South Carolina Attractions

This famous international festival held May 22 - June 7, 2009 is the American counterpart to Spoleto, Italy, showcasing world-renowned performers in drama, dance, music and art.

Charleston has had a starring role in South Carolina's history sine its founding more than 300 years ago. The cities historic district has barely changed boasting 73 pre-Revolutionary buildings, 136 late 18th century structures and over 600 other built before the 1840's. Visitors can easily tour the city on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. Area attractions include Aquarium Wharf, home to the IMAX Theatre, the National Park Service's interpretive education center and the SC Aquarium and the new Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. Historic churches, house museums, plantation and gardens recall the city's antebellum period. Resorts at Kiaqh, Seabrook and Wild Dunes offer miles of unspoiled beaches, marshlands, posh accommodations and recreational facilities.

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Colonists established the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas on these grounds. Today, this site and nature preserve interpret the story of the 17th century, is well preserved for archaeological research and a re-created settlement portrays 1670s town life.

Experience thousands of amazing aquatic animals in over 60 exhibits that represent the rich biodiversity of SC from the mountains to the sea. There are interactive exhibits and programs for all ages.

The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, WWII's Fighting Lady and a number of other military vessels are on display here. Also climb aboard the Navy Flight simulator for a five-minute ride on an F/A-18 in flight. A tour guide and map are provided for self-guided tours.

One of the state's oldest spring traditions is the Carolina Cup this event features six steeplechase races amid a flurry of spring fashions and tailgate picnics. Thoroughbreds race along the emerald turf at 35 mph and jump hurdles five feet high. More than 50,000 gather to celebrate in one of South Carolina's largest annual events. The Marion Dupont Scott Colonial Cup held in November allows families to enjoy a day in the country with terrier trials, market shops and special children's activities. The afternoon brings the thrill of the chase as thoroughbreds run in six races. The $100,000 Colonial Cup often decides the national steeplechase champion of the year. Tailgating parties and social events make the races more exciting.

Deeply rooted in English traditions this community witnessed some key battles of the American Revolution. Lord Cornwallis and his troops pulled into Camden for an extended stay when the revolution impolitely broke the peace. Relive this painful year spent by the British army at historic Camden Revolutionary War Site. Camden's Historic District features more than 60 historic sites; this national register designed district is the essence of Camden. From cottages to spacious mansions, the district is the reflection of Camden's 250-year-old history ranging from the Revolutionary War era to the antebellum South to the winter residences established in the early 1900s. Horse enthusiasts enjoy steeplechase and flat racing amid socializing during two celebrated events at Camden's Springdale Race Course. Exhibits at the National Steeplechase Museum offer another pastime.

This center offers exhibits and a video about the Catawba Indian Nation. Visit the craft store, which features the distinctive Catawba pottery, and walk the nature trail.

This 775-acre living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site features 29 historic structures and living history programs chronicling Carolina Piedmont development from the 1750s through the 1840s.

Enjoy more than 50 state-of-the-art rides, attractions and shows such as Nickelodeon Central, Top Gun: The Jet Coaster, a steel roller coaster, and the WaterWorks water park.

This hands-on learning center is designed to enrich the lives of children, families and teachers through diverse exhibits and programs. Features eight world-class galleries, an innovative mix of high-tech and high-touch opportunities, a 200-seat theater, two resource centers and Eddie, the world's largest plastic child.

One of the state's most historic structures, the State House was begun in 1851, with work suspended several times before its completion in 1907. Sherman's Union army swept through Columbia in 1865 and today the copper-domed granite building wears six bronze stars to mark hits from Sherman's cannons. The African-American Monument, the first of its kind on any state house grounds, traces African American history from the Middle Passage, to the fight for freedom in the Civil War, the struggle for civil rights and emergence into mainstream America. At the base of the obelisk are four rubbing stones from regions of Africa where slaves were captured - Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Congo and Ghana.

