The Top 10 Attractions In South Carolina Are A Must-Visit This Year
Planning a fun day trip to someplace within the state can be a challenge. There’s so much to do and see here it can seem impossible to narrow down the possibilities to just a single choice. That’s where user reviews like those found on Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp are very helpful. We recently checked the top 10 attractions in South Carolina as ranked by TripAdvisor.com, and found this list. How many can you visit in the year ahead?
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Middleton Place is currently ranked the Number One attraction in South Carolina by TripAdvisor.com. Explore 65 lush acres of gardens, a working stable yard, the museum house, and take some history tours. Learn more from this previous article.
The most popular tourist attraction in the Myrtle Beach area clocks in at Number Two on this list. One thing for sure about Broadway at the Beach is you'll never run out of things to do there. The sky is the limit at this shopping center and entertainment complex! Learn a little more about it from this previous article.
Planning a family vacation this year? Why leave the state during a pandemic? Load up the kids and the bikes and head to Hilton Head Island. The bike trails in this family-oriented locale consistently earn 5 out of 5 stars from TripAdvisor users. If you don't want to cart the bikes there, you can reach out to the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce for locations where you can rent bikes for the day or longer.
Ever since the Joe Riley Waterfront Park opened in May 1990, it's be a focal point of historic Charleston. Stroll along the waterfront and feel the ocean breeze on your face, let the kids play in the splash fountain, picnic, relax... and just enjoy. What a joy to have this wonderful outdoor location in South Carolina! The park is open sunrise to sunset and admission is free. Learn more here.
You won't find another beach in South Carolina that's quite like Coligny. With its convenience options like changing rooms, showers, a snack stand, chair rentals, and even a dog wash, Coligny Beach has a lot going for it if you're spending a day in the surf and sun. Learn all about Coligny Beach Park in this previous article.
6. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge - Charleston / Mount Pleasant
Designed to enhance the landscape, the new Cooper River Bridge is also Charleston's Top Attraction, while the top attraction in Mount Pleasant is the waterfront park and pier that's tucked underneath the bridge. Locals and visitors alike flock to the bridge to walk or bike across and enjoy breathless views of the water. Learn more about this impressive bridge and its history here.
A personal favorite, Falls Park on the Reedy in downtown Greenville has to be one of the prettiest city parks in the country. When you visit be sure to set aside enough time to explore it fully and to admire the enormous waterfall from above while crossing the uniquely curved Liberty Bridge! Discover more reasons to love this gorgeous park in this article.
Home to over 2,000 animals from 350 species from all over the globe, Riverbanks Zoo makes a fantastic day trip, no matter your age. Plus, you can combine your interest in the animals with your love of history when you hike to ancient ruins along the river on a trail that's accessible from inside the zoo. Read more about that here.
Located on the north end of North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove Beach seems only a stone's throw from the North Carolina state line. It's a popular spot for vacationing families from all over the country, including here in South Carolina. One of the most popular attractions is the Cherry Grove Pier, where fishing and just gazing out at the big blue ocean are fun ways to pass the time. In 2016, we ranked the Cherry Grove Pier as the #1 pier in the state. See that list of nine piers here.
Whether you have your own vessel, or enjoy the lake from the shore at the Lake Murray Dam, Lake Murray Public Park, or over at Dreher Island State Park, a day on (or in!) the water is great medicine for whatever ails you. Don't believe us? Try it and see for yourself. Read more about beautiful Lake Murray in this previous article.
There you have it: a day at the zoo, on the water, on the beach, at the pier, exploring a couple of great city parks, biking, shopping, and more. What’s not to love about South Carolina’s top attractions this year? What other points of interest do you plan to check out within our borders this year? Let us know in the comments!
Address: 4300 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, USA
Address: 1325 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, USA
Address: Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Address: Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Address: 1N Forest Beach, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
Address: Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Address: 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Address: Cherry Grove Beach, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, USA
Address: 2101 N Lake Dr, Columbia, SC 29212, USA
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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.
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