South Carolina

There are several client healthcare facilities in South Carolina. Each offers a range of care services, from emergency to physical therapy, while others may offer specialty medicine. The healthcare providers are often some of the best in their respective regions and are known for their quality care.

The state of South Carolina is located in the Southeastern United States and part of the region known as "the Deep South." The climate of South Carolina offers humid summers and relatively mild winters, especially in the coastal areas. Snowfall in South Carolina is rare, though some coastal areas may get a few inches. More than 5 million people live in South Carolina.

South Carolina is nicknamed "The Palmetto State," which refers to the official state tree, the Sabal Palmetto. The state received the nickname from the tree because a palmetto log fort withstood heavy cannon fire in the Revolutionary War. The South Carolinians were impressed by the tree's durability and made it their official state tree, nickname, and even part of the state seal. South Carolina's state quarter also bears an image of the Sabal Palmetto, along with a picture of the Carolina Wren, the state bird. Carolina Wrens are small with white stripes over their eyes and have a reddish-brown body with black on their tail. Learn more about South Carolina at the official state website.

One of the biggest attractions in South Carolina can be found on its coast in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Featuring 60 miles of beaches, it's one of the biggest beach destinations for families. Myrtle Beach actually consists of 14 different communities, and Myrtle Beach offers great entertainment. You can play on the beach, dig for shells, swim, or stroll the boardwalk. At the boardwalk, you'll find an arcade, the Skywheel, a haunted house, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and other family fun options.

For hikers and anyone who loves the serene view of the forest, there's Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, South Carolina. The park is actually connected by trail to the Caesars Head Park, so you can easily travel between the two on a hike. Jones Gap State Park features 10,000 acres of mountain woodlands with more than 60 miles of hiking trails for all skill levels. Take a 1-mile hike from near the park's headquarters, and you'll be able to see Jones Gap Falls, a 50-foot waterfall with wading pools to enjoy. Freshwater fishers will love fishing in the Middle Saluda River which runs straight through the park. There are over 60 species of wildlife to spot, more than 100 birds to see, and a fish hatchery to visit.

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in Hardeeville, South Carolina is over 30,000 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, and bottomland hardwoods offering sanctuary for waterfowl and various protected species. Observing wildlife like deer, alligator, ducks, bald eagles, osprey, and manatees is a great experience, especially on some of the many trails running through the park. You can even drive through 4 miles of the nature preserve to spot many of the species who call it home.

Cheraw State Park in in Cheraw, South Carolina offers an activity for any interest. The state park features an 18-hole woodland golf course, 9 campsites, and several trails. Extensive equipment rentals at the park let you do a variety of activities as there's fishing gear, canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, and pedal boats for rent. A playground, picnic facilities, and plenty of wildlife to view make it an ideal place for a family day out.

Found in Charleston, South Carolina, The Gibbes Museum of Art has over 10,000 works of American art, with many pieces related to the South. The first floor of the Gibbes features a free activity floor that gives you an appreciation for the arts, while the second and third floors are robust galleries with hundreds of works of art to view, including one of the largest miniature portrait collections in the country. Other exhibits cover a variety of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and art decorative.

Looking for a bit of education mixed with fun? EdVenture Children's Museum in Columbia, South Carolina evokes curiosity and wonder. There are over 92,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and activities. Children can climb into a larger-than-life model of the human body, sit in the cockpit of a Boeing 757, play in a biology lab, and pretend to be a vet. These exhibits, plus seasonal activities like indoor sledding make the EdVenture fun all year.

What's more Southern and delicious in South Carolina? BBQ, of course. There are multiple famous BBQ places located throughout the state, but Shuler's BBQ in Latta, South Carolina is one of the best. Using the founder's family's 1956 BBQ sauce recipe, the restaurant offers meats slow-cooked over wood coals and serves them up in an all-you-can-eat buffet. The restaurant's warm and rustic cabin feel makes it a great place to spend a meal with family and friends. On nice days, eat on the deck overlooking the water.

South Carolina is also known for its seafood. There are hundreds of places to grab fresh-caught oysters, fried fish, and other grub, but one of the standouts has to be The Sea Shack in Hilton Head. Unlike other seafood spots, The Sea Shack offers made-to-order food. You place your order at the counter, then it's delivered to your table. Plates of conch fritters, flounder, grouper, conch fritters, and other bites let you feed the whole family at a great price. It's no wonder there's always a line to get into the restaurant.

When you're in the South, you must try a plate or two of soul food. Martha Lou's Kitchen in Charleston, South Carolina is one of the top places for soul food staples like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Martha's Lou's has been named one of the best restaurants in the area by customers, Martha Stewart, and even The New York Times. Dishes are simple, homemade, and filling, and you'll feel right at home. Specials change daily and come with your choice of 2 or 3 sides. Many say that you can't visit Charleston until you eat at Martha's Lou's.

Located right on the Reedy River, Downtown Greenville, South Carolina has a beautiful historic downtown shopping area that's extremely pedestrian-friendly. This award-winning Main Street has an excellent mix of over 100 shops. Browsing Mast General Store will let you see candies and products from times gone by while also picking up new gear from popular outdoor groups, then head next door to look at the toys on the shelves of O.P. Taylor's Toys. There are also record shops, jewelry boutiques, and other specialty shops. Adjacent to the downtown shopping district is Falls Park, a 32-acre park with a stunning suspension bridge, plus a restaurant.

While at Myrtle Beach, you'll likely find great merchandise at one of the many shops at Broadway on the Beach. This 350-acre shopping complex has all kinds of local and national shops with beachwear, eats, toys, and gifts. After you've shopped till you drop, you can stop into one of the complex's dining options.

One look at the bustling Historic Charleston City Market in Charleston, South Carolina, and you'll know why it's been a standard of the area since the 1790s. Spanning 4 city blocks, this landmark bustles with a variety of vendors. More than 300 daily vendors are here to sell home decor, handmade crafts, soaps, food, and anything else that's a piece of historic Charleston. Every March to December, the Charleston City Market opens for nighttime vending with live entertainment and 100% locally-made products.

South Carolina is safe for families, and regularly sees vacationers from all over the world. Each city or town is protected by a vigilant police force who ensure the safety of all who visit or live in the state. Columbia, South Carolina, and several other cities in the state have been ranked among the top 250 safest in the country.