Vacation Rentals in South Carolina

With its beach-friendly climate, huge array of places to visit, and excellent accommodation, South Carolina is surely one of America's most appealing destinations. It's the kind of place where you can tour battlefields and other historic sights, play golf at world class courses, or spend a week in the sunshine perfecting your tan.

South Carolina isn't a large state at around 48,000 square kilometers, but it's still important to know where to base yourself. For some people, the star of the state is its Atlantic coast, also known as the Carolina Sandhills. But the inland Piedmont has its charms, as do the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwestern part of the state.

If you are heading to the coast, it's best to fly into Charleston International Airport, although Myrtle Beach is also served by a number of major airlines. When heading to the mountains, Greenville-Spartanburg is more suitable, and also has plenty of connections.

South Carolina has some of the finest courses in the USA, including iconic venues like Harbor Town Links and Kiawah Island, but there are less well-known gems all over the state.

South Carolina tastes as good as it looks. Whether you dine on BBQ pulled pork with slaw or biscuits and hush puppies, you're in for a feast of good old southern cooking.

The Atlantic coast is studded with incredible resorts. From fun-loving Myrtle Beach to upscale Hilton Head, everyone can find somewhere that suits their tastes and needs.

Charleston is a 19th century jewel. It was here that the Civil War began with the firing on Fort Sumter, and downtown is full of sights like the opulent Nathaniel Russell House and the colorful homes of Rainbow Row.

The state's leading amusement park, Carowinds features the Giga 325 – one of the world's fastest rollercoasters, as well as Camp Snoopy, which is great fun for kids.

SC is full of beautiful antebellum plantations, and none are more elegant than Boone Hall, which was founded in 1734, and where the “slave street” adds a powerful, fascinating history lesson.

Located in central South Carolina, Congaree is famous for its boardwalks across swamps and rivers. Walking the trails is fun, but canoeing the swamps is also a magical experience.

College sports are huge in SC, and visitors can catch the USC's Gamecocks in action at Columbia's Williams-Brice Stadium – along with 80,000 other passionate fans.

Generally speaking, places like Myrtle Beach are at their best in July and August, although May and June can be slightly less busy and still have great weather. If you're driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, fall is an amazing time to go, while sports fans may want to visit during the football season, from August to February.

Highlights of the South Carolina calendar range from sporting spectacles like NASCAR's Southern 500, held in Darlington, SC every may, to nationally important art events like the Artisphere, held in Greenville (also in May). Quirkier events include the Festival of Flowers, which you'll find in historic Beaufort in June.