Spring will be here before we know it. Once the holidays pass us by, the countdown to spring will begin. With the strange way 2020 has us all living, being outdoors is definitely how many of us will be looking to spend time during Spring 2021.
Spring in South Carolina
With temperatures ranging from the 70’s to 80’s, Spring is an ideal time to discover South Carolina’s colorful outdoors. With the pink, white and red hues of the Dogwoods, bright and bushy Azaleas and Yellow Jessamine’s dotting the landscape, the Palmetto state’s gorgeous gardens and parks are things of awe.
South Carolina is broken down into three specific regions so you can choose your region based on what you love to do. The Mountains Region offers – you guessed it – mountains! The Midlands encompasses the middle of the state and the Coast region covers all the beaches.
South Carolina is full of many touring possibilities. You can tour by foot, boat, jet ski or horseback. Eco-tourism is available in all areas of the Lowcountry. See Gullah history come to life on Hilton Head St. Helena’s Island. Area history tours are available by foot, bus or horse-drawn carriage.
South Carolina offers so much to see and do, from a variety of recreational pursuits (fishing, sailing, hunting, bird watching, paddling, surfing, golf, and tennis, to name a few) to seeing the sites (lighthouses, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, concerts, and movie locations).
With so many things to do in South Carolina, the possibilities are endless.
Gardens
From the South Carolina Botanical Garden in the Upstate to Swan Lake Iris Gardensin the Midlands to Brookgreen Gardens on the Coast, discover some of South Carolina’s most breathtaking and scenic gardens.
Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet): Covering more than 9,000 acres, Brookgreen was the first public sculpture garden built in the U.S. The garden was opened to the public in 1931 by its founders Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. This National Historic Landmark is home to more than 2,000 works created by more than 450 artists. At Brookgreen Gardens, you can experience the serenity of nature and art all in one place.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens (Sumter): Swan Lake Iris Gardens is home to some of the nation’s most intensive plantings of Japanese iris which bloom yearly in mid to late May and last until the beginning of June. The garden also boasts of colorful camelias, azaleas, day lilies, and Japanese magnolias. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is also the only park in the United States to feature all eight swan species. The beautiful lake is dotted with colorful islands, and wildlife is abundant.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden (Clemson) is a diverse 295 acres of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of streams and nature trails. Together with distinguished education and outreach programs, a nationally recognized nature-based sculpture collection, and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, the SCBG is a premier site for experiencing nature and culture.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is home to an official American Hosta Society Display Garden, a 70-acre arboretum, miles of nature trails and streams, a butterfly garden, wildflower meadow and fern and bog gardens. The Garden is also home to over 400 varieties of camellias, as well as an extensive collection of hollies, hydrangeas, magnolias and native plants.
Parks
Spanning the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast, South Carolina State Parks boast more than 90,000 acres of protected lands. Whether you’re seeking the adventure of a lifetime or a sunny spot for a family picnic, the 47 state parks in South Carolina offer the perfect backdrop.
Suggestions include Congaree National Park, Hickory Knob State Park and Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site.
Congaree National Park (30 minutes from Columbia, SC): Often thought of as the best time to visit this hidden gem National Park, Spring brings warm temperatures comfortable for hiking along the trails blooming with old growth forest that includes Loblolly pines, Sweetgum, Cyprus and Tupelo trees.
Hickory Knob State Park and Resort (McCormick, SC): Located in a serene and remote location in South Carolina’s midlands, golfers will enjoy an 18-hole championship golf course in the midst of gorgeous, green rolling hills and lakeside views.
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site (Bluffton, SC): Take some time to learn a bit more about American and South Carolina history at this well preserved plantation home, while taking in the scent of the blooming 200 year old magnolia trees located in the mansion’s gardens.
Festivals and Fairs
Each year, South Carolina hosts more than 300 fairs and festivals around the state, celebrating everything from food and wine to art, music, Gullah culture and azaleas.
You can sit front row at a fashion show, try your first taste of Frogmore stew or sip craft beer as a homegrown bluegrass band plays the soundtrack. Get a taste of something unexpected at a wide variety of exciting festivals, and discover everything that makes South Carolina Just Right.
April through June South Carolina offers the majority of their festivals and fairs so Spring is the perfect time to check out as many as you can.
Camping
Discover the difference of waking up in the great outdoors. South Carolina’s state parks offer spectacular views, unique activities and a variety of accommodations so you can wake up a happy camper.
Whether you’re planning an adventure for the whole family or a romantic mountain cabin getaway for two, you can find your perfect camping destination in one of South Carolina’s 47 state parks.
Go For It
From the mountains to the midlands to the coast, there’s always something new to discover in South Carolina. Whether you’re a South Carolina local or planning your first visit, get inspired to try something new in the Palmetto State.
