Who says “nothing in life is free?” Well, in the case of these 15 amazing attractions in the Palmetto State, those people are wrong.
Find yourself zipping along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, touring the only tea plantation in America, or roaming through a garden doused with heavenly-scented plants as you make your way through this massive list of things you can do for free in South Carolina.
- Charleston Tea Plantation - Wadmalaw Island
Charleston Tea Plantation
Visit this one-of-its-kind American tea plantation and see the fields of tea bushes where this and at least nine other tea varieties are grown.
Charleston Tea Plantation Indulge in a free factory tour and an amazing gift shop full of - you guessed it - tea stuff. It’s perfect for early holiday shopping, or just to browse or buy yourself a treat.
TripAdvisor/jpahter Tour the plantation and above activities on foot for free. Optional trolley tours are a (small) fee. Charleston Tea Plantation 6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487 Phone: More information including hours here.
- The Gardens of the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion - Columbia
Facebook/South Carolina Lace House The “secret” gardens surrounding the South Carolina’s Governor’s mansion are open to the public. Find yourself in awe of how you’ve gone this long without even realizing this was here and free.
South Carolina Governor’s Mansion gardens 800 Richland Street, Columbia, SC More information in this article we published.
- Campbells Covered Bridge - Landrum
Flickr/David History buffs will love the rich story behind this bridge, the only old-timey covered bridge remaining in the state. Read more about it here. Campbell’s Covered Bridge 171 Campbell Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356
- Visit the City of Landrum
Facebook/City of Landrum While you’re in Landrum to visit Campbell’s Covered Bridge head over to this magical town that’s straight out of a fairy tale. Together with Pickens and Greenville, Landrum is part of a trio of perfect cities to visit in the Upstate. Read more about Landrum in this article.
- Charleston (open-air) City Market - Charleston
TripAdvisor/DrSkippy If you’re a native, hear me out. This market is a blast if you go when it’s not super crowded. Plan your excursion to avoid busy weekends and go early in the mornings. The Charleston City Market is akin to a bonafide flea market with everything from new items, antiques like jewelry, locally-made preserves, plants and plenty of those sweetgrass baskets that Charleston is so famous for. Charleston City Market 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401 More information including hours
- South Carolina Botanical Garden - Clemson
Yelp/Chuck N A division of Clemson University, the SC Botanical Garden is 295 acres of nature trails, themed gardens and natural landscapes. There’s also a unique little hut built around a natural spring. Read more about it in this article we published in 2016. South Carolina Botanical Garden Clemson University, 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29634 Phone: (864) 656-3405 More information here, including hours and special events.
- Angel Oak - Johns Island
Yelp/Matty B It’s safe to say the Angel Oak tree may be the top free outdoor attraction in the state. Visitors are drawn to this tree that has an unwavering spirit. It’s speculated to be as old as 1500 years. It’s like visiting an outdoor art gallery with only one exhibit. Angel Oak 3671 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
- The South Carolina Maritime Museum - Georgetown
TripAdvisor/TimeToTravel2468 Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina and one of the three remaining South Carolina fishing villages that seem frozen in time. Visit the (free) Maritime Musuem on Front Street and marvel at the relics they’ve saved over the centuries. After, head outside to stroll around historic Georgetown and love every minute of it. South Carolina Maritime Museum 729 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday More information on their wonderful website
- Greenville County Museum of Art - Greenville
TripAdvisor/management View the largest collection of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, one of the most iconic American artists in the 20th Century. In fact, many Wyeth family members were lauded as influential and there are several Wyeth family works on display at this gallery in Greenville. Although it’s not outdoors, this museum is worth the drive all by itself. Add a spectacular free outdoor attraction to the trip by popping over to a fabulous park that’s hiding in plain sight in downtown Greenville. Read on to learn more about it. Greenville County Museum of Art 420 College St, Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 271-7570 More information including gallery hours here
- Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville
TripAdvisor/Sarah G
Yelp/Susan H Head over to Greenville to a park right in downtown with a waterfall that spans the width of the entire river. Falls Park on the Reedy and surrounding attractions, including an outdoor amphitheatre with free concerts, is an explosion of colors in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons with many elevations to explore, including trails that meander along the river bottom. Falls Park on the Reedy 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601 More information in this article from OnlyInSouthCarolina
- God’s Acre Healing Springs - Blackville
TripAdvisor/TryppAdams There are scores of people who swear by the healing properties of the water flowing from these quirky pipes. (You all know who you are!) Bring some empty bottles and take some home to find out for yourself! God’s Acre Healing Springs Springs Ct, Blackville, SC 29817 Hours: always open
- Kings Mountain National Military Park - Blacksburg
Steve Markos A major Revolutionary War battle took place on these hallowed grounds. A national monument honors the men who fought and/or died here. In addition to those significant moments in time, this park’s ancient history includes some volcanic activity right here in South Carolina. Read more about that in this article we published. Kings Mountain National Military Park 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702 More information including hours and holiday closures here
- Brasstown Falls - Westminster
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu Spend a day in the wild chasing this magnificent waterfall as it drops 120 feet in three sections into the Brasstown Valley. Its location makes it easy to get to and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Palmetto State. Brasstown Falls Westminster, SC Directions and more information here
- Ninety-Six National Historic Site - Ninety Six
Steve Markos
wikipedia/C24winagain The first land battle of the Revolutionary War south of New England ocurred at Star Fort at Ninety-Six in 1775. The historic site includes 1,000 acres for you to explore and discover evidence of this pre-Revolutionary War “city” that once thrived here. The Battlefield and “ghost town” are located approximately two miles south of present day Ninety Six, South Carolina. Ninety Six National Historic Site 1103 Hwy 248 S, Ninety Six, SC 29666 More information including hours
- South Carolina Scenic Byways - statewide
Flickr/rocor Roll down the windows and take a drive along one of the Scenic byways in South Carolina. Find yourself zipping along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or trailing under the canopy of Spanish moss-covered old Oak trees. You’ll find a list of the state’s scenic byways from the SCDOT here. Read more about 8 of them in this OnlyInSouthCarolina article.
