From strolling the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach to walking through the historic streets of Charleston, these are the best weekend getaways in South Carolina.

Written by Claire Beaney

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Jun 1, 2022

Table of Contents

The best weekend getaways for couples in South Carolina
The best weekend getaways for families in South Carolina
The best weekend getaways for beach buffs in South Carolina
The best weekend getaways for foodies in South Carolina
The best outdoor weekend getaways in South Carolina
The best weekend getaways for history buffs in South Carolina
The best cheap weekend getaways in South Carolina
Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

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Whether it’s a day in the sun at

Myrtle Beach

or exploring historic

Charleston

South Carolina

makes for the perfect mini-vacation to help you get away from the business of your day-to-day life.

Trying to plan a weekend vacay can be a pretty hard—and stressful—thing to do. Being able to get out of town by Friday and make it back home by the time work rolls around on Monday can actually make for the perfect trip, as long as you know where to go and what to do!

Jerry

, the

car insurance

super app, understands the importance of taking time off—which is why we’ve compiled the list below.

These are the best weekend getaways in South Carolina, ranging from wilderness adventures and historic tours to beach days and romantic excursions.

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The best weekend getaways for couples in South Carolina

Beaufort

Stay at:

Beaufort Inn

(rooms from $192/night)

Or:

The Rhett House Inn

(rooms from $200/night)

Couples can start their weekend off by grabbing some coffee at

Common Ground

and strolling through downtown

Beaufort

, which has been named one of the most romantic cities in South Carolina. From there, walk the boardwalk at Sands in Port Royal before grabbing some food at the relaxing yet upscale

Wren Bistro & Bar

Start the second day at

Blackstone’s Cafe

, followed by an afternoon exploring the

Beaufort History Museum

or taking a stroll through the gorgeous

Spanish Moss Trail

. Finish the weekend off with dinner and drinks at

Breakwater Restaurant & Bar

, which features a take on New Southern cuisine definitely worth checking out.

Columbia

Stay at:

The 1425 Inn

(from $174/night)

Or:

Hotel Trundle

(from $212/night)

Columbia

is not only the state capital of South Carolina, but it’s also rich in romance, charm, and history. Wake up in the cozy, charming 1425 Inn and start your day at College Grounds Cafe & Bakery for some delicious coffee and pastries. You can spend the day taking a canoe ride on the

Columbia Canal

or strolling through the

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

’s gorgeous Botanical garden.

Experience the perfect date-night dinner at

Saluda’s Restaurant

before settling down for the night. In the morning, drop by

The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli

for some of their famed cinnamon rolls before taking in the

Columbia Museum of Art

, the perfect spot for a romantic walk. End your weekend with an evening of authentic Italian dining at

Alodia’s Cucina Italiana

Pro tip The best times to visit South Carolina are between March through May or September through October—temperatures in spring and fall make for the ideal getaway!

The best weekend getaways for families in South Carolina

Isle of Palms

Stay at:

Boardwalk Inn

(rooms from $225/night)

Or:

Sweetgrass Inn

(rooms from $265/night)

Both the Boardwalk Inn and the Sweetgrass Inn, located in the

Wild Dunes Resort

, offer comfy, spacious rooms perfect for any family. You can start your weekend at the

Sea Biscuit Cafe

for a yummy breakfast and spend your first day relaxing on the

Isle of Palms beach

for some fun in the sun! Finish the day with some fresh, delicious seafood at

Acme Lowcountry Kitchen

When you wake up on day two, check out Café Paname for some of the best croissants and sandwiches in town. You can rent a

banana boat

for the kids, take an

eco-tour

to learn about the beautiful marshlands around the Isle, or spend an afternoon at the hands-on

Children’s Museum of Lowcountry

exploring exhibits based around art, medieval times, pirate ships, and more.

Grab a bite to eat at

Luke ‘n Ollie’s Pizzeria

Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill

to recharge after your busy weekend with a warm, filling meal.

