Three Road Trips to Fully Discover South Carolina

Mountains Road Trip (Between ATL & Charlotte)

Take a road trip along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on SC Highway 11, a scenic alternative to I-85 that stretches from Montgomery, AL and Atlanta, GA to Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC. Start your vacation with a breathtaking sunrise at the Fred W. Symmes Chapel(link is external), also known as “Pretty Place” for its spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Head to Jones Gap State Park(link is external) for an array of hiking and biking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views. Climb up to Rainbow Falls(link is external), a 140 ft waterfall, that lies deep in the heart of South Carolina’s 40,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Preserve(link is external). Hike through to Caesar’s Head State Park(link is external), connected by the Caesars Head Overlook, an outcropping above the Blue Ridge Escarpment that gives views of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Hop on the 4-mile Raven Cliff Falls trail(link is external), which leads to the 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls and to the suspension bridge that crosses the creek above Raven Cliff Falls. Rest your head in your own private cottage at the Red Horse Inn(link is external), a quaint bed and breakfast located right in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Campbell’s Covered Bridge(link is external) is well-worth a stop – constructed in 1909 it is the only remaining covered bridge in the State of South Carolina.

Coastal Road Trip (Kiawah Island and Charleston to Myrtle Beach)

Starting at Kiawah Island Golf Resort(link is external), which is situated on a 10,000-acre barrier island 40 mins south of Downtown Charleston, head north. Near the entrance to Kiawah Island is a small rural side road just off the direct route, this will takes visitors on a short (less than one mile) drive down an unpaved road to the majestic Angel Oak(link is external). The magnificent tree is considered by many to be the oldest living oak east of the Mississippi, roughly 400-500 years old, and features a massive trunk measuring 28 feet in circumference and limbs that stretch out 187 feet beyond the trunk (providing 17,000 sq. ft of shade). Afterwards, continue north on HWY 700 E to Downtown Charleston, take Ashley River Road from here to find Drayton Hall(link is external), Magnolia Plantation and Gardens(link is external), and Middleton Place(link is external). Next continue to HWY 17, as this road takes you up the coast of South Carolina, where you can check out Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site(link is external) and USS Yorktown(link is external). Head out of Charleston on HWY 17 towards the Hammock Coast, where you will step back in time when visiting Hampton Plantation State Historic Site(link is external) and Hopsewee Plantation(link is external). Next, make a pit stop in Georgetown and check out the harbor walk before continuing back on HWY 17, where you’ll drive by Pawleys Island(link is external) and Murrells Inlet(link is external). Once you arrive in Murrells Inlet, be prepared to get the best of both worlds – you can have a quiet, relaxing beach vacation away from the crowds, but still enjoy the nightlife and entertainment of Myrtle Beach(link is external). The Marshwalk, a waterfront boardwalk, is an awesome place to hang out – this is where the bars and restaurants are like Drunken Jack’s(link is external) – and some of the best seafood around (mostly caught locally!) at Wicked Tuna(link is external). Make sure to stop at Huntington Beach State Park(link is external) where you can find three miles of pristine beach for relaxing, swimming or running and Atalaya Castle, a National Historic Landmark, is an awesome sight to see. Just down the street you’ll find Brookgreen Gardens(link is external), a must see sculpture garden.
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Revolutionary War Sites & Beautiful Scenery, Plus Historic B&Bs (Lancaster to Camden)

Start your journey at the historic Kilburnie, the Inn at Craig Farm(link is external) in Lancaster, with a farmhouse dating back to the early 1830’s, and site of several Revolutionary War Battles. Also, while visiting the area, make sure to tour Six Mile Creek Cemetery(link is external), Andrew Jackson State Park(link is external), and the Battle Site of Buford’s Massacre(link is external). Stop by the Hanging Rock Battle Site(link is external) as you leave Lancaster County, the historic site is worth the visit. Next stop is Camden, and a visit to area must include a stay at the unforgettable Southern charm, The Bloomsbury Inn.(link is external) Head over to Flat Rock Road to experience the Camden Battlefield in the Longleaf Pines(link is external), just make sure you have your phone tour downloaded and ready for a self-guided/paced tour.(link is external) Afterwards,  check-out the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Park(link is external) and the site of the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill(link is external), and don’t forget to stop by the Camden Archives and Museum for some additional Rev War history.
Media Contact

Brie Logue, Tourism Public Relations Manager, [email protected](link sends e-mail)
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