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South Carolina delivers some of the South’s best trips, from barrier island beaches and salt marshes to local markets in historic districts. Edisto Island, a quiet and lightly developed sea island, is worth the trip for the 1.7-mile Spanish Mount Trail, which leads to a 4,000-year-old shell midden. Beaufort, with its antebellum character and live oak-lined streets, stands out for Cypress Wetlands, where visitors can spot alligators and river otters. And Newberry is especially memorable for the Wells Japanese Garden, with its moon bridge and Torii gate, as well as the historic Newberry Opera House downtown. There is plenty of history and natural beauty waiting to be discovered across the state, and the eight towns below show just how rewarding a long weekend in South Carolina can be.

Edisto Island

Edisto Island is quiet and largely uninhabited, making it the perfect destination for those wanting to disconnect and unwind. The island's highlight is Edisto Beach State Park, featuring a maritime forest with palmetto trees and rich salt marshes. One of the park's most popular trails, the Spanish Mount Trail, is a 1.7-mile path leading to a 4,000-year-old shell midden that has gradually eroded over time. For those who want to stay immersed in the island’s natural beauty, Edisto Beach State Park also offers rustic cabins tucked among the palmettos and live oaks. The cozy, no-frills cabins sit just steps from the shoreline, allowing visitors to wake up to ocean breezes, spend the day exploring the park’s trails and beaches, and end the evening listening to the sound of waves under a sky full of stars.

Folly Beach

Just a short 25-minute drive from Charleston, Folly Beach is a lovely escape with a population of just over 2,000. Stroll along the historic Folly Pier, built in the 1930s, and take in the breathtaking ocean views. Folly Beach County Park is perfect for those looking to swim, sunbathe, or walk along the shore, with lifeguards present during the summer months.

For a taste of fresh, home-cooked seafood, visit Coconut Joe's, conveniently located just a block from the beach. The town also offers a variety of charming inns and hotels, including the Regatta Inn, which features a waterfront view, a sunset terrace, and complimentary golf cart shuttles for added convenience.

Bluffton

Bluffton offers a waterside escape of its own, centered around the scenic May River rather than the Atlantic. Here, visitors can enjoy numerous recreational activities along the river, including dolphin tours, fishing charters, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The town also highlights local artisans and vendors through markets like the Lowcountry Made Artisan Market, an open-air venue showcasing handmade goods, and the Bluffton Farmer’s Market, where you can find fresh produce, spices, barbecue, and honey. If you're searching for a true Southern-style place to stay, consider May River Manor, which boasts 5.5 acres of lush greenery, a pool, and an outdoor patio for a relaxing getaway.

Beaufort

The town of Beaufort sits on Port Royal Island, surrounded by marshy estuaries and shaded by streets lined with live oak trees. The area is home to over 100 bird species, and the nearby Cypress Wetlands, just a ten-minute drive away, are an excellent spot for exploring the wetland ecosystem. Here, you can see diverse wildlife, including minks, river otters, marsh rabbits, and alligators. Beaufort's downtown area is filled with charming local shops, with highlights such as Beaufort River Glass, Monkey’s Uncle toy shop, and the Oyster Cay Collection antiques store. For a picturesque and historic stay, Anchorage 1770 is a heritage boutique inn on the waterfront.

Aiken

Heading over to the western side of South Carolina, Aiken is renowned for its rich equestrian heritage, while also embodying the best of Southern charm and hospitality. Visitors can tour and meet the horses at Aiken Equine Rescue, the southeastern US’s largest equine rescue center. Those interested in racing can visit the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, which has a large collection of photographs and trophies from some of the country’s best equestrian riders.

The nature around Aiken is priceless as well. The Aiken Arboretum Trail in town, for example, features one of the country’s most diverse tree collections within a municipal landscape. Regarding a unique lodging option in town, The Carriage House Inn, dating back to 1872, is located in Aiken’s historic downtown district and provides a delicious complimentary breakfast and chocolate chip cookies to its guests.

Newberry

Visitors cannot go wrong with a weekend trip away in Newberry. Its downtown historic district is a particular highlight, with landmarks like the Newberry Opera House and the Newberry Museum offering important insights into the town’s history. The Wells Japanese Garden is also on the National Registry of Historic Places, featuring a temple, moon bridge, Torri gate, and tea room.

Wine lovers will find plenty to enjoy in Newberry, with Enoree River Vineyards & Winery offering the perfect spot to spend an afternoon, surrounded by scenic views of the vineyard. For a quaint stay, the historic, family-run Newberry Manor, located just a block away from the Wells Japanese Garden, is a great option.

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island is a relaxed, two-and-a-half-mile-long island home to a little over 2,000 residents, making for a quiet escape. After a leisurely morning stroll along its 2.5-mile shoreline, visitors can enjoy lunch at one of the town's coastal cuisine spots, like Sullivan’s Fish Camp. The town also has an involved artist presence, with visitors able to appreciate local art at galleries such as Sandpiper Gallery and Adele’s Pottery.

One of the island’s iconic landmarks is Fort Moultrie, the site of a pivotal nine-hour battle with the British during the Revolutionary War in 1776. The Palms Oceanfront Hotel is one of the nearest and most recommended lodging options, including spectacular views of the ocean, a newly renovated pool deck, and stylish, modern rooms.

