Trendiest travel destination? This SC island ranks No. 1 in nation for Labor Day
A South Carolina island is a “top coastal escape” — and ranks as the nation’s trendiest place to visit for Labor Day.
Edisto Island ranks No. 1 on a list of destinations gaining the most interest for holiday weekend trips, according to results published Aug. 12.
The “slow-paced” island wasn’t the only place in South Carolina to earn a spot in the rankings. Beaufort is No. 5 and Lake Keowee landed at No. 6 on the list from the vacation rental website HomeToGo.
To determine the top trending travel destinations, HomeToGo studied thousands of searches people conducted on its website earlier this year. The website focused on those who considered traveling within the United States from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 — the days surrounding Labor Day. Then, it compared the figures to 2024 searches to calculate interest in each place over time, the website wrote in a news release.
“Edisto Island, Beaufort, and Lake Keowee — all of which offer unique charm and attractions for the holiday — have registered notable year-over-year search uplifts via HomeToGo.com,” Eleanor Moody, a travel expert for the website, told McClatchy News via email.
Why the SC travel destination ranks No. 1
Edisto Island reigned supreme when it was found to have a 521% increase in year-over-year search interest. The island, a roughly 40-mile drive south from the popular tourist spot of Charleston, was praised for being a place where vacationers can “slow down.”
“Edisto Island offers a slower pace of travel across its quiet beaches, scenic bike paths, and tidal creeks,” the website wrote in its report. “With nature preserves and surrounding sea life, it’s a top destination for coastal walks, kayaking, and spotting dolphins.”
Also ranking among the top trending destinations is Beaufort at No. 5. The city, a roughly 35-mile drive north from the travel hot spot of Hilton Head Island, received nods for its Southern hospitality and Lowcountry setting.
“Beaufort is an ideal long-weekend retreat for scenic strolls through historic downtown, as well as kayaking adventures along its waterfronts,” Moody wrote.
Meanwhile, No. 6-ranked Lake Keowee was recognized for its appeal to nature lovers. The body of water, a roughly 35-mile drive west from Greenville, offers boating, fishing and other activities along 387 miles of shoreline, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the VisitGreenvilleSC tourism website.
“Visitors can cap off the summer with a serene mountain-lake escape characterized by crystal-clear waters, lush forested shorelines, and relaxation opportunities that feel worlds away from the hustle,” Moody wrote.
With three top 10 destinations, South Carolina had a bigger presence in the rankings than any other state. The Palmetto State also made its mark earlier this year, when Cherry Grove Beach ranked on a separate HomeToGo list of the best beach destinations across the country, McClatchy News reported.
This time around, here are the places that rounded out the nation’s top five trending Labor Day destinations:
- Indianapolis at No. 2
- Annapolis, Maryland, at No. 3
- North Wildwood, New Jersey, at No. 4
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Trendiest travel destination? This SC island ranks No. 1 in nation for Labor Day."
