All United States South Carolina

The Atlas Obscura Guide To South Carolina

102 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in South Carolina

Updated August 20, 2024

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Beaufort
  2. Bishopville
  3. Charleston
  4. Columbia
  5. Conway
  6. Fort Mill
  7. Hilton Head Island
  8. Lancaster
  9. Murrells Inlet
  10. Myrtle Beach
  11. North Charleston
  12. Pawleys Island
  13. Rock Hill
  14. St. Helena Island
  15. Sullivan's Island
  16. Walhalla

Unusual Attractions in South Carolina

See All 102 Things To Do in South Carolina

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in South Carolina

See all 8 Places to Eat in South Carolina
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

6 Hallowed Grounds in South Carolina

South Carolina is known for its picturesque coastal cities and Southern charm. Given its firm placement in the Bible Belt, the Palmetto State is home to many churches—but it also holds fascinating ruins of houses of worship, wondrous works of art inspired by African traditions, and historic holy grounds hiding in plain sight.

View Itinerary

Explore South Carolina

Museums 10
History & Culture 10
Architecture 10
History 9
Ruins 8
Art 8
Slavery 8
Animals 7

South Carolina Leaderboard

Recent South Carolina Activity

Stories About South Carolina

Podcast: Gullah Museum

A small museum tells the stories of the Gullah Geechee people and how they've shaped America.
by The Podcast Team
Written by Elizabeth Z Pardue, Photos by Michele Zapf

This Tiny Island Was Settled Thousands of Years Ago. It Hasn’t Really Changed.

Home to 4,600-acres of natural wonderland, mysterious ancient artifacts, and Gullah Geechee history.
Sponsored by Discover South Carolina

Podcast: Oyotunji African Village

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
Purple straw turns golden as it matures.

The Return of Purple Straw, an Iconic Southern Wheat

It has a whole team of champions working on its comeback.
by Rachel Kester

Podcast: The Gray Man

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange stories.
by The Podcast Team
The Laurens Run, named for the path the revolutionary colonel took to his death, will be part of the Liberty Trail network.

The Death Site of John Laurens, Friend to Alexander Hamilton, Was a Mystery—Until Now

The 18th-century soldier, statesman, and abolitionist was also a character in the hit musical 'Hamilton.'
by Isaac Schultz
Please don't taste this rainbow.

The South Carolina Forest That Looks Like Melted Ice Cream

When conditions are right, the waters of Congaree National Park can look like bright scoops pooling on a sidewalk.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
So you want to tag a great white, do you?

The Carolinas' Mysterious Great White Shark Cluster Is Not Mysterious, Not a Cluster

They're just doing what sharks do.
by Sabrina Imbler

Lists Featuring South Carolina

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

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