Brace yourself for a memorable road trip, rolling from one of America’s most haunted cities to a place filled with pastel houses and irresistible seafood.
This adventure is packed with secret boardwalks through swamps, epic beaches where you can find shark teeth, and hidden ruins straight out of a movie.
You’ll cross dreamy coastal islands, climb old lighthouses, and wander streets where horse-drawn carriages roll past 200-year-old mansions.
If you’re into history, beach days, or wildlife, this road trip has something that’ll make you want to pull over every five minutes so buckle your seatbelt and let’s go!
1. Savannah, GA
Savannah is a stunning coastal city along the Savannah River, known as one of America’s oldest cities and for its iconic oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
Here, you can explore 22 historic squares or stroll along River Street’s cobblestone roads lined with 19th-century warehouses turned into shops and restaurants.
Forsyth Park is another must-see, featuring the Instagram-worthy white fountain and shady paths that are perfect for relaxing.
Don’t miss the Mercer-Williams House, which was at the center of the true story told in the book and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
2. Hilton Head Island, SC
Just an hour from Savannah, Hilton Head Island offers 12 miles of soft, sandy beaches ideal for biking, shell-hunting, or chilling under an umbrella.
Hike the 3.1-mile Sea Pines Forest Preserve trail to see turtles or climb 114 steps up the Harbour Town Lighthouse for amazing views of Calibogue Sound.
Golfers shouldn’t miss Harbour Town Golf Links (home of the RBC Heritage PGA tournament), while foodies should try Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks.
Fun fact: Hilton Head was once a hideout for pirates before becoming a Union base during the Civil War.
3. Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
Next is Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal, a dreamy spot where boardwalks wind through swamps filled with towering cypress trees and aquatic plants.
You’ll spot all sorts of wildlife here, from snowy egrets and great blue herons to turtles sunbathing on logs, and maybe even an alligator gliding by.
The 0.8 loop trail is easy and flat, perfect for a laid-back stroll while you listen to frogs croaking and woodpeckers drumming in the trees.
Cypress Wetlands is a hidden gem right in the middle of town, and it’s free to visit, making it a great pit stop to stretch your legs and snap nature photos.
4. Hunting Island State Park, SC
Keep cruising east and you’ll hit Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina’s most-visited park, with 5 miles of wild beaches dotted with giant driftwood trees.
This 5,000-acre barrier island is home to the Hunting Island Lighthouse, the state’s only lighthouse still open to the public, offering amazing ocean views.
You can hike the 1.4-mile Lagoon Trail along tidal creeks, spot pelicans and bald eagles soaring overhead, or cast a line off the pier for redfish and flounder.
Hunting Island has even been featured in movies like Forrest Gump, and it’s a nesting spot for loggerhead sea turtles (best spotted May–October).
(At the time of writing, Hunting Island Lighthouse is temporarily closed for renovations, so check online before planning your visit.)
5. Beaufort, SC
After exploring Hunting Island, swing 25 minutes back inland to Beaufort which is a lovely town with antebellum mansions, huge live oaks, and scenic river views.
Downtown, walk through Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park with swings facing the Beaufort River, then head to Bay Street to find shops, galleries, and tasty bites.
If you’re a movie buff, you’ll geek out knowing scenes from The Big Chill and The Prince of Tides were filmed on these historic streets lined with 1800s-era homes.
Founded in 1711, Beaufort is South Carolina’s second-oldest city, and you can hop on a horse-drawn carriage tour to learn about its fascinating past.
6. Old Sheldon Church Ruins, SC
Up next is the hauntingly beautiful Old Sheldon Church Ruins, where massive columns and crumbling walls are all that’s left of a church built in 1753.
These ruins have moss-draped oaks towering over weathered bricks that survived fires during the Revolutionary War.
The site is now surrounded by a fence, but you can still admire the ruins and read the old gravestones scattered around for a glimpse into 18th-century life.
Old Sheldon Church is one of the most photographed spots in South Carolina, and it’s a free stop where you’ll want your camera handy.
7. Edisto Beach State Park, SC
Keep the adventure rolling at Edisto Beach State Park, a laid-back coastal spot with 1.5 miles of sandy beaches ideal for shark tooth hunting and sunrise walks.
This 1,255-acre park has the Edisto Island Trail System, which offers 4 miles of easy hiking and biking paths through maritime forests filled with palmettos.
Don’t miss the Edisto Interpretive Center, where you can check out touch tanks with live sea creatures and learn how barrier islands protect the South Carolina coast.
Edisto Beach State Park is also one of the few oceanfront campgrounds in the state, so you can camp or park your RV just steps from the Atlantic.
8. Folly Beach, SC
From Edisto, cruise just over an hour up the coast to Folly Beach, a funky surf town nicknamed “The Edge of America.”
You can ride waves, eat tasty fish tacos, and catch beautiful sunsets from the 1,049-foot Folly Beach Pier.
This beach is a favorite for surfers thanks to “The Washout” which is a famous break where you can rent a board or kick back and watch locals ride the waves.
Once you’ve soaked up the surf scene, stroll down Center Street for beachy shops, live music joints, and delicious eats like shrimp tacos at Taco Boy.
9. Morris Island Lighthouse, SC
After enjoying the good vibes in Folly Beach, head to the island’s northern tip to see the legendary Morris Island Lighthouse, a 161-foot brick tower built in 1767.
Even though you can’t climb it, you’ll get an unforgettable view by taking the 0.4-mile Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve trail through dunes and tidal flats.
This spot is incredibly beautiful (especially at sunrise), with dolphins frequently seen playing in the waves.
Fun fact: Morris Island was a key battlefield during the Civil War, and today the lighthouse stands as a lonely but beautiful reminder of the area’s past.
10. Charleston, SC
From the shores of Morris Island, it’s just a 20-minute drive into the heart of Charleston, where pastel-colored houses and cobblestone streets await.
Start your adventure at Rainbow Row, a stretch of 13 brightly painted Georgian homes along East Bay Street that are guaranteed to light up your trip.
You’ll also want to explore the Charleston City Market, where you can browse local crafts or hop on a carriage ride through the Historic District.
If you want to learn more about the city’s rich history, visit Fort Sumter National Monument, where the first shots of the Civil War rang out in 1861.
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