When you’re lucky enough to live in South Carolina, there’s no need to leave the state to find some truly remarkable attractions. Just take any of these 12 trips – for the day, the weekend or a longer vacation – and you’ll enjoy some of the state’s most interesting, beautiful and intriguing spots.

  1. Visit South Carolina’s Most Overlooked City

Rachel C./TripAdvisor Georgetown is often overlooked because it’s in between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, but it’s well worth your time to schedule a trip here. The historic town has some beautiful buildings and plenty of antique shops. Stop by the Kaminiski House Museum and stroll along the Harborwalk to find some adorable cafes and shops. Click here for more information.

  1. Explore The Beach At Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area

Genna12/TripAdvisor To get to this protected beach, you’ll first journey by car, then walk along the causeway for a half mile. The trip is well worth your effort, because this is truly untouched beauty. Free of commercial development, this place is quiet and relaxing. Stroll along the beach and check out all the shells. Click here for more information.

  1. Take A Trip To Johns Island To Dine At Tomato Shed Cafe

CarolinaNurse323/TripAdvisor The food at Tomato Shed Cafe is fresh and locally-sourced. It’s well worth the trip to Johns Island. But that’s not all! This place is also a market that sells homemade jam, baked goods and fresh produce. You can even take home some prepared food to dine on later. Click here for more information.

  1. Travel To This Unique Village On A Barrier Island

Daufuskieislandferry/Facebook Daufuskie Island has a community of around 400 people and its so charming that once you arrive, you might never want to leave. Check out the historic Haig Point Lighthouse, tour the Daufuskie Rum Company distillery and take a horseback ride along the beach. Click here for more information.

  1. Hop On A Horse In Myrtle Beach

Helen K./TripAdvisor From November through February, you can take a guided horseback riding tour right along the beach. The rest of the year, you can explore various other trails around Myrtle Beach. Bring your camera, this place is so picturesque! Click here for more information.

  1. Spend The Night In A Colonial-Era Plantation

Mansfield Bed and Breakfast Plantation/Facebook This 1,000-acre plantation was built in 1718. Now it’s a beautiful bed and breakfast, and you’re definitely going to want to stay here. The 4,000-square foot main house is just one of several buildings where you can stay. Wander through this historic place on foot or hop on one of the bikes provided here. Click here for more information.

  1. Visit The Perfectly Southern Town Of Aiken

Visit Aiken/Facebook This quaint, adorable town was founded in 1835, and it’s simply charming. This town embodies many of the most Southern characteristics of our state: it has a Civil War battle history (and annual reenactments) some beautiful horse farms, a Thoroughbred museum and some absolutely gorgeous historic buildings. Click here for more information.

  1. Get Away From It All At Poinsett Bridge

David Ellis/flickr If you’re looking for a quiet, calm and relaxing place to explore, Poinsett Bridge is it. The beautiful bridge was built in 1820 . You’ll appreciate the rustic charm of this gothic archway, and you’ll be rejuvenated by the pretty scenery here. Take a picnic and spend the whole day. Click here for more information.

  1. Discover The Quaint Town Of Elloree

Google The tiny town of Elloree only has one stoplight, so if you’re looking for a place that’s not crowded and hectic, you’ll love it here. Visit the enchanting J’s Tearific Teapot Museum, shop in the historic downtown area and stay overnight at the adorable bed and breakfast here. Click here for more information.

  1. Find A Tropical Paradise In Mt. Pleasant

The Cottages On Charleston Harbor/Facebook Who says you need to book a trip to the Caribbean to find a tropical paradise? Rent a little cottage right on Charleston Harbor. Watch the sunrise, delight in the dolphins and then take a nap in your hammock. The resort will even bring your breakfast right to your cottage. Click here for more information.

  1. Enjoy The BBQ On This Epic Train Ride

South Carolina Railroad Museum/Facebook In the fall months, you can hop aboard the Rockton, Rion and Western for a one hour trip through the most stunning countryside in the state. The special BBQ train runs on just a few select days, and you definitely don’t want to miss it. Click here for more information.

