After seeing similar posts on other travel sites like the Matador Network, I thought it would be fun to compile a completely sarcastic list of reasons why not to visit South Carolina while actually promoting everything I love about the state.

Courtesy photo

1. You don’t want to make any new friends – South Carolinians are friendly and polite. As you walk down the street in Charleston, Greenville or Columbia, people will smile at you and say hello. Don’t be shocked, it is just our Southern charm showing. And you never know, you may meet a friend for life.

2. You love being on a diet – South Carolina has some of the best food around. From Southern fried chicken and shrimp and grits to collard greens and barbecue, if you want to stay on your diet of lettuce and rice cakes, don’t come. In addition to traditional Southern food, Charleston has innovative restaurants serving local ingredients and creating amazing dishes.

3. You hate going from the mountains to the beach in one day – South Carolina has it all. You can start your day on the beach soaking up the sun, and after a half day’s drive to the west, end your day on top of a mountain. Plus, along the way are beautiful sights to enjoy as the landscape changes.

4. You love driving on the interstate – South Carolina isn’t known for its inter-connectivity via the interstate system.  There are many places, including Myrtle Beach, that can only be reached by local highways and back roads. No worries though, as the small towns along the way have plenty of friendly people to help you find your way.

A view of the beach in Myrtle Beach

5. Warm sand and the ocean make you sad – All along the South Carolina coast are beautiful beaches just waiting for you to enjoy. Make sure to bring your sunscreen because the sun will creep up on you before you know it and you will be burnt to a crisp.

6. Enjoying nature isn’t at the top of your list – This state has many state parks to enjoy. From Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington State Park near Myrtle Beach to Table Rock State Park in the upstate, there are plenty of places to escape the cities and busy life for some quiet, serene time in a park.

7. Learning about history doesn’t interest you – South Carolina has some of the richest history around with Charleston being one of the oldest cities in the United States. We have grand plantation homes, Civil War battlefields, a place called the “Dark Corner” where deserting soldiers used to hide in the mountains to get away from the war…we have it all if you are interested in learning about it.

8. Fresh, local produce just doesn’t suit your palate – Farm stands are a staple along South Carolina highways and farmers markets pop up every spring to provide the freshest produce. It seems as if every farmer knows that selling directly to the consumer is the best way to get that fresh from the farm taste. In Myrtle Beach alone, there is a farmers market almost every day somewhere in the county…and we still have the local produce stands along the highway.

9. You hate beer and cocktails – Myrtle Beach has New South and Charleston has many others breweries. And then there are the distilleries like Palmetto Moonshine and High Wire Distillery, to name just two. Many South Carolinians enjoy locally crafted beverages with friends and family.

10. You don’t want to support local business – In addition to the local farm stands, South Carolina has a ton of local businesses trying to make a go of it. Revitalized downtowns across the state are full of entrepreneurs providing products and services to their communities. Business people are attracted to South Carolina’s low taxes and opportunities for all.