South Carolina is a spot the place you’ll be able to simply splurge or save relying on the path your itinerary takes. On the lavish finish of the spectrum, you’ll be able to get pleasure from five-star boutique lodges and tremendous eating with genuine Southern aptitude within the capital, Columbia, and the cobblestone-clad port metropolis of Charleston.
World-class golf programs and seaside resorts are staples on Hilton Head Island within the South Carolina Lowcountry, whereas amusements and actions – usually for a charge – preserve guests busy in Myrtle Seaside.
The Palmetto State can also be stuffed with bargains, accessible statewide with somewhat preparation and analysis. Even in some luxurious locations, it can save you massive on transportation, sights, and sure, even sought-after tee time. And a few of South Carolina’s greatest discount adventures are those you don’t have to plan or funds for.
Amongst my favourite trip reminiscences within the state are hitting a roadside produce stand for native peaches, visiting native mom-and-pop fuel stations for some boiled peanuts, and making a pit cease at a barbecue joint for some wood-pit roasted goodness with a facet of collard greens.
Better of all, you’ll usually be greeted with a pleasant smile and a flip of phrase to recollect. As you put together on your subsequent South Carolina journey, listed here are some ideas for maximizing your funds.
Take into account your regional airport choices to avoid wasting
South Carolina has three worldwide airports – Greenville-Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach and Charleston – however in comparison with O’Hare Worldwide in Chicago or Los Angeles International Airport, all are visibly much less hectic. Should you can snag a direct or low-cost flight to those spots, achieve this.
If you cannot bag a discount or direct flight, don’t overlook Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International as choices. Weaving these mega-airports into your journey can equate to a whole lot of {dollars} saved.
Atlanta is roughly 120 miles southwest of the South Carolina border, offering a straight shot to the South Carolina Upcountry and cities comparable to Greenville and Spartanburg. Charlotte’s airport is simply 15 miles from the state’s northern border, with Interstate 77 offering a 95-mile path to Columbia.
Journey within the winter for the perfect flight and resort offers
December by means of February is broadly thought of South Carolina’s low season. Temperatures in Columbia, for instance, peak within the mid-50s and dip into the mid-30s at night time. You’ll want a winter coat, however the dough it can save you on flights and lodges gives you a heat glow.
Along with searching main journey websites, make sure you go to resort web sites, or name them for winter getaway offers. From family-friendly resorts in Myrtle Seaside to family-run inns in quaint downtown Florence, Santee, and Beaufort, do some digging and it’ll usually repay.
Hop on a trolley or bus to soak up the cityscape
Within the summertime, when statewide temperatures can creep as much as 100 levels, you may desire a shaded break from sizzling metropolis strolls. For these wanting to soak up metropolis skylines in a cooler, extra leisurely vogue, there are trolley and bus techniques aplenty that will probably be far cheaper than the options.
In Hilton Head, the Sea Pines and Breeze trolleys supply free rides. Charleston’s DASH shuttle can also be free, with routes working each 10 to 45 minutes.
And, in Greenville, the free downtown trolley runs up and down the town’s Important Road core. Columbia’s COMET bus system affords day passes for $4; as a bonus, you get free bike rental together with your cross.
Tee off at twilight in Hilton Head
A spherical of golf at Hilton Head’s prime golf locations – Harbour Town and Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club – can simply run to 3 figures after which some, significantly throughout the spring months.
Golfers trying to maximize their budgets ought to e-book as far upfront as attainable and think about teeing off at twilight (which usually means beginning your spherical later than 3pm).
Snag a snowbird tenting cross for prolonged winter stays
Tenting in South Carolina is a budget-friendly various lodging possibility for nature lovers. Every year, residents of the Northeastern United States migrate away from the chilly and head south for the winter, with the Palmetto State being among the many prime locations.
And these so-called “snowbirds” usually weave in a tenting journey whereas they’re at it. Relying on the positioning and amenities, campsite charges run from about $10 per night time to over $50 for a totally geared up plot. From December by means of February, South Carolina State Parks affords snowbirds a 30-day stay at half-price at chosen parks across the state.
Discover historical past by way of guided strolling excursions
In history-infused cities comparable to Greenville, Charleston and Columbia, you’re sure to have questions whereas gawking at museums and historic estates. Quite than a personal, expensive tour with transport included, think about reserving a less expensive strolling tour.
In Charleston, Free Tours by Foot employs skilled guides who supply weekly ghost and structure walks; visitors can title their very own value however make sure you tip your guides!
In Greenville, the town has mapped out four DIY walking routes, all of that are lower than two miles in size. And in Columbia, the town has weekly Main Street walks on Saturdays that value simply $10, beginning on the Columbia Museum of Artwork.
Buy a state park passport to avoid wasting on admission charges
South Carolina has 47 state parks, with admission usually costing lower than $10 per automobile for every website. If a park-hopping itinerary is on the playing cards, think about a South Carolina State Park Passport for financial savings. For entry to the entire state’s parks, there is a 7-day passport for $65 or a year-long passport for $99.
The all-park possibility is effectively well worth the added dough because it grants free admission to among the state’s largest sights, together with the fortress at Huntington Beach State Park and excursions of historic properties such because the Hampton Plantation and Rose Hill Plantation.
Hit Lake Murray without spending a dime family-friendly occasions galore
Dubbed ‘The Jewel of South Carolina”, this artifical 50,000-acre lake is roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown Columbia. In addition to fishing, boating and {golfing}, the lake and surrounding quaint communities are hotspots without spending a dime household actions.
The city of Chapin has free film nights at Melvin Park, Newberry has a farmers’ and artists’ market with youngsters’ actions, and the Metropolis of West Columbia has a weekly artisan market alongside Assembly Road. Saturday is often the perfect day for a Lake Murray journey – it’s when the occasions are in full circulation.
Obtain the ‘Passport to Enjoyable’ for offers on actions in Myrtle Seaside
Myrtle Beach is a white-sand draped utopia primed for household adventures, however planning a visit to Myrtle Seaside on a funds isn’t any simple process. Whether or not outings are scheduled months upfront or on the fly, the price of sights, meals and the whole lot in between quickly provides up.
Nevertheless, Go to Myrtle Seaside has a free, downloadable Passport to Fun that gives offers on among the metropolis’s most interactive and kid-centric experiences. These offers can embody discounted tickets to WonderWorks Myrtle Beach, The Funplex and Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf and financial savings on watercraft leases.
Navigate Charleston’s breweries aboard the free Brewery District Beer Trolley
Charleston is a craft beer haven however these $5 to $10 brewskis can add up shortly, and after just a few, you shouldn’t be driving anyway.
From 1pm to 9pm on Saturdays, the “Holy Metropolis” has a free shuttle that makes hourly stops at among the metropolis’s most-renowned spots, together with the Tradesman Brewing Company, Baker & Brewer and Munkle Brewing Co. It’s cheaper than taking an Uber to and from every spot and the corporate is often far more entertaining.
Day by day prices in South Carolina
- Primary room for 2: $90–120
- Self-catering house (together with Airbnb): From $140 per night time
- Public transport ticket in a South Carolina metropolis: $1–2
- Boiled peanuts at a fuel station: $2–3
- Cup of espresso: $2–3
- Sandwich: $6–10
- Dinner for 2 at a downtown restaurant: $50–70
- A pint of beer on the bar: $6–7
