The state of South Carolina evokes living history and natural beauty with its small towns and unique charm. The Palmetto State, amidst all the splendor of the Civil War heritage, a scenic coastline, and Southern hospitality, contains within itself a few pretty unique destinations packed with scenic landscapes and well-preserved landmarks. Despite the usual attachment to their historical roots, these communities possess modern amenities while preserving their aesthetic. There’s a place everyone can enjoy in South Carolina’s prettiest small towns below.

Beaufort

Beaufort is set along tranquil Port Royal Sound and blends history and waterfront beauty. Start with the Beaufort Historic District, where homes like the John Mark Verdier House will recall you to the antebellum era. Take a boat tour from Downtown Marinaas as close to the waters and coastal wildlife. Visit Hunting Island State Park for its pristine beaches, and climb the Hunting Island Lighthouse for its panoramic views of the Atlantic. In addition, pay a visit to St. Helena Island, the site of the historic Penn Center, one of the first schools for freed slaves. In addition, visitors will enjoy Parris Island, where they can explore the museum and learn about the region’s military history. For more history, tour the Chapel of Ease Ruins.

Aiken

Aiken is a Southern town that takes its love of horses very seriously. As such, why not start the trip with the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Hopelands Gardens, which offers a peek into the equestrian history of the town? To take in more beautiful nature, enjoy an easy walk on the Aiken Arboretum Trail, a walking path lined on either side with over 100 species of trees. The country’s largest urban forest, Hitchcock Woods, offers 70 miles of trails perfect for hiking or horseback riding. Stop in and check out the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site and tour this pretty antebellum plantation home and its grounds. For art lovers, The Aiken Center for the Arts is among one of the local exhibition and class hubs.

Georgetown

Georgetown is packed with must-see spots for history lovers. Visit the Georgetown County Museum and delve into this area’s rich past; second, visit the Kaminski House Museum, the impressive, exquisitely restored mansion of the 18th century. Follow the Harborwalk, a walking boardwalk with shops and restaurants overlooking the Sampit River. History lovers take note—Hopsewee Plantation sits on the site of a former rice plantation from before the American Revolution. The garden hosts some of the loveliest sculptures and a zoo set amidst historic landscapes and is outside of town. Other attractions include the Georgetown Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the US, which is still operational on North Island.

Camden

Camden is a town of historic wonders the entire family can enjoy. At the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, there are guided tours available around battlefields and historic houses. The Camden Archives and Museum is rich in local artifacts, everything from Civil War memorabilia to early settler documents. Goodale State Park offers more outdoorsy activities: kayak or hike through this scenic wetland and admire the pretty surroundings. Visitors who adore the arts and diversity will enjoy the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, which features art exhibitions, live performances, and cultural programs. Also, visit Goodale State Park, where nature and history intertwine beautifully for a peaceful and serene stroll.

Bluffton

Old Town Bluffton has just about everything you might want to see, including historic architecture and coastal Lowcountry scenery. Start with the Heyward House Museum, a stunningly well-preserved 19th-century home. Next, head to the Garvin-Garvey House, one of a handful of remaining freedmen’s cottages from Reconstruction. Take a leisurely walk along the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park for serene views of the May River. Visit it and enjoy the life of luxury at Palmetto Bluff with its meandering nature trails, marina, and perfectly preserved nature scenes. The other must-see places include the Church of the Cross, a masterwork of Gothic Revival perched high above the May River, and several galleries and shops of the Old Town Bluffton.

Summerville

The town, referred to as the “Flowertown in the Pines,” has been synonymous with colorful gardens and historic charm. Azalea Park is the place to begin; a beautiful place of color when these azaleas bloom, along with reflections across peaceful ponds. Begin at the Summerville Dorchester Museum to glimpse the town’s past, then head to the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site and explore the astonishingly well-preserved remnants of a pre-Revolutionary village. Middleton Place, nearby, has America’s oldest landscaped gardens, while Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, one of the oldest plantations in the South, has spectacular gardens and historic house tours. Drive to Summerville’s Historic Downtown District, which is lined with charming shops and restaurants.

Mount Pleasant

Across the river from Charleston, Mount Pleasant provides historic attractions and stunning waterfront views. Take a tour at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, where you go aboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. Check out Boone Hall Plantation, famous for its pretty avenue lined with oaks and its well-preserved slave cabins. For some outdoor prettiness, look at Shem Creek Park, where you will find a boardwalk lined with shrimp boats bringing in that day’s catch. Not to be missed is Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village where historic homes line the streets as well as boutique shops, and the nearby Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, which preserves the Estate of one of the Constitution’s founders.

