20 Things South Carolina is Known For

From southern hospitality to beautiful beaches, there are many notable aspects of South Carolina. The things South Carolina is known for include friendly faces, good food, and beautiful sights. South Carolina, also known as the Palmetto State, is the perfect place for exploring nature, dining out, and spending time with friends or family.

To create this list of things South Carolina is known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted several news and lifestyle publications including the U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News Travel, and National Geographic. Here are 20 things South Carolina is known for. (Check out these 25 slang and phrases only Southerners understand.)

Southern Hospitality

• Fact: Visitors of South Carolina describe its residents as friendly, helpful, and polite

Southern hospitality isn’t just about being polite–although you do have to be friendly to show true Southern hospitality. Some other aspects of Southern hospitality include helpfulness and charity. Residents of South Carolina are known for showing this type of genuine friendliness and charm towards others. As soon as you set foot in South Carolina, you’ll see how much the residents exude Southern charm.

Spoleto Festival USA

• Fact: Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti started the Spoleto Festival back in 1977

If you’re a fan of great art and great music, you’re likely familiar with the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina. This festival has been a part of the culture in Charleston since its founding in 1977. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti first started the Spoleto Festival as a counterpart to an Italian festival known as the Festival of Two Worlds. This annual performing arts festival is one of the many unique things about South Carolina.

Charleston

• Fact: Charleston is the largest city in the state and the Charleston Historic District is worth visiting to learn about South Carolina’s history

Speaking of Charleston, it’s one of the cities that South Carolina is known for. The Spoleto Festival USA has helped to make Charleston more well-known and plenty of people travel from all over to visit this festival. Aside from the festival, you can also visit the first public college, museum, and golf club in America during your time in Charleston. This makes it a great place to learn about South Carolina’s history and explore different aspects of the state.

Oak Trees

• Fact: The beautiful oak trees in South Carolina thrive in the warm climate

One of the seemingly ordinary but beautiful parts of South Carolina is its oak trees. There are about 15 different varieties of oak trees in South Carolina and these trees thrive in the warm South Carolina climate. When visiting certain parts of the state, you can see some oak trees that are over 300 years old, like the ones that surround some of the oldest plantations in the state.

Kazoos

• Fact: On a visit to South Carolina, you can stop by the Kazoo Museum & Factory, which is home to one of the largest collections of kazoos in the world

Even if a kazoo isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of South Carolina, it’s worth noting that there is a Kazoo factory and museum there. In Beaufort, South Carolina, you can visit The Kazoo Museum & Factory, home to one of the largest collections of kazoos in the world. It’s also a sight to see as the only plastic kazoo factory in the country.

Myrtle Beach

• Fact: Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Carolina

When it comes to tourist destinations in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is one of the most well-known places to visit. With beautiful beaches and plenty of things to do, this area attracts more than 19 million people every year. When you think of Myrtle Beach, one of the most memorable images is that of the SkyWheel, which is a 187-foot observation tower on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach.

Gullah Culture

• Fact: Gullah culture is a beautiful part of South Carolina history

You can’t learn about the history and culture of South Carolina without discovering the beauty of Gullah culture. Gullah culture comes from an African American community mainly living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, but there is a Gullah community in Georgia as well. Those within this community have worked hard to preserve their land, traditions, and culture. In 2006, Congress passed an act known as the “Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Act” that provided $10 million to preserve some of the Gullah historic sites.

Fort Sumter

• Fact: Fort Sumter was a significant part of the Civil War and you can take a tour of the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Park during a visit to South Carolina

Many aspects of South Carolina history include events during the Civil War, and you can learn about some of them during a visit to Fort Sumter. The Battle at Fort Sumter was the beginning of the Civil War and you can still visit this historic site today, which is located in Charleston Harbor. The only way to access Fort Sumter is by a concession-operated boat, and tours are available through the National Park Service in South Carolina.

Hilton Head

• Fact: Hilton Head is the largest barrier island in South Carolina with a number of beautiful beaches

Hilton Head, South Carolina is another famous part of this state. This island is the largest barrier island in South Carolina and is famous for its pristine beaches and beautiful golf courses. Surprisingly, the entire island is less than 5 miles wide, but there’s still plenty to do there. Hilton Head Island has over 100 miles of bike trails as well as numerous beaches, parks, and the Harbour Town Lighthouse.

