South Carolina's Intracoastal Waterway Offers Vacation Variety

By Dataw Island on April 1, 2009 2:33 PM | No Comments

The American South is full of interesting places to visit and activities that will engage both the mind and soul. One of the often overlooked features is the Intracoastal Waterway which begins in Virginia and leads boat owners and sightseers through a series of man-made canals, natural rivers, and salt-water estuaries all the way to Florida (technically, the waterway extends into New Jersey to the north and Texas to the southwest, but the portion outside the Southern U.S. is more commercial and less scenic).
The Intracoastal is perhaps the most idyllic within the state of South Carolina. If you are a people watcher, autumn is a great time to sit on a grassy bank along the canal and watch the "snowbirds" drift along as they move their sailboats and motor yachts to their winter homes in Florida. A great place to begin your Intracoastal adventure is in the City of Beaufort. Beaufort personifies the history and grace of the old South. A slow walk through the National Historic District is a must. See the opulent homes built during the pre-Civil War era when cotton was king.
Also, don't miss the Gullah Festival in late May. The festival honors the unique culture that developed on the islands of the area by former slaves and freedmen. Listen to jazz, blues, and storytellers. Watch dancers, view artist create new work - but most of all enjoy the delicious food!