South Carolina is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to know where to go. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in South Carolina based on traveler ratings and reviews. So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway spot or an adventure playground, there’s something for everyone in this metropolis!
The Best Place to Visit in South Carolina
Broadway at the Beach
- Address: 1325 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (53948)
- Phone: +1 843-444-3200
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Top 12 Tourist Attractions in South Carolina
Charleston City Market
- Address: 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (21303)
- Phone: +1 843-937-0920
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PMFriday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PMSaturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Reviews:
I loved visiting this market. It was fairly big for the area that it’s in. I was expecting a much smaller market and was pleasantly surprised. There was so much to see and buy. I bought some prints, little gifts, jewelry, candies and had to buy some of the beautiful grass woven art pieces. There is lots more to do outside of the market that is very close and I loved that aspect also. It was a tight squeeze but we went on a weekend so maybe it’s less crowded during the weekdays. You are going to love it, but pack your comfy shoes for sure.By JJ Herman (2 weeks ago)A must see when you visit Charleston! Packed with something for everyone. I bought a book, a few pieces of art, and post cards. Very welcoming. I felt comfortable with my mask on. I would visit here again. From grits, to baskets, to art there is so much to see! Such a beautiful experience. Truly a place worth stopping and experiencing. You can find parking, there are lots and street parking. Also there is a lot of food in the area. Enjoy!By MJ Worldwide (4 months ago)One of my top fave experiences while we were visiting Charleston. Really cool market with all sorts of local stuff to buy and eat. Also just fun to look around. They only have certain hours so make sure to check the site. We caught the tail end of the market so a lot of people were already packing up or gone already for the day. Still a unique experience to find touristy or less touristy m/more unique Charleston items. I bought some delicious pecans roasted in cinnamon sugar. I will say roads are really tight and smaller in this part of town so brace yourself and search for nearby parking.By Chelsea C (3 months ago)A historical market in the middle of the city.
It spans across few streets. It’s a permanent market and is fully covered. This makes the shopping during all seasons.
Filled when fine food, craft and speciality shops, mostly by the creators and makers.
The dedicated section of the market allows the seasonal or thematic shops in rotation.
Paid car parking and city trolley transport options available.
By T RS (a month ago)I went to this beautiful gallery of art. I was told that Jonathan Green was one of the best artist in town. Great Customer Service. Willie was very nice, neat and charming. Great Prices too!!🙂By Tawana Gadsden (a year ago)
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
- Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (17831)
- Phone: +1 803-779-8717
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is fabulous! We absolutely love it here and have been visiting regularly for 10+ years. The animal variety is second to none. The layout of the zoo flows very nice to ensure you can enjoy each stop to see all that it offers during your visits. The staff do a great job of keeping the zoo very clean and safe. They are very, attentive, and provide excellent service every time we are there. The expansions keep coming and continue improving and evolving this Zoo into one of the best visits you and your family can make.
If I was going to provide a critique, I would recommend more fans through out the park. South Carolina (especially in the midlands) can get very hot and humid during the summer months and that heat can make visiting the park a less than pleasant experience if you are not use to the heat down here (heck even if you are 😂). More fans through out the park would add to the already amazing atmosphere and help create some more much needed cool zones through out.
One last add. Please visit during the Halloween and Christmas events. They are fantastic and highly recommended. For adults the Brew at the Zoo is one of the best attractions around. Enjoy!
By Jacob Gillen (6 months ago)Riverbanks zoo reminds of Animal Kingdom set in good old Disney World without the financial hard ship going there. Riverbanks is simply an amazing zoo. I would recommend setting aside 3-4 hours to see everything, this of course is set with a two old in mind. We stopped and saw just about everything and even petted some very friendly goats. Some stuff does cost extra, $20 on the zoo card will be more than enough for two children.The giraffe feeding stops at 1:30pm so if that is on your agenda I would get in line early. We went on a Sunday and the crowds were not too bad. We will definitely become frequent visitors. 10/10 I highly recommend.By Tai Sanders (10 months ago)The zoo was awesome! There were a lot of nice animals, and the enclosures/habitats were more than adequate for the animals. Healthy animals! My favorite places to visit had the flamingos and the lions. They had a grizzly bear, which I had not seen before. The botanical gardens were nice, as well. Small, but nice. There is a tram that takes you from the zoo to the garden. It took me and my partner about 3.5 hours to do the zoo and the garden.By Mar Pepin (8 months ago)We really enjoyed our trip here over the weekend.The layout was perfect for making a lap around the entire zoo in order to see everything easily and efficiently.
