SOUTH CAROLINA

Greenville + Blue Ridge Mountains

Greenville is the anchor city of the Upstate, South Carolina’s northwestern region, which includes a portion of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. If you enjoy time outdoors, hike the 10-kilometer Raven Cliff Falls Trail at Caesars Head State Park. From the trail’s overlook, you’ll see the 128-meter-tall Raven Cliff Falls. On your way back to Greenville, pause for a pint at the Birds Fly South Ale Project, an urban farmhouse-style brewery in the West End Water Tower District. Expect a unique range of beers, two distinctive bars, an outdoor patio, an expansive lawn and live music.

A True Southern Beach Retreat

Beloved for its gorgeous beaches and low-key, all-ages attractions, Hilton Head Island is a true beach retreat. Have a rental bike delivered to your hotel – the island is covered with a web of 100-plus kilometers of multi-use paths, allowing easy access to beaches, shopping, dining and entertainment. If you’re an explorer, ride down lesser-known trails to historic sites such as Mitchelville Freedom Park, the first community in the U.S. founded by freed slaves, and Greens Shell Park, site of a Native American farming village that dates to 1335.  On the southern end of the island, pay $8 to enter Sea Pines Resort, where you can explore the Harbour Town Lighthouse. This photogenic red-and-white-striped lighthouse is a local icon. 

Sand, Sun and Fun

Myrtle Beach is an easy place to visit. Affordable accommodations, casual dining and non-stop entertainment make it popular with families, couples, friends and solo travelers alike. Start with classic fun at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. This oceanfront promenade is an updated version of the boardwalks of yesteryear and features arcades, thrill rides, haunted houses, a mirror maze, casual food and lively bars. Take a ride on the SkyWheel, the tallest Ferris wheel on the East Coast, for unbeatable shoreline views.  Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach’s other main entertainment district, will keep you entertained all day and night.

South Carolina's Historic Crown Jewel

Founded in 1670, Charleston is South Carolina’s oldest city. The best way to get an introduction to this historic city is with a carriage ride along downtown’s cobblestone streets. Not only is it an enchanting throwback to another era, it’s an excellent way to learn about Charleston’s past and see important historic sites. Have your camera ready for photos of Rainbow Row, a distinctive strip of historic homes painted in eye-catching rainbow hues, and a stop at the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park. Later, visit Fort Sumter National Monument, a fort in Charleston Harbor where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861.  When hunger strikes, you’ll find a tempting selection of Lowcountry specialties including shrimp and grits, first-rate seafood, Southern comfort foods, international flavors and local breweries, too.