Celebrating the Palmetto State: 8 Must-Do Activities for Your Visit to South Carolina

South Carolina packs serious personality into its borders. Between the coastal charm, fascinating history, and incredible food, this state knows how to show visitors a good time! You’ll find everything from centuries-old architecture to swamp adventures in the Palmetto State.

Here are just a few experiences that’ll make you understand why people fall head over heels for South Carolina.

Walk Through Charleston’s Living History

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Charleston’s pastel-colored houses of Rainbow Row line the streets like boxes of candy, while the grand mansions along the Battery waterfront tell stories of bygone eras.

You can join a walking tour to learn the city’s fascinating history, or hop on a horse and carriage ride if you want to cover more ground and feel old-timey and romantic. The Charleston Museum deserves a spot on your itinerary, too. As the oldest museum in the US (dating back to 1773), it houses incredible artifacts from the Antebellum period and chronicles the city’s role in the Civil War.

Ghost tours have become wildly popular here, and honestly, with Charleston’s dramatic history, you can see why. The city practically hums with stories from the past.

• Related: One of the Most Beautiful Haunted Houses You’ll Ever See: Highlights of a South Beach Miami Ghost Tour

Stand Next to the Legendary Angel Oak

South Carolina’s Angel Oak feels more like a natural monument than regular foliage. This massive tree has been growing for a whopping 400 to 500 years and draws 400,000 visitors annually!

Angel Oak stands 65 feet tall and can produce 17,200 square feet of shade under its giant canopy. You’ll find this famous tree on Johns Island, just a short trip from Charleston.

Hook Your Dinner in Murrells Inlet

This historic fishing village has quite the reputation, and not just because infamous pirate Blackbeard once called it home. The locals have dubbed it the “seafood capital of South Carolina,” and after tasting the fresh catches at the waterfront restaurants, you’ll understand why!

Go a step further and try fishing in Murrells Inlet by chartering a fishing boat. The waters here are loaded with flounder, redfish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, and wahoo. There’s something deeply satisfying about catching your own dinner, especially when you’re surrounded by such beautiful coastal scenery.

Even if fishing isn’t your thing, the restaurant scene here will convert you into a seafood lover.

Experience Myrtle Beach’s Coastal Energy

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Myrtle Beach lives up to its reputation as South Carolina’s premier beach destination. The shoreline stretches for miles, framed by the state’s iconic sabal palmetto trees that give the Palmetto State its nickname.

You’ll find excellent people-watching opportunities here, plus every water sport you can imagine. The SkyWheel towers over the beachfront as one of the largest observation wheels on the East Coast, with views that’ll make your Instagram followers seriously jealous.

The hotel, restaurant, and shopping scene here caters to every budget and taste. This is beach vacation territory at its finest.

Paddle Through Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park breaks the mold of what you might expect from South Carolina. This unique swamp forest houses some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere as you move through the water.

Kayaking gives you the best way to experience this park. You’ll glide silently through channels where river otters play and yes, alligators occasionally make appearances! Don’t worry, they’re generally more interested in avoiding you than causing trouble.

The park feels like stepping into a completely different ecosystem, one that’s remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Dance and Listen at the Spoleto Festival

Every spring, Charleston transforms into an international arts hub during the Spoleto Festival. Spanning 17 days, this festival celebrates with music, dance, and theater performances from artists around the globe.

The event spreads across Charleston’s historic buildings and outdoor spaces, turning the entire city into a stage. You might catch a classical concert in a centuries-old church one night and watch contemporary dance in a park the next. The variety keeps things exciting, and the quality of performances rivals anything you’ll find in major cultural centers.

This event draws culture enthusiasts from everywhere, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the city.

Savor the Flavors That Define the South

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South Carolina’s food scene deserves its own vacation. The cuisine blends Southern comfort food with Gullah traditions and Lowcountry specialties, creating flavors you won’t find anywhere else.

BBQ pulled pork here has a tangy mustard-based sauce that’ll change your mind about what barbecue can be. Shrimp and grits transforms humble ingredients into something magical. She-crab soup warms you from the inside out, while Frogmore stew feeds a crowd with simple, perfect flavors.

For serious food lovers, checking out this guide to the best restaurants in South Carolina will point you toward the places locals actually eat, not just the tourist traps.

Hunt for Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry

Here’s something most visitors miss: the incredible sweetgrass basket tradition that’s been passed down through Gullah families for generations. You’ll find artisans selling these beautiful, functional baskets along Highway 17 and at markets throughout the Charleston area.

Each basket takes hours to create using techniques that came from West Africa. The patterns and styles have remained virtually unchanged for centuries, making these baskets living pieces of cultural history.

Buying one supports local artisans and gives you a unique piece that tells the story of South Carolina’s complex cultural heritage.

Ready to Travel?

South Carolina manages to surprise visitors who think they know what to expect. The state balances its complicated history with genuine hospitality, world-class food, and natural beauty that ranges from beaches to swamps to mountains. You’ll leave planning your next visit before you’ve even finished this one.

Happy Travels!

Featured image by Leo Heisenberg on Unsplash