Summer is that season that takes us back to our childhood when, for two or even three glorious months, we didn’t have a care in the world. For most, summer meant at least one vacation or weekend family getaway. We carry expectations of those kinds of summer experiences forward into adulthood. It makes Summer a season that fills us with hope and dreams. Luckily, Summer is far from over in the Palmetto State – so that means you have plenty of time to fit these 13 bucket list experiences into your plans before summer ends:
- Head to South Carolina’s cold water lake that’s perfect for cooling off on a hot summer’s day.
TripAdvisor/KareeNC704 Lake Jocassee is filled with cold mountain waters that constantly pour down waterfalls into this canyon lake in the Upstate. It’s a recreational dream. Camp, rent a cabin or just spend the day on this lake paradise. Find out more in this article.
- Go whitewater rafting.
Yelp/Wildwater Head to the border and set sail on an amazingly fun and adventurous whitewater rafting trip on the Chattooga River - which borders South Carolina and Georgia. This particular trip is for beginners but the company has more advanced runs, if you dare. Find out more in this article.
- Make plans to view the eclipse.
NASA Parts of the Palmetto State will be in the path of totality for this major solar event. Get your special viewing glasses and make solid plans to experience the solar eclipse. For a list of NASA-approved viewing events in South Carolina read this article.
- Day trip it to Daufuskie for an eating experience like no other.
TripAdvisor/erika v Unless you live on Daufuskie, you can only get to this restaurant by way of a boat. But you’re in luck, there’s a ferry that will take you there. Leave time to explore the entire island in your rented golf cart. Find out more in this article.
- Visit a hidden Buddhist monastery for some peace and quiet.
Chad Fischesser/google Not many people realize there’s a Buddhist monastery with elaborately adorned walking paths hidden in the woods in this small South Carolina town. The peaceful and serene grounds are open to the public and you’ll love it. Find out more in this article.
- Head to the beach Condé Nast Traveler just ranked as one of the Top Ten in The U.S.
Facebook/Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, South Carolina Find out why this beach, located in a Charleston County Park, made the list and read our 10 reasons why it’s so spectacular. Find out more in this article.
- Experience the magical sunflower field in the Upstate.
Facebook/Beechwood Farms Head to Beechwood Farms in Marietta, South Carolina to see this magnificent display of sunflowers with the mountains as a backdrop. They also have U-pick days, so you can buy and take some home. Find out more in this article.
- Take a spin on the newest waterslide in the Palmetto State.
Facebook/Carowinds Carowinds is for big kids too, you know. And as a big kid, you’ll love the newest addition to the waterpark. It includes a slide where you stand on a platform that suddenly falls out from under you - sending you on your way down a thrilling tube slide. Find out more in this article.
- Take a riverboat cruise.
TripAdvisor/management South Carolina’s only riverboat cruise dishes up more than just great views. Take a scenic cruise, a sunset cruise or load up on delicious fare on an epic dinner cruise. Find out more in this article.
- Head to this hidden beach you can only get to by boat.
TripAdvisor/Michael5451 Boneyard Beach is an untouched paradise off the coast of South Carolina. Spend the day here, exploring all the splendor this island and its boneyard beach has to offer. Find out more in this article.
- Stay in the air-conditioned comfort or your car and take a scenic drive.
Flickr/Bill Herndon Let’s face it: some days are just too hot to leave the house (or car). We’ve pinned down seven scenic drives in the Palmetto State that are perfect for a summer adventure. Find out more in this article.
- Cool down in one of the coolest towns in South Carolina.
Flickr/Jason A G Head to T.R. (Traveler’s Rest) to experience this quintessential small town in the Upstate. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, T.R. is a perfect place to relax and unwind. Find out more in this article.
- Discover a hidden beach along the coast.
TripAdvisor/Laura A Our “hidden beaches road trip” will help you find a little known beach that even some of the locals don’t know about. If you prefer a beach that’s not crawling with people, then there’s sure to be a beach just for you. Find out more in this article.
For more summer things to do in South Carolina, don’t miss these free outdoor activities.
TripAdvisor/KareeNC704
Lake Jocassee is filled with cold mountain waters that constantly pour down waterfalls into this canyon lake in the Upstate. It’s a recreational dream. Camp, rent a cabin or just spend the day on this lake paradise. Find out more in this article.
Yelp/Wildwater
Head to the border and set sail on an amazingly fun and adventurous whitewater rafting trip on the Chattooga River - which borders South Carolina and Georgia. This particular trip is for beginners but the company has more advanced runs, if you dare. Find out more in this article.
NASA
Parts of the Palmetto State will be in the path of totality for this major solar event. Get your special viewing glasses and make solid plans to experience the solar eclipse. For a list of NASA-approved viewing events in South Carolina read this article.
TripAdvisor/erika v
Unless you live on Daufuskie, you can only get to this restaurant by way of a boat. But you’re in luck, there’s a ferry that will take you there. Leave time to explore the entire island in your rented golf cart. Find out more in this article.
Chad Fischesser/google
Not many people realize there’s a Buddhist monastery with elaborately adorned walking paths hidden in the woods in this small South Carolina town. The peaceful and serene grounds are open to the public and you’ll love it. Find out more in this article.
Facebook/Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, South Carolina
Find out why this beach, located in a Charleston County Park, made the list and read our 10 reasons why it’s so spectacular. Find out more in this article.
Facebook/Beechwood Farms
Head to Beechwood Farms in Marietta, South Carolina to see this magnificent display of sunflowers with the mountains as a backdrop. They also have U-pick days, so you can buy and take some home. Find out more in this article.
Facebook/Carowinds
Carowinds is for big kids too, you know. And as a big kid, you’ll love the newest addition to the waterpark. It includes a slide where you stand on a platform that suddenly falls out from under you - sending you on your way down a thrilling tube slide. Find out more in this article.
TripAdvisor/management
South Carolina’s only riverboat cruise dishes up more than just great views. Take a scenic cruise, a sunset cruise or load up on delicious fare on an epic dinner cruise. Find out more in this article.
TripAdvisor/Michael5451
Boneyard Beach is an untouched paradise off the coast of South Carolina. Spend the day here, exploring all the splendor this island and its boneyard beach has to offer. Find out more in this article.
Flickr/Bill Herndon
Let’s face it: some days are just too hot to leave the house (or car). We’ve pinned down seven scenic drives in the Palmetto State that are perfect for a summer adventure. Find out more in this article.
Flickr/Jason A G
Head to T.R. (Traveler’s Rest) to experience this quintessential small town in the Upstate. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, T.R. is a perfect place to relax and unwind. Find out more in this article.
TripAdvisor/Laura A
Our “hidden beaches road trip” will help you find a little known beach that even some of the locals don’t know about. If you prefer a beach that’s not crawling with people, then there’s sure to be a beach just for you. Find out more in this article.
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