A Couples’ Itinerary: Spend a Romantic Weekend in Spartanburg
Whether you’re planning for Valentine’s Day or looking to celebrate something special, escape the date night routine and spend quality time with your better half at some of Spartanburg’s most romantic and most fun spots.
Get lost together with that special someone in the extraordinary restaurants, luxurious hotels, and all the shops, events, and activities Spartanburg has around every corner.
Book Your Stay
Walkable to all of Downtown Spartanburg, the AC Hotel Spartanburg offers luxurious, modern rooms for its guests, many providing an aerial view of Spartanburg.
During the warmer months, relax at the AC’s outdoor pool or, during the cooler months, enjoy the well-stocked lobby bar and explore a collection of fine art on-display thanks to a partnership with the Johnson Collection and Black Mountain College.
Outside of downtown, Clevedale Inn and Historic Gardens offers a touch of history with its top-notch accommodations.
Enjoy picturesque scenes when you arrive, and plentiful, peaceful garden space as you explore. This gorgeous bed and breakfast blends southern charm with modern accommodations for a vacation you’ll want to brag about. Originally built in 1913, this estate features various suites for you to choose from each with their distinct style.
Couples Massage at The Healing Place
Once you’ve had the most important meal of the day, head off for a rejuvenating couple’s massage at The Healing Place.
We all carry around the tension of everyday life—wrapping up that huge project at work, getting the kids to school on time, keeping your home clean, the list goes on—feel all that stress start to melt away as you experience the therapeutic effects of this relaxing treatment. Just close your eyes and let their experienced massage therapists work their magic on your muscles.
Want to really spoil your sweetheart? Opt for the 90-minute couple’s massage instead of the 60-minute!
Looking for more ways to enjoy luxury? Check out this guide to Spartanburg’s salons, spas, and more.
Spend Some Time Downtown
The center of Spartanburg is incredibly walkable, so take a stroll and wander into a shop or two for unique fashion, outdoor, and pet goods. Stimulate your minds during a trek into the Chapman Cultural Center; or simply check out our events calendar to see what’s going on in the area.
A longtime local favorite, Little River Coffee Bar offers a welcoming vibe on top of locally-roasted caffeinated concoctions. The Little River Coffee Bar on West Main Street, or The Pharmacy inside the historic Montgomery Building, are perfect ways to start any day in Spartanburg.
The Hub City Bookshop sits right next door to the Coffee Bar, and is home to the nationally-recognized Hub City Writers Project.
The Bookshop offers a diverse selection of reading from around the country, but it truly specializes in earning the talented local writers of Spartanburg more exposure.
Get Outside
With hiking and scenic picnic spots, spend time outdoors at any of Spartanburg County’s incredible parks, trails, or blueways.
Park the car, and go explore the natural beauty of Spartanburg at Croft State Park. With over 50 miles of trails to choose from, hiking Croft is a great way to work up an appetite before you settle down and enjoy a romantic picnic on the shore of Lake Craig.
Indulge in the beauty of mother nature just minutes from downtown at the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve which features 115 acres of pristine wetlands, and be sure you and your Valentine brought your walking shoes before you check out the miles of the Cottonwood Trail and the different varieties of animals that call the Preserve, home.
Lunch at Southside Smokehouse & Grille
Now that you’re rested, relaxed, and squeaky clean, take a scenic trip just up the road to Landrum for a scrumptious lunch at Southside Smokehouse.
Owned and operated by SC Chef Ambassador Sarah McClure, this farm-to-table favorite serves up classic comfort foods with a twist you won’t be able to resist like Cajun-style hamburgers, St. Louis-style ribs, and fried alligator if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something new. Just be sure you both order different dishes so you can each sample off each other’s plate. And with a full bar, why not order a locally brewed beer, your favorite glass of wine, or one of their signature cocktail (after all, it is a holiday).
Pro Tip: If you come on a beautiful, sunny day, ask to be seated on their patio and engage in a friendly little corn hole competition—winner buys the next round of drinks!
After your tummies are filled with smoky goodness, go check out a few of Landrum’s antiques shops which sit beautifully along the street in front of the towering Blue Ridge Mountains. Try heading to two different shops and picking out surprise gifts for each other that you can look back on for years to come and remember your day together.
Dine Out with a Romantic Dinner
The Kennedy — owned and operated by former SC Chef Ambassador William Cribb — showcases photo-worthy decor in the form of a black, white, and gold-adorned, Art Deco interior. But just as impressive as the atmosphere is the menu.
The Kennedy’s food and drinks feature ingredients, thoughtfully-treated, from around the region. Simple dishes like grilled carrots, served with an herbaceous fennel honey and pesto, are elevated to a new level. And entrees like the duck and dumplings offer succulent, tenderly-prepared tastes in every bite. The Kennedy is a perfect date night or celebratory dinner option.
Sophia’s Italian Restaurant dishes out Italian favorites like the Penne alla Vodka and Chicken Parmigiana, this spot in the heart of Downtown is a perfect place for a date-night, celebration dinner, or just treating yourself to something delicious. While only opened in September 2020, Sophia’s is becoming one of the best places to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine during your visit to Spartanburg. Be sure to save room for the house favorite, tiramisu, or our pick, the cannoli.
Another option for those looking for a little romance is Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery, offering delectable dishes with many ingredients sourced from area farms. Located at the former headquarters of Spartan Mills, this restaurant has the perfect aesthetic to set the mood for your romantic dinner, or maybe even that post-dinner Insta story.
Experience the Arts
Enjoy Spartanburg’s award winning Downtown Cultural District with an evening of performances at the Chapman Cultural Center.
As Spartanburg’s art scene expands, some area galleries are garnering national interest such as The Johnson Collection Gallery, highlighted in Forbes Magazine, which currently features curated collections of female artists whose art “transcended convention and invigorated the South’s modern milieu.”
The Spartanburg Art Museum showcases a blend of contemporary styles and eclectic art designed to intrigue gallery guests.
Grab a Drink (or Two)
Spartanburg is home to a handful of craft breweries, each with their own vibe, specialties, and welcoming environment.
If a drink and some live music is more your scene, FR8yard, South Carolina’s first fully-outdoor biergarten, offers performances nearly each night.
FR8yard is also home to a jumbotron for sports, movie nights, and other big events.
If a little wine is more your speed, Bond Street Wines and Carriage House each offer great varieties of wine from across the globe, and have something for any taste.
Carriage House offers more than 500 bottles and now features online ordering, making it easy to browse from the comfort of your own home, place and order and then pick it up at the store.
Bond Street Wines also offers hundreds of bottles from its Wall Street location, with all of the store’s boutique wines handpicked by staff.
Where are your favorite Spartanburg-area date night spots? Share all your favorite must-visit attractions with #OneSpartanburg for a chance to have your photos featured on our social media accounts (and obviously follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest if you don’t already)!