  1. Camp Overnight At Jones Gap State Park

Kristin S./TripAdvisor Bask in nature at Jones Gap State Park. Do some hiking to see the many stunning waterfalls here - you’ll find more than 50 miles of trails here. The 18 camping spots are all found along the trail, and they’re unlike campsites at many parks - these are nestled right into the trees, along the river. Click here for more information.

What’s your favorite South Carolina trip?

Rachel C./TripAdvisor

Georgetown is often overlooked because it’s in between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, but it’s well worth your time to schedule a trip here. The historic town has some beautiful buildings and plenty of antique shops. Stop by the Kaminiski House Museum and stroll along the Harborwalk to find some adorable cafes and shops. Click here for more information.

Genna12/TripAdvisor

To get to this protected beach, you’ll first journey by car, then walk along the causeway for a half mile. The trip is well worth your effort, because this is truly untouched beauty. Free of commercial development, this place is quiet and relaxing. Stroll along the beach and check out all the shells. Click here for more information.

CarolinaNurse323/TripAdvisor

The food at Tomato Shed Cafe is fresh and locally-sourced. It’s well worth the trip to Johns Island. But that’s not all! This place is also a market that sells homemade jam, baked goods and fresh produce. You can even take home some prepared food to dine on later. Click here for more information.

Daufuskieislandferry/Facebook

Daufuskie Island has a community of around 400 people and its so charming that once you arrive, you might never want to leave. Check out the historic Haig Point Lighthouse, tour the Daufuskie Rum Company distillery and take a horseback ride along the beach. Click here for more information.

Helen K./TripAdvisor

From November through February, you can take a guided horseback riding tour right along the beach. The rest of the year, you can explore various other trails around Myrtle Beach. Bring your camera, this place is so picturesque! Click here for more information.

Mansfield Bed and Breakfast Plantation/Facebook

This 1,000-acre plantation was built in 1718. Now it’s a beautiful bed and breakfast, and you’re definitely going to want to stay here. The 4,000-square foot main house is just one of several buildings where you can stay. Wander through this historic place on foot or hop on one of the bikes provided here. Click here for more information.

Visit Aiken/Facebook

This quaint, adorable town was founded in 1835, and it’s simply charming. This town embodies many of the most Southern characteristics of our state: it has a Civil War battle history (and annual reenactments) some beautiful horse farms, a Thoroughbred museum and some absolutely gorgeous historic buildings. Click here for more information.

David Ellis/flickr

If you’re looking for a quiet, calm and relaxing place to explore, Poinsett Bridge is it. The beautiful bridge was built in 1820 . You’ll appreciate the rustic charm of this gothic archway, and you’ll be rejuvenated by the pretty scenery here. Take a picnic and spend the whole day. Click here for more information.

Google

The tiny town of Elloree only has one stoplight, so if you’re looking for a place that’s not crowded and hectic, you’ll love it here. Visit the enchanting J’s Tearific Teapot Museum, shop in the historic downtown area and stay overnight at the adorable bed and breakfast here. Click here for more information.

The Cottages On Charleston Harbor/Facebook

Who says you need to book a trip to the Caribbean to find a tropical paradise? Rent a little cottage right on Charleston Harbor. Watch the sunrise, delight in the dolphins and then take a nap in your hammock. The resort will even bring your breakfast right to your cottage. Click here for more information.

South Carolina Railroad Museum/Facebook

In the fall months, you can hop aboard the Rockton, Rion and Western for a one hour trip through the most stunning countryside in the state. The special BBQ train runs on just a few select days, and you definitely don’t want to miss it. Click here for more information.

Kristin S./TripAdvisor

Bask in nature at Jones Gap State Park. Do some hiking to see the many stunning waterfalls here - you’ll find more than 50 miles of trails here. The 18 camping spots are all found along the trail, and they’re unlike campsites at many parks - these are nestled right into the trees, along the river. Click here for more information.

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