8 Playfully Peculiar Towns In South Carolina
Did you know that South Carolina is known for having a monkey island with free-ranging Rhesus monkeys? Or that the state has the first and only commercial tea plantation, additionally making it the birthplace of sweet tea? Or did you know it was home to the first public college in the U.S.? The state is riddled with historical peculiarities, all available for visitors to come and enjoy. Next time you’re in South Carolina be sure to check out any of these eight playfully peculiar towns.
John’s Island
Resembling something out of a fantasy movie, The Angel Oak in John’s Island is one of the oldest living oak trees in the southeast. Standing 65 feet tall, with a 28-foot trunk circumference, and branches reaching 187 feet, the tentacular crown of this mighty oak supplies 17,000 square feet of shade. Believed to be between 400 and 500 years old, the tree has withstood the elements of the area, including hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. For another fun experience, spend some outdoor time with farm animals at The Goatery. Specializing in small-batch dairy products made from fresh goat’s milk, including creamy chèvre, feta, and award-winning pimento cheese, the farm encourages the public to visit. Come for a hands-on experience, or try one of their goat yoga sessions and partake in all the opportunities available at this sustainable farm.
For a more extreme kind of adventure, visit Trophy Lakes. The lake is a common meeting ground for water sports enthusiasts. Ski, wakeboard, swim or play at the aqua park. Those who would rather stick to land activities can participate in a round of disc golf on the grounds.
Hartsville
And then there was one. Hartsville is home to the last remaining Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken Restaurant. The menu features comically named menu items like Boo-Boo Baskets, Cindy Bear Baskets, Picnic Baskets (or "pic-a-nic," if Yogi Bear were to say it), and Jellystone Baskets. The once thriving chain is down to its sole location and greets diners with a roadside neon sign featuring Yogi Bear holding a chicken leg.
After a meal of honey-infused fried chicken, enjoy a stroll through the Kalmia Gardens of Coker University. The 38-acre garden is located on former plantation property and features flowers ranging from Azaleas to Yucca, and everything in between. Ancient deposits of sands and clays make up the grounds on which the garden and Hart House reside. Once you've had your fill with the smells and colors of the garden, learn more of the town’s history at the Hartsville Museum. Located in a 1930s post office, the museum displays local history and art displays, while the adjacent courtyard features varying sculptures.
Florence
Imagine spending a peaceful day in your backyard, and the next thing you know a nuclear bomb is dropped mere feet from where you’re relaxing. That exact thing happened to the Gregg family when an improperly contained nuclear warhead was discharged from the plane flying over the family compound. The 7,600-pound explosive luckily did not detonate but left a crater in the yard 75 feet across and 30 feet deep. Although the Mars Bluff Crater is getting harder to find due to expanding forestry, it is still visible to explorers looking for it.
For another monument contemplating the impacts of war, spend some time at Veterans Park. Park highlights include memorials to World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Persian Gulf War, as well as an amphitheater adorned with commemorative flags. A large three-column pillar topped by a bronze American Bald Eagle is the centerpiece of the park. For a laid-back local attraction, browse through the Pee Dee State Farmers Market. Sitting on 50 acres of former farmland, the year-round market showcases the state’s freshest and finest produce and decorative flower arrangements. More than 700,000 visitors flock to the market annually.
Bishopville
Bishopville is home to multiple unique landscapes and agricultural sites. The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden is the result of one man’s dedication and determination to become the first black man in Bishopville to win "Yard of the Month" award from the local Gardener’s Club. Even with no landscaping background, he has created a utopia with over 300 different topiaries brimming with whimsy and beauty. His homemade “junk art” accents the garden as well.
For even sillier fun, try your luck getting into the Button Museum. A plain corrugated metal building housing the collection of the late "Button King" Dalton Stevens, the museum is now only open sporadically, but lucky visitors can see such colorful sights as a suit of 16,333 buttons and a fully buttoned hearse. For a final excursion, Lee State Park offers five hiking trails throughout the park as well as camping, fishing, boating, and biking. End the day at the campground and enjoy a night under the stars.
