8 of the Most Charming Towns in South Carolina

South Carolina is the epitome of Southern charm. One can admire the colonial architecture in the Charleston Historic District, the Civil War spectacle of Fort Sumter, and the stunning coastline of Myrtle Beach. But all of those attractions are in or around sizeable cities. What if some of the shiniest Palmetto State charms can be collected in towns with 30,000, 20,000, 10,000, and even 3,000 residents? Find them for yourself in these compact yet charming South Carolina communities.

Beaufort

Beaufort is routinely rated one of the best small communities in not just South Carolina, but the whole United States. It is a coastal "city" (though home to only about 14,000 people) on Port Royal Island. In addition to spectacular natural views, especially via Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort boasts historic scenery thanks to ravishing relics like the Robert Smalls House, Hunting Island Lighthouse in nearby Hunting Island State Park, and the Beaufort History Museum inside an 18th-century arsenal.

Aside from Charleston, Beaufort is considered South Carolina's oldest city. Do not worry: Beaufort also charms with modern marvels such as The Chocolate Tree and The Fillin' Station.

Fort Mill

Fort Mill is classified as a town despite having twice to thrice as many people as the city of Beaufort. At the time of the 2020 Census, Fort Mill had 24,521 residents, but now it is estimated to have more than 36,000. That makes it one of the fastest-growing communities in America. It is easy to see why so many people are flocking to Fort Mill.

Attractions include restaurants like Tega Cay Deli and the Persis Indian Grill, breweries like Replay Brewing and Amor Artis Brewing, schools like Fort Mill High School and Nation Ford High School, and the entirety of Charlotte, North Carolina, which sits right next door.

Travelers Rest

Travelers Rest is a hybrid of Beaufort and Fort Mill. Like Beaufort, it is often voted one of the prettiest towns in America. Like Fort Mill, it is growing at a rapid rate. In 2010, Travelers Rest had 4,576 residents. By 2020, this scenic "city" had 7,788, which was an increase of 70 percent. Now Travelers Rest is approaching 10,000, so you should mine its gems before they depreciate.

Dine (and listen to live music) at Chicora Alley Fire House, drink at Wellborn Winery, harvest honey at The Carolina Honey Bee Company, and hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Abbeville

While other South Carolina communities are growing, Abbeville is not. It went from having 5,840 residents in 2000 to 4,874 in 2020. But do not let that deter you. Help change Abbeville's luck by leading a pilgrimage to its historic sites, such as Secession Hil and the Burt-Stark Mansion, and commercial sites, such as Swartzentruber's Bakery and Theo's Deli & Seafood.

Then visit the Abbeville Opera House, which is both a historic and commercial site since it opened in 1904 and still puts on productions. Scheduled acts for 2024 include Honky Tonk Hissy Fit, Shot Thru The Heart: The Bon Jovi Experience, and Misery.

Bishopville

Few things are more charming than a topiary garden. Bishopville, a city of about 3,000 people, has one of the best and quirkiest plant preserves in South Carolina. This avant-garden started in 1984 when a factory owner with no topiary training gave new life to discarded trees and shrubs. 40 years later, the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden is the crown jewel of Bishopville, attracting tons of visitors and media attention with its 150-plus topiaries and inspiring story of beauty from decay.

After perusing Pearl's paradise, grab grub at Harry & Harry Too across the street, and then get comfy at the South Carolina Cotton Museum in downtown Bishopville.

Georgetown

If Bishopville's cotton museum whets your appetite for charming, eclectic collections, head to Georgetown. There you will find historic décor at the Kaminski House Museum, rice farming equipment at the Rice Museum, Civil War artifacts at the Georgetown County Museum, seafaring fare at the South Carolina Maritime Museum, and Gullah Geechee art at the Gullah Museum. But if relics are not things you relish, choose instead to survey Georgetown's colorful coastal waters and all the life they sustain. You can even taste certain wildlife at Georgetown Seafood Co.

Hartsville

Hartsville's Kalmia Gardens are the yang to Pearl Fryar's yin. Rather than strange shapes carved by an untrained arborist, the Kalmia Gardens have native and exotic plants expertly cultivated by Coker University. They overlap in one respect: both are regenerated wastelands. After touring this former dump site, plod around Hartsville's other verdant preserves, including Burry Park and Lawton Park. Then, if you need to cool off, take a plunge into Neptune Island Waterpark. Hartsville is so lush that it was designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Pickens

The pickens are easy in this northwestern South Carolina city. A visitor can choose to shop at The Market at the Mill, find antiques at Finders Keepers Antiques & Collectibles, tour the Hagood Mill Historic Site, or trek through nearby Table Rock State Park. The last of those preserves 3,083 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain terrain. The mountains will be there to charm tourists even if South Carolina's towns lose their charm. But that is unlikely to happen to Pickens—at least not right away. Pickens is experiencing a slow and scenic expansion, with a steady population of around 3,000, of which you can be a part.

Though South Carolina's big cities are certainly charming, do not overlook its small settlements. For Beaufort, Fort Mill, Travelers Rest, Abbeville, Bishopville, Georgetown, Hartsville, and Pickens have priceless jewels for the pickin'. From a sapphire waterfront park to an emerald topiary garden to opal Blue Ridge Mountains, the Palmetto State's small towns will make you rich—if only experientially, but that means almost everything during a vacation.