61 miles NE of Charleston

A short drive north of Hampton Plantation, the Colonial era comes alive at Georgetown. Named after King George II, this enclave of only 9,000 people boasts more than 50 historic homes and buildings dating back as far as 1737. When Elisha Screven laid out the town in 1729, he couldn’t have known that it would become a lively shopping enclave. Masted ships sailed from this riverfront, bound for England with their cargoes of indigo, rice, timber, and “king cotton.” You can take a leisurely stroll along the Harbor Walk, tour the antebellum homes, or dine at some of my favorite spots. Georgetown is rarely crowded with visitors. Located 12 miles from the Atlantic, this community is South Carolina’s third-oldest city.