Places to Visit in South Carolina: 8 Great Options for Weekend Getaways in South Carolina

The charming town of Aiken dates back to 1835, when it was first formed as a planned destination spot for wealthy northeastern ‘snowbirds’ to spend their winters. Filled with coffee shops and boutiques, be sure to make a stop at Malia’s, one of the best restaurants in town. Spacious yet intimate, expect new American fare like braised beef short ribs or vegetable crepes.

Take a romantic stroll or horseback ride in the Hitchcock Woods, the largest privately-owned urban forest in the country. With more than 70 miles of sandy trails spanning 2000 acres of suburban forest, the Woods have been a haven for both pedestrians and equestrians since the early 1800s.

With its busy seaport, cobblestone streets and pre-Civil-War-era architecture, Charleston is sometimes referred to as “Little London.” History buffs and anglophiles alike will enjoy the near-endless options for dining, shopping and strolling.

Head to King Street, with two miles of boutiques, shops, and award-winning eateries, as well as some of the best antiquing to be found anywhere. For those interested in soaking up history more than purchasing some of it, take a carriage ride down Rainbow Row – a cluster of 13 iconic pastel-colored houses dating from the 1700s.

Rest and refuel at Oak Steakhouse, a restored former bank building now serving locally sourced beef and sustainable seafood. Along with jumbo lump crab cakes and steak tartare, be sure to sample their signature Oak burger, made with a blend of New York strip, filet and brisket.

Just five miles wide, Hilton Head Island boasts fertile salt marshes, forests of moss-draped oaks along with magnolias and palmettos, and 12 miles of sandy coastline. All of this is interspersed with championship golf courses, multiple tennis courts and miles of trails. Anyone hoping to spend a weekend in the great outdoors will be well accommodated here.

Spend time golfing at one of fifteen of the area’s highly regarded golf courses, including Rees Jones-designed Oyster Reef Golf Club. Known for its signature par-3 sixth hole, flanked by the Port Royal Sound, the 18-hole, par-72 course is playable by golfers of all levels.

Afterwards, head to Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks. Set in a factory built in 1912 and still partially used to process fish, this local staple has served up their legendary crab cakes, she crab soup and local shrimp dishes for over 50 years.

Just ten miles south of the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach, quaint Murrell’s Inlet was once a thriving fishing village. Devoid of neon and concrete high-rise hotels, the town is filled with welcoming restaurants, shops and art galleries, and the surrounding area is a nature lover’s paradise.

Legend has it that Murrell’s Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard. Some claim he even died on Goat Island – sometimes referred to as Drunken Jack’s Island – south of town. Overlooking the salt marsh, the ½-mile wooden boardwalk known as the MarshWalk offers views of the island, home to goats and peacocks placed there every spring by Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge, a popular spot for seafood with a view.

Named for Christopher Columbus, South Carolina’s “famously hot” capital city is best-known as the home of the University of South Carolina. While Gamecock-based opportunities abound here, there is plenty to do with younger kids as well.

Check out Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, home to more than 2,000 animals representing more than 350 species. Along with a botanical garden and zip lines, the zoo boasts one of only five permanent koala exhibits in the nation. Also be sure to visit the South Carolina State Museum – the state’s largest, with four floors of exhibits featuring natural history, art, culture, science and technology, including many displays geared to young visitors.

Once an expansive 18th-century cotton plantation, Dataw Island is now home to a large gated community just six miles from historic Beaufort. Along with sweeping water views, the 870-acre island offers a host of activities perfect for some family bonding.

Hit some balls at the full-service tennis court or on one of two 18-hole golf courses designed by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills. There are also indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center and a deep water marina with access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Intracoastal Waterway.

With its abundance of bikes, craft beer and delicious food, the artsy town of Greenville is a welcoming destination for all sorts of weekend travelers. Be sure to visit picturesque Falls Park on the Reedy, filled with 32 acres of gardens, plus a dramatic curved suspension bridge with waterfall views. The jewel of Greenville, Falls Park was founded in 1967 when a local garden club reclaimed the land, which had previously been used by textile mills.

After getting your fill of the natural splendor, head to Smoke on the Water, a vibrant, unpretentious taproom and gastropub serving barbecue and other Southern fare. Favorites include the pulled pork platter and crab cake po’ boy, served with classic Southern sides like fried okra and mac n’ cheese.

With its location at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Keowee is the perfect spot from which to access the surrounding area’s six state parks, all filled with scenic hikes and waterfalls.

Nearby Oconee State Park rests on a high plateau and features two mountain lakes, picnic areas and hiking trails, including a few with views of picturesque waterfalls. Just down the road, Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel marks the remains of a failed 1850’s attempt to link the port of Charleston to the cities of the midwest by rail. Abandoned during the Civil War, the tunnel is now part of Walhalla City Park, along with Issaqueena Falls, a stunning 200-foot cascade just a short trail walk away.