Edisto Island

Stay at:

Club Wyndham Ocean Ridge

(rooms from $194/night)

Or:

Edisto Island Tree House & Log Cabin

(starting at $185/night)

If you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway with your family, Edisto Island is the place to go. One of South Carolina’s Sea Islands, you can visit

Edisto Beach

for a fun day filled with swimming, picnics, gathering shells, and—if you’re lucky—dolphin watching!

Bring your family to the

Edisto Island Serpentarium

for the chance to feed some alligators, and take a

Botany Bay Ecotour

to explore the coast and encounter dolphins and wildlife up-close! Fill your tummies in between these activities at

SeaCow Eatery

, Tortuga’s Mexican Grill, or

Flowers Seafood Company

—all have yummy bites and a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

MORE: 8 pro tips for long car rides with kids

The best weekend getaways for beach buffs in South Carolina

Myrtle Beach

Stay at:

Dunes Village Resort

(rooms from $256/night)

Or:

South Bay Inn & Suites

(rooms from $241/night)

Start your weekend off with a visit to the highly-rated

Drift

restaurant for some waffles, bacon, and coffee to kick off your day. There are countless things to do in and around

Myrtle Beach

—from the

Boardwalk

to the

SkyWheel

to the iconic

Broadway at the Beach

. If you want to grab a bite to eat to end your day, hit up the

42nd Street Bar and Grill

for deliciously fresh seafood fare.

You can spend the second day just swimming and relaxing at

Myrtle Beach

—known as “The Beach”—or you can check out some of the fun attractions like the

Hollywood Wax Museum

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

. Dine over the ocean at one of Myrtle Beach’s best oceanfront restaurants and finish up your day at

Pier 14 Restaurant and Lounge

Hilton Head Island

Stay at:

Beach House Resort

(rooms from $284/night)

Or:

Sonesta Resort

(rooms from $264/night)

Rated as the

top island

in the United States, there are plenty of activities to fill your weekend at

Hilton Head Island

. You can bask in 12+ miles of sandy beaches, ride through the island’s numerous

bike trails

, or learn more about the South Carolina Lowcountry in the

Coastal Discovery Museum

If you’re looking for a good breakfast spot, check out

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe

Nectar Farm Kitchen

. There’s no shortage of delicious seafood while in Hilton Head, but some of the notable spots worth checking out include

Skull Creek Boathouse

and

The Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek

MORE:

Odd roadside attractions for your summer road trip

The best weekend getaways for foodies in South Carolina

Greenville

Stay at:

Drury Inn & Suites

(rooms from $117/night)

Or:

The Westin Poinsett

(rooms from $209/night)

Immersed in sweet tea, smoked meats, and Appalachian produce,

Greenville

offers a wide variety of dining experiences. For your essential breakfast meals, check out

Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse

for made-to-order crepes and numerous tea and coffee options. If you’re looking for some of the best coffee in town, hit up

Methodical

Explore the city through the modern takes on pizza offered by

Sidewall Pizza Company

, Latin American fusion cuisine at

Asada

, or the award-winning brisket, ribs, and chicken found at

SBH BBQ

Folly Beach

Stay at:

Tides Folly Beach

(rooms from $278/night)

Or:

Regatta Inn

(rooms from $282/night)

Seeing as “beach” is in the name, you’ll definitely want to hit up some seafood spots while visiting! For fresh, premium seafood and oceanside views, then

BLU Beach Bar & Grill

Loggerhead’s Beach Grill

are the places to go. Head to

Jack of Cups Saloon

for their famed green curry mac & cheese, or hit up

Chico Feo

for tacos, beers, and live music. In between meals, check out the beach, try some

surfing

, or

hike

the trail up to the Morris Island Lighthouse.

MORE:

The best Southern road trip for foodies

The best outdoor weekend getaways in South Carolina

Table Rock State Park

Stay at:

Table Rock Inn

(from $80/night)

Or:

Table Rock Campgrounds

(reservations start at $30/night)

Table Rock State Park is home to the aptly-named

Table Rock Trail

, a 6.90-mile hike that’ll take you straight to the top of Table Rock Mountain. Stop along the way at

Carrick Creek Falls

and the Governor’s Rock overlook for some truly unforgettable sights.