All the employees we spoke with were friendly and knowledgeable.
It was unfortunate that several attractions were under construction during our visit, but it didn’t affect the overall experience.
I will say you will definitely get your money’s worth, the sooner you decide to visit. Especially if you’re bringing children.
By Preston Sanders (7 months ago)This small zoo was awesome! Exhibits seemed nice bringing the animals up close but giving them some space too. Giraffes were galloping around, gorillas were performing for us and just a beautiful day. The cost was about $20 military with discount + $5 parking. It was well organized and easy to navigate.By ronald hinkle (3 months ago)
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
- Address: Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (9061)
- Opening hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PMSunday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Reviews:
Such an amazing place to walk around and have a nice evening stroll. Lots of benches to sit down and take a moment to relax. Beautiful fountains (including the famous Pineapple fountain) down here! The boardwalk is right next to the water and leads all the way to the water taxi pickup. The grove of trees is like walking through a green tunnel, especially gorgeous close to sunset with the suns rays penetrating the leaves.By Ajimon Thomas (2 months ago)Super cool cool park. We felt like we were in a Jane Austin book taking a turn around the gardens. It was incredible beautiful and well cared for. We wish we had more time to just come and chill. This is a must got for a quiet place to rest. It’s very peaceful. Now should be mentioned it’s not a park for kids to run or dogs to be walked etc. even a sign that says no running. It’s a tranquil park. Which is what brings some of it awesomeness.By Steven deSteuben (a month ago)This park is a great place to take a break from the touring and activity of the city proper. There was a lovely breeze and shade so it was refreshing. It is a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy watching the sailboats in the harbor or the kids playing in the fountains.By Cris Letourneau (4 months ago)This park is set along the ocean and calls you to remember the history of the area as you walk along its paths.
Flowers & Majestic Trees line the walking routes that eventually guide you to the the famous Pineapple fountain ⛲️ and the pier.
Lots of restaurants and shopping close by.
A relaxing way to spend a few hours or all day.By Laura Lockhart (10 months ago)A staple must do on your Charleston visit!
Enjoy the park with trails under oaks or along the marsh, benches, swings on the dock leading to the marsh, a dock by the Tug Boats, and of course infamous Pineapple Fountain.
One of the best views of the Charleston area bay and especially for sunrise!
You can find me here occasionally doing my morning rucks or on the docks enjoying the sea!We hope you enjoy our beautiful city of Charleston!
