South Carolina has something for everyone – history, culture, beautiful scenery, delicious cuisine, and charming Southern hospitality. Here are our 7 favorite things to do during your trip.
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Charleston
The top of must-see places in South Carolina is Charleston. Start your visit with a stroll through the Historic District. You will see the famous Rainbow Row of colorful houses lining East Bay Street. Enjoy views of the Charleston harbor from the Battery promenade and Waterfront Park. Then take a ferry across the water to visit historic Fort Sumter, site of the first shots of the Civil War.
Visit Middleton Place, a historic home and gardens encompassing 10 acres. You can visit the oldest landscape gardens in the U.S., a house museum containing 18th century furniture and artifacts, and stableyards with animals and living history actors demonstrating traditional crafts. For a different experience, visit Drayton Hall. This circa 1738 mansion has not been restored but it is preserved in its original state.
Another not-to-be missed sites is Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Enjoy exploring six miles of trails situated throughout the property, known as one of the nation’s oldest public gardens. You can wander on your own, or enjoy a tour. There’s a guided tour of the historic plantation house, a “from Slavery to Freedom” tour, a nature train tour, and a wildlife boat tour. Other highlights include the Audubon Swamp Garden and Wildlife Center.
After all this touring, it’s time to shop! And the best place to do so is Charleston City Market. This circa 1790s landmark is one of the oldest public markets in the U.S. Today you can purchase handicrafts, jewelry, baskets, and more to commemorate your visit. Hungry? Seek out Low Country cuisine like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and friend green tomatoes at Charleston’s best restaurants.
There are plenty of great places to stay in Charleston. And there are more great things to see and do nearby as well!
Myrtle Beach
Featuring 60 miles of sandy beaches, Myrtle Beach is famous for being one of the best places to visit in South Carolina. And there’s a good reason for this. Myrtle Beach has a diverse range of activities so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Beach lovers will enjoy the soft sand and warm coastal waters for swimming and sunbathing. Not into laying around on a beach? There’s plenty of activities available such as sand volleyball, paddleboarding, and parasailing.
Take a walk along the 1.2 mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and enjoy the shopping and dining options. Then take a spin on the Skywheel, the tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S. Want more thrills? Nearby is Family Kingdom Amusement Park featuring rides for the whole family. Or visit Myrtle Waves, South Carolina’s largest waterpark. Another great place to visit is Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex. It features a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Dubbed as the “mini golf capital of the world,” Myrtle Beach has more than 30 themed miniature golf courses. More serious golfers will enjoy the many world-class champion golf courses available.
There are no shortage of great places to stay and other things to see and do in Myrtle Beach!
Congaree National Park
Congaree is South Carolina’s only national park and has one of the largest intact hardwood forests in the U.S. If you love outdoor activities, wildlife, and towering trees, it is a place you must visit!
The most popular thing to do in the park is hiking through the forests. The 2.4 mile Boardwalk Loop Trail is the best way for all visitors to explore the park. If you are looking for something more strenuous, the 4.4 mile Weston Lake Loop Trail or the 7 mile Oakridge Trail are good choices.
If prefer to paddle, you can canoe or kayak down the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail. This offers great opportunities to view wildlife such as alligators, turtles, and birds. Other animals you can see in the park include deer, boar, river otters, bobcats, and more. You can also fish for catfish, bass, and sunfish in the park’s creeks and rivers.
Perhaps the most interesting experience to have in Congaree National Park is firefly viewing. In the late spring, fireflies synchronously flash their lights. Congaree is one of the few places in the world where this natural phenomenon occurs. The best place to witness it is during a night hike on the Boardwalk Loop or Bluff Trail.
Camping is available in the park, or there are great places to stay nearby. The South Carolina capitol city of Columbia is only 30 minutes away, and there’s plenty of places to stay and fun things to do there as well.
Hilton Head Island
There are no shortage of beautiful beaches in South Carolina, and Hilton Head contains many of them. Popular choices are Coligny Beach, Folly Field Beach, and Driessen Beach. No matter which one you choose, you will enjoy the soft sand and calm waters allowing opportunities for water sports.
Hilton Head is probably best known for its world-class championship golf courses. It’s ranked #10 of all golf destinations globally by Gold Digest readers, and it’s often the site of premier golf events. The area has almost 30 courses that are designed for players of all levels in various settings. The most popular are Palmetto Dunes and Harbour Town Golf Links.
