LeVar Thomas
Just over the Savannah River from Georgia is the lovely South Carolina. The state’s tagline has been Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places, and visiting there lets you know why. The people of this southeastern U.S. state show boundless hospitality, and beautiful places like Charleston celebrate Southern culture and architecture. It is the birthplace of notables like Mary McLeod Bethune, James Brown, Orlando Jones, Althea Gibson, Eartha Kitt, Vanna White, Andie MacDowell, Pres. Andrew Jackson, Young Jeezy, Dizzy Gillespie, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Senator Strom Thurmond, Pres. Woodrow Wilson, Chadwick Boseman, and Darius Rucker to name a few.
Here, you will find Myrtle Beach that sidelines at the Atlantic Ocean, immaculate golfing greens at Hilton Head, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the best in southern cuisine as well. South Carolina style BBQ is the best too. I say so because I was born there and I still feel the charm every time I visit home. South Carolina is known for its role in the Civil War and many history buffs go to visit Fort Sumter where the first gunshots were fired. Charleston has been touted by travel logs as the #1 U.S. City because it is picturesque and has been touched by the Gullah people. These African descendants’ culture influences the city in many ways, and especially through the cuisine. Since there are many lakes and rivers all around South Carolina, freshwater and sea foods find their way into many dishes.
A low country boil is a get together where Frogmore Stew is prepared. Many shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, and sometimes crawfish is cooked up in a large pot, drained and served right on the table on a mess of newspapers. So tasty! Don’t forget about the Carolina mustard style BBQ served at over 200 barbecue restaurants either. While there, try boiled peanuts, Shrimp & Grits, collard greens, okra, pecans, and the Sweet Tea. Husk & McCrady’s and Hominy Grill in Charleston, SeaBlue at Myrtle Beach, Terra and Motor Supply Company Bistro in Columbia, and Soby’s in Greenville cover all the bases on Carolina cuisine.
For beer lovers, a healthy brewery scene exists here, or you can get a beer at the clubhouse. That is because South Carolina has around 360 golf courses. The most notable is Kiawah Island Golf Resort that has hosted every major PGA event. If you want to live the beach life, hit the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, or for a more laidback sun session, visit Kiawah Island Beach, Isle of Palms, or Folly Beach. If tourism is your thing take part in the Satisfy Your Thirst Tour that visits the Charleston Tea Plantation, and continues on to breweries, distilleries, dairy farms, and wineries in the state.
Congaree National Park is where you can see nature up close on a kayak excursion or hike. Otters, deer, and water birds can be seen there, or you can go see bigger birds like hawks make their annual migration to South America, and Table Rock Mountain in the Fall at Caesars Head State Park. More history lessons are to be learned at South Carolina State Museum, and the 28-meter Harbor Town Lighthouse at Hilton Head offers panoramic views of the island. If you are looking for a getaway that is beautiful and full of culture, South Carolina is Just Right!
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