The Palmetto State is among the top southern vacation states, mainly due to its beautiful beaches and its booming golf industry. But South Carolina also has charming small towns and picturesque cities that reflect much of the state's history. In the northern part of the state, the mountain highlands provide a myriad of opportunities for outdoor adventure, while in the south, the state tree lines many a street. We'll look at some of the top destinations in South Carolina, and briefly discuss the kinds of South Carolina hotels you can expect to find at each. Generally, you will find a good selection of South Carolina hotels wherever you go in the state. Along the coast, world-class resorts can be found in such destinations as Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island, and inland, the many charming inns and bed and breakfasts make for the perfect weekend getaway. Whether you are traveling on business or for leisure, you will find that there are many options for South Carolina budget hotels, and the mid-priced chain brands provide great options for those who want a good room at a good price.

A good place to start a South Carolina vacation is in the centrally located, capital city of Columbia. A charming city, Columbia has a good layout for driving, and downtown, the Capitol Building stands proudly by some of the city's most important buildings. Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, so you can bet there are a good selection of hotels in Columbia SC. Some of the top attractions in Columbia are the Riverbanks Zoo, the Five Points shopping village, and the trendy Congaree Vista area. You can choose luxury at some of the downtown hotels in Columbia SC, and if you are looking for character, you might stay in one that is housed in a historical building. There are some good options for chain hotels in Columbia SC by the airport, and outside of downtown, you can find numerous options for South Carolina budget hotels. From Columbia, you might head towards the coast for the beautiful city of Charleston. Charleston perhaps reflects the Old South better than any other southern city, mainly due to its large collection of historic buildings. Charleston tours are a great way to learn about the city, and points of interest include the Fort Sumter Monument and Patriots Point. As for Charleston hotels, you will find less chain brands here, as the city prefers its more characteristic independently-owned inns and bed and breakfasts. That's not to say there aren't any chain Charleston hotels, or that you can't find South Carolina budget hotels here, but the city is renowned for its inns. Simply put, the Charleston hotels provide some of the best hotels in the country when it comes to character and charm.

For a nice small town experience, you could head to the city of Georgetown, which is among the oldest towns in the country. Found on the coast, north of Charleston, Georgetown is under an hour's drive from Myrtle Beach, making it a worthy stop if you are headed along that route. Shopping is a top thing to do in Georgetown, as is canoeing or kayaking, and visiting the area southern plantations. The Georgetown hotels that you find downtown provide some nice opportunities to stay in the historic district. Much like the other lowland South Carolina cities, Georgetown has its fair share of character-laden hotels. Up the road in Myrtle Beach, there certainly is no shortage of South Carolina hotels to choose from. Top-notch resorts, high-rising beachfront hotels, and some nice bed and breakfasts give visitors to Myrtle Beach plenty to choose from. The Myrtle Beach attractions are many, and for those traveling on a budget, there are some nice options for Myrtle Beach hotels that won't break the bank. You might look for vacation package deals for discount lodging in South Carolina.

South Carolina Map

Another nice small town to visit is Aiken, which is found near the central part of the state's western border. The Aiken hotels are particularly full during the Aiken Triple Crown horse race, and the Masters professional men's golf tournament, which is held in nearby Augusta, Georgia. Aiken has some great golf courses of its own, and the city is known for its horses and horse owners. The downtown Aiken hotels present the most interesting choices, with some housed in antebellum buildings. During the March horse race and the April Masters golf tournament, you might be able to find discount lodging in South Carolina with an Aiken vacation package. On the lower coast of the state, the city of Beaufort is a good base for Hilton Head Island. Beaufort has many buildings that are National Historic Landmarks, and here, the golf courses stay open year round. There are golf resorts you can stay at here, and plenty of Hilton Head resorts, but you might choose a downtown inn or bed and breakfast.

In the South Carolina highlands, you can find both luxury and South Carolina budget hotels in the "Upstate" cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. Greenville and Spartanburg sit in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and both are near the North Carolina border. It's a much different feel up here than in the "Low Country", and outdoor activities like hiking and white water rafting are among the area pursuits. The Greenville hotels provide some alluring choices, and you can always opt to stay at one of the area resorts. Greenville, being a fairly large city, also has plenty of South Carolina budget hotels, as does nearby Spartanburg. The Spartanburg hotels present some of the most choices in the state for discount lodging in South Carolina. Spartanburg is a "Bicycle-Friendly Community", and nearby Lawson's Fork Creek is a beautiful place to enjoy the highlands. The Greenville Zoo is a main attraction in the area, and both city's have plenty of historic buildings to admire.