South Carolina’s tourism industry filters $18 billion into the Palmetto State’s economy each year. We’re lucky to have it and are in no way complaining. However, with so many visitors it can sometimes feel a little crowded. If you’re ever feeling “boxed in” and just want to get away to some place more quiet and less congested, then try these 11 places that are perfect for when you’ve grown tired of the crowds.
- Edisto Beach - Edisto Island, SC
Flickr/Seth Youngblood Well, will you look at that. This photo was taken on Memorial Day Weekend on Edisto Beach. For real. If you’ve ever been to the beach in South Carolina on Memorial Day Weekend then you may have flashbacks to wall-to-wall towels on the sand….
- Jones Gap State Park - Marietta, SC
Flickr/Brenda Wiley
Flickr/Brenda Wiley Hit the trail at Jones Gap State Park. This park in the upstate has trails ranging from easy to strenuous. It’s a perfect place to hide, if not “under” then at least “next to,” a rock.
- Huntington Beach State Park - Murrells Inlet, SC
Flickr/hoan luong
Flickr/Emmanuelle Bourgue Explore the beach or anywhere in the park and feel almost as if you’re the only one here. Big park + admission fee = smaller crowds.
- Swan Lake / Iris Gardens - Sumter, SC
Yelp/Sumter, SC T.
Facebook/Swan Lake Iris Gardens According to Wikipedia, at one time, this was the only public park in the U.S. to have all eight species of swans. Enjoy them and the flowers - and relax.
- Waterfalls in Oconee County
Flickr/Bill Herndon Tired of the crowds? Then spend the day chasing waterfalls. The upstate of South Carolina is a playground for waterfall enthusiasts.
- Walnut Grove Plantation - Roebuck, SC
Wikipedia/Jack Boucher - http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/displayPhoto.pl?
Flickr/Trisha Fawver
Flickr/Trisha Fawver This plantation home was constructed in 1765 near what is now Spartanburg. The main house and several outlying buildings including a school are open for touring, as are the grounds. Best of all: not crowded.(864) 576-6546 | 1200 Otts Shoals Rd, Roebuck, SC 29376
- Glencairn Gardens - Rock Hill, SC
Flickr/MFletcher This beautiful suburban garden has grown over the years to cover 11 acres. That’s a lot of space to claim a peaceful uncrowded spot for yourself.
- Cherry Grove Pier - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Flickr/Rain075 Avoid the crowds by heading to this pier early in the morning. This photo was taken on an August morning in 2015.
- Lake Marion - Santee, SC
Flickr/Rain0975 Just sit and enjoy the view of this man-made lake. Covering parts of five counties, Lake Marion is the largest lake in the state with approximately 110,000 acres of surface area and 315 miles of shoreline.
- Charles Towne Landing - Charleston, SC
Yelp/Timothy A.
Flickr/Susan Meander through the 184 acres of this state historic site that marks the spot of the first English settlement in the U.S. Nice things to distract you here are: an animal forest with a boardwalk, birds, and a replica of the vessel that first landed on this spot.
- Mepkin Abbey - Moncks Corner, SC
Yelp/Linda L.
Flickr/Nick
Yelp/Mark L This trappist monastery located near Moncks Corner in Berkeley County is open to the public on certain days. Tour the church or the grounds at your leisure. Check here for days, hours and fees.
It’s nice to escape even a modestly busy town once in a while, isn’t it? If you weren’t completely enthralled by any of these suggestions, then read: Not Many People Know About This One Amazing Island In South Carolina.
Flickr/Seth Youngblood
Well, will you look at that. This photo was taken on Memorial Day Weekend on Edisto Beach. For real. If you’ve ever been to the beach in South Carolina on Memorial Day Weekend then you may have flashbacks to wall-to-wall towels on the sand….
Flickr/Brenda Wiley
Hit the trail at Jones Gap State Park. This park in the upstate has trails ranging from easy to strenuous. It’s a perfect place to hide, if not “under” then at least “next to,” a rock.
Flickr/hoan luong
Flickr/Emmanuelle Bourgue
Explore the beach or anywhere in the park and feel almost as if you’re the only one here. Big park + admission fee = smaller crowds.
Yelp/Sumter, SC T.
Facebook/Swan Lake Iris Gardens
According to Wikipedia, at one time, this was the only public park in the U.S. to have all eight species of swans. Enjoy them and the flowers - and relax.
Flickr/Bill Herndon
Tired of the crowds? Then spend the day chasing waterfalls. The upstate of South Carolina is a playground for waterfall enthusiasts.
Wikipedia/Jack Boucher - http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/displayPhoto.pl?
Flickr/Trisha Fawver
This plantation home was constructed in 1765 near what is now Spartanburg. The main house and several outlying buildings including a school are open for touring, as are the grounds. Best of all: not crowded.(864) 576-6546 | 1200 Otts Shoals Rd, Roebuck, SC 29376
Flickr/MFletcher
This beautiful suburban garden has grown over the years to cover 11 acres. That’s a lot of space to claim a peaceful uncrowded spot for yourself.
Flickr/Rain075
Avoid the crowds by heading to this pier early in the morning. This photo was taken on an August morning in 2015.
Flickr/Rain0975
Just sit and enjoy the view of this man-made lake. Covering parts of five counties, Lake Marion is the largest lake in the state with approximately 110,000 acres of surface area and 315 miles of shoreline.
Yelp/Timothy A.
Flickr/Susan
Meander through the 184 acres of this state historic site that marks the spot of the first English settlement in the U.S. Nice things to distract you here are: an animal forest with a boardwalk, birds, and a replica of the vessel that first landed on this spot.
Yelp/Linda L.
Flickr/Nick
Yelp/Mark L
This trappist monastery located near Moncks Corner in Berkeley County is open to the public on certain days. Tour the church or the grounds at your leisure. Check here for days, hours and fees.
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