The Carolina Opry, the first theater in Myrtle Beach, hosts a variety of daily performances that blends family-friendly music, dance, and comedy in a state-of-the-art space. The Carolina Opry holds many concerts and shows during the year, has been named a Top Attraction in Myrtle Beach by CNBC, and has received the coveted Governor’s Cup.
The Point, also called Old Point or Black’s Point, is one of Beaufort’s five historic neighborhoods. You’ll see that the standard city-grid planning system doesn’t follow suit here; that’s because it was once entirely owned by a single resident until the 19th century. Today, the collection of Queen Anne and Victorian-style homes that were later built create one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.
Beaufort isn’t short on sites of historical importance and you can include John Mark Verdier House—also known as the Lafayette Building—to that list. Managed by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, the building has a storied history since it was built in 1804, including a stint as a headquarters for the Union Army during the Civil War. Today, it is open as a house museum to the public.
Thanks to the Peace Center, Greenville in South Carolina has become the arts hub between Charlotte and Atlanta. Right downtown and just steps from the city’s beloved waterfall at Falls Park, this concert hall, theater, and amphitheater offers varied live entertainment throughout the year, from Broadway to comedians to dance companies.
A stroll around South Carolina’s Barefoot Landing on the Waterway is an ideal way to spend an evening in North Myrtle Beach. With more than 100 shops and restaurants, there’s a tantalizing variety of sundries, souvenirs, and sustenance. There’s also an alligator park, a 7-D cinema, a live tiger attraction, and a lovely view of the riverfront.
The Grand Strand comprises 60 miles (100 kilometers) of uninterrupted sandy beach along the South Carolina Coast. A majority of the area’s 14 million annual visitors come for the boardwalks, beaches, amusement parks, and mini golf courses of Myrtle Beach, while Murrells Inlet serves as the region’s culinary capital.
Myrtle Waves Water Park pumps some 1.2 million gallons of water daily through churning wave pools, meandering rapids, super slides, and calming raft rides, perfect for cooling down during the hot South Carolina summer. The state’s largest water park features more than 30 attractions catering to both thrill seekers and the tiniest visitors.
Founded to commemorate Beaufort’s role in the Reconstruction era, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is filled with historical sights that offer visitors insight into the period and its significance. The park consists of four locations around Beaufort—Brick Baptist Church, Penn Center, Downtown Beaufort, and Camp Saxton—and hosts a variety of free events to enhance your experience.
Thrill seekers and adrenaline fanatics enjoy Ripley's Haunted Adventure Laser Strike, which combines the spookiness of a haunted house with the thrills of laser tag. With tickets to this live action haunted experience, you can shoot zombies, run from monsters, and try and keep your cool in the dark. Expect to hear some screams as you go.
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is a relatively new addition to this centuries-old city. Opened in 1979, it was named after a Beaufort mayor and has become a central gathering space, playing host to community festivals and private events throughout the year. On any given day, expect to see locals and visitors relaxing in the park, watching the boats cruise the riverfront.
A former trolley bridge turned waterfront park, the Pitt Street Bridge combines Lowcountry views with a dose of local history. Come to take a walk, kayak, bird-watch, and snap photos of the surrounding marshes and Charleston Harbor. The park is especially popular at sunset when you can catch uninterrupted views of pink skies stretching out to the horizon. Note: Pitt Street Bridge is currently closed but is due to reopen in spring 2025.
Author Pat Conroy was a resident of Beaufort for most of his life, as well as a former English teacher at Beaufort High School, so it’s fitting that the South Carolina city is home to a Literary Center that honors his life and work. The center was established following his death in 2016, and was created to celebrate literature, reading, and writing, through events, arts programs, and as a community resource.
The closest beach to downtown Charleston in South Carolina, Folly Beach is the sugar-sand getaway of choice for anglers, nature lovers, kayakers, boaters, surfers, wildlife-spotters, and sun-worshippers. Located on Folly Island, there’s also an adjacent beach town of the same name, which supplements the area’s natural adventures with local shops, eclectic restaurants, and cute cafés.
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry’s mission is to provide a creative and innovative space for families to discover the power of play. The nonprofit organization offers little ones nine interactive rooms, each with its own theme. From art to science, fantasy to horticulture, this hands-on museum allows kids’ imaginations to run wild.
One of the oldest active Christian churches in the US, St. Helena’s Anglican Church was built in 1724 and modified three times between then and 1824. The church has a rich history, including its use as a Union hospital in the Civil War, and showcases an array of 18th century artifacts.
The awe of a raptor swooping through the South Carolina Lowcountry. A Peregrine Falcon diving on the hunt. An owl taking off from your guide’s leather glove. The Center for Birds of Prey provides much to marvel at, regardless of age or experience. More than 50 species of powerful predators call this spot home—on your visit, you can try to catch ‘em all.
Don't miss the chance to wander the quirky LED-lit hall of mirrors at Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze in Myrtle Beach for a few minutes of baffling fun. This kid-friendly labyrinth is located right on Ocean Boulevard, steps from the boardwalk, making it a great detour for an entertaining adventure.
Once a 2,000-acre cotton plantation, Rose Hill is one of the best-preserved plantation houses in the South—one with a dark, storied past. Today, the former plantation is a 44-acre state historic site, offering visitors a chance to walk halls and trails of Southern history, peek into the 19th century, and learn about life for freedmen and the enslaved during the Civil War.
