THE ULTIMATE
SOUTH CAROLINA BUCKET LIST
Our 25 Top Things to Do in SC
If your South Carolina travel itinerary has the same old touristy things to do, it’s time to add more off-the-beaten-path destinations and quirky activities to your South Carolina bucket list. Do what the locals do and immerse yourself in the culture and the lifestyle. And if you’re a local, do what tourists do. You’d be surprised at the things you’ve been missing out on. Live a little, have fun, and tick off items on the list one by one until you complete the top 25 things to do in South Carolina!
Walk the Battery in Charleston
Charleston’s undeniable charm is in its rich history. Everywhere you turn, you are reminded of the city’s storied past. Easily one of the most iconic landmarks in Charleston, the Battery is the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll overlooking the Charles Harbor. Well-preserved antebellum homes and stately structures serve as the backdrop to an enriching travel itinerary.
And what better way to experience the city’s history than to walk the grounds of the Charleston Battery Park? Right at the center of the Battery is the White Point Garden, where the ground is covered in bleached oyster shells. Surrounded by massive live oaks, Civil War relics, historic statues, and war cannons, the park serves as a reminder of Charleston’s role in American history.
The Waterfront Park is always a great starting point for a tour of the Battery. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the iconic giant pineapple fountain. From there, follow the walking paths and experience the charm of the old South. Cap off the day by dining in one of the many restaurants downtown and enjoying the Lowcountry cuisine.
Attend a race at Darlington Raceway
If Florida has Daytona, South Carolina has Darlington. Darlington Raceway is NASCAR’s original speedway. Racing fans can experience the thrill of watching badass-looking cars compete for speed supremacy on one of the most challenging tracks in all of racing. It’s not called “Too Tough to Tame” for nothing, after all.
Whether you’re a seasoner fan, a big-ticket fan, or an old timer, Darlington Raceway will satisfy your need for speed even while cheering for your favorite driver on the side lines. Hook up with your Darlington NASCAR Race Tours and Travel Packages agent if you want the ultimate Darlington Raceway experience. Enjoy ticket upgrades, driver intros, scanner rentals, and pit passes. With scanners on, you can listen to the strategies, judgment calls, and uncensored banters. You’ll experience racing the way it should be.
Make a bet on a horse at the Carolina Cup
The Carolina Cup is the annual steeplechase horse race event attended by thousands of horseracing fans. Races are held at the Springdale Race Course in Camden, South Carolina, which can accommodate more than 70,000 people.
Attending a Carolina Cup is like going to a community get-together where there are tents, food vendors, and grilling areas. It’s like the Southern version of the Royal Ascot but a lot less formal and more down-to-earth. There’s a flurry of tailgate parties with people in their best “Derby” attire.
The spectator experience is something to write home about and interactions with the locals and tourists alike give you all the Southern hospitality feels. Of course, the Carolina Cup experience will not be complete without betting on a horse that’s likely to win. Tailgate groups will have their own betting pools and have a winner-take-all system. You’ll win some and you’ll lose some, but you’re guaranteed a spiffing fun time.
Hike Table Rock
South Carolina is replete with parks and outdoor areas for adventurous travelers. If you want to come out and play, make sure to add hiking at Table Rock State Park to your adventure itinerary.
Table Rock State Park is a 3,000-acre park with a picturesque mountain serving as a backdrop for your adrenaline-inducing outdoor adventures. There’s a lot to do at Table Rock but the splendiferous hiking trails will take you past gorgeous waterfalls and mountain streams before reaching the mountain summit.
Campgrounds and cabins are available for visitors who are looking for a longer stay. The cabins and park structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. They are considered as historic places worthy of preservation.
The Lakeside Trail is an opportunity to discover that natural beauty and the history of the place. If you want to go for a dip, you can do so in the park’s old-style swimming hole on one of the lakes. Fishing is allowed in the lakes, so you’d be lucky to hook a catfish, bream, or bass.
The park also has a monthly “Music on the Mountain” bluegrass event where visitors can have a jolly good time jamming with local musicians. Music and refreshments are free of charge, but you can give a donation.
See a movie at the Big Mo drive-in theater
Watching a movie in a drive-in theater always brings back good memories and takes you back to a time when outdoor movie watching is a fun family affair. Although demand for drive-in theater has slowed down drastically over the years, there are still states that have managed to preserve this American pastime and South Carolina is one of them with The Big Mo.
