South Carolina Beach Vacations

This classic holiday beach town is a family favorite thanks to its inviting warm water and popular attractions, such as the Kingdom Amusement Park and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. Once dusk falls, soak in the ocean views and enjoy dinner at the restaurants along the 1.4mi. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The vintage seafront arcade is lovely for a post-dinner stroll.

Get away from the bustle of South Carolina's main towns with a retreat to Kiawah Island, refuge of maritime forests, miles of golden sand dunes, and marshes. Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted spotting bob cats, bottle nose dolphins, sea turtles, and whitetail deer, among other creatures. Last, swing by the world-famous Ocean Course golf course that boasts spectacular Atlantic views from its greens.

South Carolina's most popular state park, where scenes from "Forrest Gump" were once filmed, is home to five miles of pristine beaches, saltwater lagoons, and inlets filled with marine wildlife. Scale the 130ft high Hunting Island Lighthouse, built in 1889, for superb views of the surrounding ocean and maritime forests.

Less than four hours by road from Charlotte, Edisto is South Carolina's best kept secret, with beaches edged by Low County oaks. Sink your teeth into delicious crab and oyster dishes, and kayak through the meandering marshes and creeks. You can also try your hand at river fishing, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. The beach is a hit with anglers.

Classy and laid-back, the island boasts 12mi. of clean beaches, and 24 world class golf courses where you can practice your swing in style. Outdoorsy types can go horseback riding through forest areas or bike along the beach trails. Another good idea is to kayak through the calm tidal waters or go out on a dolphin-spotting excursion. Bird-watching awaits at the Audubon-Newhall Preserve and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.

So you've fished from a boat in the middle of the deep sea? Now, how about fishing from a pier, the rocks, the shoreline, or just wading through the surf. This is exactly what the 1,045ft long Folly Beach Fishing Pier is famous for. Rent a rod, buy the bait, and wait for Spanish mackerel, pompano, and blue fish to come along.

This eclectic city founded in 1670 has it all, from rooftop loungers to biergartens and dive bars. Experience a range of musical genres (choral music, jazz, opera, theater, cabaret) at some of America's biggest performing arts festivals. Also recommended is the romantic Evening Carriage Tour, which takes you past historic churches, the old walled city, and the river front. The German-inspired Bay Street Biergarten demands that you sample their crafts and brews. Close the night with a Macabre Ghost Tour, during which you'll prowl the streets, listening to stories of tragedy and the afterlife.

A top favorite is South Carolina barbecue served with delicious sauces: vinegar, mustard, tomato, cheese, etc. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood, however, is the name of the game when on South Carolina's beaches! So dig into shrimp and grits drenched in white cheese and fiery cajun gravy. Delicious crab cakes made from blue crab meat and shellfish preparations await at The Crab Cake Lady, a Murrells Inlet fixture since 1973. Finally, nothing beats the regional oyster dishes (sometimes paired with smoked bacon and shrimp) at Hilton Head Island, home to several oyster canneries. South Carolina beach vacations are a culinary delight!