This 170-acre park presents more than 2,000 animals in re-created natural habitats that include a Pacific coral reef, an African savanna and a working farm. Featured areas include the Birdhouse, the Ndoki Forest and the Australian exhibit. Riverbanks Botanical Garden lets visitors explore 70 acres of woodlands, gardens, historic ruins and plant collections.

This grand celebration held every March welcomes Canadian and American visitors on spring break to a festival of sporting events, concerts, historical tours, St. Patrick's Day events and more. Activities take place at various sites along the Grand Strand.

The Myrtle Beach area, already known for its beautiful beaches, fun-filled amusement parks, and golf courses galore, was ready for the introduction of top-notch live entertainment. So when Missouri-born musician and entrepreneur Calvin Gilmore recognized this he opened the Carolina Opry in 1986. And the Myrtle Beach area welcomed its first of many live entertainment theaters which set the stage for a new genre of family entertainment along the Grand Strand. The Carolina Opry paved the way for other theaters, and before long the Myrtle Beach area was in the midst of a theater boom. Big-name entertainers, including Alabama signed on with their own theater. Dolly Parton opened the Dixie Stampede. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament came to town, as well as Legends in Concert. For those that like fabulous Broadway shows but would rather spend their vacation at the beach, the Myrtle Beach area has that too! The Palace Theater presents some of the best-known Broadway performances such as Cats and Grease! The newest offering, Tribute! The Concert in North Myrtle offers a live re-creation of your favorite stars of yesterday and today.

Set on a 300-acre parcel in the heart of a 9,100-acre preserve along the South Carolina coast, Brookgreen Gardens is a beautiful sculpture garden with a wildlife sanctuary, creek excursions, back road tours and seasonal events. Comprised of four former rice plantations, Brookgreen was the first public sculpture garden built in the U.S. The garden was opened to the public in 1931 by its founder Anna Hyatt Huntington, who works are featured along with other prominent American sculptors. More than 500 pieces of figurative sculpture are featured in 10 separate garden "rooms," with accent pools and fountains. Located across from Brookgreen is Huntington Beach State Park, site of the historic "Atalaya" castle. The former winter home and studio of noted American sculptress, Anna Hyatt Huntington, and her husband, Archer Milton Huntington, Atalaya is also listed as a National Historic Landmark. The park's freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, maritime forest and beach are outstanding examples of the state's natural coastal environment and the park is considered one of the East Coast's best birding sites. A juried arts and crafts festival is held here each Sept. in historic "Atalaya" castle.

Travel the aquarium's Dangerous Reef tunnel on a moving glide path surrounded on all sides by sharks up to 10 feet long. Also visit the Discovery Center, Ray Bay and Friendship Flats and Rainbow Rock.

Once called the "Sports Center of the South", Aiken, is a special place - A city of spacious parks, distinctive architecture, and civic pride, the old is harmoniously blended with the new, making it an ideal place to live. Aiken began, at the completion of the Railroad, as a retreat for wealthy Charlestonians seeking relief from Lowcountry heat and malaria. The Aiken County Historical Museum, housed in a former winter colony mansion, displays items and clothing that reflect the county's history from the earliest settlers to the present. Aiken's reputation as a health resort led some of America's wealthiest families to winter here in the 1870s. These winter colonists found the climate conducive for all things equestrian and fostered a love of horse racing, and created an atmosphere of beauty, culture, splendid gardens and quiet opulence that lingers to this day. Their legacy includes three winter colony historic districts, unpaved roads with equestrian stoplights and the Triple Crown - three successive weekends of horseracing. Be sure to visit the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame - On the grounds of beautiful Hopeland Gardens, the museum pays homage to horses trained here who have found fame on tracks throughout the country.

A 150-acre expanse of Japanese iris, magnolias, azaleas and a variety of seasonal flowers surround the calm black waters of Swan Lake, where all eight known species of the world's swans swim. A "Braille Trail" encloses a tour-and-scent garden for the visually impaired. The garden hosts the annual Sumter Iris Festival each Memorial Day weekend.

