From waterfall hikes to downtown shopping.

The Cliffs at Keowee Springs is far from the rush of the world, but still offers a quick drive to town if need be. Only 15 minutes away is Clemson, South Carolina, home to Clemson University. Surrounding you is the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering hundreds of thousands of protected forests and lakes, including the 40,000-acre Jocassee Gorges State Park, Pisgah National Forest, Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee.

Greenville, South Carolina

The heart of Greenville is its award-winning downtown area, where its shopping, dining and focus on fine arts surrounds the 26-acre Falls Park, which attracts families, friends and visitors year-round. Falls Park's focal centerpiece is Reedy River Falls, a natural waterfall which can be viewed from the 355-foot-long, pedestrian Liberty Bridge. Only a short walk away is the BI-LO Center arena and Fluor Field, a replica of Fenway Park and home to the Boston Red Sox single-A baseball affiliate, the Greenville Drive.

BusinessWeek Magazine has referred to Greenville as "The Boom Belt." In fact, the city boasts the North American headquarters of Michelin, BMW Manufacturing, Hubbell and Fluor, to name a few. Major interstates (I-85, I-26, I-40, I-77) and international and regional airports offer direct-flight service to cities across the country, and GSP International Airport was ranked one of the most convenient airports in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.

Clemson University

Only 15 minutes from The Cliffs' mountain-lake communities is Clemson, South Carolina, home to Clemson University (which U.S. News & World Report ranks the 22nd "Best National Public University in the Country"); a quaint, walkable downtown area; Lake Hartwell and big-time college athletics. The university's football team won the national championship in 1981 and plays its games at the 80,000-seat Clemson Memorial Stadium, better known as "Death Valley." Cheer on Division I basketball, tennis, baseball and track and field.