A- Overview:
Welcome to Florence, “A City of Character”. Conveniently located at the intersection of two major Interstate highways, this South Carolina city is easily accessible and a world of fun. In 1997, Florence became a finalist as an All-American City, and it’s no wonder why. The city is brimming with history, character, and Southern charm. Chartered in 1871 and incorporated December 24, 1890, the original township formed as a railroad terminal. The town was named after Florence Henning Harllee, the daughter of William Wallace Harllee, the first president of the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad. Today, Florence continues it’s growth with an ever expanding population.
The City of Florence is a fine example of a genteel, Southern city: mid-sized, yet large enough to boast of a variety of things to see and do. Whether it’s the performing arts, fun attractions, museums or sports, all are present in Florence. Still, the City is small enough to preserve a small-town feeling with tree-lined streets and parks and a pleasant lifestyle that citizens enjoy. Residents exude a strong sense of community pride and Southern hospitality to visitors.
With a moderate climate year round, any time is a good time for a visit. Summer tends to be a busy time of year as tourists make their annual north/south vacation journey. With temperatures during this time averaging near 80, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of the many activities, historic sites, and attractions that are available. Fall and spring do bring a change of season, complete with a new and inspiring color scheme. The weather remains comfortable
The city has a variety of experiences, both indoors and out, for everyone. Taking a stroll through any of the parks is always a pleasure, particularly McLeod Park. Not only is a walk enjoyable, the park also offers a swimming pool, fishing pond, lighted tennis courts, ball fields, picnicking and more. For history buffs, a worthwhile trip is a visit to the National Military Cemetery. This site serves as a burial ground for Union soldiers who died in prison in Florence during the War Between the States. For more history of the War, the War Between the States Museum offers a walk into the past. The museum invites visitors to learn and read about the role played by Florence in the Civil War.
For a unique experience and just a short drive away, plan a day at Darlington Raceway. This nationally recognized raceway is sure to get the adrenalin pumping.
Of course, a relaxing meal at one of the many fine local restaurants is always a fine and enjoyable option.
Whether visiting for business or pleasure, just passing through or staying for a weekend or longer, this true Southern historic and beautiful city awaits its visitors with a style all its own.
B- City Information:
Population: 30,248
Elevation: 149 feet above sea level
Land Area: 17.7 square miles
Location: Located at the intersection of Interstate 20 from the west and Interstate 95 from the north and south, approximately 80 miles east of Columbia
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Florence, it’s 11am in Chicago and 9am in Los Angeles). Florence observes Daylight Savings Time from April – October
Weather:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average temp. (°F)
44.9
48.3
55.8
63.2
71.1
77.7
81.3
79.8
74.7
64.0
55.4
47.5
High temperature (°F)
55.1
59.3
67.4
75.5
82.4
88.0
91.1
89.4
84.6
75.5
67.0
57.9
Low temperature (°F)
34.8
37.1
44.1
50.9
59.7
67.4
71.4
70.1
64.7
52.4
43.8
37.0
Precipitation (in)
4.3
3.1
4.1
2.8
3.4
4.3
5.3
5.4
3.8
3.0
2.6
3.5
Climate:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Days with precipitation
10
9
10
8
8
10
13
12
9
6
7
9
Wind speed (mph)
7.9
8.4
8.8
8.8
7.7
7.2
6.9
6.4
6.6
6.8
6.9
7.3
Morning humidity (%)
83
82
83
83
85
86
88
91
91
90
88
84
Afternoon humidity (%)
55
50
49
46
50
54
56
59
58
53
52
54
Sunshine (%)
55
59
64
70
68
67
66
65
64
66
62
58
Days clear of clouds
9
9
9
11
9
7
6
7
9
12
12
10
Partly cloudy days
6
6
8
8
10
11
13
12
9
7
6
6
Cloudy days
16
13
14
11
11
12
12
12
12
11
12
15
Snowfall (in)
0.4
0.6
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.4
Local Season:
With a moderate climate year round, any time is a good time for a visit. Summer tends to be a busy time of year as tourists make their annual north/south vacation journey. With temperatures during this time averaging near 80, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of the many activities, historic sites, and attractions available. Fall and spring do bring a change of season, complete with a new and inspiring color scheme. The weather remains comfortable during these times. Regardless of the season, this inspiring city has something for everyone.
