Folly Beach, SC – Here at “Edge of America”, as the locals know it, the New World merges perfectly with the Old. Surfers carve waves up and down the coast of deliciously called Folly Island, an irreverent nickname borrowed from Old English to describe the densely wooded coastline that the British found centuries ago.
The barrier island, which attracts millennials and families alike, serves as an ideal complement to historic cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, 10 miles north of Charleston, recently voted the best small town in the country for the 10th year. consecutive by Condé Leitores de Nast Traveler.
South Carolina’s topography, which stretches from its 187-mile coastline to the Blue Ridge Mountains, ensures that visitors will never run out of things to do. See how your next adventure in the state of Palmetto can unfold.
Day 1
For golfers, there is no better place to enjoy this coastline than at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Only a handful of branded resorts across the country pair an important championship spot like Ocean Course, ranked 9th among Golfweek’s best resort courses, with Five Diamond, The Sanctuary’s beachfront luxury.
If you don’t intend to hunt for trophies, consider taking a stroll around one of Kiawah’s other four courses, like the aquatic Oak Point, a targeted golf layout that will require an accurate shot of the tees for the greens. After the round, stop by Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House at Kiawah’s
Osprey Point Club, a stop on the South Carolina barbecue trail, where premium meat is combined with more than 60 craft beers.
Back in Folly Beach, consider testing your paddleboarding skills or taking a surfing lesson. “The Washout” – so called because Hurricane Hugo destroyed some houses, creating a wind tunnel that clouds the waves – is a great place to learn on the northern end of the beach.
(Oak Point)
Day 2
If you want to understand what the Midlands region in South Carolina is, consider a visit to Old McCaskill’s Farm in Camden, a charming Bed and Breakfast where guests can immerse themselves in the southern farm lifestyle. Midlands residents are attached to the land, and this fact infuses the cultivation ethos for the region’s table.
At McCaskill’s, you can enjoy farm animals and taste dishes prepared mainly with homemade ingredients. Visitors can even buy blankets made with shorn wool from the farm’s sheep each spring.
Continue this home-made adventure through the Midlands at Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports, where visitors can test their aim along a 1,500-acre ridge that presents the athlete with a series of challenging slope pitches. The founder and owner of the Hermitage, Joe Cantey, is a six-time world champion in sports clays.
Camden’s food scene is led by Sam Kendall’s, where the region’s largest wine list complements an eclectic and ever-changing menu.
(The Red Horse Inn)
Day 3
Autumn is a beautiful time to make this trip. As you move west into the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will arrive at The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, rated by the AAA among the top 10 places to see fall colors. The inn has six beautifully decorated rooms and six private cottages, allowing visitors to enjoy views of 50 miles from Table Rock to Tryon Peak in North Carolina.
The long views are almost as good in Travelers Rest in Cherokee Valley, a PB Dye design with extensive panoramas of the northern region of the state.
After your round, take a short drive to Whistle Stop at the American Café along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Whistle Stop, which offers seasonal rooftop meals, specializes in wood-fired pizzas and southern dishes.
Weather permitting, visit Table Rock State Park, where the most ambitious hikers can hike to the top of the Table Rock and Pinnacle mountains. Or consider a leisurely stroll along the streams and past waterfalls. This will give you an even greater appreciation of the views from the Blue Ridge.
(Table Rock)
Originally published