The W. Gordon Belser Arboretum is open to the public through a free monthly open house held on the third Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Greeters meet guests at the Bloomwood entrance gates to provide handouts and answer questions.

You'll also find educational information like this as you move through the arboretum.

Watch out for spider webs while walking through, as you would not want this guy crawling on you!

This hidden gem space is teeming with wildlife and is a wonderful spot for birdwatching. So bring a good pair of binoculars along when you visit!

During one spring week, a variety of birds were seen at the arboretum including migrating warblers, scarlet tanagers, great crested flycatchers, vireos, tufted titmouse, eastern towhee, brown thrasher, Mississippi kites, woodpeckers, and more.

The assortment of plants you'll find at the arboretum incorporates 10 different habitats.

Enjoy the fragrance and colors of spring azaleas from one of the benches or along your walk through the garden. It's a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The sounds from the waterfall make this area of the arboretum so peaceful. The flow of water varies depending on the amount of recent rainfall.

Originally constructed in the mid-1700s, the Old Sheldon Church's rustic remnants can still be found standing today in Beauford County, South Carolina.

The Old Sheldon Church has roots in the American Revolutionary War era and contains lots of surprising history within its walls.

It was originally named Prince William’s Parish Church when it was first constructed in 1753. Its construction was influenced by the English Georgian style, and it was rumored to be the country's first attempt to build a Greek-style temple.

Unfortunately, the church was burned during an attack by British troops in the midst of the Revolutionary War in 1779.

Although the church was later rebuilt in 1826, we have no record or photographs of what the original church looked like.

Thereafter, the church was raided and gutted by Union troops during the Civil War. Details of what happened to the church in the subsequent years remain muddled and unclear.

What we do know is that at some point the church was abandoned and left to decay. Thankfully, in 1970 the site's delicate ruins were added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors were once allowed to tour this beautiful relic, but sadly the church eventually had to be blocked off from visitors due to vandalism.

That said, the Old Sheldon Church that stands today is still hauntingly beautiful. It is surrounded by towering oak trees whose large, mangled branches seem to be reaching longingly toward the forgotten church.

One of the more haunting secrets of the Old Sheldon Church is that there are a number of graves scattered on its grounds. Additionally, within the church's walls lie the remains of Colonel William Bull, who helped establish the current-day layout of the streets of Savannah, Georgia.

While it is unfortunate that visitors are not permitted to tour the Old Sheldon Church today, it is important that this piece of our country's history be preserved and protected.

Along with the gorgeous fall colors at this South Carolina state park, you'll be introduced to some fascinating state history if you aren't already familiar with it.

The Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site is located on State Park Road in the small city of Clinton, located in the upstate area's Laurens County. As you make the drive into the park, you're greeted with an abundance of vibrant fall hues.

Next to the Visitor Center is a huge maple tree that turns orange during autumn. A gift shop inside the Center offers books on the American Revolution, T-shirts, Colonial children's toys, period crafts, stuffed animals, flags, postcards, and other items.

On the grounds are several trails you can hike, enveloped in the best fall colors. The first 100 yards of the Battlefield Trail is ADA-compliant and leads to a nice overlook of Horseshoe Falls.

Along the rest of the trail, you'll learn the story of the Patriots and Loyalists that fought in the Battle of Musgrove Mill on August 19, 1780, and the importance of the battle to the outcome of the Revolutionary War through several historic waysides. It's hard to imagine a place so beautiful as a battle site.

It's the perfect place for photographers of all skill levels to practice their craft, especially during the fall season.

The 2023-2024 winter predictions for South Carolina include more precipitation than normal. So if you don't have a good umbrella, it would be a good idea to invest in one to use in the coming winter months. South Carolinians know that the word precipitation during the winter usually means rain for most of the state, since our temps don't usually reach levels that facilitate snow and ice.

Of course, this is great news for all of our kiddos who love splashing in the puddles!

If you're a hiker, you're definitely going to want to break out the rain boots and prepare for muddy conditions on the trails.

Ever wonder how the wildlife feel about the weather conditions? This guy doesn't look so happy about the rain! Ha.

The million-dollar question for those considering Farmers' Almanac predictions for the season always seems to be: What are the chances for snow this year? Some of us would love to see more than just a dusting, even if just one good snow! Of course, some years we don't see a single flake.

And even with the best attempts at predictions from the experts, it really just all boils down to whether or not there will be precipitation during a colder spell. This year's winter predictions for South Carolina do include an expectation for below-normal temperatures at times, with colder periods falling in early December, early and late January, and mid-February. Overall throughout the season, average winter temperatures are expected.

Whether or not we actually see any snow, there are some opportunities for beautiful nature scenes after the rain! This shot was captured in the ACE Basin area of the lowcountry just following a storm, leaving behind this incredible display of clouds and light.

Rainbows are the more common post-storm sight, and there should be plenty of opportunities to see these beautiful shows of nature over the winter season this year!

Denver Downs Farm is located in the upstate city of Anderson. It was founded in 1869 by William Dunklin Garrison, who had been a Captain in the Confederacy during the War Between the States. He and his wife, Ester Annie "Essie" Reid raised their family while working the cotton farm, which expanded to include dairy under his son when he returned from World War II.