How to Get There:
By Car:
Traveling from the north or south, Interstate 95 runs through the city, from the west, Interstate 20 is easily accessible and from the east (Myrtle Beach), U.S. Highway 601 is convenient.
By Plane:
Florence Regional Airport
2100 Terminal Drive
Florence, SC 29501
843-669-5001
This regional airport is located just 3 miles from city center and is served by some of the nationally known airlines as well as select local carriers.
Ground Transportation:
The major car rental companies, as well as taxis, are located at the airport.
By Train:
Amtrak
805 East Day Street
Florence, SC 29506
800-USA-RAIL
By Bus:
Greyhound
611 S Irby St.
Florence, SC 29501
843-662-8407
How to Get Around:
Most visitors tend to visit the nearby areas and attractions and therefore the best way to get around is by car, either personal or rental.
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.
President’s Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.
Memorial Day last Mon. in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25
New Year’s Eve Dec. 31
C- Attractions/Things To Do:
McLeod Park
700 Santiago Dr
Florence, SC 29501
843-665-0515
Call for additional information
Admission Charged for some
Swimming pool (fee), fishing pond. Lighted tennis; basketball courts, ball fields. Picnicking, playground.
National Military Cemetery
803 East National Cemetery Road
Florence, SC 29506
843-669-8783
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Free
Burial ground for Union soldiers who died here in prison.
Florence Museum
558 Spruce St
Florence, SC 29501
843-662-3351
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 2 – 5pm; closed holidays
Admission Charged
Art, history, and science exhibits. Southwestern Native American pottery; Asian and African collections; Catawba pottery; furniture gallery of mixed periods; South Carolina Hall of History.
Lynches River State Park
902 Spine Rd
Florence, SC 29530
843-389-2785
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Charged
Approximately 650 acres. Located on old stagecoach route. Swimming pool (fee), fishing. Nature trail, bird-watching. Picnicking, playground, community building. Primitive camping.
Beauty Trail
12-mile trail within city featuring beautiful gardens (usually best in April).
Jeffries Creek Nature Park
1400 Deberry Blvd.
Florence, SC 29501
Fishing. Nature trails. Picnicking, playground.
Lucas Park
800 Santee Dr
Florence, SC 29501
Picnicking, playground; tennis courts. Rose gardens, camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons; lighted fountain.
Pee Dee State Farmers Market
2513 W Lucas St
Florence, SC 29501
843-665-5154
Hours: Call for additional information
Francis Marion University Planetarium
Hwy 301 N
Florence, SC 29501
843-661-1250
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Charged
Florence Museum of Art, Science and History
558 Spruce Street
Florence, SC 29501
843-662-3351
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
See a 1917 Vulcan Steam Locomotive at the museum plus many other artifacts and items from the local history. Next door is Timrod Park which commemorates Henry Timrod, the Poet Laureate of the Confederacy.
The War Between the States Museum
107 South Guerry Street
Florence, SC 29501
843-669-1266
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Take a walk into the past. Visit the War Between the States Museum and experience the many artifacts, pictures and stories of a nation divided. The Civil War was a war between two governments: The United States of America, and The Confederate States of America. The museum invites visitors to learn and read about how the local area played a role in the Civil War.
Florence Air and Missile Museum
2204 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506
2.5 miles east on US 301 at the airport entrance.
843-665-5118
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
The museum houses a representative sample of aviation relics, including planes, missiles and military artifacts. The inside of the museum presents a wonderment of space, aviation and military artifacts, memorabilia and pictures.
Darlington Raceway
1301 Harry Byrd Hwy
Darlington, SC 29532
Located approximately 12 miles north of Florence
843-395-8499
Hours: Call for race schedule and additional information
Admission Charged
Harold Brasington knew what he was doing in 1949 when he started pushing dirt around an old peanut field. With every lap those graders and bulldozers completed, the Darlington Raceway slowly came to life. Today, the track’s specifications remain true to Mr. Brasington’s vision, save a few minor adjustments.
