12 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in South Carolina
Next time you have a long weekend coming up, and you’re looking to get away for a few days, these 12 towns in South Carolina are waiting for you. If you’re looking for quiet relaxation on the beach, head to the laid-back Daufuskie Island. But if museums and history are more to your liking, you’ll get your fill in Clemson. If you’re not really sure what you want to do, head to Myrtle Beach, where you can relax on the beach, go shopping, and enjoy a robust nightlife. Myrtle Beach will give you plenty of choices.
Beaufort
A long weekend in Beaufort offers the arts, museums, and outdoor adventures. During the day, visit any of the many art studios or browse the work of local artists inspired by the beauty of the Low Country at the Beaufort Art Association gallery. In the evening, dine on fresh seafood and take a relaxing carriage ride to explore the historic homes.
For a dive into Beaufort’s history, start with a visit to the Beaufort History Museum at the historic Arsenal, built in 1798 in downtown Beaufort. Then stop by the Beaufort Visitor Center to pick up a self-guided tour pamphlet and learn about the history of the beautiful homes in the historic district, many of which predate the Civil War. To round out your long weekend in Beaufort, head over to Port Royal. There, you can hunt for sharks' teeth at The Sands Beach or climb the observation tower for a spectacular view of the marshes and Battery Creek, and watch for dolphins.
Available lodging for the weekend covers the gamut of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals. However, in the heart of Beaufort’s historic district is Greyhound Flats, a former bus station that is now two cabins with more than 600 square feet of living space each, which puts you just steps from restaurants, shopping, and the waterfront park.
Bluffton
If deep-sea fishing is still on your bucket list, then you can plan to cross it off during a long weekend in Bluffton. Several fishing charters will help you pull in trout, flounder, or possibly even a shark. If you’re looking for a more relaxing water experience, the May River meanders through Bluffton, providing several spots for kayaking, paddleboarding, or just relaxing at Brighton Beach.
After spending a day outdoors, you’ll understand what inspires the artists in the region, and you can see their work at the Society of Bluffton Artists gallery. You might also find a treasure to bring home at the SOBA Art School gallery.
For a taste of culture and history in Bluffton, stop by the Heyward House Museum, an 1841 home built by enslaved West Africans. Located in the heart of Bluffton’s National Register of Historic District, the museum is one of only eight antebellum homes to survive the Civil War.
In Bluffton, you’ll spend your days exploring nature, history, and the arts, but come nightfall, you’ll want a nice place to rest your head. The charming Old Town Bluffton Inn captures the southern charm of Bluffton beautifully.
Daufuskie Island
There are no chain hotels on Daufuskie Island, but there are plenty of vacation rentals. Daufuskie Rental Group manages about 35 of them. When you get to Daufuskie Island, plan on staying there for your entire long weekend. The only way onto the island is by ferry or water taxi, and unless you want to pay for an expensive vehicle barge, you’ll be parking in Hilton Head or Bluffton. However, once you get there, you can rent a golf cart, bicycle, or electric bike.
After you're settled in, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Learn about the island’s rich Gullah Heritage at the Daufuskie Island History Museum. The museum’s collection reflects the history of Daufuskie Island from its pre-Colonial days through the mid-20th century. To get around easily, stop by Fuskie Electric Bike Rentals and Tours, rent a bike, and pick up a map for a self-guided tour of the island.
Daufuskie is a quiet, laid-back island, perfect for just relaxing at the beach. Bloody Point Beach is a perfect spot, but while there, take a moment to check out the Bloody Point Lighthouse. Over on the Northern tip of the island is the Haig Point Lighthouse.
Folly Beach
Spend a long weekend on Folly Beach, and you can have fun on water or land. On land, the Folly Beach History Museum, located in the Folly Beach Community Center, hosts rotating exhibits featuring artifacts, interviews, and memories from Folly’s rich past. Learn about Folly’s role in the Civil War and World War II, and about the erosion and renourishment of the beach, and its surf culture.
You’ll find Folly’s heartbeat along Center Street, where the island vibe comes alive with colorful shops, laid-back restaurants, and the easy rhythm of island life. Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat, browsing beachwear boutiques, or enjoying live music, this main thoroughfare is the hub of activity.
When you’re ready to trade dry land for open water, several charters are tailored to meet all interests. Absolute Reel Screamer Charters will take you on a two-hour tour as you look for dolphins and bring you to a barrier island to look for shells. For a completely different vibe, Folly Tiki brings a taste of the Caribbean with a catamaran tiki boat. When choosing your lodging, think about what you want to be closer to. The Folliday Inn is just one block from the beach, but still an easy walk to Center St., while the Beachside Boutique Inn is closer to Center St., but only about a five-minute walk to the beach.
