Wedding & Event Venue near Newberry, SC

South Carolina has more than its fair share of charming small towns, but one stands out above the rest.

According to HGTV at least.

The home improvement-focused cable channel recently released its list of the 50 most charming small towns in America. Among the top 50 was Newberry, South Carolina.

Situated in the heart of the Palmetto State, Newberry offers visitors a wealth of cultural heritage, picturesque streets and a welcoming atmosphere.

Nicknamed the “City of Friendly Folks,” Newberry “is a college town with lots of extras: lovely architecture, a historic opera house, a winery where rocking chairs beckon from a big porch, and world-class dining and drinking experiences,” HGTV writes.

Newberry has been previously featured in “The 100 Best Small Towns in America,” by Norman Crampton.

According to Tripadvisor, here are among the best attractions in Newberry in 2025:

Newberry Opera House

Centrally located in Newberry’s historic downtown, the opera house was built in 1882 and offers a diverse mix of performances and historic preservation. In 1996, the city undertook an extensive renovation and added 10,000 square feet to the opera house, updating it to a state-of-the-art facility.

Enoree River Winery

Enoree River Winery is a place where visitors can come to relax and enjoy local, handcrafted 100% real juice wines. Enjoy wine tastings from the season’s harvest or relax outdoors on the covered porch overlooking the vineyard. Wine can also be bought by the bottle.

Wells Japanese Garden

The Wells Japanese Garden has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The garden has recently undergone a full renovation, including improvements to ponds, a new entry area, additional landscaping and new pathways. The garden features a temple, Torri Gate, Moon Bridge, and Tea House.

Old Courthouse

The Old Newberry Courthouse was built in 1852 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The courthouse is an example of Greek Revival architecture. The courthouse was used until 1906 and is now a community hall.

The Newberry Museum

The Newberry Museum opened in Dec. 2019 thanks to a combination of donations and grants. The museum is designed to share priceless treasures of local history. Permanent exhibits include recognition of local military service, Newberry industry, theater, and interactive maps.

The State

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Patrick McCreless is the service journalism editor for The State, where he and a team of reporters write about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.

(rv) Keiser wrestling team will be flying to Newberry, SC this weekend for the Newberry College Open. The Seahawks enter this meet receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll, and have Jett McCauley ranked as the No. 18 197 wrestler in the nation. Cole Manion's unit will be looking to put together a strong performance in their final open meet of the regular season versus competition from all levels of college wrestling.

When: February 2, 2025 Where: Newberry, SC. (Eleazer Arena) Live Results: Track Wrestling

Participating Schools 843 Elite Wrestling Club Alabama Allen Andrew College Backyard Bullies Wrestling Club Bluff City Wrestling Club Boone RTC Brave Tough Wrestling Buies Creek Wrestling Club Campbell University Wrestling Club Carolina Takedown Club Cavalier Wrestling Club Clarksburg Coyotes Clemson Coker Columbia Combat Athletics Wrestling Club Cougar WC Darkhorse Wrestling Davidson Emmanuel Felician Flemington Florida Florida Gulf Coast Gamecock Wrestling Club Greenville Gulf Coast Grappling Academy Gym-O University Heathwood Hall Episcopal Higdon KC Elite Training Center Keiser Kennesaw Mountain Kennesaw State Kentucky Wesleyan Lander Life Limestone Mauldin Morris Fitness Club Mount Olive NC State Newberry Presbyterian College Queens University of Charlotte Raeford Reinhardt Ring Worms Wrestling Club Rutherford RWC Shadow Ridge South Georgia Athletic Club Southeastern St. Andrews Teknique Tennessee The Citadel Triumph Wrestling UNC Pembroke UTC Virginia Military Institute VMI Get the latest information on the team by following KeiserWrestling on Instagram and KeiserWrestling on X.

General athletic news can be found at KUSeahawks on Facebook, kuseahawks on Instagram, and kuseahawks on X.

With its rich history and well-preserved architecture, the 236-year-old city continues to captivate both residents and visitors from around the globe.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — For the first time, the historic City of Newberry has been recognized by HGTV as one of America’s most charming small towns. The 236-year-old South Carolina city continues to captivate residents and visitors with its rich history and well-preserved architecture.

“Now that we are getting the publicity out and people are noticing more, we are just really proud of that and welcome people to come to Newberry,” Mayor Foster Senn said.

Senn made his remarks while standing in the town’s beloved Wells Japanese Garden, a historic landmark. Reflecting on his childhood hometown’s growth and revitalization, he expressed appreciation for how Newberry has blossomed into a must-see travel destination after being recognized by one of America’s most popular home improvement and lifestyle networks.

“Our small businesses have beautified old buildings downtown and repurposed them,” Senn said. “So we have taken the things we have, updated them, and saved them, and people really take pride in that.”

Newberry Opera House Executive Director Anne Pinckney Smith echoed Senn’s sentiments.

“I always tell people, once they come, they never don’t come back,” Smith said. "Newberry does things one time, and they do it well. Visitors are always in awe that this little town thinks this big!”

The iconic opera house has hosted world-renowned musicians and performers, adding to Newberry’s artistic appeal.

“The Opera House has hosted Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Lee Greenwood. I always joke that when we go to New York and they ask where I’m from, and I say Newberry Opera House, they say, ‘Oh my God!’” Smith said.

Smith credits the historic venue's intimate setting with allowing performers to interact with the audience, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

“It’s just a little more of a relaxed environment, and that is why people come here. There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Smith said. “We just finished a $1.8 million renovation this past summer, investing in top-of-the-line equipment. Now, it’s a fantastic New York-style experience right here in Newberry, S.C.”

The Newberry Museum preserves the town’s deep-rooted history blocks from the Opera House on Main Street.

“Newberry was very big in the mill industry, and when the mills pulled out, so many towns struggled. But Newberry found that balance—remaining economically viable while still maintaining its small-town atmosphere and community,” said Steven Knapp, executive director of the museum.

Knapp said that much of Newberry’s charm comes from its well-kept historic buildings.

“A lot of these big businesses—Samsung and Kiswire, just as an example—when they moved into the county, they became part of the community,” Knapp said. “Even our museum has received support from both industries. It’s not about coming in and replacing; it’s about becoming a part of what is already here.”

That mindset, Knapp added, is what makes Newberry truly one of the most unique small towns in America.