South Carolina, a jewel of the American South, beckons with a diverse landscape that ranges from the dramatic peaks of the Upstate to the sun-kissed shores of the Grand Strand. It’s a state where history whispers from cobblestone streets, and natural beauty unfolds at every turn. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie seeking an active adventure or a culture enthusiast yearning for historical immersion, South Carolina offers a tapestry of experiences. Hike to cascading waterfalls in Caesars Head State Park, cycle along the scenic pathways of Hilton Head Island, or delve into the past at the South Carolina State Museum. From the enchanting Brookgreen Gardens to the captivating Falls Park on the Reedy, these are the can’t-miss attractions in the Palmetto State, ensuring a memorable journey for every traveler.
1. Stroll Through Charleston’s Historic District
Charleston, consistently lauded as one of America’s most enchanting cities, is a symphony of color and history. Its historic district is a captivating blend of candy-colored homes, exuding Southern charm and a welcoming atmosphere. The skyline, punctuated by the elegant spires of grand churches, adds to the city’s unique character.
Embark on a guided tour to unearth the stories behind architectural landmarks like Rainbow Row, a picturesque street lined with vibrant houses, each painted in a different pastel hue. Explore the Gibbes Museum of Art, home to an impressive collection of American art, or visit St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, the oldest religious structure in Charleston, resonating with centuries of history.
For a delightful afternoon, gather provisions from a local market like Butcher & the Bee, known for its artisanal sandwiches and baked goods. Then, head to the Battery, a historic seawall and promenade offering stunning waterfront views. Find a spot under the majestic oak trees, their branches draped with Spanish moss, and savor a picnic while soaking in the tranquil ambiance.
2. Shop Along King Street in Charleston
King Street, the historic heart of Charleston, is a vibrant thoroughfare that stretches from the north to the south of the peninsula. Once the city’s main commercial artery, it is now a delightful mix of national retailers and unique local boutiques.
Explore flagship stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Apple, alongside eclectic shops like Anthropologie. Discover hidden gems such as George C. Birlant and Co., an emporium of estate furniture and antiques, and M. Dumas & Sons, a purveyor of fine men’s clothing. For women’s fashion, Hampden Clothing offers a curated collection of designer ready-to-wear. Admire the sparkling treasures at Croghan’s Jewel Box, a family-owned fine jewelry store with a legacy spanning generations, or lose yourself in the stacks at Blue Bicycle Books, a treasure trove of rare and used books.
A local secret: on the second Sunday of each month, King Street transforms into a pedestrian paradise. The city closes the street to traffic, allowing shoppers to enjoy leisurely patio dining, live music, and relaxed browsing without the hustle and bustle of cars.
3. Dine Out in Charleston
Charleston is a culinary mecca, where the flavors of the South converge with international influences. The city’s dining scene is as diverse as its history, offering everything from traditional Gullah Geechee cuisine to fresh seafood, classic French fare, and whole hog barbecue.
Experience the authentic flavors of Bertha’s Kitchen, an award-winning soul food institution serving up fried chicken, smothered pork chops, creamy mac and cheese, and flavorful lima beans. For a more refined experience, indulge in the seasonal menus at FIG, a white tablecloth restaurant with a stellar wine list and a focus on housemade pasta.
Explore the city’s culinary landscape with visits to Chez Nous, a charming French bistro; Rodney Scott’s Barbecue, renowned for its whole hog barbecue; The Ordinary, a celebrated oyster bar; Xiao Bao Biscuit, a fusion restaurant blending Asian flavors; Chubby Fish, a seafood haven; and Hannibal’s Kitchen, a local favorite for traditional Southern fare.
4. Play On Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, a 12-mile-long and 5-mile-wide barrier island, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Located approximately 100 miles from Charleston, it is an ideal destination for a day trip or an extended vacation.
With over 100 miles of shared-use pathways and 6 miles of dedicated bike lanes, Hilton Head is a cyclist’s dream. Explore the island’s 13 miles of sandy Atlantic coast beaches, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports. Golfers can tee off at one of the 24 world-class golf courses, each offering a unique challenge.
Coligny Beach, the heart of the island, offers free access to pristine beachfront, along with umbrella, chair, and paddleboard rentals. The beach provides convenient amenities such as clean restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. Climb to the top of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse for breathtaking panoramic views of the island. Afterwards, explore Harbour Town, a vibrant shopping and entertainment district with waterfront dining, art galleries, and local boutiques.
5. Visit Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, with its 60 miles of shoreline, is the state’s most popular beach destination, attracting 14 million visitors each year. This vibrant city offers a blend of sandy beaches, celebrity-designed golf courses, and family-friendly attractions.
The iconic boardwalk is a hub of activity, featuring arcade games, seafood restaurants, the Family Kingdom amusement park, and the SkyWheel, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the country. Other popular attractions include Ripley’s Aquarium, the Carolina Opry, Myrtle Waves water park, and the Pelicans Ballpark, home to a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.
Golf enthusiasts can explore renowned courses like The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, designed by Bobby Jones, and King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, designed by Arnold Palmer. Beachfront activities range from jet skiing and deep-sea fishing to kiteboarding and kayaking. For a natural escape, head to Myrtle Beach State Park, offering hiking trails, a nature center, birdwatching, horseback riding, geocaching, and fishing from the pier.
6. Tour Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens, located south of Myrtle Beach, is a unique blend of a pristine sculpture garden and a wildlife preserve. The 1,600-acre park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features a butterfly garden, ancient oak trees, and the largest collection of figurative sculptures in the United States.
