South Carolina Travel Guide

Spanish moss, stately plantations, sandy beaches, swaying palms--as the door to the Deep South, South Carolina embodies the region's present and past. Travel to South Carolina revolves not only around its antebellum plantations and Charleston's historic mansions; visitors also come for first-class golf courses, foodie-friendly Southern cooking and sun-soaked days at the beach. Let Travel + Leisure's South Carolina travel guide lead you toward the best in Southern hospitality.

Things Not to Miss in South Carolina

• Exploring historic Charleston and grabbing a taste of finger-licking Southern fare
 • Taking a tour of antebellum plantations like Boone Hall
 • Soaking up the sun and enjoying a blast from the past at Myrtle Beach
 • Hiking, hunting and fishing in the state's wooded west

When to Go to South Carolina

Like the rest of its neighbors in the deep South, South Carolina enjoys balmy weather throughout much of the year, making it's beaches especially popular. With average winter temperatures bottoming out in the mid-60s, cold snaps are a rarity. Instead, weather extremes come in the form of hot temperatures and high humidity between July and September. Most tourists choose to visit South Carolina between April and June for a comfortable middle.