6 Most Idyllic Small Towns in South Carolina
Welcome to the Palmetto State, South Carolina, where visitors can explore its rich history, diverse culture, and scenic landscapes. From the iconic palmetto trees lining the shores of Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach to the historic city of Walterboro, where antebellum homes and Greek Revival architecture tell stories of bygone days. Let the Gullah Geechee culture paint a portrait of the past in Georgetown and Beaufort, or travel through lush Lowcountry marshes in Bluffton. With warm hospitality and Southern charm, South Carolina offers a wealth of experiences for travelers to explore and enjoy.
Hilton Head Island
Just twenty miles south of Savannah, Georgia, Hilton Head Island has plenty to offer visitors. A renowned resort destination known for its pristine beaches, it has over 24 championship golf courses, many of which offer stunning coastal views and challenging layouts, making it a golfer’s paradise. Harbour Town, one of the most iconic courses in the country and host of the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage tournament every year, is 27th in Golf Digest’s 2023-2024 ranking of “America's 100 Greatest Public Courses.” Besides hitting the links, the island has plenty of boutique shops, art galleries, and souvenir stores in Harbour Town or Coligny Plaza worth browsing. Indulge in Lowcountry cuisine and international fare at one of the island's numerous restaurants and eateries, such as The Crazy Crab, SeaGrass Grille, and Nunzio Restaurant + Bar.
Discover the island's diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife at places like the Audubon Newhall Preserve, and join a free weekly tour led by a Master Birder. The Coastal Discovery Museum, located near the bridge onto Hilton Head Island, sits on the historic Honey Horn property and encompasses 68 acres of land. Still, unlike most museums, the best exhibits are outside on the 2-mile trails that take visitors over salt marshes, under live oak trees, and into the woods.
Walterboro
One of the best ways to discover Walterboro, also known as “the Front Porch of the Lowcountry,” is to take a stroll through its historic downtown and admire its well-preserved architecture, including beautiful antebellum homes like the Bedon-Lucas House Museum, now the headquarters of the Colleton County Historic & Preservation Society. Don't miss the historic Colleton County Courthouse, constructed in 1820, a significant example of Greek Revival architecture, and is now a true crime tourist hotspot thanks to the Alex Murdaugh trial. The South Carolina Artisans Center, designated as the “Official South Carolina Folk Art and Craft Center,” showcases the artwork of more than 200 of South Carolina’s finest juried artists.
With over 800 acres, the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary is the state’s largest city park. It features boardwalks, bridges, and multipurpose walking and cycling trails for viewing natural Lowcountry wildlife and beauty. Spanish moss drips from Cypress trees, and wildflowers are everywhere as visitors pass a beaver pond, duck pond, and butterfly garden. For an adventure on the water, the Edisto River Canoe & Kayak Trail is a 62-mile section in one of the longest free-flowing black water rivers in the world—the Edisto. The trail has several starting points, so visitors can choose which section to paddle, difficulty level, and trail length.
Georgetown
Georgetown, South Carolina's third-oldest city, offers a picturesque waterfront, historic architecture, and cultural attractions. It is the largest town in the Hammock Coast region, which takes its name from the numerous “hammocks” or small islands that dot the coastline. Unlike other towns on the coast, Georgetown adds a touch of sophistication to the flipflop culture with its historic Front Street, where colorful shops and old brickwork cafés overlook the harbor. Don’t miss admiring the iconic Strand Theater and its original marquee from the 1940s era.
Harborwalk is a four-block boardwalk that runs along the Sampit River and is a gateway to Georgetown’s fascinating history. Meander along the boards from the Kaminski House Museum, which depicts life in the 18th century through the two Great Wars, and wind up at the Rice Museum & Town Clock. Visitors can reserve a 45-minute tour to learn about the rice culture in Georgetown and see the Browns Ferry Vessel, a merchant ship that sank in the 1700s and only pulled from the Black River in 1976. A few blocks over, visit the Gullah Museum, which offers presentations on the history of the Gullah Geechee, enslaved Africans who were brought to the Lowcountry, and how their culture and language are expressed through music, storytelling, crafts, and cuisine.
