South CarolinaCarmen Willings
itinerantjoy.com April 25, 2025 South Carolina is known for its beautiful coastline, historic towns like Charleston, and its role in the American Civil War. The state boasts rich culture, with Gullah traditions and vibrant festivals like Spoleto. Famous for its delicious Lowcountry cuisine, especially shrimp and grits, South Carolina also offers stunning plantations, gardens, and outdoor recreation. The state's charming beaches, such as Myrtle Beach, and its role in southern history make it a unique and beloved destination.
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National Parks
Congaree National ParkWebsite: Congaree National Park
Celebrated for its rich biodiversity and is home to the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Visitors can paddle along Cedar Creek to experience the park’s swampy beauty, hike the accessible Boardwalk Loop Trail through towering trees and diverse wildlife habitats, and explore exhibits and ranger programs at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The park offers a peaceful and immersive nature experience with opportunities for birdwatching, kayaking, and photography.
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Congaree National Park
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National Historic Sites
Charles Pinckney National Historic SitePreserves a 28-acre remnant of Snee Farm, the 18th-century plantation of Charles Pinckney—a principal author and signer of the U.S. Constitution and a four-term South Carolina governor. The site features an 1828 Lowcountry coastal cottage that serves as the visitor center and museum, with exhibits on Pinckney's political contributions, plantation life, and the experiences of the enslaved African Americans who lived and worked there .
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Charles Pinckney NHS
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Cowpens National BattlefieldHonors a crucial Revolutionary War victory on January 17, 1781, where Brigadier General Daniel Morgan’s troops defeated the British using brilliant tactics. Visitors can walk a 1.25-mile battlefield trail, drive a 3.8-mile auto loop with exhibits, and explore the Robert Scruggs House. The visitor center offers a museum, artifacts, and an 18-minute film shown hourly.
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Cowpens National Battlefield Washinton Light Infantry Monument
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Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHPPreserves two significant military sites that played pivotal roles in American history. Fort Moultrie, located on Sullivan's Island, was the site of a major Revolutionary War victory in 1776 when Patriots repelled the British Navy. Fort Sumter, situated on an island in Charleston Harbor, is renowned as the location where the first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861, marking the conflict's commencement
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Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
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Kings Mountain National Military ParkCommemorates the pivotal Battle of Kings Mountain fought on October 7, 1780. This significant Patriot victory over Loyalist forces marked a turning point in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, prompting British General Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte and reshaping the conflict's trajectory.
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Kings Mountain National Military Park
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Ninety Six National Historic SitePreserves the location of two significant Revolutionary War battles. The first, in November 1775, was the earliest land battle of the war in the southern colonies. In May 1781, Major General Nathanael Greene led a 28-day siege against the British-held Star Fort, marking one of the longest sieges of the war, though ultimately unsuccessful. Today, visitors can explore a one-mile paved trail featuring the well-preserved Star Fort, the original town site, and interpretive exhibits.
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Ninety Six National Historic Site
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Reconstruction Era National Historical ParkCommemorates the transformative period following the Civil War (1861–1900) when the United States grappled with integrating millions of newly freed African Americans into its social, political, and economic fabric. Established in 2017 as a national monument and redesignated in 2019 as a national historical park, it is the first U.S. National Park Service site dedicated to the Reconstruction era
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Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
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Historic and Cultural Landmarks
Charleston Historic DistrictQuarrier St, Charleston, SC 25301
Website: Charleston Historic District Also known as the Charleston Old and Historic District. It encompasses a significant portion of the city's historic peninsula, featuring an extensive collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including the distinctive Charleston "single houses." Visitors can explore cobblestone streets, antebellum mansions, historic churches, and landmarks such as Rainbow Row, the Battery, and the French Quarter.
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Charleston Historic District
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McLeod Plantation Historic SiteLocated on James Island, offers an exploration into the lives of the Gullah/Geechee community and the complexities of Charleston's history. Established in 1851, the 37-acre site was a sea island cotton plantation that relied on the labor of enslaved Africans. Today, it stands as a testament to their resilience and cultural contributions. Explore the McLeod family home, slave quarters, a cotton gin house, and a Gullah cemetery.
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McLeod Plantation Historic Site
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Old Exchange and Provost DugeonA historic landmark that offers visitors a glimpse into the city's colonial and Revolutionary War history. Built in 1771, the building has served various purposes, including a commercial exchange, custom house, post office, city hall, and military headquarters. During the American Revolution, the Provost Dungeon in the basement was used by British forces to imprison American prisoners of war, British soldiers, private citizens, and enslaved people.
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Old Exchange and Provost Dugeon
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Drayton HallA National Historic Landmark and the oldest unrestored plantation house in the United States. Built in 1738, it is the earliest example of fully executed Palladian architecture in North America and remains a rare, unaltered example of 18th-century plantation life. Unlike many other historic homes, Drayton Hall has neither electricity nor running water, preserving its authentic colonial character
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Drayton Hall
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Magnolia Plantation and GardensOne of the oldest public gardens in the United States. The plantation offers a 64-acre garden, featuring lush azaleas, romantic pathways, and water features. Visitors can explore the historic house, which dates back to 1676, and learn about its history through guided tours. The property also offers boat tours of the Ashley River and wildlife viewing in its swamp garden.
