1. Introduction
This article highlights a perfect South Carolina road trip from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Hilton Head Island. Explore the unique attractions, scenic routes, and delightful culinary experiences along the way.
2. Why Go on a South Carolina Road Trip?
There are many reasons to embark on a road trip, but the stunning natural beauty you’ll experience is perhaps the most compelling. The southeastern United States boasts sweeping landscapes, delicious food, and activities en plein air. In particular, South Carolina offers everything from mountaintop vistas and misty salt marshes to subtropical shorelines and pimento cheese. Moreover, this small state makes for an ideal drive; you can traverse most of it within just a few hours.
With scenic mountains to the north, secluded beaches to the east, and charming towns scattered in between, South Carolina has something for any type of traveler. Pack your seersucker and Sperrys, gas up the car, and set off into the Palmetto State. Starting in Greenville, the cultural capital, you can carry on to the coast, discovering magnificent waterfalls, cozy bed-and-breakfasts, and fresh seafood all along the way, all in the span of a single weekend.
3. Travelers Rest
Located just outside of Greenville is Travelers Rest (or TR, as it’s known locally)—once merely a stop for travelers seeking rest. This town has transformed into a culinary destination featuring numerous award-winning chefs, including the 2020 James Beard-nominated best chef in the southeast, Adam Cooke of the trendy restaurant Topsoil Kitchen and Market. Other culinary highlights include Whistle Stop at The American Cafe, famous for housing filming of “Fried Green Tomatoes,” and Pink Mama’s Ice Cream, celebrated for its homemade pink waffle cones alongside a weekly farmers market featuring over 70 local vendors.
For an overnight stay, check out Hotel Domestique, a European-style boutique hotel at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, owned by legendary cyclist George Hincapie. Guests enjoy bike rentals, ride-along guides, and packed lunches for creating their own biking adventures through South Carolina’s mountains and trails.
4. Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway
Using TR as a base, you can explore hundreds of bridges, waterfalls, and state parks nearby or venture into various rustic mountain towns. A scenic 115-mile drive through Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (also known as Scenic Highway 11) presents stunning views, particularly in the autumn. Numerous overlooks and historic points provide great opportunities for making stops. For example, notable stops include Campbell’s Covered Bridge, Stumphouse Mountain Park, Issaqueena Falls, Chattooga Belle Farm, Jones Gap State Park, and Jumping Off Rock. Depending on the season, you may even be able to pick your own apples or peaches along the charming two-lane road.
5. Columbia
No road trip through South Carolina is complete without a visit to Columbia, the state capital. This small downtown area is rich in culture and history. Visitors can explore exhibits at the Columbia Museum of Art, which frequently features Black voices in the arts, as well as Immersion SC, an interactive art space that showcases the creative talents of local artists. The pedestrian-friendly downtown also includes the South Carolina State House and the African-American History Monument. Additionally, consider taking a guided walking tour of historic mansions and gardens provided by the educational nonprofit Historic Columbia.
A stay at the art-deco Hotel Trundle, a vibrant boutique hotel in a former historic Western Auto building, offers a glimpse into the community’s arts, crafts, and libations. To soak up the local atmosphere, spend Saturday morning at Soda City Market, which features over 150 vendors selling artisan products, international foods, and handmade crafts. Indulge in delicious dishes featuring pimento cheese, known as “Carolina caviar,” at numerous local eateries highlighted on the pimento cheese passport.
6. Congaree National Park
About a half-hour outside Columbia, Congaree National Park boasts the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the southeastern United States. Spend a day experiencing the natural beauty through hiking, canoeing, or kayaking along the park’s 25 miles of stunning swamp and forest trails. If you visit Congaree between late May and early June, don’t miss the magical firefly synchronization mating phenomenon that occurs here, a rare spectacle found in only a few places worldwide.
7. Lake Murray
Locals from central South Carolina flock to Lake Murray for fishing, swimming, and boating on the expansive 50,000-acre reservoir lake. Rent a lakeside getaway, camp under the stars, or visit Dreher Island State Park. Here, you can also observe one of North America’s largest purple martin roosting sites. Boat tours to Bomb Island between June and August offer breathtaking views of 500,000 to 750,000 purple martins taking flight each evening.
8. Aiken
Boasting magnolia- and oak tree-lined streets, Aiken is a charming small town situated in the heart of Thoroughbred Country. The town features year-round equestrian events, top-notch polo, and horseback riding lessons suitable for all levels. Enjoy the great outdoors by biking, hiking, or jogging through the 70 miles of trails in Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the United States. Tour the elegant Oak Alley at Hopelands Gardens, ride the Aiken Trolley, or savor delightful dishes in the relaxed downtown culinary scene.
For lodging, consider the romantic Willcox Hotel or the comfortable yet elegant Carriage House Inn, both located in the heart of historic downtown.
9. Hilton Head Island
Your road trip across South Carolina culminates in the southernmost destination, family-friendly Hilton Head Island. The best way to explore the island is by bike, navigating the 200 miles of pathways, trails, and hard-packed sandy beaches. Hilton Head Island offers an active outdoor vacation filled with opportunities to swim, kayak, play tennis, and tee off at award-winning championship golf courses. The laid-back atmosphere invites beachgoers to unwind at casual waterfront bars and enjoy sustainable, fresh-caught Lowcountry seafood. Hilton Head’s stunning white sand beaches, wildlife-filled marshlands, beautiful marinas, and breathtaking sunsets have established it as one of the prettiest vacation spots on the East Coast.
Luxury accommodations await at one of the area’s sprawling resorts, such as The Inn & Club at Harbour Town or the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort.
