10 Charming South Carolina Towns For The Perfect Getaway
Do you want a break from the stress and chaos that every workday swings your way? Fold your laptop, pack a pair of comfortable flip flops, and escape to a place where you can kick back and relax. The truth is that once in a while, you need to swap gloomy office blocks for delicious seaside views, a rushed snack for a homemade meal in a family-owned restaurant, and electronic screens for magical sunsets. Are there spots in South Carolina that provide this kind of experience? Starting with North Myrtle Beach, the following are 10 charming South Carolina towns for the perfect getaway.
North Myrtle Beach
Many vacationers troop to Myrtle Beach, and for good reason. However, if you want a spot with fewer crowds and one that is a tad secluded and quieter, your best bet will be North Myrtle Beach, a top-rated vacation destination just about 20 minutes north of Myrtle Beach. The entire stretch along Ocean Boulevard is beautiful to explore on foot or by car, especially because of how it opens out to stunning ocean views, brightly painted cottages, and lovely rows of palm trees. Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard is in a fantastic location with convenient beach access and is a great spot to spend a weekend. You will get a blast exploring places such as the uncrowded Cherry Grove Beach, the Cherry Grove Fishing Pier (to enjoy tasty ocean views and watch fishermen hauling their catch), and the Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve, especially to see crabs and shorebirds, and explore a short but beautiful boardwalk.
Beaufort
Beaufort consistently features among the South’s best vacation destinations. Many rave about its intoxicating beach vistas, soothing ocean breezes, and its proximity to Hunting Island State Park, which USA Today has ranked the sixth best in South Carolina for 2025. This pristine space boasts scenic nature trails, gorgeous beaches, and South Carolina’s only lighthouse open to the public. Stay at Beaufort Inn, a centrally located property with clean and quiet cottages. It has been around since 1897. In the town, old live oak trees create a nice, peaceful setting and make the town quite a joy to explore on foot. Spend your day at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, a swoon-worthy space that comes with a chance to see dolphins in the marina. Alternatively, check out the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park or the Spanish Moss Trail, a nicely paved pathway with stunning scenery.
Pawleys Island
There are places you visit once, and the picture and feeling get imprinted on your mind for the rest of your life. Without a doubt, Pawleys Island is such a place. Pawleys Island is about 70 miles north of Charleston and has a nice, far-away feel that you will certainly find vacation-worthy. On one side is an intricate network of salt marshes, on the other, shimmering views of the world’s second-largest ocean. You can shop till you drop at Hammock Shops Village, tee off the afternoon at the immaculately landscaped Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, or enjoy a peaceful hour at All Saints Church, an early 1900s Classical Revival-style building on quiet, nicely-maintained ground with a historic cemetery. For a place to stay, the aptly named Sea View Inn checks almost every box.
Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest is a small, beautiful community tucked close to Greenville. If you want a day to kick back and relax, Travelers Rest — or TR — easily lives up to its appealing name. It is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and, therefore, ideal for all kinds of outdoor fun and nature-focused adventure activities. For example, you can plan to bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a peaceful 22-mile greenway that winds along Main Street, or visit the Poinsett Bridge, possibly the oldest surviving bridge in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the southeastern United States. A highly regarded marvel of architectural genius, the Poinsett Bridge was constructed in 1820. You can also go to the nearby Beechwood Farms to pick strawberries or see sunflowers. As for staying, Hotel Domestique brings the European countryside experience right to your soul.
Murrells Inlet
Although you don’t hear this often, Murrells Inlet boasts what many regard as the most spectacular waterfront dining along South Carolina's Hammock Coast. The stretch is known as MarshWalk, possibly a reference to the adjacent natural saltwater estuary that gives the location its rustic look and feel. The scenery typically consists of dancing grasses, stunning sunsets, and flapping herons. You can kickstart your day with scallops or spicy tuna rolls at the aptly named Wicked Tuna, then embark on a slow walk along the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. After this, spend a quiet night at Inlet Sports Lodge, which gives the feeling of staying at an old friend's house.
