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Editor s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sunny Lowcountry shores, South Carolina truly has something for every type of traveler. Growing up in the Palmetto State, I spent summers building sandcastles on Hilton Head Island, boating around Lake Murrary and Lake Hartwell, and hiking through national and state parks. With mountains, midlands, and picturesque beaches, the state abounds with natural beauty, but there s more to South Carolina than beautiful sights (even though they are pretty spectacular). There are countless things to do, people to meet, and delicious food to eat, too.
Share By Stratton Lawrence February 26, 2021
Hilton Head s 12 miles of beaches and slow pace of life have drawn families and travelers for decades. Two dozen golf courses weave through the island s 25,000 acres, including the internationally renowned Harbour Town Golf Links. Balmy, breezy weather makes it a haven for world-class tennis and excellent inshore fishing, while an island-wide network of paved trails makes it possible to travel the island from end to end via bicycle.
Before 1956, when the first bridge opened, Hilton Head was a sleepy Southern island. It takes its name from Captain William Hilton, who claimed it for the British crown in 1663. Hundreds of enslaved people toiled on the island s cotton and rice plantations before Union soldiers liberated them in 1861, leading to a century of Gullah-Geechee culture. In the 1960s, the island saw the rapid expansion of tourist infr