12 Small Towns In South Carolina To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
The small towns in South Carolina to visit for a weekend getaway are each bright, surprising places of history, coastline serenity, and mountain air that begs to be savored. From the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beloved plains and forests of the lowlands, these towns blend film-ready façades, deep Gullah Geechee traditions, and a wild, unspoiled shoreline that make them perfect itinerary spots for the upcoming 2026. You should expect to walk through preserved antebellum neighborhoods, learn at community-run cultural centers, and paddle tranquil creeks where sea turtles sometimes nest. We've picked the best of the many small towns in South Carolina that are perfect for a weekend getaway.
Beaufort
Beaufort is a stunning small town in the Lowcountry, where moss-draped oaks, tidy historic streets, and a waterfront that encourages beautiful weekend vacations for all. For history, Old Sheldon Church Ruins offers haunting brick walls and photo-perfect ruins that are viewable from the roadside and open during daylight hours. Penn Center on St. Helena Island preserves Gullah/Geechee history through exhibits and community programs, complete with guided tours and seasonal events that run regularly at different times of the year. Walking the waterfront at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park gives you plenty of river views and even has a promenade with restaurants and art galleries nearby. For military history, the remains of Fort Frederick and other nearby historic fort sites provide insight into coastal defenses and stories from the Reconstruction era. Best of all, lovely accommodation options, such as the Cuthbert House Inn, ensure you have a grand and gallant occasion in Beaufort.
Georgetown
Georgetown’s atmosphere is brimming with maritime mysteries and historic riverfront warehouses, where visitors can immerse themselves in the rich histories of rice and the reef in the region. You can start your lessons at the Georgetown County Museum, where regional colonial and antebellum history is on full display. Meanwhile, the Rice Museum (and other rice-plantation interpretation in the area) explains why Georgetown shaped the region’s economy and landscape. You can also step into the Kaminski House Museum to experience period furnishings and portraits that shine a light on 18th- and 19th-century domestic life. Additionally, you can visit the Gullah Museum to understand the living Gullah traditions that are still celebrated in the area. In a site where the Black, Great Pee Dee, Waccamaw, and Sampit rivers mingle, Georgetown is a well-accomplished and well-praised vacation spot for a weekend getaway, and you can stay a long while in wholesome locales like the Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn or the George Hotel.
Bluffton
The amazing and exquisite town of Bluffton unfurls with innumerable art galleries, mossy churches, and laidback charms and amenities to appreciate. The Heyward House Museum & Welcome Center is a compact primer on the town’s past, as well as a great starting point for self-guided walking tours. On the other hand, the Old Town Bluffton Historic District contains galleries, the Church of the Cross, and riverside viewpoints that further give you a good glimpse into the town’s history. If you time it right, the May River Shrimp Festival and the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival are signature community celebrations that give you delicious seafood, juried artworks and masterpieces, and live music to adore. Bluffton also functions as a gateway to Hilton Head Island for beaches and larger-scale dining or events, while lovely accommodation options such as the May River Manor provide daily and nightly comforts in your stay in Bluffton.
Newberry
The charming South Carolina town of Newberry guides newcomers to lovely streets, year-round performances, and botanical surprises that make it an excellent weekend getaway for you. The restored Newberry Opera House promotes and preserves local arts, while also hosting concerts and community theater productions. For verdant and vivacious respite, the Wells Japanese Garden offers a peaceful stroll among carefully tended plantings and koi ponds. Nearby, expansive regions of the Sumter National Forest are undaunted spots for hiking and trailblazing. At the same time, the Carter & Holmes Orchids thrives as a family-run nursery with one of the region’s most extensive orchid displays and visiting hours. Furthermore, Newberry’s festivals (Oktoberfest and seasonal markets) and lodgings such as the Hampton Inn Newberry-Opera House or Quality Inn Newberry make it easy to spend a weekend in this wonderful small town in South Carolina.
Travelers Rest
Prospering at the Blue Ridge foothills, Travelers Rest is an outdoor haven and camping ground for grander adventures in South Carolina’s natural sceneries. As the perfect weekend base camp, travelers at Travelers Rest can head over to Caesars Head State Park for dramatic overlooks and to traverse the immersive trail system that leads to new locations and areas of interest. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail runs through town, connecting Travelers Rest to Greenville via a long greenway perfect for biking and hiking. In town, the History Museum of Travelers Rest tells the story of Travelers Rest, from its time when the Cherokee once roamed the area to its current relevance as a resting spot for travelers. With quaint establishments like The Station by Compo Hotels making everything nice and cozy, you will have a gorgeous weekend in Travelers Rest.
Edisto Beach
Edisto Beach is a laidback and leisurely beachfront town on Edisto Island, where blissful and uncrowded beaches boast plenty of fun and adventures for all. The Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve (aka Botany Bay) showcases boneyard beaches, maritime forests, and photographic driftwood. Meanwhile, Edisto Beach State Park leads you toward scenic trails, camping sites, and an environmental education center ideal for families. Protectors and volunteers support sea turtle conservation on Edisto’s shores, and visitors are encouraged to respect and protect their welfare through education and awareness. For more whimsical moments in South Carolina’s wilderness, the Edisto Island Serpentarium displays native reptiles and runs educational programs for families. Finally, if you want a more extended nature excursion, the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge contains creeks and salt marshes for more exhilarating expeditions in the outdoors. Those of you who grow tired from all the walking can rest and recharge at places like the Wyndham Ocean Ridge Marsh Point.
