The best places to visit in South Carolina - Lonely Planet

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10 Best Places to Visit in South Carolina (with Map) - Touropia.25 Best Places to Visit in South Carolina

 

The building saw new lives as a tenement, then a museum, then a car dealership, and today an actual market with a museum on site. You can explore the stunning Congaree National Park by walking on the boardwalk, or you can try taking a canoe or kayak out. Boardwalk Loop is an easy way to explore on foot while Cedar Creek offers water vessel excursions that get the adrenaline pumping. Birds, snakes, synchronous fireflies, bobcats, and more call the park their home and may be spotted along the way.

The Angel Oak looks like it came right out of a fairytale. With a 17, square-foot shaded area around it, a foot circumference, and a foot or 6-story height, the Angel Oak is impressive, magnificent, and a sight to behold. The multipurpose venue is capable of seating 2, people in its concert hall, 1, people in its amphitheater, and people in its theater. It has event spaces, rehearsal spaces, different stages, and more, making it incredibly versatile for acts of all kinds.

Jazz, Broadway, musical concerts, comedy, political events, and celebrity acts all arrive here to take the stage. Head to Hilton Head Island this weekend, one of the points of interest perfectly suitable for thinner crowds and low-country activities. Sandy beaches, cycling trails with informational signs and lovely views, dolphins at low tide, golf courses, eateries, and shopping opportunities make Hilton Head Island a sheer delight.

Planning a trip to Charleston? Known for its robust tourism industry, Charleston is home to famous historical landmarks and sites! In the late s, French botanist Andre Michaux brought the Camellia sinensis plant, central to all tea, to North America. In , Dr. Charles Shepherd successfully produced plants capable of growing tea in the climates of America and set up a highly successful farm in Summerville, South Carolina, known as the Pinehurst Tea Plantation.

The Thomas J. Lipton Company purchased the dying plantation in and moved the remaining tea plants to Wadmalaw Island near Charleston, placing them in a research facility. Finally, in , a man named Bill Hall — the son and grandson of tea tasters — purchased the research site. He reviewed old research and developed eight tea varieties onsite in what would become the Charleston Tea Garden. The plantation now offers guided trolley tours of its grounds and a gift shop with many tea varieties and souvenirs.

Myrtle Beach is one of the key places to visit in South Carolina and is one of its most fun vacation spots, especially in the summer. It welcomes 13 million annual visitors and a ton of beach excitement, with many activities to enjoy and try out. Aside from relaxing on the shore, you can explore this South Carolina getaway by visiting some of its key attractions. Broadway at the Beach offers numerous entertainment and shopping opportunities separated into charming themed areas.

Finally, the foot Myrtle Beach SkyWheel gives you a minute ride in a lovely gondola to view the stunning panorama of the world outside. Its tale begins in when the titular Pearl Fryar and his wife got a hold of their very first yard area with their new home. Fryar had no knowledge of horticulture but taught himself what he could, and his plants grew under his careful hands. He then started making his plants into abstract shapes with an electric hand saw, slowly working through all three acres of his land until it boasted topiaries.

The Garden Conservancy and the Friends of Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden partnered in with the aim of preserving the garden for a long, long time to come. Spanning 15 acres, it aims to let visitors learn more about these deadly reptiles safely but up-close.

Aside from alligators, Alligator Adventure surprisingly holds over animal species, ranging from birds to mammals, from other reptiles to amphibians, and even an array of exotic creatures. It is entirely homemade by local resident Jody Pendarvis and is made out of random junk materials, metal, and scrap wood.

The design is meant to look like a pair of silver UFOs balanced on top of each other behind a fence of metal scraps. The lower UFO structure is fitted with a television, toilet, shower, bed, sofa, and even air conditioning, designed to be a good home to an interstellar traveler who needs a place to rest.

Pendarvis himself even stays in it when it gets too hot, as the structure boasts better air conditioning than his own trailer! Falls Park on the Reedy is situated in Greenville, South Carolina, and is a stunning urban space packed with lush green — a fun city park that should be on your list of things to do in SC! It is home to the annual Upstate Shakespeare Festival and provides amenities for picnics, trails for cycling, and even a man-made waterfall.

It is decorated with public sculptures and art, charming stonework, and the rather architecturally interesting Liberty Bridge. Planning a trip to Columbia?

If you do plan the trip, here are some of the best things to do in Columbia, SC! It is a public park spanning 5. One of the main draws of White Point Garden is the fact that it was used as a Civil War fortification.

This means that cannons, mortars, and other military relics still remain scattered about the area. You can find them as you walk on the pathways beneath the oak tree shade, and there is also a gazebo and some benches to relax in when you need a break. The fun little eatery and pub is quirky, colorful, and full of quotes by Poe and portraits of the late great author.

Guided tours of the Fort Moultrie National Monument are among the best things to do in South Carolina, offered twice daily and earning you a special and fun look into the past.

