Upstate Weekend

This weekend highlights the best of the Upstate, from the beautiful natural setting to city life and early American history. Spend one night in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and another in cosmopolitan Greenville.

Day 1

Begin at the South Carolina Botanical Garden (150 Discovery Ln., 864/656-3405, www.clemson.edu [1]) in Clemson before heading over to little Pendleton and enjoying lunch on the Village Green (125 E. Queen St., 864/646-3782, www.pendleton-district.org [2]).

Head up to Walhalla in the afternoon and check out the unique Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls (7 miles north of Walhalla on Hwy 28, 864/638-4343, www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html [3]). Stay in a B&B or camp at Oconee State Park (624 State Park Rd., Mountain Rest, 864/638-5353, www.southcarolinaparks.com [4]).

Day 2

Spend the day in Greenville: enjoy Falls Park on the Reedy (864/232-2273, www.greatergreenville.com [5]); do some shopping on restored Main Street; and maybe check out the great masters at the Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery (1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., 864/770-1331, www.bjumg.org [6]).

In the evening take in a minor league baseball game at Fluor Field (Augusta St. & S. Main S.t), being sure to visit the adjacent Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum (356 Field St., 864/235-6280, www.shoelessjoejackson.org [7]). Splurge for the night at the classy Westin Poinsett (120 South Main St., 864/421-9700, www.starwoodhotels.com [8]) downtown.

Day 3

Drive to Cowpens National Battlefield (4001 Chesnee Hwy., Gaffney, 864/461-2828, www.nps.gov/cowp [9]) outside Spartanburg to learn about this pivotal Revolutionary War battle. After a classic greasy-spoon lunch at Spartanburg’s Beacon Drive-In (255 John B. White Blvd., 864/585-9387, www.beacondrivein.com [10]), head over to York County to check out Historic Brattonsville (1444 Brattonsville Rd., 803/684-2327, www.chsmuseums.org [11]) and its excellently restored upcountry homestead site, complete with living history demonstrations.