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

Overview

Laurens is the county seat of Laurens County in the Old 96 District.

6 sights · 2 places to stay

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

Best things about Laurens

Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

James Dunklin House

1812 farmhouse.

William Dunlap Simpson House

Greek Revival specimen from

John Calvin Owings House

Queen Anne-style from 1896 with grandiose turrets, etc.

Octagon House

Built in 1859, supposedly only one of two in South Carolina.

Laurens County Museum

Here you can come to get grounded on the local scene if you are a history buff, both here and at the Witherspoon Building, at 116 E Main St.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

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

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 — 30 mi away. Directions
CAE Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia — 64 mi away. Directions
CLT Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte — 78 mi away (major hub). Directions

Laurens is just off of I-385 south of Greenville.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

Places to stay listed here: about $60–$60 a night (typical $74), from 2 listed prices.
Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$230.

See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Laurens County Museum, James Dunklin House, William Dunlap Simpson House
Afternoon John Calvin Owings House, Octagon House

Day 2

Morning Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

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.

Understand

Laurens is named after the somewhat misguided early American luminary Henry Laurens who rather indulged in owning slaves for his personal wealth. Laurens was close to the Patriot-won Battle of Musgrove Mill during the Revolutionary War, and then proceeded to become a place of pro-secessionist sentiment in advent of the Civil War from all of the cotton plantation inhabitants later on. It has been the home of a number of other well-known people like Andrew Johnson, for instance, who briefly worked as a tailor there. Moreover, it has nearly a treasure trove of historic homes and churches.

Get in

Laurens is just off of I-385 south of Greenville.

See

See Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

This is a highlight of a trip to the area, as it was an important Revolutionary War battle in 1780 where 200 or so Patriots managed to defend their line against 500 or so Loyalists and their allies, a needed victory after the 13 colonies had just gotten skunked at the Battle of Camden a few days earlier. Hiking trails, visitor center, reenactments, Horseshoe Falls.

📍 398 State Park Rd, Clinton🕒 Daily 9AM-6PM for park, 10AM-4PM for visitor center💲 $3 adult; $1.50 or so for senior/child☎ +1 864 938-0100Checked Oct 2021

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