Welcome to the beautiful tri-county area!  What a hidden gem. Our family experienced this area for the first time in August of 2018 when we moved to Clemson.  We didn’t know a thing about the tri-county area when we moved here so we have enjoyed exploring Clemson and the surrounding towns and cities over the past year and a half.  Our perspective on living in the tri-county area is from a family of 6 with 4 young boys ages 6, 4, and 1-year old twins so we have focused on family friendly experiences and fun.

One of our favorite things about living here is all the offerings for an active, outdoor lifestyle.   There are easy, family friendly trails hidden everywhere throughout the area and tons of hiking trails that provide beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking views.  The area also is home to several lakes for you to easily enjoy by renting a boat or a kayak.  In this phase of life with 4 young children, our personal favorite outdoor outing is to walk around the South Carolina Botanical Garden and check out the duck pond and the children’s garden.   A few other outdoor activities that we enjoy throughout the year are Denver Downs Fall Fun, berry picking and apple picking at a local farm, Stumphouse Tunnel, walking around Clemson University campus, and, of course, cheering on the Clemson Tigers.

Some other local favorites for our family are visiting the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, attending a performance at The Clemson Little Theatre, or enjoying one of the many local festivities offered throughout the seasons.  For family-friendly dining, our go-to spots are Sidewall Pizza and Sunnyside Café in Clemson and ice cream at Mama Rae’s in Pendleton.  On the rare occasion for a date night, we love 1826 Bistro and Blue Heron for dinner and Clemson Wine Bar for an after-dinner drink.   

We enjoy the small town, homey feel of Clemson but when we need city amenities, we love that there are so many options close by that provide an abundance of activities for our family.  We frequently drive to Greenville for quick day trips to enjoy the Children’s Museum, the Greenville Zoo, and the food and scenery on Main Street in downtown.  For weekend trips, we love that Atlanta and Charlotte are just a short drive away.