8 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In South Carolina
According to World Population Review, South Carolina ranked as the third friendliest state in 2025. In the midst of this friendliness are some of the state’s most adorable small towns, surrounded by beaches, mountains, and waterfalls. With towns this charming, it is no surprise the residents are always in such good spirits! If you are looking to explore some of the state’s most enchanting towns this year, these eight should be at the top of your itinerary.
Walhalla
In a state largely celebrated for its beaches and coastal resorts, Walhalla is a refreshing change of scenery in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This adorable mountain town is surrounded by waterfalls and hiking trails, such as Station Cove Falls, located just under 15 minutes north of town. These falls cascade roughly 60 feet and can be viewed via a short three-quarters-mile trail. For even more outdoor recreation, check out Stumphouse Park, a 440-acre park that is home to another beautiful waterfall, a bike park, the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail, and the famous Stumphouse Tunnel. Unwind for the evening in the magical Bolt Farm Treehouse, a cozy one-bedroom cottage made of timber on a quiet, 40-acre property.
Edisto Island
Just an hour south of Charleston, Edisto Island offers a laid-back weekend escape with all the small-town comforts you would expect in a coastal community of 2,000 residents. Travelers looking to explore the waters can choose from several charters, including Botany Bay Ecotours, which offers dolphin tours, ACE Basin trips, and sunset cruises. If you prefer paddling, Edisto Watersports & Tackle also provides both guided kayaking tours and kayak rentals to explore different creeks in the area. At the end of the day, travelers can head over to The Waterfront Restaurant for some delicious seafood. This local spot serves some of the area’s best seafood, backed by four generations in the town’s seafood industry.
Clemson
Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the shores of Lake Hartwell, Clemson is a lively college town with plenty to enjoy outdoors. Plant lovers should make sure to check out the South Carolina Botanical Garden, a 295-acre garden that features an arboretum, various ornamental plants, a nature-based sculpture collection, National Heritage Garden Trail, and more. Just north of town, you’ll find the Clemson Experimental Forest, a 17,500-acre expanse of forestland that has access to the lake and over 100 miles of trails to explore. Travelers can also take a stroll downtown, popping into its charming boutiques like the Fizz Boutique, which sells clothing, accessories, gifts, home decor, and more.
Hilton Head Island
Returning to the coast, travelers will find Hilton Head Island, often called “America’s Favorite Island” and widely regarded as one of the most beloved beach towns on the East Coast. There are over 12 miles of white sandy beaches in the area and several access points to reach them. Islanders Beach Park is a particularly beautiful one, featuring a boardwalk that hovers over the dunes, a playground, a picnic pavilion, and wheelchair-accessible beach matting. Want to spot some of the ocean’s friendliest mammals? Island Skiff Adventure Tours offers dolphin-watching trips that follow a route near the shores of nearby Bull Island. To shake up your beach vacation a bit, consider booking a trail ride with Lawton Stables, which offers horseback riding routes that wind through the lush Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
Murrells Inlet
Affectionately known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” Murrells Inlet is a relaxed fishing village with an abundance of outdoor activities. To see why the town is so well known for seafood, book an excursion with Murrells Inlet Fishing Charters, which offers a range of inshore and nearshore trips led by knowledgeable guides. Enjoy seafood but don’t want to catch your own? You can also experience the seafood scene at Inlet Crab House and Raw Bar, which has been serving fresh seafood for over three decades. Brookgreen Gardens is another must-visit attraction in town, featuring over 9,000 acres of palmetto gardens, butterfly gardens, terrace gardens, and live oaks.
Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest is another adorable town in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, renowned for its surrounding hiking and biking trails. The entire town is extremely bike-friendly, and one of the most popular biking trails is the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. This trail runs for 22 miles from Travelers Rest’s main street to the neighboring town of Greenville. Less than a half-hour drive from town, travelers will reach Table Rock State Park, a lovely 3,000-acre green space with mountain trails, swimming holes, and cabins. After a day of exploration, there is no better place to unwind than at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom downtown, which has IPAs, Oktoberfests, Pilsners, and other craft beer varieties on tap.
Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island, just 20 minutes from Charleston, is another popular vacation spot for city residents. Travelers can begin their morning with a stroll along the Sullivan's Island Nature Trail, which features boardwalks, observation decks, and benches along a calm, 190-acre piece of land. Afterwards, head out on the water with a paddleboard or surfboard rental from Sealand Adventure Sports. There are several lesser-known gems to check out in the area as well, such as the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church. As one of the oldest churches in the greater Charleston area, this church dates back to the 1870s, featuring an interior ceiling that resembles a ship’s hull.
Spartanburg
Spartanburg’s close-knit community is reflected in its cultural festivals and farmers' markets. The Spartanburg International Festival is coming up on October 4th this year, celebrating the community’s diverse roots through food, music, interactive activities, and more. The Saturday Farmers Market is another significant cultural hub in the community, taking place from April through December in Northside Harvest Park and selling local and seasonal products. If you are looking for a cozy place to spend the night in town, look no further than the Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, which is set in a historic home that dates back to 1913.
Final Thoughts
South Carolina’s towns are unexplainably special, offering the perfect mix of natural parks, cultural festivals, and beaches that bring travelers back to visit time and time again. With so many charming destinations throughout the state, the hardest part of planning your trip can often be deciding where to travel! So rest assured that this year, these eight towns promise a reliably beautiful visit filled with memories that will last for years.