The Monetta Drive-In Theater opened in 1951 as a single screen movie theater. The drive-in closed in 1985 but re-emerged in 1999. With the resurgence of drive-ins, the Big Mo added two more screens that offer double features on weekends of March and November.
It’s a great opportunity for the younger generation to experience an old-fashioned way to watch movies. What’s great is that the double feature is often not announced so you don’t know what movies you’re going to get. Don’t blame Big Mo, it’s the movie studios that decide which two movies will be on the double feature. But hey, two movies for $9 ($5 per child)—who’s complaining? We’re not.
The Big Mo is pet friendly so you can bring your dogs as long as they’re on a leash. You can bring your own food but if you want to support the Big Mo, head to the concession stand where hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers, nachos, fries, sandwiches, and drinks are available.
Explore Daufuskie Island
Daufuskie Island is the perfect getaway destination if you want to completely go off-grid in South Carolina. It’s like the island that time forgot because the lifestyle there is practically unchanged. Folks in the island make their living from fishing and oystering. Traditional as that may sound, the island offers various rentals, from simple cottages to historic homes to large villas.
Daufuskie Island is located between Savannah and Hilton Head and it’s only accessible by boat. Your island adventure starts the moment you ride the ferry from Hilton Head. The ferry ride introduces you to the natural beauty and tranquillity of the island.
Once you hit dry land, there’s no shortage of activities to do. Golf carts serve as the mode of transportation for self-guided tours. Another way to explore the island is through kayaking, historic horseback trail rides and beachfront rides. Brush up on history with the Bloody Point Lighthouse & Museum tour.
Be one with nature and go on the Wild Daufuskie Island Eco-Tour. Be up close and personal with birds, alligators, and plant and marine life that call Daufuskie Island their home. Once you reach the island, you may not want to leave.
Tour the South Carolina State House
South Carolina is full of historic sites to tour, architectural buildings to visit, and government buildings to explore. One that should not be missed is a South Carolina State House tour. Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, South Carolina State House is the seat of power open for everyone to explore.
Marvel at the architectural detail of the well-preserved state house and learn a thing or two about how laws are made in the state. Guided and self-guided tours are available so you can enjoy the tour at the pace you’re comfortable with. Explore the State House grounds where more than 25 historical monuments and memorials can be found, each one has an interesting story to tell.
The tour of the South Carolina State House is highly recommended for history buffs, law students, architecture students, and just about anyone who is interested in South Carolina’s storied past.
Ride Fury 325 at Carowinds
Fury 325 at Carowinds is not for the faint-hearted. With a height of 325 feet, a speed of 95 mph, and a duration of 3 minutes and 25 seconds, Fury 325 is the tallest, fastest, and longest steel roller coaster in North America.
Not everyone has the heart and the stomach for this one hell of a giga coaster ride. If you don’t mind experiencing weightlessness, rapid side-to-side movements, an 81-degree drop, a 190-foot-tall barrel turn, and a mind-spinning high-speed S-curve, then go ahead and feel the sting!
When your nerves have calmed down and your heartbeat has normalized, enjoy the other less intense rides at Carowinds or enjoy the food from a variety of dining options.
Run the Cooper River Bridge Run
The Cooper River Bridge Run is one of the most unique 10K race ever organized, not just in South Carolina, but in the world as well. This one-way road running event encompasses the cities of Mount Pleasant and Charleston.
With the Cooper River Bridge as the setting, participants are motivated by how the event can impact the local community. Proceeds go to various charities that support Lowcountry communities.
Aside from that, the 10K foot race is touted as a model of health motivation. It promotes not just a physical activity but a healthy lifestyle. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this running event that attracts elite runners, Olympic medalists, celebrities, and international athletes.
Watch the sunset at the Pretty Place chapel
Watching the sunset is a calming activity that satisfies the soul. Everyone has their idea of a perfect sunset, but hands down, the best sunset in South Carolina happens at Pretty Place Chapel at Camp Greenville,
The Fred W. Symmes Chapel became known as the Pretty Place Chapel because of the astonishing view. It’s hard to describe in words and the pictures you see online do not do justice to how breathtaking the view is once you’re standing in the chapel. No matter the season or the weather, the view is amazing, but it’s astounding in the fall.
Parasail on the Charleston coast
Parasailing allows you to experience and enjoy the view of the Charleston coast from a bird’s eye view. Tidal Wave offers parasailing packages that will have you parasailing over downtown Charleston or over the Isle of Palms. Either way, you’ll get the full parasailing experience.
