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South Carolina

South Carolina combines Charleston's historic streets, the salt marshes of the Lowcountry coast and the Blue Ridge foothills around Greenville in one state.

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South Carolina lies on the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States, between North Carolina and Georgia. Charleston, founded in 1670, is known for its historic houses, church steeples and shaded streets. The Lowcountry is the flat coastal belt of salt marsh, tidal creeks and barrier islands around the city. Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island are the best-known beach towns, and the Sea Islands near Beaufort are home to Gullah Geechee communities with their own language, crafts and food traditions.

The northwest of the state is a different trip. The Blue Ridge foothills around Greenville have waterfalls, hiking trails and cooler air in summer. A trip that covers a city, a beach and the mountains is possible, but the drives take hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, while summers are hot and humid and hurricane season runs June through November. Four to five days covers Charleston and one beach town, and a few more are needed for the mountains.

South Carolina in five

  1. Rent a car for the coast and the UpstateHilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Greenville are spread out and need a car. Charleston's historic peninsula can be explored on foot, so a car is optional there.
  2. Book Fort Sumter boat tickets aheadFort Sumter is reached only by boat from Charleston Harbor, and tickets can sell out on busy days. Book the crossing before you plan the rest of the day.
  3. Set up offline maps for the back roadsMobile signal drops on rural Lowcountry roads and in the Blue Ridge foothills near Greenville. Download the area maps before you leave the main highways.
  4. Check hurricane risk before you bookThe Atlantic hurricane season runs through November, with the highest risk in late summer and early autumn. Check the National Hurricane Center before you book, and buy cover that includes trip cancellation.
  5. Keep your distance from alligators in ponds and marshesAlligators live in lakes, ponds and marshes across the state, including near golf courses and some hotel water features. Keep back from the water's edge and do not feed them.

Neighborhoods

cable-stayed bridge view during golden hour

Charleston

  • Price band: $$$
Read about Charleston

Things to do in South Carolina

See all attractions in South Carolina
Fort MoultrieHistoric site · South CarolinaFort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical ParkFor Fort Sumter, plan to travel by boat; it is the only way to reach the island.
Old Slave Mart MuseumMuseum · South CarolinaOld Slave Mart MuseumAllow about an hour to read the text-heavy exhibits.
St. Philip's ChurchChurch · South CarolinaSt. Philip's ChurchVisit both the churchyard and the cemetery across Church Street.
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Need to know

Currency
US dollar (USD)
Entry
ESTA for visa-waiver passports, visa for most others Read more
Emergency
911 police, fire or ambulance
Tipping
Expected: 15 to 20% at restaurants, taxis and tour guides
Time
UTC-5 Eastern Time, UTC-4 in daylight saving

Weather by month

    • Best
    • Good
    • Mixed
    • Poor
    1. JanuaryCool, quiet
    2. FebruaryCool, quiet
    3. MarchSpring, mild
    4. AprilAzaleas, mild
    5. MayWarm, pleasant
    6. JuneHot, humid
    7. JulyHot, storms
    8. AugustHurricane season
    9. SeptemberHurricane season
    10. OctoberMild, dry
    11. NovemberCool, pleasant
    12. DecemberMild, holidays

    Right now in South Carolina

    Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

    Partly cloudy

    21

    Feels like
    17°
    Humidity
    45%
    Wind
    19 km/h
    Chance of rain
    8%

    South Carolina

    04:22 PM

    Monday, November 2

    GMT-5

    1. Today25°14°8%Monday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
    2. Tue27°13°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 27°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 2%.
    3. Wed28°14°9%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 9%.
    4. Thu28°18°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 37%.
    5. Fri26°18°23%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 23%.
    6. Sat23°14°13%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 13%.
    7. Sun24°15°10%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 10%.

    Updated 11:58 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

    Money

    Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

    USD · US Dollar

    Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

    Day trips by train

    Before you go to South Carolina

    eSIM for South CarolinaMaps and bookings on the coast roadsRead the guide
    Travel insurance for the USAUS hospital bills can be highRead the guide
    Car hire for the LowcountryCovers the Lowcountry and coast roadsRead the guide
    Stays on the coast and in townBeach hotels, rentals and guesthousesRead the guide

    Rules for South Carolina, checked

    • Travelers from visa-waiver countries need an ESTA before flying to the US. Check the entry rules on the official CBP site before you book.Source
    • The legal drinking age is 21. Bars and liquor stores check ID, so carry a passport or photo ID.
    • Keep your distance from alligators in lakes, ponds and marshes, and never feed them.
    • US agriculture inspectors can seize fresh fruit, meat and plants at arrival. Declare food on the customs form or leave it at home.

    Plan around South Carolina

    All of the USA

    Entry rules, regions and transport for a US trip

    Read the guide    Charleston and the Lowcountry

    The historic peninsula, harbor and Lowcountry day trips

    Read the guide    Hilton Head Island

    Beaches, bike paths and golf on the island

    Read the guide    Myrtle Beach and the coast

    The oceanfront strip, boardwalk and rides

    Read the guide    Greenville and the Upstate

    Downtown falls, restaurants and the foothills

    Read the guide    Getting around the state

    Car, bus and airport links between the regions

    Read the guide

    South Carolina FAQ

    Is South Carolina worth visiting?

    Yes if you want historic streets, beaches and mountain foothills in one trip. Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Greenville are very different from each other, so pick two or three.

    What is the best time to visit South Carolina?

    March to May and October to November have the mildest weather. June to November is hurricane season, with the highest risk from August to October.

    Do you need a car in South Carolina?

    Yes for Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Greenville. Charleston's historic peninsula can be walked, so a car is only needed if you take day trips from the city.

    How many days do you need in South Carolina?

    Five to seven days covers Charleston and either Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Add a day for Greenville if you want the mountains and downtown.

    Is Charleston or Hilton Head better?

    Charleston suits history, walking and restaurants. Hilton Head suits beaches, bike paths and golf, with fewer streets to explore on foot.

    Is Myrtle Beach good for families?

    Yes if you want amusement rides, a boardwalk and a long sandy beach. Hilton Head is quieter and better for a slower stay with bikes and nature paths.

    DestinationsWhere to go, when to go and how to get around in 221 countries. Every practical fact shows the date we checked it and who checked it.Where to stayNeighborhoods walked end to end: who each area suits, how far it is from the airport train, and the hotels we would book ourselves.PlanVisas and entry rules, travel insurance, eSIMs and rail passes, explained in plain words and rechecked when the rules change.EventsFestivals, concerts and tours with confirmed dates, rooms near the venue and the fastest way on to the next city.StoriesField reports and data stories from the road. We time the queues, count the costs and say what changed since last year.

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