Pendleton

If you're interested in South Carolina's history and culture, Pendleton is a must. The town boasts more than 50 historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous art galleries featuring works from local artists, and a vibrant bluegrass music scene. Notable historic sites include Timms Mill, a gristmill originally built along the Six and Twenty Creek in 1784 and relocated in 1898, as well as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, established in 1822 and still featuring a Jardine pipe organ that has been playing for over 170 years.

To dive into the bluegrass scene, head to Breazeale’s Grocery Bluegrass on the weekends, where you can enjoy jam sessions and occasionally catch performances by nationally recognized artists. For lodging, Liberty Hall Bed & Breakfast, a beautifully restored home built in 1849, offers a charming accommodation option.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a native-born South Carolinian or hail from another state, each of these towns offers unique and diverse attractions that will appeal to every member of the family. With everything from fresh seafood to art galleries and bird tours, these towns offer a wide variety of experiences that defy simple categorization. So get out your calendar, mark your dates, and start planning your next adventure in one of these amazing towns.

Charleston may get most of the attention when it comes to South Carolina’s many cities, but the history, culture, and (of course) Southern charm that make it so special can also be found in smaller and less expensive places in the region. If you’ve ever watched “Forrest Gump” or read anything by the late author Pat Conroy, you may be familiar with Beaufort, a harbor town on Port Royal Island. While its narrow streets, oak trees, and historic district that pre-dates the Civil War are similar to those in Charleston, Beaufort is remarkable and magical in its own right. Plus, it doesn’t draw the same crowds that tend to flock to notable Holy City hangouts like King Street, Folly Beach, and the Battery.

Before you read any further, though, you need to know how to properly pronounce the name. Not to be confused with Beaufort, North Carolina (said like “bow-fert”), the coastal town has a pronunciation more akin to “bew-fert.” Mistaking the two will immediately identify you as a tourist—and it won’t sit too well with the locals. Once you have that squared away, you can start planning your trip to Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina.

Best Things to Do

In 1969, Beaufort became one of the few U.S. cities with an entire downtown designated as a historic district by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, so exploring the neighborhoods filled with Victorian, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Federal-style homes is at the top of most travelers’ lists. At Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, you’ll spot Woods Memorial Bridge, recognizable from the aforementioned Tom Hanks blockbuster. Stretching your legs is also encouraged along the Spanish Moss Trail, a 10.2-mile greenway that weaves by Beaufort’s marshes and through trees draped in Spanish moss. Given its waterfront location, Beaufort should also be experienced by boat; book a Dolphin & History Boat Cruise with Coastal Expeditions or an ecology tour with Beaufort Kayak Tours. Paddleboarding is another option, with rental equipment available through Higher Ground Outfitters.

Beaufort’s ties to the literary world are strong; visiting the Pat Conroy Literary Center (this was Conroy’s adopted hometown) or one of the three independent bookstores in town—NeverMore Books, McIntosh Book Shoppe, or Beaufort Books—is a must for book lovers. For those interested in local art, there's the Rhett Gallery, Thibault Gallery, or Atelier Off Bay.

Many of the best things to do in Beaufort are found outside downtown. About 17 miles east is Hunting Island State Park, with its pristine beaches, marshes, maritime forest, and saltwater lagoon. It's also home to the Hunting Island Lighthouse, which was destroyed during the Civil War and rebuilt in 1875. St. Helena Island (a 15-minute drive away) is home to the Penn Center—one of the United States’ first schools for formerly enslaved individuals—as well as the family-owned Dempsey Farms, where you can pick in-season fruits and vegetables. Local produce can also be acquired on Saturdays at the nearby Port Royal Farmers Market.

Best Hotels

Enhance your visit to Beaufort with a stay in one of the town’s upscale inns. Slow Southern mornings paired with a home-cooked breakfast can be enjoyed on the expansive wooden porch at The Rhett House Inn. Guests can also book the more modern Rhett House Inn Cottages, which sit across the street from the main building. Once a Union Army hospital, Anchorage 1770 overlooks the Beaufort River and offers a fine dining experience at The Ribaut Social Club. The Beaufort Inn first opened its doors in 1897, and the property’s modern-day chapter features several fully renovated buildings within the town’s historic district.

Where to Eat and Drink

As with most Southern cities and towns, food is a major part of the local culture. If you’re a traveler who plans their vacations around meals, you’ll want to start your day at Blackstone’s Cafe or Herban Market and Cafe. For a quick lunch while exploring Beaufort, stop by Lowcountry Produce Market & Cafe to get a fried chicken sandwich or po’boy. Chapman’s Grocer also has grab-and-go treats, wine, and craft beer. Old Bull Tavern is a lively gastropub open only for dinner, Saltus River Grill is great for indulging in seafood, and those craving Italian should dine at Griffin Market. On St. Helena Island, The Gullah Grub Restaurant is one of the area’s most famous eateries (it appeared on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations); order the shrimp gumbo.

Best Time to Visit

When considering the best time to visit South Carolina, there are a few things to keep in mind. Summers here are hot and humid—there’s no getting around that. To explore Beaufort in the most comfortable climate, your best bet is to go in either early spring or late fall. April and October are ideal—you'll find plenty to do (winter is far from bustling) while simultaneously avoiding the sweltering weather that's synonymous with the South.

Getting There

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) are both about an hour's drive away. You’ll need to rent a car to fully experience Beaufort and its surrounding area. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is also an option, although it’ll take about 90 minutes to drive to Beaufort.