The Beacon Farmhouse

Things To Do

THINGS TO-DO At The Beacon:

  • Breakfast: 8am - 9am

  • Happy Hour: 5pm-6pm

  • Paddleboard Yoga, at the Swim Dock; $30 Per Person, May 1-Oct 1, 48 hours notice please

  • Porch Sittin’

  • Paddle boards and Kayaks, at the Swim Dock

  • Swimming at the Swim Dock

  • Fishing at the Swim Dock

  • Visit with the donkeys and goats

  • Hammock Swinging

  • Take a walk around the grounds

  • Play corn hole or giant Jenga on the lawn

  • Go see the original Beacon - the navigational arrow used by Air Mail pilots more than 90 years ago!
    Down the street at the corner of Old Beacon Light Rd and Beacon Light Rd. Ask us for more information.

  • Grill out on our Big Green Egg or gas grill.

  • Visit the Sanders Family Cemetery. Elijah Sanders homesteaded this land and died at almost 100 years old.

  • Yoga, available on site by appointment.

  • Relaxing - anytime, anywhere!

Things to-do in & around hartwell:

  • Hart County Botanical Gardens – Hartwell’s hidden gem! Just 10 minutes away, enjoy beautiful gardens, Grandma’s shed and a Japanese teahouse.

  • Hartwell Dam – walk the 1.5-mile path to the top of the dam.

  • Big Oaks Park – adjacent to Hartwell Dam, and perfect for fishing and enjoying a great view of the water.

  • Southern Origin Meadery – Georgia’s largest farm meadery has two nearby locations: the original is just 15 minutes away in Canon, GA and the tasting room is 5 minuts away in downtown Hartwell. Enjoy a glass of mead (wine made from honey instead of grapes), a mead slushie or craft beer, peruse the many bee and honey products, and chat with the owners about bee keeping. Tell Monroe we sent you!

  • Lake Hartwell Family Fun Center — arcade games, food and drinks; 26 Depot Street, Hartwell; Wed-Sun, 11-8

  • The Station of Hartwell, music venue and restaurant, 43 Railroad Street, Hartwell, check online for current schedule of events

  • Big Hart Farm — pick your own flower farm; check bighartfarm.com for hours and special events; 208 Martin Norman Place, Hartwell. CLOSED FOR 2026

  • Cateechee Golf Club – enjoy a round of golf on this gorgeous private course just 15 minutes away.

  • Hartwell Golf Club – another opportunity for a round, at Hartwell’s public course.

  • Empower Yoga Hartwell – take a yoga, barre or sculpt class. Just 5 minutes away in downtown Hartwell.

  • Common Ground – Enjoy coffee, espresso drinks, tea, smoothies, fresh croissants and scones, salads and ice cream. Open Monday-Saturday, 7a-6p; (Summer Fridays, 7a-9p.) 28 S. Carolina Street, Downtown Hartwell.

  • Provision, a gorgeous furniture and home goods store. 34 S. Carolina Street, Hartwell, open Thurs-Sat, 11-4.

  • Serenity Spa – book a facial, massage, Reiki or mani-pedi with our local professionals.

  • 12 South Artisan Market — Shop for unique works of art, hand-crafted furniture, home goods and more at this beautiful artisan market located right downtown.

  • Empire South – Offering clothing and gifts for men, women and children, including Patagonia, Peach State Pride, Southern Marsh, Southern Point and more! On the square in downtown Hartwell.

  • SunLife Marina – you can rent a pontoon boat, hire a fishing guide or eat a burger here. 

  • Hang It Up Gallery – awesome local art and delightful owners, in downtown Hartwell.

  • Banks Hollow - a delightful little boutique featuring women’s apparel, accessories and home goods with a mix of breezy bohemian pieces and Southern charm. Downtown Hartwell.

  • Hart County Museum – Did you know Hart is the only Georgia county named for a woman? Learn more at this museum, located in the historic Teasley House on W. Howell Street.

