Highest-rated free things to do in South Carolina, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in South Carolina, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in South Carolina.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in South Carolina using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Morris Island Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (437 reviews)
- Address: 1750 East Ashley Ave. Folly Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. MarshWalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,244 reviews)
- Address: 3979 Highway 17 Business Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. LuLu's Beach Arcade and Ropes Course
- Rating: 5/5 (281 reviews)
- Address: 4984 Highway 17 South Unit 89 North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Pineapple Fountain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (678 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (746 reviews)
- Address: Greenville, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,288 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (976 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Shem Creek Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (811 reviews)
- Address: Coleman Boulevard Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Duplin Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,045 reviews)
- Address: 4650 Highway 17 South North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach Hwy 17
- Rating: 4/5 (929 reviews)
- Address: 10835 Kings Road Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Congaree National Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (627 reviews)
- Address: 100 National Park Road Hopkins, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve/ Wildlife Management Area
- Rating: 4.5/5 (670 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Sullivan's Island Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (432 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. The Market Common
- Rating: 4.5/5 (568 reviews)
- Address: 4017 Deville St. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Cherry Grove Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (911 reviews)
- Address: N Ocean Blvd. and Sea Mountain Hwy North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Rainbow Row
- Rating: 4/5 (1,529 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Fred W. Symmes Chapel
- Rating: 4.5/5 (178 reviews)
- Address: 100 YMCA Camp Road Cleveland, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Folly Beach Public Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,646 reviews)
- Address: Arctic Ave. Folly Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Battery & White Point Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,461 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade
- Rating: 4/5 (4,329 reviews)
- Address: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Angel Oak Tree
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,454 reviews)
- Address: 3688 Angel Oak Road Johns Island, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Hilton Head Island Bike Trails
- Rating: 5/5 (3,197 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,931 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Barefoot Landing
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,020 reviews)
- Address: 4898 Highway 17 South North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Myrtle Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,968 reviews)
- Address: Ocean Blvd. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Falls Park on the Reedy
- Rating: 5/5 (4,434 reviews)
- Address: 601 South Main St. Greenville, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Coligny Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,306 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Charleston City Market
- Rating: 4/5 (8,217 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Charleston Waterfront Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,656 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Broadway at the Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,098 reviews)
- Address: 1325 Celebrity Circle Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
