7 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In South Carolina

Over the past decade, South Carolina’s tourism and travel sector has grown by an impressive 65%. This growth will come as no surprise to those familiar with the state’s gorgeous beaches, famed golf courses, and delicious low country cuisine. With all of this growth, however, where should you go if you are seeking something a bit more off the beaten path? Regardless of how well you may know the Palmetto State, these seven towns have some of the most surprising and quirky qualities, including monkey-inhabited islands, annual peach and oyster festivals, and remote locations reachable only by ferry. Even the most seasoned state residents are likely to discover something new!

Aiken

Aiken has a rich equestrian spirit and heritage that visitors can explore through several attractions. Travelers can begin their equestrian tour at Aiken Equine Rescue, the largest horse rescue center in the Southeast. The facility is open for visits and tours Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 am to 1 pm, allowing visitors to learn about the rescue horses and facility programs. Travelers interested in horse racing can stop by the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum afterward, which features trophies, photos, and memorabilia from some of the most famous horses of the Aiken Training Track. Travelers can also go horseback riding or hiking in Hitchcock Woods & Gateway Park, a 2,100-acre forest filled with longleaf pines and 65 miles of trails.

Beaufort

Chances are, you had a kazoo at some point growing up. If you are feeling nostalgic or just curious about this quirky little instrument, set aside a day in Beaufort, home of the Kazoobie Kazoo Museum and Factory. Here, you can attend a guided tour of the factory, learning how they make kazoos from start to finish, and even make your own kazoo to take with you as a souvenir. Many visitors may also not be aware that an island filled with monkeys lies just outside of Beaufort! Morgan Island, sometimes locally referred to as “Monkey Island,” is home to over 3,000 rhesus monkeys, which visitors can try to spot during an A.C.E. Basin and Monkey Island tour with Beaufort Dolphin Adventures. Travelers who visit Beaufort in January may also be able to attend the annual Beaufort Oyster Festival, which celebrates the state’s culinary heritage with fire-roasted oysters, a restaurant week, educational vendors, live entertainment, and more.

Bishopville

A mysterious reptile-like creature is said to roam the swamps of Bishopville, with sightings dating back as far as 1988. Travelers can search for a glimpse of the seven-foot-tall, red-eyed lizard themselves, or simply celebrate the local legend at the annual Lizard Man Stomp, which will feature a parade, food, music, local vendors, and more. Travelers can also enjoy a visit to the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, a former cornfield that Pearl Fryar transformed into a living work of art with over 400 uniquely trimmed plants. You can finish your quirky tour of town at the South Carolina Cotton Museum, which exhibits cotton-themed art, giant cotton bales, and a company store with various cotton-centered gifts for sale.

Gaffney

As peak peach season arrives, no place celebrates the fruit quite like Gaffney. From July 9th through the 19th this year, the town will host its annual South Carolina Peach Festival, which consists of festive parades, carnival rides, contests, live music, and lots of delicious food. While in town, you’ll want to grab a picture with the famous Peachoid Water Tower, a massive and colorful peach-like landmark that sits along I-85. If you are craving some of the town’s peaches or other fresh fruits, make sure to stop by one of Abbott Farms’ local fruit markets, which sell artisan jams, fruit breads, relishes, sauces, and other fruit-themed items.

Daufuskie Island

Accessible only by boat, Daufuskie Island is one of the few spots along the South Carolina coast that still feels truly remote and disconnected from the outside world. Travelers hoping to reach this distant island can book a ferry with Island Head, which offers ferry rides to and from the island from Hilton Head. Once on the island, consider exploring the Bloody Point Lighthouse Museum, which dates back to the late 19th century and exhibits one of the state’s best preserved indigenous canoes. Visitors can further explore the island via horseback, reserving a tour with Daufuskie Trail Rides, which wind through the island’s maritime forest.

Travelers Rest

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Travelers Rest sits Poinsett Bridge, the oldest bridge in South Carolina. Built in 1820, this arched stone structure is also one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in the Southeast. In addition to visiting the historic bridge, travelers should stop by Travelers Rest on Saturday mornings during the town’s seasonal farmers market. As the largest open-air market in the county, it features over 70 vendors, live music, food trucks, and plenty of family-friendly activities. To unwind in the afternoon, grab a drink at Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom, where you can enjoy a variety of in-house craft beers, such as IPAs, amber ales, and Czech-style Pilsners.

Ridgeway

In the heart of the tiny town of Ridgeway, travelers will find the World’s Smallest Police Station, a little white building that served as the town’s real police station from 1940 until 1990, when a new one opened. Travelers can grab a picture of this peculiar landmark before heading a few buildings down to Laura’s Tea Room, a cozy cafe and gift shop that serves sandwiches, scones, and pots of hot tea. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir from your eccentric weekend in Ridgeway, make sure to check out the Ridgeway Marketplace, a vendor mall in the historic district that sells antique furniture, home decor, books, glassware, and other well-preserved and old-timey goods.

Final Thoughts

If you are already familiar with the state’s most popular vacation destinations, you may want to consider discovering something a bit more off the radar this year. These seven towns offer a fresh perspective and the chance to see the state in a whole new light. Travelers can celebrate the state’s fruit harvest in towns like Gaffney, while places like Bishopville are perfect for diving into some of South Carolina’s strangest local legends. All that is left to do is choose the town that sounds most eccentric and get ready to learn something new!