Location: Union
Top Things to do in Union
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What to do and see in Union, South Carolina (SC): The Best Things to do
The city of Union is the county seat of Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,393 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Union Micropolitan Statistical Area (population 28,961 according to 2010 Census), an (MSA) which includes all of Union County and which is further included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Combined Statistical Area (population 1,266,995 according to the 2010 Census).
Restaurants in Union
1. Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Sburris65 - Simpsonville, United States
I was looking at my SC State Parks guide one day to see what I could do since I had a Saturday off. While looking for information on the house I discovered that on this particular Saturday I would also be able to tour another nearby mansion. So that was it. I had my plans for Saturday. Rose Hill was built in 1832 for William H. Gist, who was the 68th governor of SC.He was known as the succession governor. It was originally built in the Georgian style home and was named Rose Hill for the variety of roses that were in the formal gardens. Eventually in the 1850's Gist would add on to the house and change it to the more fashionable Greek revival style. While Gist was in office (1858-1860) it served as the governors mansion. At one time the manson covered around 2000 acres. Today only 44 acres remain. It was a working plantation and by 1860 the family had almost 200 slaves. When slavery was abolished, tenent farmers and share croppers took over running the grounds. Today it serves one of 47 properties that make up the SC State Park system. In 1970 it was added to the National Registry of Historical Places. You do have to be on a tour to get inside the house. I got here a few minutes before the 1 o'clock tour started giving me a bit of time to roam around the gardens. Tours start in the front of the house. The house has been meticulously restored and many of the pieces in the house belonged to the family and the remaining are correct to the time period. This house is just stunning. The stairway that goes up to the second floor is gorgeous. You get to see the succesion papers and all the signatures. In the dining room you will notice the bright green..and I do mean bright green trimmings. It was a sign of weath as back then colored paint was expensive. I also have a passion for costumes so I always love seeing period costumes and think how lovely it must have been to walk around in such elegance. And then I think about how uncomfortable that would have been, especially in the summer, and then I am thankful for shorts and flip flops. Upstairs there is a grand ball room and you can imagine all the grand balls held here. You can also walk outside for a birds eye view of the property. You do get to tour the first 2 floors. Tours are lead by park rangers and the young lady who gaves our was an excellent guide. Tours are $5. They do have a gift shop and restrooms. You can also grab drinks and snacks here. Make sure you stop in and grab the free SC State Parks guide and get your guide stamped. After visiting all 47 parks, you will be the ultimate outsider! They do have some other buildings you can look around at. They also have a trail down to the Tyger River. I would have loved to visited but I was wanting to get over to nearby Cross Keys mansion for their tour (I have a separate review on that home). So should you find yourself visiting on the 1st or 3rd Saturday of the month, allow time to visit both mansions. They do have a number of events throughout the year including upcoming holiday events. You can also rent the park out for weddings or other special events. They do have picnic shelters. There is free parking. Photography is allowed inside. Is this a place for kids? Small kids will probably be bored and you cant touch anything. We had a couple of older kids on our tour who seemed to really enjoy it. Given the age and nature of the house, it is not handicapped accessible. This is one of those places if you are not a local you have to seek out, and it is worth it. If you are in the Spartanburg/Greenville area then I encourage you to take the time out and visit. You will be glad you did.
2. Cross Keys Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Sburris65 - Simpsonville, United States
I had a rare Saturday off so I was looking around for something to do. I was looking at my SC State Park guide and was looking at nearby Rose Hill Plantation. When I noticed I would be here on the day this mansion would be open as well..I knew I had my plans. The home was built between 1812 and 1814 for Barrum Bobo. It was fashioned in the Georgian Colonial Style and is one of the oldest homes in Union County. It is located on what was at the time two major roads..Old Buncombe and Old Ninety Six Road. The home also served as a travel stop for people most likely traveling to Columbia or Charleston. It has a gabled roof with matching chimneys at each end. It was added to the National Registry in 1971. I arrived just in time for the tour to begin and shortly after several people who had been at nearby Rose Hill Plantation. We began in the front and our wonderful guide took us room by room pointing out facts about what you see on on display and about the history of the area in general. I believe some of the items here belonged to the family and the remainder or correct to the time period. They also have some costumes on display and they are lovely. The rooms are exquisitly decorated. And our guide was fascinating. Rumor has it this place is haunted. In one of the bedrooms there are a pair of womens shoes on display (also another favorite of mine) and our guide said they often come in to find these have been moved. To that I say contact Zac Bagans and the Ghost Adventures crew and let them come over and have a looksie. And I will be glad to come over and help out in any way possible! But hey..if I was a ghost, this is a pretty nice place to hang out. After touring inside then you can come out and the tour continues on outside. They do offer more buildings here then Rose Hill. They include a kitchen, a smoke house, the familys carriage, and the outhouse. Which when you have all this money to have such a grand mansion..you still have to go pee outside in a small wooden building!!! I did have to cut my tour a bit short outside and missed a couple of buildings. But this was a busy day for me as after touring two grand homes I had to meet my dad for a movie night out. They are closed in the winter and are only open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month unless there is a special event going on. Admission is $5. And they are only about 15 minutes from Rose Hill Plantation (I have a seperate review on that) so by all means I really suggest making a day of it and visiting both homes. Today the home is being taken care of by the Union Country Historical Society. The home can be rented out for weddings and other special events. Due to the nature of the home it is not handicaped accesible. There is free parking. Again small children will probably not enjoy this but it is an wonderful opportunity for older children. On the website it says no photography inside. But as you can see I took pictures and I wasn't sneaking to take them. If possible allow time out to do the 2 plantations tour. You will be glad you did!
3. Woods Ferry Recreation Area
4. Gist Cemetery
5. Pea Ridge Distillery
Come join us for a relaxing taste of some good ole’ corn liquor while you watch our cows graze in the field from our tasting deck. We have a very relaxed atmosphere and love when people visit and enjoy our little piece of heaven and of course our Moo Shine
6. Piedmont Physic Garden
The Piedmont Physic Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden containing plants with historical medicinal uses, many native to the Piedmont and the Southern Appalachian corridor. PPG's role is to reconnect people with the world of plants and to educate them on the impact that plants have on our daily lives, particularly our overall health and wellness.
