forest Road, Travelers Rest Visit the Poinsett Park Website here.

Have you taken your little ones to Poinsett Park in Travelers Rest yet?

Check out all the amazing parks and playgrounds nearby.

Yes, we have a guide for that!

RELATED: Playgrounds with Paved Walking Trails, Playgrounds with Fenced Toddler Areas

How the Swamp Rabbit Trail gave a historical town a new life and a new identity.

Swamp Rabbit Trail | Courtesy Discover South Carolina

Better Than You Found It is a guide to sustainable adventures for travelers who care. We’re highlighting tips and guides to help protect the world we share as we embark on our summer travel plans. We’re also spotlighting the people working toward a more climate-positive future and the places worthy of an eco-minded trip. We hope these stories inspire and energize you to reconsider how you experience the world on your next vacation. Read more here.

Travelers Rest, South Carolina got its name in the 1800s for exactly the reason you’d think—it served as a rest stop for livestock drovers who were traversing the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In 1888, the Greenville and Northern Railway train, nicknamed The Swamp Rabbit, started operating between Greenville and River Falls, bringing passengers through Travelers Rest. The train switched to freight service only in the 1920s, but Travelers Rest continued to thrive until the 1980s and 1990s when the textile mills around South Carolina started closing and the local storefronts shut down one by one. All that was really left were some big-box stores and eateries at the edge of town.

But then, in 2009, the rail line was converted into the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a multi-use pathway along the Reedy River. The trail opened in stages, but the first section was a 9-mile greenway that connects Greenville and Travelers Rest. It now consists of a 28-mile (and growing) network of trails that goes through downtown Greenville and Falls Park with its 28-foot natural waterfall, while connecting to the 400-acre Conestee Nature Preserve.

The trail has had a massive impact on the local economy, with shops and restaurants near the trail reporting up to an 85 percent increase in revenue. “The first year that the trail was open they had about 15,000 people [who] used it,” says Tim Todd, Director of Discover Upcountry Carolina. “Now it’s about half a million people a year.”

The trail’s popularity combined with the boom of neighboring Greenville spurred the revitalization of downtown Travelers Rest. Today, it’s home to the coffee-shop-creperie combo Tandem, Swamp Rabbit Brewery, and Charlie’s Southern Rustiques, a little antique store set in a vintage Sinclair gas station. Local restaurateurs from surrounding towns are opening outposts in Travelers Rest, too, including Greenville-based Chicora Alley and Community Tap.

One downtown store that’s been there since before the trail is Sunrift Adventures, the oldest outdoor gear shop in South Carolina. They’ve been serving outdoor enthusiasts who come through on their way to the surrounding state parks, rivers and lakes since 1980. It now has a booming bike rental business thanks to the trail as well.

While the paved, mostly-flat Swamp Rabbit Trail attracts casual cyclists and joggers, Travelers Rest is a destination for another kind of cycling enthusiast, too. About 10 miles north of downtown is the Tuscan-inspired Hotel Domestique, a 13-room boutique hotel started by George Hincapie, a racing cyclist who was a domestique—or support rider—for Lance Armstrong. Hincapie had trained in the Blue Ridge Mountains to prepare for the Tour de France. Naturally then, Hotel Domestique attracts many harder-core cyclists with their guided rides, Ventum bike rentals and in-house bike mechanic.

Hincapie also hired James Beard semifinalist Adam Cooke to be the chef at Hotel Domestique in 2013, and Cooke has stayed in the area ever since—he now serves up farm-to-table cooking at the nearby Topsoil Restaurant, which he owns and operates with his business partner, Wendy Lynam. “When I first moved here to help open the hotel, most of [downtown] was pretty vacant,” Cooke says. “I remember wondering why. It’s such a cute little town and a great location. Then, over the last 10 years, the town and surrounding areas have grown like crazy.”

As for Topsoil, he tells me, “It was always a dream to do something a little bit smaller. We opened this restaurant with a big focus on our own lifestyle and our own work-life balance.”

Topsoil gets a lot of brunch traffic from Swamp Rabbit Trail users, especially cyclists who ride their bikes in and grab something to eat before riding back to Greenville. The restaurant’s reputation also draws foodies from Asheville, Atlanta and beyond. Despite all the acclaim, though, Cooke still stays true to his focus on work-life balance. He keeps Topsoil open only for four days a week. He spends one of the other days visiting local farms, and the other two riding bikes or skateboards with his kids on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

The success of the trail, which is estimated to generate $6.7 million in tourism revenue annually, now has people following it in other ways. Namely, in 2015, the Doodle Trail opened, connecting the South Carolina cities of Pickens and Easley. Meanwhile, the Ecusta Trail is currently being proposed in North Carolina on another unused railway track that connects Hendersonville and Brevard.

