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If you've driven up and down a lot of the USA's Interstate 95 between the Northeast and Florida numerous times, how many countless times have you passed by or just stopped for a bite to eat at the Florence, South Carolina exit? Well, next time take a two-night break for some big surprises. The ride into this historic city hasn’t always been the prettiest but that’s changing really fast - just like its downtown.

Philanthropy                                                                                                       

After a local hospital sale, Florence has a benefactor: The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation (no pun intended), with assets nearing $200 million. Its mission is to advance the general welfare of people in this town through economic support to qualified and non-profit organizations. The foundation has and will support a broad range of charitable endeavors including, but not limited to medical, health and human services, education, arts, religion, civic affairs and the conservation, preservation and promotion of cultural, historical and environmental resources programs. I don’t know of too many large or small cities that wouldn’t benefit from this kind of support (Like winning the lottery!) and it already is making a big impact here.

As someone who likes to run people’s lives (everyone nods yes!) here are a few suggestions on how to enjoy your time and stay out of your car for a delightful two-night visit to Florence.

Day One

It’s late afternoon you’ve driven four hours or more so it’s time to check into the historic circa-1890s, red brick Florence Hotel.  High-end rooms and suites come with comfy beds, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free WiFi in this fully renovated hotel. Located in the heart of the “new” old downtown Florence, parking is very close and complementary.

The Florence Hotel (right) is a restoration delight, with exposed brick walls and many other original characteristics. Sometimes that means squeaky floors and other quirks, too. The downtown is quiet late at night and no highways nearby so you’ll rest well. Their restaurant, Victors, was not open or on very limited hours during our visit. Give them a try - plus you’ll find there is no lack of restaurant options within easy walking distance of the hotel.

After a short rest, stroll out the front door to tour the immediate area. The Town Hall restaurant with its Dispensary rooftop bar is new and upscale in the old treasured Kress building across the street. Restaurant row continues on Dargan Street half a block away, with popular "Wholly Smokin’ BBQ (casual and tasty), the Library (tapas and craft cocktails), 1031 American Grille, Thai House, and Clay Pot Café. After dinner, walk a few feet to Dolce Vita for a wine and chocolate pairing as dessert.

Possibly you’ll hit “The Final Friday” of each month from April to October for a free concert on South Dargan Street between Evans and Cheves Streets – right at restaurant row. The event starts at 5:30 pm and the band at 6:00. Food and beverages are available at the event. Look for the giant white ticket flag. 

Now it’s a pleasant one block or less stroll back to your hotel for a well-deserved quiet night's rest.

Day Two

This morning eat a hearty breakfast at the hotel or nearby restaurant (remember, no driving!) and head out for your short walk to the Florence County Museum.

Prepare to have your socks blown off!

This stunning contemporary building has gorgeous open and natural light galleries for creative displays of art and artifacts. Wear comfortable shoes because there is something for everyone’s interests and the building is such a pleasure you won’t want to leave.



Collection highlights in local history include Cretaceous period reptile material, an 18 foot-tall Ancient Bald Cypress trunk sub-fossil, Native American and Colonial period artifacts, Civil War artifacts from the Florence Stockade prison camp and Confederate Naval Yard at Mars Bluff. 

And in the famous-person-category collections, a fascinating one is related to the life and career of legendary FBI agent and Florence County native Melvin Purvis (including a recreation of his office (left). Another local “sounds like a tabloid headline” are fragments of the MK-6 atomic bomb which was accidentally dropped on the Mars Bluff, South Carolina community in 1958. The Melvin Purvis story has been featured in several movies and also PBS documentaries as was the bomb drop.

The Florence County Museum is also home to the Wright Collection of Southern Art featuring over 140 works of some of the best 20th century Southern Art.

The permanent collection currently includes eight works by celebrated 20th-century African-American artist and Florence native William H. Johnson.

Tear yourself away and walk a block or two to pick up tonight’s tickets at the Florence Civic Center, a stunning architectural sister to the museum.  You will be again asking why you’ve driven by this amazing city as you see the inside and outside of this venue. Featuring the largest convention, entertainment & exhibition facility in northeast South Carolina, within a driving range of 75% of the US, with over 50,000 square feet of multipurpose space.

This includes a 10,000-seat arena, a 14,500-square-foot ballroom, and the well appointed Pee Dee, Waccamaw and Santee meeting rooms. A wide array of entertainment options from music, theater, and anything else you can think of are offered here. Even my Charleston dentist raved about seeing a favorite country western star here. 

The civic center website shows the calendar for months ahead. Unfortunately, for some odd reason their listing of hotels and restaurants doesn’t list the restaurant row or Florence Hotel, all within an easy walk.

A sample of upcoming events: Tanya Tucker with Terri Clark and Deana Carter; Love Jones The Musical, WWE Live Holiday Tour.

Just beyond the civic center is the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library (right), another magnificent structure recently added to this wonderful downtown area. In addition to their library facilities, there are special programs and events such as author Cassandra King, widow of Pat Conroy, coming soon to present and autograph Pat’s memoirs A Lowcountry Heart: Reflections on a Writing Life as well as her book, Moonrise. 

Now take time for a bite of lunch as you wander a few downtown shops and public art (left), and perhaps a short nap before dinner and the show. It’s your choice for dinner before the theater or after either way you won’t need your car! That’s 30 hours, and you haven’t sat in your car for a second!

If you have dinner before the theater then it’s an easy walk back to stop at several establishments, like the Dispensary rooftop bar (right)for a nightcap, another dessert! or just sit around in some of the attractive public spaces enjoying a brief outdoor break before another great nights sleep and tomorrow’s departure.

We’ll be posting a second chapter encompassing an entire list of other Florence sites and sights for your next visit and using your car. Meanwhile, contact the Florence Visitors center for assistance and what’s new downtown. The surrounding Florence area seems to be adding new attractions and getting better each day.

If You Go:
 

Hotel Florence
Address: 126 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501
Phone:(843) 629-0100
https://www.choicehotels.com/south-carolina/florence/ascend-hotels/sc477?source=gyxt

The Town Hall Restaurant and The Dispensary Roof Top Bar                             
111 W Cheves ST
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 676-1200                                                                                         townhallflorence.com                                                                                                                        

Wholly Smokin’
BBQ 110 S. Dargan St.
843-407-7545
whollysmokinbbq.com

The Clay Pot Coffee Shop
166 S. Dargan St.
843-407-1646
Open Mic with Grover Windham
Wednesday – 7 to 9 p.m.

After Dark Jazz Cafe
178 W. Evans St.
843-601-7917
www.afterdarkjazzcafe.com                         
                                                                                       
The Florence Civic Center and Francis Marion Performing Arts Center
201 S. Dargan St.
843-661-4444
www.fmupac.org
website (http://www.florenceciviccenter.com)

Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library  
www.florencelibrary.org
Address: 509 S Dargan St, Florence, SC 29506
Phone:      (843) 662-8424
Website:   http://74.255.101.82/wordpress/

The Florence County Museum
111 W. Cheves St.
843-676-1200
www.flocomuseum.org