Who says “nothing in life is free?” Well, in the case of these 15 amazing attractions in the Palmetto State, those people are wrong.

Find yourself zipping along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, touring the only tea plantation in America, or roaming through a garden doused with heavenly-scented plants as you make your way through this massive list of things you can do for free in South Carolina.

1. Charleston Tea Plantation - Wadmalaw Island
Charleston Tea Plantation
Visit this one-of-its-kind American tea plantation and see the fields of tea bushes where this and at least nine other tea varieties are grown.
Charleston Tea Plantation
Indulge in a free factory tour and an amazing gift shop full of - you guessed it - tea stuff. It's perfect for early holiday shopping, or just to browse or buy yourself a treat.
TripAdvisor/jpahter
Tour the plantation and above activities on foot for free. Optional trolley tours are a (small) fee.

Charleston Tea Plantation
6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
Phone: More information including hours here.
2. The Gardens of the South Carolina Governor's Mansion - Columbia
Facebook/South Carolina Lace House
The "secret" gardens surrounding the South Carolina's Governor's mansion are open to the public. Find yourself in awe of how you've gone this long without even realizing this was here and free.

South Carolina Governor's Mansion gardens
800 Richland Street, Columbia, SC
More information in this article we published.
3. Campbells Covered Bridge - Landrum
Flickr/David
History buffs will love the rich story behind this bridge, the only old-timey covered bridge remaining in the state. Read more about it here.

Campbell's Covered Bridge
171 Campbell Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356
4. Visit the City of Landrum
Facebook/City of Landrum
While you're in Landrum to visit Campbell's Covered Bridge head over to this magical town that's straight out of a fairy tale. Together with Pickens and Greenville, Landrum is part of a trio of perfect cities to visit in the Upstate. Read more about Landrum in this article.
5. Charleston (open-air) City Market - Charleston
TripAdvisor/DrSkippy
If you're a native, hear me out. This market is a blast if you go when it's not super crowded. Plan your excursion to avoid busy weekends and go early in the mornings. The Charleston City Market is akin to a bonafide flea market with everything from new items, antiques like jewelry, locally-made preserves, plants and plenty of those sweetgrass baskets that Charleston is so famous for.

Charleston City Market
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
More information including hours
6. South Carolina Botanical Garden - Clemson
Yelp/Chuck N
A division of Clemson University, the SC Botanical Garden is 295 acres of nature trails, themed gardens and natural landscapes. There's also a unique little hut built around a natural spring. Read more about it in this article we published in 2016.

South Carolina Botanical Garden
Clemson University, 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29634
Phone: (864) 656-3405
More information here, including hours and special events.
7. Angel Oak - Johns Island
Yelp/Matty B
It's safe to say the Angel Oak tree may be the top free outdoor attraction in the state. Visitors are drawn to this tree that has an unwavering spirit. It's speculated to be as old as 1500 years. It's like visiting an outdoor art gallery with only one exhibit.

Angel Oak
3671 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
8. The South Carolina Maritime Museum - Georgetown
TripAdvisor/TimeToTravel2468
Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina and one of the three remaining South Carolina fishing villages that seem frozen in time. Visit the (free) Maritime Musuem on Front Street and marvel at the relics they've saved over the centuries. After, head outside to stroll around historic Georgetown and love every minute of it.

South Carolina Maritime Museum
729 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
More information on their wonderful website
9. Greenville County Museum of Art - Greenville
TripAdvisor/management
View the largest collection of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, one of the most iconic American artists in the 20th Century. In fact, many Wyeth family members were lauded as influential and there are several Wyeth family works on display at this gallery in Greenville. Although it's not outdoors, this museum is worth the drive all by itself. Add a spectacular free outdoor attraction to the trip by popping over to a fabulous park that's hiding in plain sight in downtown Greenville. Read on to learn more about it.

Greenville County Museum of Art
420 College St, Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 271-7570
More information including gallery hours here
10. Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville
TripAdvisor/Sarah G
Yelp/Susan H
Head over to Greenville to a park right in downtown with a waterfall that spans the width of the entire river. Falls Park on the Reedy and surrounding attractions, including an outdoor amphitheatre with free concerts, is an explosion of colors in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons with many elevations to explore, including trails that meander along the river bottom.

Falls Park on the Reedy
601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
More information in this article from OnlyInSouthCarolina
11. God's Acre Healing Springs - Blackville
TripAdvisor/TryppAdams
There are scores of people who swear by the healing properties of the water flowing from these quirky pipes. (You all know who you are!) Bring some empty bottles and take some home to find out for yourself!

God's Acre Healing Springs
Springs Ct, Blackville, SC 29817
Hours: always open
12. Kings Mountain National Military Park - Blacksburg
Steve Markos
A major Revolutionary War battle took place on these hallowed grounds. A national monument honors the men who fought and/or died here. In addition to those significant moments in time, this park's ancient history includes some volcanic activity right here in South Carolina. Read more about that in this article we published.

Kings Mountain National Military Park
2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702
More information including hours and holiday closures here
13. Brasstown Falls - Westminster
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu
Spend a day in the wild chasing this magnificent waterfall as it drops 120 feet in three sections into the Brasstown Valley. Its location makes it easy to get to and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Palmetto State.

Brasstown Falls
Westminster, SC
Directions and more information here
14. Ninety-Six National Historic Site - Ninety Six
Steve Markos
wikipedia/C24winagain
The first land battle of the Revolutionary War south of New England ocurred at Star Fort at Ninety-Six in 1775. The historic site includes 1,000 acres for you to explore and discover evidence of this pre-Revolutionary War "city" that once thrived here. The Battlefield and "ghost town" are located approximately two miles south of present day Ninety Six, South Carolina.

Ninety Six National Historic Site
1103 Hwy 248 S, Ninety Six, SC 29666
More information including hours
15. South Carolina Scenic Byways - statewide
Flickr/rocor
Roll down the windows and take a drive along one of the Scenic byways in South Carolina. Find yourself zipping along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or trailing under the canopy of Spanish moss-covered old Oak trees. You'll find a list of the state's scenic byways from the SCDOT here.

Read more about 8 of them in this OnlyInSouthCarolina article.

If you’re looking for even more fun things to do, you can’t miss this list of 10 of the weirdest places, attractions, and activities in South Carolina.

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