Your Day In Woodruff
If you’re in Spartanburg County, venture a bit outside the city and explore Woodruff – one of the small, surrounding towns bursting with charm.
Not sure where to start planning a day in Woodruff? We’ve got you covered with this guide on how to maximize your time and your time in this former mill-town that locals are bringing new life to.
Breakfast
Start the day at Humble Grounds, Woodruff’s local coffee shop, with the jolt of caffeine and good vibes you need to kickstart your day. If you’re looking for something more filling, Friends Café is right on Main Street. This spot has everything you could want in a classic breakfast – eggs any way you want them, biscuits and gravy, pancakces and of course, plenty of bacon.
Shopping
Whether you’re window shopping or looking to support a local business, you should definitely make your way down Main Street to The Yellow Butterfly. Opened in 2018, this shop features an assortment of jewelry, home decor, and gifts for you or everyone on your shopping list.
Once you’ve checked out The Yellow Butterfly, cross the street and head to Peachy and Posh for a variety of custom shirts, bags, hats, and more. Whether you’re shopping for a monogrammed bag, or want to check out their latest boutique brands, you should pop into Peachy and Posh during your time in Woodruff.
Also on Main Street is the aptly-named Main Street Sweets, a locally-owned hub for all things candy and sweets in Woodruff. The business has some Willy Wonka vibes with its bright colors and well-stocked supply of candies and sweet treats.
If your shopping habits trend more towards thrifting, then check out Woods Thrift and More. While we can’t promise you’ll find a pelican mailbox (yes they actually had one,) we can tell you that they have their fair share of interesting finds that may just fit perfectly in your home.
Lunch
You’ve checked out some of the shops, you found that perfect gift, but now your stomach is starting to growl and you know there’s T minus 15 minutes until you’re officially hangry. That’s when you know it’s time to jump back in your car and head to Mustard Seed BBQ for their good ol’ country cooking. With a menu chock-full of Southern favorites like fried chicken and pulled pork, be sure to dine-in during their lunch buffet and get a taste of everything they offer. After one trip, you’ll learn why this hidden gem is a favorite among locals.
The barbecue spot sits on the Woodruff Greenway Trail which starts at the Woodruff Leisure Center just outside of downtown. This .85 mile trail is great for jogging, biking, or just taking a stroll after eating your weight in BBQ.
Another great lunch option if you’re looking for homestyle cooking is A Taste of Home. Bronco Mexican Restaurant is also available for those who like their midday meal a bit spicier.
If the kids are in tow, or you’re just looking to enjoy being outside, stop by Woodruff’s recently-renovated McKinney Park and walk off your lunch. The park is now home to a new baseball/softball field, amphitheater, concession stand, rentable shelters, playground and outdoor exercise area. A quarter-mile paved walking trail and splash pad were also installed to help cool visitors off during the hotter summer months.
Experiences
Each April, Woodruff brings together people from across the state to tell their tales and get lost in the journey of stories during the Official Storytelling Festival of South Carolina hosted by Stone Soup Storytelling. Featuring a variety of art forms such as spoken word, poetry, and dance, Stone Soup Storytelling’s events are also a great way to experience the local art scene.
A branch off from the success of the Stone Soup Storytelling festival is MUSE 134, home to performances and some artist-in-residence spaces. Pro-tip: visit in April during the festival to get the full arts experience.
Block 224, Woodruff’s outdoor performance space and gathering area, was opened in 2021 as part of the city’s crop of newest additions. The outdoor space is right on Main Street, and features seating areas and will host live performances often, typically on Thursdays and weekends from April-October.
Wolverine Axe Throwing promises to let you channel your competitiveness creatively. Capitalizing on the rising popularity of indoor axe throwing, and yes, it’s safe, this locally-owned version opened in 2021 right along Main Street.
Drinks
Craft beer lovers rejoice! Downtown Woodruff is home to Rotties 221 Biergarten, a beer bar with a variety of 24 beers on draft, a variety of wines, and of course, the pub food you’ve come to know and love like pretzels and chicken wings. Be sure to check their events page to see if you can join in Music Bingo, Sip and Shop, or a Beer and Chocolate Pairing night.
Although it actually contains six taps, Tap Three has gained popularity for its laid-back, pub-style atmosphere. Its menu is straightforward and affordable, with a selection of wines along with beers on tap, sandwiches, wraps, wings and more. Tap Three recently announced its plans to expand, adding another 1,400 square feet of space to grow its dining area and add an events space.
Woodruff’s wine lovers are covered, too, at The Wine Gallery. The Wine Gallery is home to a variety of wines from all across the world, including bottles to bring home. The Wine Gallery also recently added charcuterie boards and Neapolitan-style pizzas to its menu – perfect accompaniments for a fine wine.
Dinner
As your day in Woodruff winds down, you have delicious options for dinner like one of the city’s newest additions, Claudio’s Bistro, an upscale steakhouse-style restaurant in the heart of downtown. Also opened in 2021, Claudio’s will bring a refined atmosphere for its lunch and dinner menus, full of steak and seafood options, as well has house-made soups and salads, with local ingredients used as often as possible.
But we recommend heading to Demeter’s Pizza-N-Grill where you can blend Greek, Italian, and American styles. While their menu is headlined by personal and shareable pizzas, you should also check out their authentic Greek meals such as their gyro or the souvlaki platter and get a taste of the Mediterranean.
Now that you’ve had a day full of food, fun, and shopping it’s time to head on back to your hotel or your home so you can plan your next trip to Spartanburg County.
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