South Carolina
Discover South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the American South. It is known for its diverse geography from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate to its subtropical beaches and marshlike sea islands along the coast. Despite being smaller in both area and population than the other Carolina, South Carolina still has a lot to explore. All roads in South Carolina seem to lead to Columbia, the state capital. The former capital-turned largest city is Charleston, defined by its pastel-colored houses, Old South plantations, and Fort Sumter - where the Civil War’s opening shots were fired. To the north of Charleston is the Grand Strand, a roughly 60-mile stretch of beachfront known for golf courses. The Grand Strand centers around the vacation town of Myrtle Beach. At the far southern tip of the state is the Golden Corner, where the islands of Hilton Head and Seabrook are. South Carolina's Upcountry centers around Greenville and the college town of Clemson.
What to Experience in South Carolina
Taste of South Carolina...
Most of the BBQ in South Carolina is similar to Eastern Carolina-style with mostly mustard-based sauces on pulled pork. South Carolina is the only state that boasts 4 distinct styles of sauces: mustard, vinegar, tomato and ketchup. On the Southern coastline, lowcountry and Charleston-style cuisine prevail, influenced by French, continental, and creole cooking with lots of fresh seafood. Shrimp and grits is a local specialty in the Charleston region with a seemingly limitless number of recipes. Sweet tea is very popular and readily available, as is elsewhere in the South. The drinking age for alcohol in South Carolina is 21. Almost all bars and off-premise vendors request government issued photo I.D. for younger looking patrons. In spring break destinations like Myrtle Beach police write scores of citations for underage drinking at clubs or on the beach. Beer and wine are widely available in grocery and convenience stores around the state. Liquor must be sold in dedicated liquor stores. With the exception of coastal and metropolitan counties, off-premise sales of beer are banned on Sundays. It is illegal in South Carolina to be 'grossly intoxicated' in public. The police can arrest you and charge you with public disorderly conduct if they believe this is the case, and there seems to be no legal definition of grossly intoxicated for a pedestrian. This is a misdemeanor offence, resulting in a court hearing.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSouth Carolina is served by five interstate highways. South Carolina has multiple airports servicing the state. Amtrak has multiple routes that pass through South Carolina. The Silver Service and Palmetto trains call in Florence, Columbia, and Charleston in addition to smaller towns along the route from New York City to Florida. The Crescent train calls in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Clemson en route from New York City to New Orleans. Greyhound serves several cities, and Megabus serves Columbia. The roads in South Carolina (like most places in the United States) are in good condition for travel. Interstate 95 in much of the southern part of the state is highly traveled and only a four-lane highway. One should keep a very close eye out for sudden traffic back ups, especially close to Charleston, Hilton Head and south of Charlotte in Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Generally, the other interstates do not suffer serious traffic except in the case of major wrecks....
Regions
Explore AreasSouth Carolina, together with North Carolina forms a region historically known as Carolina. The two were governed as one colony until the early 18th century. Both were among the Thirteen Colonies that…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The roads in South Carolina (like most places in the United States) are in good condition for travel. Interstate 95 in much of the southern part of the state is highly traveled and only a four-lane highway. One should keep a very close eye out for sudden traffic back ups, especially close to Charleston, Hilton Head and south of Charlotte in Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Generally, the other interstates do not suffer serious traffic except in the case of major wrecks. The US-17, or Coastal Highway, also runs north-south through South Carolina. Despite the nickname, however, the coast is not visible from the US-17 in South Carolina. An interstate will usually get you where you want to go faster. Gas prices are typically lower in South Carolina than most of the U.S. because of the much lower gas tax. Along the Eastern Atlantic Coast of South Carolina are several popular tourist destinations.
Language & Talk
English is official and is the dominant language by far. Spanish is used in some areas. Gullah, a fascinating English-based creole language, is spoken by a few hundred African-American residents of the Sea Islands as well as their descendants throughout the state. South Carolina is served by five interstate highways. South Carolina has multiple airports servicing the state. Amtrak has multiple routes that pass through South Carolina. The Silver Service and Palmetto trains call in Florence, Columbia, and Charleston in addition to smaller towns along the route from New York City to Florida. The Crescent train calls in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Clemson en route from New York City to New Orleans. Greyhound serves several cities, and Megabus serves Columbia.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
It is illegal in South Carolina to be 'grossly intoxicated' in public. The police can arrest you and charge you with public disorderly conduct if they believe this is the case, and there seems to be no legal definition of grossly intoxicated for a pedestrian. This is a misdemeanor offence, resulting in a court hearing. You can get your charge expunged within the state by entering a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program. This involves fines, community service, drug tests, attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and homework assignments and typically takes about 2 months to complete. However, the PTI program is not recognized by the Federal Government. Most of the areas visitors would normally visit in South Carolina are relatively crime-free. However, some residential areas in large cities like northern Charleston and Columbia may be somewhat dangerous after dark for non-locals. While not as ubiquitous as in Florida, alligators do live in some water bodies in the state.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of South Carolina
cars parked beside brown concrete building during daytime
people riding on carriage on road during daytime
A picture of the scenery at the NC/SC state line as it looks when crossing into South Carolina (God's Country) in small town Pageland, SC.
green trees near body of water during daytime
gray concrete road between trees during daytime
I took this picture from the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park. It captures a Charleston sunset over the cities’ favorite bridge!
white concrete building near green trees during daytime
Sunset near Kiawah Island, SC on the marsh.
Angel Oak Tree | Charleston, South Carolina
green palm tree near sea during daytime
cars parked beside brown concrete building during daytime
people riding on carriage on road during daytime
A picture of the scenery at the NC/SC state line as it looks when crossing into South Carolina (God's Country) in small town Pageland, SC.