Who feels up to a road trip (or two, or three)? We’ve gathered up some of the state’s most iconic landmarks that are rich in history. Start that new bucket list, “SC Landmarks I Must See Before I Die,” and let’s get going.
There’s so much to see and do in this great state. Put on your driving gloves and walking shoes and let’s go see some historical landmarks in South Carolina.
- St Philips Church in historic downtown Charleston, SC.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell St. Philip’s is the oldest congregation in SC. The first church here was wooden and built around 1680. This rendition is stucco and was built in 1836. Youll find it at 142 Church St., Charleston.
- The Famous Peachoid in Gaffney, SC.
Flickr/Trisha Fawver Built in 1981, this unique water tower holds one million gallons of water. It’s located off interstate 85 between exits 90 and 92.
- Boyce Chapel - First Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.
Wikipedia/JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD In 1860 a convention met here and a delegation voted for South Carolina to secede from the U.S. prior to the start of the Civil War. It’s located at 1306 Hampton St., Columbia.
- The Beacon Drive In over in Spartanburg, SC.
Flickr/Dan J The Beacon Drive In is in its 70th year, having opened all the way back in 1946 in Spartanburg. That’s an institution! You’ll find it at 255 John B White Sr Blvd. in Spartanburg.
- Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston.
Flickr/Ken Lund This cable-stayed bridge connecting Charleston to Mt Pleasant is as much a landmark as a tourist attraction. There’s a wide pedestrian lane accessible from either side with a parking area on the Mt. Pleasant side on Coleman Blvd. This new iconic landmark replaced the old and is even more popular.
- Peaches Corner Cafe in Myrtle Beach.
Flickr/Mike Burton This iconic cafe has been a grand strand staple since all the way back in 1937. Wow - that’s a lot of food over the years! You’ll find them at 900 N Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach.
- Harbourtown Lighthouse in Hilton Head, SC.
Flickr/Scott Beale Although it was never an officially sanctioned light, this lighthouse is functioning and is privately owned. It’s located at Harbor Town Marina at 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC.
- Zesto in West Columbia, SC.
Flickr/Ryon Williams Just look for the great big ice cream cone! Zesto’s been dishing up ice cream and food in West Columbia since 1949. That qualifies as a landmark! Find them at 504 12th St, West Columbia, SC.
- The Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC.
Flickr/Eric Smith The first interments in this final resting place were Union soldiers from the Civil War. But this national cemetery has interments from every major conflict on and off American soil. Visit at 1601 Boundary St., Beaufort.
- Charleston’s famous “Rainbow Row.”
Flickr/Barry Peters It’s hard to fathom that this famous landmark was once in deplorable conditions following the Civil War. It’s absolutely beautiful now and a true Charleston landmark. You’ll find it on Charleston’s East Bay Street.
- The “Tunnel Vision” mural painted by artist Blue Sky in Columbia.
Flickr/Quester Mark Painted sometime around 1975, this iconic landmark is the creation of a celebrated SC artist who legally changed his named to Blue Sky. You can find the mural at the corner of Marion St and Hampton St in Columbia, SC.
- The Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
Flickr/Spencer Means Founded in 1816, Emanuel AME is the oldest AME church in the Southern US. It made national news in 2015. Emanuel AME is located at 110 Calhoun St., Charleston.
- Visit the Burt-Stark Mansion in Abbeville.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn This famous landmark is also called the Armistead Burt House, but it’s best known for its other nickname, “The Deathbed of the Confederacy.” You’ll find it at 400 N Main Street in Abbeville, SC.
- Georgetown Light at the entrance to Winyah Bay.
Flickr/Greg Duckworth II The Georgetown Light on North Island at the entrance to Winyah Bay was first constructed out of wood but was destroyed by a storm in 1806. You can only access this historical landmark by boat.
- Poinsett Bridge in Landrum, SC.
Flickr/David Ellis Built in 1820, Poinsett bridge is said to be the oldest bridge in South Carolina. It’s no longer open to vehicle traffic, but you can visit on foot. It’s a short distance from where you’ll park your car. Find it on Callahan Mountain Road in Landrun, SC.
Go ahead, make a day or a weekend of it and have fun! How many of these have you already seen? Did we leave anything off the list? You can feel free to add it in our comments over on Facebook.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
St. Philip’s is the oldest congregation in SC. The first church here was wooden and built around 1680. This rendition is stucco and was built in 1836. Youll find it at 142 Church St., Charleston.
Flickr/Trisha Fawver
Built in 1981, this unique water tower holds one million gallons of water. It’s located off interstate 85 between exits 90 and 92.
Wikipedia/JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD
In 1860 a convention met here and a delegation voted for South Carolina to secede from the U.S. prior to the start of the Civil War. It’s located at 1306 Hampton St., Columbia.
Flickr/Dan J
The Beacon Drive In is in its 70th year, having opened all the way back in 1946 in Spartanburg. That’s an institution! You’ll find it at 255 John B White Sr Blvd. in Spartanburg.
Flickr/Ken Lund
This cable-stayed bridge connecting Charleston to Mt Pleasant is as much a landmark as a tourist attraction. There’s a wide pedestrian lane accessible from either side with a parking area on the Mt. Pleasant side on Coleman Blvd. This new iconic landmark replaced the old and is even more popular.
Flickr/Mike Burton
This iconic cafe has been a grand strand staple since all the way back in 1937. Wow - that’s a lot of food over the years! You’ll find them at 900 N Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach.
Flickr/Scott Beale
Although it was never an officially sanctioned light, this lighthouse is functioning and is privately owned. It’s located at Harbor Town Marina at 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC.
Flickr/Ryon Williams
Just look for the great big ice cream cone! Zesto’s been dishing up ice cream and food in West Columbia since 1949. That qualifies as a landmark! Find them at 504 12th St, West Columbia, SC.
Flickr/Eric Smith
The first interments in this final resting place were Union soldiers from the Civil War. But this national cemetery has interments from every major conflict on and off American soil. Visit at 1601 Boundary St., Beaufort.
Flickr/Barry Peters
It’s hard to fathom that this famous landmark was once in deplorable conditions following the Civil War. It’s absolutely beautiful now and a true Charleston landmark. You’ll find it on Charleston’s East Bay Street.
Flickr/Quester Mark
Painted sometime around 1975, this iconic landmark is the creation of a celebrated SC artist who legally changed his named to Blue Sky. You can find the mural at the corner of Marion St and Hampton St in Columbia, SC.
Flickr/Spencer Means
Founded in 1816, Emanuel AME is the oldest AME church in the Southern US. It made national news in 2015. Emanuel AME is located at 110 Calhoun St., Charleston.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
This famous landmark is also called the Armistead Burt House, but it’s best known for its other nickname, “The Deathbed of the Confederacy.” You’ll find it at 400 N Main Street in Abbeville, SC.
Flickr/Greg Duckworth II
The Georgetown Light on North Island at the entrance to Winyah Bay was first constructed out of wood but was destroyed by a storm in 1806. You can only access this historical landmark by boat.
Flickr/David Ellis
Built in 1820, Poinsett bridge is said to be the oldest bridge in South Carolina. It’s no longer open to vehicle traffic, but you can visit on foot. It’s a short distance from where you’ll park your car. Find it on Callahan Mountain Road in Landrun, SC.
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