Make time to visit the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Climb the 114 steps to the top for beautiful panoramic views. Then experience the island from the water on a dolphin or sunset cruise, fishing charter, or boat rental. You can also rent a bike to explore the island’s 60 miles of trails.
If you love nature, visit the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge to spot alligators, deer, and birds. Or take a guided tour or hike through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve featuring wetlands, lakes, and forests. And if you are seeking even more seclusion, take a ferry to Daufuskie Island to see historic sites and enjoy uncrowded beaches.
By now you are probably starving and ready to shop for some souvenirs. Hilton Head has you covered. Visit Shelter Cove Harbour, a Mediterranean-style village with restaurants and shops. Or try Coligny Plaza, the island’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.
There are many great lodging options in Hilton Head, and a lot of other fun things to do and see there as well.
Olde English District
Located in northern South Carolina, the Olde English District contains seven counties settled by people of English descent. The region is bursting with history, culture, and outdoor adventures. Here are some of the highlights:
- Historic Brattonsville (York County) – 775 acre living history museum at the site of a Revolutionary War battle showcasing colonial and antebellum life.
- Catawba Indian Nation (York County) – South Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe where you can learn about their culture and crafts.
- Kings Mountain National Military Park (York County) – showcases historical landmarks of the Revolutionary War.
- Andrew Jackson State Park (Lancaster County) – boyhood home of the 7th U.S. President.
- Lake Wateree State Park (Fairfield County) – popular place to fish, boat, and camp.
- Camden (Kershaw County)- South Carolina’s oldest inland city and site of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Camden.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – There’s so much to see and do in this region! Pick a place to stay and spend a week (or more) exploring all the great things to see and do!
Murrells Inlet
If you are looking for low crowds and a more relaxed vibe, then check out Murrells Inlet. This charming coastal village has plenty to keep you busy.
One must visit place is Brookgreen Gardens. The 9,100 acre area contains a glorious botanical garden, a collection of American culture, and a zoo featuring low country animals. Explore it all on a walking, boat, or vehicle tour. If you are visiting during the December holidays, definitely book tickets for Nights of a Thousand Candles. The gardens are transformed into a magical winter wonderland with almost 3,000 candles and millions of Christmas lights.
Another great place to visit is the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. This half-mile wooden boardwalk offers views of the inlet’s salt marshes as well as live music and great restaurants. Make sure to get some seafood – Murrelss Inlet is known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina! From the boardwalk you can catch a boat tour. Options include eco cruises, sunset cruises, full moon cruises, plantation cruises, ghost cruises, pirate cruises and more. If you prefer to explore the salt marshes on your own, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards or charter a boat.
Nearby, visit Huntington Beach State Park. A great place for wildlife observation, the park is the best birding site in the Southeast. See what bird and animal species you can spot on the .25 mile Kerrigan Trail and other boardwalks that offer views of the saltmarsh and freshwater lagoon. Fishing, boating, biking, camping, and geocaching are other great things you can do in the park. While you are in the park, tour Atalaya Castle, a historic Moorish-style mansion which was once home to sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.
There are plenty of great places to stay and other fun things to see and do in the area.
Beaufort
Our last stop on this list of sensational places in South Carolina is Beaufort. Founded in 1711, a visit to Beaufort is like stepping back in time. Take a walking tour or horse-drawn carriage ride through the Beaufort National Historical Landmark District to see the antebellum mansions and historic churches while learning about the area’s Revolutionary and Civil War history. And spend some time taking a leisurely walk along the Beaufort River at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
The Beaufort area is home to the Gullah people. They are descendants of enslaved Africans who have preserved their traditions, language, and culture. Take a Gullah Heritage Tour to learn more about the history, language, crafts, and cuisine of these unique people.
Another interesting thing to do in Beaufort is visit the Kazoo Museum & Factory. You will learn how kazoos are made and played, and even be able to make one yourself!
Hunting Island, South Carolina’s most visited state park, is near Beaufort. The beautiful barrier island has thousands of acres of beaches, marshes, maritime forests, a saltwater lagoon, and ocean inlet. Admire views of the Hunting Island Lighthouse while you relax on the beach, hike the trails, engage in fishing or crabbing, and hunt for unique seashells. Other must-do activities include visiting the Nature Center, watching the sunset from Marsh Boardwalk, and taking a ferry to St. Phillips Island for a naturalist-led tour.
There are no shortage of great places to stay and other things to see and do in Beaufort!
What’s on your South Carolina itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in South Carolina. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
We hope you have enjoyed this installment on our 7 Sensational Sites in Each State of the USA series. Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post.
