Beat the Summer Heat in Lake Hartwell Country
- Lake Hartwell Country
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Summer in the South is hot and humid, and regardless of if you’re a resident or a visitor, sometimes the heat just gets to be too much! In the dog days of summer, it can be difficult to find activities that keep you cool and refreshed without making you feel like you’re missing out on a beautiful, bright day. We’ve rounded up some destinations in Lake Hartwell Country that give you the best of both worlds: fun in the sun with an indoor reprieve. Read on for some of our favorite places to while away these long summer days!
Dine Out, Eat In
The best kinds of restaurants take patio seating and amp them up, adding some flair to mealtime. The Smokin’ Pig in Pendleton features a fun yard where diners can play cornhole, lounge in the outdoors, and sip on a craft beer from the outdoor bar. Given how packed this barbecue joint usually is, the outdoor area is a great place that will make your wait seem like it flies by. And when a table opens up, you can duck inside away from the hot sun and dig in instead to piping-hot BBQ. The Silos of Easley also offer an indoor-outdoor space to let you soak in the sun or relax in the shade. This innovative restaurant complex took old grain silos and turned them into an industrial-chic communal dining space, with an indoor brewery, several restaurants dotted across the property, and a spacious patio called “The Grainyard” that features fire pits, a band stage, and big screens. Make sure to cool down with an iced coffee or cold seltzer while you bask outside!
Tiny Tee Time
What do you think of when you hear the words “mini golf?” Maybe it’s sun-faded golf balls, one hole with shade on the entire course, or having to stand in just the right spot to catch a misty breeze from the chlorine-saturated water feature. Not ideal for a sweltering day! But when you play a round at The Oasis Ranch in Seneca, you’ll have a whole new mini golfing experience, fun for all ages and perfectly comfortable even in August! Inspired by lush botanical gardens, the 18-hole course is surrounded by live greenery, koi ponds, waterfalls, and more. The vegetation provides shade and cover, and the animal-filled ponds are clear and cool. And when you finish the course, head inside for ice cream or to play the indoor golf simulator, where you can practice your skills or play a course from around the world. It’s perfect for families and amateur golfers alike!
Scenes With A/C
It may be too hot to enjoy a long hike, but you can still get out and enjoy the beautiful mountains, lakes, and forests of Lake Hartwell Country without stepping too far from your air-conditioned car. Take a scenic drive up to a mountainous overlook and let your vehicle do all the hard work! We recommend Wigington Overlook, nestled deep in Oconee County, as it offers plenty of space for you to pull off the road, gaze over Lake Jocassee, and even set up a picnic! With your car so close, the food won’t have a chance to get hot and neither will you. The Sassafras Mountain observation tower is also easily accessible for vehicles and is bisected by the border of North and South Carolina. A mountaintop breeze will cool you down, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Georgia! Then, when that clear day turns a little too toasty, hop back in your car and take the long way home.
When it comes to August in Lake Hartwell Country, the heat can be hard to handle. Whenever you plan to be outside, make sure to take precautions, like wearing sunscreen and UV-resistant clothing, hydrating often and bringing plenty of water along, and keeping a close eye on pets, kids, and elderly friends or family who may be with you. Stay safe and make the most of late summer in LHC!