Filling an entire South Carolina family holiday with one-of-a-kind experiences is easy, but there are so many to choose from, where do you start? We have your starter guide right here.
Taste something different every day on your South Carolina family holiday
Come hungry to South Carolina and develop a taste for traditional recipes handed down through generations that somehow still taste as fresh and original today as ever.
This is the state where seafood isn’t just served on special occasions, it’s a staple and never anything less than sensational.
It’s also the birthplace of hearty Frogmore Stew: corn on the cob, unpeeled shrimps, new potatoes and smoked sausage, cooked in one pot and also known as a ‘low country boil’.
Or you can keep it simple, and tuck into classics like shrimp and grits; burgers loaded with pimento cheese; warm boiled peanuts – often called the ‘caviar of the south’; homemade Charleston charcuterie or cornbread and collard greens.
Just be aware: you might develop a hankering for South Carolina food that lasts for the rest of your life.
Traditional Gullah sweetgrass baskets, South Carolina
Meet the people and immerse in the culture of South Carolina’s Gullah community
The Gullah people have been deeply rooted in South Carolina’s Lowcountry for over 200 years, and you’ll find their cultural heritage celebrated from Hilton Head Island to the heart of Charleston.
Authentic Lowcountry cuisine, with its rice based dishes and seafood stews, was inspired by Gullah cooking. And the delightful art of sweetgrass basket weaving is all Gullah too, and just one of the community’s many traditions that continues to thrive.
In fact, the Gullah culture is alive and well in South Carolina, so while you should definitely visit the likes of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island if you get a chance, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy cultural tours and storytelling experiences which honour the living heritage of the Gullah community as well as its resilience and unique contribution to South Carolina’s history.
Battle of Camden re-enactment, South Carolina
Explore the revolutionary spirit of South Carolina with your kids
South Carolina played a pivotal role in the fight for American Independence, to the extent that it’s often said that the Revolution was actually won in this state. A claim that’s hard to argue with, when you find out that during the war, over 200 battles and skirmishes were fought here.
Unsurprisingly the state has so many historic battlefield sites and preserved forts to visit, along with lesser known backcountry sites, it would take several family holidays to see the lot. With that in mind you might want to consider dropping in on a few of the standout sites like Ninety Six National Historic Site, Eutaw Springs Battlefield Park or Historic Camden – famous for enormous re-enactments as well as family friendly events.
Speaking of events, in 2026 the US celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, so expect a particularly celebratory mood in South Carolina, along with more to see and do than ever.
Although, whenever you visit, you can simply walk through any town or city and see the names of the Revolution’s key players like Francis Marion, Andrew Pickens and Thomas Sumter, still proudly gracing street signs and buildings to this day.
South Carolina barbecue, Charleston
Find out what makes South Carolina barbecue so original (and irresistible)
We love that even South Carolina barbecue comes with its own historic backstory. According to legend, the state’s barbecue tradition dates back centuries to when Native Americans first taught Spanish settlers on St. Helena Island how to cook hogs over open pits.
Sweep forward to the present day and you can take your pick of more than 220 barbecue joints across South Carolina, proving that not only is it the ‘Birthplace of Barbecue’ it’s still one of the places that does it better than anywhere else.
Slow and low is the South Carolina barbecue style and it’s an unwavering tradition honoured by pitmasters state-wide.
If you plan on adding a BBQ tour to your South Carolina family holiday, map your route by sauce. This is the only state in the US that serves all four types of barbecue sauce, so you can start Upstate with Heavy Tomato, head to the Midlands for Light Tomato and Mustard, then wend your way to the Coast to land on Vinegar and Pepper.
Pack bibs, this could get messy!
Adventure into the welcoming wilderness of ACE Basin
ACE Basin is one of the largest, undeveloped estuaries on America’s East Coast. It’s here the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers converge to create a pristine Lowcountry wilderness of remarkable natural diversity.
Explore with care and the Basin is also a wonderful place for wildlife watching, kayaking and birding.
South Carolina State House, Columbia
Keep your eyes open for the Civil War cannonball in Columbia
South Carolina State House in Columbia is a bit of a wonder all round, not least because it lies in beautiful grounds networked with walking trails. When the legislature isn’t in session, a full guided tour is a great experience for older kids.
However, one thing you can see any time of year, day or night, is the real Civil War cannonball embedded in the side of the State House building. A relic from General Sherman’s 1865 march through Colombia, it’s yet another astonishing only-in-South-Carolina sight.
Synchronous Fireflies, Congaree National Park
Where to find Dark Skies and fireflies on your South Carolina family holiday
Just 28 minutes drive from Columbia brings to you to Congaree National Park, a quick journey that’s all the more surprising because Congaree is also a recognised Dark Sky location and home to some of the darkest dark skies on the East Coast.
This hugely accessible park is also one of only three places in the US which hosts Synchronous Fireflies – they can be seen twice a year and the event is so phenomenal there’s a lottery system for tickets.
Charles Towne Landing, South Carolina
Go back in time and explore Charles Towne Landing
Charles Towne Landing was the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina; established in 1670, it was the original Charleston.
Now a living museum it’s where you can learn all about the origins of South Carolina and experience life as it was for the 120 settlers from England and Barbados who pitched up here in the 17th century.
Kids will enjoy the rangers in traditional dress and there’s even a replica sailing ship from the 1600s permanently moored on the river.
H. L. Hunley submarine, Warren Lasch Conservation Center
Another first to add to your South Carolina family holiday
History’s first successful combat submarine also hails from South Carolina.
The H. L. Hunley operated during the Civil War, but was lost for over 100 years, before being recovered in 2000. Today it’s on display at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center at Clemson University.
Even taking tea is a unique experience in South Carolina
Surprise! The largest tea garden in the US is in South Carolina.
Apart from its rarity value, the charming Charleston Tea Garden is also the perfect excuse to visit pretty Wadmalaw Island for the day.
Join the trolley tour of the garden where acre-upon-acre of tea bushes grow, then stop off at the greenhouses and learn all about this unusual crop, its cultivation and what it takes to successfully grow tea in America.
South Carolina Railroad Museum
Take a vintage train ride at South Carolina Railroad Museum
The South Carolina Railroad Museum is much more than a museum. The collection of restored vintage railcars, model trains and equipment is fascinating, but being able to hop aboard the Rockton, Rion and Western Railroad and take a real heritage train ride is what makes this experience totally unique to South Carolina.
Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, Spartanburg
A one-of-a-kind stay for your South Carolina family holiday
The Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens sits in four-acres of beautiful grounds in lively Spartanburg, just 40 minutes’ drive east of Greenville.
The century old property calls itself a family-run B&B but feels more like an elegant boutique hotel: beautifully preserved, packed with antiques and every room individually designed.
But wait until your kids hear about the possibility of sleeping in the restored locomotive cabin car in the gardens: delightfully quirky and ideal for families.
