Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Value Times are January, April, May, October, November and December. Excludes Holidays and Special Events

Yesterday and today, a visit to South Carolina pulls in both directions. On one side are some outstanding sights that bring you closer to the past: the superb historic district in Charleston, Revolutionary War battlefields, restored antebellum plantations. On the other side are the joys of the present: luxurious resorts, sandy beaches, big-name musical entertainment and a huge selection of first-class golf courses.

Happily, the two go well together. When the kids begin to riot over the prospect of viewing another old building, you can appease them with roller coasters, sand castles and water slides. And when you begin to fear that too much relaxation has dulled your brain, you're usually only a short drive from a site that can provide some three-dimensional education about U.S. history.

Dining

With its miles of beaches and shoreline, South Carolina enjoys a natural abundance of seafood. Shrimp, oysters and crab turn up in a variety of guisesshe-crab soup for instance. Those with a hankering for soul food should be sure to sample fried chitterlings or a mess of collard greens. Carolina red rice is also a specialty. Be sure to have biscuits and gravy for breakfast at least once. Real Southern barbecue (always pork, not beef) and one of the many recipes for chicken (fried, stewed, smothered or fricasseed, for starters) should also not be missed. Those who seek other cuisines will find plenty to choose from, especially in Charleston and the resort areas.

Shopping

Crafts indigenous to South Carolina (pottery, quilts, and sweetgrass baskets) are sold at the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro, 45 mi/70 km west of Charleston. Similar items are sold throughout the state (often in smaller shops) and make special souvenirs. Though you probably won't understand it, you may get lucky and hear the musical Gullah language spoken, especially among the weavers of sweetgrass baskets.

Charleston has a lot of antique shops, as well as art galleries and boutiques. Greenville and Spartanburg, as centers of the textile industry, offer outlet stores where you can buy a variety of clothing and other goods at substantial discounts.

Fresh peaches are a good buy in season. South Carolina is the No. 1 producer of peaches for the fresh market in the United States. The Pawley's Island hammock, woven by hand in the Myrtle Beach area, makes a great present (or get one for your own relaxation needs).

Weather

South Carolina's climate is mild and humid. Its long coast lies near the Gulf Stream, which keeps coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the interior. The mountains in the northwest help protect the rest of the state from cold air, but the higher elevations are usually cooler in summer and colder in winter than the rest of the state.

Transportation

South Carolina has four good-sized airports; Charleston International Airport (CHS), Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Commuter lines link smaller towns and cities within the state. Some hotels provide shuttle service from the airports, and major car-rental agencies staff branches at the terminals.