15 Things You Must Do Underneath The Summer Sun In South Carolina

Summer in South Carolina is a lot of things and the biggest one is: it’s full of opportunities. Longer days mean there’s actually some time when you get home from work to do some fun stuff before nightfall. We’ve compiled a list of amazing activities that are perfect for enjoying that extra sunshine after work, or for filling your weekends with a bevy of fun things to do.

In reality, there’s likely a never-ending list of these things, but here are 15 to start:

Flickr/carlfbabbage

Take a drive or a walk through one of South Carolina's magical tree tunnels. You'll score extra points if you have a convertible for this one. If not, then just roll down the windows and feel the wind whip through your hair while you sweep through one of these enchanting roads.

Here's a link to an article we published with 9 tree tunnels.

Yelp/Rachel M

Discover a new hidden beach you didn't even know about. South Carolina has more than a handful of these "secret" spots and they're a perfect escape from the usual beaches where everyone goes. Grab you sunscreen and hit the beach.

Here's a link to the Hidden Beaches Road Trip we recently published with six "secret" beaches.

Facebook/Go Ape USA

Climb to new heights and then buckle that harness safely into place before zipping at top speeds toward this gorgeous body of water before landing safely on the other side. Head to Go Ape in Myrtle Beach for this amazing adventure.

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Aunt Sue's Country Corner

Stop at one of the most iconic roadside attractions in the upstate for lunch, dinner, ice cream, shopping and some good old-fashioned fun. Located along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, Aunt Sue's is a destination all on its own.

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Facebook/South Carolina Lace House

Head to the South Carolina Governor's Mansion in Columbia and roam freely (literally, it's free) around the gardens - which are more like outdoor rooms with ivy covered walls and tree canopies for ceilings.

Read more about this secret garden in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

alltrails.com/Dominic Walick

Not just ANY hike...explore some of South Carolina's most renowned trails and find yourself in amazing places, like on top of the world with an incredible view, or walking along a rails-to-trails hike where trains use to run. These hikes are perfect for an early morning summertime excursion.

Read more about them in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

TripAdvisor/csecrist95

Take a weekend road trip to some of South Carolina's most haunted places including places to eat and sleep along the way. You'll visit the state's most notoriously haunted grave, the grave of Alice Flagg. Bring an old ring to offer her as a gift. Legend has it, if you bring her a ring then her apparition will appear.

Here's a link to the perfect haunted weekend itinerary road trip.

Rover Boat Tours

Take the day trip of a lifetime when you board this sightseeing tour boat and head to a barrier island to find treasures from the sea. Forget the shark's teeth...some people have found shark jawbones.

Read more about the lighthouse and shelling tour in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Yelp/NaKeshia P.

Because, who can resist a fabulous seafood dinner - or two? We put together the ultimate South Carolina bucket list of seafood restaurants and you'll want to try them. Go ahead...stuff your face...we won't judge.

Check out that seafood restaurant bucket list in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

TripAdvisor/Rita J

South Carolina's Upstate is home base for a lot of waterfalls. Last summer we took you on a very popular waterfalls road trip featuring some pretty spectacular falls. This year, we put together a totally different road trip that features waterfalls in the Sumter National Forest, including this one, the beautiful 70-foot Kings Creek Falls.

Hit the all new waterfalls road trip to see the falls of the Sumter National Forest in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Facebook/Horseback Waterfall Tours

Speaking of waterfalls, take the state's only horseback waterfall tour this summer and have the time of your life.

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

TripAdvisor/charlestonchick

Who says nothing in life is free? There are plenty of perfectly fun activities in the Palmetto State that won't cost you a dime, starting with visiting the Angel Oak tree on Johns Island. This and 15 more suggestions for free things to do are in the link below.

Read more about free stuff you can do in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

TripAdvisor/275GTS

As far as we know, South Carolina's only "natural bridge" is located along this trail, aptly named "Natural Bridge Trail" in the upstate. Take a short hike to see this geologic wonder for yourself.

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Robin Jarvis

We've put together 10 spots you can head to that are perfect for exploring the back roads of South Carolina. Head to Botany Bay Plantation and enjoy the swag of the Spanish moss as you pass under a tunnel of Oak trees; or to Old Sheldon Church where again, you'll pass under a tunnel of trees. The back roads of South Carolina are full of adventure. Buckle up - and enjoy!

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Trover/Chelsea Rosen

Head to the Upstate to spend the day in some of the clearest, most pristine water in South Carolina. Double your pleasure by cooling off in the pristine man-made Lake Jocassee. Camping is available right along the shores.

Read more about it in this OnlyInYourState.com article.

Summer in South Carolina is definitely the perfect time to get outside to explore our great state. Remember to schedule your activities early in the day by the time July and August roll around – and to always bring plenty of water and sunscreen! What’s your favorite thing to do outdoors in the summer? Beach? Hike? Other? We’d love to hear from you in our comments!