10 Quirkiest South Carolina Towns To Visit In 2025

When most people imagine South Carolina, they think of its southern hospitality, sunny beaches, and delicious southern cooking. However, the state also has its fair share of surprises. It claims the world’s smallest police station, hosts festivals dedicated to peaches and shrimp, and even has stories of a seven-foot reptilian creature said to lurk in its swamps. If you are craving a trip that veers off the beaten path, these 10 towns will catch you off guard in the best way possible.

Bishopville

You have likely heard of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, but have you heard of Lizard Man? This local legend dates back several decades and is rumored to be a seven-foot-tall, red-eyed reptile that roams the nearby swamps. The town celebrates this fabled creature at the annual Lizard Man Stomp, which consists of a parade, car show, and live music, among many other activities. While in town, make sure to visit the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, an elaborate garden with more than 400 trimmed and sculpted plants. To learn about the state’s heritage in the cotton industry, you can spend an afternoon at the South Carolina Cotton Museum, which explores the state’s role in cotton growing and production.

Gaffney

Travelers who love peaches must add Gaffney to their travel itinerary in 2025. This town has several peachy attractions to check out, including festivals, monuments, and farms. Each summer since 1977, the town has put on the South Carolina Peach Festival, which celebrates the juicy fruit with peach dessert contests, a Peach Jam concert, a parade, and thrilling rides. On the northwestern edge of town along I-85, visitors will find a giant peach-shaped water tower that doubles as a beloved local landmark. If all of these attractions have made you hungry, make sure to drop by one of the Abbott Farms farmstands, which sell fresh fruit, breads, jams, jellies, ciders, and more.

Yemassee

If you want to see the town of Yemassee in its quirkiest state, make sure to visit in the fall during its annual Yemassee Shrimp Festival! This year, the festival will take place from September 18th to 20th and will feature live concerts, parades, a street dance, and lots of family-friendly activities. Yemassee is also known for the mysterious Old Sheldon Church Ruins. Originally a church built in the 18th century, it was burned during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt, and then destroyed again in the Civil War. Today, Greek Revival-style ruins remain standing among majestic oak trees. Before leaving Yemassee, travelers should stop by Fletcher's & Co., a homemade rug and antique store that lies in the heart of town.

Aiken

Incorporated as a town in 1835, Aiken has lots of history. It also reportedly has lots of ghosts! If you are a believer in the supernatural, you can embark on a haunted tour of town with Aiken Ghost Tours, which takes you on a 75-minute walking tour through the downtown district to learn about the town’s myths, legends, and lore. For an old-timey souvenir, there are several antique stores in town to check out. Aiken Antique Mall is one of the most extensive, featuring antiques from over 50 dealers. Afterwards, grab a bite at Whiskey Alley, a local restaurant that serves fresh, signature dishes that frequently rotate throughout the year.

Edisto Island

Edisto Island may be most famous for its beaches, but it is also home to some pretty quirky attractions. Here, visitors will find the state’s first serpentarium, which opened in 1999 and hosts a wide variety of reptiles, including snakes, alligators, turtles, and lizards. Those wanting to spot some dolphins in the wild can sign up for a tour with Edisto Dolphin Tours, which offers tours year-round. Before starting your day, you can stop for breakfast at The Seacow Eatery, particularly renowned for its French toast, omelets, pies, and desserts.

Ridgeway

Situated in the center of Ridgeway is a sight that might leave you doing a double-take: the World’s Smallest Police Station. This tiny white structure, built over a former well, served local officers from 1940 to 1990 and still stands today as a quirky roadside attraction. After grabbing your picture in front of the police station, make your way over to The Retreat: Lake Wateree Dining for some lunch, a scratch kitchen that is located along Lake Wateree. Seeking a souvenir? Palmer Street Market has plenty of gifts, selling artisan soaps, purses, water bottles, candles, and other charming goods.

Camden

If you enjoy spending the day browsing antique shops, you will love visiting Camden, home to its renowned “Antique Street.” This street is lined with antique stores in the town’s cultural district, such as the Camden Antiques Market, which has goods from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Travelers interested in African American history can explore several sites that are listed in the Green Book of South Carolina, like the African American Cultural Center. To spend the day on the water, check out Goodale State Park, home to a beautiful kayaking trail that is surrounded by Cypress trees.

Seneca

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Seneca has an emerging art scene, largely thanks to the work of the Blue Ridge Arts Center. Operated by a volunteer-run organization, this center features four galleries and a classroom studio that offers periodic art classes to the public. Upcoming classes include claymaking, pastel workshops, and iPhone photography. For something even quirkier, Timber Ridge Axe Throwing lets you channel your inner lumberjack as you hurl axes at the target. Friend groups and families will also enjoy an afternoon at The Escape Quest, a local escape room that offers several different themed quests.

Georgetown

Travelers could easily spend the entire weekend in Georgetown exploring its eclectic museums. The Rice Museum is a fascinating one to start at, established in 1970 to exhibit the county’s rice agricultural heritage. Today, the museum has expanded substantially, now also featuring museum collections from around the world and an extensive art exhibit. Meanwhile, the Gullah Museum offers insight into the local Gullah community through exhibits on crop cultivation, arts and crafts, animal husbandry, and more. Georgetown is also home to South Carolina’s second-largest port, which means it has a rich maritime history that visitors can explore at the South Carolina Maritime Museum.

Daufuskie Island

Accessible only by ferry or boat and home to just a few hundred residents, Daufuskie Island is one of South Carolina’s more eccentric and lesser-known spots. Travelers hoping to reach this remote destination can book a ride with Daufuskie Island Ferry, which offers both one-way and round-trip service from Hilton Head to the island. Once you arrive, one of the most memorable ways to explore the island is on horseback. Daufuskie Trail Rides leads trips through the island’s lush maritime forests and through Haig Point, a 5,000-acre historic community. If the horseback ride has worked up an appetite, consider dining at one of the island’s many seafood restaurants, such as Melrose Oyster House, a family-owned operation that serves raw oysters, crab legs, fresh fish, and more.

With summer underway, you might already be thinking about where to travel this year. While big-name travel destinations like Charleston and Hilton Head are full of attractions, these 10 towns promise something a little different, whether it be horseback riding through Daufuskie Island's maritime forests or getting your hands dirty in a clay class in Seneca. In fact, by the end of your trip, you very well might see The Palmetto State from a whole new angle.