Top Things to do in South Carolina
Top Hotels in South Carolina
- 1. Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
- 2. Francis Marion Hotel
- 3. Dayton House Resort
- 4. Ocean Reef Resort
- 5. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
- 6. Beach House Resort, Hilton Head Island
- 7. Town & Country Inn and Suites
- 8. Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort
- 9. The Breakers Resort
- 10. Best Western Ocean Sands Beach Resort
Things to do in South Carolina, United States: The Best Gardens
South Carolina has some great beaches along its eastern coast. Among the most notable of these is Myrtle Beach, the hub of the grand strand and the largest resort on the east coast of South Carolina. This silky stretch of white sand is great for water-sports such as sailing and surfing. South Carolina is also regarded as one of the top golfing destinations in America. South Carolina has some notable historic towns which are worth visiting such as Charleston.
Restaurants in South Carolina
1. Brookgreen Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,890 reviews
This National Historic Site contains the country's largest and most extensive sculpture collection of American Figurative Sculpture, much of it places in beautiful gardens. Also a site for Lowcountry History and our Lowcountry Zoo, featuring animals native to our area.
Reviewed By 93Trombo - North Carolina, United States
The largest sculpture garden in the world - 350 acres!!! Gorgeous gardens, impeccable landscapes, a wide variety of sculpture in varying places (indoors and out). If you visit Myrtle Beach, this garden is an incredible surprise and well worth visiting for a few hours. They also have a small zoo, an explorer bus ride and also a pontoon ride thru the canals of the old rice plantations.
2. Philip Simmons Museum Home and Workshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
We are preserving the legacy of the master blacksmith, who lived in this house from 1960 to 2008. His home is now a museum house with an operating workshop that was given to him by his mentor (an ex-slave).
3. Palmeto Oaks Sculpture Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By 278joannw
A quiet, peaceful spot. Garden filled with beautiful metal sculptures. I particularly liked the one named “Meta-Physical”. The artist makes comments about his pieces and this one said to look each person who talks to you in the eye on a given day and see if you find others wanting you to succeed. A great suggestion. No admission fee.
4. Theodora Park
5. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,816 reviews
South Carolina's Most Visited Plantation and Gardens. National Registry of Historic Places. Ancient Oak Avenue. Tours full of History. World Famous Gardens of the 19th Century "Romantic Style". Selected by Travel + Leisure (2014) as the only South Carolina garden deemed one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens". Reconstruction Period Plantation Home Tour. Award Winning Slave Cabin Tour. Very popular Nature-Train Tour. Rice Field Boat Tour. Family Oriented. Petting Zoo and Nature Center. Audubon Swamp Self-Guided Tour. Amazing Nesting Rookery. If you have only one Plantation to see, don't miss us!
Reviewed By barnettmail64
Had a wonderful trip around plantation lots to see Very interesting plus fabulous little petting zoo Shawn our driver was brilliant made the trip Good knowledge and vey informative Passionate about magnolia gardens Would definitely recommend a lovely day out
6. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,895 reviews
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to nearly 2,000 animals that represent more than 350 species from around the world. A visit to the Zoo will play host to an array of wild adventures from a diving expedition on a Pacific coral reef to a safari through the plains of Africa to an interactive Outback encounter with a flock of sociable lorikeets. The Botanical Garden boasts 70-acres of unparalleled beauty and is considered one of the America's best public gardens. Dramatic and themed gardens showcase more than 4,300 species of native and exotic plants, providing a living classroom for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The Garden also is the gateway to natural river views and spectacular valley overlooks. In addition, guests can view structural remains dating back to the early 1800s with South Carolina's textile industry and the Civil War.
Reviewed By lordv187
My Fiancee and I visited this Zoo because she has never been to one. She was incredibly impressed with how well the animals were taken care of, the cleanliness, and the helpful staff. Prices were decent for a Zoo...$40 for us both and that included the Botanical Garden. They offer a military discount and student discount for $17.95 Kids price is $16.95 and under 2 is free. Now if you're from Europe it's not your usual Zoo with more open enclosures for the animals but it still offers plenty. The have a Sea Lion show which is free!, Giraffe feeding $3, and farm animals which you can feed...the food is in candy dispensers. Highly recommend if you're looking for an event for your kids.
7. Cypress Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
Visitors can wander through these beautiful gardens or tour cypress-lined swamps by flat-bottomed boat.
Reviewed By susanwinetasting - Putnam, United States
At Cypress Gardens you'll have an opportunity to stroll through a swamp, take a boat ride and visit with exotic birds, butterflies and animals. There are indoor buildings, such as the butterfly house, as well as path that circle the swamp. My family did not take the boat trip through the swamp but opted to stroll the many paths. We saw little alligators and ibis along the way. The paths are fairly smooth and level. I was able to walk the first loop around using a walker. You could spend 3-4 hours visiting, depending on whether you walk around the swamp and/or take the boat tour. The prices are reasonable and parking is easy.
8. Middleton Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,196 reviews
Middleton Place National Historic Landmark is home to America’s oldest and most important landscaped gardens. Began in 1741, the historic site today encompasses 110 acres including the Gardens, House Museum, Stableyards, and Eliza’s House. Together they tell the inclusive history of all who lived, worked, and died here. The stories of the Middleton family including two Founding Fathers and generations of enslaved people are interwoven throughout the property. Visitors have opportunities to experience those stories with both guided or self-guided tours.
Reviewed By clairann2000
Went right for the cow milking and was the only person there...the cow obliged and it was fun. The area around the barn is really interesting with a cooper who was very informative along with a potter, some stable hands who hitched up water buffalo using voice commands, displays on rice, etc...we loved that area. The slave house had interesting displays and most all over were really well done and mercifully the hand outs at the Ticketing office showed right where to find them. Loved the whole place and spent a good 3 hours before enjoying a delicious lunch at the restaurant then had a talk by a lovely fellow about slavery that ended with him singing in the chapel...he was amazing as well.
9. Kalmia Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By wohauckIII - Tega Cay, United States
Great for a walk along well maintained paths and very nice peaceful walk A nice stream and just a great place. Well worth the time.
10. Edisto Memorial Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
These gardens commemorate the site of where 600 Confederate soldiers temporarily held off the Union Army in 1865.
Reviewed By daniandcoryhodges
This is a great place to stop and stroll around! So pretty, and all the varieties of roses are stunning! The waterwheel is neat, too!
