South Carolina blends antebellum grandeur with pristine Atlantic coastline, Lowcountry marsh landscapes, and vibrant culinary traditions. From the cobblestone streets of historic Charleston to the sprawling Grand Strand beaches of Myrtle Beach, the lush Blue Ridge foothills of the Upstate, and the primeval cypress swamps of Congaree National Park, the Palmetto State offers an extraordinary range of experiences anchored by legendary Southern hospitality.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped South Carolina.
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1
Charles Town (Charleston) founded — first permanent English settlement in Carolina
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2
Stono Rebellion — largest slave uprising in colonial North America
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3
Battle of Cowpens — decisive American victory in the Revolutionary War
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4
South Carolina becomes first state to secede from the Union (December 20)
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5
Civil War begins with Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter (April 12)
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6
Columbia burned by Sherman's forces; Civil War ends
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7
Orangeburg Massacre — three students killed at SC State University during civil rights protest
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8
Charleston church massacre at Emanuel AME — nine killed in hate crime
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9
Confederate battle flag removed from SC State House grounds
Historical sites
Places where South Carolina's past comes alive.
Fort Sumter National Monument
Where: Charleston Harbor
Admission: Adult: $25 ferry + park entry | Child: $15 ages 4-11
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Where: Downtown Charleston
Admission: Adult: Free; donation appreciated | Child: Free
Old Slave Mart Museum
Where: French Quarter, Charleston
Admission: Adult: $8 | Child: $5 ages 6-17
South Carolina State House
Where: Columbia
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Middleton Place (America's Oldest Landscaped Garden)
Where: Charleston (Ashley River Road)
Admission: Adult: $29 | Child: $15 ages 6-13
Cowpens National Battlefield
Where: Chesnee, Cherokee County
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free