Newberry offers culturally minded travelers a variety of ways to explore: historic trails, theater, visual arts, and garden art. You can tailor your stay to your own interests—from exploring historic sites to discovering architecture and theater performances.
Historic Trails in Newberry
The Newberry Passage opened in 2019. It runs through an 18th-century cemetery, along Main Street, and through the Newberry College campus. Parking for the Newberry Passage is available at the Franklin Trailhead and in Historic Downtown Newberry.
Newberry also has a 2½-mile self-guided tour with about 30 historic landmarks. The two options offer different points of orientation: the Passage takes you through specific places, while the tour’s approximate length and number of historic sites provide a framework for exploration. When choosing, consider whether a particular route or the self-guided tour’s approximate distance matters more to you.
Theater and Architectural History
The Newberry Opera House is an example of eclectic Victorian civic architecture and features a French Gothic-style clock tower. The Ritz Theater on Main Street offers a different architectural accent: the movie palace dates to 1936 and is designed in the Art Deco style. This provides a comparison between eclectic Victorian civic architecture and Art Deco, with the clock tower adding a French Gothic touch.
The Newberry Community Players have presented live theater for more than 30 years and stage four major productions each year at the Ritz Theater. If a particular performance fits your plans, check the current schedule in advance, as dates for individual productions may change.
Art, History, and Garden Art
The Newberry Arts Center hosts public events throughout the year. These include the SC ClayCon Pottery Sale, plein-air events and exhibitions, and an art exhibition by the Newberry County School District for grades K–12. The center also offers high-quality educational art experiences for all interested members of the public. Children, teenagers, and adults can take part in activities using a variety of materials and techniques.
The Newberry Museum preserves and promotes the ongoing history and heritage of Newberry County and Newberry College. Its focus connects the county’s history with the college’s heritage, offering a different way to engage with history than exploring along a route.
The Wells Japanese Garden is a triangular plot behind City Hall. Its features include a stone lantern, a temple, a torii gate, a moon bridge, and a teahouse. These elements give the garden a distinct character alongside the theaters and historic trails. If you are planning to attend a particular performance or event, check the current schedule; individual performance schedules and event dates may change.
Discover more destinations: Little Mountain, Chappells.
Return to the regional travel overview: Newberry County.
