Getting Oriented
South Carolina's gleaming coasts and rolling mountains are linked by its lush Midlands. Swells of sandy hills mark where the state's coastline once sat. As you drive farther inland you're greeted by the beauty of the Blue Ridge foothills. What lies between is a mixture of Southern living—with cities and rural farms—that is truly remarkable.
- Columbia. The state capital is a hip college town with a growing restaurant scene.
- Camden. Revolutionary War history and antiques shopping make Camden an attractive Midlands destination.
- Aiken. Northerners used to winter in this idyllic Piedmont retreat that's surrounded by horse pastures.
- Abbeville. Boasting an opera house and a Gothic revival church, this quaint town takes travelers back in time.
- Greenville. The Upstate's hub is a budding urban metropolis, surrounded by nature.
- Blacksburg. This colonial town just off Interstate 85 is a great place to take a hike or explore battlefields.
