By james art 
South Carolina is a diverse state with rich local cultures and histories. According to the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the state currently has 271 cities; Forty-six percent of the state’s cities have a population of less than 1,000. Here, we take a look at nine of South Carolina’s most out-of-the-way small towns. Each of the cities listed below has a population under 20,000. However, they are all worth a visit. Beaufort, for example, is the second oldest city in the state and has a rich history. Edisto Island is an undeveloped barrier island that still offers visitors plenty to do. Read on to discover more about South Carolina’s off-roaders.
Beaufort
Beaufort, on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s offshore sea islands, is truly off the beaten path. This small town was founded by British settlers in 1711. and holds the distinction of being the second oldest city in the state. Today, all of downtown Beaufort is a historic district under the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Part of Beaufort’s most notable history is its Gullah culture. This African-American community with a distinct Creole language is concentrated in the South Carolina and Georgia regions. The modern Gullah people have different cuisines, stories, music and culture. South Carolina’s original Gullah Festival in Beaufort is one way this community celebrates its painful but noble ancestry.
Travelers rest
Travelers Rest is a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where you can truly relax. The town’s location contributed to its name, as travelers and those driving cattle to the coast in the 1800s often stopped in the area known today as travelers rested. Travelers rest the Edwards Street History Museum features the city’s artifacts and exhibits, highlighting the city’s unique history.
Another historical landmark on Travelers Rest is the Dicey Langston Memorial on Tigerville Road. This memorial commemorates a patriotic spy who saved lives during the Revolutionary War.
Business View magazine named Travelers rest “best managed city” in 2024. The publication praised the welcoming, community-like feel and its integration of nature into the downtown core, which features pocket parks and trails. The Farmers’ Holiday Travelers Market is a popular gathering place in town. Open year-round, in the winter the market gathers on the second Saturday of the month and every Saturday in the summer.
Vacationers are accessible via highways 276 and 25. It is just 10 miles north of the larger city of Greenville and 20 miles south of the North Carolina border.
Newberry
Newberry is one of the highlights of South Carolina’s Piedmont region. The road channel named Newberry One of “America’s Most Charming Small Towns.” Newberry is described as a small, friendly town with a bigger city feel. The city was founded in 1789. as the county seat of Newbury County, it still welcomes visitors with its southern hospitality to this day.
Although it is a small town, Newberry is full of art, history, culture and recreational opportunities. The downtown area boasts the Newbury Opera House, built in 1881. and still operates as a performing arts venue. The Taylor Building downtown is home to the Newbury Museum, showcasing the region’s military and civic history. When you want to enjoy the outdoors, head to Lake Murray, the 50,000-acre lake just north of Newbury. Fishing, swimming, boating and walking are popular pastimes here. Newberry is in the Midlands region of the state, just off Interstate 26, 43 miles northwest of the larger city of Columbia.
Garden city
The town of Garden City in Hurry County is sometimes referred to as Garden City Beach. Garden City is popular with travelers looking for a family-friendly beach town quieter than nearby Myrtle Beach. Garden City is famous for crabbing, fishing and water sports.
Other popular Garden City activities include golfing at the award-winning Indian Wells Golf Club; Shopping at the gift shops in town, such as the surf shop in the village; dining at its restaurants, such as Sam’s Corner, which features local seafood; and a visit to the Garden City Pavilion arcade.
Garden City attracts many visitors each year, but still maintains its small-town feel. For the past 30 years, the city has held a spectacular golf parade on the Fourth of July, just one example of the tight-knit community atmosphere of the Garden City.
Landrum
Landrum, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a popular, remote getaway for those looking for a slower-paced, somewhat mountain town. This city in Spartanburg County was founded in 1880 when the railroad was extended from the larger city of Spartanburg. Today, Landrum has a walkable downtown filled with local favorites, including restaurants like Southside Smokehouse and shops like Antique Mall and White Buffalo Collectibles.
