South Carolina USA
Tourism Sites
Brookgreen Gardens
🧠 Fact: It’s home to one of the largest collections of American figurative sculpture in the U.S.
💡 Tip: Take the boat tour through historic rice fields for hidden wildlife sightings.
Info: Brookgreen Gardens, located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a unique blend of art, nature, and history. Established in 1931, it features the largest collection of American figurative sculpture in the country. The gardens span over 9,000 acres and include beautifully landscaped grounds, a zoo with native animals, and preserved rice plantations. Visitors enjoy walking trails, seasonal events, and guided tours. Brookgreen Gardens offers a serene and educational experience for art lovers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs alike.
Congaree National Park
🧠 Fact: It protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern U.S.
💡 Tip: The 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail is an easy and scenic introduction to the park.
Info: Congaree National Park, located near Columbia, South Carolina, preserves the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Spanning over 26,000 acres, the park features towering champion trees, diverse wildlife, and rich biodiversity. Visitors can explore via the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, hike the 11-mile Kingsnake Trail, or paddle along Cedar Creek. Notably, the park hosts a rare synchronous firefly display each spring. Activities include hiking, canoeing, birdwatching, and primitive camping. Admission is free year-round.
Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor
🧠 Fact: Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861.
💡 Tip: Book the earliest ferry for cooler temps and fewer crowds.
Info: Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, is a historic sea fort best known as the site where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in April 1861. Accessible only by boat, the fort is part of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. Visitors can tour its well-preserved ruins, explore museum exhibits, and enjoy panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter offers a powerful glimpse into American history and Civil War heritage.
Hilton Head Island
🧠 Fact: The island is famed for its 12 miles of pristine Atlantic beachfront and world-class golf courses.
💡 Tip: Visit in late spring for ideal weather and lighter crowds.
Info: Hilton Head Island, located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, is a popular vacation destination known for its pristine beaches, world-class golf courses, and natural beauty. The island offers 12 miles of sandy shoreline, scenic bike trails, and abundant wildlife. Visitors enjoy kayaking, fishing, and exploring protected wetlands. Hilton Head also features luxury resorts, fine dining, and family-friendly attractions. Rich in Gullah culture and coastal charm, the island combines relaxation, recreation, and heritage for a memorable coastal getaway.
Myrtle Beach
🧠 Fact: Known for its 60 miles of sandy beaches, Myrtle Beach is also home to one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the U.S.
💡 Tip: Catch sunset rides on the SkyWheel for epic ocean views.
Info: Myrtle Beach, located on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, is a vibrant vacation destination known for its 60 miles of sandy beaches, family-friendly attractions, and lively boardwalk. Visitors enjoy amusement parks, mini-golf, live entertainment, and water sports. The SkyWheel offers panoramic ocean views, while Broadway at the Beach features dining, shopping, and nightlife. Myrtle Beach is also a renowned golf destination with over 80 courses. Its mix of fun, relaxation, and Southern hospitality makes it a top coastal getaway.
South Carolina Plantation Gardens
🧠 Fact: Magnolia Plantation has one of America’s oldest public gardens, opened in the 1870s.
💡 Tip: Early spring is peak azalea season — the gardens burst into color.
Info: South Carolina’s plantation gardens offer a captivating blend of history, horticulture, and cultural heritage. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, established in 1676, features romantic-style gardens and the Audubon Swamp Garden, rich in native wildlife . Middleton Place boasts America’s oldest landscaped gardens, designed in the 1740s with terraced lawns and reflecting pools . Boone Hall Plantation, founded in 1681, is renowned for its Avenue of Oaks and live Gullah culture presentations . Cypress Gardens offers boat tours through a blackwater swamp amid towering cypress trees . These sites provide immersive experiences into the region’s natural beauty and complex history.
USS Yorktown and Patriots Point
🧠 Fact: The USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier, is the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime
Museum.
💡 Tip: Don’t miss the Medal of Honor Museum inside the ship for incredible stories of heroism.
Info: The USS Yorktown (CV-10), a distinguished Essex-class aircraft carrier, serves as the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Commissioned in 1943, the "Fighting Lady" earned 11 battle stars in World War II and five during the Vietnam War. Notably, she recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968. Visitors can explore her expansive decks, historic aircraft, and immersive exhibits like the Medal of Honor Museum and Vietnam Experience. The museum also features the USS Laffey destroyer and Cold War Memorial, offering a comprehensive naval history experience.
Watch Wildlife at Huntington Beach State Park
🧠 Fact: It’s one of South Carolina’s best bird-watching spots, with over 300 species recorded.
💡 Tip: Bring binoculars and arrive at low tide for alligator sightings.
Info: Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly birdwatchers. The park boasts over 300 recorded bird species, including bald eagles, painted buntings, and the endangered piping plover . The causeway offers prime viewing of freshwater and salt marsh habitats, where visitors can spot alligators, herons, and roseate spoonbills . Seasonal migrations bring diverse species throughout the year, making each visit unique . The park's varied ecosystems provide ample opportunities for wildlife observation and photography.