– The Pirate Hunter
By Justin Myers (10 months ago)
Fort Sumter National Monument
- Address: South Carolina 29412, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (8989)
- Phone: +1 843-883-3123
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
This starts with a nice relaxing ferry ride to the island. We loved sitting on the deck outside and looking at the water and the city. Once we arrived at Fort Sumter, we were giving a brief overview by one of the Rangers about the monument. The Rangers are extremely knowledgeable and can answer almost any questions. There is a lot of history there and it is interesting to learn. It’s well preserved a great addition to our Charleston trip. We probably would not go back again but we were glad we went once.By Erica Jo Byers Pelton (4 months ago)This is a must do exhibit if you visit the Charleston area. You have a brief ferry trip to the monument. As you arrive, you can see the stations of where the cannons were pointing outward. The fort itself is well preserved and it’s history is very fascinating. Quick tip: You can take part in the “raising” and lowering of the American flag if you are on either the 9:00 or 4:00 tours. The overall tour was quite informative and pleasant.By Michael Androvett (10 months ago)First, the 30 min ferry ride was relaxing and informational. We were able to spot dolphins several times during the ride. The historic Fort itself is wonderful to explore. They have a museum which explains the history of the Fort and displays historic artifacts. The flag raising ceremony (first trip only) was also very meaningful. Restrooms were clean and well maintained. There’s also a tiny gift store at the fort.By Han N Lumin (a year ago)Excellent tour of this historic site, with good displays of artifacts inside and informative presentations. The ferry ride out to the fort was also nice- we were lucky to see dolphins jumping out of the water on our way in. Highly recommend a visit.By A Nabs (4 months ago)Must do experience while in Charleston. I must admit spending time on the water to and from the island was half the reason I visited Fort Sumter. The views of the Battery, Ravenal Bridge, and Sullivan’s Island from the ferry were stunning. Knowledgeable guides and a very well written brochure provided more background and history than could be absorbed for one day. Next time I’d like to go early and stay late, so I could spend more time in the museum. The sound system can’t compete with the engine and the waves. More speakers on board are needed to be able to actually hear the park ranger clearly. Old and young alike catch just enough snippets to be tantalized without being informed. Also, the web site refers to a garage on the Charleston side without providing a map or the cost of parking, so we opted for Patriots Park on the Mt Pleasant side for $5. All in all, the excursion was well worth the time and money. I’ll make time for a fourth trip when I can make a day of it. Fascinating, really.By S Hodges (9 months ago)
Angel Oak Tree
- Address: 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (7956)
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- Address: 3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (7027)
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
- Address: 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (6919)
Huntington Beach State Park
- Address: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (6559)
The Battery
- Address: Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (6165)
South Carolina Aquarium
- Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (5294)
Brookgreen Gardens
- Address: 1931 Brookgreen Garden Dr, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (4700)
South Carolina State Museum
- Address: 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (2997)
Although South Carolina is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 12 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
Great place to get lost for a whole day. Tons of shops parking is super easy to find. Vending machine so you can feed the fish. Lots of interactive activities you could ride the boats, you can go zip lining, Face paintings and spray on tattoos. Paddle boats and wonder works and lot or other bigger places to adventure. They also have the fair rides and Dave and busters.
We walked around pretty much the entire complex, and it really seems to have it all! Something for everyone in your group, (with likely varied interests). Various popular eateries, and unique and delicious snacks and drinks for sale around every turn. Also plan on doing some shopping while you’re there. SO MANY OFFERINGS! We had a great chat with one of the girls in the visitors center. Very pleasant and informative. But I’m sure you’ll find your own list of reasons to be glad you visited!
Shops are a little more expensive than what you might find at a more lowkey area, but the walk is enjoyable. Lots of trash cans and places to stop and sit down. Also many food and drink places to get a quick snack or real food. Feeding the fish was probably one of my favorite parts to be honest.
What a hidden gem! What you see from 17 is nothing compared to what it is. There are shops, restaurants and activities for all ages. The clean and clear water with fishes in all corners waiting to be fed is adorable. Watching people in the speed boats is exciting. Great for walking with many benches for breaks. Dogs are welcomed. The grounds were well kept and clean. See you again soon.
Great place to spend the day for shopping, restaurants, entertainment, small amusement park and enjoying the outdoor environment. The area was not crowded at all for the winter day we were there. You can tell the area was being upgraded (shown in some of the pictures) and was seasonal. Restaurant and entertainment hours had been adjusted for the winter season. Definitely can understand with the smaller crowds that it would not be necessary to run long hours. Still was a very enjoyable time for our day outing.
The areas that we’re being worked on had proper safety markings and still allowed us to maneuver to the areas that we desire to go to. All the facilities are kept clean and the surrounding environment was very well taken care of.
For those that use a wheelchair, there are plenty of spaces for wheelchair parking and the majority of stores and restaurants are easily accessible to the handicapped.
The only recommendations I would propose are to add more fish in the pond, additional water fountains, and make a better Viking ship. Otherwise, a variety of things to do and a great place to spend the day.