What is South Carolina Known For? 10 Things South Carolinians Love About Themselves

When you think of South Carolina, you might think of its gorgeous shoreline with white sand beaches, warm temperatures, golf courses, parks, festivals, the city of Charleston, and the vacation town of Myrtle Beach. Its rich culture, slow living, delicious cuisine, Southern hospitality, and the 60-mile stretch of beachfront often inspire people to consider moving to South Carolina. Situated in the southeastern United States between North Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina offers endless things for residents and tourists to do. While about five million people live in South Carolina, millions more visit as tourists every year. There are many things South Carolinians love about themselves.

The Palmetto State, South Carolina’s nickname, comes from its abundant palmettos. South Carolinians also appreciate the state’s other flora, including yellow jessamine and ancient oak trees. The ancient oak trees have so many stories to tell. Their branches are covered in Spanish moss, with the oldest estimated 500 years old. Its other well-known flora is its state tree, a small palm (Sabal palmetto).

South Carolina has three geographical regions: the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, the central Piedmont region, and the eastern Atlantic Coastal Plain. No matter which part of the state you live in or choose to visit, you will find art, history, and culture everywhere.

Keep reading to learn more about South Carolina’s southern charm and gorgeous nature, including the ten things South Carolinians love about themselves.

1. Southern Hospitality

When you think of South Carolina, you might think of Southern hospitality. And when you think of Southern hospitality, you might think of sipping sweet tea on the front porch swing and gathering with neighbors for a Sunday supper. But Southern hospitality is so much more than that. South Carolinians are well-known for politeness, friendliness, helpfulness, charm, and good home cooking. These qualities of Southern hospitality define what many South Carolinians love about themselves.

Politeness

In South Carolina, people are apt to be polite. They will always say “please,” “thank you,” “yes ma’am,” “no sir,” and “pardon me.” South Carolinians generally have excellent manners. They work hard to instill those manners in children early on in life. Many of them do this so that people grow up with that Southern politeness.

Friendliness

In South Carolina, you might find that strangers are friendlier to each other than in other parts of the country. For example, walking in the Northeast might pass a few people who do not acknowledge your existence on the street. In South Carolina, however, you can expect most people to say “hello” or “good morning” as you pass them by, whether you know that person or not.

Helpfulness

South Carolinians also pride themselves on being helpful whenever possible, whether to a neighbor or someone looking for directions. For example, suppose a South Carolinian runs into a tourist at a gas station, and that tourist is lost. In that case, the native will likely give directions to that lost traveler or invite them over for Sunday supper if they are lucky!

Southern Charm

You might think of Southern charm as just the South Carolinians’ way of life. Whether at the grocery store, post office, or church, people take their pleasantries very seriously. They will stop to have meaningful conversations, asking, “How are you?” and waiting for your response. It is common for South Carolinians to try to have grace under pressure.

An Introduction to South Carolinians’ Love for Food…

Many South Carolinians make delicious home-cooked meals for a crowd. They are known to welcome even strangers to their big, inviting suppers. You can expect a delightful Southern feast if invited to one of these meals. The meal might contain meatloaf, fried okra, butter beans, green beans, potatoes, rice, biscuits, and many desserts. Of course, this meal will vary from family to family, neighborhood to neighborhood, and region to region. Overall, however, this is a typical Sunday supper in South Carolina.

2. Food

One thing South Carolinians love about themselves and are passionate about is their state’s food and culinary traditions. South Carolina serves up distinctive Southern cuisine, like other states in the region. South Carolinians love sweet and spicy barbecue, homemade biscuits, shrimp and grits, hoppin’ John, she-crab soup, Charleston red rice, catfish stew, Frogmore stew, funnel cake, blue crab, and gumbo.

Some of these dishes are very local and, therefore, unclear in their names. Shrimp and grits are a traditional breakfast food in South Carolina. However, people in other states may consider it a lunch or dinner. Hoppin’ John, also known as Carolina peas and rice, consists of cowpeas, rice, chopped onion, and sliced bacon. She-crab soup is a creamy crab bisque. Frogmore stew is a one-pot meal of shrimp, corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage.

Lowcountry dishes are a source of pride for many South Carolinians. The culinary scene across the state, considering regional variations in styles and sauces, reflects a blend of Southern flavors and influences.

3. College Football

One thing South Carolinians love about themselves is their devotion to college football. They love to cheer on the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers. They will do this whether the teams achieve big or small wins. In many South Carolina homes, college football is like a religion.