In between hiking,

kayaking

, or fishing, head to nearby

Pickens

to check out local wares at their Flea Market. Fill up at the Appalachian Ale House or

Fiesta Mexican Grill

before heading back out to explore the wilderness.

Jones Gap State Park

Stay at:

Jones Gap Campgrounds

(reservations start at $24/night)

Or:

Hampton Inn

(rooms start at $132/night)

Jones Gap is a gorgeous park with amazing views and makes for the perfect weekend getaway from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One of the most notable features of Jones Gap is

Rainbow Falls

, which stands at 80+ feet and can be reached after a 4.4-mile hike. There are several other hikes you can go on in the area, including the more laid-back

Jones Gap Falls

Rocky Branch Falls Trail

However, you choose to spend your weekend, be sure to visit Mountain House At Caesars Head or

Cedar Mountain Cafe

for classic fares done right.

Pro Tip The last thing you want to do is become stranded in the middle of the South Carolina wilderness, so be sure to prepare accordingly and follow a map of your route to stay on track!

MORE:

South Carolina Electric Vehicle Incentives

The best weekend getaways for history buffs in South Carolina

Charleston

Stay at:

Andrew Pinckney Inn

(rooms from $289/night)

Or:

Meeting Street Inn

(rooms from $257/night)

The

Charleston

Historic District has everything you need for an exciting, historic weekend getaway. You can start by walking along

Rainbow Row

, an iconic set of 13 brightly-colored houses, and visiting the 200-year-old

Charleston City Market

for local and handmade goods. Take in some of the rich fabric of

African-American history

in Charleston and participate in one of the offered

tours

While in town, don’t miss

Queology

for some of the best BBQ wings and ribs in Charleston or

Circa 1886

for a fine dining experience located in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion.

Daufuskie Island

Stay at:

Home2 Suites

(rooms from $267/night)

Or:

Sea Pines Resort

(rooms from $306/night)

Daufuskie Island, only accessible by ferry or barge, is home to environmental preserves, private communities, resorts, Gullah homes, art galleries, and more. Take a guided

History and Artisans tour

to truly dive into the past of this quirky, rustic island. Then check out the

Daufuskie Island Museum

for yourself and the 20+ historic landmarks found along the Rob Kennedy Historical Trail.

If you’re looking for a little bit of Daufuskie to take home, then visit the

Iron Fish Gallery & Studio

or Daufuskie Island Wine & Woodworks. After a day of exploring and learning, head to

Daufuskie Crab Co

Lucy Bell’s

MORE:

How to make money restoring classic cars

The best cheap weekend getaways in South Carolina

Georgetown

Stay at:

Quality Inn & Suites

(rooms from $89/night)

Or:

Econo Lodge

(rooms from $70/night)

As the third-oldest town in South Carolina, you can have a fantastic weekend getaway in quaint

Georgetown

without having to break the bank. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, you can experience

Music in the Park

, and if you want your history fix on a budget, then check out the

Kaminski House Museum

or the

Rice Museum

The

Harborwalk

is a hidden gem found just behind downtown, offering up scenic views of the Georgetown Harbor and the perfect spot to take in a sunset. When you’re done exploring, head to

Thomas Cafe

Tony’s Famous Pizza

, or

Highway 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries

Greenwood

Stay at:

Rodeway Inn

(rooms from $70/night)

Or:

Baymont by Wyndham Greenwood

(rooms from $80/night)

Boasting the “World’s Widest Main Street”,

Greenwood

is an extremely walkable town with a charming blend of old and new. You can admire the historic architecture of the town’s center, shop local artists and goods at

Main & Maxwell

, and explore early South Carolina history at

The Museum

. Round out your days at the

Dixie Drive-In

Howard’s on Main

for some delicious, reasonably priced fixins’.

Pro Tip Check for special deals and rates when planning your getaway, especially if you're going during peak season!

MORE:

How to find the best cheap car insurance

Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

Whether you spend your weekend strolling through

Charleston

’s historic district or soaking up the rays in

Myrtle Beach

, make sure you’re protected while exploring

South Carolina

with a car insurance policy from

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Jerry users save an average of $887 per year on auto insurance, and with savings like that, you can afford all of South Carolina's top weekend getaways!

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