One popular Landrum landmark is Campbell’s Covered Bridge. Built in 1909, today it is the last surviving covered bridge in the state and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to keep them busy in Landrum as well. Hikers won’t want to miss the Blue Wall Pass on the Palmetto Trail, traversing the Blue Ridge Escarpment, marking the line where the Blue Ridge Mountains drop down to the rolling foothills. This trail is not for the faint of heart as it is just over two miles and climbs 1,400 feet in elevation. Landrum can be found just south of the North Carolina border and west of Interstate 26.
Just a beach
Edisto Beach is located on Edisto Island, one of South Carolina’s offshore islands.
Edisto Island boasts five miles of beaches and Edisto Island State Park, which offers camping, RV hopping and cabins. The island ecosystem is home to an abundance of wildlife, including otters, dolphins, pelicans and deer.
The Edisto Island Museum includes exhibits on the history of the island and that of the Edisto Indians who once inhabited it. Or visit the Serpentarium on Edisto Island, the first such enclosure in the state dedicated to the conservation and study of reptiles.
Hardyville
Some of them are drawn to Hardeeville to see races at the Hardeeville Motor Speedway. Others might prefer to take pictures of Thelma and Louise, two animal-sized statues of elephants in front of Crazy Joe’s fireworks. Still, more visitors may come to Hardeeville to see Argent Lumber Company Engine No. 7 on Main Street, a 1910 wood-burning steam locomotive donated to the town when the Lumber Company closed. Another historic site on Main Street is the Hardeeville United Methodist Church, which dates back to 1860. and was restored in 1947.
Outside Outside draws visitors to Hardeeville. Millstone Landing overlooks the Serene Savannah River, which is known as one of the best fishing spots in the South. While there, stop at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, which exists on both sides of the river in South Carolina and Georgia and is home to a variety of waterfowl and migratory birds. Dining options in Hardeeville include Hardeeville Chicken Lickn and Hunt Brothers Pizza, both on Whyte Hardee Boulevard. Hardeeville is accessible from Interstate 95.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina is a historic fishing village known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” The community is popular for its boardwalk and notable seafood restaurants, including Claw House, Fivine’s and Wahoo’s Fish House. Environmentally, Murrells Inlet is built on a salt marsh estuary, a natural habitat for a variety of marine life.
Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in water and land activities at Murrells Inlet. Murrell boat cruises, fishing trips, parasailing, diving and jet skiing are just some of the water sports on offer here. Or, hike within the 2,500-acre Huntington Beach State Park, where you’re likely to see some of the more than 300 species of resident birds. True bird enthusiasts may also consider visiting Murrells Inlet during its annual bird festival held every February. Murrells Inlet is just off US Highway 17, south of Pawleys Island and Litchfield.
Case
Case is a city in the Midlands of South Carolina, located along the Congaree River. It was not incorporated until 1914, but was a popular supply depot for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The Case History Museum, a replica of a 1765 fort used during the Revolutionary War, explores the history of Case. Sports and music fans might prefer to visit the historic Columbia Speedway, a former NASCAR venue that now hosts concerts and events.
Many outdoor recreation opportunities are available in Cayce. Cayce Riverwalk Park includes the Cayce Riverwalk spanning 12 miles along the Congaree River. Looking across the river, you can see South Carolina’s larger capital in Columbia. The Riverwalk is popular for hiking, biking, jogging, birding and viewing the area’s wonderful natural beauty. Annual events in Keys promote the town’s sense of community and include the State Soiree. This festival takes place every March and features music, art, food and more. Cayce is easily accessible via I-77, I-20 and I-26.
Although these South Carolina towns are off the beaten path, that might just be the reason to visit. In fact, Hardeeville is the fastest-growing municipality in the state, increasing its population by one-seventh in a year, according to the South Carolina Department of Employment and the Workforce. Other towns on this list, like Landrum, may have a small population, but they also have a big neighborhood heart, welcoming visitors and new residents. Whether you’re planning to visit or potentially move there, each of these nine cities has plenty of attractions to entice you.