When the summer season rolls around every year, South Carolinians just couldn’t be happier! In spite of the high temps and humidity during this time of the year, we have ample attractions that will help cool you down. So, gas up the car and get ready for 12 of the best day trips in South Carolina that’ll fill your summer with fun.
- Visit South Carolina’s unique aqua park.
Facebook/Shark Wake Park Hours of fun await you at Shark Wake Park 843, a fun inflatable floating park. Test your skills on the obstacle course or just have fun on the slides. Will you make it across the monkey bars without falling in the water? Oh well, at least the water is cool and refreshing! Shark Wake Park 843, 150 Citizens Cir, Little River, SC 29566, USA
- Head to an iconic mountainside cafe for lunch and then some waterfall chasing.
Mountain Rest Café/Google Maps Mountain Rest Cafe is only a few miles from some fun upstate attractions. After lunch, explore Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel, or one of the many waterfalls located within 10 miles of this upstate eatery. Mountain Rest Cafe LLC, 7057 Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, USA
- Visit an underwater ghost town in South Carolina’s largest lake.
Holcy/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images The eerie remains of the lumber town of Ferguson can be seen jutting out of Lake Marion not more than 150 yards from the shore. But you’ll need a kayak, canoe or boat to see them. Lake Marion, South Carolina, USA
- Head to the most laid back beach in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/management Pack the sunscreen and a cooler and head to the most laid-back beach in the state. If a cooler isn’t in the cards, then no worries. There are plenty of restaurants just steps off the beach. Folly Beach is casual, welcoming and fun. Get there early in the day to avoid the highest traffic times. Folly Beach, SC, USA
- Take a ride down a natural waterslide.
youtube/Jimmy Gilstrap The Long Shoals Roadside Park waterfall swimming hole boasts a natural waterslide guaranteed to keep the entire family occupied for the day. Bring an inflatable to get the fastest thrill or, just take a ride on your backside. It’s a suitable way to cool off on hot summer day. Long Shoals Roadside Park, Scenic Hwy 11, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
- Or, just float down a lazy river.
Facebook/Edisto River Adventures The Edisto River is a popular spot to while away the day with a group of friends and a cooler of cold bevs. It takes about three hours to float approximately one mile - and you’ll be amazed at how it fast it goes by. Edisto River, South Carolina, USA
- Take a ferry to a top secret beach you can only get to by boat.
TripAdvisor/Gina M Explore Boneyard Beach and this amazing island that’s only accessible by boat. Pack the camera, the bug spray, lunch, and comfortable walking shoes - then get ready for an unforgettable day. Boneyard Beach, Bull Island, SC 29429, USA
- Explore our state’s volcanic and revolutionary war history.
King’s Mountain National Military Park/Google Maps King’s Mountain National Military Park is open to the public and also free. Wander along the many trails, check out the military monument, and marvel at the igneous rock formations indicative of ancient volcano activity right here in South Carolina. Kings Mountain National Military Park, 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
- Gas up the car and head to South Carolina’s most naturally beautiful town.
TripAdvisor/Ana S Beaufort is the second oldest town in the Palmetto State. A trip here is a step back in time. To get a feel for the whole area take a carriage ride, or just set out on foot and explore all that beautiful Beaufort has to offer. Beaufort, SC, USA
- Take the ferry to an island town that’s unlike any other in the state.
Daufuskie Island Ferry and Visitor Center/Facebook From the Haig Point Light to the charming and eclectic small village with restaurants and art shops, there’s much to see and do in the charming tiny town of Daufuskie Island that you can only get to by ferry. Daufuskie Island, SC 29915, USA
- The angel oak tree at Johns Island.
Robert Loe/Moment via Getty Images Pay homage to the oldest live Oak tree east of the Mississippi in Johns Island.. Most believe she’s around 400 years old, but some people contend she’s more in the range of 1,500 years old. Whatever her age, you’ll be awestruck by her beauty! Johns Island, South Carolina 29455, USA
- Cool off in the clearest, most pristine lake in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/KareeNC74 Spend the day swimming, boating and relaxing at this canyon lake in the Upstate. Lake Jocassee is filled with waters from four mountain rivers - making this lake clear and always cool and refreshing. Lake Jocassee Road, Lake Jocassee Rd, South Carolina 29676, USA
There’s so much to see and do in South Carolina you’ll never run out of options.