If you want to go higher than the standard line tether length, there’s an option for a 200 feet extension. This way, you can fly higher. You can parasail solo or with your partner. You can also bring along some friends as observers. Everyone will have a great time whether soaring above the skies or on the ground.
Bar/Restaurant hop on Shem Creek
No Charleston Coast getaway is complete without dining at the best restaurants on Shem Creek. If waterfront dining is something that piques your interest, then you don’t need to look further. Whether you’re a foodie, a food blogger, or just a hungry (or thirsty) traveler, you’ll find that Shem Creek is the place for bar hopping and food tripping.
Expect to feel the comfort of Lowcountry cuisine and the warmth of Southern hospitality. Produce and ingredients are locally sourced. Whether you’re craving for some seafood boil, succulent steaks, southern-style BBQ, fresh oysters, or homemade charcuteries, you’ll find something that will satisfy your hunger. With restaurants lining both sides of the creek, consider it a whole day affair.
Attend the St. Patrick's Day Festival in 5 Points
Five Points is that kind of place where everyone knows everyone else and they know how to party, especially during St. Patrick’s Day. This small district in Columbia, SC is an iconic neighborhood waiting to be explored.
The annual St. Pat’s Day in Five Points attracts nearly 40,000 attendees who celebrate all things green and Gaelic. Food and drinks are overflowing and there’s a lot of activities for everyone, even for your little leprechauns. Aside from the parade, you can participate in 10K, 5K, and 1K fun runs.
There’s also non-stop live music on different streets. St. Pat’s Day is truly a fun family event that you should not miss when in South Carolina.
Take a helicopter ride over Myrtle Beach
If you want to tour Myrtle Beach in style, take a leisurely helicopter ride in one of those eye-catching red choppers. Helicopter rides are thrilling and exhilarating. If it’s your first time riding a helicopter, try the 2-mile introductory flight. But for the ultimate tour of Myrtle Beach above the ground, the 40-mile flight is the way to go.
Get an aerial view of Myrtle Beach and take amazing pictures that will be the envy of other vacation photos. See the fabulous beaches and gorgeous golf courses from a bird’s eye view. Helicopter Adventures runs a fleet of 10 helicopters that clock in hundreds of flights daily. It’s safe and efficient with an average wait time of 17 minutes. You and two of your friends can do it over and over again without the long wait.
Visit South of the Border
South of the Border is “America’s Favorite Highway Oasis” and we couldn’t agree more. People traveling to or from the southeast take comfort in the fact that there’s this pit stop where they can gas up, rest, eat, shop, or explore.
Dining at South of the Border has four distinct options—Pedro’s Hot Tamale, The Sombrero Restaurant, Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta, and The Peddler Steak House. Try one or try all, you won’t be disappointed.
Stock up on food and travel needs at Pedro’s Pantry. You can grab a souvenir or two while you’re there. If you’re staying longer, visit the Sombrero Observation Tower where you will get a full view of South of the Border from 200 feet above. Kids will not get bored because there’s lots of antique rides at Pedroland Park. Older children can go straight to Reptile Lagoon and meet different species of crocodiles and snakes.
Attend the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head
If there’s an opportunity to watch a PGA Tour event, grab it! The RBC Heritage in Hilton Head attracts not just the ardent golf fans but also the Who’s Who in golf. It has a long history of thrilling golf matches headlined by legends of golf, from Arnold Palmer to Jack Nicklaus to Davis Love III to Stewart Cink.
You can also play side-by-side professional and amateur golf athletes in the RBC Heritage Pro-Am. Whether you attend the RBC Heritage as a player or as a spectator, you’ll surely have a grand time on the green.
Check out all six waterfalls on Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee at Devils Fork State Park has not one, not two, but six waterfalls accessible only by boat. There are local outfitters that offer waterfall tours, including the Laurel Fork Falls that has an 80-foot drop into Lake Jocassee.
The cascade can be seen from the lake or from the foothills. But if the weather and water level permit, the tour guide can take you into the crescent-shaped grotto where you’ll get a different view of the stunning cascade.
Ride the Myrtle Beach Skywheel
Skywheel is a thrilling way to get an aerial view of Myrtle Beach. Located at the center of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, this unique observation wheel towers above the Atlantic Ocean. It’s 20-stories high with 42 climate-controlled and fully enclosed gondolas that can accommodate 2 to 6 people.