Folly Beach
It may pretend to be a casual surf town with nothing much other than good food and a relaxing ambiance, but Folly Beach is way more than your average South Carolina town. Folly Beach is called the Edge of America because the barrier island is at the farthest point of the continental United States. There are about six miles of beachfront to play with, a stretch ideal for surfing, relaxing, or searching for shark teeth. For most of these activities, the go-to place is Folly Beach County Park, a nice place to rent a chair and umbrella and just kick back and relax. McKevlin's Surf Shop, one of the town’s most cherished names, is South Carolina's oldest surfing outfitter. Stay at the Rathershacks, a great vacation rental spot with units that range from cozy studios to large, comfortable houses that can fit up to 10 people. If you have a thing for delicious tacos, snag a chair at Chico Feo, and prep your tongue for an incredible burst of flavors.
Aiken
Aiken is a small, vibrant town with a beautiful historic downtown, a solid restaurant scene, and a nationally acclaimed horse-racing tradition. Talking of horses, one does not need any prior experience to saddle a thoroughbred and enjoy nature in a unique style at Rebel Ranch and Trail Riding Co., a much-sought-after venue that tailors rides according to one’s skill levels. Keep in mind that Hitchcock Woods, which is more than two times the size of New York’s Central Park, is among the largest urban forests in the nation. Spend some time at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, especially for the stories of Aiken-trained horses who have won awards and achieved national greatness. If spending the night, the Willcox Hotel first opened its doors in 1900 and used to draw wealthy Northerners escaping New England’s brutal winters. Its guest list includes names such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
Sullivan's Island
Sullivan’s Island is just 20 minutes from Charleston's pomp and circumstance, meaning it can make for a quick getaway. It boasts a pristine shoreline known to draw hordes of tourists from every nook of the state. You will find storybook cottages, a pretty beach, and lots of nature-focused attractions. There is a lot of stuff to keep one happy and fulfilled here, depending on whether the focus is adventure or relaxation. For example, you can burn your legs at the Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail, a 2-mile beauty that winds through a beautiful maritime forest and in the process, connects the Charleston Light to Fort Moultrie. Alternatively, you can hit the beach or explore Fort Moultrie, known to have saved Charleston from occupation in the summer of 1776. It is the first fort on Sullivan's Island and unique for having been constructed of palmetto logs and sand. Another fun thing to do here is to chat with local artists at Sandpiper Gallery and admire the many beautiful artworks on display. Stay at the Palms Oceanfront Hotel or the several vacation rentals nearby.
Camden
Whether you want to reconnect with nature, unwind amid relaxing views and a restful rhythm, or retrace some of the most painful moments of America’s Revolutionary history, Camden fits every bill. That said, Camden is called the Steeplechase Capital of the World, and the best way to prove that this is not mere hubris is to attend the Carolina Cup Steeplechase Races, an event that draws over 30,000 fans from around every corner of the country. In the same vein, the National Steeplechase Museum is a goldmine that provides previously unknown tidbits regarding one of America’s grandest sports. To turn back the wheels of time, hear the distant clash of arms at the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, where the 1700s swing back as if the events took place a few days ago. Another option is to spend the day at Kendall Lake, especially if looking for opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure. As for staying, Bloomsbury Bed and Breakfast is clean, comfortable, and in a convenient location close to shops and restaurants.
Kiawah Island
The trip to Kiawah Island is as much a vacation as the destination itself. You will enjoy snaking along oak-shaded roads and passing through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Palmetto State. When you finally reach, you will be met by a cool, laid-back barrier island sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Kiawah River on the other. Kiawah Beachwalker Park has a nice boardwalk, clean restrooms and showers, and a decent number of rare birds. You can mingle with friendly dolphins here, then crown the day with some melt-in-the-mouth pretzels at the snack bar. Keep in mind that there is the Marsh View Tower, a fantastic place for birdwatching and beautiful river views. On a different note, Kiawah Island is huge on golf, and a place such as Ocean Course is a good enough reason to swing by. If looking for a place to stay, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island could be the best resort on the Carolina coast.
The Takeaway
There are times when your soul screams for a reset, and you want to drop everything to unwind and reenergize. Fortunately, South Carolina has a dreamy lineup of beautiful small towns that seem designed for adventure or relaxation. You can ride bikes along oak-shaded roads, go berry picking, swing in a hammock amid awesome seaside views, or spend an afternoon watching dolphins laugh and play. The best part is that such locations have landscapes that swallow away anxieties, so you feel ready again to tackle whatever life brings your way.