4. Beautiful Nature

South Carolina offers diverse and picturesque landscapes from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coastal plains to Hilton Head Island. South Carolinians love the state’s natural beauty, including beaches, parks, mountains, and plains.

Popular beach destinations include the Hilton above Head Island and Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island has fewer than 40,000 year-round residents but 2.5 million visitors yearly. Likewise, Myrtle Beach has 35,000 year-round residents but sees 19 million visitors annually! These gorgeous beaches attract millions of tourists with their sandy shores and recreational activities.

South Carolina has 46 state parks, four state forests, two state historic sites, two national parks, two national forests, two national historic sites, and five national wildlife refuges. Moreover, South Carolina has no shortage of nature to see and appreciate.

Even though the Lowcountry in South Carolina is well-known, there are many mountains in South Carolina. Parts of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains run through South Carolina. These give residents and tourists a few incredible mountain hikes. Other mountains in South Carolina include Paris Mountain, Corbin Mountain, Cedar Creek Mountain, and Pinnacle Mountain, among others.

5. Outdoor Activities

South Carolina has a mild climate, providing the perfect weather for many outdoor activities almost every day. Residents and tourists enjoy hiking in the mountains, engaging in water activities, whether inland or along the coast, exploring state parks, and golfing.

Some of the most popular hiking trails in South Carolina include the Table Rock Trail, Boardwalk Loop Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, and Sulphur Springs Trail. South Carolina has so many hiking trails, and people love that about their state and themselves!

Water activities in South Carolina include boating, fishing, rafting down the Chattooga River, surfing, and other water sports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing.

Some of the most popular state parks in South Carolina include Huntington Beach State Park, Hunting Island State Park, and Myrtle Beach State Park.

Lastly, golf enthusiasts recognize South Carolina as a top-notch golf destination. The state hosts prestigious golf tournaments and has numerous golf courses, many of which are on the bucket lists of many serious golfers.

6. Art

Some of the United States’ most famous and accomplished artists have South Carolina ties. South Carolina’s art world is rich, from music to pottery to painting.

Whether you like country music, rock music, jazz, or funk, there is a South Carolinian musician for you! South Carolina was the birthplace of many famous musicians, including James Brown, Eartha Kitt, Chubby Checker, Edwin McCain, Darius Rucker, and Lee Brice.

David Drake, a potter, was an enslaved African American who lived in Edgefield, South Carolina. He created stoneware jugs between the 1820s and 1870s.

Jasper Johns, a painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker, grew up in Allendale, South Carolina. He is known for his depictions of the American flag.

7. Spoleto Festival USA

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others who sought to create an American counterpart to their annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, founded Spoleto Festival USA in 1977. For 17 days and nights each spring, Charleston fills up with people visiting for the Spoleto Festival USA. People pack into historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces. During the festival, they witness performances by renowned artists and emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and music. Music performances include those in chamber, jazz, symphonic, and choral.

8. History

South Carolinians are proud of their state, one of the thirteen colonies that first formed the United States. However, like many states, South Carolina has a complicated history. It was pivotal in the American Civil War and was the first state to secede from the Union. In 1861, it joined the new Confederate States of America. It was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the Southern United States. It lasted until 1865.

The Confederate States of America majorly supported the institution of slavery and was devoted to white supremacy. There is nuance in describing how South Carolinians feel about their state’s history, much of which was racist. Many residents acknowledge the painful legacy of slavery and the challenges of reconciliation that followed the war. South Carolina’s Civil War history serves as a multifaceted lens through which its residents navigate a nuanced understanding of their past and its implications for the present.

There are several preserved historical sites throughout the state. Residents and visitors can learn more about South Carolina’s history. These include museums, plantations, National Historic Landmarks, churches, monuments, and schoolhouses, among other historic sites.

9. Gullah Culture

The Gullah are an African-American ethnic group predominantly living in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. They live in other states, including North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. They are descendants of enslaved people and have preserved their language and culture in the Sea Islands of South Carolina. Visitors can learn about Gullah traditions and history in places like Hilton Head and St. Helena Island. Many residents take pride in the Gullah people’s rich heritage. This includes their language, traditions, and contributions to the state’s cultural tapestry.

10. Christianity

South Carolina is one of the most religious states in America. About 78% of South Carolinians are Christian, and it is safe to say they love that about themselves. Around 70% of adults say religion is “very important” in their lives, deeming them “highly religious.” Thus, Sunday church is common in many parts of the state. Only 3% of South Carolinians are of non-Christian faiths, and 19% are unaffiliated with any religion at all.