Overview
Ninety Six is a town of 2,000 people (2020) in Upcountry South Carolina. Ninety Six benefits from tourism to its historic site and nearby state park, along with events such as the Festival of Stars, a Fourth of July celebration that is hosted yearly by the town.
2 sights · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ninety Six
Ninety Six National Historic Site
Lake Greenwood State Park
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 — 51 mi away. Directions
- CAE Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia — 54 mi away. Directions
- CLT Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte — 95 mi away (major hub). Directions
South Carolina Highway 34 passes through the town as its Main Street; it leads west 9 miles (14 km) to Greenwood, the county seat, and east 27 miles (43 km) to Newberry.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ninety Six National Historic Site
- Lunch Derick's Cafe
- Afternoon Lake Greenwood State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Map
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Understand
The town was the site of a 28-day siege in 1781 during the Revolutionary War. The battlefield is now the Ninety Six National Historic Site, maintained by the National Park Service.
There is much confusion about the name, "Ninety Six", and the true origin may never be known. Speculation has ranged from the mistaken belief that traders estimated it was 96 miles from here to the nearest Cherokee settlement of Keowee (it was about 78 miles); to a counting of creeks crossing the main road leading from Lexington, South Carolina, to Ninety-Six (a legend proved false); to an interpretation of a Welsh expression, nant-sych, meaning "dry gulch".
Get in
South Carolina Highway 34 passes through the town as its Main Street; it leads west 9 miles (14 km) to Greenwood, the county seat, and east 27 miles (43 km) to Newberry.
See
Do
The Festival of Stars is an annual Fourth of July celebration held belatedly by the town each year in late July. (The 2025 festival took place on July 25–28.) It is centered in the town's downtown area, particularly on Main Street, as well as in the Ninety Six Town Park, with the carnival rides typically being across from the park. It features a wide array of activities, including a live music show, carnival rides, a car show, food and craft vendors, a professional firework display.
Buy
Eat
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My experience
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