12 Ideal South Carolina Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
If there is one thing science has shown us when it comes to traveling, it is that going on a trip once in a while can have tremendous health benefits for your mind, body, and soul. Take this as your sign to recharge your spirits with a 3-day weekend trip!
Luckily, for those nearby or planning on visiting the coastal Southeastern region of the United States., South Carolina is a great pick for your next vacation. It is no California or New York when it comes to beaches or historical landmarks, but The Palmetto State can bring its own flavor of ocean fun and cultural scene. Get ready for an exciting weekend in these 12 ideal South Carolina destinations!
Murrells Inlet
What started as a tiny fishing village south of Myrtle Beach, grew to become one of South Carolina’s favorite beach hangouts for boating excursions, beach lounging, and food feasting! Join Silver Tuna Sport Fishing to learn the ways of recreational fishing, or party it up with Inlet BrewBoat’s cruises as you chug drinks and pedal with other passengers to keep the boat moving.
Kiddos and the young-at-heart will have a blast with Pirate Adventures, as you search for sunken treasure with your crew and engage in a water cannon battle! But for a more nature-filled approach to your Murrells Inlet stay, Brookgreen Gardens and its 9,100-acre zoo and sculpture garden will add a touch of foliage and fauna to your itinerary. Amble around Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk to see its waterfront sights and restaurants along the boardwalk, then rest at the Hampton Inn that is near Wachesaw East Golf Club, a golf course boasting a traditional Scottish design.
Bluffton
Skip the often-crowded Hilton Head Island to the east and take your vacation to the tranquil marshy waters of Bluffton. Its waterfront public park—the Wright Family Park—is a delight to stroll through, and you might even get to spot some local wildlife, like blue herons or bottlenose dolphins. The adjacent Calhoun Street Dock is open for fishing and can accommodate 10 boats on its pier.
Aside from boating activities and riverbank views, Bluffton also prides itself on its museums and historical sites. Take a step back in time and get a glimpse of Old Town Bluffton through the 1841 Heyward House Museum, the Graves House, the Garvin-Garvey House, and the Allen-Lockwood House. Pick The Old Town Bluffton Inn to further immerse yourself in Bluffton’s history, while being close to classic Bluffton eateries like Farm Bluffton, Corner Perk, and Calhoun Street Tavern.
McClellanville
The sleepy fishing village of McClellanville invites you to take it slow while still enjoying a bevy of activities and attractions unique to South Carolina. For starters, you can have a relaxing guided kayak tour with Nature Adventures Outfitters, followed by a quick history tour at the Village Museum. Do not pass up on visiting the old Bethel AME Church, as well as the village’s iconic tree—the Deerhead Oak, a symbol of the village’s strength and resiliency.
For lodging, the Reel Ville house is a great pick for its proximity to McClellanville’s fishing spots and restaurants. The nearby TW Graham & Co has fish and chips made out of fried flounder and shrimp! If you want more shrimpy goodness, visit McClellanville in May to attend the Lowcountry Shrimp Festival.
Fort Mill
Situated in the northern area of South Carolina, this old textile town continues to embrace its old-fashioned Southern charm and history in its thriving downtown. Old and new blends in Main Street, where you can find the Fort Mill History Museum (do not miss its Lanterns and Legends walking tour in October); the interestingly-named spice store of PuckerButt Pepper; and the hearty restaurant of Improper Pig, where an old Pepsi mural was found!
After exploring downtown, take a nature break through Anne Springs Close Greenway’s 2,100-acre natural landscape. You can hike, paddleboard, or join a naturalist program to educate yourself about the local flora. Time your trip when the town celebrates the South Carolina Strawberry Festival in May, where strawberry desserts and sweet hospitality are aplenty. You can either stay at the easily accessible Courtyard Charlotte Fort Mill or the sleek and modern Cambria Hotel Fort Mill—whichever is nearer the strawberries!
Kiawah Island
Enjoy seafront serenity and luxury with Kiawah Island, a South Carolina hub for fancy beach and golf getaways. Golf enthusiasts will have a few options: the Jack Nicklaus-inspired Turtle Point Golf Course, the Osprey Point Golf Course renovated by golf architect Tom Fazio, the coastal cottage vibe of Ocean Course Clubhouse, and the highly renowned Kiawah Island Golf Resort. There is nothing like playing golf while having the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop!
If you would rather experience its award-winning shores, get surfing lessons with Tidal Trails or sunset cruises with Kiawah Resort. After you have had your beach and golf fill, it is time to fill your bellies with Kiawah Island fare. Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House is the go-to for haute Southern-style barbecue, while The Ocean Room offers a fine-dining option for visitors. When in Kiawah Island, splurge and stay at Kiawah Resort and let your worries melt away in their lavish accommodations and beach amenities.
Simpsonville
Simpsonville has a historic allure due to its well-preserved historic buildings and houses, some of which are even registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a gander at these impressive remnants of Simpsonville’s past by doing your own self-guided historic walking tour using the town’s official brochure. Some of the must-see spots are the nearly 200-year-old Hopkins Farm, now a premier event venue in town; the oldest brick building in 101 East Curtis Street; and the Simpsonville Clock Tower.
Take a break from your tour with a cold treat from The Ice Cream Station, which was formerly the 1960 train depot, then retire to any of the modern lodgings, like WoodSpring Suites Greenville Simpsonville, around town. Visit around May to ensure plentiful fun at rides, lip-smacking food, and free shows at The Fair at Heritage Park, then turn your trip into a waterpark weekend escapade with Discovery Island Waterpark.
Edisto Island
Another great option for a laid-back coastal vacation is Edisto Island, part of South Carolina’s Sea Islands. You can pick a beach house—Turtle Watch or Gone Shelling—or a resort like Club Wyndham Ocean Ridge to spend your weekend relaxing and lounging about while watching waves. The Plantation Course at Edisto also has a premium golf course for avid golfers.
