Founded in 1931, the theatre produces an annual season of plays.  214 S. Mechanic St., Pendleton.  (864) 646-8100.

The Belton Center for the Arts presents all forms of art including visual, performing, literary and environmental arts. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday 10:00 am- 5:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 am- 2:00 pm. 300 City Square, Belton. (864) 338-8556.

This 100 year old 33,000 square foot building is a mecca for the arts. The space includes galleries for permanent & rotating collections, the Bay 3 Artisan Gallery and classrooms. It is also the home of the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau's visitor center and bureau offices. Open Monday-Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. 110 Federal St., Anderson. (864) 222-2787.

The gallery is home to the Arts Center's permanent collection. Open Monday-Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. 405 N. Main St., Anderson. (864) 222-2787.

A lot of history has been made on the lands that comprise the forest. Cherokee and other tribes of Native Americans hunted and built villages here. Farmers toiled in the fields, and family-owned companies harvested timber. Irish immigrants built railroads and tunnels, while others mined gold. Now, people visit this forest in the Upstate to hike or ride a trail, paddle, fish, hunt, camp, watch a bird, or have a picnic. Ranger station: 112 Andrew Pickens Cir. Mountain Rest. (864) 638-9568.

Split Creek Farm is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains' scenic foothills. The award-winning Grade A Dairy includes the milking and cheese operations and a kid nursery. A retail gift shop featuring goat milk products and folk art is open to the public. Split Creek Farm's certified goat herd produces all the milk used for its cheese and fudge. The dairy goat herd, which is mostly Nubian, competes nationally in the show ring and for milk production records. Group and individual tours of Split Creek Farm and Pat Bell's Studio are available by appointment. Please call (864) 287-3921 to schedule your visit. Admission for tours is $4.00 per person. 3806 Centerville Rd., Pendleton.

Anderson is home to South Carolina's only commercial hot air balloon ride business! Take a journey to a totally different world as you float gently across the open sky as if you were a majestic bird. Embrace the calming silence of the skies above, occasionally broken by a blast from the burner or a spoken word to spectators below as you gently float by. Each excursion lasts approximately three hours. (864) 221-0552.

Located at Clemson University, this 295-acre garden of nature trails, pathways, ponds, niche gardens, and award winning collections is sure to inspire you whether your visit is for an hour or an entire day. Streams, woodlands, well manicured gardens, trial gardens, a geology museum, and a warm visitor center awaits you in starting your journey in nature discovery. The South Carolina Botanical Garden has something for everyone. Open every day from dawn-dusk. Located at Hwy. 76 & Perimeter Rd., Clemson. (864) 656-3405.

This scenic highway follows a route along South Carolina's western border, including Anderson County. It's a beautiful country drive through the dense woods, quaint towns and rolling farmland dotted with historic churches. Hartwell Lake and the Savannah River are just off the Byway, providing camping, fishing, and other recreational opportunities for the whole family. The Byway follows SC Hwys. 24, 187, 412 and 81 in Anderson County.

Outdoor water recreation and wildlife observation are popular activities at this 395-acre park, which sits on a peninsula extending into Lake Hartwell. Sadlers Creek features a lakeside campground, fishing, picnicking, hiking, a meeting facility and boat access for those who wish to explore the 56,000 acres of Hartwell Lake. 940 Sadlers Creek Rd., Anderson. (864) 226-8950. The Upstate is home to many other great state parks: Caesars Head, Devils Fork, Jones Gap, Keowee-Toxaway, Lake Hartwell, Oconee, Paris Mountain and Table Rock.