Aiken
The elegant town of Aiken lives at the intersection of equestrian tradition and vibrant arts. At the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum, visitors can explore how the town celebrates its horse-training legacy through artifacts and enjoy free admission on posted visiting days. Many ought to go hiking through Hitchcock Woods, one of the country’s largest urban forests, with miles of equestrian and walking trails open throughout the year. The manicured Hopelands Gardens shelters fountains, paths, and even hosts concerts on a seasonal schedule. For historical context on plantation life and its legacy, the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site interprets the diverse stories of the region, including those of enslaved people and the changes of the Reconstruction era. Aiken’s equine landmarks and cozy accommodations like the Clarion Inn & Suites Aiken South continue to draw visitors from all over, ensuring that no matter when you visit, you will have a grand weekend in this whimsical small town.
Walhalla
Walhalla is a gorgeous gateway to German-themed festivals and delightful natural landscapes in South Carolina’s countryside. Hiking through the Stumphouse Mountain Park allows you to photograph the serene Issaqueena Falls, one of the most memorable waterfalls to adore. In contrast, Lake Keowee is a magnificent site for kayaking, swimming, and scenic picnic spots for all. Amateur historians should check out Oconee Station State Historic Site, where preserved frontier structures and scheduled guided tours explain the area’s 18th- and 19th-century frontier role. Most of all, the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina highlights Native American heritage in the region. Visitors can spend a humble and amicable weekend in idyllic establishments like the Rodeway Inn & Suites Walhalla.
Anderson
Anderson comforts newcomers with a surprising roster of outdoor options. As one of the most lowkey and satisfying summer stops in South Carolina, travelers can treat themselves to lessons of the past at the Anderson County Museum, where rotating exhibits and research resources enlighten curious individuals. For waterfront leisure, Sadlers Creek State Park puts you on Lake Hartwell for boating escapades and leisurely picnics beneath the sun and the stars. Those of you with an affinity for artistry will definitely appreciate the Anderson Arts Center, with exhibits and educational workshops that many aspiring artists will certainly like. Complete with lodgings such as the Horizon Inn & Suites, Anderson amazes and astounds with its laidback airs and comfortable weekend attractions.
Landrum
Landrum, situated near the North Carolina border, functions as a serene launch pad for visiting waterfalls and walking on equestrian trails that will leave indelible memories to cherish. Visitors can traverse several historic bridges, such as the Campbell's Historic Covered Bridge, for a beautiful and bodacious occasion in the quaint countryside. Meanwhile, the Blue Wall Preserve is a local favorite for its views of the pond, short waterfalls to photograph, and ridge trails that traverse at your own pace. Best of all, for equestrian and birdwatching opportunities, the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) offers guided rides, events, and trails that welcome families and riders. If the Poinsett Bridge is offline, lean into Blue Wall hikes, FENCE trail rides, or nearby state forest trails for your upcountry fix. Many of you will also appreciate staying in outdoor retreats and inns like The Red Horse Inn, further proving how excellent and simplistic Landrum is as a weekend getaway.
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms delivers newcomers to classic barrier-island vacations, where an abundance of broad beaches, seaside attractions, and a small-town strip of shops and cafés can be experienced in leisure. Isle of Palms County Park provides beach access with picnic areas, seasonal sensations, and large swathes of sand that throng with beachgoers early on summer weekends. The Wild Dunes Resort offers full-service recreation, featuring golf, pools, and family programming that are all conveniently and comfortably accessible to everyone. Interestingly, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island offers a comprehensive tour of both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War, with scheduled exhibits highlighting the fort’s military significance during these two eras of conflict. For comfortable oceanfront stays, properties such as The Palms Oceanfront Hotel book early in summer. If you want fewer crowds, consider visiting on autumn weekends for cooler weather and calmer beaches.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach maintains a breezy, surf-friendly personality, with fishing piers, surf shops, and a handful of attractions that reward newcomers with amicable wanderings and wonders. A walk through the Folly Beach Pier gifts you with mesmerizing ocean views. Likewise, Center Street features surf shops, cafés, and a lively street energy that's perfect for daytime and nighttime meanderings. Whenever you have the time and the enthusiasm, you ought to explore the Folly Beach County Park with its pristine beaches and shorelines. Furthermore, you can go adventuring through the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, which offers an excellent vantage point to gaze out over the land from the Morris Island Lighthouse. Folly’s easygoing surf-town sceneries, plus its amicable establishments like the Water's Edge Inn, make it one of the best small towns to visit for a weekend getaway.
A Weekend Getaway In South Carolina
The various small towns in South Carolina are idyllic destinations for a weekend getaway, where antebellum buildings and quiet barrier islands are just some of the many things to see in the state. Where culture, conservation, and easygoing summer fun can be gained from towns like Edisto Beach, or where wellness and wholesomeness can easily be attained in towns like Travelers Rest and Newberry, these small towns in South Carolina ought to be visited this upcoming winter or this upcoming new year. Amidst the historic landmarks and naturally beautiful landscapes to cherish in South Carolina’s countryside, you will come across some of the best small towns to visit for a weekend getaway.
