The Best Girlfriend Getaways In South Carolina To Plan Now

When's the best time for a girlfriend getaway? That’s a trick question — it’s always a good time for getting away with your girlfriends, whatever time of year! The next question is, where?

We are fortunate to have plenty of amazing options for girlfriend getaways throughout the South, one of which is South Carolina. I'd be remiss not to start in Charleston, where my girlfriends and I have enjoyed our getaways for more than a decade.

Charleston

It helps that my sister (who's also one of my BFFs) lives just outside the city's outskirts, but Charleston has long been a favorite destination for girlfriend getaways and bachelorette parties—and for good reason. Not only is there shopping galore on and around King Street, but plenty of lovely restaurants and cafes in which to linger over drinks, meals, and brunches for hours.

During the day, my girlfriends and I can be found walking on the sand at Folly Beach or the Island of Palms, stretching our legs on a hike at Old Santee Canal Park, or walking through the world’s largest old-growth cypress-tupelo swamp forest at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest.

When it's time for a night out on the town, my girlfriends and I hit up our regular spots on King Street, like O-Ku for sushi, The Belmont and Prohibition for classic cocktails, and end the night at Satellite Bar in Stars, one of the city's fabulous rooftop bars. 

Though we usually crash at my sister's, we’ve talked about making a real getaway of our time together by staying at one of the many hotels in the city. Our short list of places to stay in downtown Charleston includes The Ryder Hotel, Emeline, Hotel Bennett, or The Dewberry (once the L. Mendel Rivers Federal Building and now a five-star hotel).

Spreading from its Atlantic Ocean beaches to the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are plenty of options when it comes to girlfriend getaways in the Palmetto State. Here, a few more ideas to inspire you and your friends to get out of town and enjoy all that South Carolina has to offer.

Hilton Head

With its tree-lined streets, 60 miles of broad running/walking/bicycling paths, and 12 miles of wide beaches, there's little doubt that Hilton Head, South Carolina was made for girlfriends who enjoy spending their getaways outside. Take a bicycle ride on the beach, slip into a kayak and explore out and on the water, or look for native creatures at the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. 

And with more than 250 restaurants, many of which are locally-owned and family-run, there are plenty of ways to fuel those outdoor adventures. At the end of the day, rest and recharge in connecting rooms at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, or recharge in the Ocean Tides Spa at Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, or the Heavenly Spa at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.

Beaufort

Coastal Living once named Beaufort "America’s Happiest Seaside Town," and it’s easy to see why. With its laid back vibes, myriad outdoor activities, charming inns, and rich history — its entire downtown district is designated an historic district — you and your girlfriends will quickly feel right at home when you arrive.

One of the best ways to experience Beaufort is on the water; after all, it’s actually comprised of 68 islands. Or, stay on dry land and take a walking tour of the Old Point neighborhood within the historic district, walking past the mansions and some of the area’s oldest churches en route. My sister and I delighted in a tour of the Kazoo Museum & Factory during a mini-girlfriend getaway.

For a girlfriend getaway, we like City Loft Hotel, a boutique hotel with just 22 guest rooms. Or, check out the Greyhound Flats from The Beaufort Inn. An original Greyhound Bus Station has been transformed into two spacious rooms boasting more than 600 square feet each.

Greenville

At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains sits Greenville, a city with a small town feel that's making a big name for itself. Its proximity to the mountains makes Greenville a terrific getaway for girlfriends who love the outdoors, with myriad opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, rock climbing, and much more. But don’t worry, there’s plenty for those who love a cosmopolitan vibe to do, too.

Take the tree-lined and twinkling Main Street, for example, chock full of boutiques, artists’ studios, independent cafes and coffee shops, and chef-driven restaurants. To that end, Greenville's been named one of "The South’s Tastiest Towns" by Southern Living, and the "#1 Under-the-Radar Southern Food Destination" by Zagat. Follow your noses to any of the more than 200 restaurants downtown — and more than 1,000 throughout the county — and you’re sure to find something that suits all your girls’ tastes.