Redcliffe's c. 1859 Greek-Revival mansion was the home of James Henry Hammond, a US congressman and senator, and governor. Hammond designed Redcliffe as an estate for relaxation, entertaining and agricultural experimentation. Hammond's great-grandson, John Shaw Billings, an editor of Time, Life and Fortune magazines, donated the estate and its collections to the state in 1973.

An active Trappist monastery with beautifully landscaped grounds overlook the Cooper River. The former plantation home of Henry Laurens, Congressional Constitutional president, it later was home to publisher and philanthropist Henry R. Luce and his wife, Clare Boothe Luce.

A 150-acre expanse of Japanese iris, magnolias, azaleas and a variety of seasonal flowers surround the calm black waters of Swan Lake, where all eight known species of the world's swans swim. A "Braille Trail" encloses a tour-and-scent garden for the visually impaired. The garden hosts the annual Sumter Iris Festival each Memorial Day weekend.

The museum preserves the history of the state's cotton culture with original tools, interactive exhibits and amusing stories in an authentic setting. This interpretive center furnishes information on local points of interest and the South Carolina Cotton Trail.

Three acres of meticulously sculpted plants include graceful arches, spirals, geometrics and fantasies. Stroll the garden alone or let Mr. Pearl Fryar guide and regale you with stories.

NASCAR's original super speedway hosts the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 May 4-5, 2005. Adjacent, an expanded Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum houses a large collection of stock cars, including those driven to victory by Richard Petty, Bill Elliott, David Pearson and others.

This celebration of Lowcountry culture and heritage is highlighted by authentic arts and crafts, exhibits in the Black Inventions Museum, Gullah presentations, music, workshops, dance and regional foods.

The works of over 200 of the state's finest artists are here...from blown and formed glass, sweetgrass baskets, furniture, carvings, pottery, jewelry, quilts and more.

Founded in 1862 for the education of newly freed Sea Island slaves, Penn School operated through the end of World War II. The Island's African-American history and culture is preserved here. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also planned civil rights strategies here.

This 19th-century lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park was dismantled and moved to its present site in 1889 due to erosion. The lighthouse is one of the states most popular landmarks, where guests can climb to the top for a spectacular view of the coastline. The lighthouse and its complex are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park also offers four miles of beach, a maritime forest, and extensive saltwater marsh.

This non-profit event that held in Anderson every May offers attendees a relaxing, family oriented, affordable and fun-filled weekend which includes: 100 hot-air balloons, concerts, car show, disk dog competition, interactive sponsor displays, amusement rides and games, children's area, two regional music stages, softball tournament, giant windsocks, kites, beach party, great food, and much more while raising money for local and regional charities.

Scenic Highway 11 as it is also known winds its way through South Carolina's northwest corner. Following the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 115 miles is surrounded with peach orchards, quaint villages and parks. It is an ideal alternative to I-85 and has been featured by such publications as National Geographic, Rand McNally and Southern Living. On Scenic 11 you can visit Cowpens Battlefield, where the American patriots overwhelmed the British at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781. You shouldn't miss this chance to see Campbell's Bridge, the states only remaining covered bridge. Or stop by Poinsett's Bridge, the oldest standing bridge in South Carolina. Visitors will also see historical places, such as King's Mountain National Military Park, where colonial patriots crushed loyalist troops in 1780. Table Rock State Park provides the dome of Table Rock Mountain one of the area's most notable landmarks, and the demanding cliff walls will challenge even the experienced rock-climber. Along with Table Rock there are seven state parks located along Hwy 11 with spectacular outdoor activities for every visitor.

Home to over 500 animals, many of which roam freely inside large natural enclosures or on man-made islands. The "Outback Safari" takes visitors through 80 acres of free-roaming animals. Holiday Lights Safari includes a deer forest, a nativity with live animals and more than 2 million lights.

The museum's 30 galleries are filled with art, tapestries, furniture, sculpture and architectural motifs from the 14th -19th centuries. Rubens, Van Dyck, Tintoretto and Dore are among the featured artists. The Bowen Collection of Antiquities displays biblical artifacts from the Middle East.