10 Towns in South Carolina With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024
South Carolina is a beautiful state with sea islands and subtropical beaches in the southeastern region of the United States. The Palmetto State is known for its Southern charm, historic sites, world-class golf courses, and bigger cities like Charleston and Spartanburg. However, many charming small towns with incredible downtown areas should be at the top of any traveler's itinerary.
The small towns are hospitable, with historical architecture, unique sites, and spectacular dining and shopping. The downtown areas are walkable, which is the best way to explore the area and discover the hidden wonders that make it among the best in the state. Here are the best downtown areas in South Carolina for 2024.
Abbeville
Abbeville's historic downtown is known as Abbeville Square and has charming scenery similar to Charleston. It is also home to South Carolina's official theater, the Abbeville Opera House. Downtown has many 19th—and early 20th-century structures, including the historic Belmont Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast pleasantly set in the past. The 113-year-old hotel originally served the railroad community and housed Vaudeville stars once the opera house opened in 1908.
The Burt-Stark Mansion is a historic home just off Abbeville Square. Built in the 1830s, it is available for guided tours and event hosting. The Hogs and Hens Barbeque Festival is held every October and draws quite a crowd to the downtown area. It is an excellent chance to experience the community, select vendors, and some of the best barbeque in the region.
Aiken
Aiken is a pleasant town with oak tree canopy roads, southern charm, and a bustling downtown area. The brick-lined sidewalks lead to eclectic shops and restaurants, historic lodging, and live entertainment. Two notable inns are the Carriage House and The Willcox. The Carriage House was built in 1872 and had 37 luxurious accommodations. The Willcox was completed in the late 19th century and includes luxury accommodations, a full-service spa, and fine dining.
Walking around downtown Aiken is a charming experience. Pedestrians will pass the Aiken Center For The Arts, home to local artists' exhibits and paintings. Equestrian sports are popular in this region, and shops downtown, such as Equine Divine, cater to this community. Several cozy cafes and restaurants, like Whiskey Alley and What's Cookin' Downtown, offer delicious food and drink. The atmosphere, dining options, and cultural landmarks make Aiken one of the best downtown areas in South Carolina in 2024.
Georgetown
Historic Georgetown is a coastal town with stunning views and a quaint downtown with brick facades and a town clock. The historic downtown is the third oldest town in the Palmetto State and offers waterfront shopping, guided history tours, and much more. Front Street will start your journey through the charming downtown area, and you will pass museums such as the Kaminski House Museum. The residence was constructed in 1769 and was home to many prominent residents, including two mayors.
The Rice Museum is behind the renowned Clock Tower in the Old Market Building. The beautiful brick structure showcases dioramas, exhibits, and artifacts about local rice cultivation. Front Street offers many dining options, including the waterfront Big Tuna Raw Bar and Groucho's Deli. This unique area is filled with historic buildings, delectable restaurants, and some of the best views on the Hammock Coast.
Beaufort
Pronounced "Bew-fert," a particular bone of contention in these parts, historic Beaufort is a charming and elegant town on Port Royal Island. The quaint streets wrap around Spanish Moss-draped oak trees that are centuries-old and provide some of the most scenic landscapes throughout the state. Downtown Beaufort is known as The Historic District and contains pre-Civil War homes whose residents fled during the war. The homes were converted into hospitals and the US Army Headquarters.
Walking tours are typical through the historic streets, and the Beaufort Visitor Center is a great place to start. The architectural styles of the vintage homes are Federal, Neoclassical, Victorian, and Greek Revival. The Thomas Hepworth House on New Street is the oldest in town and was constructed between 1717 and 1722. The Beaufort Arsenal on Craven Street was built at the end of the 18th century and took part in every American war through the Revolutionary War. Downtown Beaufort is one of the most historic towns on the East Coast and consistently ranks as one of the best coastal towns to visit.
Conway
Conway is among the oldest Main Street towns in South Carolina and one of the most historic. The Conway Downtown Alive organization is dedicated to stimulating economic development and preserving its extraordinary history. Along with the vintage buildings, the Horry County Museum and the Theatre of the Republic are located on Main Street. Local dining choices include Carolina Cheese and Provisions, Copper's Restaurant, and Rivertown Bistro, all within walking distance of the River Walk.