Bluffton
Bluffton is a charming Lowcountry town that offers visitors a southern blend of beauty, history, and cultural experiences. The town is renowned for its historic Old Town Bluffton district and quaint streets lined with art galleries, eateries, and eclectic shops with pretty names like Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, Moonlit Lullaby, and Marsh on the May. For a cozy dining experience, visit the Cottage Bakery & Tea Room for afternoon tea with freshly baked scones and Devon-style cream. Or stop by Corner Perk for Carolina Cold Brew.
No visit to Bluffton is complete without exploring the May River, which winds through the heart of town. Book a guided adventure with May River Excursions, which will educate visitors about the river's ecology and teach them how to fish, crab, or shrimp. Visitors can also explore the river at their own pace with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental from Outside Palmetto Bluff. Paddle through scenic marshes, creeks, and estuaries, and watch for wildlife such as birds, bottlenose dolphins, and manatees.
A must-visit location on any trip to Bluffton has to include a visit to the family-owned Bluffton Oyster Company. Since 1899, the company has been harvesting oysters from the May River. You can pick up fresh oysters to take home at the seafood market or reserve a table at their restaurant after a day on the water.
Myrtle Beach
Although Naples, Florida, also claims the title, Myrtle Beach is often called the “Golf Capital of the World.” It’s no wonder that, with no fewer than 90 golf courses along the Grand Strand, visitors can easily find a course as most are public and reasonably affordable. The Tournament Players Club of Myrtle Beach (TPC Myrtle Beach) is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, so why not shop for a tee time at this challenging 18-hole, par 72 undulating course and walk in the footsteps of Tom Watson and Lee Trevino?
Who can resist spending time relaxing on the beautiful sandy beaches of Myrtle Beach? With 60 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, there’s lots of room to safely sunbathe, swim, build sandcastles with the kids, and enjoy watersports like surfing and paddleboarding with a 24-hour rental from the Village Surf Shoppe, which has been “keeping the stoke alive” since 1969. Ride the 180-foot-tall Myrtle Beach SkyWheel in a climate-controlled gondola for panoramic views of the coastline and city skyline.
Explore the nightlife in this happening beach town with a visit to Broadway at the Beach, a sprawling entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, and attractions like Ripley's Aquarium, where you can have breakfast with a mermaid, WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park where visitors can feel the power of 74mph hurricane-force winds in the Hurricane Shack or make life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab, and the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Beaufort
Beaufort is known for its beautifully preserved antebellum homes, moss-draped oak trees, and historic sites like the Beaufort History Museum in the Beaufort Arsenal. The museum’s permanent collection highlights the area's Native American heritage, the rice, indigo, and cotton plantation culture, colonial history, the Civil War era, and Gullah Geechee culture. Continuing learning about the Gullah Geechee with a visit to the Penn Center on nearby St. Helena Island, which was the former Penn School, one of the U.S.’s first schools for formerly enslaved people and one of the most influential African American institutions today. Pay a visit to the First African Baptist Church, built in 1865, which is a tribute to Beaufort's African American, Gullah, and Reconstruction-era history.
Take a break from the fascinating history lesson with a walk along Waterfront Park, listening to the sounds of the Beaufort River lapping against the dock. There are plenty of amenities near the waterfront, including swinging benches, picnic tables, and green spaces for kids and dogs to play on. Locally-owned Plums restaurant has been a mainstay in Beaufort for decades, serving locals and visitors creative Lowcountry cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Take a captivating journey through the heart of the Lowcountry in South Carolina. Hit the links on Hilton Head Island, enjoy the kitschy boardwalk attractions in Myrtle Beach, and learn about fascinating times in the history of the United States by learning about a new culture through art and music. Wander through charming historic districts along cobblestone streets, explore art galleries, or indulge in delicious Lowcountry cuisine; these six idyllic towns offer diverse experiences for visitors to enjoy.