The farm is still owned and operated by the Garrison family, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and once again transitioned in 1994 to focus on crops, beef cattle, and agri-tourism and entertainment, hosting seasonal events like a corn maze and farm festivals. The Denver Downs Farm Festival runs throughout the autumn season Thursdays through Sundays and has been recognized as the 5th best corn maze in the country by the 10Best Readers' Choice awards.

The fall festival at this charming, historic farm is bursting with fun and offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities, including a cow train ...

... a mega slide ...

... a jumbo jumping pillow ...

... ziplining ...

... giant tricycles ...

... pig races, and much, much more!

Also included with fall festival admission are live music performances by talented artists on Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons!

Pumpkin Patches Near Greenville

1. Denver Downs - Anderson

2. Little Cane Creek Farm - West Union

3. The Great Pumpkin Giveaway - Fountain Inn

Pumpkin Patches Near Rock Hill

Cotton Hills Farm - Chester

Pumpkin Patches Near Columbia

Clinton Sease Farm - Lexington

6. Dorr Farm - Gable

Pumpkin Patches Near Florence

7. McLeod Farm - McBee

8. Pittman's Pumpkin Patch - Hamer

Pumpkin Patches Near Myrtle Beach

9. Thompson Farm and Nursery - Conway

Pumpkin Patches Near Charleston

10. Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch - Mount Pleasant

Pumpkin Patches Near Hilton Head Island

11. Holiday Farms - Ridgeland

1. Denver Downs Farm Fall Festival, Anderson – Saturday, September 23 through Sunday, November 12

2. Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, Mount Pleasant – Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 29

3. Beaufort Shrimp Festival – Friday, October 6 through Saturday, October 7

4. Fall for Greenville – Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, October 15

5. The Harvest Festival, North Charleston – Saturday, October 21

6. South Carolina Pecan Festival, Florence – Saturday, November 4

No matter your reason for visiting or traveling through Florence, this Vrbo home rental provides a simple and comfortable space to relax while you're here.

The floorplan is an open concept, perfect for family time together.

The rental receives the highest of ratings and the kitchen is the highlight of this Florence vacation home rental. It makes you want to cook at least one meal during your stay!

Six people can sleep here with three cozy bedrooms and two bathrooms. The home is centrally located just minutes from the airport, the train, and bus stations as well as all that downtown Florence offers.

You're going to want to spend at least a couple of nights in this city so that you'll have time to discover the city that rose from the ashes, once thought to be too far gone.

The community has been working to revitalize its downtown area, and that hard work has paid off.

When Florence won the Great American Main Street Award, King Jefe Tacos was one of the businesses that turned heads.

Located on South Irby Street, King Jefe Tacos is a relaxed, fun taqueria that not only serves standard Mexican fare ...

... it has partnered with a local sushi chef as a co-tenant to bring phenomenal sushi options to the table, which has been a hit with customers!

At Magnolia Mall, you'll find the only southeast location for Tilt Studio, a 100,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center full of action-packed family fun.

With over 150 arcade and video games, laser tag, bumper cars, mini bowling, black light mini golf, an Indy 500 driving simulator, and much more, it's the answer to the dreaded "I'm bored" parenting dilemma. It's also perfect for those pesky rainy or sweltering hot days!

Welcome to the beautiful destination of Travelers Rest, South Carolina! Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain, this town is often considered one of the coolest in SC. And it's no mystery why.

TR — as the locals call it — is known for several different things: a vibrant arts scene, natural attractions, friendly locals, and charming small businesses. And all of things things absolutely come alive during the fall season!

Walking around town, you'll notice an impressive array of seasonal decor. From scarecrows...

...to vibrant fall blooms, there's no shortage of autumnal delights to enjoy.

And speaking of autumn, each year the downtown hosts a big trick-or-treating event. Halloween really is a family affair here in Travelers Rest!

Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg. You'll want to keep exploring all that downtown TR has to offer, including the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which is a 22-mile greenway marked by a driving range, local shops, antiques, restaurants, and more.

Of course, any time of the year is a good time to visit Travelers Rest, but there's something wonderfully whimsical about fall. You may just have to plan a trip for yourself and see if you agree!

No matter the season you're visiting, you're going to want to bring the whole family for this grand adventure, and this Lake Murray Waterfront Vrbo Home in Irmo is just the place. There is plenty of room for everyone without feeling cramped.

With three roomy bedrooms that sleep 12, three bathrooms, a living, and a kitchen, it's a setup that can work for some multi-generational or larger families.

You can spend the day out exploring Lake Murray Country and then settle in for a relaxing, comfortable evening together in this lakeside vacation home. During the daytime, you'll enjoy lots of natural light through the huge windows everywhere.

When planning your trip, allow for plenty of time for relaxing by or in the pool, even if for just a few hours one afternoon or evening.

If you'd like to get out on the lake, Lighthouse Marina in Chapin offers rentals and boat storage options...

... as well as on-site dining at Catfish Johnny's or Rusty Anchor and live entertainment on weekends.