This lively town hosts many live events downtown, such as Burger Week in September. Downtown restaurants compete in this gastronomic festival to see who can concoct the most outlandish burger. Other events in 2024 are Witches, Wizards, and Wine and the Conway Ghost Walk in October. Conway balances its fascinating history with modern conveniences and live events, making it irresistible.
Camden
The cultural epicenter of Camden is its downtown area, a designated South Carolina Cultural District. It is full of art galleries, restaurants, and live entertainment venues. Gallery 537 is an art and music gallery and a casual hang-out spot with a wine and coffee bar. Other eclectic galleries are the Rutledge Street Gallery and the Artist's Attic. Downtown also has boutiques, antique shops, and greenspaces packed with public art.
Even amid all this cultural entertainment, the Arts Center is the artistic heartbeat of Conway. The center is hosting many live events in 2024, like Blankets and Bands on Town Green from September through October. It is a live concert series with food vendors surrounding an open courtyard. The MAD Festival in October is a live music, art, and drama celebration in the charming downtown area. This progressive and fun downtown is one of the best to visit in 2024 and promises to leave an indelible impression.
Myrtle Beach
Downtown Myrtle Beach is vibrant with bicyclists, pedestrians, and fun events. The town has started a massive renovation on important roads to ensure that the downtown area remains an entertainment hub. The Arts and Innovations District, formally called the Superblock, covers the area from the Boardwalk to Main Street and will house fountains, public, arts, and live venues.
The Myrtle Beach Downtown Historic District consists of 24 significant buildings from 1924-1975, the original downtown structure before expansion. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes Art Deco and Mission architectural styles. Another landmark is the Skywheel on the Boardwalk. Set between downtown and the beach. The 200-foot observation deck provides unparalleled Atlantic Ocean and Myrtle Beach views.
Clover
Clover's Main Street is the quintessential small-town downtown district. Also known as the Historic District, downtown contains many brick facades and 14 nationally registered historic buildings, some dating to the town's founding in 1876. The downtown area has many community parks like Roosevelt, Clover Community, and New Centre. The quaint cobblestone streets hold many antique stores and boutiques.
The charming downtown offers fine restaurants like the Clover Harvest, serving farm-to-table fare and a pleasant atmosphere. Historic inns like the Magnolia House and Gardens make downtown Clover come to life. The former home was built in 1890 and is on two beautifully landscaped acres and within walking distance of several national parks. This fascinating textile town is now a unique experience with charming downtown attractions.
Orangeburg
Known as the Garden City, Orangeburg's historic downtown area boasts quaint inns like Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast and Carolina barbecue restaurants. Thee Matriarch is a 100-year-old Victorian residence with eight women who had a lasting impression on the owners. There are 43 more structures in the historic district dating to the late 19th to the early 20th century. The buildings include the first post office, a textile mill, and two lodges.
The Edisto Memorial Gardens, named after the river, is a downtown landmark dating back to the 1920s when five acres of azaleas were planted. People have added to the gardens throughout the years, including a playground, a greenhouse, and the Lady Fountain. The beautiful property hosts the annual Festival of Roses, which celebrates the natural and manmade beauty of the grounds.
Walterboro
Historic downtown Walterboro is delightful, with cobblestone roads, brick facades and walls, and a small-town feel. Among the historic buildings is the Little Library, a favorite stop for visitors. The tiny structure was the town library from 1824 to 1955. It was so crucial to the small community that town boundary lines were said to be "3/4 in every direction from the Walterboro library" in the early 19th century."
The Plaza was dedicated in 1985 and includes a Veteran's Memorial Wall, benches, and four granite slabs honoring fallen service members since the Vietnam War. A fun historical attraction is the Old Colleton Jail, the original jail of the Civil War-era county. The quaint shops, restaurants, and antebellum homes gave Walterboro the nickname "the front porch of the Lowcountry."
South Carolina, also known as the Low Country, is a historic state with Southern charm. The small towns and hamlets exude a friendly ambiance against the backdrop of ancient oaks and Spanish Moss, creating quite the impression. These ten towns have the best downtown areas for 2024 because of their live events, restaurants, and historic sites.
From resort towns like Myrtle Beach to historic towns like Camden and Walterboro, the downtown areas offer a lot to its residents and visitors. Many of these downtowns have undergone extensive restoration projects to preserve their heritage and to make them modern attractions for the future. South Carolina is among the prettiest states in the South, mainly for the small downtown areas of these hamlets and villages.