Myrtle Beach
From watersports to quality theater shows, museums, and more, you’ll need to plan more than one long weekend at Myrtle Beach to appreciate all it has to offer. But let's get you started with the obvious: the beach. If the beach is your happy place, you’ll enjoy Myrtle Beach’s 60 miles of coastline. Those 60, called The Grand Strand, are divided into several separate beaches. Myrtle Beach is where the recognizable boardwalk and SkyWheel are. Then there is North Myrtle Beach, known for its live music and dancing on Main Street. Atlantic Beach is typically less crowded than the others. Surfside Beach was the first autism-friendly travel destination. The inlet meets the Atlantic Ocean at Garden City Beach. For a quieter beach, grab a good book and head to Litchfield Beach. There are also two state parks, Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park.
Downtown Myrtle Beach is where you’ll find a 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk. With several specialty boutiques and restaurants, a stroll along the boardwalk would be the perfect way to wind down a day on the beach.
Myrtle Beach offers so much more than just the beach. Take a trip on the Myrtle Beach History, Movies & Music Trolley Tour, which highlights the people, places, films, and music that shaped Myrtle Beach. Or, take a self-guided tour through Warbird Park for a deeper look at Myrtle Beach’s Air Force Base history, with restored aircraft, memorials,
Before ending your long weekend, check out Brookgreen Gardens, home to the first public sculpture garden in South Carolina. Here you’ll find the largest collection of American figurative sculptures in the U.S. It includes a zoo, extensive, themed gardens, a butterfly house, and Gullah Geechee heritage sites. For your long weekend stay at Myrtle Beach, there are no shortages of hotels right on the beach. Breaker Myrtle Beach Resort, however, has a water park.
Edgefield
A historic town in the western part of the state, you can spend a long, relaxing weekend in Edgefield, taking in its historic sites, outdoor recreation, and museums. However, it’s not packed with a lot of accommodations, although there isa Quality Inn located right outside of the historic district.
There is a lot to see in that historic district, including six churches. One of them is the Horn Creek Baptist Church, built in 1790; it is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the Backcountry of South Carolina.
Along Courthouse Square, the History Wall details Edgefield's history from local Native American tribes to the 21st century on informational panels. For a full dive into the city’s history, take some time at the Discovery Center and the Oakley Park Museum. Combining history with the outdoors, walk the .9-mile trail along Slade Lake that commemorates each of the state’s 10 Governors who hailed from Edgefield. Slade Lake covers 36 acres and is a popular leisure spot for fishing or just getting away from it all. Paddle boats and electric trolling motors are permitted on the lake
Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a welcoming retreat for a long weekend. Although it is located just minutes from Greenville and Spartanburg, there is more than enough to fill a long weekend.
Check in at Hotel Domestique, and each night you’ll return to a peaceful retreat where old-world charm meets modern design.
When you arrive at Traveler’s Rest, you’ll notice a lot of people bicycling. The town is very bike-friendly and has the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. This 22-mile trail runs along Main Street and connects to Greenville. If you didn’t bring your bike, you can rent one from Sunrift Adventures. There is also an interactive trail map with trip-planning information, trail amenities, and points of interest. If you’re more into browsing cute boutiques and niche shops, head to downtown, where you’ll find everything from vintage and upcycled clothing and décor at RetroMarketplace to used books at As the Page Turns.
For the art enthusiast, check out what local artists are up to at TR Makers Co. At Traveler’s Rest, you’ll see a community that has an appreciation for public art. See if you can find all of the “Beyond the Burrow” larger-than-life whimsical rabbit sculptures.
Edisto Island
A long weekend on Edisto Island will undoubtedly include time at the beach, but there is a lot more to do than soak up the sun. With more than five miles of biking trails, you can rent a bicycle and ride a loop through Edisto Beach and into the Edisto State Park and Botany Bay Wildlife Conservation Area. Botany Bay is a coastal wildlife refuge that offers a blend of natural beauty, historical charm, and ecological diversity. Off-shore and in-shore fishing charters present an opportunity to bring home dinner and experience Edisto’s waterways like you never have before.
Edisto Island is one of the state’s earliest settled island and there are still structures remaining from the 1800’s, including three churches built in the 1800s and the Henry Hutchinson House. Visitors are encouraged to see the work that has been done to restore the house to its former glory. A parking area has been established, with interpretive signs detailing the house's history and its significance as a survivor of the Reconstruction Era.
A weekend trip to Edisto has to include a visit to the Edisto Island Serpentarium. Dedicated to all things reptile, the Serpentarium has a wide variety of species housed indoors and in the outdoor gardens. Get up close and personal with alligators, turtles, lizards, and snakes.
Vacation rentals are popular on Edisto Island, with many of them located within walking distance to the beach or downtown shopping.