  • Paynes Creek Park – Mountain bike or hike on the seven-mile loop that winds along the lakeshore and through the woods. It’s gorgeous here (and you don’t have to do all seven miles!)

  • Sweet Combs of Honey – Beautifully appointed shop featuring more than 40 local artists and craftspeople, in Lavonia. Be sure to meet Riley.

  • Palmetto Moonshine – take a sip of craft liquor and moonshine at the distillery, located in downtown Anderson, SC, about 30 minutes away.

  • Guided Horse Trail Riding, Twin Acres Farms, 706-436-3743, turpindavid446@gmail.com

  • Book a fishing charter with Captain Greg Lanier of Top Hook Fishing Charters; 706-839-8150 or tophookfishingcharters@gmail.com

  • Athens, GA – visit the home of the Georgia Bulldogs, a pleasant 45-minute drive away. 

  • Slow Water – kayaking, tubing, ATV tours, on the Broad River in Royston, GA

  • Broad River Outpost – canoeing and kayaking, on the Broad River in Danielsville, GA

  • The Sandbar – rafting and kayaking on the Broad River, in Bowman, GA

  • Wildwater Chatooga Rafting and Canopy Tours -- whitewater rafting, paddling and floating and zip lines in Long Creek, SC .

  • NOC Chatooga Outpost – rafting outfitter providing whitewater adventure trips, in Mountain Rest, SC.

WHERE TO EAT:

  • Southern Hart Brewing Company – Hartwell’s only brewery serves craft beer, wine, liquor and delicious food every day 11:30a - 11 p. Live music, karaoke, bingo and more!

  • 329 Bar and Grill — American cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Tues-Sat, 11a-8:30/9:30p. Downtown Hartwell

  • Waterfall Grille at Cateechee Golf Club — Wed-Sat, 11:30-2:30 for lunch; 5:30-9 for dinner

  • Market 50 – Shop for home décor, organic food products, books, cards and more. Stop in the deli for a delicious sandwich (ask for the special pimiento cheese-chicken salad-bacon combo!). Open Monday – Saturday, 9a-5p.

  • Boathouse Grill – located at Hartwell Marina, enjoy burgers, sandwiches and ice cream in outdoor seating under the pavilion. Live music.

  • Little Japan, 113 Depot Street, Hartwell, Tues-Sun, 11-8

  • Tilly’s Tiki Bar & Grill – on the lake at Harbor Light Marina; burgers, shrimp & grits, salads, sandwiches. Live music most nights, patio dining available.

  • Rolling Chefs’ — sports bar, Mon-Fri, 10:30a-7p. Downtown Hartwell.

  • Blazers – wings, burgers, chicken sandwiches and more, on West Howell. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11a-9p.

  • Downtown Café – gyros, pizza, subs, salads, located in downtown Hartwell. Open Monday-Saturday, 11a-10pm

  • Backstreet BBQ — 290 W. Franklin Street, Hartwell, Thurs-Sat, 10-9

    NEARBY:

  • 211 Main — down-home comfort food, plus sandwiches, soups and salad. Downtown Lavonia.

  • BeBop’s Bakery – fresh-baked cookies, cakes, pies, biscuits and more in this sweet little shop in downtown Royston, just 15 minutes away. Breakfast and lunch served. Open 7a-4p.

  • Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill — 208 S. Main Street, Anderson SC, Tues-Sat, 11-2 for lunch, 5-9 for dinner

  • The Bradbury Bistro — 502 N. Main Street, Anderson, SC, Tues-Sun, 8a-9p

  • Millie’s on Main — 121 N. Main Street, Anderson, SC, Wed-Sun, 11-2 for lunch, 5-10 for dinner

  • UP on the Roof — 314 S. McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC, Thurs-Mon, hours differ by day

  • Earle Street Kitchen and Bar — 134 W. Earle Street, Anderson, SC, Tues-Sun, hours differ by day

329 Bar and Grill