15 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways From Charleston (2024)
Many people consider Charleston one of the best cities in South Carolina. You can consider going on a long weekend to visit every place possible. The neighborhood around Charleston is jam-packed with incredible travel attractions for every age group. These include ancient plantation homes, relaxing barrier islands, and small villages and towns.
15 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways From Charleston
If you wish to escape the busy city life and admire nature, check out these amazing weekend getaways and day trips from Charleston.
1. Bee City Zoo
Bee City is a great choice if you are going on a day trip with the entire family. You can get a chance to witness a fully functional beehive separated by a glass wall with appropriate safety. You can learn about the numerous honeybee species you might have never known existed.
The field trip conducted by the organizers provides you to create small beeswax figures or candles and jug some honey for yourself. The field trip allows groups of fifteen or more people. The petting zoo houses ringtail lemurs, monkeys, alpacas, etc., and is open to public visits.
Distance from Charleston: 38.4 miles
2. Edisto Island
The isolated coastal paradise of an island sits between the mouths of the North and South Edisto Rivers. It is a perfect place for those coming for a nice short vacation. The major forms of amusement on Edisto Island are hiking, camping, kayaking, and merely strolling around the beach. The island’s city center has some of the best museums, shops, and restaurants. A popular and hyped activity is boating which you should not miss out on when on the island. The coastal waters are also excellent for catching fish. Visitors with no private boat can reserve a charter to take them out to the Gulf Stream.
Distance from Charleston: 44.8 miles
3. Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown lies between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. It is usually ignored due to its more popular neighbors, but visitors who choose to visit here take no regrets and always leave delighted. It has beautiful plantation homes and is rich in culture and history. You can be a part of the walking or self-guided tours using the detailed maps provided at the Visitor’s Center.
Distance from Charleston: 60.9 miles
4. Beaufort
The captivating Beaufort city is located on Port Royal Island, one of the largest sea islands along the coast of South Carolina. The island is lined with top-notch restaurants, distinguished art galleries, and much more. The streets are surrounded by fern oak trees and magnificent antebellum villas built before the Civil War; the downtown area has been identified as a National Historic Landmark district.
Even though the visitors are welcome to explore the area on their own, it is recommended to sign up for a savvy walking tour or board a classy horse-drawn carriage to engage with the area’s vibe.
Distance from Charleston: 70.4 miles
5. Hilton Head
A semi-tropical island, Hilton Head, is quite famous among travelers who want a luxurious weekend getaway. It sits at the southern tip of the South Carolina shoreline. It flaunts the white sand stretching 12 miles of beaches and attracts visitors to participate in watersports activities like parasailing and kayaking.
If you enjoy staying on the dry land, you can check out any golf courses on the island. You can even go wildlife watching or loosen up by the pool at a luxurious resort.
Distance from Charleston: 98.4 miles
6. McClellanville
McClellanville is a small fishing village with an interesting history. The Francis Marion National Forest surrounds it. It holds a shrimp festival yearly in May to commemorate the community’s expertise and success in the fishing sector. However, you can visit McClellanville any time of the year. Don’t miss out on visiting Bulls Island nearby, where you can find many hiking trails and an impressive, clean beach. You can take a ferry to get around Bulls Island.
Distance from Charleston: 39.4 miles
7. Oaks Plantation Campground
Oaks Plantation Campground is a campsite in Charleston. It offers various activities and events for visitors, including horse riding, swimming, fishing, and much more. The campground also has many beautiful ponds and trees. The campground is open from May 1 to September 30th. The per day cost for staying at the campground is $8.
Distance from Charleston: 11.1 miles
8. Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island is a barrier island popular for its 10 miles of dazzling beaches and golf courses. Apart from these, there are over 30 miles of walking and cycling pathways and a classy spa resort. Moreover, there are ample opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation, including charter sea fishing and paddleboarding.
Water activities are tiring, so you can grab a bite at one of the waterfront eateries. They serve a delicious and wide variety of seafood.
Distance from Charleston: 26.5 miles
9. Walterboro
Walterboro is also referred to as the “Front Porch of the Lowcountry” by the locals. This small town is just the perfect place to relax on a warm sunny day. Just a few minutes away is the scenic Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an eco-friendly place to visit with family and have a serene time.
East Washington Street downtown is filled with shops offering antique stuff to buy. You should also take some time and visit the well-known South Carolina Artisans Center, displaying and selling folk art and crafts created by artists of South Carolina.
Distance from Charleston: 48.8 miles
10. St. Helena Island
The broad St. Helena Island is secluded from the mainland by the Beaufort River and many small creeks. It gives a peek into rural South Carolinian culture. Treat your tastebuds to freshly cooked seafood if you take a halt at a community fish shack or book a place at any good restaurant.
Distance from Charleston: 79.3 miles
11. Mepkin Abbey
Mepkin Abbey is a monastery that lies on a bluff with an enchanting view of the Cooper River. It was founded in 1949 by a group of Roman Catholic monks. You can access the grounds and gardens for self-exploration. But, only guided tours are permitted within the Church. The guided tours are offered from Tuesday to Saturday.
All the guests are requested to check into the gift shop, where they can view a wide range of goods, such as gourmet oyster mushrooms grown and threshed on the abbey grounds. If you come here with a group of 10 or more, you must make reservations early.
Distance from Charleston: 41.6 miles
12. Bluffton
Bluffton is a friendly village on the banks of the gorgeous May River. It is popular for its booming arts and culture scene, excellent restaurants, and matchless boutique shops. The ancient Church of the Cross, which features a rose-hued sanctuary and palmetto-shaped detailing, is the real architectural highlight of the village.
Whenever you are in the mood to shop, the Promenade is the go-to place. If you have time for a light snack, halt by the Bluffton Oyster Factory to sample oysters from River May.
Distance from Charleston: 93.2 miles
13. Shem Creek
Shem Creek has everything you’d probably need for water-based activities. The little ones will love Shem Creek owing to the expansive range of active options, including paddleboarding, boating, and kayaking. You can also spot dolphins here often.
You can admire the sunset view while enjoying the mouth-watering food at one of the eateries close to the creek.
Distance from Charleston: 7.7 miles
14. Camp Happy Days at Hilton Head Island Resort
From swimming and fishing to hiking and golfing, Camp Happy Days at Hilton Head Island Resort offers a broad range of activities and attractions. The campsite is a fantastic place to relax for a day or two by the pool or beach because it also has several restaurants and bars.
Campers can find plenty of things to do here, including water skiing, boating, fishing, water-skiing/inflatable rafting, golfing (including round-trip flights to Myrtle Beach), rappelling, horseback riding, blackjack poker playing, and more.
The island resort is located across the bridge from Hilton Head Island State Park. It offers access to kayaking/canoeing/surfing within the park and several miles of hiking trails that lead down into the Gulf of Mexico.
Distance from Charleston: 6.7 miles
15. Mt. Pleasant/Charleston KOA
Mt. Pleasant KOA is situated in the heart of Charleston, only some minutes away from the city center. The park offers various activities, including camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Reservations are recommended for these activities as there is usually high demand and often sell out hastily.
The KOA offers complimentary food and drinks during open days and has a playground, basketball court, and beach access. An on-site store here sells noodles, drinks, snacks, etc. There are typically several events each year at Mt. Pleasant, including concerts by local bands and family fun days like Hike or Beach Day, which offer free admission to the park for all visitors.
Distance from Charleston: 13.0 miles
Conclusion
The article has provided you with possibly all the best places around Charleston. You won’t regret visiting any of these if you like to travel and explore new places and different cultures. Plan your next weekend to visit the places above.