But no matter where these trails go, you can’t say that they don’t still lead back to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, the very reason why Travelers Rest is back on the map.

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Fiona Chandra is a Thrillist contributor.

Have you visited Travelers Rest, SC? The northern Greenville town of Travelers Rest has seen a recent revitalization that is getting the attention of people from all over the Upstate. Wonderful dining options, beautiful outdoor spaces, and affordable living make Travelers Rest a great place to work, live, and play. Our guide lists some of the best things to do, places to stay, and dining experiences to enjoy in Travelers Rest, SC.

Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.

If you’re considering making a move to Travelers Rest or just looking to have some fun exploring, we have a day full of fun suggestions right here for you!

Breakfast: We suggest starting the day off with breakfast at one of our reader’s favorite places for Crepes! Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse offers up sweet and savory crepes, along with waffles and fruity bowls of granola.

In the morning: After Breakfast, you can browse the shops on Main street while enjoying a to-go coffee from Tandem Creperie or take the kids to the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve. This 180-acre wildlife preserve features a family-friendly 1.25-mile hiking trail. While visiting, you can observe wildlife and look for the endangered plant that the park is named for.

Lunch: Once everyone works up an appetite for lunch, you can head over to the Whistle Stop at the American Cafe. They even have live music!

Afternoon fun: Head over to the Swamp Rabbit trail to work off lunch with a family-friendly hike. While you are on the trail, keep your eyes peeled for all the murals that adorn the buildings in the area. Here’s a list of where to find the murals in Travelers Rest and all over the Upstate.

If the weather doesn’t permit outdoor fun, you can head to TReehouse Cafe & Studio for some family crafting fun.

Dinner: Deciding on dinner is more difficult because of all the wonderful options the downtown area of Travelers Rest offers. Here are some of our reader’s favorites!

If you are just visiting the Upstate and want to base your trip around Travelers Rest there are hotels and other accommodations available to guests.

Hotel Domestique

10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest | 864.651.9011A European-influenced high-end boutique hotel, in the foothills of Travelers Rest. The hotel offers full-service dining at its restaurant and provides guests with complimentary BMWs to use. Hotel Domestique also hosts seasonal events that non-guests can attend with the purchase of a ticket.

Swamp Rabbit Inn – Travelers Rest

426 South Main Street, Travelers Rest | 864.345.7990 (Text is fastest way to get in touch)Conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Travelers Rest, this rental property offers several options for guests. You can take a dip in the pool or rent a bike and hop on the neighboring Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Hampton Inn Greenville / Travelers Rest

593 Roe Center Court, Travelers Rest | 864.834.5550Located close to Furman University, this Hilton brand hotel offers guests complimentary breakfast and an on-site swimming pool.

Travelers Rest / North Greenville KOA Campground

2400 North Highway 25, Travelers Rest | 864.834.8150The campground offers cabin rentals, RV sites, and tent sites for guests. Conveniently located just minutes from everything in Travelers Rest. Onsite amenities include a seasonally open swimming pool, a playground, a dog park, and sports (basketball, cornhole).

Visit The Farmers Market If you happen to be in town on a Saturday, the Travelers Rest Farmers Market shouldn’t be missed. The Traveler’s Rest market is so much more than just a produce stand! The market offers visitors yoga sessions, cooking demos, live music, food trucks, and more. Open seasonally from April through September, there’s also usually a weekly Thursday night Harvest market in October, and a special holiday market in December.

Ride a BikeThe Swamp Rabbit Trail runs right through Travelers Rest. Or, if mountain biking is more your speed, you’ll want to check out Gateway Park for trails with a variety of skill levels.

Get Creative at the TR Makers Co.Located on Main Street downtown is a beautiful little shop that sells goods from local artists, including soap, printed shirts (that are the softest I’ve ever felt, by the way), sweatshirts, jewelry, dolls, and pottery. The coolest part, at least for the kids, is all of the neat stuff Kristin has for the art section of TR Makers. Read more about why KAG’s Kristina loved her visit to TR Makers Co.

Have Some High Spirited Fun at The Poinsett Bridge PreserveThe Poinsett Bridge is part of a 120-acre preserve, and one of the oldest bridges in the Southeast United States. All the history the bridge has seen makes for a place that visitors often report as haunted.

Go Have Some Fun At The ParkTravelers Rest has several parks to enjoy. You can visit one, or make a day of doing a park hop.

Head To Trailblazer Park for Live Music & MoviesThe same park that hosts the summertime Farmer’s Market hosts other family-friendly events.

Grab Some Coffee and Get Creative At TReehouse CafeYou and your family could spend hours at the TReehouse Cafe with all the art supplies laid out to use! Kidding Around Contributor Kristina went and spent time there with her kids. You can read all about their experience at the art bar & cafe.

