11 Best South Carolina Towns For A Weekend Trip
South Carolina, along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, has an abundance of natural, historic, and cultural attractions worthy of making it the perfect state for a great weekend trip. From the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston to Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina's top attractions require a whole weekend to visit properly. Whether you are interested in spectacular botanical gardens, stunning state parks, or even a magnificent golf course, there are several small towns in South Carolina ideal for that weekend getaway, as well. Discover eleven of the best towns perfect for a trip to the sunny state of South Carolina for the weekend.
Georgetown
Situated along the banks of the Great Pee Dee River, picturesque Georgetown is home to several historic plantations. Hopsewee Plantation and Hobcaw Barony, both built as rice plantations in the early 18th century, are worthy of visiting. Hopsewee Plantation was even the residence to some very prominent people over the years, including Thomas Lynch Junior, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Another awesome attribute of this town of 8,000 people, Morgan Park, is its wealth of natural activities, including hiking, biking, boating, kayaking, and picnicking. It is also in close proximity to The George Hotel, whose amenities include phenomenal panoramic waterfront views, an on-site bar and restaurant, and marina access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Camden
Approximately 35 miles from Columbia, the small town of Camden is best known for its museums and historic sites. The Camden Archives & Museum showcases several spectacular exhibits, like the famous Ross E. Beard firearm collection. The Battle of Camden Historic Site honors the site where General Cornwallis defeated General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden during the Revolutionary War. Downtown Camden is known for several fantastic attributes as well. The Samuel Mathis House, which was first built in 1810, is one of the oldest buildings in Camden. And for accommodations, check in to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Camden.
Beaufort
The coastal town of Beaufort is near Hunting Island State Park, with several miles of beach, a nature center, and a lighthouse that was first built in 1859. The nature center, along the shores of Fripp Inlet, provides opportunities for exploring vast acres of maritime forest and marshland. Camping for the night is also an option at Hunting Island State Park.
Beaufort is also home to Bay Street and Henry Chambers Waterfront Park. While the park offers fishing, picnicking, and even several annual festivals, including the Beaufort Shrimp Festival, Bay Street has some great restaurants, like Saltus River Grill. The street also hosts Anchorage 1770, a boutique hotel offering 4-poster beds, waterfront views, and phenomenal service.
Clemson
The town of Clemson has a variety of spectacular attractions, like the South Carolina Botanical Garden and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum. The botanical garden features almost 300 acres of ornamental plants, as well as a stunning arboretum. The geology museum has awesome historic exhibits, like a display of a fully intact Saber-tooth Tiger skeleton.
Another great natural attribute of the town of Clemson, the Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park offers a boardwalk path that is truly phenomenal. This awesome park also offers kayaking and non-motorized boating on the surface of the on-site lake. It is also situated quite near the Shepherd Hotel, which offers an on-site restaurant, an on-site bar, free wi-fi, and great customer service.
Travelers Rest
Ten miles north of Greenville, the quaint town of Travelers Rest boasts several vineyards and distilleries. From Copperhead Mountain distillery to Wellborn to Eagle Mountain wineries, these phenomenal producers offer a variety of different tastes, from small-batch spirits to award-winning wines. Wellborn even entered and won a gold medal and two silver medals during the 2018 Wines of the South Regional Wine Competition.
Travelers Rest also hosts scenic attractions, like Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve, offering a mile-plus loop through wooded landscape. The Swamp Rabbit Inn TR, in downtown Travelers Rest, is also worth visiting for the weekend. This modern bed & breakfast offers comfy rooms, an outdoor pool, and is in close proximity to great dining options, including the Coastal Crust, a phenomenal pizza place.
York
Home of Spring Lake Country Club, a family-owned golf course, the town of York is well worth visiting. Less than 15 miles west of Rock Hill, this quaint town provides an ambiance not easily bested. Spring Lake Country Club, situated on Springlake Road, offers a state-of-the-art driving range, a full-service restaurant inside its clubhouse, and an on-site Pro Shop.