D- Family Fun Attractions:
National Military Cemetery
803 East National Cemetery Road
Florence, SC 29506
843-669-8783
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Free
Burial ground for Union soldiers who died here in prison.
Lynches River State Park
902 Spine Rd
Florence, SC 29530
843-389-2785
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Charged
Approximately 650 acres. Located on old stagecoach route. Swimming pool (fee), fishing. Nature trail, bird-watching. Picnicking, playground, community building. Primitive camping.
Beauty Trail
12-mile trail within city featuring beautiful gardens (usually best in April).
Francis Marion University Planetarium
Hwy 301 N
Florence, SC 29501
843-661-1250
Hours: Call for additional information
Admission Charged
The War Between the States Museum
107 South Guerry Street
Florence, SC 29501
843-669-1266
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Take a walk into the past. Visit the War Between the States Museum and experience the many artifacts, pictures and stories of a nation divided. The Civil War was a war between two governments: The United States of America, and The Confederate States of America. The museum invites visitors to learn and read about how the local area played a role in the Civil War.
Florence Air and Missile Museum
2204 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506 …
2.5 miles east on US 301 at the airport entrance.
843-665-5118
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Darlington Raceway
1301 Harry Byrd Hwy
Darlington, SC 29532
Located approximately 12 miles north of Florence
843-395-8499
Hours: Call for race schedule and additional information
Admission Charged
Harold Brasington knew what he was doing in 1949 when he started pushing dirt around an old peanut field. With every lap those graders and bulldozers completed, the Darlington Raceway slowly came to life. Today, the track’s specifications remain true to Mr. Brasington’s vision, save a few minor adjustments.
E- Events & Entertainment:
Events & Entertainment
March/April
Southern Plant & Flower Festival
Held in late March – early April
Location: Pee Dee State Farmers Market
843-665-5154
Call for additional information
May
Sports Council Spectacular
Held in late May
Location: McLeod Park
843-665-0515
Annual Horseshoe tournament
July
The Florence Family Fling
Held on the 4th of July
Location: Florence
843-665-0515
Call for additional information
Admission Free
The Florence Family Fling, held each year on the 4th of July, is one of the largest one-day festivals in the southeast. The day long event includes free admission to all activities, music, and entertainment. The festival draws individuals from the entire southeast traveling along the Interstate 95 corridor. Festival goers experience the largest fireworks show in the Carolinas as the culmination of the day s events.
September
Fall Plant and Flower Show
Held in late September
Location: Greenville State Farmers Market
864-244-4023
Call for additional information
Annual Tobacco Festival
Held in early September
Location: Lake City (located 30 minutes south of Florence)
843-374-8611
Call for additional information
The Tobacco Festival is held each year in Lake City. This two day event in September celebrates the number one cash crop of the area: Tobacco. Festival events include street dance, arts and crafts, motorcycle rally and poker run, radio controlled airplane/helicopter/ultra lite demonstrations, gospel/bluegrass singing, tobacco tying and stringing contests, beauty pageant, all day stage entertainment and a town parade.
October
Pee Dee Fall Festival
Held in early October
Location: Pee Dee State Farmers Market, Florence
843-665-5154
Call for additional information
Entertainment:
Florence Symphony Orchestra
320 W Cheves St.
Florence, SC 29501
843-661-2541
Call for performance schedule and additional information
Season runs October – May
Florence Little Theatre
1000 South Cashua Drive
Florence, SC 29501
843-662-3731
Call for performance schedule and additional information
Sports:
Darlington Raceway
1301 Harry Byrd Hwy
Darlington, SC 29532
Located approximately 12 miles north of Florence
843-395-8499
Hours: Call for race schedule and additional information
Admission Charged
Harold Brasington knew what he was doing in 1949 when he started pushing dirt around an old peanut field. With every lap those graders and bulldozers completed, the Darlington Raceway slowly came to life. Today, the track’s specifications remain true to Mr. Brasington’s vision, save a few minor adjustments.