South Carolina's Upcountry Revolutionary Road Trip Podcast — Battlefields, Hidden Gems & Great Food

Hit the road on a Revolutionary Road Trip through South Carolina's Upcountry and the Old 96 District with Darley Newman. In this podcast episode, Darley travels with park rangers, historians, local guides, and food lovers from Kings Mountain to Ninety Six — uncovering the battle sites, hidden gems, and culture that helped shape American independence, with great eats and charming places to stay along the way. Listen along as you plan your trip or follow the route in real time. What You'll Hear About on This Road Trip: ✅ Kings Mountain National Military Park – Walk the October 7, 1780 battlefield with Park Ranger Robert Holmes, discover the Chronicle Marker — the second oldest monument on any battlefield in the United States — and learn why this pivotal Patriot victory changed the course of the Southern Campaign. ✅ Cowpens National Battlefield – Tour the January 17, 1781 battlefield with Park Ranger Paul Cothren and hear how General Daniel Morgan outmaneuvered British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his 1,100 troops in one of the Revolution's most brilliant victories. ✅ Walnut Grove Plantation – Learn the story of Kate Moore Barry, who rallied hundreds of men to march to Cowpens, and explore life on this former South Carolina backcountry plantation, including the stories of enslaved peoples. ✅ Spartanburg, SC – Tour the city with local author and icon Joe Mullinax, visit Morgan Square's monument to General Daniel Morgan, browse Hub City Bookshop (one of the few nonprofit bookstores in the country — and home to tuxedo cat mascot Zora), and walk the Spartanburg Music Trail, celebrating legends like the Marshall Tucker Band. ✅ Wade's Restaurant, Spartanburg – Dig into James Beard Award–winning meat-and-three comfort food at this beloved institution open since 1947, famous for turkey with homemade cornbread dressing and legendary yeast rolls. ✅ The Kennedy & Rick Erwin's Level 10 Rooftop, Spartanburg – Locally sourced farm-to-table fare at The Kennedy, plus rooftop dining at the AC Hotel with sweeping city views at Rick Erwin's Level 10. ✅ Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, Spartanburg – Stay in a lovingly restored 1798 inn with homemade breakfast — or spend the night in a vintage railroad caboose — with owners Pontheolla and Paul Mack-Abernathy. ✅ Little River Roasting at Fretwell, Spartanburg – Fuel up at this on-site roastery and café located just off the Mary Black Rail Trail. ✅ Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site – Hear from Interpretive Ranger Mark Stanford about August 19, 1780, when 200 Patriot militiamen stunned nearly 500 Loyalist and Provincial troops — neighbors fighting neighbors in a pivotal moment of the Southern Campaign. ✅ Wilson's Curb Market, Clinton, SC – A family-owned hidden gem since 1958, known for bird dogs and pimento bacon cheeseburgers that draw locals and road trippers alike. ✅ Ninety Six National Historic Site – Explore the site of the first land battle of the Revolution in the South with Park Ranger Adrian Stewart and hear the story of the remarkable earthen Star Fort, built in December 1780 by Loyalist soldiers and enslaved laborers. ✅ 96 Pecan Company, Ninety Six, SC – Sample sweet heat, glazed, key lime, and praline pecans at owner John Murray's beloved pecan shop, built on an 1880s pecan grove. 🎧 Listen to the full "Travels with Darley" Podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-travels-with-darley-123513653/ 📺 Watch the Travels with Darley Upcountry South Carolina TV Episode on PBS & Streaming: https://www.darley-newman.com/travels-with-darley 📚 Read Darley's Revolutionary Road Trip Book: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0GKPQVNFG?tag=simonsayscom 🌐 Plan Your Trip: UpcountrySC.com | visitold96SC.com | darley-newman.com 🔔 Subscribe for More Travel & History Videos: https://darley.link/youtubesubscribe 📲 Follow Darley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darleynewman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelswithdarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darleynewman Twitter (X): https://x.com/DarleyNewman