Welcome to South Carolina

No matter who you are, or what your interest, South Carolina will make the corners of your mouth curl up with endless adventure, excitement, exploration and fun. Wander through America's oldest landscaped garden, take a swing at more than 330 golf courses, search for shells on pristine beaches, or kayak through undisturbed marshland. Discover your heritage within our own. So much of what makes America great began right here in South Carolina. The culture, art and folklore of our past make enchanting lessons in history.

Rivers Bridge State Historic Site

Site of one of the Confederacy’s last stands against Gen. William T. Sherman’s sweep across the South, the earthen fortifications at Rivers Bridge State Historic Site are silent monuments to the fierce resistance that raged there on Feb. 2-3, 1865. Today, Rivers Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only state historic site in South Carolina that commemorates the Civil War. In addition to picnicking, Rivers Bridge offers educational programs about the battle and military life during the Civil War.

Huntington Beach State Park

Huntington Beach offers its visitors the best-preserved beach on the Grand Strand. The park’s freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, maritime forest and beach are outstanding examples of the state’s natural coastal environment. These also provide such prime habitat for birds that the park is widely recognized as one of the best birding sites along the East Coast. Huntington Beach is also the site of the historic “Atalaya” castle...

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Named as one of the 10 great zoos in America, Riverbanks offers a world of diversity. More than 2,000 animals thrive in re-created natural habitats as diverse as a Pacific coral reef and an African savanna to a working South Carolina farm. Visitors can spend hours traveling through the new Ndoki Forest exhibit seeking a family of gorillas, an elephant herd and a gang of meerkats on their way to search for giraffes, zebras and rhinos. Just across the scenic Lower Saluda River, visitors can explore 70 acres of woodlands, gardens, historic ruins and plant collections set among the varied topography of Riverbanks Botanical Garden.

Visit Wee Tee State Forest

Wee Tee contains more than 12 miles of river frontage and is primarily bottomland hardwood and coastal flood plain habitats. Included in the property is a 200-acre lake and numerous ponds and oxbows. These bottomlands and aquatic systems provide excellent fish and wildlife habitat and will provide the citizens of South Carolina numerous recreational opportunities. It is considered one of the most significant tracts of land in the Santee River floodplain.

Horse Camping on Lakeview Plantation

Horse Camping on Lakeview Plantation offers the most enjoyable year-round riding scenario in the region for leisurely trail riding, driving and horse camping. Come explore the more than 60 miles of well-maintained trails, which traverse the plantation’s 2,600 private acres. Book Lakeview Plantation for club or group outings. Ask about optional activities which can be provided to suit your group's particular needs, including dancing, live music, karaoke, barbecues and hayrides.

This world-famous 300-year old plantation has been in the same family since the arrival of Thomas Drayton from Barbados in 1761. It includes the country's oldest garden (c.1680), and a Reconstruction-era plantation house. The garden features the Barbados Tropical Garden, a nature train tour, a petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, nature trails, wildlife art gallery, rental bikes, canoes, an 18th-century herb garden, a Biblical garden, topiary garden, horticultural maze and antebellum cabin.

The Denmark Historic District

Enjoy shopping or browsing in an old-time five and dime, or wander through floors of antiques in the AT&T building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A restored sign shop now houses an art gallery and there's a hardware store that offers everything from lumber to fine china. The Mennonite bakery offers savory home baked breads, which can be enjoyed in the gazebo at Harrison Park. The Jim Harrison Gallery on S. Main St. offers displays of this internationally known artist.

Spend a few peaceful hours where the British spent a rough year. After the seige of Charleston, Lord Charles Cornwallis and 2,500 British soldiers marched to Camden and set up their main backcountry supply post. For the next 11 months the town was occupied. Guided and self-guided tours are available and focus on Camden's Colonial and Revolutionary eras. The 107-acre outdoor museum complex includes the 18th-century town site, the furnished 1785 Craven House, two restored log cabins with exhibits, partial reconstruction of British military fortifications and the reconstructed and furnished Joseph Kershaw House, headquarters for Lord Cornwallis. Historic Camden is an affiliated area of the National Park Service.

Ashtabula and Woodburn Historic Houses

These two c.1830 large clapboard mansions were built as the Upcountry residences by wealthy Lowcountry planters to enjoy the more healthful climate of the foothills. Each house with a distinctly different style has been fully restored and authentically furnished. Ashtabula and Woodburn Historic Houses welcomed over 4,200 visitors in 2004. A major focus is providing insightful programs for school groups along with hands-on demonstrations.