Facebook/Shark Wake Park
Hours of fun await you at Shark Wake Park 843, a fun inflatable floating park. Test your skills on the obstacle course or just have fun on the slides. Will you make it across the monkey bars without falling in the water? Oh well, at least the water is cool and refreshing!
Shark Wake Park 843, 150 Citizens Cir, Little River, SC 29566, USA
Mountain Rest Café/Google Maps
Mountain Rest Cafe is only a few miles from some fun upstate attractions. After lunch, explore Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel, or one of the many waterfalls located within 10 miles of this upstate eatery.
Mountain Rest Cafe LLC, 7057 Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, USA
Holcy/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
The eerie remains of the lumber town of Ferguson can be seen jutting out of Lake Marion not more than 150 yards from the shore. But you’ll need a kayak, canoe or boat to see them.
Lake Marion, South Carolina, USA
TripAdvisor/management
Pack the sunscreen and a cooler and head to the most laid-back beach in the state. If a cooler isn’t in the cards, then no worries. There are plenty of restaurants just steps off the beach. Folly Beach is casual, welcoming and fun. Get there early in the day to avoid the highest traffic times.
Folly Beach, SC, USA
youtube/Jimmy Gilstrap
The Long Shoals Roadside Park waterfall swimming hole boasts a natural waterslide guaranteed to keep the entire family occupied for the day. Bring an inflatable to get the fastest thrill or, just take a ride on your backside. It’s a suitable way to cool off on hot summer day.
Long Shoals Roadside Park, Scenic Hwy 11, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
Facebook/Edisto River Adventures
The Edisto River is a popular spot to while away the day with a group of friends and a cooler of cold bevs. It takes about three hours to float approximately one mile - and you’ll be amazed at how it fast it goes by.
Edisto River, South Carolina, USA
TripAdvisor/Gina M
Explore Boneyard Beach and this amazing island that’s only accessible by boat. Pack the camera, the bug spray, lunch, and comfortable walking shoes - then get ready for an unforgettable day.
Boneyard Beach, Bull Island, SC 29429, USA
King’s Mountain National Military Park/Google Maps
King’s Mountain National Military Park is open to the public and also free. Wander along the many trails, check out the military monument, and marvel at the igneous rock formations indicative of ancient volcano activity right here in South Carolina.
Kings Mountain National Military Park, 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702, USA
TripAdvisor/Ana S
Beaufort is the second oldest town in the Palmetto State. A trip here is a step back in time. To get a feel for the whole area take a carriage ride, or just set out on foot and explore all that beautiful Beaufort has to offer.
Beaufort, SC, USA
Daufuskie Island Ferry and Visitor Center/Facebook
From the Haig Point Light to the charming and eclectic small village with restaurants and art shops, there’s much to see and do in the charming tiny town of Daufuskie Island that you can only get to by ferry.
Daufuskie Island, SC 29915, USA
Robert Loe/Moment via Getty Images
Pay homage to the oldest live Oak tree east of the Mississippi in Johns Island.. Most believe she’s around 400 years old, but some people contend she’s more in the range of 1,500 years old. Whatever her age, you’ll be awestruck by her beauty!
Johns Island, South Carolina 29455, USA
TripAdvisor/KareeNC74
Spend the day swimming, boating and relaxing at this canyon lake in the Upstate. Lake Jocassee is filled with waters from four mountain rivers - making this lake clear and always cool and refreshing.
Lake Jocassee Road, Lake Jocassee Rd, South Carolina 29676, USA
If you love exploring the outdoors, then you’ll love this epic abandoned railroad hike in the Palmetto State.
