South Carolina
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Meg O’Connor is a travel writer, adventurer, and marine scientist. For years, Meg traveled the world on Navy vessels as a civilian scientist, making port stops in Bahrain, Oman, Japan, Crete, and Spain. These days, her travel is usually on solid ground. She lives on Lake Pontchartrain outside New Orleans, Louisiana.
Why We Love South Carolina: South Carolina’s got it all: the Atlantic Seaboard on one side and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the other. As one of the Thirteen Original Colonies and the location of Fort Sumter (where the American Civil War began), South Carolina doesn’t just draw in nature lovers, but history buffs as well. With its unique Low Country culture and cuisine and hip cities like Charleston, South Carolina stands apart even from other southern gems as a top destination.
Best of South Carolina
🏙️ Destinations
Whether you enjoy nature, history, or trendy cities, you’re sure to find some great destinations in South Carolina:
- Charleston – Discover cobblestoned streets, a vibrant waterfront, and plenty of beautiful, Antebellum architecture in this historic yet modern city.
- Hilton Head Island – A rejuvenating coastal getaway for golfers and beachgoers alike.
- Myrtle Beach – An exciting beach destination for the whole family, with a boardwalk and plenty of entertainment.
- Congaree National Park – A pristine wilderness of ancient trees, meandering waterways, and the oldest collection of old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the Southeast.
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie – Two twin forts on either side of Charleston Harbor. Sumter was the site of the initiation of the American Civil War.
- Aiken – This lesser-known town served as a summer equestrian destination for wealthy northerners and still preserves its equine theme and Gilded Age aesthetic.
- Georgetown – The nation’s third-oldest seaport with historic homes and a harbor walk.
✨ Things to Do
Whether you’re more into laid-back leisure or active adventure, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in South Carolina.
- Golfing – South Carolina has world-class golf courses in widespread destinations, including Charleston, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Bluffton.
- Beaches – South Carolina has no shortage of exceptional beaches, including those in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head.
- South Carolina Railroad Museum – A museum that will propel you back in time to the Golden Age of locomotives, complete with rides on historic railcars.
- Falls Park on the Reedy – An incredible slice of nature in Greenville with cascading waterfalls and walking trails.
- Brookgreen Gardens – A sculpture garden and wildlife preserve near Murrells Inlet with an excellent holiday display, recently making the Top Ten Botanical Gardens list in USAToday.
- The Carolina Opry – A music, comedy, and dance production that’s been delighting Myrtle Beach guests for decades.
🗺️ Where to Stay
From the beach to the cities, there are plenty of great places to make your homebase in South Carolina.
- Charleston – The largest city in South Carolina, located on Charleston Harbor. The downtown peninsula is known for its restaurants, theater venues, and Fashion Week.
- Columbia – South Carolina’s capital city is between the Atlantic coast and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has made multiple lists of the best places to live and retire.
- Greenville – The largest city in South Carolina’s Upstate region is progressive and artsy. It’s home to Falls Park on the Reedy, an art museum, a zoo, and other attractions.
- Myrtle Beach – Located along 60 miles of beach (the Grand Strand), Myrtle Beach welcomes 20 million annual visitors and has one of the best boardwalks in the US.
- Hilton Head Island – A Lowcountry resort town on a barrier island, Hilton Head offers tourists and retirees alike ample opportunities for golfing and beach-going.
🛎️ Best Hotels
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There is no shortage of fantastic hotels in South Carolina, which range from trendy urban wonders to beachside oases.
- The Loutrel – This downtown Charleston hotel has a rooftop overlooking historic steeples and cobblestones, cocktail classes, and European-style breakfast.
- The Belmont Inn – The Belmont in Abbeville has a fascinating history as a historic railroad inn that frequently housed vaudeville stars back in the day.
- Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens – This historic Spartanburg inn offers suites with fireplaces and chandeliers or a stay in a vintage railcar caboose.
- Inn and Club at Harbour Town – A true luxury hotel in Hilton Head with amenities like all-day bar service, a beach concierge, and personalized butler services.
- Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes – A Myrtle Beach resort with private beach access, beachside pool, 3 dining locations, golf course, and spa.
🚗 Best Road Trips
Embrace the unique landscape by exploring the Atlantic Coast, Blue Ridge Mountains, and everything in between.
- Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway – See South Carolina’s Upcountry and the southern peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains on this 4-hour scenic drive.
- Edisto Island National Scenic Byway – Drive along a naturally pristine barrier island through expansive marshlands and settlements that date back to the 1600s.
- Savannah River National Scenic Byway – A rural byway through natural attractions like Thurmond Lake, Sumter National Forest, and the Savannah River.
- Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway – An 11-mile 17th-century route from Charleston to Ashley Barony and the oldest road still in use in South Carolina.
- Charleston to Savannah – It will take just about two hours to drive between these two magnificent and historical cities.
⛱️ Best Beaches
Planning a beach vacation? You’ll definitely want to check out these South Carolina coastlines:
- Hilton Head Island – While Hilton Head is a whole island, not a single beach, you’ll have plenty of choices, like the popular Coligny Beach.
- Myrtle Beach – There are so many beaches in the area, but family-friendly Myrtle Beach proper is known for its boardwalk and Ferris Wheel (the SkyWheel).
- North Myrtle Beach – North of Myrtle Beach proper, you’ll find four smaller beach communities with quieter beach-town vibes, live music, and a brewery.
- Surfside Beach – Another beach in the Myrtle Beach area, this one makes the list for being the first autism-friendly travel destination in the United States, complete with autism-friendly lodging.
- Daufuskie Island – A truly pristine destination between Hilton Head and Savannah that is only accessible by boat (but there is a ferry that can take you there).
⛳ Best Golf Courses
Various locations in South Carolina routinely show up on lists of the best golf courses in the United States.
- Kiawah Island Golf Resort – One of the best-known golf destinations in the US. The resort has 5 courses. Ocean Course is a crowd favorite and a Ryder Cup host.
- Sea Pines Resort – A family-friendly destination with several engaging courses designed by Pete Dye, like the Harbour Town course.
- Heritage Club – A premier public golf course in the Myrtle Beach area on the Waccamaw River Trail along abandoned rice fields and 300-year-old oaks.
- Montage Palmetto Bluff – Located in Bluffton near Hilton Head Island, the May River Golf Course is a popular Jack Nicklaus-designed course along the May River Forest with several holes on the river banks.
- Dunes Golf and Beach Club – Another Myrtle Beach area destination, Dunes Golf Club’s course was built in 1948 and is open to guests in select area hotels.
South Carolina Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Avoid the busy and humid summer months and opt for a spring, fall, or winter visit instead.
- 🌼 Spring – Late April to early June offers the benefits of summer recreation without the dangerous heat or hurricanes! Hotels may be pricier during this time.
- 🍂 Fall – From early September to late October, the overbearing heat will have settled into pleasantly warm weather, but hurricanes are still possible.
- ❄ Winter – Escaping frigid weather for milder temps in South Carolina? Hotels tend to be cheaper but you’ll have to forego famous beaches.
- 🌞 Summer – Avoid the summer if you can due to heat, humidity, and hurricanes (which occur between June and November).
🚌 Getting In & Around
There are lots of ways to get around South Carolina, but chances are you’ll want to rent a car.
- ✈️ Airports – Major international airports include Charleston International Airport (CHS), Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).
- 🚗 Driving – A rental car will allow you to explore scenic byways and traverse the state from the coast to the Piedmont region to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- 🚇 Public Transit – Disjointed opportunities for public transit in select locations like Downtown Charleston, Columbia (the state capital), or the Daufuskie Island Ferry. However, public transit cannot be relied upon for transit between destinations.
- 📲 Ride Share – Uber and Lyft are common in the cities and from major airports, but in smaller beach or mountain towns, you should not rely on them and should instead rent a car.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – Biking is very popular in coastal communities like Hilton Head, where bike paths encircle nearly the whole island. Bike share programs are available in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville.
