11 Amazing South Carolina Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
With its captivating blend of Southern charm, historic landmarks, and natural beauty, South Carolina offers a unique experience for every traveler. Known as the Palmetto State, its nickname celebrates the state’s history and resilience as logs from palmetto trees were famously used to construct Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary War. South Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies and the 8th state to join the Union on May 23, 1788. It boasts scenic beaches, rolling mountains, and vibrant cities like Charleston—the ideal starting point for unforgettable day trips, all under three hours from the Charleston International Airport (CHS) and the city’s iconic sights.
Charleston Historic District
Charleston has a rich and diverse history dating back to its founding in 1670. It was initially known as Charles Town, named in honor of King Charles II of England. The city is on the Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, at the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, near the famous French Quarter and Battery areas. Full of well-preserved colorful architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic churches like the iconic Gothical-Revival French Huguenot Church built in 1845, the French Quarter is known for several of its well-known landmarks like Charleston’s Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park. Rainbow Row, a row of 13 beautiful pastel houses, is a must-see spot. High Battery Park, used as a defensive seawall during the Civil War, is at the southernmost tip of the island with multiple cannons, perfect for photo ops.
Myrtle Beach
Take the entire family on this two-hour drive from Charleston to Myrtle Beach, renowned for its 1.2-mile boardwalk, amusement parks, and 60 miles of sandy coastline. Visit attractions like the iconic 187-foot tall Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, Ripley’s Aquarium, the upside-down attraction known as WonderWorks, where kids of all ages can take one of six inverted experiences in Wonder Zones like a weather zone, a space discovery zone, and more. Indulge in a little or a lot of retail therapy at Broadway at the Beach, the Market Common, or Barefoot Landing. Serious shoppers won’t want to miss a stop at the legendary gift shop Gay Dolphin, a Myrtle Beach staple since the 1940s.
South Carolina Aquarium - Charleston
The South Carolina Aquarium is an aquarium enthusiast’s paradise located on the waterfront of the Charleston Harbor in downtown Charleston. With views of the USS Yorktown and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the aquarium is the perfect day trip for families. With more than 5,000 animals, the visit is like experiencing the diverse regions that comprise South Carolina, from the mountains to the ocean, with exhibits like Mountain Forest, Coastal Plain, Saltmarsh Aviary, Carolina Seas, and more. There’s a wealth of daily programs to enjoy, everything from Animal Care Spotlights to Turtle Talks and Animal Encounters.
Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island State Park is about two and one-half hours from Charleston, but this barrier island is a must-see haven for beachgoers. With miles of pristine beaches to comb, a towering lighthouse offering sweeping ocean views, and some of the most unique ecosystems along the East Coast, it’s no wonder almost one million visitors travel to the island every year.
The iconic Hunting Island Lighthouse was built in the 1870s and is the only lighthouse in the state open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to climb the 167 steps to the top of the 132-foot tower to experience the breathtaking views of the Carolina coastline. Take a hike along one of the pretty scenic trails like the beginner Lagoon Trail, or look for seabirds on the Marsh Boardwalk Trail over the saltmarshes. One of the most unique attractions on the island is Boneyard Beach, a tree graveyard full of weathered trees and eerily beautiful driftwood, perfect for photography buffs.
South Carolina State Museum - Columbia
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is dedicated to the history of South Carolina from pre-history to the modern day. It has four floors of permanent and changing exhibits, a 4D interactive theater, an observatory, and a 55-foot digital dome planetarium showing the award-winning journey across Iceland, “Áróra!” until February 2025.
History fans, art lovers, and technology geeks will find something to love about the museum’s extensive collections. The cultural history collection includes more than 65,000 objects that tell the story of South Carolina dating back 14,000 years; the art collection is home to 4,500 works of art; and the science and technology exhibit a diverse group of objects, including a 1740 telescope, objects related to South Carolina industries, vintage televisions, and radios, and a 2020 Abi robot. The museum is just under two hours from Charleston.
Brookgreen Gardens - Murrells Inlet
Brookgreen Gardens is a stunning outdoor sculpture garden and wildlife preserve in Murrells Inlet, about one hour and a half from Charleston. Originally a rice plantation, the gardens were created in 1931, where art, greenery, and wildlife coexist, and nature lovers thrive. The sculpture garden contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of figurative sculpture in the U.S., with over 2,000 works by 430 artists. The botanical garden includes Live Oak Allée, comprised of 250-year-old Live Oak trees, a butterfly garden, a rose garden, and a palmetto garden. Tours and excursions are offered from March through November, and guides will take visitors by electric vehicle or pontoon boot on Lowcountry excursions.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - Charleston
Perfect for date night, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a romantic garden designed in the early 1840s to showcase azaleas and camellias and opened to the public shortly after the end of the Civil War. Today, the gardens are open 365 days a year. Visitors are welcome to visit during the different seasons to experience the camellias in early winter, the azaleas in spring, and the daffodils, roses, and magnolias in summer. In fall, leaf peepers can watch the leaves of the Japanese Maple, Sweetgum, Bald Cypress, and Black Tupelo trees explode in color.
