12 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In South Carolina
South Carolina's best-known stops are its beaches and big cities, but its small towns hold the deeper stories. Some preserve the legacy of enslaved West Africans and the African Americans who built these communities. You can walk that history at the Hopsewee Plantation in South Carolina's Georgetown or the Hutchinson House on Edisto Island. Others lean into Revolutionary War battlefields, Blue Ridge waterfalls, and Cherokee heritage. The rewards along the way are Gullah cooking and Southern barbecue and quiet streets far from the crowds. These twelve towns are worth leaving the usual tourist trail for.
Georgetown
Georgetown is located on South Carolina's Atlantic coast, in the region known as the Lowcountry. Black American history is firmly woven into the town, giving visitors the opportunity to be educated on its significance.
If you're one of those people who needs a good breakfast to start your day right, Thomas Cafe is your best bet. It is a hometown-feel cafe with shrimp and grits, country ham, and pancakes on the menu. Georgetown's National Historic Landmark is The Hopsewee Plantation, and it takes you through a real reckoning of America's colonial history. You can learn about the enslaved West African people who lived and worked at Hopsewee through both the museum and plantation tours. There's also beautiful nature to explore at Rocky Point Community Forest, where you can hike the Red Trail through wooded terrain, an easy hike marked by red blazes.
Edisto Island
Edisto Island is one of South Carolina's Sea Islands and is home to the 1885 Hutchinson House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the only known surviving house on the island built by a formerly enslaved African American, Henry Hutchinson, who later became a free man and lived there with his wife Rosa. Although you cannot physically enter Hutchinson House currently, you can still view it from the outside and read about its history through the informational posts located on the property. The house is a symbol of legacy and resilience and became part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
Driftwood Beach is another must-visit spot. The sandy beach features lots of driftwood, seashells, and birds that you'll come across along the trails. Grub awaits at Whaley's Restaurant & Bar, a self-confessed "home of the ugly fish" dive bar serving local catch.
Walterboro
Walterboro is located in Colleton County and is a town with rich agricultural roots, named after two rice planters who founded it, brothers Paul and Jacob Walter. You can get lucky with a taste of both the agriculture and the town's history in the downtown district at The Colleton Museum & Farmers Market. There are exhibits reflecting the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, plantation life, and Colleton life, as well as a seasonal farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Just around the corner is Black Cat Mercantile, an antique store that also has a hand dipped ice cream parlor. It's imperative to get yourself a cool cat cone! Afterwards, immerse yourself in peace and serenity at the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary, with boardwalks, swamp trees, flowers, caterpillars and birds to encounter in this gorgeous nature preserve.
Landrum
Landrum is a community that was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1883, and is located between Spartanburg, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina, against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It has some great attractions to explore. There is the Campbell's Historic Covered Bridge, constructed in 1909 and the only remaining covered bridge in the State of South Carolina. The bridge and the surrounding park is a scenic recreational area to walk around in and absorb its history.
You can get your hiking boots on for a forest trek at Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, where there are wooded trails for easy to moderate hiking depending on if you want a relaxed or challenging adventure, with a creek and waterfalls to pass through. Landrum Farmer's Market held every Saturday, April through to December is a great place to pick up local produce and goods.
Walhalla
Walhalla is situated in the Upstate of South Carolina and is a Southern town with walkable, tree-lined streets that sits on Lower Cherokee land. The Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina pays homage to the Cherokee community and showcases its heritage through artifacts, displays, and clothing. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the history and pick up a cultural souvenir from the gift shop.
The Yellow Branch Falls Trail is an invigorating hike that is moderately difficult and perfect if you are a thrill seeker, with rewarding views of a 50-foot cascading waterfall and a creek running throughout. Have a well-deserved dinner at ShugaBear's after the excursions, and sit down to a freshly made pizza and a cream horn pastry or cheesecake for dessert.
Camden
Camden is the oldest inland town in the state of South Carolina, dating all the way back to 1732, with a steeped history of the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Camden, preserving landmarks of national significance. Step on historical soil and feel like a warrior at Camden Battlefield and Longleaf Pine Preserve, where there are guided battlefield tours, usually Wednesday through Saturday. After the tour, venture through the nature preserve area which has scenic pine trees, and trails at the site of the American Revolution battle.
When hunger strikes, head over to Candy's at the Granary, a restaurant in an intimate setting serving sandwiches, burgers and salads. Enjoy a nice and chilled out evening at the old-timey Little Theater to watch a movie, paired with some popcorn to snack on.
Newberry
Newberry is based in the scenic Midlands of South Carolina, and is one of the state's cultural and historic treasures.
