Places to Visit in South Carolina

Pawleys Island is located around twenty-five miles from Myrtle Beach and seventy miles from Charleston. The island off the coast of South Carolina is one of the East Coast’s oldest summer resorts. Visitors with a love for historical building can find twelve residences dating back to late 1700’s through the mid-1800’s in the island’s historic district. Pawleys Island is known for having a laid-back, carefree, shoeless lifestyle that includes rope hammocks, ghost stories, fishing, and crabbing, as well as delightful, casual, unspoiled wide beaches and sand dunes. A leisurely existence of local residents has developed the island’s charm that continues today.

Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, is home to many historic buildings and some of the top South Carolina attractions. History buffs can visit several wonderfully preserved historic homes and gardens dating back as far as 1672 – Magnolia Plantations and Gardens is one of the most popular, but there are several others. The town has a thriving arts scene that you can explore by visiting the historic Charleston Music Hall and the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, to name but a few. Charleston prides itself on showcasing Southern cuisine, and foodies can discover the vibrant flavors of the South on a Charleston Culinary Tour or a Charleston Brews Cruise to sample local craft beers.

Greenville ticks all the boxes for a fun-filled family weekend getaway, combining good outdoor activities and educational and artsy attractions. You can visit the pedestrian-friendly downtown to soak up the atmosphere, have a meal, or do some shopping. If you love the performing arts, you will find the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, the Greenville Chorale, and the Carolina Ballet Theater at the Peace Center.

Families can spend hours of educational fun at the Roper Mountain Science Center and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate or get some exercise in the Caesars Head State Park where you can go hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The free Greenville Trolley is a great way for weekenders to get around town.

Myrtle Beach is a very popular weekend getaway destination for both families and couples, combining great beach activities with some interesting museums, galleries, and other attractions for rainy days. Strolling along the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is one of the most popular activities for visitors and residents alike; you can watch the sunset, ride the Skywheel Ferris Wheel, and absorb the holiday atmosphere.

The beaches offer good bathing, basking, paddling, canoeing, and kayaking, and there are several great golf courses. Off the beach, the town is packed with wacky family attractions such as the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Family Kingdom Amusement Park.

The historic town of Spartanburg has been around since 1753 and is packed with historic attractions and a wealth of cultural and outdoor activities. You can join the Historic Downtown Walking Tour pdf to learn about the town’s role in World Wars I and II. If you love music, you can follow the Spartanburg Music Trail while art enthusiasts can head to the Spartanburg Art Museum and the Chapman Cultural Center.

Car enthusiasts should not miss touring BMW Zentrum, the German car maker’s only museum and manufacturing plant in America. Nature lovers can explore hiking, biking, and walking trails or take a stroll through some of Spartanburg’s arboretums and nature preserves.

Aiken is a city in the western part of South Carolina in the Central Savannah River Valley, best known for its equestrian culture and the large number of thoroughbred champions it has produced. Of course, there is more to Aiken than beautiful horses, fox hunts, and polo matches – it is also home to the largest urban forest in the country. Its downtown is a delight, with elegant streets shaded by ancient oaks and lined by a number of art galleries that showcase the city’s rich art scene. Citizens Park has several ball fields, hiking trails, a playground, and a splash pad. The Aiken County Historical Museum is great place to learn about the city’s past, while Richardson’s Lake Waterpark is an inviting family spot with a nice sandy beach and waterslides.

You are never far from the water or a golf course on beautiful Kiawah Island, situated just a few miles south of historic Charleston in South Carolina. This peaceful barrier island off the South Carolina coast lays claim to over 10 miles of beaches and five championship golf courses as well as excellent wildlife spotting and hiking, walking, and biking trails.

You can explore the many waterways on the island by joining a kayak or stand-up paddle boat tour or hire a bike and explore on two wheels. If you fancy fishing you can organize a fishing charter or admire the coastline by motorboat. The island also offers tennis lessons, four spas, and many great dining options.

The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort South Carolina is a striking example of how one man’s vision succeeded in turning a dilapidated harbor-side eyesore into an urban oasis for Beaufort locals and visitors. The park lies between downtown Beaufort and the Beaufort River/Intracoastal waterway and is made up of several different areas, including scenic riverfront walkways, a children’s playground, swings, picnic areas, and a small pavilion, all with easy access to the National Historic Landmark District. You can come for a peaceful picnic, watch the constant nautical activities, or attend one of the annual events such as the Taste of Beaufort, the Shrimp Festival, or the Water Festival.

Any town featuring the word “island” in its name immediately conjures up images of laid-back summer vacations, and Hilton Head Island more than delivers on the promise. You can choose from several bustling (Coligny Park Beach) or secluded (Burkes Beach) beaches, and if you love water sports, you can head to H2O Sports for lessons and equipment.

Another option is to set off by boat to explore the coastline with one of several outfitters. You can go hiking and nature-watching in the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, or take the children to the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum. End you day with a feast of fresh seafood at one of the island’s 250 restaurants.

Located in an old agricultural and textile region in what is known as “upstate” South Carolina, Mauldin is a modern town overlooking the Appalachian Mountains with charming, beautifully preserved historic downtown. Mauldin has a rich and vibrant cultural scene with a renowned symphony, theatre, and ballet that offer yearly programs at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts. With the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north of town and Conestee Lake and the park to the west, there is plenty of green space for outdoor enthusiasts, with miles of paved hiking and biking trails. Frankie’s Fun Park offers indoor and outdoor fun with go-carts, arcades, and other family games. Pelham Mill Park is a popular riverside park with remains of an old historic textile mill and post office.