Map view
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a historic site located in Charleston
- Originally established as a rice plantation in the 17th century, the plantation features one of the oldest public gardens in America, opening to visitors in 1870
- The gardens are designed in a Romantic style and include a variety of walking trails, ponds, and bridges
- Guests can explore the gardens, take guided or self-guided tours of the historic house, and learn about the plantation's past, including the stories of the enslaved people who worked there
- In addition to its gardens, Magnolia Plantation serves as a wildlife refuge
Waterfront Park, Charleston
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Waterfront Park in Charleston, opened in 1990, is a scenic park located along the Cooper River, that features a variety of attractions and amenities
- Key features include the Pineapple Fountain, tree-line walkways with views of the harbor, and open green spaces
City Market, Charleston
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Charleston City Market is a historic market complex located in downtown Charleston
- The market's origins date back to 1788, when land was designated for a public food market, and evolved over the years, with significant developments like the completion of Market Hall in 1841
- It features over 300 vendors offering a variety of goods, including crafts, food, and souvenirs
- The market also showcases local crafts such as Sweetgrass baskets, jewelry, and art
South Carolina Botanical Garden, Clemson
- The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a public garden located in Clemson
- It serves as a sanctuary for biodiversity and features a diverse array of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of nature trails and streams
- It is home to one of the largest collections of nature-based sculptures in the United States
Weston Lake Loop Trail, Congaree National Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Weston Lake Loop Trail is a scenic hiking trail located in Congaree National Park
- Hikers can enjoy views of Cedar Creek and Wise Lake, with opportunities to observe local wildlife, such as otters and wading birds
Boardwalk Loop, Congaree National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
- The Boardwalk Loop in Congaree National Park is a trail allowing visitors to experience its unique ecosystem, which includes the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America
#28 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA
Edisto Beach State Park
- Edisto Beach State Park is a scenic state park located on Edisto Island
- It is renowned for its pristine beaches lined with palmetto trees and offers a variety of recreational activities
- Visitors can engage in activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing
#58 in Best Beaches in the USA
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is a significant historical site located in Charleston County, encompassing two key forts that played crucial roles in American history
- Fort Moultrie is located on Sullivan's Island, and was originally a palmetto log fort that successfully defended against British naval forces in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War
- In 1860, as tensions rose leading to the Civil War, the Federal garrison abandoned Fort Moultrie for the more fortified Fort Sumter
- Fort Sumter, a sea fort built on an artificial island in Charleston Harbor, was constructed after the War of 1812 to defend the region against naval threats, and became famous as the site where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked the Union garrison stationed there
- The park highlights America's struggle for independence, and how legislative compromises failed to resolve deep-rooted issues, particularly regarding slavery, during the American Civil War
#55 in Best Attractions in the USA
#14 in Best Landmarks in the USA
Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Falls Park on the Reedy is a park adjacent to downtown Greenville, in the historic West End district
- The urban park features flower beds, walking paths, and the Reedy River Falls
- Liberty Bridge is the centerpiece of the park, a unique pedestrian bridge that spans the Reedy River, offering expansive views of the falls
- Falls Park has played a significant role in the revitalization of Greenville, transforming an area that was once neglected into a vibrant community space
Hilton Head Distillery, Hilton Head Island
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Established in 2016, Hilton Head Distillery is the only distillery located on Hilton Head Island
- It specializes in crafting small-batch, premium spirits, blending techniques from West Indies rum and Carolina whiskey distilling
- Visitors to Hilton Head Distillery can enjoy a variety of experiences, including: distillery tours to earn about the distillation process; tastings that sample a range of handcrafted liquors; and cocktail classes, where visitors learn how to mix cocktails using their spirits
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Coligny Beach Park is an oceanfront park located on Hilton Head Island, renowned for its sandy beach and a variety of amenities
- Visitors can enjoy swimming, volleyball, walking, and biking on the beach
#24 in Best Beaches in the USA
Hunting Island State Park
- Hunting Island State Park is a park located on a semitropical barrier island
- It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, and features a variety of ecosystems, including beaches, marshes, and maritime forests
- It is a habitat for numerous species such as loggerhead sea turtles, pelicans, dolphins, and various snakes
- Visitors to Hunting Island can engage in a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation
Beachwalker County Park, Kiawah Island
- Beachwalker County Park, also known as Kiawah Beachwalker Park, is located on the west end of Kiawah Island
- It is notable for being the only public beach access on the island, providing visitors with a stretch of sandy shore along the Atlantic Ocean
- Visitors can enjoy various activities including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, fishing, and biking along the scenic shoreline
#33 in Best Beaches in the USA
Middleton Place
- Middleton Place is a historic plantation located in Dorchester County, along the banks of the Ashley River
- Established in the 18th century, Middleton Place is notable for being home to America's oldest landscaped gardens, which date back to 1741
- The plantation was the birthplace of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and it served as a rice plantation
- The main house now functions as a museum showcasing an extensive collection of historic furniture and portraits belonging to the Middleton family
- In addition, Middleton Place also includes demonstrations related to its agricultural history and exhibits on the history of slavery associated with the plantation
Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant
- Patriots Point is a naval and maritime museum located in Mount Pleasant
- The museum is centered around the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier that serves as its flagship attraction
- In addition to the USS Yorktown, Patriots Point features a fleet of other historic ships, including the USS Laffey, a destroyer, and the USS Clamagore, a submarine
- Visitors can explore these vessels and learn about life aboard military ships
Boone Hall, Mount Pleasant
- Boone Hall Plantation is a historic plantation located in Mount Pleasant
- Established in 1681 by Major John Boone, it is recognized as one of America's oldest working plantations, having continuously grown crops for over 320 years
- The plantation is notable for its Avenue of Oaks, a picturesque row of live oaks that has become a symbol of Southern charm
- Boone Hall also serves as a cultural site, presenting live performances that showcase the unique Gullah culture, which was adapted by African slaves
Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet
- Huntington Beach State Park is a coastal preserve located near Murrells Inlet
- It features a variety of natural landscapes, including sandy beaches, maritime forests, and wetlands
- The park is known for its diverse wildlife and is a popular destination for activities such as birdwatching, fishing, and camping
Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- Broadway at the Beach is a prominent shopping and entertainment complex located in Myrtle Beach
- It is the largest entertainment venue of its kind in the state, featuring a wide array of attractions
- It has over 100 specialty shops offering clothing, jewelry, and gifts, as well as, a wide variety of restaurants, that range from casual to fine dining options
- The venue is home to several theaters that host live performances, including tribute shows and magic acts