South Carolina is filled with pieces of American History, including Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. It is also home to beautiful beaches, lush forests, old plantations, and so much more. Here are some of the many South Carolina bucket list attractions the Palmetto State has to offer.
(featured image via Wikimedia)
10. Peachoid
(image via Flickr)
Gaffney
Located in Gaffney, the Peachoid is a 135-foot tall water tower that is designed and painted to look like a giant peach. Constructed in 1985, the Peachoid holds one million gallons of water. It can be seen in House of Cards and serves as the focal point of a minor plot line during the first season of the series.
9. BMW Zentrum
Spartanburg
This 28,000-square-foot museum chronicles the long history of the renowned BMW car manufacturer. In the virtual factory tour, guests are able to see how the automobiles are put together and what makes them unique. The museum is free to the public, but the factory tour is a budget-friendly $10.
8. Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Myrtle Beach
There is more to do in Myrtle Beach than work on your tan. Family Kingdom Amusement Park has 37 major rides, including Swamp Fox, a wooden roller coaster that has been a feature of the park since 1966. Family Kingdom is consistently ranked as one of the top amusement parks outside of Orlando.
7. Hunting Island State Park
The most-visited state park in South Carolina, Hunting Island constantly makes its way onto lists of the best beach areas in the United States. One of the state park’s biggest draws is Hunting Island Light, a lighthouse that was constructed in the 1800s and has since been restored to its former glory.
6. Halls Chophouse
(image via Facebook)
Charleston
This premiere steakhouse offers succulent cuts of aged meat, as well as a surprisingly extensive vegetarian and vegan menu. Halls Chophouse also serves as a late-night live music venue. The staff makes it a point to treat everyone like family, so there is always a friendly atmosphere.
5. Kiawah Beachwalker Park
(image via Wikimedia)
Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island has an eleven-mile stretch of some of the most gorgeous beaches in the nation. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bohicket River, Kiawah Beachwalker Park draws visitors in with a boardwalk that winds its way through the local trees and other plant life.
4. Six & Twenty Distillery
(image via Facebook)
Piedmont
When a Choctaw maiden found out that her lover was in danger, she rode to save him, naming spots along the way based on their distance from her home. Thus, Six & Twenty Distillery got its name because it is 26 miles from the original Keowee village. The company is known for its wonderful single-cask whiskey and offers tours on Saturdays.
3. Attend an Oyster Roast
(image via Wikimedia)
There are few places in the world more famous for their oysters, and no one cooks them quite like South Carolinians. Anywhere near the coast, locals love to serve an enormous amount of oysters and make a celebration out of it. Don’t throw trash in the hole in the middle of the table, as it is just for empty shells that will be tossed back into the ocean.
2. Brookgreen Gardens
(image via Flickr)
Murrells Inlet
This sculpture garden and wildlife preserve is so scenic that it is a popular wedding destination. Brookgreen Gardens includes several themed gardens, as well as a zoo, hiking trails, and a nature preserve. Opening in 1932, the estate is built on former rice plantations.
1. Historic Downtown Charleston
(image via Flickr)
No South Carolina bucket list is complete without a visit to the past. Though it has seen some changes over the years, Historic Downtown Charleston serves to preserve the history of the region, including plantations and homes that date back to the 1700s. Today, the downtown district is home to many unique shops and restaurants as well as wonderfully preserved architecture.