Key Takeaways
- Pendleton, SC is one of the oldest towns in Upstate South Carolina, founded in 1790, with a rich history and a historic district covering more than 6,000 acres.
- The best things to do in Pendleton SC are walking the Village Green, touring Ashtabula and Woodburn, browsing antique shops, and eating around the square.
- The Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee fills the town on the first full weekend of April each year.
- Lake Hartwell and the Fants Grove trails are minutes away, which makes Pendleton an easy home base.
Most visitors find Pendleton by accident. They are headed to a Clemson game or Lake Hartwell, take a turn off Highway 76, and find a shady village green lined with buildings from the early 1800s.
Whether you love history, antiques, or a good meal, here is our guide for visitors and RVers to the best things to do in Pendleton SC, from historic house tours to lunch on the square.
A Quick History of Pendleton, SC
Pendleton was founded in 1790 as the seat of the old Pendleton District, which covered today’s Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. Lowcountry planters built summer homes here, and many still stand.
The Pendleton Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It covers more than 6,000 acres, one of the largest in the country.
Things to Do in Pendleton SC
Walk the Village Green
The heart of the Pendleton community is its Village Green, a grassy square surrounded by shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.
It hosts markets, craft fairs, and community gatherings through the year. On a quiet weekday, it is a great place to slow down and enjoy small-town charm.
See Farmers Society Hall
The two-story building in the middle of the green is Farmers Society Hall. It was started as a courthouse, bought unfinished by the Pendleton Farmers Society (organized in 1815), and completed in the late 1820s.
A plaque dates it to 1826 and calls it the oldest farmers hall in continuous use in the nation. Today the ground floor is a restaurant and the farmers society still meets upstairs.
Tour Ashtabula and Woodburn
Two historic homes just outside town are open for tours through the Pendleton Historic Foundation.
Ashtabula is a two-story house built around 1825 on Old Greenville Highway. Woodburn is a four-story summer house built around 1830 on History Lane.
Both houses offer walk-up guided tours on scheduled weekdays and Sunday afternoons. Hours can change, so check the Pendleton Historic Foundation website before you visit. The foundation also runs evening ghost tours.
Explore Museums and Landmarks
The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum on History Lane tells the story of South Carolina agriculture, a fitting stop in a town whose farmers society dates to 1815.
About three miles from the square, the Old Stone Church was built between 1797 and 1802. Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens is buried in its cemetery.
Browse Antiques and Local Shops
Antiquing is a favorite activity in Pendleton. Shops along Mechanic Street and around the square are fun to browse, and the historic Hunter’s Store on Queen Street now houses the Pendleton Bookshop.
Down the street, the Art Deco Pendleton Playhouse is home to the Clemson Little Theatre.
Where to Eat in Pendleton
Pendleton has a lot of good food within a few blocks of the green. 1826 on the Green fills the ground floor of Farmers Society Hall, and Blue Heron Restaurant and Sushi Bar is on Exchange Street.
For breakfast or lunch, try Village Bakery and Cafe on the square. The Smokin’ Pig is the local pick for barbecue, and Swamp Bar Distilling offers local rum.
Hours change, so call ahead.
Annual Events in Pendleton
The biggest weekend of the year is the Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee, a juried arts and crafts festival held on the first full weekend of April since 1978. 2027 will be its 50th year.
In fall, the green has traditionally hosted the Collectors’ Market, an antiques and pottery show scheduled around Clemson home games. The town also hosts a harvest festival, Christmas parade, and summer music series. See our events calendar for what is happening at the park.
Parks, Trails, and the Lake
Pendleton’s Veterans Park has picnic shelters for family gatherings. Lake Hartwell, minutes away, is the spot for boating and fishing.
Twin Lakes, off Fants Grove Road, has a boat ramp, swim beaches, and good fishing.
The Fants Grove trails in the Clemson University Forest offer miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
For more ideas, see our local attractions page.
Stay in Pendleton With Your RV
Clemson RV Park at The Grove is in historic Pendleton, just down the road from Lake Hartwell. Our 65-foot sites have full hookups, and guests have access to a bathhouse, laundry, and pool.
It is an easy base for a Jubilee weekend.
Pendleton SC FAQs
How far is Pendleton from Clemson?
The Village Green is about four miles from campus, roughly a 10-minute drive.