Little River
For an exclusive dining experience, Little River has a one-of-a-kind restaurant. Parson’s Table offers the typical delicious fare of she-crab and boiled seafood, but in the untraditional location of a former church. Built in 1885 as the first Little River Methodist Church, the restaurant worked hard to retain the original architecture including high vaulted ceilings and pine floors. Other original features include antique front doors made of local cypress that is over 150 years old, an original Tiffany lamp in the main dining room, and stained-glass windows from old South Carolina churches.
For a different “hidden jewel” in Little River, Vereen Memorial Gardens has hiking trails, wooden boardwalks, salt marshes, small islands and a view of the Intercoastal Waterway. The three miles of trails are becoming increasingly popular as more visitors gush about the beauty of the park. To keep up the playful mood, head to Tribal Island, Tiki Adventure Golf, one of countless mini golf courses in South Carolina. Traverse waterfalls, lakes and caverns on the two 18-holr courses that overlooks Harbour View’s driving range. Play through caverns and beneath waterfalls and enjoy hours of entertainment.
Gaffney
Believe it or not, but Georgia is not the home of the World’s Largest Peach. Gaffney, South Carolina takes that title. The Peach Capital of South Carolina grows thousands of regular sized peaches, and also contains one abnormally large one. Standing 135 feet tall, the Gaffney Peachoid is one of the area’s greatest roadside attractions. The famous peach was also featured in the Netflix series House of Cards.
A less comical and more historic attraction in Gaffney is the Cherokee County Museum. Exhibits feature Land of Revolutions, Road to Prosperity, Gallery of Heroes and more. Documents, books, photographs, maps, uniforms, furniture, and more are on display in the museum. Another historical attraction to explore is the Cowpens National Battlefield. This site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the margins of Banastre Tarleton's British army during the Revolutionary War. The Battlefield Trail and Auto Loop Trail are two highlights of the park. Combined, the five miles of trails include exhibits and monuments.
Myrtle Beach
Aviation, flight, space: the unique attractions in Myrtle Beach stick to an aerial theme. The Apollo Moonprints in Cement memorializes former South Carolina resident Charles Duke, the youngest person to walk on the moon, with his moonboot footprints cast in cement as a tribute to his success. Visitors to the shrine can not only measure his immense footsteps but also read the plaque dedicated to him.
For more in-flight entertainment, Warbird Park provides its visitors with not only historical aircraft but also the history of the Air Force. Three former Air Force planes: an A-7D Corsair, an A-10 Warthog, and an F-100 Super Sabre are all available on display. Although the planes found in the park are no longer in use, the grounds are located behind the Myrtle Beach Airport, so visitors can watch commercial planes take off and land.
For a final high-soaring point of interest, head to the SkyWheel. Although permanently grounded, the Ferris Wheel reaches 200 feet for immaculate views of the Atlantic Ocean and boardwalk. A total of 42 enclosed climate-controlled gondolas take riders 20 stories high for a relaxing beach view journey.
Edisto Island
Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach is one of four oceanfront state parks in the state. Hiking and biking trails are available for touring the park. For overnight visits, campsites and rustic cabins for rent dot the park grounds. Enjoy more scenic trip highlights, related to nature with a stop at Botany Bay Plantation. The undeveloped coastal habitats of the controlled area are important to many wildlife species. The beach is utilized for nesting by the loggerhead sea turtle. Although a fragile environment, visitors are still permitted on site. The 4,600-acre preserve includes almost three miles of undeveloped, beachfront that will leave you in awe.
For a truly original adventure, book a fishing trip with Edisto Island Shrimp Boat Charters. Trawl for shrimp or enjoy a sunset cruise with friends and family. Catch varieties of fish, from redfish and spottail to shark. Edisto Island Shrimp Boat Charters offers its patrons an opportunity to collect souvenirs from the trip, including sand dollars, starfish, blue crabs, and more.
South Carolina is renowned for its beaches and golfing. But don’t ignore the lesser-known attractions for the glitz and glamour of the popular sites. Giant peaches, nuclear-made landmarks, and honey-infused fried chicken marketed by a cartoon bear are just some of the hidden gems found in the state. Next time in the Palmetto State, don’t pass up an opportunity to visit any of these eight playfully peculiar towns.
