12 Magnificent Hidden Gems to Discover in South Carolina This Year

Did you know trying new things and taking on challenges makes you stronger and happier? That’s what they say! In order to help you out with this, we’ve got some hidden gems in South Carolina for you to check out throughout this coming year - in fact, we've picked out one for each month. Make this the year you venture out of your comfort zone and explore some of these hidden gems in South Carolina. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite spot!

January - Landrum, SC

Landrum is a city in the Spartanburg County upstate area of South Carolina that's really quite a charming hidden gem small town full of hidden gems to explore. There are plenty of things to do in Landrum that will keep the entire family entertained.

Stay at this cute and cozy Airbnb cabin if you want to make it an overnight adventure. There's a decent chance you could see snow this time of year in this part of the state, so plan accordingly! Check out the listing for this charming cabin on Airbnb and start planning your epic getaway.

This old Esso gas station is a retro replica roadside attraction located near the North Carolina border on Highway 176. It has a traditional 1930s Wayne gravity-powered gasoline pump and a kerosene barrel. An outhouse behind the building completes the recreation of this unique South Carolina hidden gem.

Stop by Southside Smokehouse and Grill at 726 South Howard Avenue to warm up with some spiked Mexican hot chocolate after you check out the gas station. Of course, you'll need to try the BBQ, too. This place has some of the best BBQ in South Carolina!

February - Benjamin E. Mays Historic Site, Greenwood

For Black History Month, check out this Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site, which was established in 2011 to honor and display the extraordinary life of Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. Dr. Mays rose from impoverished beginnings to become one of the greatest international leaders of his generation. He served as President of Morehead College and was instrumental in putting the early admissions program into place that enabled Martin Luther King to begin college as a 15-year-old.

March - The Coffee Shelf, Chapin

This hidden gem is for our coffee and book lovers. The Coffee Shelf has a menu with drinks inspired by book characters, and you just might discover a new favorite book for sale. Chapin is a charming little community, and it's a perfect spot for a day trip. Read on to discover all of the things to do in Chapin, South Carolina.

April - Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Spartanburg

A 10-acre space of nine different unique gardens, this special place was created by Josephine and Harold Hatcher beginning in 1969. They transformed the abandoned cotton field that was their backyard into a breathtaking natural sanctuary that we get to enjoy today. What a beautiful legacy! You can visit Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve at any time of year, but April is an especially beautiful month to take a stroll there since you'll be surrounded by beautiful blooms.

May - Vanishing Island™, Hilton Head Island

Located off the southern tip of Hilton Head Island and along the coast of nearby Daufuskie Island lies Vanishing Island™, a sandbar that can only be visited at low tide in the Calibogue Sound. It is not recommended to attempt to navigate these shallow waters in a rental boat or without extensive local knowledge. Outside Hilton Head offers a Beachcombing Cruise where you can watch for Dolphins, collect seashells on Vanishing Island™, and observe wildlife.

June - Lynches River County Park, Coward

Located on Lynches River in the Pee Dee region of the state, this 676-acre park features a river swamp with towering cypress trees, as well as sand hills, and offers a wide variety of vegetation. Popular activities at the park include canoeing, camping, nature trails, Splash Pad fun, picnicking, geocaching, and a visit to the Environmental Discovery Center. There's also an archery range, and cabins are available in addition to campsites if you'd like to stay overnight. Lynches River County Park is a wonderful summertime destination.

July - Rob Kennedy Trail, Daufuskie Island

The Rob Kennedy Trail on Daufuskie Island includes 20 historical sites and it's one of the best places to visit in South Carolina for history buffs. Two buildings in particular that are noteworthy are the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 2 building, which became the Billie Burn Museum after it was bought in 2001 by Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation and restored, and the Frances Jones Home. Frances Jones was the beloved teacher of the African-American children on the island from 1930 to 1969. She taught as many as 96 children in morning and afternoon sessions. A childhood accident left her lame, but this did not deter her from softball games with her students.

August - Pine Ridge Campground, Roebuck

Veteran-owned, Pine Ridge Campground offers a variety of sites, including full hookup sites with both 30 and 50-amp service, rustic cabins with electricity, and park models. Open year-round, it can accommodate daily, weekly, or monthly guests. An array of amenities on-site include WiFi, laundry facilities, propane, a one-acre catch-and-release fishing pond, and a pool.

September - Boyscout Island

Boyscout Island is a remote, uninhabited island accessible via Lake Moultrie. It's a locals' secret, and quite frankly, it's rather difficult to access even by boat due to the stump fields and shallows that must be navigated. Lake Moultrie Kayak Rentals and Tours offers The Gilligan Tour, where guests are taken to the island by a guide and left to their own devices to explore and kayak back on their own.

October - Pinnacle Mountain Falls, Pickens

Hike the 2.7-mile out-and-back Pinnacle Mountain Falls trail near Pickens. It's considered a moderately challenging route and takes an average of an hour and a half to complete. It's steeper once you get closer to the waterfall. Be prepared to climb over some boulders. It's also less maintained closer to the falls, so watch your footing carefully as fallen leaves and nuts can make for easy slips. A 17-year-old cyclist fell approximately 15 to 20 feet at Pinnacle Mountain in April of 2022, so take your time and exercise caution! We always recommend having an Alltrails + account and the best hiking gear before you set off on any hiking trails in South Carolina.

November - Glamping at Oaks and Orchards Organic Wellness Farm, Tillman

As the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, November is the perfect month to carve out a night or two for yourself. Go glamping and experience life on a farm that grows "superfoods" sustainably! Enjoy a cup of coffee in the greenhouse after a good night's sleep. Oaks and Orchards Organic Wellness Farm also offers wellness retreats.

December - Wheels of Yesteryear, Myrtle Beach

The first annual Wheels of Yesteryear Winterfest was held in 2022, so December is a great time to visit this hidden gem attraction. Meet Santa, bounce in a race car bounce house, eat delicious cookies, and do holiday crafts while you're there. You may even have an opportunity to sit in some of the gorgeous vintage vehicles on display at this unique museum! Wheels of Yesteryear is one of those Myrtle Beach hidden gems not everyone knows about that's nevertheless totally worth visiting, especially for automobile enthusiasts.

These South Carolina hidden gems will keep you busy all year long! No matter the season, there's so much to do and see across the beautiful Palmetto State.

Ready to try some more of the best hidden gems in South Carolina? Have you been to the treehouse restaurant in South Carolina that’s like a fairytale? There’s another hidden gem for ya!

Do you have any favorite hidden gem spots in South Carolina that aren’t on this list? Feel free to reach out to us and tell us all about them! Share this article with someone you want to explore some of these hidden gems in South Carolina with.