For duffers and history lovers
South Carolina is a good fit for those who love golf — in fact, there are more than 300 courses in the state — and those who appreciate a variety of fine dining, especially seafood enthusiasts.

The state also is noted for its geography, from inland mountains and lakes to miles and miles of sandy beaches on the mainland and numerous coastal islands, perfect for resorts and activities of all types.

Finally, as one of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina offers an array of appealing reminders of America’s past — fine attractions for those with history on their minds.

About South Carolina
Visitors are very enthusiastic about this state. The big resort areas of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head offer beautiful clean beaches, outstanding food and golf, golf, golf. High-quality restaurants offer a variety of food and atmosphere, and they offer fresh seafood year-round.

The Charleston area receives more plaudits than most other popular destinations and, in particular, draws praise for its historic associations, architecture and genteel Southern hospitality. With the historic districts in older cities and plantation homes in the countryside, the state has plenty of American history on display.  Centrics, venturers and authentics are equally ardent in declaring their appreciation for South Carolina. As with some other destinations, the differences among the groups lie in what they do after they arrive.
Golf is very important to many centrics, and they enjoy the rest of resort life: beaches, tennis, elegant restaurants, warm ocean waters. They like the fact there are plenty of activities for the whole family — very important if one member of a family group is a golf fanatic and the others could care less. As for Charleston, centrics report how immaculate and charming the city is, and how interesting they find the historic homes and other buildings.

And, what do the venturers find appealing about South Carolina? They can be even bigger golf fiends, but they are also more active. At resorts, they swim, play tennis and volleyball and, when their active day is over, enjoy fine food at gourmet restaurants. Several take jaunts to islands off the coast that offer different cultural experiences.
Authentics like South Carolina for the same reasons others do; they just pursue those interests at their own pace. They, like all others, appreciate the friendly people, reasonable prices and a sense that the destination is a safe place. And they like their golf.

• Look for kayak outfitters and guides in Beaufort, Cayce (Colombia), Georgetown and numerous other sites in South Carolina.

• Go camping at J. Strom Thurmond Lake. Named after South Carolina’s longtime U.S. senator, it lies on the western border, away from the main tourist areas on the coast. It offers nature programs and all kinds of water and outdoor activities. There are no commercial lodgings, but there is plenty of room for campers.

• Travel over York County in the north of the state aboard a hot-air balloon. Participate in the set up and inflation of  your balloon.

• You have several choices for water-based fun at Hilton Head: Go sailing, try parasailing, ride a waverunner or get up on waterskis.

• Play tennis and volleyball to your heart’s content.

• Attend the Chitlin’ Strut festivities in Salley. They include a chitlin’ strut dance contest plus hog-calling contest to go with a pig-out eating event whose central menu item is, naturally, pig guts (aka chitterlings).

• Take a multiday backpacking trip into the woods and mountains of South Carolina, or a multiday guided trip by canoe or kayak.

• Go whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River or the Chauga River. The Chauga is described as a great choice for the experienced paddler.

• Take a cooking class; learn how to excel at real Southern cooking.

• At Goose Creek (the town), outside of Charleston, sign up for a swamp tour through waters of the colorfully named Chicken Creek, Back River and Bushy Park. This is the habitat of the American bald eagle, wild turkey, deer and others — including the alligator. Or bump up the excitement and take the tour at night (April through October).

• Attend the annual Hilton Head Gullah Celebration in February.

• Join the Ghosts and Legends guided walking tour in Columbia, available nightly year-round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Make a reservation.

• Review your history at Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston Harbor, the place where Confederate troops ignited the Civil War by firing on, and subsequently occupying, the island fort.

• The Myrtle Beach area is effectively the easternmost center for country western music. You can find examples by dropping in on clubs or checking out local theaters noted for country western shows.

• Plan a girls’ getaway and immerse yourselves in the region’s foods and wines — and breweries.

• Sign on for a sport-crabbing adventure on Hilton Head (crabs are brought in but released).

• Have a lot of laughs at the World Grits Festival in St. George. This event includes a rolling-in-the-grits contest; the winner is the one who gains the most weight (from wearing the stuff not eating it). Also, watch for the corn-shelling, corn-tossing and grits-eating contests.

• It is not New England, but there is great fall foliage, in the second to fourth weeks of October, in South Carolina’s Upcountry in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Drive along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, and stop to sample its hiking trails.

• Sample foods traditional to South Carolina, including chitlins, collard greens, grits, okra, sweet potato pie and more.

• Play golf, of course.

• Taste beers made in South Carolina. But first, tour one of the breweries. R.J. Rockers Brewing Company in Spartanburg and Thomas Creek Brewery in Greenville offer tours, but call ahead.

• Pamper yourself at one of the state’s spa resorts.

• Using Charleston as a base, start with that city’s 789-acre historic district, then drive out to Drayton Hall, a national historical landmark; Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and Middleton Place, a masterpiece of formal gardens. It’s easy to do this on your own or as part of a tour.

• Buy a time-share. It’s a popular place for resort oriented properties.

• Celebrate the peach at the Ridge Peach Festival in Trenton in June, and buy plenty of peach desserts and preserves.
Or, for a different food theme, choose the Gaston Collard Festival, held in September.
 
• Pack the tackle. Fishermen will have a good time anywhere in the state.

• The Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach takes place in early June, featuring sports and outdoor entertainment. The world’s tallest sandcastle was built during this festival in 2006.

• Attend the very popular late-spring Spoleto Festival in Charleston.

• Take a dolphin-watching cruise. There are several places along the coast or on South Carolina’s coastal islands where this is an option.

• Enjoy a narrated lunch or dinner cruise at Beaufort. Book your space in advance with the Islander Steamship Company.