Spartanburg is often referred to as the Hub City and Sparkle City. Learn why HERE.
Try at least 6 places from this list of Off the Grid favorites to earn your "Sparkle" badge.
No, it isn't a real badge, but we promise you'll enjoy trying.
“There’s only one Spartanburg.” #BURG
Exclusive Photography: FishEye Studios, Greenville, SC
Start your day off right at the contemporary kitchen and Artisan Bakery, Le Spice. Thanks to Pastry Chef Nick Dhers and Executive Chef Amonrat Dhers, you can experience French & Thai influences in Spartanburg. On the brink of opening a second location, don’t miss their fresh baked delicacies in a relaxing setting off Highway 29.
Head to downtown Spartanburg for an incredible variety of places to eat and drink. Hit the trifecta and stop by Cakehead Bakeshop, Little River Coffee Bar, and Hub City Bookshop. Housed in the historic Masonic Temple, these three gems are sure to please.
…take a break and enjoy the chill vibes while relaxing outdoors or inside on one of the comfy couches.
Keep your eyes open, Lighten Up Spartanburg is a noticeably large scale public art project in downtown Spartanburg. Supporting artists and local businesses is always a WIN WIN.
No weekend in the Upstate is complete without a trip to a brewery. Or two. RJ Rockers, the brewery that started it all, is now complete with a beautiful restaurant addition, Silo.
Not far away is Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery proudly serving over 20 in house beers on tap and local ciders on the way. It’s got the brewery vibe that we believe our ‘beer friends’ will dig.
Funny note: Spartanburg has got some “Flushie” worthy bathrooms. Put this one on your list of clean places to pee.
Looking for some cultural flare? Spartanburg has it’s own Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich shop with pho specials on the weekends; the Monsoon Noddle House; Lime Leaf Thai cuisine, Pokenori (think sushi meets burrito) and the truly authentic Mezcal Taberna Mexicana.
Take your taste buds on a trip around the world at Bond Street Wines, a beautiful wine shop in the middle of downtown.
It’s official. The Upstate has a beer garden. FR8Yard has a blowin’ up menu with everything from Yard Dogs to butterbean hummus. Drink that down with a little Yard Hooch (yep, there’s a vodka drink on tap) or a variety of draft beers, both craft and domestic.
If you’re really ready to earn your Sparkle City Badge, you might want to consider taking home one of the many options from Blue Moon Specialty Foods.
Bonus: There’s a variety of sizes so everyone can be happy at dinner. We’re going for the Shephard’s Pie and mini tomato pie.
Glendale Shoals Preserve and Waterfalls is the perfect place to take another much needed break and spend some time in nature.
Follow along Shoals Trail, check out the abandoned remains of a former cotton factory, and breathe deeply while crossing the bridge to sit by the rocks to admire the falls.
Tip: Grab something from Blue Moon Specialty Store and have a picnic, swimming is at your own risk.
Eighty years old this year, stop by the Nu-Way Lounge for a good dose of fried green beans and basically anything meat. We loved the Brandy Lindsey & The Punch Club & the Secret Bands Trailer Park Burger. Oh and the chili rocked also.
It’s going to be a long day if you want to earn your Sparkle Badge. Why not turn it into a staycation? While Greenville is only 30ish minutes away, the AC Hotel Spartanburg is a steal at under $150 per night. Picture this: Sipping a cocktail at the Level 10 rooftop bar while dreaming of your morning swim in their glamorous pool.
Check off all the places you’ve tried.
Did you earn your Sparkle badge?
On our next visit, we’d love to visit the Vintage Warehouse, Chapman Cultural Center, Venus Pizza and Pie, Mott & Sons Bootlegging Company, The Kennedy, West Main Artist Co-Op and Andrew’s Atomic Dogs...
If you get there before us, send pics and let us know what you thought.
PS. We’ll leave Ikes, The Beacon and Sugar & Spice for the regulars.
Big thanks to Jamarcus Gaston, the ultimate Spartanburg cheerleader and top-notch tour guide. We’ll definitely be back.