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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
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Charleston City MarketA vibrant cultural hub in downtown Charleston, spanning four city blocks from Meeting Street to East Bay Street. This historic market features over 300 local artisans and vendors offering a diverse array of handmade crafts, including the renowned Gullah sweetgrass baskets—a traditional art form passed down through generations
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Charleston City Market
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The Old Sheldon Church RuinsLocated near Yemassee, are the remnants of Prince William’s Parish Church, constructed between 1745 and 1753. This structure is considered one of the earliest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The church was first destroyed by British forces in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. It was rebuilt in 1826 but suffered damage again in 1865 during the Civil War.
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The Old Sheldon Church Ruins
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South Carolina State Parks
Caesars Head State ParkAtop the Blue Ridge Escarpment at an elevation of 3,208 feet. The park offers panoramic views that extend into North Carolina and Georgia. A highlight of the park is the annual Hawk Watch program each fall, where visitors can witness the migration of hundreds of raptors, including hawks, kites, falcons, and eagles. One of the most popular trails leads to Raven Cliff Falls, South Carolina's tallest waterfall, where a suspension bridge offers views of the 420-foot cascade .
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Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge
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Edisto Beach State ParkThe park features a 1.5-mile stretch of unspoiled beach, providing opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, and fishing. The park's trail system winds through maritime forests and salt marshes, leading to sites such as a Native American shell midden dating back to 2000 BC. The park also serves as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, with hatchlings typically emerging between July and October
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Edisto Beach State Park
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Hunting Island State ParkThis semitropical barrier island features five miles of unspoiled beaches, dense maritime forests, and expansive salt marshes. The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse, originally built in 1859 is located here. Visitors can explore scenic trails and the Marsh Boardwalk. Wildlife include painted buntings, pelicans, and loggerhead sea turtles that nest on its shores.
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Hunting Island State Park
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Table Rock State ParkRenowned for its dramatic granite dome, Table Rock Mountain. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including iking trails that lead to panoramic vistas, with the Table Rock Trail being a notable 3.6-mile ascent to the summit. Established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park's historic lodge and other facilities reflect its rich heritage.
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Table Rock State Park Waterfall
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Iconic South Carolina Foods
- Benne Wafers. Thin, crispy cookies made with toasted sesame seeds, a traditional Gullah-Geechee snack.
- Biscuits and Gravy or Cornbread. Flaky, buttery biscuits and Southern-style cornbread are common with nearly every meal.
- Boiled Peanuts The official snack of SC
- Carolina Gold Rice. An heirloom grain revived in the Lowcountry, with deep ties to Gullah-Geechee culture.
- Hoppin’ John. A dish of black-eyed peas, rice, and pork often eaten on New Year’s for good luck.
- Lowcountry Boil (Frogmore Stew). A boiled mix of shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes seasoned with Old Bay or similar spices.
- Peaches. South Carolina grows more peaches than Georgia! You’ll find them in cobblers, jams, and juices.
- Pimento Cheese Called the “caviar of the South”.
- She-Crab Soup. Famous Charleston dish – creamy crab soup.
- Shrimp and Grits (THE South Carolina staple). Creamy corn grits topped with sautéed or saucy shrimp, often in butter, garlic, or tomato-based sauce.
- South Carolina Barbecue. Known for its mustard-based “Carolina Gold” BBQ sauce—especially with pulled pork.
Sensory Souvenirs
- Benne Wafers – Thin, crispy sesame cookies. Taste a bite of Gullah tradition with these thin, crispy sesame cookies, a sweet and savory Lowcountry favorite.
- Carolina Gold BBQ sauce Take home the bold flavor of South Carolina’s signature mustard-based barbecue sauce.
- Charleston Rice Grains Sample heirloom rice once central to South Carolina’s history and Gullah cuisine.
- Cotton Boll Hold a piece of the South’s agricultural heritage in your hand with a real cotton boll.
- Dried Magnolia Leaves Bring home a symbol of Southern beauty with glossy, preserved magnolia leaves.
- Gullah Spiritual or Storytelling Recordings Experience the powerful oral traditions and songs of the Gullah people.
- Handmade Pottery Own a piece of the Lowcountry crafted by local artisans, reflecting coastal and clay
- Handmade Quilting Square A small, colorful glimpse into the rich quilting traditions of the South.
- Indigo-Dyed Fabric Square Connect to colonial history with hand-dyed fabric using the indigo that once built fortunes in SC.in a fragrant keepsake.
- Lavender or Jasmine Sachets Carry home the soft scents of Lowcountry gardens
- Lowcountry Boil Seasoning Mix Recreate a classic coastal feast with authentic seasoning straight from the source.
- Pine Cones from Longleaf Pines A simple, earthy memento from South Carolina’s towering longleaf forests.
- Pressed Sweetgrass or Marsh Grasses Capture the essence of the coastal marshlands in delicate pressed arrangements.
- Sea Island Drumming Samples Feel the heartbeat of Gullah culture through rhythms rooted in African tradition.
- Shells from Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head Pocket the beauty of South Carolina’s sandy shores with native seashells.
- Smooth River Stones Bring home the calming, water-worn stones from South Carolina’s rivers.
- South Carolina Peach Jam Savor the taste of the Palmetto State’s juicy, sun-ripened peaches.
- Spanish Moss Take home a signature of the Southern landscape — wispy and romantic Spanish moss.
- Sweetgrass Basket Sample Own a piece of centuries-old Gullah craft with a woven sweetgrass keepsake.
- Tea Leaves from Charleston Tea Garden Enjoy fresh tea grown at America's only large-scale tea plantation.
- Woven Palmetto Crafts Celebrate the state’s symbol with handwoven crafts made from South Carolina's iconic palmetto tree.