The Newberry Museum is a local history museum with a variety of exhibits, and also has a botanical garden on the grounds featuring lavender and lamb's ear, a hairy plant native to Turkey and Iran, which visitors are encouraged to touch and discover why the plant is called "lamb's ear". Elsewhere, you can discover the wonders at Lynch's Woods Park, which has towering old-growth hardwoods trees, large pines and hiking trails with twisting turns. The Newberry Opera House is a real treat for the evening, a fully restored historic building that hosts movies and live shows.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach, dubbed "The Edge of America," is the closest beach to historic Charleston and is known for its sea, sand, surfing, wildlife, and a real sense of community among residents.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve is a sight to behold, with a unique combination of coastal views, history, and maritime wildlife. It was once a site used during the Civil War and is now a destination for surf fishing, wildlife observation, and photography. Some parts of the site even serve as nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles.
You cannot go wrong with a beachy meal from Koko's on the Pier, a tiki bar and kitchen serving fried surf platters and tiki tacos. And when it's time to dance the night away, shimmy your way to Sand Dollar Social Club, a lively local dive bar where, on weekends, the back bar becomes an impromptu dance floor.
Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest, a friendly mountain town with great outdoor recreation and a stopover for travelers for generations, hence its name, sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Trailblazer Park is one of the town's glorious outdoor areas, an open green space perfect for a family picnic and a farmers market that takes place on Saturdays from May through September. The History Museum of Travelers Rest is where you can soak in the town's history by checking out the ancient artifacts on display, browsing the used bookstore, and hearing from the welcoming staff about their knowledge of the area. About a 20-minute drive away is Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery, where you'll get peak mountain views alongside a premium or vintage wine tasting and live music on the patio, usually on weekends. It's a wine tasting that truly goes the extra mile to create an unforgettable experience.
York
York is located in north-central South Carolina, along the North Carolina border, and has one of the most intact historic downtown districts in South Carolina, with more than 180 historic buildings lining its walkable streets. Stroll along and shop the local businesses there, including the eclectic Corner Roost, which has an abundance of items from handmade artisans, antiques and vintage items, jewelry, furniture, clothing, and candles.
A short drive away is Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery, an orchard to make your way around for apple picking, visiting the cider mill, and munching on doughnuts, apple pies, and an ice-cold pint of cider. It's an ideal stop for the whole family to refuel and take some snacks to go, which you can crunch on at Moore Park, the town's quiet little park which has a sweet gazebo to take a seat in and is surrounded by well-maintained greenery.
McClellanville
McClellanville is a seaside town with a close-knit community and proudly stewards the natural and cultural resources that define its coastal heritage.
With that in mind, its visitor attractions reflect its identity well. Nature Adventures Outfitters offers kayak tours, such as the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area Kayak and Canoe Trail, where you can experience the protected Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area in the Francis Marion National Forest. Open from May through September, Blue Pearl Farm is a nice way to relax after kayaking. Pick your own blueberries, go bird watching, and check out the greenhouse.
Acclaimed as one of the finest small-town museums in the state, The Village Museum is well worth a visit. It has exhibits that detail the history of St. James Santee Parish, the Village of McClellanville, and the Sewee Native American tribe, who are native to the land.
Orangeburg
Orangeburg rests in the south-central area of the state and is a typical Southern town with real soul. Get lost in the Edisto Memorial Gardens, a historic and tranquil sanctuary that has existed since the 1920s and grown into more than 150 acres of gardens filled with roses, camellias, and other flowers. You'll also see the magnificent Lady Fountain at the entrance, which was moved there in 1950 and pays tribute to local military veterans.
Over at the Cecil Williams Civil Rights Museum, schedule a visit to view the permanent collection of 350 photographs taken by Cecil J. Williams during the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina. It wouldn't be right if you didn't try a Southern barbecue feast during your trip, which is where Dukes Bar-B-Que comes in. Pile your plate high with BBQ chicken, slaw, and hash, a thick, gravy-like pork stew that is a Carolinas specialty.
South Carolina Towns With Stories, Scenery, And Soul
These under-the-radar South Carolina towns offer far more than meets the eye. Step into the footprints of Black Americans by walking through preserved landmarks that reflect their enduring legacy. Take part in scenic adventures and savor traditional Southern cuisine in all its glory.
Whether you're uncovering important moments from the past in Orangeburg, immersing yourself in natural wonders and spotting sea turtles in Folly Beach, or enjoying fresh cider from a cider mill in York, each destination offers a meaningful journey beyond the usual tourist trail.
