Vacationing in South Carolina

[Ghuqu2]

We are looking to go to the beach at the end of of May and thought that south Carolina would be an interesting spot. So far the itinerary is Lexington, Ky (Horse park), Pigeon Forge (Dollywood), then to Charleston, SC for the beach and Ft. Sumter. How are the beaches in or around Charleston? Should we just stay one day there and go to Myrtle Beach? We originally planed to drop down to Savannah, Ga and return through Nashville, TN, but with the flooding we need another plan. What about Wilmington, NC, how are the beaches there? Any help where to go and to avoid would be greatly appreciated.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[jca1]

Pigeon Forge- eat at the Old Mill restaurant and the Applebarn before you leave.

Wilmington NC= hottie beach

Don't know anything else.

[Geezer Glide]

Charleston is very nice and the beaches are great. It's just a short hop down to Savannah, a beautiful city and the beach at Tybee Island is the best. A lot of history and beautiful old homes in Charleston and Savannah. We usually go to Savannah a couple of times per year. I would avoid Myrtle Beach. I live about 12 miles from there and the place has gone down hill fast. Lots of gang activity and violent crime. Also, they have one of the highest sales tax rates in the country in the city of Myrtle Beach.
Wilmington has Kure Beach and Carolina Beach, both very nice.
I agree with jcal1 on the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge.

[WHEC724]

Breakfast at the Apple Barn is a must. Mmm... I gain weight just thinking about it

[Mikhail]

Don't forget that theres a nuke off the coast of Tybee. Most don't know about that one... Over in Charleston theres is a nice clean coast line and the saltwater is not as strong as Myrtle. Myrtle overall sucks in compartion to both.

[Martial Archer]

If you are going to go to Savannah from Charleston, you may want to check out Beaufort (pronounced as it is spelled...not the French pronunciation...that pisses off the locals) which is located +/- 50 miles south of Charleston. State Highway 17 would be the best route. DO NOT speed through the road construction area. The posted speed limit(s) are STRICTLY enforced!

A few things to do:

Hunting Island State Park - located about 15 mile from downtown. A great beach! IMO

Carriage tour of the downtown historic district. You'll see some beautiful antebellum homes & get a taste of the local histroy.

Stroll through waterfront park after the tour & then have dinner at one of the restaurants that overlook the bay. Plum's and Breakwater are good. Do not eat at Kathleen's. Wren's is the best restaurant downtown but does not have the view of the water. Dinner there can be pricey.

Another popular local restaurant is Dockside in Port Royal...a 10 minute drive from the Beaufort waterfront...a great view & awesome local seafood!

[XD in SC]

If you are going to go to Savannah from Charleston, you may want to check out Beaufort (pronounced as it is spelled...not the French pronunciation...that pisses off the locals) which is located +/- 50 miles south of Charleston. State Highway 17 would be the best route. DO NOT speed through the road construction area. The posted speed limit(s) are STRICTLY enforced!

A few things to do:

Hunting Island State Park - located about 15 mile from downtown. A great beach! IMO

Carriage tour of the downtown historic district. You'll see some beautiful antebellum homes & get a taste of the local histroy.

Stroll through waterfront park after the tour & then have dinner at one of the restaurants that overlook the bay. Plum's and Breakwater are good. Do not eat at Kathleen's. Wren's is the best restaraunt downtown but does not have the view of the water. Dinner there can be pricey.

Another popular local restaraunt is Dockside in Port Royal...a 10 minute drive from the Beaufort waterfront...a great view & awesome local seafood!

YEP, I agree with Beaufort. Less hectic that Charleston area, and one of the most beautiful areas in SC.

[First Sgt]

+1 on Pigeon Forge and the AppleBarn
+1 on Visiting Charleston, Ft Sumter, and throw in Patriots Point
+1 On Beaufort and area
+1 on Savannah...what a beautiful town...Tybee ...same same
+1 on Myrtle Beach being the worst choice of all..crime IS high..Gangs active...very expensive

JMO