The Gardens showcase over 2,000 works by 425 artists, interspersed throughout the meticulously landscaped grounds and indoor gallery spaces. The on-site zoo features native species such as grey foxes, bald eagles, river otters, and white-tailed deer. Adjacent to the Gardens is Huntington Beach State Park, a 2,500-acre recreation area with 3 miles of pristine coastline, a 2-mile hiking trail, a fishing pier, 300 species of birds, and the historic Atalaya Castle.
7. Hike at Caesars Head State Park
Caesars Head State Park, spanning 13,000 acres, is one of South Carolina’s most stunning natural areas. With over 60 miles of hiking trails, the park offers close encounters with cascading waterfalls, diverse birdlife, and breathtaking vistas.
Hike the 4-mile Raven Cliff Falls Trail, a moderately challenging path leading to an overlook with dramatic views of the 420-foot waterfall. For a more strenuous adventure, opt for the 6.6-mile Dismal Trail Loop, which crosses a suspension bridge at the top of the Falls. In the autumn, witness the vibrant foliage and the migration of hawks, bald eagles, falcons, and other species from the rocky peak of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
8. Visit Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park, one of the smallest and newest national parks, is a hidden gem in central South Carolina. Located just 18 miles southeast of Columbia, the 26,276-acre park contains the country’s largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest.
The park is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of champion trees, including a 167-foot loblolly pine and 500-year-old cypress trees. The terrain is mostly flat and easy, making it ideal for exploring with dogs, which are allowed on all trails and campgrounds. Highlights include the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, which starts at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and traverses through old-growth hardwood forest featuring bald cypress, tupelo, oak, and maple trees.
9. Tour the South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, the largest museum in the Southeast, features four stories of exhibit space dedicated to art, history, natural science, and technology. The museum’s 70,000-piece permanent collection includes a giant replica of a prehistoric megalodon shark, dinosaur fossils, indigenous pottery, a 19th-century schoolhouse, and Civil War displays.
The museum campus also includes an observatory, a 4-D theater, and a 55-foot digital dome planetarium showing laser light events and programs like the National Parks Adventure narrated by Robert Redford.
10. Pedal Down the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail
The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile mixed-use greenway, follows an old railroad bed and connects downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest. Rent a bike from Reedy Rides or take a guided tour to explore points of interest along the trail, including public art installations, quirky coffee shops, and local breweries.
Head 1 mile east from downtown to explore Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo. Venture 6 miles north to Furman University and its iconic lake and bell tower, perfect for relaxing with a book or enjoying a picnic. At the trail’s end, visit the Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom for snacks and local brews before your return trip.
11. Stroll Through Falls Park on the Reedy
Falls Park on the Reedy, a stunning 32-acre green space in Greenville’s historic West End, is an urban oasis. Stroll along walking trails to view landscaped gardens, public art installations, dramatic stonework, and a wall from the site’s original 18th-century grist mill.
Cross the 355-foot suspension Liberty Bridge, the longest single-sided bridge in the Western Hemisphere, for the city’s best views and the park’s picturesque waterfalls. After visiting the park, dine at Passerelle Bistro for French-inspired cuisine like escargot and crab cakes with a view.
12. Get Up Close with Nature at Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia is home to over 350 species of animals from around the globe, from cuddly koalas and majestic giraffes to playful sea lions and colorful Komodo dragons. Pet farm animals at the zoo barnyard, feed giraffes or lorikeets, scale the adventure rock wall, or climb aboard the train to tour habitats like the Africa savannah and Sea Lion Landing.
The 70-acre botanical garden features over 4,000 species of plants, zip line tours, and themed gardens, including Waterfall Junction, a 3-acre children’s garden with splash pads and a giant treehouse.
13. Explore the Stars at DuPont Planetarium
Located on the University of South Carolina Aiken campus, the DuPont Planetarium hosts public viewings every Saturday evening. Make reservations in advance for screenings, which focus on astronomy, weather, biology, and other science-centric topics.
The planetarium also has an observatory, a walk-in kaleidoscope, two sundials, and a camera obscura.
14. Experience History at Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, originally built as one of a series of fortifications on the Southern coast after the War of 1812, is where Confederate forces first fired shots at the Union Army, thus starting the Civil War. Catch a ferry from either Liberty Square Visitors Center or Patriots Point to the small island in Charleston Harbor, now part of the National Park Service.
The site includes a small museum and a self-guided tour for visitors to explore the historic structure.
15. Visit the BMW Zentrum Museum
The BMW Zentrum Museum, located on the automobile company’s Greer plant campus, is the only BMW museum in North America. Open Monday through Friday for self-guided tours, the interactive museum has exhibits dedicated to the company’s history and technology, as well as a large display of current and historic cars, including the Isetta Bubblecar, plus a gift shop and a small cafe.
16. View Modern Masterpieces at the Greenville County Museum of Art
Located on the Heritage Green cultural campus downtown, the Greenville County Museum of Art is home to the world’s most extensive public collection of Andrew Wyeth watercolors. The museum’s permanent collection also includes paintings and prints by Jasper Johns, a pottery collection by David Drake, and works by William H. Johnson. Additional highlights include a Southern collection ranging from early colonial-era pastel portraits to American impressionism and abstract expressionism.
These sixteen destinations only scratch the surface of the wonders that await in 16 Things to Do in South Carolina. From its bustling cities to its serene natural landscapes, the Palmetto State offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to every interest and passion. So pack your bags, prepare to explore, and discover the magic of 16 Things to Do in South Carolina.