Explore over 400 acres of protected wetlands, where nature lovers can expect to see alligators, herons, turtles, and egrets. The Audubon Swamp Garden is a much-loved destination for birders who visit the rookery and return to see the migratory birds. Magnolia also has several miles of trails for hikers and bikers.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden - Columbia
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to over 3,000 magnificent animals and one of the U.S.’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. More than that, the attraction safeguards several of South Carolina’s significant landmarks with roots in history and the state’s important textile industry, like the abutments of a Civil War-era covered bridge and the ruins of the Saluda Mill. The Riverbanks Botanical Garden covers 70 acres and over 5,700 species of native and exotic plants—a gardener’s paradise.
Around a two-hour drive from Charleston, the lush site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic views, spectacular overlooks, and significant historic landmarks. There’s an Asian Garden, Bog Garden, Old Rose Garden, and a place for children to connect with nature at Waterfall Junction. Meet birds, fish and invertebrates, reptiles, and mammals. Kids of all ages will enjoy daily animal talks with sea lions, penguins, and gorillas and many interactive opportunities.
Sullivan’s Island
Sullivan’s Island is a two-and-a-half-mile-long barrier island near the entrance to the Charleston Harbor and the perfect day trip getaway to a tranquil beach destination with beautiful sand, historic sites, and award-winning restaurants. It was the site of The Battle of Fort Sumter, one of the significant battles of the Revolutionary War. Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historic Park comprises four protected locations: Fort Sumter National Monument, Fort Moultrie, the Charleston Light, and Liberty Square. Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and the Charleston Light are on Sullivan's Island. Visit the Charleston Light and enjoy the scenic views of the coastline.
The island has a unique literary connection with renowned author Edgar Allan Poe, stationed at Fort Moultrie from November 1827 to December 1828. He used Sullivan's Island as the setting for his famous short story, “The Gold Bug.” Today, the Edgar Allan Poe Library at Battery Gadsden pays tribute to the famed writer, housed in a former Spanish-American War four-gun battery.
Congaree National Park - Columbia
For outdoors lovers and nature enthusiasts, the Congaree National Park is one of the largest intact old-growth forests in the southeastern U.S., with plenty of hiking, paddling, fishing, and picnicking opportunities galore. The miles of round-trip hiking trails are all ranked by difficulty, beginning at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The popular 2.6-mile Boardwalk Trail is an easy trail on a raised walkway through the forest, while the 4.5-mile Weston Lake Trail is a moderate hike through an old-growth, cypress-tupelo along the edges of Weston Lake and Cedar Creek.
For paddlers, traveling Cedar Creek by canoe or kayak is a peaceful way to experience Congaree National Park, which has spots to view wildlife like river otters, turtles, wading birds, and maybe an alligator. Local outfitters like River Runner Outdoor Center and Palmetto Outdoor offer drop-off and pick-up boat rentals and guided tours. The Congaree National Park day trip is a two-hour drive from Charleston.
Kiawah Island
Known for its stunning beaches and golf courses, Kiawah Island is a relaxing day trip for golf enthusiasts only an hour's drive from Charleston. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort is home to five championship golf courses designed by the best golf pros, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Pete Dye. There are numerous packages for the ultimate golf day, from buddy trips to boot camp-style workshops. The clubhouses host some of the very best Southern cuisine, but there are gourmet ice cream and coffee shops and cocktail bars to enjoy. Beachwalker County Park is the only public beach access on the island, so after an afternoon on the links, hit the beach with a picnic for a few hours of beachcombing, body surfing, and relaxing under an umbrella on the pristine beach.
Charleston is basecamp for a variety of unique day trips that capture the charm and diversity of the South. The Charleston Historic District offers a taste of local heritage, with landmarks like Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park’s Pineapple Fountain, and High Battery Park. Families can enjoy Myrtle Beach, two hours away, with its boardwalk, SkyWheel, and family-friendly spots like Ripley’s Aquarium. Brookgreen Gardens and Hunting Island State Park provide serene landscapes and historic architecture for nature lovers, while Sullivan’s Island offers beaches and Revolutionary War history. Nearby, Magnolia Plantation and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston bring natural beauty close to home. Farther afield, Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia and Congaree National Park offer outdoor adventure, while Kiawah Island caters to golf enthusiasts. So hop in the car, and let’s explore the Palmetto State.
