Key Points
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Instantly recognizable by its Peachoid Water Tower, Gaffney is known as the “Peach Capital of South Carolina.”
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Beyond eating plenty of peaches and peach products, visitors can explore cultural and historical sites and shop at local antique malls
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Sample Southern barbecue at Daddy Joe’s Beach House BBQ & Grill and classic sandwiches at Boston Annie’s.
When it comes to peaches, Georgia tends to get most of the attention as the “Peach State”—but its neighbor to the north actually produces three times as many peaches every year. And one city has so many of the delicious stone fruits, it’s become known as the “Peach Capital of South Carolina.”
One of the town’s most memorable icons is the 135-foot-tall Peachoid Water Tower, located off Highway 85. It’s stood outside of Gaffney since 1981. “Anytime you go somewhere, and you mention Gaffney, if they’re hesitant, all you have to say is, ‘We’re the big Peachoid,’” says Lacey Lemmons, manager of Gaffney’s Visitors Center & Art Gallery. “That landmark is very well known.”
Gaffney also hosts the annual South Carolina Peach Festival, a week-plus-long celebration of summertime that takes place every July. Needless to say, Gaffney’s pride in its fruit is more than well earned.
“In the older days, Cherokee County, which includes Gaffney, produced more peaches than the entire state of Georgia,” says Lemmons. “Now, we stake claim to having the sweetest and juiciest peaches during peak season.”
While roadside stands selling peaches crop up throughout Gaffney during the summer months, the local institution Abbott Farms has developed quite a reputation for its farm-fresh peaches, preserves, peach bread, and peach cider. Alternatively, you can take a day trip from Gaffney to western South Carolina to pick your own peaches at Fishers Orchard.
Beyond its peaches, Gaffney has plenty of other entertainment options, too. The Cherokee County Museum gives valuable insight into the region’s culture, with interactive science exhibits for the kiddos. Meanwhile, set jetters may want to snap pics with replicas of props, like a tombstone and a “Welcome to Gaffney” sign, from the series House of Cards, which was the hometown of the protagonist Frank Underwood. “We actually get a lot of international visitors that follow that show,” says Lemmons. “It’s amazing that people take the trip just for that.”
The majority of Gaffney’s visitors, though, come for the local history. Within a 30-minute drive of Gaffney, you can reach Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park. Plus, the town’s historic commercial district attracts shoppers looking to peruse quirky antique malls like Pieces from the Past and Wilkins Star Vendors. Come spring 2026, Gaffney will also get a state-of-the-art, immersive Revolutionary War museum called Carolina Rising: A Revolutionary Experience, slated to open downtown in March.
In the meantime, you can even get a history lesson right at Gaffney’s Visitors Center & Art Gallery. “We have an art gallery that adds exhibits every six to eight weeks, and a permanent exhibit that highlights unique stories from the Revolutionary War that you don’t usually hear about,” says Lemmons. “We also have a virtual reality experience. We have a floor map of Cherokee County on our back exhibit hall and VR goggles, so you get to see different elements and hear the stories.”
All of that exploring is bound to work up an appetite, and, naturally, Gaffney’s Southern food is not to be missed. Head to Daddy Joe’s Beach House BBQ & Grill, a local institution known for its sizable portions, rich sauces, and relaxed atmosphere. “People will sometimes say, ‘I’m not in the mood for barbecue,’ but his menu includes such a good variety,” says Lemmons. She also recommends the soup, salad, and sandwich joint Boston Annie’s.
As for accommodations, major chains like Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn have outposts in Gaffney, and local vacation rentals provide a comfortable alternative to hotels. You’re also less than an hour away from the many lodging options of Greenville, where you’ll find stays like Hotel Hartness and the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, both of which made Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2025.
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