Go Visit a Local Farm Travelers Rest is home to several farms offering all kinds of different crops for purchase. Some offer the chance to pick-your-own produce.

Go Practice Your SwingSpring Park Golf Range is a family-friendly range, where you can practice your golf swing. There is a golf instructor on-site, in case your swing needs more than a little help. Who knows you might be fostering a love that blooms into your child being the next Tiger Woods.

TopSoil Kitchen & Market – Recent nominees for a James Beard award, the kitchen at Topsoil bases their menu on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Sidewall Pizza – Hands down the favored local pizza place with KAG readers! Don’t forget to try their ice cream on a visit, they make it in-house.

Monkey Wrench Smokehouse – The smokehouse offers a kid’s craft and story hour on Friday mornings that is really popular. Sunday brunch is served as a buffet that includes scratch-made pastries.

Chicora Alley– Boasting TR’s largest bar, here you can enjoy a cocktail, coffee, pastries, and items from Chicora Alley’s full menu. Our readers RAVE about their Nachos!

Farmhouse Tacos – American-style Mexican food served from locally sourced ingredients.

Restaurant 17 – Located inside Hotel Domestique, Restaurant 17 serves locally sourced meals. Guests can enjoy dinner daily and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Whistle Shop Cafe: The cafe is charming- lots of memorabilia and decor along with a staff that was eager to greet us. The fried tomatoes are amazing. The kids tried a little but preferred the kids menu, which wait for it – was written on a Dinosaur TRAIN coloring sheet!

Pink Mama’s Ice Cream is a great place to enjoy a frozen treat.

Charlie’s Southern Rustiques – Located in an old service station, Charlie’s offers a unique collection of vintage collectibles, antiques, and decor for your home. They are open Tuesday-Thursday 11 am – 5pm.

TR Farmers Market – Local food, goods, and makers can be found at this market that runs April – October on Saturdays in downtown Travelers Rest.

The Carolina Honey Bee Company – Not only does The Carolina Honey Bee Company sell pure, raw honey straight from their hives, but they also sell bees themselves! Whether you are looking for fresh honey, or to become your own beekeeper, they have all the bee supplies you will need.

Beyond the Threads – A boutique clothing store that offers hand-selected items like apparel, beautiful clothing, and personalized gifts.

Retro Marketplace – Retro Marketplace contains a plethora of vintage clothing and upcycled pieces. They occasionally host events such as wine tastings and vintage clothing fashion shows.

The Crescent Olive – An olive oil and balsamic vinegar distributor that sells premium oils produced in various countries throughout the world! They have specialty oils, flavored oils, and a selection of vinegar to purchase. Their highly knowledgeable staff will help you locate something new and delicious to add to your kitchen.

We hope you decide to explore Travelers Rest! Did we leave out your favorite part of this southern town? Let us know in the comments!

When it comes to chatter about South Carolina, Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach are usually raved about by tourists.

Those wishing to visit the state may be wondering what other parts are also worth exploring.

World Atlas recently compiled a roundup of underappreciated towns to visit in S.C. In the list, Clemson and Travelers Rest were highlighted, each offering their own unique charm and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

What is it about these small towns that make their beauty larger than life? And what other towns are overlooked in the state? Here's what World Atlas had to say.

Tigers are the 'heart' of Clemson

The Clemson Tigers are the pulse of this picturesque small town, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Paw prints wind throughout the town's streets and storefront windows, reminding residents and visitors of Clemson University's three-time national college football champions:

"This serene college town is best known for housing the scenic, 1,400 acre campus of Clemson University." said World Atlas. "Every fall, athletic enthusiasts flock in large numbers to Frank Howard Field at Clemson Memorial Stadium (popular as 'Death Valley') to watch a match played by the legendary Clemson Tigers ― the University's athletic team."

World Atlas also named various must-visit attractions to see within the town, such as Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, South Carolina Botanical Garden & Bob Campbell Geology Museum, and Clemson Little Theater.

Travelers Rest is called 'adorable'

World Atlas describes Travelers Rest as "an adorable vacation retreat" at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The rest stop is known for opening its arms to travelers from all over, as well as its many outdoor activities. When passing through, make sure to walk up and down Main Street, which is lined with art galleries, breweries, boutiques, cafes, and gift shops. If you happen to stop by the town during the right time of the year, you can partake in the many family-friendly annual festivals that take place there, like Travelers Restival at Trailblazer Park and Music in the Park Concert Series. Don't forget to bring your bike to ride through the Prisma Health's 22-mile-long Swamp Rabbit Trail.

8 underappreciated SC towns to visit, according to World Atlas

∎ Travelers Rest

∎ Hartsville

∎ Edisto Beach

∎ Pendleton

∎ Clemson

∎ Georgetown

∎ McClellanville

∎ York

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com