5 South Carolina Tourist Spots I Tried to Hate (But Ended Up Loving)

South Carolina’s most popular tourist attractions get the reputation for being a tourist trap, and I’m putting an end to that. I thoroughly despise the term and think it should be retired! The must-see attractions in South Carolina earned their popularity for a reason, be it a beautiful view, a historic site, or something else. If you’re worried about crowds, you can easily avoid them by traveling during a shoulder season or visiting earlier in the day. Here are some of my favorite must-see attractions in South Carolina that are absolutely worth the hype. 

Charleston

Charleston was my introduction to South Carolina, so it holds a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I had the idea to do a mystery vacation and gave my siblings the rules: four days, a budget, and a list of places I had already been. They planned an entire trip, and on the night before my flight, I picked up an envelope that revealed my destination, and I was told what the weather would be (so I could pack appropriately). I drove to the airport, parked, and opened the envelope to reveal where I would be spending the next four days, and Charleston was the destination! I spent the duration of the flight searching for things to do, and I absolutely loved my brief time in Charleston. From the nearby beaches to the historic downtown area, there are so many things to do in this city. And there are a lot of parallels to my hometown (New Orleans), which made things just that much sweeter. 

Myrtle Beach State Park

Nestled among an oceanfront maritime forest, Myrtle Beach State Park is one of my favorite coastal state parks in the nation. While I’m not much of a fisherman, anglers do love this state park for its amazing fishing opportunities. Bring your tacklebox and enjoy some of the best surf fishing in South Carolina, or head over to the Myrtle Beach pier and drop a line. I'm more of a beachcomber, and this beach is excellent for finding seashells! South Carolina’s oldest state park (1936) offers plenty of campsites and six cabins that are close to the beach, too!

Hilton Head

Known for its beautiful beaches and pristine golf courses, Hilton Head Island is a must-see attraction in South Carolina. My top tip for visiting Hilton Head is to ditch your car and rent a bike. Biking is one of the most popular activities on Hilton Head, and there are over 70 miles of paved pathways to ride, including 12 miles of hard-packed sand during low tide. It might be one of the most bike-friendly towns in the United States. While you're wandering around, keep an eye on the skies—the birdwatching is fantastic here! In addition to the usual suspects (egrets, blue herons, seagulls, and pelicans), there are nearly 200 species of birds that flock to the lakes, marshes, and shoreline of Hilton Head Island. Check out the many nature preserves on Hilton Head Island to get your dose of natural flora and fauna, or consider trading the bike for a paddle and going kayaking on Hilton Head Island to see this must-see attraction in South Carolina from an entirely new perspective. Hilton Head certainly is a top summertime destination, but I'm all about winter on Hilton Island.

Table Rock State Park

Sitting pretty at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pickens County, Table Rock State Park should be on everyone's South Carolina itinerary. I will always pick mountain views over beaches, so it didn’t take much for me to fall in love with Table Rock State Park. Clocking in at nearly 3,000 acres, the park offers plenty of hiking trails that lead to stunning overlooks. For my fishy friends, bring your tackle box and fish in one of the park’s two stocked lakes. Kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats are also available to rent, should you want to turn your attention to more aquatic adventures!

Lake Jocassee

The land around the 7,565-acre lake is mostly underdeveloped, so if you want to visit Lake Jocassee, I’d recommend heading over to Devils Fork State Park. This is one must-see attraction in South Carolina that you’ll want to rent a boat for, as many of the hidden waterfalls here are only accessible by boat. Should you wish to keep your feet on land, check out the Oconee Bells Nature Trail at the park. It’s a short and sweet one-mile trail named after the wildflower that blooms from mid-March to early April.

Feeling inspired? Plan your own trip to one of these must-see attractions in South Carolina using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.