Whether your head is fully engaged in planning your year advance or not, South Carolina is a treasure trove of endless fun just waiting to happen. Bucket lists, New Year’s resolutions… they’re sometimes the same thing, right? So, resolve to put these 15 fun activities on your bucket list for 2019 and you’ll have an awesome year ahead.
- Spend a day by — or on — this crystal clear mountain lake
Facebook/South Carolina State Parks The crystalline, clear water of this mountain lake are simply mesmerizing. Plus, since the lake is filled by various cold mountain streams, it’s a fantastic place to cool off in the heat of the summer. Camp or rent a cabin at the state park that provides the only public access to the lake; but make reservations early, the camp sites and the cabins book up fast! Get the deets in this previous article, and enjoy!
- Hike to a secluded waterfall beach.
Google Maps/Layla Warren After a relatively short hike through the woods, you’ll enjoy a day in the sun on this hidden beach at the base of a 12-foot high waterfall. Get all of the details in this previously published article!
- Spend the night, a weekend, or a week at this water park campground.
Google Maps You’ll love the convenience of the water park that is adjacent to this family campground. Enjoy hours of fun every day, plus the park has other outdoor activities as well, like hiking and canoeing. Find it all at James Island County Park. Learn more in this previously published article.
- Go see lightning bugs swarm through a national park.
Flickr/ 李 彥璋 In the early days of summer, go to Congaree National Park to watch this annual firefly mating ritual. It really IS something! Get the details here.
- Step back in time to the good old days at this natural swimming hole.
Google Maps/The Campfire Queen Hiking/Camping Summertime fun in South Carolina simply has to include a visit to a swimming hole that takes us back to our youth and perhaps a time before big, fancy water parks. This is the ideal spot for a good, old-fashioned step back in time. Grab all of the details from this link.
- Take an epic hike on a trail filled with bridges and tree tunnels.
Google Maps/Layla Warren The Palmetto Trail is broken into passages to make it easier to experience the trail in short segments. There’s one amazing passage with 14 bridges, including converted train trestles — and endless tree tunnels. If you only take one epic hike all year, make it this one. Get more info and see more images in this article.
- Indulge your sweet tooth on a road trip filled with chocolate.
Google Maps [enhanced] Travel to seven old-school chocolate shops and stock up on enough gourmet chocolate, fudge, and more to last you the entire year. You’ll find the map and details for each chocolate stop in this article.
- Fill your pantry and your tummy with freshly baked (and cooked) Amish goods at this Amish Bakery and Buffet.
TripAdvisor/Вячеслав Б Few things are better than the hearty, wholesome goodness found at this Amish buffet in South Carolina. If you haven’t discovered the delicious food and freshly baked breads and more, then you’re in for a treat. Get this one on the bucket list asap. You’ll find the delicious details at this link.
- Take a short boat ride to see the secret South Carolina island filled with rhesus monkeys.
Flickr/shankar s. Of course, you won’t want to actually get off the boat because the monkeys are, let’s say, territorial and not very receptive to visitors — but you can hire a captain to get you over next to the island where you’ll be able to see their cuteness and take as many photos as you like. Can you believe we have an island filled with monkeys?! Get the details here.
- Go check out the spirit vibes at one of the most haunted bridges in the country.
TripAdvisor/Veronesi413 See if you sense the paranormal activity often reported by visitors to this spooky old bridge. And if you don’t believe in ghosts, visit the bridge anyway… it’s the oldest surviving bridge in South Carolina. Learn more here.
- Indulge your BBQ cravings and visit an old-timey country store at the same time.
Google Maps/Adam Parish At trip to this nostalgic gas station/general store/BBQ haven is definitely worth the drive! Find out all there is to see and eat at this off-the-beaten-path spot by reading this previously published article.
- (Antique) shop ’til you drop in a tiny town loaded with stores filled with vintage items.
Facebook/Expressions Florist & Antiques If you find it hard to resist a good vintage store, just wait ’til you’re in a town that’s filled with them! Shop ’til you drop, right after you get all of the info from this article.
- Speaking of shopping…
Google Maps/Mary Liz Fabric Outlet Make 2019 the year you tackle some of those redecorating projects you’ve been thinking of. To save some dough, head to this massive fabric (and more!) warehouse in the Palmetto State. It’s brimming with designer fabrics, wallpapers (and more!) at deep discounts. Get the scoop in this article.