Details surrounding its creation are fuzzy, but it is believed that it was once a part of a worship house known as a Parish Church of Prince William. When the Revolutionary War came about, it was nearly destroyed by British forces, then lay abandoned.

The Old Sheldon Church Ruins have remained in that state ever since, creating an oddly beautiful and melancholy experience for visitors. The front interior of the jail is all that remains from its initial design, as rebuilding in provided a more threatening appearance with towers, an octagon, and an arched facade.

Most of the prisoners who were locked up in the Old Charleston Jail were petty criminals, though the worst offenders were hanged in the yard.

When the Civil War came around, hundreds of Union soldiers were kept here, with total numbers being so large that some POWs had to stay in tents in the jail yard. The vibe makes it among the best romantic and unique places to visit in South Carolina. From Falls Park, you can keep the rush going just north along Main Street.

Amid mom-and-pop restaurants and regional chains, the Peace Center Concert Hall and a smattering of hotel options, prioritize a trip to Methodical Coffee for the best cup of Joe in all of the Palmetto State.

Born and bred in Greenville, Methodical Coffee has quickly become a US specialty coffee heavyweight and has three cafes in town. Primed for a day trip, hit the Florence County Museum with rotating exhibits featuring regional artists.

Across the street is the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center , which has an amphitheater, two theaters and regular orchestra productions. Florence's SC Pecan Festival held in November is a national draw, attracting 50,plus folks wanting to try pecan-infused everything.

Arts and parks are vital to making a day in this quiet town of 25,, which is approximately 90 minutes west of Columbia. Here you can peruse pieces by local artists sometimes including creations by school kids, adorably.

The Center also hosts art classes. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in the USA through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. It draws crowds from all around the nation and due to its subtropical climate, it has temperate weather year-round. The Myrtle Beach Travel Park has direct access to the beach, is surrounded by old oak trees, and has 17 acres of a freshwater lake.

There are plenty of attractions here to keep the whole family entertained. Other notable attractions include the historic center of Charleston - home to over historic homes, churches, and other structures. When here be sure to take a free walking tour into the history of the city. The state boasts stunning plantations and many of the 2, plus plantations are open to visitors.

They are noted especially for their outstanding gardens and Magnolia Plantations is the oldest publicly accessible garden in America. The USS Yorktown is an Essex class aircraft carrier built in and one of the aircraft carriers that helped turn the tide of the war in the Pacific as America's industrial might began to tell. Today she is a museum and is open to the public. View this post on Instagram. Read Next in lifestyle.

 

Is south carolina a good place to visit

 

Are you on the hunt for some of the best things to do in South Carolina? From stunning waterfalls to the Sky Wheel on Myrtle Beach and even a few haunted spots for the more courageous traveler , there are plenty of places to visit in South Carolina. Just a warning: some of these must-see spots are spread out around the state, so get ready to jump in the car for some day trips and make sure to pack your favorite road trip snacks.

South Carolina has no shortage of stunning natural attractions. One of the most gorgeous places to visit in South Carolina, the falls are located near Walhalla about an hour west of Greenville. Visiting Issaqueena Falls and the surrounding railroad tunnels from before the Civil War is one of the best things to do in South Carolina with kids. Make sure to check out our guide to the best waterfalls in South Carolina. With more than 1, historic homes that have graced the city since , there is plenty to admire.

If you take a walking tour of the area, you can have the chance to tour some of these stately manors. We recommend visiting the Aiken-Rhett House. Here, the lives of enslaved people are central to the tour of the house. These are the people who were the backbone of life at the beautiful home. Exploring the Historic District is the perfect activity if you are spending a weekend in Charleston!

There are also many great places to stay in Charleston! There are plenty of things to do in Hilton Head , but one of the most unique may be visiting the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Over different species of birds have been spotted here! If you visit in the summer keep an eye out for the multicolored Painting Bunt, which is a species at risk of endangerment.

Visitors can also experience a viewing at their 4D theater complete with vibrating seats and blasts of air. Admire the skies from the observatory or lay back for a show at the planetarium. Make sure to check out the megalodon shark sculpture and a life-size replica of the first-ever American-built locomotive.

Fantasy nerds may not think there is much waiting for them in the Palmetto State, but they would be wrong! This Southern hidden gem on Johns Island is one of the most unique places to visit in South Carolina. The Angel Oak is estimated to be years old and has survived many hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Its largest branch spans almost feet! The oranges and yellows of the turning foliage and the brisk autumn air are sure to take your breath away.

For a truly awe-inspiring sight, head to either Foothills Trail or Pinnacle Mountain Trail to enjoy the best leaf-peeping the park has to offer! Visitors looking for something more spine-chilling to enjoy during the South Carolina fall months should take a road trip to St.

Helena Island. This is one of the more unique South Carolina tourist attractions. The Chapel of Ease makes for an eerie afternoon of ghostly sightseeing. Can you say spooky? Take a guided trolley tour around the garden and visit the greenhouse to learn about how they cultivate over varieties of tea on acres of land.