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Address: South Carolina, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in South Carolina June 21, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin I’m looking for unique things to do around Charleston. You’re in luck because there are tons of unique things to do around Charleston! One of our favorites is venturing out to the Fort Sumter National Monument in the Charleston Harbor. It is named after Thomas Sumter, a militia leader, and shares the deep history of the Civil War and the fort’s role in defense of opposing forces in the area. Are there any museums on Hilton Head Island? Yes! One of the most popular museums in the state, the Coastal Discovery Museum , is located here. Its unique in that it is a multifaceted indoor/outdoor attraction, so guests get a taste of a variety of exhibits and spaces spread out over a wide area. And be sure to wander through the butterfly enclosure, one of the most relaxing and beautiful features there. Can you suggest a romantic getaway in South Carolina? Aaaah, love is in the air! South Carolina is such a beautiful state that you’d be hard-pressed NOT to find an area in which you wouldn’t fall in love. And there are numerous romantic accommodation options dotted all over The Palmetto State to help get you in the groove. One of them is the Red Horse Inn near the city of Landrum. The cottages here are so charming and inviting, and the mountain views from just about anywhere on the property are spectacular. There’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy a fantastic romantic getaway here. I heard that South Carolina has a lot of haunted history. Where can I learn more about that? You heard correctly. South Carolina has lots of haunted history and spooky places to visit. If you are up for a creepy drive—day or night—that would definitely be found on St. Helena Island. The island, located between Beaufort and Hunting Island, is the home of Lands End Road. Meandering for approximately eight miles, the road highlights a mausoleum, cemetery, and ominous-looking moss-draped trees that the locals say ghosts are known to frequent. Visit at your own risk!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in South Carolina
June 21, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
I’m looking for unique things to do around Charleston. You’re in luck because there are tons of unique things to do around Charleston! One of our favorites is venturing out to the Fort Sumter National Monument in the Charleston Harbor. It is named after Thomas Sumter, a militia leader, and shares the deep history of the Civil War and the fort’s role in defense of opposing forces in the area. Are there any museums on Hilton Head Island? Yes! One of the most popular museums in the state, the Coastal Discovery Museum , is located here. Its unique in that it is a multifaceted indoor/outdoor attraction, so guests get a taste of a variety of exhibits and spaces spread out over a wide area. And be sure to wander through the butterfly enclosure, one of the most relaxing and beautiful features there. Can you suggest a romantic getaway in South Carolina? Aaaah, love is in the air! South Carolina is such a beautiful state that you’d be hard-pressed NOT to find an area in which you wouldn’t fall in love. And there are numerous romantic accommodation options dotted all over The Palmetto State to help get you in the groove. One of them is the Red Horse Inn near the city of Landrum. The cottages here are so charming and inviting, and the mountain views from just about anywhere on the property are spectacular. There’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy a fantastic romantic getaway here. I heard that South Carolina has a lot of haunted history. Where can I learn more about that? You heard correctly. South Carolina has lots of haunted history and spooky places to visit. If you are up for a creepy drive—day or night—that would definitely be found on St. Helena Island. The island, located between Beaufort and Hunting Island, is the home of Lands End Road. Meandering for approximately eight miles, the road highlights a mausoleum, cemetery, and ominous-looking moss-draped trees that the locals say ghosts are known to frequent. Visit at your own risk!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
You’re in luck because there are tons of unique things to do around Charleston! One of our favorites is venturing out to the Fort Sumter National Monument in the Charleston Harbor. It is named after Thomas Sumter, a militia leader, and shares the deep history of the Civil War and the fort’s role in defense of opposing forces in the area.
Are there any museums on Hilton Head Island?
Yes! One of the most popular museums in the state, the Coastal Discovery Museum , is located here. Its unique in that it is a multifaceted indoor/outdoor attraction, so guests get a taste of a variety of exhibits and spaces spread out over a wide area. And be sure to wander through the butterfly enclosure, one of the most relaxing and beautiful features there.
Can you suggest a romantic getaway in South Carolina?
Aaaah, love is in the air! South Carolina is such a beautiful state that you’d be hard-pressed NOT to find an area in which you wouldn’t fall in love. And there are numerous romantic accommodation options dotted all over The Palmetto State to help get you in the groove. One of them is the Red Horse Inn near the city of Landrum. The cottages here are so charming and inviting, and the mountain views from just about anywhere on the property are spectacular. There’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy a fantastic romantic getaway here.
I heard that South Carolina has a lot of haunted history. Where can I learn more about that?
You heard correctly. South Carolina has lots of haunted history and spooky places to visit. If you are up for a creepy drive—day or night—that would definitely be found on St. Helena Island. The island, located between Beaufort and Hunting Island, is the home of Lands End Road. Meandering for approximately eight miles, the road highlights a mausoleum, cemetery, and ominous-looking moss-draped trees that the locals say ghosts are known to frequent. Visit at your own risk!