History buffs can learn about Edisto Island’s Indigenous peoples and African heritage through the Edisto Island Museum and the Environmental Learning Center. At the same time, outdoor adventurers and animal lovers should check out the Edisto Island Beach State Park, Live Oak Campground, and the Edisto Island Serpentarium—the first proper Serpentarium in South Carolina! Just make sure you are not too squeamish around our reptile friends.
Clemson
Clemson is a nature lover’s paradise due to its forests, hiking trails, and manicured gardens, and it is mostly thanks to the efforts of Clemson University. Start by visiting the Fran Hanson Visitor Center to get maps and a cold drink, before venturing out to the nearby South Carolina Botanical Garden. There, you will find the Meditation Garden, the Butterfly Garden, and even a garden for heirloom vegetables. For serious trekkers, put on your hiking boots and peruse the trails in the Clemson Experimental Forest, particularly the beloved Issaqueena Trail.
However, there is more to Clemson than just natural wonders. History aficionados would love to explore the Hanover House, a preserved 18th-century home within the botanical garden. The Bob Campbell Geology Museum, with its minerals, rocks, and thousands of paleontological exhibits, is also nearby. Even the university’s Tillman Hall and its clock tower are important historic landmarks. Make sure you take a photo under the branches of the university’s Centennial Oak! For accommodations, choose The Abernathy to be closer to Clemson’s attractions.
Sullivan's Island
If you cannot get enough of South Carolina’s amazing beach destinations, add Sullivan’s Island to your itinerary! Its beach usually flies under the radar of tourists, so you will rarely find any crowd or litter in the place. Experience surfing, paddleboarding, and biking with Sealand Adventure Sports rentals, go hiking through Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail, and go all out on your vacation by renting a full beach house through Beachside Vacations or Island Realty.
Other attractions and activities on the island include: learning about the town’s complex history through Fort Moultrie and Thompson Park, visiting the US Coast Guard Historic District, and checking out an old Catholic Church—the Stella Maris Church. Stop by the quirky Edgar Allan Poe-themed restaurant of Poe’s Tavern to quell your food cravings peculiarly!
Walhalla
After you are done with South Carolina’s sparkling sea and serene islands, take your vacation to the highlands of Walhalla—known for its waterfalls and mountain trails! Go to the 440-acre Stumphouse Park to experience the Blue Ridge Railroad hiking trail, the majestic Issaqueena Falls and Station Cove Falls, its Mountain Bike Park, and the unfinished railroad route through the mountains—the Stumphouse Tunnel.
Walhalla is also known as the “Main Street to the Mountains” due to its downtown being a bustling and historic hub. Use it as your base before hiking up north and stay in Lofts Over Main, which was once the home of 19th-century Walhalla shopkeepers, and stock up on coffee and desserts from Mountain Mocha. Other interesting spots in Walhalla include the Oconee History Museum, the unique lodging of The Majestic Treehouse, and the Oconee Station State Historic Site.
Travelers Rest
Like its name, this city close to the border of North Carolina invites travelers to rest and recharge their weary spirits within its scenic, historic, and bike-friendly premises. Its most popular attraction is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, an over 20-mile upcountry trail with lots of gorgeous views and yummy stops. Enjoy pedaling through its lush trees while refilling your lost calories with Topsoil Restaurant’s farm-to-table dishes or Upcountry Provisions’ toasts and frittatas.
Once you are back in town, hit Travelers Rest’s History Museum and The Historic Spring Park Inn to enrich and exercise your mind. The former has kept 300 years' worth of history, while the latter is the oldest inn in Greenville County and is undergoing a transformation to cater to visitors better. For more Travelers Rest happenings, Trailblazer Park is the place to go for concerts under the stars and the town’s once-a-week farmers market. Need a place to rest? Go for The Station for its upscale cottages, or pick The Swamp Rabbit Inn for its proximity to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and having hundred-year-old Magnolia trees!
Landrum
For a truly peaceful small-mountain-town trip with animals, travel to South Carolina’s horse country: Landrum. Prepare for an incredible stay at The Red Horse Inn’s elegant rooms and pet-friendly cottages—one of which has a kitchen partially on top of the barn with the owner’s horse! Soak in the sights of the inn’s wondrous creatures—from horses grazing in their pastures to feeding their herd of friendly alpacas, which is a bookable excursion! Not content with just watching horses? Equestrian lessons for all levels are available at Clear View Farm and Latigo Farms has rodeo events for the bold and the brave.
Other than amazing horses, Landrum also has other tourist spots and pastimes, like trekking through the Blue Wall Passage trail or shopping for vintage trinkets at Landrum Antique Mall. Eat at The Hare and the Hound, which is housed in an old mercantile, and buy additional souvenirs from White Buffalo Collectibles’ Native American-made items. Before leaving, be sure to visit an important South Carolina landmark: the Campbell’s Covered Bridge. It is the only remaining covered bridge in the entirety of the state and looks absolutely stunning during fall!
Final Thoughts
From the mountains to the seas, South Carolina can provide weekend travelers with a wide range of experiences, which might come as a surprise to those who don’t know the state well. With the Atlantic Ocean on one end and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the other, its convenient location gives it a lot of boons that make it attractive for tourism.
Tourists who are yearning for a beach getaway can either go the party route at Murrells Inlet or do a more serene seaside vacation at Sullivan’s Island. Need a history-rich trip? Clemson’s got your back. Meanwhile, outdoor adventurers can enjoy mountain trails from Walhalla and Landrum. With these diverse choices, you cannot go wrong with picking any of these ideal South Carolina destinations!
