What's New in South Carolina: 2021 Updates

As we continue this year with tentative optimism in our hearts, South Carolina is ready to welcome visitors to safely experience their newest accommodations, culinary delights, and state-of-the-art attractions. Visitors will have great access to the Palmetto State's diverse cultures and thriving culinary scene thanks to exciting events and attractions, while experiencing new luxurious amenities and accommodations. From the mountains to the Midlands to the coast, 2021 will be a year to remember in South Carolina. Learn more about what's new in the state:

Hotels and Resorts: New Properties and Packages

• Haig Point (Daufuskie Island): Gullah Geechee culture is primed for a wave of awareness in 2021, in part thanks to its inclusion on Lonely Planet's 2021 Best in Travel List, and Haig Point is a great location to explore it. While there are no hotels on the island, the first Cottages at Haig Point will be opening with 12 guest rooms in 2021. The island will also be offering additional amenities like paddleboarding, kayaking, yoga, and more, making 2021 the perfect time to visit.

• Hilton Head Health (Hilton Head Island): Sweetgrass Inn will open at Hilton Head Health – just in time for all those wellness New Year resolutions. The 18,000 sq. ft., $5 million accommodations will feature 30 rooms overlooking the resort pool and will also have a game room and theater room for maximum relaxation. This will be the first time in the 40+ year history of the South Carolina island that a wellness resort & spa that they will have their own accommodations to host guests.

• The Grand Bohemian (Greenville): A new 160-room luxury hotel & spa will also open next spring 2022 in Falls Park. The beautiful hotel will overlook the Reedy River waterfalls downtown. Each of the hotel's 30 suites feature balconies, and there is an on-property spa, plus a two-story restaurant and bar with an expansive view of the city.

• Kiawah Golf Resort (Kiawah Island): The resort will be expanding its luxury accommodations to include four new golf cottages at The Ocean Course, tucked right next to the clubhouse and overlooking the driving range and the Atlantic Ocean. The four-bedroom cottages are designed by the world-renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects, which also designed the clubhouse. The cottages will be completed in advance of The Ocean Course hosting the 2021 PGA Championship. 

• 419 Hayne (Aiken): The recently opened 419 Hayne invites guests to enjoy their luxurious accommodations featuring unique art, cozy furnishings and top of the line décor handpicked by one of Aiken's local interior designers. Offering four individual suites, with the main entrance hallway being the only shared space, 419 Hayne is the perfect place for any getaway, whether it's short-term or an extended stay.

Culinary

• Johnny D's Chicken and Waffles (Surfside Beach): The popular South Carolina restaurant is opening a new location with a beachside theme fitting for its new neighborhood. It will be the location of the the former South Carolina Chef Ambassador Jamie Daskalis's restaurant.

• South Carolina's Lowcountry will be home to two new distilleries that will infuse their spirits with the area's rich history. RLB Distillery and Burnt Church Distillery will offer a variety of hand-crafted spirits from bourbon to vodka to the infamous moonshine.

• White Claw Brewery (Columbia): Pineview Industrial Park will now be home to $400 million dollar brewery and production facility. The facility is expected to be fully operation by summer and will be the largest built in the country in 25 years.

• A Trail of Sweet Treats (Old 96): Visitors can indulge their sweet tooth while exploring Old 96's five counties. From bakeries to cakeries to hole-in-the-wall cafes, there's a special sugary stop for every traveler.

Attractions and Experiences

• Unity Park (Greenville): Downtown Greenville will be home to a 60-acre gathering spot surrounded by the GHS Swamp Rabbit cycling trail with a pedestrian bridge over the Reedy River. Unity Park will have playground areas, water features, 6 acres of designated flat greenspace, a memorial, and an 80-foot-high observation tower. Visitors will also enjoy the new aerial adventure course, located on the perimeter. The park will sit on a formerly segregated area of town; the land used to be home to 2 parks- one for Black people, one of White people. The name Unity Park was derived to recognize Greenville's past and embrace inclusiveness and the future.

• Carowinds Bougie Board Racer (Fort Mill): Debuting in 2021 is Boogie Board Racer, the longest mat racing slide in the Southeast delivering a high-speed, competitive racing experience at Carowinds's waterpark. It is the first new attraction in the Carolina Harbor waterpark since it opened in 2016 and is “shore” to reward riders with a tsunami-size blast!

• The Catawba Indian Nation Cultural Center (Rock Hill): A newly resigned Cultural Center will be re-opening its doors in 2021! The Cultural Center provides an overview of the rich culture and history of the Catawba Indian Nation and features a craft store featuring native artisans.

• The Culture & Heritage Museum (Rock Hill): After two years of extensive renovations, The Main Street Children's Museum will be reopening in 2021. Designed for ages 6 and older, the museum features creative exhibits inspired by the art of the creator of Kellogg's Snap! Crackle! Pop! ©.

• The Shores of Ashbury (Anderson): The area's first multi-use recreational RV Resort will be opening this year. This RV Resort is unlike any other thanks to its treehouses, yurts, cabin rentals, primitive camping, waterfront grills, wedding venue, and water park, The Aqua Zone.

• International African American Museum (Charleston): Opening in 2022, this new museum will be located on a waterfront site that was once a major port for the transatlantic slave trade, the museum will focus on the untold stories of the African American journey. In addition to a variety of a dynamic exhibits, there will also be a free and public Memorial Garden and a Center for Family History, that will be a resource for the study of African American genealogy.

Upcoming Events

• World Bass Championship (Columbia): Nov 1st -7th – Lake Murray's world class fishery will host the 16th annual championship where international competitors will compete in a weeklong schedule of activities.

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