The area around downtown York has some phenomenal attractions as well, including Nanny’s Mountain Historical Park and Deluxe Inn. Deluxe Inn, situated on Alexander Love Highway, offers all the comforts of an inn, including southern hospitality. Nanny’s Mountain, in existence since the Revolutionary War, has an almost two-mile trail, offering scenic views of Lake Wylie and King’s Mountain.
Abbeville
The picturesque town of Abbeville, situated just west of Greenwood, has several historic attributes, like the Burt Stark Mansion, which was the site of the last gathering of Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ war council in May of 1865. There is also the historic Abbeville Square and the Abbeville Opera House, making it the perfect weekend getaway.
Sharon Manor, a quaint B&B inn situated on Firehouse Road, is also in Abbeville. Sharon Manor offers not only elegant country rooms, but is also a premier wedding venue, and they offer their own tasty coffee line, Thru the Flame Coffee.
Landrum
Along the southern border of North Carolina, the tiny town of Landrum is close to some phenomenal attractions, like Blue Wall Nature Preserve and Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve. Blue Wall offers stunning nature trails, like the Palmetto Trail, while Chestnut Ridge has almost 2,000 acres of landscape, with its own five-plus-mile (out and back) trail that is ideal for photography.
Downtown Landrum also offers several dining and lodging options. The Hare and Hound Pub, on Rutherford Street, serves everything from steaks to sandwiches, while the Yellow House, also on Rutherford, has European-style rooms, a gazebo for outdoor events, and a full kitchen in every room.
Isle of Palms
Hidden away along the eastern coast, 13 miles from Charleston, the quaint town of Isle of Palms boasts several natural attractions, including Isle of Palms Beach and Isle of Palms County Park. While the county park offers boardwalks and sand volleyball, the beach is home to the Wild Dunes Resort, with panoramic vistas of the ocean, two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, a spa, and a zero-entry heated pool.
Isle of Palms also has several spectacular dining options, like The Refuge and Sea Biscuit Cafe. While the cafe offers delicious breakfast and brunch entrees, The Refuge also serves a luxurious dinner. The Refuge is also close to Front Beach, which offers not only swimming and sun-tanning, but also fishing, boating, and kayaking.
Newberry
Approximately half of the distance between Greenville and Columbia, picturesque Newberry hosts phenomenal attractions perfect for a weekend trip away from home. The Newberry Opera House is one of these. This restored late-19th-century theater now serves as a regional performing arts center, hosting concerts, plays, and touring productions year-round.
Wells Japanese Garden, built in 1930 at the height of the Great Depression, is another. Today, it features a plethora of attributes catering to Japanese heritage, including a traditional Japanese Torii. The garden is also quite close to Newberry Manor. This elegant B&B inn was first built in 1895. It offers guests not only cozy, comfy rooms each night, but also a Southern-style breakfast the next morning.
Murrells Inlet
Halfway between Georgetown and Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet is close to Huntington Beach State Park. This scenic state park, just south of downtown, offers an abundance of attributes, including hiking, bird-watching, and even camping overnight. There is also the Atalaya Castle to consider. Built in the 1930s, this castle is a tribute to the artistic integrity of its owners, Archer and Anna Huntington.
Murrells Inlet is also home to Brookgreen Gardens, featuring a botanical garden with several gardens, including a butterfly garden, a spectacular zoo, and over 200 examples of American sculptural art. Brookgreen Gardens is also near Brookwood Inn, which offers spotless rooms, great customer service, and a close proximity to the excitement of downtown Murrells Inlet.
From the historic yet naturalistic attributes of several plantations, like Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, to the scenic and picturesque aspects of state parks, like Hunting Island in Beaufort. South Carolina has an abundance of attractions that make this southern state well worth visiting. So, whether you are traveling with friends, with family, or all by yourself, check out any one of these eleven South Carolina towns on your next weekend trip.
