Time together. Time to play. Time to get your Free South Carolina Vacation Guide for information about beautiful beaches, fabulous shopping, luscious dining and much more!
Get away to South Carolina, the state that truly has something for everyone. Enjoy the sand, ride the waves and soak up the sun with over 182 miles of beautiful beaches to explore. Whether you prefer the fun and excitement of Myrtle Beach or the scenic seclusion of Hilton Head Island, Isle of Palms or Edisto, there's a beach for everybody in South Carolina.
And if it's world-class golf you seek, there’s no better place enjoy the game than on South Carolina's 380 scenic yet challenging courses. Looking for bargains and boutiques? South Carolina has 675 antique shops, flea markets and outlets.
So order your free South Carolina Vacation Brochure and set out for your own South Carolina experience. It’s about time you did!
Gordon's Guide
Check out vacations and adventure travel in South Carolina
South Carolina Travel Deals
Anyone heading to South Carolina for their next vacation is probably looking online for travel deals. The tourism industry is alive and well in the Southern state known for hospitality, and there are plenty of deals on hotels, cars, and area attractions.
A great place to start your search for South Carolina travel deals is at the states official tourism webiste, which you can find at DiscoverSouthCarolina.com. Here you’ll find a special tab dedicated to the best travel deals to the fun filled state. For example, rooms at the Springmaid Beach Resort on Myrtle Beach start at just $49 per night!
The site also offers great deals on area attractions. Visitors to the site can get up to 35% off of cabins and campsite at Oconee State Park. Discount tickets and admissions to other attractions are also available through the site.
When you visit South Carolina, even more travel deals are available if you show your military ID or group membership discount card at local attractions, hotels, and restaurants. The tourism industry is doing well in sunny South Carolina and there are plenty of deals to be had if you’re willing to ask about potential discounts. With so many great travel deals available, a great vacation has never been more affordable.
South Carolina Overview
South Carolina, also known as the palmetto state, has long been luring tourists to its beautiful, bustling cities and pristine beaches. The sweet Southern state has plenty of beachfront property for all of the tourists and residents to sprawl out and soak up the sun. South Carolina is located just above Georgia, and gets plenty of sunny days throughout the year.
South Carolina played an important role in both the American Revolution and the American Civil War. During the American Revolution, South Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain. During the American Civil War, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union.
The state of South Carolina is home to more than four million people and is the 24th most populous state in the Nation. In terms of area, South Carolina ranks 40th, making it one of the smaller states. Primary industries in South Carolina include fishing, agriculture, and tourism.
South Carolina sees its fair share of extreme weather throughout the year. The state frequently gets hit by hurricanes during the summer and fall seasons, and it is notoriously humid in the summer months. The Southern state also sees one other natural phenomenon with regularity, averaging 1-2 earthquakes per month!
With all of the different things happening in South Carolina and the states colorful history, it’s easy to see why so many people call the state home and why so many other people choose to spend their vacations in South Carolina each year!
Places of Interest in South Carolina
South Carolina is one of the smallest 10 states in the United States, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to see and do. Having such a variety of options for ways to spend your vacation may make it seem difficult to choose where to begin your vacation. Rest assured that no matter what you enjoy doing, South Carolina has just what you’re looking for.
For most people headed to the palmetto state, beaches tops their list of places of interest. There are plenty of sandy beaches up and down the Atlantic Coast of the state, so you never have to worry about finding a spot in the sand. The warm ocean waters are perfect for swimming, and the bustling seaside communities offer terrific shopping and dining opportunities.
After you have your fill of sunshine, take a trip out to see one of the states wackiest roadside attractions. The Gaffney Peach Water Tower is located on route from Greeenville South Carolina to Charlotte North Carolina. The Giant Peach is actually the holding tank for the towns water supply, but it’s bright colors and giant size draws in plenty of looks (and photo ops) from passers bye.
If you’re looking for a fun island adventure on your vacation, check out South Carolina’s Isle of Palms. The Island is home to the City of Isle of Palms, and has a host of tourist activities. Visitors to the island can rent a bicycle or roller blades and travel along the well-marked paths and sidewalks to explore the island at their leisure. Quaint shops and plenty of retaurants featuring some of South Carolina’s best seafood await!
If you need more ideas of ways to spend your vacation, stop by the South Carolina visitors center located near the border of the state on main access roads. There you’ll find plenty of brochures highlighting the best activities and places of interest throughout South Carolina.
Parks and Activities in South Carolina
If you’re the type of vacationer that enjoys getting active during their vacation, then South Carolina is the place to be! The state has plenty of parks offering up dozens of different activities to adventure seeking tourists and locals alike. Take a hike, go for a swim, or explore a nature preserve, it’s all at your fingertips in South Carolina!
If you enjoy your natural beauty with a touch of history, check out Rose Hill Plantation State Historical Site. The plantation was the home of South Carolina Governor William H. Gist. The Governor was the first to think of seceding from the Union following the election of Abraham Lincoln, who wished to abolish slavery. Visitors can explore the grounds, visit the museum, look at original plantation buildings, or enjoy the beautiful rose gardens.
Near the quiet town of Olanta, South Carolina, you’ll find Woods Bay State Park. The park sits on one of the last large bays on the Carolina coast and offers visitors a chance to see some of the natural wildlife of the area. The 1,590 acre park features a boardwalk that visitors can travel along to view some of the parks most famous inhabitants, alligators. Admission to the park is free.
On the Western side of South Carolina, visitors can enjoy Calhoun Falls State Park. The park rests on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Russel. There are camping and RV sites in the park, but the popular spaces go quickly so it is recommended to call ahead if you are planning on staying the night. Other activities include hiking, tennis, swimming and fishing.
No matter what types of activities you enjoy doing, South Carolina’s parks offer something for every type of visitor.
Getting to South Carolina
There are many different ways you could find yourself in South Carolina. Whether you prefer driving, flying, or some other means of transportation, getting to your favorite spots for fun throughout the state is easy.
If you choose to drive to South Carolina on the state’s primary roadways, you’ll find several choices of large highway to get you close to your final destination. There are 10 interstate highways that cross through the state, with two more planned for future development. Besides interstate highways, there are also plenty of smaller state highways to help you get where you’re going. The highways and interstates are clearly marked, making it easy to find your way through the state.
If you’d rather fly than drive, you’ll discover that the state has several large airports. The biggest, most traveled airport in the state is the Charleston International Airport. Most of the major airlines service the airport, and the majority of air traffic in and out of the state goes to that hub. As the name implies, it is located in Charleston. In nearby North Carolina, just over the border between the two states is the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, another large airport.
You could also choose to take the train into South Carolina. Amtrak operates a total of 4 different passenger railways in the state, making travel by rail popular and convenient.
No matter how you decide to get to South Carolina, travel in and around the palmetto state has been carefully designed to be easy for the thousands of visitors that arrive each year.