Located in Dorchester County, Saint George is a town located in the southern half of South Carolina. It is considered a part of the Charleston - North Charleston - Summerville metropolitan area and is nearly equal distance to three major cities of the State. Columbia is about an hour and 10-minutes’ drive away, Charleston is about a one hour drive away, and Hilton Head is about an hour and a half away.
1. Dorchester County Archives and History Center
The Dorchester County Archives and History Center is home to the Heritage Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of Dorchester County. The museum is located in the Old County Courthouse, about a block away from the main crossroads of the town. Exhibits in the museum include information on historical persons, Native Americans, the environment, and more.
Individual and group tours are available from Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, as well as on Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is 5 USD for adults, 4 USD for seniors, and 3 USD for students. If there is a group larger than 10 individuals, the price per person is 4 USD for adults, 3 USD for seniors, and 2 USD for children.
Dorchester County Archives and History Center
Address: 101 County Rd S-18-61, St George, SC 29477
2. Brosnan Forest
The Brosnan Forest is a wildlife preserve that is home to the largest population of red-cockaded woodpeckers, in the United States. The preserve is open for all sorts of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, swimming, bird watching, and more. Guests are very happy with their time spent here and said it was a great place for some family bonding time, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Brosnan Forest
Address: 125 Brosnan Forest Road Saint George, South Carolina 29437
Website: Brosnan Forest
3. Lourie Theatre
This historic building is located right in the downtown area of Saint George. The building, built in 1929, was actually spared in a large fire, in 2005. The theatre was partially renovated in 2000, to give it more features of a modern theatre, but it still maintains its historical charm.
Lourie Theatre is home to an organized Adult Community Theatre program, that puts on their own productions of Broadway and traditional theatre shows. Guests say the theatre is a great community venue that is a family-friendly and positive atmosphere, for all.
Lourie Theatre
Address: 206 North Parler Ave. Saint George, South Carolina 29477
Website: Lourie Theatre
4. Shug’s Southern Soul Café
In order to get some classic soul food, look no further than Shug’s Southern Soul Café. Serving all the soul food necessities, such as grits and fried chicken, the food at Shug’s gets consistent positive reviews from its patrons. Guests also enjoyed knowing they are supporting a small, local business, run by a family that epitomizes southern hospitality.
Shug’s is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. The cafe’s location is right near Interstate 95, which makes it an easy stop while making your way through the area. Shug’s is also the scene of many live music acts, that feature a variety of music genres.
Shug’s Southern Soul Café
Address: 5792 County Road S-18-200, St George, SC 29477
Website: Shug’s Southern Soul Café
5. World Grits Festival
This annual festival is held in the springtime and is a celebration of local food and culture. It was originally created when it was discovered in the 1980s that Dorchester County consumes more grits than any other place in the world. The World Grits Festival is a three-day event that takes place around April, every year. During the festival around 30,000 people join in on the community fun, which includes food vendors, music acts, and activities. One such activity is the world famous “Rolling in the Grits Contest”, where competitors literally roll around in a small pool of grits, to win the title.
Local vendors are encouraged to apply to be a part of the festival. Anyone is welcome, and the festival is great fun for guests of any age.
World Grits Festival
Address: 110 South Parler Avenue, St. George SC 29477
Website: World Grits Festival
6. Carolina Heritage Outfitters
Upon hearing the title of this next place, you may be thinking it’s a clothing store, but you would be mistaken. Instead, Carolina Heritage Outfitters is a company that provides tree houses for rent, along the Edisto River. Located about a 15-minutes’ drive south of Saint George, this spot is a tucked away gem for nature lovers. Every tree house here is nestled far from the others, providing privacy and seclusion. All must be accessed by canoe and each provides sleeping arrangements and an outdoor grill.
There are small, medium, and large tree houses, each sleeping 2-4, 3-6, and 5-8 guests, respectively. The tree house package includes canoes, shuttle service, secure parking, trip logistics, and walking trails through the wildlife refuge.
Carolina Heritage Outfitters
Address: 1 Livery Lane, St. George, SC 29477
Website: Carolina Heritage Outfitters
A celebration of nature, history, and most importantly...food
Saint George is a small town with a lot of character. Here you can find plenty of historical sites, ample sites for outdoor activities, and of course some great and authentic southern food. And with Saint George’s proximity to the large cities of South Carolina, taking a stop here is easy if you are driving to or from Columbia, Hilton Head, or Charleston. And when you are all tuckered out from the day’s adventures, feel free to grab a night in a private and secluded tree house, to get a good night’s rest alongside nature.