Whether you’re looking for a week long or weekend vacation, you’ll find that the state of South Carolina offers plenty of options beyond Myrtle Beach and Charleston. To give an idea of things people get up to in South Carolina I have “jotted-down” some ideas you could add to your itinerary:
Play a round of golf
One of the most popular things to do on vacation in South Carolina is playing a round of golf in one of South Carolina’s many golf courses. Golfing can definitely be an expensive activity but the good news about South Carolina is that it boasts plenty of inexpensive public golf courses where you can enjoy a round of golf for as little as $20.
The Aiken Golf Club (Aiken), Pine Lakes Golf Course (Myrtle Beach), Beech Creek Golf Club (Sumter), Lake Marion Golf Club (Santee), and Santee Cooper Country Club are some of the most affordable golf courses in South Carolina.
Having said this, you’ll find even more public golf courses in the area around Myrtle Beach and Charleston such as the Love Course at Barefoot Resort, the Ocean Course Dr (Kiawah Island) and the Harbour Town Golf Links (Hilton Head), which hosts the famous Heritage PGA tour golf tournament in April.
Book a NASCAR racing experience
If you’re a car racing fan, one of the coolest things you can do on vacation is experiencing what NASCAR drivers experience every time they get behind the wheel of a 600 horse-powered car!
You can book ride-along and driving racing experiences at the Darlington Raceway with opeartors such as “Richard Petty Driving Experiences”, “NASCAR Racing Experience”, and “AL Lane’s the Racing School” for around $130 to $400.
Of course, booking driving experiences isn’t the only thing to do at the Darlington Raceway. You can also watch car racing events such as the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series races, and the Southern 500 in the month of May.
Beach riding along the Grand Strand
As far as top things to do on vacation in South Carolina, one of the most enjoyable has to be horseback riding in Myrtle Beach, especially since not many beach towns on the east coast offer this opportunity.
Riding a horse on the beach is truly amazing and if you’ve never been on a horse before, you’ll definitely find it an awesome experience riding along the beaches of the Grand Strand SC! You can book horseback rides with operators such as “Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach” and “Cowboy Up Horseback Riding” for around $80.
Water sports on Folly beach
South Carolina boasts some of the most stunning beaches on the east coast and spending time at the beach is without a doubt, one of the top things to do in SC during the summer.
Folly beach is easily one of the best beaches in South Carolina you can go for a fun day at the beach. This beach boasts really good conditions for water and wind sports and you'll be able to do a ton of water sports and recreational activities such as jet skiing, pier fishing, kayaking, surfing, parasailing, camping and picnicking.
Go for a scenic drive
If you’re planning to visit South Carolina during the spring, summer and autumn months, one of the best things to do on vacation in South Carolina is renting a car or motorcycle and hit the byways and backroads of South Carolina.
One of the most rewarding driving routes in South Carolina is along the Ashley River Road (Highway 61) from Charleston. This particular route takes you past the renowned plantation houses of Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, and Middleton Place, which are open to visitors for guided tours.
The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway is another beautiful driving route which offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Cherokee Foothills route runs along the northern part of the state passing through many points of interests such as the town of Walhalla, Oconee Station historic site, the Jocassee Gorges Visitor Center at Keowee-Toxaway State Park, Campbell's Covered Bridge (only covered bridge left in SC), and Cowpens National Battlefield (famous civil war battle sites in America).
Ferry ride & boat tours
Come the hot months of the year, hopping on a ferry, hiring a charter and booking boat tours are definitely some of the most popular summer activities in South Carolina. The Charleston Water Taxi offers an excellent opportunity to get on the water (for around $10) to photograph dolphins and explore downtown Charleston to visit top attractions such as the USS Yorktown (in Patriots Point).
From Liberty Square and Patriots Point, you’ll also be able to book boat tours with “Spirit Line Cruises” to Fort Sumter national monument. By the way, both the “Charleston Water Taxi” and the “Spirit Line Cruises” companies offer private charter hires and sunset and dinner cruises of Charleston Harbor for around $40.
Another fantastic opportunity for boat tours are provided by the Bulls Island ferry, which departs from Garris Landing (Awendaw) to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge where you’ll be able to book hiking and birding expeditions, and kayaking tours. The Bulls Island ferry is operational much of the year and costs $40 for a round-trip ticket.
See. Things to do in Northeast TN
Things to do over the Summer Vacation in the States
Vacation Rentals vs Hotels: which is better?
Top Beaches in Georgia
