Thedailymiaminews– “Life is like a box of chocolates.” In the film named after him, Forest Gump says, “You never know what you’re gonna get.” The movie is set in one of the storybook towns in South Carolina. In the state where the first fight of the American Civil War took place in Fort Sumter, every town has its own unique culture, fascinating history, and attractions that are worth visiting. The fairytale villages of South Carolina have much to say about the past that is still relevant today. These towns have thriving communities that adhere to the traditions of the Gullah/Geechee and have histories that date back to the unjust plantation labor and the chaotic brutality of wars that have come and gone. You might not know what to expect when you visit these beautiful places, but you will definitely find them to be as sweet and wonderful as a box of chocolates.
Beaufort
The lovely town of Beaufort, located on Port Royal Island, is an hour away from Savannah, Georgia. It captivates newcomers with its history that feels like it came straight out of a movie. This storybook hamlet, which has been established for 300 years and is located on one of South Carolina’s Southern Sea Islands, has recently been used as a beautiful backdrop for several movies, including Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, The Great Santini, and The Prince of Tides. Beaufort, on the other hand, is a town with a rich history, and the Beaufort Historic District maintains several architectural characteristics that showcase various points in Beaufort’s past.
The John Mark Verdier House Museum, a beautiful Federal-style architecture from the 1800s, is one of the antebellum mansions that may be found among these buildings. The museum features period antiques and other exhibits that highlight Beaufort’s plantation past. The Beaufort Arsenal, which is also called the Beaufort History Museum, tells the tale of how a group of men met in secret at a house on Craven Street, which is now known as “Secession House,” in order to put an end to slavery in the United States during the American Civil War. The Old Sheldon Church Ruins and the Saint Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins are two other historic structures that primarily emphasize the ecclesiastical and theological elements of Beaufort. Finally, there is the Harriet Tubman Monument, which not only emphasizes the importance of Harriet Tubman and the abolitionist struggle, but also celebrates the Gullah/Geechee people, who continue to flourish in areas like Saint Helena Island.
You can visit many more historical sites, including the military encampments at the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve and the Fort Premont Preserve & History Center, which are located next to the Beaufort River. Before you go on any journey into the past or the present, you should first make a reservation at one of Beaufort’s lovely hotels, such as the Beaufort Inn, City Loft Hotel, or Rhett House Inn.
Georgetown
Georgetown, which was founded in 1690, is the third oldest town in South Carolina. It is famous for being the point “where southern time meets maritime” in the Lowcountry. Georgetown, which is located approximately 60 miles from the city of Charleston, has been a significant producer and grower of rice. During the time of the American Revolution, it was the richest town in the thirteen colonies. However, the majority of the riches was generated by slave labor from Africa, as explained by both the Georgetown County Museum and the Rice Museum. On the other side, the Gullah Museum talks about how cattle, indigo, and rice were introduced into the Gullah/Geechee culture. The Kaminski House Museum has a collection of antiques from England and former American plantation owners from the 18th and 19th centuries, which is quite interesting.
While it can be refreshing to learn about the past, there are still plenty of fun things to do that will help you stay in the present. For example, walking along the Black, Great Pee Dee, Small Pee Dee, Waccamaw, and Sampit rivers, which all converge near Georgetown. All kinds of travelers and trekkers are welcome in places like the Francis Marion National Forest, the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, and the Santee Coastal Reserve. Finally, the charming lodgings at both the George Hotel and Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn will definitely ensure that you are happy and well-rested for another day of exploring the town “where southern time meets maritime.”
Rest for Travelers
Some stories are best learned and told when you are resting. The small village of Travelers Rest is a perfect place for tired people to rest and relax, which is good news for you. This small village, which is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is about nine miles away from Greenville, has been a frequent destination for explorers and livestock drovers for about 300 years. The Travelers Rest History Museum provides a lot of information on how Travelers Rest welcomed many tourists, particularly those who traveled by stagecoach down the winding mountain roads. Laodicea “Dicey” Langston, a local heroine who was 15 years old at the time, gathered intelligence about the Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War. She did this to keep her community of American patriots informed about the positions of the enemy. Dicey’s bravery is honored by a stone pyramid located just a few miles north of Travelers Rest.
After you have finished reflecting on the past, you should get your muscles moving by going on some exciting bike rides through the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System. In addition, individuals who prefer to keep things simple and uncomplicated can take a walk around the beautiful landscapes of both the Caesars Head State Park and the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. If you ever feel tired, as many visitors do when they stop at visitors Rest, you should surely get a good night’s sleep at places like the Swamp Rabbit Inn and Hotel Domestique.
