Made in Spartanburg
From the Ultimate Driving Machine to handcrafted coffee to unparalleled historical sites, Spartanburg County has it all.
Spartanburg is home to friendly people, innovative businesses and stunning natural resources, each combining to make Spartanburg a place like no other. There’s Only One. Spartanburg.
Coffee, Breakfast & Books
The Hub City Bookshop, a Downtown Spartanburg mainstay, is a revolutionary independent bookstore and one of only a handful of nonprofit bookstores in the country. Titles from Spartanburg’s own Hub City Press are featured and all proceeds from book sales go to creative writing education and independent book publishing in the community.
Right next door sits Little River Coffee Bar with their ample menu of caffeinated creations, not to mention seriously good breakfast offerings like pastries, biscuits, and scones.
Mmmmm, coffee and books!
Along the Mary Black Rail Trail sits Little River Roasting HQ at Fretwell, Spartanburg’s newest gathering space with plenty of room for families, events, live performances, and your best four-legged friend. Fretwell remains well-stocked with Little River coffee, both pre-ground and whole bean, for at-home enjoyment.
Spartanburg’s Ultimate Driving Machine
With an array of programs covering everything from basic car control for new drivers to advanced techniques used by the pros, the BMW Performance Center is the only one of its kind for the German automaker, and it’s right here in Spartanburg County.
Visitors from all over the country make the trip each year to try their hand behind the wheel.” Plus, there is the Zentrum, the official car museum of BMW and you can take a factory tour.
Read and Insiders Experience at the BMW Performance Center
Sweets & Treats
Dottie’s Toffee serves up the sweet taste of tradition. What started in Dottie Smith’s kitchen in 1976 has now become a sensation, with Dottie’s grandson, Nick, continuing the family legacy. Their homemade toffees boast a rich, buttery flavor that will leave you wanting more.
The father-daughter duo behind Blue Moon Specialty Foods, Chris Walker and Molly Cashman, combined small-batch, homegrown recipes and take-home, premade dishes to spread their Southern, family flavors across Spartanburg and across the entire state. Blue Moon has what your taste buds are looking for, whether you need a quick lunch or you’re stocking up on your next kitchen adventure.
Caroline’s Cakes brings nostalgia to life with their famous seven-layer cakes. What started as a simple honor system exchange on Caroline’s front porch has grown into a renowned bakery, now run by her son, Richard Reutter. Their signature cakes are available in gluten-free options and mini cake bites, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Be sure to visit their bakery in Spartanburg to experience the taste of tradition.
Colonial Milling, is dedicated to preserving the heritage of South Carolina farming. Their revived, 1700s farm produces non-GMO heirloom corn, grown with a focus on soil health and sustainability. From yellow grits to cornmeal and cornbread mix, their products offer a taste of authentic, nutrient-rich goodness. Visit their site to order and support their mission of growing naturally.
Brewing Up Something Special
Spartanburg is becoming a beer town, with a trio of great spots brewing up and serving delicious craft beers. RJ Rockers, the Hub City’s original brewery, is an institution. Its signature Son of a Peach and other brews can be found all over Spartanburg.
Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery brews beers aligned with German purity standards but also embraces their creative side.
They work to Make Absurd the Norm and their beers definitely reflect that. In Boiling Springs, New Groove Artisan Brewery has established itself as a favorite among locals and anyone looking for unique takes on popular beer styles.
And in Inman sits Holliday Brewing which specializes in West Coast-style brews.
Spartanburg’s Handcrafted Spirits
The handcrafted spirits scene in Spartanburg is booming, too. In a building built in the 1800s in Downtown Reidville, Sugar Tit Moonshine was inspired by the real, homemade thing.
Read more about the area’s bootlegging and spirts history.
A Trip Back in Time
Visit RevWarTour.com to learn where you can get an up-close lesson in the role Spartanburg played in America’s independence. Just outside Spartanburg County is Cowpens National Battlefield, where The Battle of Cowpens was fought. The battle was a complete victory for the Patriot militia and became a turning point in the South during the Revolutionary War. Cowpens National Battlefield provides a great experience with a visitor center, interpretive trails, recreational facilities, restrooms, and full-time staff.
A Beacon for Visitors
The world-famous Beacon Drive In, the second oldest drive-in still in operation in the country, calls Spartanburg home. Known for their piled-high plates “a-plenty” and the landmark lighthouse outside, the Beacon is a draw for locals and tourists alike.
