Visitors to Gaffney, South Carolina will find several opportunities to enjoy special holiday festivities this year. Beginning in early December and continuing through the month, any of these special activities will help usher in the holiday spirit. All of the scheduled events are family friendly and welcome guests.

The 10th annual Christmas on Limestone begins on December 3 at 5pm in historic downtown Gaffney. The campus and surrounding neighborhoods will be magically lit by over 10,000 luminaries. Other activities on campus include a holiday reception, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the Limestone College Christmas tree on the front lawn. A “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert will be presented by the Limestone College Music Department. The concert is a montage of choral music performed by community choral groups and the Limestone College Children’s Chorus. Festivities will take place over several blocks of the downtown area as well. Activities will include horse and carriage rides, live music and caroling, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, a live nativity, and free ornament making at the Gaffney Visitor’s Center.

The Gaffney Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 11. The parade begins at 10am in Thompson Park and proceeds along Limestone Street in downtown Gaffney. Participating in the parade will be ROTC units, local and regional bands, decorated floats, and Santa. After the parade ends, visitors may wish to visit the Festival of Trees at Gaffney City Hall, or do some Christmas shopping in one of downtown Gaffney’s specialty stores.

Visitors to the area should also plan to spend some time shopping for holiday gifts at the Gaffney Premium Outlets. The 75 outlet stores at the mall include such favorites as Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Pottery Barn. The outlets will be open extended holiday hours following Thanksgiving, and many of the stores will offer sales and special holiday promotions.

Whether in town for the weekend or just passing through, visitors are welcome to join Gaffney residents for the festivities. Gaffney’s small town charm and friendly atmosphere are sure to put visitors in the holiday mood. No matter your preference in size and pace, staying active is the key to a successful and enjoyable retirement. Good luck in your search to find your Best Places to Live in South Carolina!

The East Coast is rich with history from Florida to Maine, and rich with beaches. Some of the most beautiful beaches lay south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and none are more beautiful than the beaches of South Carolina. With lush blue waters and white sandy beaches with green maritime forests as a backdrop, there is no resisting the beaches of South Carolina. Some of the top beaches to visit in South Carolina include Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach, as well as Edisto and Hunting Island… not to mention several islands and inlets along the way. From Murrells Inlet to the Isle of Palms and even Kiawah Island, you’ll see some of the most breathtaking views on the East Coast.

The most well known beach in South Carolina is Myrtle Beach. It is considered a desirable vacation spot for many people – and with
approximately sixty miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, it is little wonder why. Over twelve million people visit this beach each year and enjoy all the things that Myrtle Beach has to offer. From live entertainment to water parks and amusement parks, as well as the specialty shopping outlets, golf courses, and incredible restaurants, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is teeming with things to do and see.

Part of the area known as the Grand Strand is Huntington Beach. It is situated in historic Murrells Inlet and is only a short distance from the
renowned Brookgreen Gardens. Here, in Huntington Beach State Park, you will find the sprawling Spanish-style castle known as Atalaya. This
castle was once the winter home, and the studio, for the American sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Philanthropist Archer Huntington. It is here that several of Anna Huntington’s beautiful sculptors still reside, like the incredible Diana of the Hunt. While there, you can enjoy walking the grounds of Brookgreen Gardens and, if you visit in mid- to late-September, you can also enjoy the annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival.

The beautiful and historic sands of the Isle of Palms is a perfect place to stop and see a sunrise. Its shimmering sands and crystal blue waters are a majestic sight. Not far from the Isle of Palms is Kiawah Island, a small beach and golfing resort situated on a small barrier island just south of the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The island was named for the local Native American tribe of the Kiawah Indians, who led the English to Charlestowne Landing in 1720. Known as the a prime golf destination, the island of Kiawah offers five different award winning courses, such as the Turtle Point Golf Course, designed by professional golfer, Jack Nicklaus. There is also the Ocean Course, which was designed by golfer Pete Dye, as well as three other golf courses.

Hunting Island and Edisto Island are also very beautiful beach areas with incredible attractions. Hunting Beach has many different types of wildlife for wildlife watchers. The Great Blue Heron, as well as Osprey and Bald Eagles make their homes here and can be seen anywhere you go. The same is true of many different types of aquatic life like alligators and horseshoe crabs. Edisto Island is an island between the Edisto Rivers that are North and South of the Island. It offers many diverse recreational opportunities including golf courses and local restaurants. On your next vacation to South Carolina, be sure to check out these premier beaches and all that they have to offer.