- 🛴 Scooters – Scooters can be found in the cities and some of the beach towns like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Downtown areas of major cities like Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Georgetown are fairly walkable. Beach communities in Beaufort County (Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Bluffton) are all very walkable. Myrtle Beach has a great walkable boardwalk.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🌀 – Avoid hurricane season – Between June and November, a hurricane could barrel towards South Carolina’s Atlantic Coast, ruining your trip and potentially putting you in harm’s way. Schedule your vacation outside hurricane season.
- ☀️ – Take the heat seriously – Especially for visitors from cooler climates, it’s important to take the heat seriously. Due to high humidity, your body can’t cool itself as effectively. Dress in light colors and breathable fabrics, drink plenty of water, and take breaks in the AC.
- 🐊 – Take alligators even more seriously – Alligators are common in South Carolina – in the parks, on golf courses, and even in the streets in coastal areas like Hilton Head. Do not approach them, and be careful walking your dog.
- 🌊 – Understand how to escape a rip current – If you’re planning a beach vacation, make sure everyone knows what to do in a rip current. Swim perpendicular to the current (parallel to the beach) if you’re caught. Don’t try to swim against it towards the shore.
- 🦈 – Be aware of the shark risk – Myrtle Beach ranks number two in the nation for the beach with the most shark attacks (though they are still relatively rare and certainly random).
🧳 What to Pack
- 🕶️ – Sunglasses – The sun shines bright in South Carolina. Your eyes and vision will thank you!
- 👒 – Brimmed hat – Few things can ruin a vacation faster than a brutal sunburn. Protect your face and neck with a brimmed hat.
- 👗 – A nice outfit or two – As a southern state, South Carolinians dress slightly more formally than average, especially in the evenings.
- ☔ – Raincoat – Rain can be heavy, unpredictable, and frequent in South Carolina. Pack a breathable rain jacket that won’t be sweltering to wear in the warmer months.
- 🥤 – A water bottle – In hot weather, you’ll need to stay aggressively on top of hydration. Pack a water bottle to ensure you’re never without H2O on your adventures.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Population (2024) – 5.479 million
- Capital – Columbia
- Largest Metro Areas – Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston
- Time Zone – Eastern Time (UTC -5 / UTC -4 during daylight savings)
- Airports – Charleston International Airport (CHS), Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Colleges & Universities – University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Furman University
- Nickname – The Palmetto State
- Demonym – South Carolinian
- USPS Abbreviation – SC
- Governor – Henry McMaster (Republican)
- Country – United States of America
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- MERIC Cost of Living State Rank – #26
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $130 – $280/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $80 – $200/night
- Rental Car – $60 – $110/day
- Public Transit Ticket – ~$2/ride ($3.50 to airport from center)
- Take Out Meal for Two – $25 – $50
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $50 – $100
- Draft Beer – $4 – $8
FAQs
Is South Carolina safe for tourists?
South Carolina is generally safe for tourists, especially in the common tourist destinations. You should always research the area you are going to because safety can fluctuate from place to place. Common tourist areas may have petty theft but are generally safe. Some urban areas like North Charleston can have more crime.
What is the number one tourist destination in South Carolina?
The most popular tourist destination in South Carolina is Charleston. It even ranks as one of the top tourist destinations in the whole nation due to its history, culture, and cuisine.
Why do tourists go to South Carolina?
Tourists go to South Carolina to visit its beaches like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, to golf on award-winning courses like the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, or to visit trendy cities like Charleston.
Meet Our South Carolina Travel Expert
Meg O’Connor
Meg O’Connor is a travel writer, adventurer, and marine scientist. For years, Meg traveled the world on Navy vessels as a civilian scientist, making port stops in Bahrain, Oman, Japan, Crete, and Spain. These days, her travel is usually on solid ground. She lives on Lake Pontchartrain outside New Orleans, Louisiana.
📰 South Carolina Travel Guides
Be sure to check out our other travel guides for South Carolina so you can make the most out of your trip!
- 57 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach (8 Best Places, By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Hilton Head (Best Places & Areas)
- The 27 Best Things to Do in Hilton Head