This SC city is an underrated haven for art lovers, Southern Living says. Here’s why

Travelers Rest, Bluffton, Aiken, to name a few, have been featured in the past few weeks.

Now comes Florence, the Pee Dee city of about 40,000 people at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 20. It was also featured in a recent story about charming South Carolina cities by Travel + Leisure.

Southern Living calls it an underrated haven for art lovers, so much more than the pecans grown nearby it is known for.

Florence began as a railroad terminal for the Wilmington & Manchester, the North Eastern and the Cheraw & Darlington and its name came from Florence Harllee, a daughter of the president of the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad W.W. Harllee. The town dates back to 1853.

Southern Living says the art scene not only rivals similarly sized cities but also some larger ones. There is a symphony orchestra, which performs at Francis Marion University, and a theater. A production of “Cats” just wrapped up and “Harvey” opens in November.

The South Carolina Dance Theater and the South Carolina Ballet also performs at Francis Marion.

There is a Sculpture Trail, featuring the work of Florence resident Alex Palkovich, a Ukraine native who had a long career opening and managing medical imaging factories around the world. He moved to Florence to work for General Electric.

Among his public art is Fountain of Tears in Veteran’s Park, a 30-foot-high eagle obelisk and 9/11 Monument, a metal sculpture in the shape of the Pentagon with a 280-pound chunk of limestone from the building.

The $2 million park, built in 2008, features memorials to all branches of the armed services and a seedling from the 9/11 Museum’s Survivor Tree Seedling Program. The museum gives three seedlings each year to communities that have experienced tragedy. In 2018, seven law enforcement officers serving a warrant were ambushed in Florence and two died.

Southern Living suggested a visit to the Florence County Museum, which besides local history, has the 140-work Wright Collection of Southern Art.

Outside adventures can be had at Lynches River County Park, south of Florence and Moore Farms Botanic Garden founded by billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist Darla Moore.

Downtown, Southern Living found Jack’s Books, clothing store Main Street Boutique, and Barringer General Store.

The downtown district was named a Great American Main Street in 2023. Greenville is the only other South Carolina city to get this award. It was awarded in 2023.

Southern Living recommended these restaurants: King Jefe tacos and sushi, Birdsnest Eats & Ales sandwiches and brews, The Drive-In burgers, fried seafood, and comfort food, and Victor’s, in Hotel Florence steaks and shrimp and grits.