Tag: South Carolina

Hilton Head has little to prove as a first-rate beach destination. The 12-mile barrier island, nestled along South Carolina’s coast, stashes 26 championship golf courses, an impressive farm-to-table scene, and a 60-mile network of bike paths between its shorelines. Unlike other resort towns, however, Hilton Head feels folded into the landscape itself.

Lindsay Beck’s grandmother always had “a whole spread of pies” at family dinners and even grew her own rhubarb to use in them. Growing up watching her, Beck was inspired to use fresh ingredients to create her own desserts. Now the pastry chef at CAMP Modern American Eatery in Greenville, South Carolina, she crafts sophisticated sweets with a touch of nostalgia.

High yield and hardy, okra thrives in the unrelenting heat of the South’s summer months. Thought to have been introduced to Louisiana from West Africa during the early 18th century by enslaved Africans, the plant’s resilience and diverse uses made it integral to the region’s foodways.

A peaceful feeling sets in several miles before pulling up to the Dunlin, the new Auberge Resorts Collection property on Johns Island, South Carolina. Quiet, winding roads lined with moss-draped live oaks lead the way to the Kiawah River resort located just 20 miles from Charleston—close enough to the city’s world-class dining and shopping but just far enough to feel the natural seclusion.  

As much as I love swimming in the ocean, combing for sand dollars, watching pelicans drift along the coast, and eating ice cream by the lighthouse, I was glad for the rain. It slowed us down enough to explore parts of St. Helena’s history.  

Every year over Memorial Day weekend, against the backdrop of the bucolic Beaufort River and under the shade of swaying palmetto trees, the Beaufort waterfront comes alive with the colors, sounds, and tastes of West Africa. You can almost feel the music before you hear it—the pounding percussion of complex African American beats as history comes to life with The Original Gullah Festival at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Nestled under ancient oaks and cradled by the quiet May River, Bluffton retains a sepia-toned serenity that underscores its billing as the “last true coastal village in the South.” Those who love rambling will appreciate this town's unhurried pace and walkable charm steeped in Lowcountry character.

When Gilded Age glitterati traveled south to escape the Northeast winters in the late 19th century, they brought an indulgent lifestyle and a penchant for equestrian pursuits. Aiken, South Carolina, became known as a winter colony for wealthy sojourners—and a training ground for their racehorses.

Who doesn’t love a long, far-flung vacation? Fortunately, even when a lengthy trip isn’t in the cards, there’s plenty to explore close by. These eight spots are just over the Georgia state line and make ideal stops when you’ve got only a night or two.