- Head to the most unassuming of restaurants for some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever had.
Google Maps/Hugh Jones This little eatery is so hidden, only the locals know about it. And once you find it, you’ll likely want to keep it all to yourself too! Find out why (and where it’s located) in this article.
- And last, but certainly not least, resolve to make 2019 the year you spend more time at this divinely beautiful spot in the Palmetto State.
Google Maps/Brent Young Fred W. Symmes Chapel, also known as Pretty Place, is among the most inspirational of places you can go in South Carolina. Access can be limited so it’s important to know the schedule. Get the details here and enjoy every moment at this magnificent place.
So many adventures ahead! Can you get to them all in the coming year?
Facebook/South Carolina State Parks
The crystalline, clear water of this mountain lake are simply mesmerizing. Plus, since the lake is filled by various cold mountain streams, it’s a fantastic place to cool off in the heat of the summer. Camp or rent a cabin at the state park that provides the only public access to the lake; but make reservations early, the camp sites and the cabins book up fast! Get the deets in this previous article, and enjoy!
Google Maps/Layla Warren
After a relatively short hike through the woods, you’ll enjoy a day in the sun on this hidden beach at the base of a 12-foot high waterfall. Get all of the details in this previously published article!
Google Maps
You’ll love the convenience of the water park that is adjacent to this family campground. Enjoy hours of fun every day, plus the park has other outdoor activities as well, like hiking and canoeing. Find it all at James Island County Park. Learn more in this previously published article.
Flickr/ 李 彥璋
In the early days of summer, go to Congaree National Park to watch this annual firefly mating ritual. It really IS something! Get the details here.
Google Maps/The Campfire Queen Hiking/Camping
Summertime fun in South Carolina simply has to include a visit to a swimming hole that takes us back to our youth and perhaps a time before big, fancy water parks. This is the ideal spot for a good, old-fashioned step back in time. Grab all of the details from this link.
The Palmetto Trail is broken into passages to make it easier to experience the trail in short segments. There’s one amazing passage with 14 bridges, including converted train trestles — and endless tree tunnels. If you only take one epic hike all year, make it this one. Get more info and see more images in this article.
Google Maps [enhanced]
Travel to seven old-school chocolate shops and stock up on enough gourmet chocolate, fudge, and more to last you the entire year. You’ll find the map and details for each chocolate stop in this article.
TripAdvisor/Вячеслав Б
Few things are better than the hearty, wholesome goodness found at this Amish buffet in South Carolina. If you haven’t discovered the delicious food and freshly baked breads and more, then you’re in for a treat. Get this one on the bucket list asap. You’ll find the delicious details at this link.
Flickr/shankar s.
Of course, you won’t want to actually get off the boat because the monkeys are, let’s say, territorial and not very receptive to visitors — but you can hire a captain to get you over next to the island where you’ll be able to see their cuteness and take as many photos as you like. Can you believe we have an island filled with monkeys?! Get the details here.
TripAdvisor/Veronesi413
See if you sense the paranormal activity often reported by visitors to this spooky old bridge. And if you don’t believe in ghosts, visit the bridge anyway… it’s the oldest surviving bridge in South Carolina. Learn more here.
Google Maps/Adam Parish
At trip to this nostalgic gas station/general store/BBQ haven is definitely worth the drive! Find out all there is to see and eat at this off-the-beaten-path spot by reading this previously published article.
Facebook/Expressions Florist & Antiques
If you find it hard to resist a good vintage store, just wait ’til you’re in a town that’s filled with them! Shop ’til you drop, right after you get all of the info from this article.
Google Maps/Mary Liz Fabric Outlet
Make 2019 the year you tackle some of those redecorating projects you’ve been thinking of. To save some dough, head to this massive fabric (and more!) warehouse in the Palmetto State. It’s brimming with designer fabrics, wallpapers (and more!) at deep discounts. Get the scoop in this article.
Google Maps/Hugh Jones
This little eatery is so hidden, only the locals know about it. And once you find it, you’ll likely want to keep it all to yourself too! Find out why (and where it’s located) in this article.
Google Maps/Brent Young
Fred W. Symmes Chapel, also known as Pretty Place, is among the most inspirational of places you can go in South Carolina. Access can be limited so it’s important to know the schedule. Get the details here and enjoy every moment at this magnificent place.
For more bucket-list items, check out this seafood bucket list!
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