Two Must-Visit Family Vacation Spots In South Carolina
I am excited to share some of my absolute favorite places that everyone should visit in the state of South Carolina. I grew up outside of Charleston in a beautiful town called Summerville and it was the most magical and beautiful place to grow up. I have fond memories of growing up in the Charleston area and my mom and sister still live in the Summerville, SC today. I am now living in the NorthEast which is also a beautiful place but today… I want to share some of my favorite places in a state that is and always will be near and dear to my heart…..good old South Carolina. I will eventually make it back down there to live… but until I do, I will make sure to visit my mom and sister as much as possible to get my southern fix. I am going to share two of my favorite coastal cities in South Carolina below, but keep in mind that these beautiful locations are just a taste of what South Carolina has to offer as there are tons of beautiful spots all over the state that are also must visits.
Now let’s take a look at the two coastal cities that are near and dear to my heart and that I love to visit anytime that I can… Charleston, SC & Myrtle Beach, SC.
Charleston, SC
First on my list is Charleston, SC as that is the place that I grew up and a place that I love dearly. Charleston, SC is majestical and when you visit you will be able to experience the charm of a historic Southern City full of rich history. Not only is Charleston a historic Southern City but it is combined with the contemporary vibes of South Carolina’s coastal culture which is beautiful too. Charleston, SC is not only beautiful to look at and explore but it also provides a second-to-none restaurant scene that offers its visitors and residents a huge array of award-winning cuisines and southern delights.
Charleston is a town that everyone needs to experience. Known as the “Holy City”, for its long tolerance for religions of all types, Charleston is the state’s most beautiful and historic treasure. Charleston has had a starring role in South Carolina history since its founding more than 300 years ago. The English established the first permanent European settlement on the Ashley River in 1670. War, fires, earthquakes and hurricanes have threatened this resilient city over the years but it still stands strong and beautiful. The city’s historic district today has barely changed, boasting 73 pre-Revoluntionary buildings, 136 late 18th century structures and over 600 others built in the 1840s. Visitors can tour the city by foot or horse-drawn carriage.
Charleston is a haven for history buffs like myself as well as beachgoers due to the fact that South Carolina has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. There are lots of gorgeous places to stay in Downtown Charleston, SC and some of them are unforgettable as they are so rich in history like booking a stay at the Wentworth Mansion. The Wentworth Mansion is one of the most unique lodging options in Historic Charleston and historical it is as George Washington stayed here which to me is pretty cool!
 When you visit Charleston, SC you have to stay a while as there is so much to explore and do. It is the perfect place for family vacations as you have Kiawah Island nearby which is stunningly beautiful, Hilton Head, Folly Beach, Mt Pleasant and so much more…. plus as I stated above if you drive a bit inland you can be in the Summerville area which is historical in its own right. There is lots to do here as you can visit the museums, tour the historical plantations like Boone Hall & Middleton Place, enjoy the local beaches, fabulous shopping, outdoor recreation and parks, amazing Golf and so much more. Ebooking your stay is the best way to go when planning your Charleston, SC vacation as you will get the best pricing when you book which leaves you with more cash in your pocket so that you and your family can do more and explore your hearts out.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach, SC is another of my absolute favorite spots in the state of South Carolina. I lived there for about 6 years and even though that is not much time… it felt as if I had lived there my whole life as the people are amazing and I miss my friends there. Myrtle Beach, SC is the perfect spot for family vacations and/or coastal getaways for couples and the Grand Strand beaches are hands down to me some of the most beautiful on the east coast, if not the planet.
Myrtle Beach, is known for its exceptional golf courses and beautiful coastline, and it has become a huge vacation destination for so many. There is so much to do here from fascinating museums and oceanfront eateries to pristine campgrounds and unforgettable fishing. The golf is huge here and honestly it is hard to think of anything else (other than the beautiful beaches) when you think of Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is a Mecca for golf players of every level and the Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach area are home to more than 100 golf courses along the northern coast of the beautiful state of South Carolina. The wide variety of golfing options makes it perfect for amateurs and professionals alike- as well as gorgeous backdrops of the Atlantic and one of the country’s premiere beach vacation destinations. Booking your stay here will ensure the best of vacations for you and your family.
Myrtle Beach is not just golf and beautiful beaches. You can venture south a bit to visit Murrells Inlet which is one of my favorite places to visit anytime I can get there as it is stunningly beautiful plus it is loaded with delicious restaurants. Murrells Inlet is home to many of the area’s pristine golf courses and it is also knows as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” due to all of those delicious eateries I mentioned above. You can get a taste of the Palmetto State’s freshest shrimp, Atlantic Oysters and succulent crab at my favorite restaurant in Murrells Inlet ~ Drunken Jacks which serves up savory seafood with a legendary South Carolina pirate story on the side.
Now when you are ready to take a break form the sun and sand, you can find lots to do to keep you and the family busy. There is tons of shopping via two different outlet centers and there is so much family fun to be had on North Ocean Blvd right off of the beautiful sandy beaches in down town Myrtle Beach. You can take a ride on the SkyWheel which is a 187 foot Ferris wheel offering picture-perfect views of the Atlantic from climate-controlled gondolas overlooking the sea. You can also visit and explore the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum which is lots of fun and I also love taking a stroll through the Gay Dolphin which is a shop right on the blvd with beach trinkets to buy and take home as a reminder of your vacation and it is level after level of fun stuff to look at which I love.
You can also visit Wild Water & Wheels which is the Grand Strand’s 16-acre amusement park that boasts more than 33 rides, a wave pool, miniature golf and plenty more excitement to keep the kids entertained for hours. You can even go on one of the area’s wildlife cruises for an up-close-and-personal look at local marine animals which is awesome! You can embark on a tour with Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch to learn all about South Carolina’s coastal ecology and even get the chance to see Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in the native environment.
You also have to mark Bookgreen Gardens to your list of places to visit in the Myrtle Beach area as it was one of my go-to’s when I lived there. It is a 300 acre sculpture garden and wildlife sanctuary and it is one of the area’s most visited destinations. Across the street from Brookgreen Gardens you will find the Atalaya Castle, which is a National Historic Landmark just steps off of the Huntington Beach State Park which is another fabulous location for beach goers. You can walk through the Atalaya Castle which I just love and it is just cool looking at historical buildings as it is kind of a way to travel back for a bit to a time that was much simpler.
In terms of entertainment and dining…. Myrtle Beach has you covered. You can visit Broadway at the Beach which is a beautiful spot to explore, shop and dine and if you are a music lover you can check out Legends in Concert which is a Vegas type show that is knows as one of the world’s greatest celebrity tribute show. No matter if you are looking for a couples coastal getaway or planning a family vacation with this guide… Myrtle Beach has you covered.
So what do you think after reading about these two South Carolina Coastal Cities that are the perfect places to take the family for a vacation? Just doing a couples getaway? Charleston and Myrtle Beach have you covered there too. Booking your vacation has never been easier so book today and definitely check out these two cities for your next vacation getaway as you will have the best time of your life as there are endless things to do and see, plus you can also visit both of them as they are about 2 to 2 and a half hours apart which means you can go to both if you choose.