If you’re looking for even more fun things to do, you can’t miss this list of 10 of the weirdest places, attractions, and activities in South Carolina.
Charleston Tea Plantation
Visit this one-of-its-kind American tea plantation and see the fields of tea bushes where this and at least nine other tea varieties are grown.
Indulge in a free factory tour and an amazing gift shop full of - you guessed it - tea stuff. It’s perfect for early holiday shopping, or just to browse or buy yourself a treat.
TripAdvisor/jpahter
Tour the plantation and above activities on foot for free. Optional trolley tours are a (small) fee. Charleston Tea Plantation 6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487 Phone: More information including hours here.
Facebook/South Carolina Lace House
The “secret” gardens surrounding the South Carolina’s Governor’s mansion are open to the public. Find yourself in awe of how you’ve gone this long without even realizing this was here and free.
South Carolina Governor’s Mansion gardens 800 Richland Street, Columbia, SC More information in this article we published.
Flickr/David
History buffs will love the rich story behind this bridge, the only old-timey covered bridge remaining in the state. Read more about it here. Campbell’s Covered Bridge 171 Campbell Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356
Facebook/City of Landrum
While you’re in Landrum to visit Campbell’s Covered Bridge head over to this magical town that’s straight out of a fairy tale. Together with Pickens and Greenville, Landrum is part of a trio of perfect cities to visit in the Upstate. Read more about Landrum in this article.
TripAdvisor/DrSkippy
If you’re a native, hear me out. This market is a blast if you go when it’s not super crowded. Plan your excursion to avoid busy weekends and go early in the mornings. The Charleston City Market is akin to a bonafide flea market with everything from new items, antiques like jewelry, locally-made preserves, plants and plenty of those sweetgrass baskets that Charleston is so famous for. Charleston City Market 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401 More information including hours
Yelp/Chuck N
A division of Clemson University, the SC Botanical Garden is 295 acres of nature trails, themed gardens and natural landscapes. There’s also a unique little hut built around a natural spring. Read more about it in this article we published in 2016. South Carolina Botanical Garden Clemson University, 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29634 Phone: (864) 656-3405 More information here, including hours and special events.
Yelp/Matty B
It’s safe to say the Angel Oak tree may be the top free outdoor attraction in the state. Visitors are drawn to this tree that has an unwavering spirit. It’s speculated to be as old as 1500 years. It’s like visiting an outdoor art gallery with only one exhibit. Angel Oak 3671 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
TripAdvisor/TimeToTravel2468
Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina and one of the three remaining South Carolina fishing villages that seem frozen in time. Visit the (free) Maritime Musuem on Front Street and marvel at the relics they’ve saved over the centuries. After, head outside to stroll around historic Georgetown and love every minute of it. South Carolina Maritime Museum 729 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday More information on their wonderful website
TripAdvisor/management
View the largest collection of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, one of the most iconic American artists in the 20th Century. In fact, many Wyeth family members were lauded as influential and there are several Wyeth family works on display at this gallery in Greenville. Although it’s not outdoors, this museum is worth the drive all by itself. Add a spectacular free outdoor attraction to the trip by popping over to a fabulous park that’s hiding in plain sight in downtown Greenville. Read on to learn more about it. Greenville County Museum of Art 420 College St, Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 271-7570 More information including gallery hours here
TripAdvisor/Sarah G
Yelp/Susan H
Head over to Greenville to a park right in downtown with a waterfall that spans the width of the entire river. Falls Park on the Reedy and surrounding attractions, including an outdoor amphitheatre with free concerts, is an explosion of colors in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons with many elevations to explore, including trails that meander along the river bottom. Falls Park on the Reedy 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601 More information in this article from OnlyInSouthCarolina
TripAdvisor/TryppAdams
There are scores of people who swear by the healing properties of the water flowing from these quirky pipes. (You all know who you are!) Bring some empty bottles and take some home to find out for yourself! God’s Acre Healing Springs Springs Ct, Blackville, SC 29817 Hours: always open
Steve Markos
A major Revolutionary War battle took place on these hallowed grounds. A national monument honors the men who fought and/or died here. In addition to those significant moments in time, this park’s ancient history includes some volcanic activity right here in South Carolina. Read more about that in this article we published. Kings Mountain National Military Park 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702 More information including hours and holiday closures here
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu
Spend a day in the wild chasing this magnificent waterfall as it drops 120 feet in three sections into the Brasstown Valley. Its location makes it easy to get to and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Palmetto State. Brasstown Falls Westminster, SC Directions and more information here
wikipedia/C24winagain
The first land battle of the Revolutionary War south of New England ocurred at Star Fort at Ninety-Six in 1775. The historic site includes 1,000 acres for you to explore and discover evidence of this pre-Revolutionary War “city” that once thrived here. The Battlefield and “ghost town” are located approximately two miles south of present day Ninety Six, South Carolina. Ninety Six National Historic Site 1103 Hwy 248 S, Ninety Six, SC 29666 More information including hours
Flickr/rocor
Roll down the windows and take a drive along one of the Scenic byways in South Carolina. Find yourself zipping along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or trailing under the canopy of Spanish moss-covered old Oak trees. You’ll find a list of the state’s scenic byways from the SCDOT here. Read more about 8 of them in this OnlyInSouthCarolina article.
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