5 Places in South Carolina I Wouldn’t Take My Worst Enemy

Did you know that almost 20 million folks visit South Carolina every year? With that many tourists, it’s a no-brainer that we have so many spots to entertain our visitors. Naturally, these popular attractions in South Carolina can be overcrowded, and many locals will avoid them due to overpricing and large crowds. One place I can think of immediately is Hyman’s Seafood in Charleston. 

Don’t get me wrong, this historic family-owned restaurant in South Carolina is worth visiting. After all, the legendary joint has gained national recognition for the best seafood in the Southeast. And since it’s the most reviewed restaurant in the country, the lines are always down the block, especially during peak season, weekends, and holidays. Are there more popular attractions in South Carolina that locals skip? Of course! Check out my picks for some tourist traps that I wouldn’t take my worst enemy to, and you should avoid them, too.  

1. Myrtle Beach on Weekends and Holidays

As one of the most popular beaches in the country, I can give you 50 reasons to visit Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, its popularity is the reason I would avoid it, especially on weekends, special events, and holidays. As much as I love beach days, the traffic jams, high-energy beach vibes, and the crowded attractions disturb my peace of mind. Myrtle Beach is ideal for family-friendly fun, and my enemy deserves a day here. As for me, I will be on Edisto Beach, a low-key beach in SC, soaking up the gorgeous views from the peaceful sandy shores. 

2. South of the Border, Hamer

What can I say about South of the Border? It’s one of those kitschy roadside attractions that will grab your attention when you’re driving along I-95. This highway stop offers lots of shopping and dining options, gas stations, a Motor Inn, tons of photo ops, an observation tower, and more. For over 75 years, it has been a pit stop for many folks driving through the area. Sure, it’s a bit gimmicky with the neon signs and Mexican-style flair, but is it worth the detour? Well, it depends. If you’re a road tripper who enjoys taking pictures and spending time at unique rest stops, then this is the place for you. As for my worst enemy? I would book a room at the South of the Border Inn for them and continue on a solo road trip to Florence, South Carolina, to check out the hidden gems in town.   

3. Downtown Columbia on Game Nights

No matter if it’s a football, basketball, or concert, event nights are always chaotic in downtown Columbia. If you’ve been to a game at Colonial Life Arena or Williams-Brice Stadium, then you’ll know that the energy is out of this world. Before or after an event, downtown is packed with locals, visitors, and die-hard fans. The bars and restaurants are lively, the drinks are flowing, and the music is pumping. It’s everything you expect a game night to be. Of course, there will be traffic jams, road closures, and parking frustrations, too. Would I take my arch-rival to experience this much fun? Probably, but only if they become a club member for the USC teams, so that we can benefit from the perks.    

4. Charleston City Market, Charleston

Love it or hate it, Charleston is a bucket-list-worthy town in South Carolina. But let’s be honest, certain popular spots could make this list. One in particular is the Charleston City Market. A recent visitor called this historic market an “overpriced tourist trap.” This iconic market has been around for over 200 years, and I appreciate the Greek Revival-style architecture, so I would recommend visiting just for the experience. I can’t deny that the flea market is one of the most popular attractions in Charleston, so obviously, it gets crowded, and vendor prices are, in fact, inflated. The good news? You can find hidden gem items made by locals, too. I would take my worst enemy here, but they would need to treat me to a mouthwatering jalapeno pimento cheese biscuit from Callie's Hot Little Biscuit.

5. Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach

As the number one shopping, dining, and entertainment venue in South Carolina and the top attraction in Myrtle Beach, you will find plenty to do at Broadway at the Beach. This one-stop entertainment complex is ideal for families, spring breakers, and tourists seeking fun attractions while on vacation. Of course, you will find locals here too, but this carefully curated area with chain restaurants, souvenir shops, arcades, and rides was obviously built to entertain our guests. Would I take my worst enemy here? Absolutely, in hopes they get stuck on SkyWheel for hours.   

No matter what city or state you live in, there will be popular attractions that locals will skip. And as you can see, South Carolina is no different. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, I would recommend visiting these popular attractions in South Carolina at least once. 

What do you think about my list of tourist traps in SC? Do you agree with it? What attractions would you add? Sound off on our nomination page. And when you’re ready to plan your trip in South Carolina, use our easy Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to have a full list of activities in minutes.