In previous articles, here and here, we’ve listed some fairy tale places and castles in the Palmetto State. And now, we’ve put together another fun road trip to some of the castles. Some of them you can go in and others you can only see from the outside, but they’re still majestic. This road trip to see some of the most majestic castles is one of the best road trips in South Carolina.

Google Maps [enhanced]
This fun castle trip is one of the best road trips in South Carolina. It begins in Greenville and ends in Beaufort. You can take it all in one day, or spend a weekend checking out the castles of South Carolina. Here's a link to the Google Map (above).
1. Gassaway Mansion, Greenville
Gassaway Mansion
Gassaway Mansion
Located only minutes from downtown Greenville, the Gassaway Mansion is a sight to see. The story behind this castle is even more thrilling, nd you can read that here. You can see the outside of this castle from the road, but to get inside you'll need to attend a private event, such as a wedding, here. It's one of the most magical places in South Carolina.

Address: 106 Dupont Dr, Greenville, SC 29607
2. Atalaya Castle, Murrells Inlet
TripAdvisor/jlantern3
TripAdvisor/Tara C
What this one-story castle lacks in height it makes up for in other ways. The castle is a massive 200-by-200 feet and was constructed from 1931-1933 by Archer and Anna Huntington. It was the summer home and studio for Anna, who was a sculptor. The enormous closed courtyard is shown above with a 40-by-40 water tower at the right of the photo. The water tower is the tallest feature of this 30-room castle. The property is open daily and tours are offered in season. More information is available here including hours. Atalaya Castle is located in Huntington Beach State Park, which you can read about in our full coverage.

Address: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
3. Mugdock Castle, Sullivans Island
Mugdock Castle

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Mugdock Castle
Visit the newest "old" castle to grace the Palmetto State. Mugdock Castle actually got its start as a church in 1891. Learn more about this unique castle in this article. You'll find Mugdock Castle next to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. You can check out the outside all you want. But according to their website, Mugdock Castle is now a short-term rental with a minimum of 28 days.

Address: 1401 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
4. Castle Pinckney, Charleston
Flickr/Roland Turner
Henry de Saussure Copeland/Flickr
Constructed in 1812 and used during the Civil War, Castle Pinckney was eventually designated a National Monument. But in 1959 it was abandoned and left to decay in a salty grave in the Charleston Harbor. Read more about Castle Pinckney in this article. You can see Castle Pinckney, one of the most fascinating castles in South Carolina, from the top of the Ravenel Bridge, or from the end of the pier at Charleston's Waterfront Park. This road trip will take you to Waterfront Park to see it from there.

Address: 1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
5. Old Colleton County Jail, Watlerboro
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Built in 1856-1857, the old jail for Colleton County boasts several castle-like features including turrets and a beautiful lancet window above the entrance. The building is open to the public and you can enter. It's home to Colleton County's Probate Court. You can read more about Old Colleton County Jail in our full coverage.

Address: 22 Klein St, Walterboro, SC 29488
6. The Beaufort Castle, Beaufort
Wikimedia Commons/ ProfReader
Built by Joseph Johnson in 1859, The Castle, as locals call it, got its name from its sheer size and its proximity to the water. You can explore the outside of this grand home from the road and get an idea of how grand this palace must have been when it was built prior to the Civil War. The home also has much historical significance. You can read about that here.

Address: 411 Craven St, Beaufort, SC 29902

Whether you’re all about magical castles in South Carolina or just the architecture or history, this road trip has a little something for everyone. Would you take this castle trip, one of the best road trips in South Carolina? Do you know of any other castles in the state? Please let us know in the comment section.

Want more road trips? The weather’s warming up and that means it’s the perfect time to hit this trail of waterfalls in South Carolina. This new waterfalls road trip is everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

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More to Explore

Best Road Trips In South Carolina

Melissa M. | July 10, 2021

What are some of the best road trips in South Carolina?

With its coastline, history, natural wonders, and lovely small towns, there are plenty of places you can take a road trip to in the Palmetto State. We have compiled a list of our best road trips around South Carolina that you can read in this article. From a waterfall road trip to a small towns road trip, ghost town road trip, haunted road trip, natural wonders road trip, and more, you will have plenty of ideas for a themed trip around the state.

What are some of the most magical places in South Carolina?

With its beauty and southern charm, the Palmetto State is quite magical in its own right but we still put together a Fairy Tale Road Trip That Will Lead You To Some Of South Carolina’s Most Magical Places. Along this trip, you’ll travel to the enchanting Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, Botany Bay in Edisto with its trees that are straight out of a fairy tale, the secret Governor’s Mansion Gardens, and more.  

What are the most unique things to do in South Carolina?

South Carolina is filled with unique things to do, many of which are free. You can read about 23 unique places in the Palmetto State you can visit without opening your wallet in this article. Driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway will give you some of the best views in the state. You can roam around the grounds and take photos of the Old Sheldon Ruins. And if you love trains, you’ll love the Florence Railroad Museum located in Florence. 

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Featured Addresses
106 Dupont Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, USA
6148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USA
Mugdock Castle, 1401 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, USA
1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
22 Klein St, Walterboro, SC 29488, USA
411 Craven St, Beaufort, SC 29902, USA