Things to do in South Carolina

Historic Charleston & Resort Beaches. Charleston is an Old South city with irresistible charm and beauty. Steeped in history, the city boasts 73 pre-Revolutionary buildings, 136 late-18th century structures and over 600 others built before the 1840s. Idyllic beach resorts at Kiawah Island, Seabrook, Wild Dunes and Edisto Island offer miles of unspoiled beaches and marshlands, outstanding recreation facilities and fine dining. For more information, visit www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/islands-coast/beaches.aspx#2.

South Carolina Golf Courses. South Carolina boasts premier golf courses in areas like Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach. Duffers and scratch golfers alike will have no trouble finding a course to like. Kiawah Island Golf Resort and The Sea Pines Resort-Harbour Town Golf Links are named in Golf Digest magazine’s list of “The 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America.” In addition, there are two state park courses, Cheraw State Park and Hickory Knob Resort. For more information, visit golf.discoversouthcarolina.com/course-finder/course-finder-main.aspx.  [Top]

Historic Downtown Beaufort. Take a trip back in time when life moved at a much slower pace. Explore the beauty of Historic Downtown Beaufort where majestic live oak trees are draped in Spanish moss. Marvel at the preserved churches and cemeteries. Discover quaint shops, eateries and charming inns. Hunt for the treasured architectural details that hide in the corners of this National Landmark District. For more information, visit www.downtownbeaufort.com/.

Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand. A 60-mile span of white sand beaches that stretch from Little River to Georgetown, the Grand Strand features incredible seafood, historic tours, unique shops, cruises, deep sea and inshore fishing, and magnificent Brookgreen Gardens. The hub of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach provides more than 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts, outlet malls, specialty shops, live musical theatre, nightclubs and a wealth of family attractions. For more information, visit www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/islands-coast/beaches.aspx#1.  [Top]

Historic Savannah & River Street. Georgia’s “first city,” Savannah is rife with history. Tour this captivating city and relive an era that will live with you for years to come. Landmarks include the Old City Exchange Bell, the Savannah Cotton Exchange and the U.S. Custom House. Explore River Street in the Historic District, where art galleries and antique stores are sure to enchant. For more information, visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com/.

Ghosts of the South Walking Tour. Uncover the legendary spirits that linger in the streets and shadows of Beaufort. The Ghosts of the South Walking Tour is a candlelight adventure not to be missed. For more information, call 843.575.4967 or visit www.beauforttraveler.com/see_the_sights/tours/ghost.shtml.  [Top]

Penn Center. Nestled in the heart of the South Carolina Sea Islands, the Penn Center is the site of one of America’s first schools for freed slaves and one of the most significant African American historical and cultural institutions in existence today. For more information, visit www.penncenter.com/.

Beaufort Water Festival. Since 1956, the Beaufort Water Festival has been a staple of this fair city. It began with a parade, a beauty pageant, sailboat races, dances and ski shows. In time, the Festival began to draw more people from other parts of the state and country. Other events, such as fishing and golf tournaments, as well as a craft market, antique show, and art show were added to the line up. For more information, visit www.bftwaterfestival.com/.  [Top]

Old Village of Port Royal. Established in 1562, Port Royal is located between the Beaufort River and Battery Creek in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Home to two military installations-Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island and Naval Hospital, Beaufort-Port Royal features a network of walking trails, community beach, boardwalk, and observation tower. For more information about this town that bills itself as the “birthplace of American civilization,” visit www.oldvillageportroyal.com/.

Lowcountry Estuarium. The Lowcountry Estuarium provides hands-on learning about the coastal environments of salt marshes, beaches, coastal waters and estuaries. Come visit this unique facility and discover fun facts about the plants, animals and environments surrounding this beautiful area. For more information, visit www.lowcountryestuarium.org.  [Top]

ACE Basin. The ACE Basin is formed by the confluence of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers and constitutes a pristine nature preserve of marshes, streams, rivers and islands on the Atlantic coast near Beaufort, South Carolina. Explore the natural beauty, wildlife and history of the ACE Basin aboard the Dixie Lady, a 40-passenger covered pontoon boat, from ACE Basin Tours. For more information, visit www.acebasintours.com/.

Beaufort Fun Park. Beaufort Fun Park has it all-everything from a state-of-the-art batting cage and a radical rock climbing wall to zippy go-karts and amazing miniature golf. Wet and wild action can be found at Water Wars where water balloons rule. Cool prizes await you in the Tropical Arcade. For more information, visit www.beaufortfunpark.com/.  [Top]