Advice on what not to miss in South Carolina!

Old Nov 17th, 2012, 07:31 AM
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Advice on what not to miss in South Carolina!

Hey South Carolinians!

My boyfriend and I (early 30’s) are planning a 6 month+ road trip of the United States from Washington DC to Washington State and everything in between.

We will be driving through South Carolina in spring and we’re hoping you guys could give us some advice.

We want to experience the true flavor of South Carolina but we are time limited (still trying to figure out time allocations).

Our travel priorities are pretty wide.

We are somewhat foodies (though we hate the term) from fine dining to food trucks, want to be outdoor enthusiasts (new experience for us, get out of that car and hike) and are very much interested in historical attractions and art museums.

We love the National Park system so if one is near by we would like to visit.

Here is what we have so far in no kind of order (Myrtle beach doesn't seem like our cup of tea):

• Georgetown
• Charleston
• Beaufort/Low Country
• Congaree National Park (Stay the night in Colombia? Not so sure)
• Ashly river plantations

So what do you think? What am I missing? Are there places around these destinations you can suggest?

Like I said we want to get a real taste but I guess we have to keep in mind that this is a giant USA trip and in the scheme of things (rest of the USA) if you think I can cut something I will but if it’s essential South Carolina… No Way!

Thanks a lot!
Gemma
kangagirl80 is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2012, 03:37 PM
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You may want to add Brookgreen Gardens to your visit to the Georgetown area.

I've seen the rest of your planned itinerary but if you plan to go the Asheville cut up I-26 stop at the BMW factory/museum in Spartanburg and visit in downtown Greenville in-route to Asheville.
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Old Nov 18th, 2012, 05:19 AM
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Most of your visit is to Charleston area which is spot on. Agree with Palmetto about Brookgreen. Agree with you about Myrtle.
Outside of Charleston the BEST seafood on the coast is near Brookgreen in Murrell's Inlet. Not necessarily fine dining (available) but good food, cute places. Have lunch at Bubba Love's for example--or Russell's.
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Old Nov 18th, 2012, 05:47 AM
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Thanks palmettoprincess and Gretchen

I looked into Brookgreen gardens and it looks amazing! Its on the list now.

Do you guys recommend any other small towns? Like i said i want to get to Congaree NP is there anything/anywhere you recommend to see around Columbia?

Or do you think i should just get up real early and do the 2hr drive from Charleston and day trip to the park?

What about places like Pawleys island. I am not interested in golfing, is it worth checking out for history and nature?
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Old Nov 18th, 2012, 03:43 PM
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The thing about Pawleys is that the island is the city limits and not the town on Highway 17.

If you are visiting Brookgreen, stop at Perrones Deli and make a picnic basket. Also go across the street from Brookgreen and don't miss Huntington Beach State Park and Atalya Castle.

Stay at one of the B&Bs on the (The Pelican, Sea View Inn)and head to Pawleys Island Tavern that night for live music. Sit out under the massive live oaks and take in the beautiful spring evening.

The next day stop in McClellanville at SeeWee for lunch. It may be some of the best seafood you ever eat.

I did a very extensive Charleston Trip Report under my previous screen name of GoTravel. It covers a lot of Charleston hotels.
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Old Nov 18th, 2012, 04:07 PM
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I've missed you Go. Good to see you back.
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 05:53 AM
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We have just returned from two weeks on Edisto Island. We had the trip of a lifetime, been to far more exotic places but none as interesting, friendly with great food and laid back living.

We loved

http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/char...otany-bay.html

http://www.fleetlanding.net/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationP..._Carolina.html

http://www.draytonhall.org/

We would have loved make it to Georgetown and McClellanville but ran out of time.

The cultural centres on St Helena were extremely interesting but made us feel uneasy as British visitors, not the best period of our history.

There are cycles to hire and good cycle routes on Edisto.

We have stayed or passed through most of the sea islands over 3 visits and each has a very different and definite feel. There is a balance between nature and development of each and each has its place in the market ie high/low.

If you don't like Myrtle Beach, as we don't, Sullivans Island or Edisto or good choices in addition to those mentioned above.

