Jones Gap, Caesars Head and Table Rock State Parks -- all in the Blue Ridge Mountains within 30 miles of Greenville -- have hiking trails that take you past waterfalls and to some of the state's most spectacular mountain views. Often, the leaves begin changing to fall colors late in September. A popular path is Caesar Head's 2-mile Raven Cliff Falls Trail, which leads to a suspension bridge above the 420-foot-tall cascades. Experience an old-fashioned, small-town festival at the South Carolina Apple Festival in Westminister, typically held in early September. The Oconee County event includes arts and crafts, a parade, children's rides and plenty of tasty fare. Downtown Greenville's Falls Park along the Reedy River is home to a free Moonlight Movie series that shows classic films each Wednesday in September.
Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, includes several downtown attractions within a few blocks. Take a tour of the historic copper-domed state house and its grounds, or stroll on brick walkways under majestic oak trees at the University of South Carolina's original campus, the circa-1805 Horseshoe. Also nearby are the South Carolina State Museum and the adjacent EdVenture, the South's largest children's museum. Each September, the State Museum holds a Fall Heritage Festival & Pickin' Party, with barbecue, live music and folk art. Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 animals and several themed botanical gardens. In late September, Riverbanks holds its annual "Zoofari," an evening fundraiser that includes a behind-the-scenes tour, up-close animal encounters, food and cocktails, live entertainment and a silent auction.
September is one of the prime times to visit South Carolina's coast, including historic Charleston, Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach. Although the days are less humid, temperatures remain warm enough for a day at the beach and swimming in the ocean. Most summer visitors have departed by Labor Day, leaving uncrowded shorelines, golf courses and other attractions, and in many cases, lower accommodation prices. September festivals along the Palmetto State coast include the Taste of Charleston at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant; the Hilton Head Burgers & Brew Festival at Shelter Cove Park; and the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, near Myrtle Beach.
Ask many residents of South Carolina what they look forward to in September and the response is "College football!" The University of South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers have had nationally ranked teams in past seasons and are known for their loyal fan bases. On several September Saturdays, Clemson's Memorial Stadium, aka "Death Valley," and Columbia's Williams-Brice Stadium fill with fans. Tickets are available online through the schools' athletic websites or via ticket sites. Other NCAA Division I football teams in the state include Furman in Greenville; The Citadel and Charleston Southern in Charleston; Coastal Carolina in Conway; Presbyterian in Clinton; South Carolina State in Orangeburg; and Wofford in Spartanburg.
