South Carolina is home to some of America’s most beautiful and historical attractions, often overlooked in favor of the state’s more famous coastal cities. So whether you’re looking for an indoor interest or outdoor adventure, South Carolina has a lot to offer. Here are some of our favorite attractions in the state:

7 of the Top South Carolina Theme Parks

South Carolina is home to seven of the top theme parks in the country. Carowinds, Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, and Splash Zone Waterpark are just some attractions that await your next trip to South Carolina. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, visit Alligator Adventure or Freestyle Music Park for great live music and amusement rides. If you have kids, check out Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia; it’s one of the best zoos in America!

• Carowinds: Carowinds amusement park is one of the most popular in South Carolina. It’s got everything from roller coasters and water slides to shopping and dining options. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who loves an adrenaline rush! The park has more than 50 rides and attractions, including the world’s tallest wooden roller coaster (that one is called Fury 325). The park also offers water rides if you want to cool off on a hot day. I do! There are also kid-friendly rides for young children so they can enjoy the amusement park fun too!

• Myrtle Beach SkyWheel: Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is located in North Myrtle Beach, SC. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is the first observation wheel to be built as a standalone attraction on the East Coast. With nearly 20 years of experience in Myrtle Beach, this high-tech facility has become an iconic landmark. The SkyWheel stands a breathtaking 200 feet tall and offers spectacular views from its 200-foot circumference. Whether you plan to visit us from across the country or just down the street, we’re proud to bring a little slice of our beautiful city to you!

• Splash Zone Waterpark: Splash Zone Waterpark is the perfect place to visit on a hot summer day. With water slides, pools, and attractions for kids of all ages, you’ll have a blast here. You can save money by purchasing tickets online or booking special event days at reduced rates. Check out our guide here to learn more about this exciting waterpark!

Alligator Adventure: Alligator Adventure, in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the largest reptile facility in the world. It’s home to thousands of crocodilians from around the globe: alligators, caimans, and crocodiles. The park has several shows daily where handlers put their lives on the line to get up close with these enormous creatures. You’ll see them feed live chickens at “Feeding Frenzy” or be amazed as they dangle from ropes above your head during “Croc Zone.” Try out their Reptile Safari program if you’re brave enough to touch one yourself (and have small children)!

• Riverbanks Zoo: The Riverbanks Zoo, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a great place to visit with family and friends. The zoo has many different exhibits that feature animals from around the world. Several interactive areas allow kids to have fun while learning about nature.

5 of South Carolina’s Top Tourist Attractions

South Carolina offers a variety of tourist attractions to suit every taste. From the historic charm of Charleston to the laid-back beach vibe of Myrtle Beach, there’s something for everyone in this diverse state.

To help you better plan your trip, we’ve narrowed down South Carolina’s most popular attractions into five categories: nature, history, culture and arts, entertainment, and sports and recreation. These are our top picks for each type!

10 Places to Go Antiquing in South Carolina

Hilton Head: If you’re looking to spend some time digging through antiques, the Antiques of Hilton Head is a great place to start. This treasure trove of vintage and historical items is located on the corner of Palmetto Bay Road and Robert Trent Jones Trail S.E., near the intersection with Mackay Avenue.

The store features thousands of items for sale, from designer jewelry to antique clocks and paintings. They also have an extensive selection of collectibles such as pottery, porcelain figurines, glassware, and potpourri jars; military items like uniforms from different eras; books about history or travel; collectible cards from sports teams or television series; toys from your childhood (and maybe even your parents’ childhood); retro kitchenware—you name it!

One thing that makes this store unique is its vast inventory: no matter what type of item you’re looking for—even if it’s just something small like an old coin—it’s likely they’ll have something similar in stock at reasonable prices that are more than fair considering how much each item has been cared for over time by previous owners who’ve taken good care not only about themselves but also about their belongings.

Myrtle Beach: Myrtle Beach is known as one of the best places to vacation in the country, and with good reason. The city has miles of beautiful coastline, world-class golf courses, incredible restaurants, and more! But did you know that Myrtle Beach also has some fantastic antique shops? From sweet little boutiques to huge warehouse stores full of treasures, there are plenty of places where you can find that perfect piece for your home—or maybe even a new home itself!

Main Street Antiques, Oasis Trading Post

Greenville: Greenville, South Carolina, has many antique stores, some located in nearby cities and towns such as Travelers Rest and Simpsonville, SC. One of the most popular antique stores is French Huguenot House Antiques on Main Street. You can spend a day shopping for antiques, go to lunch, do some work, then shop some more before heading home.

The French Huguenot House Antiques is located on Main Street and has an extensive collection of French antiques that are very high quality and reasonably priced (about $20 per piece). One of Greenville’s most famous antique stores is French Huguenot House Antiques on Main Street.

Charleston: Charleston is a city rich in history and culture, but did you know it’s also home to some of the best antique shopping in the country? The Charleston Antiques District is located within the historic King Street corridor in the heart of downtown. With its cobblestone streets and abundance of Southern charm, this quaint city has been an important American port city for centuries. So whether you’re looking for fine china sets or unique pieces of artwork, there are plenty of places to find beautiful antiques on your next trip to Charleston!

The Charleston Antiques District is located within the historic King Street corridor in the city’s heart. The Antiques District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Charleston, with over 100 shops and restaurants lining both sides of this famous street. King Street also boasts famous attractions like City Market and many beautiful residential neighborhoods such as Ansonborough and Yorktowne (which were once separate towns).

• Columbia
• Florence (includes The Swamp Rabbit Trail)
• Rock Hill (consists of the Rock Hill Art District)
• North Augusta and Sumter in Aiken County

Sample the Best Booze in Hilton Head, SC

One of the best things about Hilton Head Island is its food and drink scene. While visiting, check out some of the area’s local breweries, like Saltbox Brewery and Distillery (which makes award-winning vodka). The craft beer at Saltbox is so popular that they opened a second location in Bluffton.

And if wine is more your thing, visit Mellow Mushroom for one of their famous pizzas or salads. You can also sample some incredible wines at Vino Veritas Wine Bar & Bistro: their extensive menu has something for everyone—from reds to whites and everything in between.

Some of these are very surprising.

• The Charleston area is well known for its gorgeous beaches and delicious food, but there are several less apparent attractions to look out for. First things first: if you’re planning on visiting any of these places, make sure to book your tickets as early as possible. They tend to fill up fast during peak season!
• Bringing plenty of water and snacks is good if you’re heading out into the backcountry. It’s also worth noting that park rangers may prohibit some items—you’ll want to check before packing anything potentially dangerous (such as firearms).
• Visitors should remember that each location offers unique opportunities for exploration and discovery. Bring binoculars if available at your campsite or hotel; this will help make it easier for everyone involved when spotting wildlife like deer or bears nearby.”

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our favorite attractions in South Carolina. It’s a beautiful state with so much to offer, and we want you to know that there are many more opportunities for adventure. We would love you all to explore the great outdoors on Hilton Head Island!

The post South Carolina Main Attractions first appeared on The USA Traveler.