South Carolina is one of the most charming states to explore in the US. It’s filled with hidden gems and I can’t wait to share these places with you through my South Carolina travel guide.
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How To Get To South Carolina
Some of the most popular airports to fly into are Charleston, Columbia, and Charlotte. Although Charlotte is in North Carolina, it had the most affordable flight options.
South Carolina Travel Guide Overview
For this guide, I will be covering 3 different destinations. Charleston, Columbia, and Walhalla. Each destination are within a 2 hour drive of each other and can be explored in less than a week. I love how diverse these cities are from each other and I truly feel like visiting these places will give you the most well rounded itinerary.
Walhalla (The waterfall capital of South Carolina)
Hiking Outfit: Free People Righteous Runsie
I had never heard of Walhalla before this trip but staying in Boltfarm Treehouse was a non-negotiable for me so off we went. Once I started looking for things to do in the area I came across an overwhelming amount of trails to waterfalls. It was insane how many were just a short distance away.
Brasstown Falls
This one is around 40 minutes away BUT it is the best bang for your buck with 3 waterfalls and 1 swimming hole on a short 1 mile trail (out and back). Be prepared to go early on weekends because the parking lot is TINY. We went on a weekday and it was rather empty on a summer day but I imagine it gets busy.
More waterfalls to check out in the area:
- Issaqueena Falls
- Yellow Branch Falls
- Kings Creek Falls
Boltfarm Treehouse: The Majestic Treehouse
This rustic, yet luxury treehouse has been on my bucket list for YEARS. There are so many charming pieces to this stay like the old telephone, hanging bridges, outdoor shower, and outdoor pizza oven. It’s the perfect romantic getaway in nature. Book your stay
Columbia, South Carolina
I never really knew how much there was to do in Columbia until I spent a few days there. The downtown area is filled with delicious restaurants and there are lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy. For a more in depth guide I have a Columbia blog: The Best Things To Do in Columbia
Find affordable hotels in Columbia, SC: Check them out HERE
Day Trip To Congaree National Park
Congaree is one of the LEAST visited National Parks in the US and often gets a bad rep. I think a lot of visitors come to this park and leave without really knowing what makes it SO special. To really appreciate Congaree National Park, one must know much more than what meets the eye. It’s not about the jaw dropping scenery (although I think it’s beautiful!) here but more so what makes this park so biodiverse. I highly recommend taking the Canoe Tour by Palmetto Outdoors to really have a full experience with a naturalist guide.
Check Out the Saluda River Walk
The Three Rivers Greenway Trail is a great place to walk, bike, fish, or simply just pack a picnic under the trees. We loved how close this nature trail is from downtown and how many shaded areas it provided. This trail is dog friendly and stroller/wheelchair accesible.
Go Tubing on the Saluda River
Another fun activity in Columbia is going tubing. We thought this was both a relaxing and thrilling experience with multiple rapids on the 3 hour trip. It’s very easy to set up your shuttle drop off and rental through Palmetto Outdoors. Expect to float through some beautiful Spanish Moss and spot wildlife throughout the trip.
Charleston, South Carolina
There’s good reason Charleston is one of the most visited cities in the US. From the colorful buildings of rainbow row to miles of beautiful coastline, there’s a lot to love about this beautiful city.
Find affordable hotels in Charleston, SC: Check HERE
Rainbow Row
One of the first things you need to do is visit Rainbow row. This iconic street is great for photos and is right at the heart of downtown so it’s a great base for your exploration.
Shop in King Street
Make your way to King Street for boutique shops and globally renowned brands. Give yourself enough time for this because the shopping area goes on and on. It is actually one of the largest shopping districts in the US. I was only able to make it 3 or 4 blocks before I got overwhelmed.
Rent a Canoe in Cypress Gardens
Did I save my absolute favorite thing I did in South Carolina last? Yes I did. As a Notebook Fan, I have always wanted to do the canoe ride through the gardens like Noah and Allie in the movie, minus the thousands of ducks. It’s only a $10 fee to visit the gardens and a self guided canoe ride is included! What a deal right? Make sure to roam around the trails and check out the animal displays including the massive crocodiles.