Peaches

• Fact: South Carolina produces more peaches than Georgia

If there’s one fruit associated with South Carolina, it’s the peach. Typically, Georgia is known as the peach state because of the quality of Georgia peaches, but one of the interesting facts about South Carolina is it produces more peaches than Georgia. Each year, South Carolina produces over 200 million pounds of peaches, and the weather is a significant part of growing this fruit. The only state that produces more peaches than South Carolina is California.

The Shag

• Fact: The Shag is the state dance of North and South Carolina

If you’re going to dance in South Carolina, you may want to learn the Shag. This dance, also known as the Carolina Shag, is the state dance of both North and South Carolina. A fun and upbeat dance that originated in the 1930s, the Shag is often known as the swing dance of the South. You can find a partner to dance with at many of the clubs in the state, but there are also professional shag dancing competitions.

Monkey Island

• Fact: Morgan Island, commonly known as Monkey Island, is home to 4,000 wild monkeys

While Monkey Island isn’t the real name of this island in Beaufort County, South Carolina, you can probably guess how Morgan Island got its nickname. Morgan Island is a remote island that’s home to about 4,000 wild Rhesus monkeys. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources owns and operates this 2,000-acre island.

College Football

• Fact: College football is a big deal in South Carolina, and people all over cheer for teams like the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers

While most states have beloved football teams, college football is definitely a big deal in South Carolina. You don’t have to be from South Carolina to be familiar with some of the most popular teams in the state. When it comes to college football teams for which South Carolina is known, the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers are two of the top teams.

Congaree National Park

• Fact: Congaree National Park in Richland County, South Carolina has over 26,000 acres of land

At a place like Congaree National Park, you can experience some of the beauty of South Carolina. While there are many outdoor spaces to explore in this state, one of the most well-known parks is Congaree National Park. With over 26,000 acres of land, you can discover the beauty of the Congaree River or explore the other unique features of this national park.

Faith

• Fact: The U.S. News & World Report ranked South Carolina as the sixth most religious state

South Carolina falls within the Bible Belt, so it’s no surprise that there are more people of faith there than in most other states. Out of the states that the U.S. News & World Report ranked as the most religious states in the country, South Carolina ranked as the sixth most religious. Surveys have shown that 78 percent of adults in the state are Christian while another 3 percent identify with a non-Christian faith.

Sweet Tea

• Fact: Summerville, South Carolina is commonly known as the birthplace of sweet tea

You can find delicious sweet tea in most Southern states, but there’s something special about the sweet tea in South Carolina. Many consider Summerville, South Carolina the birthplace of sweet tea. If that isn’t enough of a reason for this town to be well-known, you can also visit the World’s Largest Sweet Tea, which happens to be 15 feet tall and holds over 2,500 gallons of the tasty beverage.

Carolina Reaper

• Fact: The Carolina Reaper is the hottest pepper in the world, according to Guinness World Records and it was first grown in South Carolina

There are plenty of hot peppers in the world, but according to Guinness World Records, the Carolina Reaper is the hottest. As you can likely tell by the time, the Carolina Reaper first came out of South Carolina. This incredibly hot pepper was first created by Ed Currie, owner of the PuckerButt Pepper Company, which was based out of Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Palmetto Trees

• Fact: The Palmetto State is a famous nickname for South Carolina and the palmetto tree is the state tree

One of South Carolina’s most popular nicknames is the Palmetto State. The South Carolina Palmetto became the state tree back in 1939 and has been a part of the South Carolina state flag since 1861. While these trees have an interesting history throughout the state, they have become a symbol of the beautiful culture and climate in South Carolina.

Blue Ridge Mountains

• Fact: The Blue Ridge Mountains are one of the most notable parts of South Carolina

If there’s one thing South Carolina is known for, it has to be the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the highest peak being Sassafras Mountain, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a must-see when you visit the Palmetto State. In South Carolina alone, there are eight different state parks where you can witness the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, each one with beautiful mountain views, hiking trails, and plenty of acreage to explore.

South Carolina Barbecue

• Fact: South Carolina barbecue has its own flavors and types of sauces, distinct from the barbecue in other regions

South Carolina isn’t the only state that claims to be the birthplace of barbecue. Regardless of where it originated, when it comes to South Carolina food, barbecue is what the Palmetto State is known for. Like many Southern states, South Carolina has its own twist on barbecue flavors which can vary depending on what part of the state you visit. (Click to read the 25 best BBQ spots in the U.S.)