Where should I go and what should I do in South Carolina?
Charleston Historic District + Michelin-Starred Dining – Explore Rainbow Row's pastel mansions, Battery Park waterfront, and acclaimed restaurants like FIG and The Ordinary in America's most charming historic city.
Beaufort Spanish Moss + Lowcountry Marshes – Moss-draped oaks frame historic town squares and pristine tidal marshes; Beaufort River offers kayaking and sunset viewing without Charleston's crowds.
Hilton Head Island Luxury Golf & Beach Resorts – Championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye paired with five-star resorts, upscale dining, and pristine 12-mile beaches.
Magnolia Plantation Historic Gardens + Cypress Swamp Kayaking – America's oldest plantation garden (1695) features 60+ acres of camellias and azaleas; paddle through black-water cypress swamps teeming with wildlife.
Kiawah Island Ocean Club Championship Golf – Host site of PGA Championships and Ryder Cups; world-class courses, oceanfront luxury resorts, and celebrity-level golf experiences.
When should I go to South Carolina?
March–May (Spring Peak) – Mild 60–75°F temps, azalea and dogwood blooms, and manageable crowds; ideal for historic walking tours and golf
September–November (Fall Sweet Spot) – Temps cool to comfortable (65–80°F), humidity drops, Spanish moss looks dramatic, and crowds thin significantly
October–November (Extended Fall) – Peak golf season begins, fall foliage colors surrounding areas, and festivals celebrate harvest and history
What do I need to know for a trip to South Carolina?
Sunday Brunch Culture – Upscale brunch is major tradition; book restaurants (especially Bowens Island, The Ordinary's sister chef venue) 1–2 weeks ahead
Sunset River Cruises – Charleston Harbor and Beaufort River evening cruises offer peaceful escape and photo opportunities
Humidity is Real – June–August feels oppressive; indoor activities (museums, spas, restaurants) preferable to outdoor sightseeing
Spring Azalea Season – Late March–April sees peak blooms at Magnolia, Middleton, and throughout gardens; plan timing around this if photography is priority
Rent a Car for Multi-City Exploration – Distances between Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head are 45–120 minutes; rental provides flexibility
The Spectator Hotel evokes the exuberance of the Jazz Age and the genteel glamour of the Old South. Step inside our sleek boutique and discover why we're considered the #1 in Charleston by many of our guests.
An independent, iconic landmark in the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Captivating the hearts and imaginations of a new generation. Redefining the legendary spaces, experiences — and city — with renewed passion, purpose, and intention.
Located on the sugar sand beaches of Hilton Head Island on the southern coast of South Carolina, this oceanfront resort is a tropical paradise unlike anywhere else in this premier destination.
A new destination retreat surrounded by miles of golden spartina grass, giant oak trees and shallow marsh flats. Cool breezes blow through cottage-inspired guest rooms and river-view cabanas overlooking vast expanses of marshland.
For the soulful sojourner, for the inquisitive local. For those who seek the new over the known, while wandering through the past. From our perch in historic downtown Charleston, welcome to Emeline.
10% Off + breakfast + $100
Valid for travel through Feb 28, 2023. Blackout dates may apply.
Montage Palmetto Bluff features a charming collection of rooms, suites, cottages, cottage suites, and vacation homes that are all nestled between vibrant waterfronts and tranquil forests. Designed in a classic Southern style, these accommodations offer luxurious residential touches such as vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, opulent bathrooms and verandas with stunning views. A charming collection of luxury vacation homes are also available on a nightly basis.
Refresh the spirit , encourage the unscripted and return to the classic family vacation as a guest of The Sea Pines Resort. Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island, and located along 5,000 oceanfront acres, The Sea Pines Resort has been a quiet retreat for more than 50 years.
In beautiful downtown Charleston, amidst a mild climate and delightful southern charm, The Restoration is an apartment-style hotel with a modern metropolitan feel...
For a place that offers more than just accommodations and amenities, but rather a complete getaway experience, visit the coveted Hotel Domestique, located north of Greenville in Travelers Rest, South Carolina...
Imagine the scent of the sea, drifting down cobblestone lanes through ancient trees shading stunning antebellum homes, and you will picture your first sunny day in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina at Planters Inn...
Located on a pristine stretch of Hilton Head Island's Atlantic beachfront, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa boasts approachable luxury and a renewing wellness experience.
For over a decade, the French Quarter Inn in historic Charleston, South Carolina has been indulging guests with its regal accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and superb service...
AAA Four Diamond boutique lodge perched on the falls of the iconic Reedy River in the heart of Downtown Greenville offers guests an intimate way to experience the area's natural wonders.
Nestled along the coast with stunning views and lush landscapes our award-winning Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a premier destination for getaways, gatherings or business.
A tribute to Charleston grandeur, The Wentworth Mansion is a downtown Charleston inn that exemplifies splendor with gracious hospitality and luxurious amenities.
The Best of South Carolina: Historic Charleston and Lowcountry Luxury
Charleston passed America's first historic preservation ordinance in 1931, and the city has been collecting the dividends ever since. South of Broad Street, pastel row houses and walled gardens fill block after block, all of it best seen on foot. The best luxury resorts in South Carolina are all here, inside a district that has spent close to a century protecting what makes it worth visiting.
The preservation instinct goes beyond just the architecture, though. This is a city that survived the war it started.
Confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Sumter in April 1861, and the first shots of the Civil War crossed Charleston Harbor in full view of the rooftops downtown. The fort still stands on its island today, reachable only by boat. The ride gives you the skyline from the water, roughly the view gunners had, which makes the half-hour crossing feel heavier than most ferry rides.
Back on land, the same harbor breeze moves through porches built two centuries ago. Charleston asks you to walk slowly and look closely. Few American cities make the past feel this present, or make the present feel this easy to enjoy.