South Carolina

A romantic stroll on Myrtle Beach

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Hikers taking in scenic views from the overlook at Caesars Head State Park

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Beachfront greens at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course

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Rooftop dining at the Vendue Inn in Charleston

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The signature suspension bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville

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Couple riding bikes on the beach in Hilton Head Island

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A peaceful moment among the trees at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet

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A classic Lowcountry boil during the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival

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Shopping at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island

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Variations on shrimp and grits, a must-have dish in Charleston

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Major Airports:

Charleston (CHS)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL)

Charlotte Douglas (CLT)

Myrtle Beach (MYR)
Nickname:

The Palmetto State

Discover South Carolina, a feast of Southern food, history and charm

From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, South Carolina offers as much variety in its terrain as it does in its attractions and activities. The state is divided into three regions. The upstate, anchored by the growing city of Greenville, is known for outdoor activities and quaint mountain towns. The Midlands (Piedmont) region is home to the state capital of Columbia and Lake Murray, a popular spot for fishing and boating. South Carolina’s coast encompasses not just beach and golf havens like Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, but also historic Charleston with its cobblestone streets, colorful architecture and waterfront historic district. The best way to see it all is by taking a classic road trip from the shore to the highlands.

Sea to Mountains

Tales of the South

No matter where you go in the state, South Carolina is steeped in U.S. history. It was at Fort Sumter near Charleston where the first shots of the American Civil War rang out in April of 1861. Go antique shopping and sightseeing in Camden, the oldest inland city in the state where a Revolutionary War battle took place in 1780. History buffs will also love exploring picturesque Charleston, founded in 1670 – voted the #1 City in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure for five years running and the #1 City in the World in 2016. Also along the coast, learn the history and culture of the Gullah, descendants of African slaves who have historically inhabited the Lowcountry and developed a distinct culture and language still preserved today.

Food, Glorious Food

You can’t visit South Carolina without an appetite. Enjoy just-caught seafood at a waterfront restaurant, which are plentiful in a state with the ocean at its doorstep along with dozens of lakes and rivers. Join the locals at a classic Lowcountry boil, consisting of a generous mix of shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn boiled to perfection and served in a heap right on the table. Help yourself! Don’t forget about the barbecue: There are four different types of sauces to try – vinegar and pepper, mustard, light tomato and heavy tomato – at more than 200 barbecue restaurants throughout the state.

Golf and Beaches for Days

Bring your best clubs, because South Carolina is a year-round golf destination and home to more than 350 courses. You’re sure to find a course no matter when and where you visit, but the state’s top-ranked greens are generally concentrated along the coast. Notably, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of only four courses in the country to have hosted every major PGA event and is consistently rated one of the top courses in the world.

If your idea of a perfect vacation is less “sand trap” and more “sandcastle,” South Carolina offers 301 kilometers of picture-perfect coastline. Families tend to congregate in Hilton Head Island. Its plethora of bike trails and relaxing white-sand beaches are two of many reasons it’s been voted Travel + Leisure’s top island in the contiguous USA five times in six years. Myrtle Beach is another family-favorite, complete with affordable beachfront resorts and boardwalk amusements. More low-key beachgoers can check out Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Kiawah Island.

Sea to Mountains

Fun Fact

View of the beachfront Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III golf course on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

South Carolina has more golf holes per capita than any other state in the USA.

Sandwich from a South Carolina barbecue restaurant

Staking its claim as the "Birthplace of Barbecue," South Carolina has four "official" styles of barbecue sauce and more than 200 barbecue restaurants.

Touring the Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island in South Carolina

Historic Wadmalaw Island is home to Charleston’s only winery (Deep Water Vineyard) and the only large-scale tea garden in North America (Charleston Tea Garden).

Must see places

Charleston Tea Garden

Take a trolley tour through the lush tea bushes at the USA’s only large-scale tea garden and then a factory tour to see how the fragrant leaves are harvested. When you’re done tasting the tea, South Carolina’s Satisfy Your Thirst Tour continues on to breweries, distilleries, dairy farms and wineries across the state.

Learn more

Satisfy Your Thirst Tour

Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway

Just outside of Charleston, this stretch of Highway 61 winds for 18 kilometers through the iconic South Carolina landscape and features three of the most lauded old plantation homes: Magnolia Plantation, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place. Set off from the Ashley River Historic District and find yourself driving through a landscape of hickory oak, Spanish moss and palmettos.

Sea Islands

A variety of tour operators take you into the heart of Gullah country, a community that has been thriving on the Sea Islands and maintaining their West African legacy for more than 100 years. Encounter the spirituality, music, food and language of this welcoming culture with local guides.

Congaree National Park

The Congaree wilderness is made up of an old growth forest and water systems that sweep the backcountry where the park is located. To best see it all, canoe or kayak the 24-kilometer Cedar Creek trail, where you can see deer, river otter and wading birds, or hike a 40-kilometer trail, which includes a boardwalk to take you over the waterways.

Caesars Head State Park

From the platform at the top of this park, the highest point in South Carolina, you can see Table Rock Mountain and the valleys below. From September through November, the park is on “hawk watch,” where many gather to view the raptors on their annual migration to Central and South America.

Harbour Town Lighthouse

That this lighthouse is sometimes referred to as the Hilton Head Island Lighthouse shows how iconic its image has become along South Carolina’s coast. Its bold red and white stripes stand out at the Harbour Town Marina yacht basin as a friendly beacon to visitors and locals alike. Climb 114 steps to the top of the 28-meter structure for panoramic views of the island, coast and marshlands, then visit the on-site museum and gift shop.

Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk

One of two popular boardwalks in the Myrtle Beach area, Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk is a dining and entertainment center tucked into a historic fishing village. Stroll along the rustic boardwalk, and keep an eye out for native birds such as herons and pelicans. Try your pick of restaurants serving classic low-country cuisine, fresh seafood and brick-oven pizza. Nightly live music provides the perfect soundtrack for taking in views of the surrounding palmetto trees and marshland.

Walking along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk in South Carolina

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

In the heart of Myrtle Beach, stroll this 2-kilometer, elevated oceanfront walkway for incredible views of the beautiful beach, thrilling SkyWheel and classic pier. Go for an early morning walk to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, then spend the day enjoying many amenities including souvenir and boutique shops, approachable restaurants and family-friendly attractions.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

Situated among the pristine beaches and coastal forests of Hunting Island State Park, the Hunting Island Lighthouse was built in 1859, rebuilt in 1875 and finally relocated 2 kilometers inland due to erosion in 1889. Today, the black-and-white tower is an icon of the South Carolina coastline. Explore the grounds, learn about its history from on-site docents and photograph it from spots around the park.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Escape to a ritzy vacation paradise on secluded Kiawah Island just outside Charleston and surrounded by tranquil marshland and Atlantic Ocean beaches. Golfers can play on five world-class courses, including the magnificent Ocean Course. Other resort activities include indulgent dining, a relaxing spa, bike rentals and tennis. Take your pick of elegant accommodation options from The Sanctuary oceanfront hotel to resort villas and private homes and cottages.