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South Carolina travel guide
Destination Guide

South Carolina

United States

Charming Historic Cities, Beautiful Beaches, Sea-to-Table Fare, World-Class Golf, Diverse Landscapes, Unforgettable Views

Capital
Columbia
Currency
US Dollar

Top Reasons to Visit South Carolina

1. Historic Charleston:

Charleston is a city steeped in history and Southern charm, known for its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and antebellum houses. Visitors can explore historic sites like Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The city’s charming atmosphere is enhanced by its horse-drawn carriages, historic churches, and vibrant waterfront.

2. Beautiful Beaches:

South Carolina boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast. Myrtle Beach is famous for its bustling boardwalk, amusement parks, and golf courses, while Hilton Head Island offers a more serene and upscale beach experience with luxury resorts and pristine coastline. The state’s beaches provide a perfect getaway for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

3. Southern Cuisine:

South Carolina is renowned for its delicious Southern cuisine. Visitors can savor dishes like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, Lowcountry boil, and barbecue. Charleston, in particular, is a foodie paradise with a mix of traditional Southern fare and innovative culinary experiences. The state’s food festivals, such as the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, celebrate the rich culinary traditions of the region.

4. Scenic Outdoor Adventures:

South Carolina’s diverse landscapes offer a wide range of outdoor activities. The Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate region provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring waterfalls, while the state’s numerous lakes and rivers are ideal for fishing, boating, and kayaking. Congaree National Park, with its unique floodplain forest, offers excellent hiking and bird-watching.

5. Historic Plantations and Gardens:

The state is home to many beautifully preserved plantations and gardens that showcase the region’s history and natural beauty. Middleton Place and Boone Hall Plantation near Charleston offer guided tours that delve into the antebellum history, architecture, and lush gardens. These sites provide a glimpse into the state’s past and its picturesque landscapes.

6. Southern Hospitality and Charm:

South Carolina is known for its warm hospitality and Southern charm. From the friendly locals to the charming small towns like Beaufort and Georgetown, visitors will feel welcomed and enchanted by the state’s relaxed pace and genuine warmth. The state’s unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, combined with its hospitable atmosphere, makes it a delightful destination for travelers.

Explore Regional South Carolina

South Carolina – otherwise known as the Palmetto State (in honour of the state tree – the Palmetto) - is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River. It is home to stunning mountains and towering waterfalls, stunning beaches and scenic inland lakes; great news for visitors soaking up the state’s year-round balmy weather.

Take a trip to one of the many antebellum plantations – each with their own rich story to tell. Boone Hall Plantation in the historic city of Charleston symbolises southern heritage and the image of its huge, moss-draped oak trees that meet overhead to form a natural corridor is a stunning sight that will stay etched in your memory. You may also recognise this historic house from the hit film The Notebook, in fact you can follow in the footsteps of Ryan Gosling at many sites across South Carolina.

Visitors also come to South Carolina for its first-class golf courses, mouth-watering southern cooking (notorious for its barbecue and home to the ‘Official Four Sauces’!), charming Lowcountry towns, its state parks, and sun-soaked days at the beach. You can’t look past a visit to Myrtle Beach, with its iconic skywheel, excellent seafood, 96 kilometres of coastline and 14 unique communities. An insider tip is to make sure you make it up for sunrise at least once – the sunrises here are spectacular. 

Keeping with the outdoor theme, Greenville has many biking and walking trails, each with stunning scenery and wildlife. Set on a historic rail bed that in places runs along the Reedy River, the 35 kilometre Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of Greenville’s most popular and accessible recreation options. Greenville is also the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains where you'll discover a number of hiking trails and cascading waterfalls.

Charleston, known as the Holy City with over 100 church steeples, has a very historic feel – walk along its cobbled streets or enjoy a carriage tour to learn more about the destination. Charleston City Market is a great place to pick up a new Sweetgrass basket, handmade in front of you.

In the Palmetto State’s capital city Columbia, everyone is catered for from sight seers and thrill-seekers alike: you can admire local artwork at the world-class Columbia Museum of Art or brave whitewater rafting on the rapids of the Saluda River. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens is just minutes from the state capital, and the State Museum also tells the colourful history of South Carolina.

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