From the mountains to the sea, the Palmetto State has more to do than most states. In fact, it could take a lifetime to see and do it all. But some places and activities belong at the top of the must-do list. Either because they are so very unique to South Carolina, or because they’re just so wonderful they really belong on the bucket list. Here are our picks for epic adventures you should have in South Carolina before you die:
- Take a day trip to South Carolina’s oldest town.
TripAdvisor/robbidoodle No South Carolina bucket list would be legit without including the Holy City, a.k.a. Charleston somewhere on the list. She is, afterall, the oldest town in the state. Plus, there are some pretty cool things to see and do. Read more in this article.
- Take a peaceful walk through a Buddhist Monastery hidden in the woods.
Chad Fischesser/google Vien Quang is a Buddihst Monastery with a large temple and hushed walkways throughout their 22 acres in the woods in the Piedmont. Relax and meditate in your own way in this serene spot. Read more in this article.
- You HAVE to see this magical sunflower field.
Flickr/Mike Bitzenhofer Hidden along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a farm that grows a huge field of sunflowers each year. It’s an enchanting sight to see - and then, you get to pick your own to take home! Read more in this article.
- Go see South Carolina’s oddest lighthouse.
TripAdvisor/Zeke T The Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse used to work in tandem with another light to guide vessels safely into port. Now it sits in a pine forest on the edge of a golf course, but the grounds are maintained and you can visit - for free. Read more in this article.
- Gas up the car and hit South Carolina’s Taco Trail.
Google Maps The best tacos in the state are wrapped up in this one road trip you’ll never forget. Almost everyone loves tacos so this is a real crowd pleaser. Read more in this article.
- Go watch a master hammock maker do his thing.
Facebook/Hammock Shops Village No visit to the Grand Strand, or the Charleston area for that matter, can be considered complete until you’ve visited the Original Pawleys Island Hammock Shop to watch a hammock in the making. If you like what you see you can even buy one to bring home and set up in your own yard. Read more in this article.
- Visit the SC town that transforms into Christmasville each year.
Facebook/Christmasville in Rock Hill, SC For four days each December, Rock Hill becomes “Christmasville,” where everything is all about celebrating the season. Heck, even Santa comes to town for four whole days. Read more in this article.
- Head to this pick-your-own Lavender farm.
Facebook/Southern Hills Lavendar The U-Pick days at Southern Hills Lavender are so popular they had to cap the attendance and require reservations. But that just means if you plan ahead you’re guaranteed enough elbow room to get all the lavender you want. Read more in this article.
- Go experience “Pretty Place” Chapel in person.
Flickr/Jeremy Taylor There really is no other chapel in the Palmetto State quite like this one. With views that stretch for tens of miles, this one of a kind chapel has been a source of inspiration for decades. Read more in this article.
- Try to drive through Newberry - without stopping to take a look.
Facebook/City of Newberry, SC - Government We dare ya. Because it’s such a wonderful small city it’s super difficult to drive through it without wanting to stay! There’s always something happening in the “Stars Hollow” of South Carolina.Read more in this article.
- Have a meal at the most haunted restaurant in South Carolina.
Facebook/Poogan’s Porch …and leave a chair at your table open, you know, in case you have an uninvited guest show up. The ghost(s) at this eatery have been known to scare their way into an invitation from time to time. Read more in this article.
- Spend some time in South Carolina’s land of waterfalls.
Flickr/Mike Hughes A.k.a. the Upstate. The mountainous Upstate of South Carolina is waterfall central in this state. There’s an amazing waterfall campground that’s a perfect home base for a weekend of fun waterfall chasing. Read more in this article.
- Go for a spin on one of the tallest ferris wheels in the world.
Flickr/Martin Lewison Wow. Forget the vertigo and just go for it. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is something everyone from South Carolina should do at least once in their lifetime. The view from the top is unforgettable. Read more in this article.
Most South Carolinians realize how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place. How many of these have you checked off your bucket list already? We’d love to know!
TripAdvisor/robbidoodle
No South Carolina bucket list would be legit without including the Holy City, a.k.a. Charleston somewhere on the list. She is, afterall, the oldest town in the state. Plus, there are some pretty cool things to see and do. Read more in this article.
Chad Fischesser/google
Vien Quang is a Buddihst Monastery with a large temple and hushed walkways throughout their 22 acres in the woods in the Piedmont. Relax and meditate in your own way in this serene spot. Read more in this article.
Flickr/Mike Bitzenhofer
Hidden along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a farm that grows a huge field of sunflowers each year. It’s an enchanting sight to see - and then, you get to pick your own to take home! Read more in this article.
TripAdvisor/Zeke T
The Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse used to work in tandem with another light to guide vessels safely into port. Now it sits in a pine forest on the edge of a golf course, but the grounds are maintained and you can visit - for free. Read more in this article.
Google Maps
The best tacos in the state are wrapped up in this one road trip you’ll never forget. Almost everyone loves tacos so this is a real crowd pleaser. Read more in this article.
Facebook/Hammock Shops Village
No visit to the Grand Strand, or the Charleston area for that matter, can be considered complete until you’ve visited the Original Pawleys Island Hammock Shop to watch a hammock in the making. If you like what you see you can even buy one to bring home and set up in your own yard. Read more in this article.
Facebook/Christmasville in Rock Hill, SC
For four days each December, Rock Hill becomes “Christmasville,” where everything is all about celebrating the season. Heck, even Santa comes to town for four whole days. Read more in this article.
Facebook/Southern Hills Lavendar
The U-Pick days at Southern Hills Lavender are so popular they had to cap the attendance and require reservations. But that just means if you plan ahead you’re guaranteed enough elbow room to get all the lavender you want. Read more in this article.
Flickr/Jeremy Taylor
There really is no other chapel in the Palmetto State quite like this one. With views that stretch for tens of miles, this one of a kind chapel has been a source of inspiration for decades. Read more in this article.
Facebook/City of Newberry, SC - Government
We dare ya. Because it’s such a wonderful small city it’s super difficult to drive through it without wanting to stay! There’s always something happening in the “Stars Hollow” of South Carolina.Read more in this article.
Facebook/Poogan’s Porch
…and leave a chair at your table open, you know, in case you have an uninvited guest show up. The ghost(s) at this eatery have been known to scare their way into an invitation from time to time. Read more in this article.
Flickr/Mike Hughes
A.k.a. the Upstate. The mountainous Upstate of South Carolina is waterfall central in this state. There’s an amazing waterfall campground that’s a perfect home base for a weekend of fun waterfall chasing. Read more in this article.
Flickr/Martin Lewison
Wow. Forget the vertigo and just go for it. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is something everyone from South Carolina should do at least once in their lifetime. The view from the top is unforgettable. Read more in this article.
Once you’ve powered through this list, you can work your way through the 11 very best day trips you can possibly take in South Carolina.
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