Counties throughout South Carolina maintain an ideal balance of history, natural beauty, and pulsating culture. Whether it is the leisurely strolls down shaded streets in Beaufort or going to Summerville in the spring for its blooming azaleas, these towns serve as gateways to the storied past and prettiness of the region. From Aiken’s horse farms to Georgetown’s coastal charm, each town is a feast for the eyes.

ESPN’s College GameDay will bring on reigning NCAA women’s basketball champion coach Dawn Staley as this week’s guest picker.

The popular ESPN show will travel to South Carolina’s campus as LSU faces the Gamecocks in an SEC showdown. Staley will speak with the hosts and make picks for the biggest games in college football this weekend. South Carolina plays the Tigers at 12 p.m. ET in Columbia, S.C.

Staley’s national championship-winning women’s basketball team will sign autographs for fans ahead of her appearance on College GameDay. The national champions will also be honored on the field during halftime of the football game.

It’s the first time GameDay has returned to South Carolina’s campus since the 2014 season.

Staley has coached the Gamecocks women’s basketball team since the 2008 season. She’s led them to three national titles—in 2017, ’22 and ’24. Staley has been named the Naismith Coach of the Year each of the past three seasons.

South Carolina will tip off its 2024–25 season on Monday, Nov. 4 against Michigan.

Things to watch this week in the Southeastern Conference:

Game of the week

No. 16 LSU (1-1) at South Carolina (2-0, 1-0), noon, Saturday, (ABC). The Gamecocks pulled away in the second half to win at Kentucky in the only league game played this past week. There are only three SEC league games this week so South Carolina has a chance to maintain its hold on first place. It won’t be easy against LSU and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who beat Nicholls State, 44-21, last week. The Gamecocks hope to continue the strong play of two first-time starters in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive end Dylan Stewart. Sellers threw two TDs in the 31-6 win over the Wildcats. LSU has won the past seven meetings, but are just 7-point favorites, according to BetMGM.

Power 4 showdowns

It is another light SEC schedule with only two other league games: Texas A&M at Florida and No. 1 Georgia at Kentucky.

No. 24 Boston College (2-0) plays at No. 6 Missouri (2-0). The Eagles opened with two wins under first-year coach Bill O’Brien and made the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018. Boston College should have one of its biggest challenges of the year against Mizzou, which has not given up a point in shutout victories over Murray State (51-0) and Buffalo (38-0). It is the first time since 1935 the Tigers held consecutive opponents to zero points.

No. 4 Alabama (2-0) goes to Wisconsin (2-0) for the first time since 1928. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has led the Crimson Tide with 394 yards passing and five touchdowns in wins over Western Kentucky and USF. Wisconsin allowed both Western Michigan and South Dakota to stay within two touchdowns in two home wins.

Impact player

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart set an SEC record by completing his first 24 passes in a wipeout of Middle Tennessee last week. Dart surpassed the league mark of 23 in a row set by Tennessee’s Tee Martin at South Carolina in 1998. The Rebels’ previous best was 19 in a row by Matt Corral against Vanderbilt in 2020. Dart and the Rebels play at Wake Forest this week.

Inside the numbers

There are three SEC teams among the top five in FBS total offense through two weeks. Ole Miss leads with way with 713 yards a game. Arkansas is No. 2 nationally at 667 yards per game. Tennessee ranks fifth with 589 yards. … South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori had seven tackles and a game-breaking pick six as the Gamecocks opened SEC play with a road win for first time since 2017. … Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton had a sack and a five-yard stop for safety as the Sooners held on to best Houston 16-12. The safety was Oklahoma’s only scoring play of the second half. … Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 246 yards and three TDs in a 31-12 win at defending champion Michigan.

Surprise starts

Nine of the 16 SEC teams opened 2-0 this season and most of them are the highly ranked teams like Georgia, Alabama and Texas. But the group also includes South Carolina and Vanderbilt, who were expected to finish 13th and 16th, respectively, in preseason predictions. The Gamecocks started with two wins for the first time since 2021 and only the third time in the past 11 seasons. It’s the third straight season the Commodores have started with two victories. However, the team finished 5-7 in 2022 and 2-10 a year ago.