  South Carolina
Click to get the inside scoop from
real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the South Carolina Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
 3005 South Carolina Tips.4851 South Carolina Photos.0 South Carolina Videos. South Carolina Pages by ClarkRB
| Page Views: 8,690 Last Visit to South Carolina: September, 2006 I Used To Live Here | South Carolina - The good and the bad by ClarkRB - last update: Sep 23, 2006 |
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY TRUTH POLICE | ClarkRB at South Carolina sign - Marlboro CO |
The best places are located at: Things to DoThe unique places are located at: Off the beaten pathThe places with less appeal, less glamour, and even the downright abandoned are located at: General Tips
South Carolina is also home to the worst restaurant in the USA. You can read about Pedro's Diner by clicking here.
How does one describe a place like South Carolina? It isn’t just diverse – it’s on both ends of the spectrum. I guess the only way one can describe South Carolina in full, is by displaying both ends of the spectrum. Before I begin, I might as well give you my credentials. I’ve lived in South Carolina for a number of years, and I’ve been to every county. This does not make me biased, though. I have learned over the years that while South Carolina is close to my heart, there are just as many things that make me hate it, as there are reasons why I like it. Hence, I give you both ends of the spectrum. By the time you’ve gone through, hopefully you’ll have made a decision on coming for a few days, or avoiding it for the rest of your life.
|
| Yet another church - Columbia, SC |
|  | THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOODIES So, let’s start with the good. (1) From the food, to the dancing, to the music, to the way of life, South Carolina will be an experience that combined will not be achieved in any other part of the United States. (2) South Carolina’s people are diverse, from the Carolina beauty queens of Lexington County to the Gullah people on the islands of Beaufort. (3) The skin changes shade the close you get to the coast. From the white folks of Pickens County to the darkest skin of Jasper County. This is celebrated instead of mocked by most. (4) The food consists of fried okra, boiled peanuts, mustard based BBQ, sweet potatoes. Calabash style seafood, and shrimp grits. (5) The beach music will have people dancing to the local style known as “the shag.” (5a) In the hills, bluegrass is preferred, and square dancing is the style. (6) Plantation and mansion homes are large with a Greek revival feel, making you awed in jealousy towards the owners. (7) The local accent is a southern drawl, with a Bostonian twist. (8) Sports are important to most, as sides are picked for the infamous football game between South Carolina and Clemson. (9) Winters here are mild, with only occasional blizzards. (10) The largest cities aren’t large enough to have wide-scale rush hour traffic. (11) There are so many lakes, rivers, and streams that some don’t even have names. (12) Egrets, Herons, Pelicans, Alligators, blue crabs, white tailed deer, wild turkey, largemouth bass, and foxes are just some of the many residents you’ll find. (13) The whole state is lush green from plentiful rain, as summer thunderstorms light up the sky and cool off the population from the humid air mass. (14) In the rural areas, the folks wave hello as you drive by. (15) Those driving on the other side of the road will flash you if there is a police car ahead, letting you know to slow down. (16) In most cases, men can be chivalrous and hold the door open for women. (17) It’s cheap in South Carolina…from the gasoline prices to cigarettes; it’s the cheapest in the nation.
It doesn’t make South Carolina sound half-bad, does it?
|
| The forgotten - Allendale, SC |
| | THE SOUTH CAROLINA BADDIES OK, well, let’s view the other side of the tracks. The other side of the tracks is more than just a transition – it’s very much the truth.
(1) For every neighborhood, there is the bad section. (2) South Carolina lacks major zoning laws, so those nice mansions are side by side with manufactured houses, and trailers falling apart. (3) Many towns are turning into ghost towns, as they become victims of Interstates and jobs moving overseas. (4) Racial tension exists in some counties, especially those with a poor black majority and a wealthy white minority. (5) Some towns, restaurants and nightspots you won’t even feel welcome, depending on your color due to de facto segregation. (6) South Carolina drivers are horrible, but for a different reason than New Jersey: (6a)Instead of going too fast, they go too slow. (6b)When driving in back of one, they’ll slow to 5 MPH before turning, forcing you to slow down as well. (6c)The vehicle of choice seems to always be a 70s or 80s model Buick, one that goes from 0 to 60 in 3.4 hours. (7) South Carolina is God-fearing, but I’m not sure if that’s exactly healthy. (7a)There seems to be 10 churches for every one person, and most look much better than the neighborhood that surrounds it. (8) Many roads are in dire need of attention, in particular Interstate 95.
So, as a general rule, South Carolina may seem like a 3rd world state. However, the good does outweigh the bad. The bad will be noticeable, but that is just like a South Carolinian – always being honest and not hiding the truth. South Carolina is no Pennsylvania, but it is definitely no New Mexico. But I still love this state. Mind you, although I have pointed out the good and the bad, there is no way I can explain the feeling one gets while being here. I hope you feel that aura.
WELCOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Something for everyone" | | Cons: | "Some racism and segregation exists" | | In A Nutshell: | "Mansions and trailer parks, but a wonderful place nonetheless." |
ClarkRB's South Carolina Travel Tips
 Comments for ClarkRB about South Carolina | | | | |
newtothearea Tue Jun 24, 2008 18:48 UTC
We are moving to Anderson, SC next month from San Francisco with our 13 year old son. Your tips have been invaluable for us. Any advice on Anderson/Belton? | jethanand Thu Mar 27, 2008 01:29 UTC
Thank you for one of the the best writeups about good and bad. Best wishes | Faiza-Ifrah Wed Oct 31, 2007 23:09 UTC
xclent tips here, professionally written, gr8 pictures and lots of info. you seem to have spent quite some time in this state :-) | SCyankeegirl Tue Sep 11, 2007 13:59 UTC
When in Union, stop at the Union Museum, just down the street from the courthouse. Every piece in there is original, and every original has a story. Admission: donations accepted. |
|
|
email me
add as friend
