Home And Heart: Best Things To Do In Bishopville, South Carolina

1. Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden is the living representation of an artist’s outlook on life. Pearl Fryar is a Bishopville native, who began to trim the plants around his home into shapes, making them into fantastic sculptures. Eventually, the topiary garden was opened and is now an internationally recognized heaven of horticulture and art. The garden contains over 400 plants and most are sculpted to Fryar’s liking.

The garden is open year-round, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. There is no admission charge, but donations are encouraged and appreciated. Parking is available on the street, or in the vacant lot, across from the garden. The garden is located just a 4-minute drive outside of downtown Bishopville, via the Sumter Highway.

Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

Address: 145 Broad Acres Rd, Bishopville, SC 29010

Website: Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

2. South Carolina Cotton Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located right in downtown Bishopville, the South Carolina Cotton Museum is a great spot to learn some local history. Lee County, the county in which Bishopville resides, has long been regarded as the leader in cotton production, in all of South Carolina and the cotton museum is a compilation of that history. The museum features many artifacts and equipment that was used in the cotton industry, as well as more modern instruments.

Admission to the museum is 6 USD for adults, and 4 USD for seniors. Educational tours are available for student groups at 3 USD per student, and 4 USD per accompanying adults. Guests were impressed that although the museum is small, it holds a lot of interesting items. In addition, guests were happy that the curator was very informative and most guests said the tour lasts from around 45 minutes to an hour. As an added bonus, the Lee County Veterans Museum is located right next door. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

South Carolina Cotton Museum

Address: 121 W Cedar Ln, Bishopville, SC 29010

Website: South Carolina Cotton Museum

3. Button Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This eccentric museum surely will leave a lasting impression on any guest. Located about 10 minutes west of Bishopville, the Button Museum is the castle of the self-proclaimed “Button King”, also known as Dalton Stevens. Stricken with insomnia, Stevens needed an easy activity to occupy himself, during his sleepless nights. So he began sewing buttons onto a suit and his journey resulted in the creation of a museum, chronicling his button-laden creations.

Stevens still wears the suit in question, which now has 16,333 buttons, sewn onto it. The museum also features a Chevrolet Chevette that is decorated with 149,000 buttons. Other features of the museum include an outhouse, hearse, guitar, piano, and two caskets (one of which he plans to be buried in after he passes away).

Admission to the museum is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Button Museum

Address: 55 Joe Dority Rd, Bishopville, SC 29010

Website: Button Museum

4. James Carnes House

Those who love architecture will get some enjoyment from the James Carnes House. As one of the oldest homes in the town of Bishopville, the structure harkens back to the southern heritage of South Carolina. Built in 1863 by local farmer James Carnes, the home is a classic example of Greek Revival style, that was common during this time period.

The home is on the National Register of Historic Places and although it is not possible to tour the interior, travelers often view it from the street.

James Carnes House

Address: 200 S Main St Bishopville, South Carolina 29010

Website: James Carnes House

5. Scream Acres Haunted House and Hayride

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located about 15 minutes northwest of Bishopville, is Scream Acres, a great local haunted house and hayride. Previous guests have said that while the actors did give them a good scare, they were also very friendly and didn’t go overboard. Scream Acres is open Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 pm to 1 am, and Sundays, from 7 pm to 10 pm.

General Admission in 14 USD, but guests can also get a Fast Pass for 25 USD. Guests can purchase Fast Pass tickets on the Scream Acres’ website.

Scream Acres Haunted House and Hayride

Address: 1283 Old Camden Rd Bishopville, South Carolina

Website: Scream Acres Haunted House and Hayride

6. Cedar Creek Haunted House

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Another haunting option for those looking for some extra spooks, the Cedar Creek Haunted House is located about 10 minutes west of Bishopville, and about 10 minutes south of Scream Acres. Cedar Creek’s main goal is to give the community a safe place to enjoy some good-natured fun. Each year Cedar Creek tries to make its haunted house’s theme different so that guests can come back year after year and still be spooked.

Unlike many haunted houses, guests at Cedar Creek do not get a guide. Instead, they have to make their way through the 4,800 square foot (445 square meter) haunted house and the haunted maze, to escape. Admission to the haunted house is 7 USD.

Cedar Creek Haunted House

Address: 2681 Camden Hwy. Bishopville, South Carolina

Website: Cedar Creek Haunted House

7. Lee State Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The road leading into Lee State Park will take you to its eastern side, about a 15-minute drive from Bishopville. While you’re there, the park is a great location for all sorts of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, bird watching, geocaching, horse riding, and two hiking trails. The South Carolina Parks website has a lot of additional information about the park, including bird and mammal guides.

Camping in the park is permitted and can accommodate tents as well as RVs up to 36 feet (11 meters). Guests planning to camp here can make a reservation to make sure they get a spot. Campsites cost 15 to 30 USD per night, primitive campsites are between 10 and 12.50 USD. Pets are welcome at the park.

Lee State Park

Address: 487 Loop Rd, Bishopville, SC 29010

Website: Lee State Park

Blissful Bishopville

Bishopville is a friendly little town, in a great spot for those making their way through central South Carolina. With its variety of indoor, outdoor, historical, and current attractions there is sure to be something suitable for any group passing through. Even just to stop in and say hello, this small town will welcome anyone into its community.