Located just off Interstate 77 between Charlotte, NC and the state capital in Columbia, right in the center of a growing county with bucket loads of heritage as well as a progressive vision for the future, Chester retains the value of its past yet stays focused on the trends of modern culture. It’s a place where economic growth is booming but where there is still ample opportunity to own some acreage or buy your dream home at a reasonable price.
It is a town where neighbors still stop and visit as they stroll past. At the center of a diverse economic and agricultural region, Chester has a rich, proud heritage, a beautiful rural setting and historic homes. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Chester!
1. Vinny's Taste of Italy
With a menu that is well thought out and balanced, Vinny’s Taste of Italy has been proudly serving real Italian home-cooked specialties for over 25 years and is a significant part of Chester.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they also provide catering services. Prices are very reasonable for the quality they serve and dining here comes complete with the authentic Italian experience. Simply the best Italian eatery you’ll find south of New York.
Vinny's Taste of Italy
Address: 994 Old York Rd, Chester, SC 29706
Website: Vinny’s Taste of Italy
2. Chester County Historical Museum
Chester County Historical Museum provides an arsenal of 300 year’s worth of rich information in the form of exhibits, archives, collections of over 80,000 objects, a library as well as an educational center.
It displays Native American artifacts, firearms that date back to the Revolutionary era, relics, costumes from the Civil War and much more. Learn about Chester County, Pennsylvania, the Delaware valet, public houses and their role in the country and the people that made it all what it is today.
Get fully acquainted with the tastes, means, occupations and lives of county residents throughout the past 300 years all the way to present times with the comprehensive regional resources and documentations.
Chester County Historical Museum
Address: 225 N High St, West Chester, PA 19380
Website: Historical Museum
3. Chester State Park
If you’re looking for a place to bask in the great outdoors, the Chester State Park is the place to be. Steeped in history and big (very big in fact), with a 1.3 mile (2 km) hiking trail and a large pond, allow yourself to get lost in nature and reconnect with your surroundings.
A couple of cozy picnic shelters also overlook the lake. Fishing and boating is a common past time here and bald eagles can be seen in Chester State Park. You will also find an abundance of activities for all ages here and plenty of trails to hike, waters to boat and even historical tours overseen by a trained team of park rangers and staff.
Chester State Park
Address: 759 State Park Rd, Chester, SC 29706
Website: Chester State Park
4. Skydive Carolina
We weren’t kidding when we said Chester has a good balance of old and new. Danny and Annette Smith own and run Skydive Carolina which is one of the best skydiving centers in the whole United States. Safety is taken very seriously here and an array of precautionary measures have to be met before actually diving from an aircraft.
You will have to complete a 30 minute class and when you are ready, you will get to dive from the sky like a daredevil with the instructor close by personally guiding you throughout a breathtaking 5 minute flight.
Skydive Carolina
Address: 1903 King Air Dr, Chester, SC 29706
Website: Skydiving
5. Olde English District
Even if you aren’t the biggest history buff in the state, Olde English District still has a lot to offer average visitors regardless of whether they are out looking for a little adventure and new experiences or simply just hoping to sight see.
The area is filled to the brim with a rich back story mainly due to the number of Revolutionary War battles that took place in proximity. Historical sites, parks, buildings, monuments and markers all come into focus as the Olde English District takes travelers off the Interstate and down back roads.
Here, rows of family farms still flourish while museums and old plantation homes reveal a quick yet insightful glimpse into the past. The district is accessible from two interstates and major highways and throughout, a vast network of campgrounds, woodlands, waterways and national parks are available for campers, hikers or fishing enthusiasts to enjoy.
Olde English District
Address: 3200 Commerce Dr, Richburg, SC 29729
Website: Olde English District
6. Fishing Creek Creamery
If you like cheese, the Fishing Creek Creamery offers six different cheeses for purchase, all of which are either of the chevre or feta variety. Many more cheese related products are available for cheese connoisseurs.
The Fishing Creek Creamery takes pride in its production of high-quality fresh and aged goat cheeses. Reflecting the distinctive style of the South Carolina Catawba region, the renowned farm strives to share its unique and delicious cheese products with the world.
Drop by and support an ongoing movement that benefits all parties by enriching the businesses of small farms that are much better for animals, the land and ultimately the consumers that benefit from consuming only the freshest and most genuine cheese products.
Fishing Creek Creamery
Address: 3694 Fishing Creek Church Rd, Chester, SC 29706
Facebook: Fishing Creek Creamery
7. Chester County Transportation Museum
What was once an old Seaboard Railroad freight depot in Chester has been transformed into a charming and intriguing transportation museum. Open every day except Sunday and Monday, the Chester Country Transportation Museum houses remnants of a bygone era with old highway mile markers and railroad tracks scattered throughout the surrounding areas.
The interior of the museum exhibits a novelty range of old automobiles, bicycles, several model railroads as well as hundreds of smaller transportation artifacts and an old horse-drawn buggy among many other interesting items.
You can’t help but admire the effort and time that has been put in by dedicated groups of volunteers in restoring such a great attraction. The Chester County Transportation Museum is the place to be for rail and antique car enthusiasts or anyone just looking for something unique to visit.
Chester County Transportation Museum
Address: 157 Wylie St, Chester, SC 29706
Website: Chester County Transportation Museum
Chester, South Carolina is one of America's most historical cities
With bucket loads of heritage as well as a progressive vision for the future, Chester has something to offer everyone who decides to put it on their travel bucket list.