Anderson, South Carolina travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Anderson is a county and city in the Upcountry of South Carolina. The city of Anderson had a population of 27,545 in 2016 with an urban area population of 75,702. Anderson County had a population of 194,692 in 2016. The city of Anderson serves as one of the three primary cities in the Upcountry of South Carolina, the others being Spartanburg and Greenville.

2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Anderson

Anderson County Museum

Historic Anderson Downtown

Row of historic buildings built as early as the 1800s, including the Anderson County Courthouse.

Electric City Playhouse

Performing arts venue located near Anderson's historic downtown.

Darwin H. Wright Beach Park

Beach park with numerous activities available from simply hiking, kayaking, or sunbathing on the beach.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Greenville)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
GSP Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greenville/Greer/Spartanburg — 37 mi away. Directions
AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 65 mi away. Directions
CLT Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte — 109 mi away (major hub). Directions

Anderson County is served by two airports, Anderson Regional Airport and the major airport is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), located in nearby Greer. Greenville-Spartanburg International is the state of South Carolina's second busiest airport.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

Places to stay listed here: about $99–$109 a night (typical $109), from 3 listed prices.
Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$280.

See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Anderson County Museum, Electric City Playhouse
Afternoon Historic Anderson Downtown, Darwin H. Wright Beach Park

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

By plane

By car

Anderson County is located along the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Greenville. Anderson is accessible from Interstate 85 at exit numbers 11-27.

By bus

Anderson County is served by Greyhound with a station along Highway 81 at exit 27 on Interstate 85.

Get around

Anderson's downtown is more accessible by foot, but the majority of Anderson including the mall and lake areas require a vehicle.

See

There are several things to see in the Anderson County area, including the famous Great Southeast Balloon Festival which is held in Anderson every Labor Day weekend. Other things to see across the area are listed below.