10 Reasons the Pee Dee Should Be on Your Summer Bucket List
If you haven’t spent time in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, you’re missing one of the most authentic, flavorful, and genuinely surprising corners of the entire state. Here are 10 reasons to fix that this summer.
- The BBQ Alone is Worth the Trip
We’ll just say it: the Pee Dee might have the best barbecue in South Carolina, and that is not a claim we make lightly. This region is home to the vinegar-and-pepper whole-hog tradition, where pork is slow-smoked over hardwood coals for hours until it falls apart in the best possible way. Scott’s Bar-B-Que in Hemingway has earned national acclaim and for good reason. Shuler’s BBQ in Dillon keeps the buffet stacked and the lines moving. Elliott’s BBQ Lounge in Florence brings a modern energy to a deeply traditional craft. Come hungry. Leave happy.
- You Can Kayak Through Revolutionary War History
This one stops people in their tracks. The SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail is a National Water Trail stretching nearly 70 miles through the historic swamplands where General Francis Marion, the legendary Swamp Fox, once outmaneuvered British forces. Rent a kayak from Riverrats in Florence and paddle the same waters that shaped the founding of this nation. It’s the most immersive history lesson you’ll ever take, and the scenery isn’t bad either.
- The SC Pecan Trail is a Foodie’s Dream
Only in Florence County will you find an entire culinary trail dedicated to the pecan. With more than 20 restaurants putting this beloved local crop on their menus, the SC Pecan Trail is a delicious excuse to eat your way across the region. Think pecan-encrusted entrees, pecan desserts, and creative twists on Southern classics that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Grab a trail map and get to work.
- South of the Border is Exactly as Wild as You Think
There is nothing quite like South of the Border. Perched right off I-95 in Dillon County, this legendary roadside attraction has been stopping travelers in their tracks for decades. Ride the glass elevator 200 feet up to the giant sombrero observation tower, browse the quirky shops, grab a bite, and take approximately one hundred photos. It’s campy, it’s colorful, and it is completely one of a kind. Some places just have to be seen to be believed.
- Darlington Raceway Will Give You Chills
Known as the Track Too Tough to Tame, Darlington Raceway is one of the most storied venues in all of American motorsports. This legendary NASCAR track has been testing the best drivers in the world for over 70 years, and you don’t have to wait for race day to feel the magic. Take a behind-the-scenes tour, walk the grounds where racing legends have made history, and visit the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum for a deep dive into the sport’s most fascinating stories. Gearhead or not, this place has a way of getting to you.
- The State Parks Are Stunning and Never Crowded
If you want the beauty of South Carolina’s outdoors without the crowds, the Pee Dee delivers. Little Pee Dee State Park in Dillon offers peaceful blackwater fishing and wildlife watching on 54-acre Lake Norton. Lee State Park in Bishopville winds through bottomland hardwood forest with kayaking on the Lynches River. And Woods Bay State Park near Olanta is truly unlike anything else in the state, with a 1,150-foot boardwalk through a cypress-tupelo swamp where alligators glide quietly past. And Black River State Park, South Carolina’s first linear state park, provides access to more than 70 miles of scenic water trails, where paddlers can explore tannin-stained waters beneath towering cypress trees and discover the natural beauty of one of the state’s designated Scenic Rivers. These parks are the region’s best-kept secret and we are fine telling everyone about them.
- The Boutique Stays Have Serious Character
Skip the chain hotel and book somewhere with a story. The Mantissa in Hartsville offers 17 uniquely decorated suites and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of downtown. Hotel Florence brings historic charm and upscale dining to the heart of the city. Breeden Inn in Bennettsville is a stunning 1886 Beaux-Arts landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 13 guest rooms full of antiques and a garden certified as a wildlife habitat. In the Pee Dee, where you sleep is part of the experience.
- The Small Towns Still Have Their Soul
In a world of strip malls and sameness, the Pee Dee’s small towns are a breath of fresh air. Lake City draws visitors from around the world every spring for ArtFields, an international arts festival that transforms the entire downtown. Marion invites you to stroll its antebellum streets and connect with the legacy of the Swamp Fox. Kingstree charms with its historic district and warm community spirit. Bennettsville and Hartsville both punch well above their weight with dining, shopping, and local character. These are towns where people still know their neighbors, and where visitors feel that warmth the moment they arrive.
- The Farm Experiences Are the Real Deal
The Pee Dee’s agricultural roots run deep, and agritourism here is anything but a tourist trap. At Langston’s Ranch in Coward, you can tour working farmland, meet animals, and learn about sustainable farming practices firsthand. McArthur Farms in Bennettsville offers a seasonal corn maze and year-round activities that bring farm life to life for all ages. The Pee Dee State Farmers Market in Florence is a bustling hub of locally grown produce, plants, and artisan goods that reflects the region’s incredible bounty. This is where your food comes from, and it tastes better when you know the story behind it.
- The History Here Actually Gives You Chills
The Pee Dee isn’t just near history. It is history. These seven counties were a critical battleground during the American Revolution, where Patriot militias fought back against British forces with grit, strategy, and an intimate knowledge of the land. Visit the Florence Stockade to understand the Civil War’s human cost. Stand before the Francis Marion statue in Marion and think about what it meant to fight for freedom in these very swamps and rivers. Explore the South Carolina Cotton Museum in Bishopville to understand how agriculture shaped an entire culture. The Pee Dee has layers, and every one of them is worth exploring.