Pickens
Located near the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway and Table Rock State Park, Pickens is a great spot to spend a long weekend. Whether you’re looking for a cabin or a condo, Pickens has plenty of choices. One of them offers the ultimate woodland retreat; Table Rock State Park offers historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps that you can reserve. That puts you right in the heart of one of the top attractions in Pickens.
Table Rock is a 3,000-acre park with a trail system that brings hikers past streams and waterfalls to the top of Table Rock and the Pinnacle Mountains. Celebrating its Appalachian culture, the Pickens County Museum of Art and History is home to an eclectic collection of artifacts and three galleries showcasing the work of regional artists. You can also learn about the Appalachian people at the Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center. Also, there you can view centuries-old petroglyphs.
To fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty, head out on the 7.5-mile Doodle Trail. The multi-use trail is good for walking, biking, running, and rollerblading. But if you want a little more excitement on two wheels, check out the Town Creek Bike Park. This bike park features include dirt jumps, raised half-log trails, and wooden banked turns.
Clemson
The Clemson Tigers are the heart of this college town. When you go to its downtown, you’ll see evidence of that at every turn. The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a 230-acre sanctuary for diversity. The grounds are open and free of charge every day from sunrise to sunset. The carefully cultivated gardens transform with the seasons, offering fresh colors, fragrances, and blooming plants that make every visit a different experience. The garden transforms with the seasons, offering fresh colors, fragrances, and blooming plants that make every visit a different experience.
The Bob Campbell Geology Museum houses a collection of more than 10,000 minerals, rocks, and fossils. Among the permanent displays is the skeleton of a Saber-tooth Tiger, which once roamed Upstate South Carolina. The complete skull of a Tyrannosaurus rex is also a hit for museum goers.
For a dive into more recent history than the T. rex, the Clemson Area African American Museum is located in the former segregated Calhoun Colored School. The museum offers exhibits throughout the year and features semi-permanent, fine art and pop-up exhibits. While there are no shortages of places to stay on your long weekend, you can immerse yourself in the Clemson spirit at the Clemson University Conference Center and Inn. This Inn overlooks Lake Hartwell and is surrounded by a championship golf course.
Salem
Whether you want to camp under the stars or opt for a luxurious lodge, Salem has plenty of choices. Devils Fork State Park offers two- and three-bedroom villas, or you might prefer Sunrise Farm Bed and Breakfast, an 1890s-era Victorian Farmhouse. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to be well rested when you start exploring Salem. At its heart is Devils Fork State Park, where you can get your fill of outdoor adventure. For those looking for physical activity, there’s hiking up mountain trails or kayaking on the 7,500 acres of Lake Jocassee.
The lake is also known for its prime fishing. Jocassee holds the state record for the largest brown trout, rainbow trout, and redeye, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Guided fishing trips for everyone, from serious anglers to first-time fishermen, are also available, but don’t forget your South Carolina fishing license.
For the more skilled hikers, you’ll want to give the Bee Cove Falls a shot. This two- to three-hour hike is 2.10 miles one way, but the reward is a stunning waterfall that drops in one steep cascade and four smaller ones
Walhalla
Nicknamed “Main Street to the Mountains,” Walhalla’s main corridor through the historic downtown takes you straight to Sumter National Forest and the Chattooga River.
If you ever wanted to sleep in a treehouse, you just might have your chance. The Majestic Treehouse is a whimsical treehouse that features a one-bedroom cottage connected by a suspension bridge to a two-tier deck. If sleeping in a tree isn’t quite your thing, Lofts over Main offer charming lofts that once served as living quarters for 19th-century downtown shopkeepers.
For a day of outdoor fun, add Stumphouse Park to your itinerary. Among the wonders you’ll find at this 440-acre park is the Stumphouse Tunnel, which brings you 1,617 feet into the mountain. There’s also a short walk to the viewing platform to see a 100-foot waterfall.
To learn about the history of Walhalla and Oconee County, visit the Oconee Station State Historic Site. This military outpost was built to protect white settlers from Indian attack. Then head over to the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina to learn about the Cherokee Indians who were in the region long before the settlers arrived. End your long weekend exploring the shops on Main Street. Find a new treasure at Warther’s Antique Market & Auction Co., or take a break and shoot a game of pool at Jim’s Pool Room.
Time to start planning your next long weekend
Check the calendar for your next long weekend and start thinking about how you want to spend those days.
South Carolina has no shortage of towns that are packed with things to do and see. These 12 destinations give you the chance to experience the beauty of the outdoors, the relaxation of the beach, mountain and water adventures, and a long, rich history.
A short stay in any of these towns can be wonderfully refreshing, and chances are you’ll be thinking about coming back before your trip is over.
