Visit Downtown
Downtown Florence has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, transforming it into a destination for dining, entertainment and shopping. Downtown is currently home to two hotels, over a dozen independently owned restaurants, over a dozen unique shops, and is host to over twenty annual events and festivals each year. You can also find the Downtown Loop walking trail, City Center Farmers’ Market, and quaint public plaza spaces to relax and unwind. Be sure to also visit the Andrew H. Griffin Plaza’s free splash pad with the kids!
Not sure where to start with your Downtown Florence visit? Check out our Shop. Dine. Stay. Directory for a complete list of all the small businesses that call Downtown Florence home or plan a full weekend in Downtown Florence using our weekend itinerary below.
Where is Downtown Florence?
Downtown Florence is approximately 1.1 square miles located in the heart of Downtown Florence, SC, convenient to McLeod Regional Medical Center, cultural destinations, places to shop and eat, and home to the Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Tech Health Sciences facilities. The H-1 Historic District is bound by Coit Street to the west, Railroad Avenue to the east, Cheves Street to the south, and E. Darlington Street to the north.
Special Events
With over twenty annual events including the award-winning Florence After 5 concert series and SC Pecan Festival, visitors can expect to find fun and unique experiences nearly every month from March through December. Check out the Events page for our upcoming event calendar to learn more.
Meeting and Event Spaces
If you are looking for somewhere to host your next meeting or event in Downtown Florence, consider calling the Downtown Development Office at 843-678-5913. The Downtown Development Office oversees the booking of the James Allen Plaza and Evans Street Breezeway public plaza spaces, and can connect you to other privately held downtown meeting spaces.
Arts & Culture
Downtown Florence is home to several of Florence’s finest cultural institutions and facilities including the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, Florence County Museum & Waters Gallery, Florence Little Theatre, FMU University Place Gallery, Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, and Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Downtown Florence has also received the SC Arts Commission Cultural District of SC designation, joining only seven other communities throughout the state who have exhibited a concentration of walkable and connected cultural assets, amenities, and activities.