Whether you ride by yourself or with friends, it’s guaranteed there will be no strangers on your flight. Not a great way to make friends, but a terrific way to fly high for 10 minutes, which is equivalent to three Skywheel revolutions. Certified service dogs are allowed, so you can bring Fido with you if you need that extra emotional support.
After your 10 minutes are up, you can grab a bite to eat from dozens of restaurants and dining options. As night falls, the Skywheel lights up the sky in rainbow hues. Certified Instagrammable.
Visit the South Carolina Aquarium
South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC is home to more than 4,500 animals—that’s enough reason to visit the Aquarium and get to know its residents from land, sea, and air. Get up close and personal with endangered sea turtles and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them.
The Monsters exhibit is an eye-opening experience that allows you to explore the micro and mega monsters that are vital to our ecosystem. This is not your ordinary exhibit, so prepare an interactive experience the moment you walk through the amazing galleries.
Relax under the Angel Oak Tree
Travel itineraries should have at least one relaxing activity. Traveling is fun but it can be tiring too. So why not relax under the Angel Oak Tree? Located in Johns Island, South Carolina, this famous Angel Oak Tree stands 66.5 ft tall and measures 28 ft wide. It’s also more than 500 years old.
This mossy live oak is so massive that its shade can cover about 7,200 square feet. It dwarfs the other trees in the area. Just one limb would be enough to protect you from the sunlight and the elements. Takes lots of pictures as a keepsake because it’s not everyday you’ll find a gigantic 500-year-old tree in the neighborhood.
Attend a USC vs Clemson football game
Experience the rivalry on the field and in the stands by going to a USC vs Clemson football game. This rivalry has been going on for 111 years. The University of South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson University Tigers have been bitter rivals since 1896 and the passion of the rivalry has not subsided after all these years.
Regardless which team you’re rooting for, the game is guaranteed to be high tension and extremely loud. The annual game, dubbed as the Palmetto Bowl, attracts more than 80,000 spectators, you’ll never be able to hear yourself when the cheering begins.
Stand at the top of Sassafras Mountain
Climbers climb mountains not to conquer the mountain but to conquer their fears and overcome internal challenges. Some push their limits while others just like the adrenaline rush. Whatever your motivation is, you have to admit that standing at the top of Sassafras Mountain is a daring and exhilarating feat that not many people can achieve.
With an elevation of 3533 feet, Sassafras Mountain is no Mt. Everest, but it’s not a cakewalk either. Being the highpoint of South Carolina, standing at the top gives you a scenic view of 6000 other mountains in the distance.
The ascent requires preparation and safety precautions. You must know the trails and the routes so you won’t get lost. Although you can climb Sassafras Mountain all year round, avoid climbing in the winter when icy conditions can slow you down.
Celebrate NYE at Columbia's Famously Hot New Year
If New York has its Times Square NYE, South Carolina has its Famously Hot New Year in Columbia. This event has become the state’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration, attracting more than 25,000 guests from 48 states and 11 countries.
Since 2011, the Famously Hot New Year has been a unifying event that not only ushers in the new year but also celebrates diversity and community pride. It also has brought in some music icons like En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Lauren Hill, and Kool & the Gang. Famously Hot New Year has proven that South Carolina folks know how to party.
Climb to the top of the Hunting Island Lighthouse
When the state tells you that Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in all of South Carolina, the knee-jerk reaction is to go—and go you should. It only takes 167 steps to get to the observation deck. And once you reach the top, you’ll be 130 feet above the ground. That’s high enough to get an aerial panoramic view of the Atlantic Coast and the surrounding marine life.
Considering there’s over a million visitors a year at Hunting Island State Park and only six people are allowed per reservation in the Lighthouse with a maximum time of 30 minutes, it may take quite a while to even get on the waiting list. But once the situation improves, you’d be on top of the Huntington Lighthouse in no time.
Take a Charleston ghost tour
No South Carolina travel bucket list is complete without taking a Charleston ghost tour. Bulldog Tours gives you exclusive access to the best haunted ghost walking tours in all of Charleston. Get up close and personal with ghostly presence as you walk along cemeteries, graveyards, haunted pubs, old city jails, prison cells, and spooky dungeons.
Join a paranormal investigation of the haunted USS Yorktown where you will attempt to connect with the spirits of the men and women who once served aboard the shop. Be a ghost detective and use special equipment to pick up hidden sounds, search for cold spots, and pick up paranormal energies. By far, this is the most immersive ghost tour you’ll ever experience in Charleston.