This is definitely one of the best things to do in SC. Despite the building not being open to the public, the Georgetown Lighthouse is a must-see South Carolina tourist attraction! There are a couple of local boat tour companies that will take you out on the water to drive by the foot high tower which has stood in the same spot since the late s.

Spending an afternoon in Florence? This 38, sq. Shoppers will be able to find anything from original antiques, unique furniture, and jewelry to funny vintage oil paintings of cats being mischievous and cute. The mall is conveniently open seven days a week 10 am to 6 pm, with limited hours on Sundays. It makes a great daytime activity for anyone wanting to see the quirky side of South Carolina.

Palmetto Peddlers also makes a great stop during the hot summer months the temperature is always cool to keep the goodies intact. For the wandering traveler, we recommend hopping in the car and taking a drive down the idyllic Cherokee Foothills Byways.

Start your day in Walhalla, a small town with charm, then head to Sassafras Mountain. Make sure to stop at some of the scenic overviews along the way. Afterward, stop at Campbells Covered Bridge which is an idyllic view in the fall. Another cool thing to do in Charleston is to stop by the Citadel which is a public senior military college that has been in the city since The building was recently rebuilt in complete with spiral staircases on each side, turrets, and a guard room.

The Sky Wheel in Myrtle Beach has been exciting visitors for over ten years. Celebrate a decade of fun with a ride on this ft-tall South Carolina attraction. If you are looking for one of the cool things to do in South Carolina at night, time your ride for the evening when you can see the boardwalk lit up below you.

The only remaining survivor of what once was a successful chain all around South Carolina, this nostalgic bastion of a time gone by serves up some of the best fried chicken in all the land.

Take a hike to Jones Gap Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole state. Keep an eye open for white-tail deer. With over 11, acres of beautiful hardwood forest, babbling streams, waterfalls, and wildlife, any hike or stop will have plenty to offer. One of the most special places to visit in South Carolina is the Gullah Museum.

Its collection of buildings preserves and interprets the Gullah culture that existed on Hilton Head before and is unique to the Lowcountry South. She is known to give tours and help visitors learn what life on the island was like before a bridge to the mainland was built in Built on the site of four rice plantations, this sculpture garden collects and preserves original art by American sculptures.

Open every day from a. The blue skies and calm weather really make a perfect golf setting. The state has lots of golf courses from which to pick, but The Ocean Course Golf Kiawah Island might be the most special. With its holes right next to the seaside the views from your game will be unforgettable. The seaside breeze is no joke! This is truly one of the best beach towns in South Carolina! This stately home is one of the most beautiful South Carolina attractions!

From its red brick exterior to the acres to its stable yards, the picturesque scenes shared with visitors do nothing to diminish its true history.

As one of the great homes of the past, Middleton Place retells history as accurately as possible and unlike many stately homes in the South, they include experiences and realities many would rather ignore.

This is why we recommend you visit and go back in time to learn not only about the family who lived in the house, but just as importantly the enslaved people who made life in Middleton Place possible. If you want to explore one of the coolest haunted places in the South , head to the Old Sheldon Church Ruins.

Built in the mids, these ruins were once the beautiful Prince William Parrish Church. It did not stand for long before being burned down during the Revolutionary War. The church was eventually rebuilt only to be destroyed again during the Civil War. With such a sordid history, it makes sense that legends of hauntings now mark this place. Despite the dark past, this is a great South Carolina attraction for photography. The tall oak trees are covered in Spanish moss adding to the creepy atmosphere.

Cypress Gardens is one of the best places to go in South Carolina for nature lovers and movie buffs alike. This acre preserve is a gorgeous place to become one with nature. Glide through the swamp in a canoe as you admire the bald cypress trees and look for alligators and turtles in the water. This is a fantastic area for birdwatching too. Visit the Swamparium to learn about the native reptiles, fish, and amphibians found in the swamp.

The Butterfly House is a large greenhouse with flowers, birds butterflies, and more. There are many pretty islands in South Carolina and two of the best are found just outside of Charleston.

If you are looking for a beachy day trip in the South, this is where you should go! After chilling in the sand, check out the many lighthouses and historic sites on the island, including the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The island is dotted with resorts, golf courses, and some of the best restaurants in the Charleston area.

This is one of the best beaches near Charleston. It has a lovely pier and plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent. Have fun swimming and building sandcastles. If you want to visit another of the best beaches in South Carolina , pack up the kids and a picnic and head to Huntington Beach State Park. There are three miles of pristine beaches perfect for a family vacation or romantic getaway in the South.

Walk the trails to the freshwater lake where you might spot alligators. Birdwatching is very popular here as well. Over species of birds have been recorded! History buffs will want to tour the historic Atalaya Castle. If you want to stay longer in this beautiful area, the park has a large campground with over sites.

You will be able to feel the sea breeze as you fall asleep. This acre urban green space is one of the best free things to do in South Carolina with kids. You will have a lot of fun walking the trails. Enjoy views of gardens, sculptures, and the Reedy River with its waterfalls.