Good to see you back GoT, it has settled down a little over the past year. The lounge is pretty boring and I just try to focus on travel posts. Can't remember exactly in which area you live but we have SC generally to thank for the best two weeks of our life.
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 10:38 AM
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To better explain Pawley's Island, it IS the town on the mainland also. Brookgreen is only a few miles up the road.
However, go across the causeway to the beach/island and turn right and look at the historic district of it. This is where the rice planters from the Charleston plantations came in the summer to escape the malarial mosquitoes of their area.
A day trip to Columbia is not really a great idea.
Not sure where Perrone's Deli is.
I think it could be more fun to eat at Creek Ratz or Bubba Love's in Murrell's Inlet--eat outside with a view of the inlet/water.
On the way to charleston, do not be tempted to speed on Route 17--first piece of advice. And a 20 minute trip up and down the streets of Georgetown is very worthwhile--Revolutionary War town.
See Wee is fun fun fun. Do try to hit it for at least a snack. Watch for it on the west side of the road--it's an old grocery/filling station, and you can blow past it easily. It is ON Route 17, not in the town of McClellanville.
If you don't stay at a B&B in Pawley's (as suggested above), the Litchfield Inn is a hotel directly on the ocean and a good overnight stop. Litchfield is "Pawley's Island"--about 3 miles up the road from the PI causeway.
Saying you are foodies, if you want to try some fine dining in Pawley's, you might want to make reservations at the Chive Blossom--very good food.
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 06:31 PM
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Gretchen, I was just pointing out that the mainland is not the city limits of Pawleys Island. It is unicorporated.

Thanks for the warm wishes guys!
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Old Nov 21st, 2012, 04:46 AM
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You have some great recommendations. I would add a stop on the way to Charleston at Cape Romain. If you have time, take the ferry across to Bull Island. There is nothing there, but the beach is beautiful and the ferry guide will tell you about the area. After that stop at Seewee for lunch. If you like big birds, stop at the Center for Birds of Prey.
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Old Nov 21st, 2012, 09:35 AM
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Definitely see both Charleston and the Ashley River Road plantations. Here's a good recent thread on Charleston and Savannah (GA):

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...uter-banks.cfm

My favorite Charleston restaurant was SNOB, and I can recommend it without hesitation.
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Old Oct 5th, 2013, 08:11 AM
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Hey all! It's been a really long time. Unfortunately we had to abandon our 6 month road trip plan but we are planning on visiting Charleston and Savannah in the next couple of weeks for roughly 10 days. We will fly into and out of Charleston and will rent a car to get around. Our rough itinerary so far is:

Charleston: 3 days
Plantation Visits: 1 day
Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown, Huntington Beach State Park: 1 day (too crazy for 1 day)
Beaufort: See on the way to Savannah
Savannah: 2 days

That's 7 days so far. We are looking at a day trip from Savannah to The Golden Isles in Georgia too. Sorry - I know this is not the Georgia forum but didn't want to branch off into a new thread!

What do you guys think? Cheers!
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Old Oct 5th, 2013, 09:53 AM
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You can do your Brookgreen day fine, if you start early enough.
Do go over to Pawley's Island (the beach side) and look at the historic district there where the planters from Charleston spent their summers to escape the malarial mosquitoes. It's a driveby to read the historic signs. You can also access the beach there to swim, walk, if you want at the far end (parking is easier there) or at other beach access walkways. DO observe the parking limits, etc.
Huntington Beach State Park is cute and small--shelling is pretty good there.
Georgetown isn't extensive but interesting to see the Revolutionary War time homes and the waterfront.
Charleston is 1.5 hours from the MB airport. You might be able to get a cheaper fare to Myrtle Beach, and then you could allocate days a bit differently. If you did that you could stay some place like the Litchfield Inn (it is right on the beach and shouldn't be very expensive), see Pawley's and Brookgreen, etc. and then head south. Just a thought--you'd have to do the math for the driving time, etc.
Another thing you may want to build in is a lunch or dinner at SeeWee on route 17 just north of Mt. Pleasant, which might be on your way to or from the places north of Charleston.
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 05:40 AM
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 08:43 AM
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I'd decide on a day trip from Savannah after you've had one day there. There is probably enough history and architecture in Savannah to occupy two full days, but the Sea Islands are lovely too.
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 04:55 PM
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Hi guys! We're all booked. Well, flights at least! We'll be there the end of October for about 12 days. Can't wait. We've got a few extra days to play with so we're just going to see what we feel like doing. Might chill out somewhere on the beach for a couple of days before heading back to the long winter. Thanks so much for all your help. I'll write a trip report when we get back. Cheers!
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Old Oct 8th, 2013, 05:07 PM
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You are coming to the SC coast at probably THE most beautiful time of the year, bar none. Enjoy.
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