Aiken
Horses and dogs are among the best buddies of humans. Dogs are faithful and admirable animals, but horses give people a sense of freedom and strength when they gallop through endless fields. The municipality of Aiken offers a variety of equine experiences for both horses and humans. These include places like the Hitchcock Woods, Gateway Park, and Hopelands Gardens. This is especially true because Aiken is home to the Aiken Equine Rescue, which is the largest horse rescue center in the southeastern United States. The Aiken Steeplechase Association frequently organizes the Imperial Cup in March and the Holiday Cup in October, during which multiple horse races take place. Similarly, the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the victors of these races, whether they are horses or people.
The Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site focuses on Aiken’s tragic history of African slave labor, so not everything in Aiken is tied to horses. At the same time, the Aiken County Historical Museum, which is frequently referred to as “Banksia” after the banksia rose, displays antiques and items from the plantation owners of Aiken. The Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum provide more information about the important role that locomotives and railroads played in Aiken. Aiken is a storybook town located only about 20 miles from Augusta. It has various places to stay, such as the Carriage House Inn and The Wilcox, that will keep you happy and comfortable during your visit.
Walhalla
Walhalla, which is located in a region of transition between mountains and piedmont, is truly the “Garden of the Gods,” as the townspeople and visitors assert. It is home to peaceful and magical waterfalls that flow down from the Blue Ridge Escarpment. This German replica of Norse Valhalla was established by German immigrants in the 18th century. It is located next to the Chattanooga River, where it sits comfortably. The Cherokee Museum of South Carolina has information about the town of Walhalla’s history as a settlement of the Cherokee people, which existed long before the arrival of German settlers.
The Oconee Station State Historic Site also has a collection of photographs from the 18th and 19th centuries that includes both Cherokee and German images. Walhalla is regarded as the “Garden of the Gods” because of the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounds it. It is also known as the “Main Street to the Mountains” since it is a great area to go exploring in panoramic locations like Stumphouse Mountain Park, Black Rock Mountain State Park, and Lake Keowee. You shouldn’t miss the town’s version of Oktoberfest, and you should also remember to reserve a room at one of Walhalla’s beautiful hotels, such as the Rodeway Inn & Suites.
Anderson
Anderson is a convenient place to visit because it is located right in the middle of the large cities of Atlanta and Charlotte. It is named after Robert Anderson, who was a talented general during the American Revolutionary War. Anderson was the first town in the South to have an unlimited supply of electric power, which it received in 1833. The engineer who supplied Anderson with this endless supply of light was William Church Whitner, and you may find a statue of him in the town. In addition, Whitner’s innovations were the reason that the first cotton gin in the world to be powered by electricity was established in Anderson in 1897. The Anderson County Museum provides a lot of information about these two significant events in Anderson’s history, as well as other times and events that occurred throughout the American Revolution. Travelers who follow the Savannah River, which separates South Carolina from Georgia, will arrive at Sadlers Creek State Park and the Big Water Marina and Campground, all of which are great places to go camping. On the other hand, if you would rather stay and sleep indoors, you may always reserve a room at either The Bleckley Inn or the Hilton Garden Inn.
Landrum
Landrum is a little town located near the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. It is a charming, picturesque place with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of greenery. Poinsett Bridge, the oldest stone bridge still standing in South Carolina, is a 16-foot-tall Gothic archway that looks like it sprang straight out of a fairytale. Traveling across it will lead you to a peaceful and mystical location. In the case of Landrum, the stone bridge mostly leads to the charming farms outside of town, where horses graze and gallop at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors to the forests of Landrum can have a wonderful and unforgettable experience by taking other scenic routes and regions, such as the Palmetto Trail in the Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area. If you want to ride horses in places like the Blue Wall Preserve, you should absolutely get help from the Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center (F.E.N.C.E.). Landrum’s unpretentious appeal and its history as a settlement founded by people from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia will make you feel at home in South Carolina. There is something wonderful and beautiful about something that is so simple and laid-back.
The Palmetto State of South Carolina, named after King Charles I’s Latin name, Carolus, is home to many storybook villages that will take you back in time to the diverse and uncertain history that shaped America. While visiting the 3,500 rhesus monkeys on Morgan (Monkey) Island or the world’s largest ginkgo farm in Sumter may be more enticing to others, horseback rides in Landrum or Aiken and the varied interpretations of the past in Beaufort and Georgetown will not disappoint.