Subject to moderate seasonal changes and occasional weather extremes, South Carolina's winters are mild, though they can be colder in the higher elevations of its western mountains. The summers can be quite hot and humid, reaching into the 90s in mid- to late summer. Spring and fall offer the most optimal temperatures for traveling. The coastal area of the state is subject to seasonal hurricanes during late summer to fall.
South Carolina offers a great deal of natural beauty, such as the famous Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of the state as well as the beaches that line the state's eastern Atlantic coast. Frequented destinations including the well-known Myrtle Beach offer ideal beach vacations but attract large crowds of visitors during the spring and summer months. Oconee National Park offers visitors a gateway into the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains in South Carolina's upcountry.
National monuments and other historic sites dot the landscape of this southern U.S. state. The vibrant history of the country's eighth state is reflected by attractions such as the Overmount Victory National Historic trail, which follows the route once used by patriot soldiers to track the British. Located in the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter National Monument has its roots in the Civil War as the site of the war's first battle.
Charleston boasts seaside views and Civil War-era homes. Charleston's historic district is home to many structures built before the Civil War, while a smaller number of structures were built before the Revolutionary War. The city is also home to numerous steeple churches and fragrant gardens that decorate the landscape. The city of Columbia houses the South Carolina State Museum. This four-part museum explores the state's history and culture and is housed in a former cotton mill built in 1894.
