When to visit South Carolina

South Carolina has always been an attractive destination for both high end and budget conscious travellers and during this economy it has become an ever more attractive place to vacation. It is a destination that one go pretty much anytime during the year, boasts of mild winters and long gorgeous summers.

The best times to visit the state’s coastal areas, beaches and towns are during spring, summer as well as fall. Most families and golf enthusiasts should prefer to visit during the summer and retirees and people interested in quieter activities like hiking and RV travellers should consider the fall and spring seasons as it is  quieter during that time of the year. That being said – to vist the great historical and cultural attractions, any time of the year is a good time.

Here are some of the things you should consider:

The high season to visit is from May through August

The off season is December through February

The shoulder season is from  March and April and then from September throughNovember

Weather

South Carolina has a humid, sub-tropical climate, with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. In winter, temperatures generally average 5 to 7°C (40 to 45°F) in inland areas, and 12 to 15ºC (55 to 60°F) by the shore. Summer temperatures, modified by mountains in some areas and by sea breezes in others, range from 24 to 29ºC (75 to 85°F), and can reach as high as 32ºC (90°F) and above.

Required Clothing

Lightweights are advised throughout the year, with warmer clothes for winter. Beachwear is popular, and protection from the midday sun, such as sunglasses and sun hats, is advisable.

Sunrise At Myrtle Beach

Crowd Information

Summer holidays such as the 4th Of  July, Memorial Day, Labor Day and some of the other big holidays attract large crowds to the coast. The spring and fall seasons attract less crowds, although it is still very pleasant from  weatherwise.

When are places open during the year :

Most of the hotels, shops, malls and similar places are open through out the year. Some regions are subject to seasonal closures though –  As an example, in popular tourist areas like Myrtle Beach, attractions such as amusement parks and water parks could be closed during the winter.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park are generally open in March and operate on a limited schedule until late May, and they then open through the summer  on a full schedule, cuting back their hours in September, and tend to close completely in October.

The water parks are open from May through September generally, scale back to limited hours in May and September. There are Some businesses on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and other related communities that close during the winter months. The hotels, malls, entertainment theaters, outlet retail centers, restaurants and bars are open year-round (some restaurants may close during the winter but that there are a very few of them).

There are some major destinations that remain open throughout the year and they include NASCAR SpeedPark, Alligator Adventure, Children’s Museum of South Carolina, Ripley’s Aquarium,  Waccatee Zoo, the IMAX Discover Theater, MagiQuest, and Brookgreen Gardens.

For Budget Conscious travellers

Since a majority of travelers to South Carolina are families with children on vacation, the hotel and other rates drop in the spring and fall when kids are in school.

When should you book your travel

It is recommended that you book at least six to 10 months in advance for vacations to the coast during late spring or summer. For fall, winter, or early spring visits to the coast, planning ahead by at least two to six months is good enough. For trips to the Heritage Corridor, which stretches along the western border of the state from Charleston to the mountain foothills it is preferable to book at least one week to a month in advance.