This Magical Road Trip Will Take You Through South Carolina’s Most Charming Christmas Towns
We South Carolinians know we don’t need snow for it to feel like Christmas in the Palmetto State. In fact, right now in South Carolina it’s already looking a lot like Christmas! Everywhere you go you’ll see decorations, people shopping and lights sparkling. Pull up your Christmas music selection and hit the road to visit these charming Christmas towns in South Carolina for a fun way to get in the spirit and spend time with family.
We've put together a full-on road trip with some pretty big highlights. Overall, the trip is just at 10 hours of drive time so get an early start! Here's a link to the Google Map to guide you on your way. Enjoy!
Greenville's main street comes alive with Christmas spirit each year, starting with the Ice Rink and ending at Falls Park. Eat, shop and play in downtown Greenville before heading on your merry way.
Anderson has one of the biggest, prettiest trees in the state this year! Be sure to swing by for photos and if you're there at night, hit the annual lights show across from the Civic Center.
Uptown Greenwood does it up big for the holidays. The lights alone are enough to make you stop in your tracks. Add all the shopping and dining that's also at your fingertips in Uptown Greenwood and you'll never want to leave.
Aiken is one of the most charming Christmas towns in South Carolina. From the downtown shops and their festive windows, to all the decorations and lights over at Hopeland Gardens, Aiken is one Chirstmas town you don't want to miss!
Whether you arrive in Newberry in the heart of the day or at night when you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas tree they just put up, you're sure to find some extra special Christmas cheer in this small close-knit community. Grab some food to go from one of the many choices and hit the road for the next stop.
Drive through Sumter on your way to Swan Lake/Iris Gardens to see the famous "floating Christmas tree" and all the other lights that deck out this city park each Christmas.
Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach is without a doubt the epitome of Christmas lights overdone. But that's okay. It's dazzling, even mesmerizing, at Christmas and if you've never seen it, this is your chance!
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet is gorgeous any time of day! But during the Christmas season they go above and beyond with a spectacular nighttime series called "Nights of a Thousand Candles." Although, the name isn't exactly accurate - because they actually light 5,500 candles! If you want to go to the nighttime event you'll need to get tickets ahead of time. More info here.
The last stop on the road trip is Charleston. Find a place to drop your car (there are plenty of parking garages downtown) and then wander around like a kid in a candy store. Take a carriage ride to see the decorations, swing through Charleston's famous Market Street and do a little shopping and/or have an amazing meal before hitting the road back home.
What a way to combine family time with shopping and sightseeing! This jolly road trip is a perfect way to take in the sights and sounds of Christmas in South Carolina this year!
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
