7-8 Days in South Carolina and possibly Georgia?? Need Itinerary help!

I wouldn't spend time in both Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. They are both resort areas, and very similar to each other.

Fort Sumter Monument

Go to Fort Moultrie first. First, you won't be herded like you will at Fort Sumter, so you can take the time to learn the history (which primes you for Sumter). Second, it's a big area, with nice fields, perfect for the little one to roam (and again, at your own leisure). There are even some small beaches right there--quiet, and usually occupied by fisherman, if anyone. It also opens early, so you can start your day nice and early. (To make the most of your time, I suggest going to Sumter early the next day, as ferries can sell out later in the day).

plantation (Drayton Hall, Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation tour)

Drayton is about the history. Don't expect fancy furnishings--it's empty. (Think of it as a restoration project.)
Magnolia is about the gardens and swamp. (But they nickel and dime you to death).
Boone has a good program on the Gullah culture. It's also the closest. But the house is half closed (it's still occupied).

Are we missing anything that are must sees?

Because you may drive by on the way south, Angel Oak. It's a 15 minute diversion.
And because you like "food," Charleston Tea Plantation. The only one in the US.

How many days here would be good?

I would spend at least three days in Charleston.

Could we spend the whole time here and do some day trips or is that too much?

Not reasonably. You'll spend too much time in the car.

Savannah

The city tends to reward those who amble; it's a laid-back place that doesn't yield it's charms too quickly.
With that said, definitely go, plan on a day or two. Hit the train museum, the next-door children's museum, and Forsyth Park.
Oh, and you can drink on the street in the historic district. Plenty of places with to-go bars.

HiltonHhead has little public beach and otherwise is a very homogenized, boring place---not exactly the great outdoors. Myrtle Beach is a low-end beach town that has been trying to upgrade its image. Myrtle Beach is ok for a stopover--lunch or dinner and a look around. Hilton Head isn't what I'd consider a "destination" unless you really like generic resorts (and many people do). Tybee Island has its fans, but its also pretty unremarkable as beach towns go.

Savannah may seem like overkill after Charleston--more old houses. I'm an architecture buff and found it kindof overrated,. It doesn't have Charleston's restaurants, either. Charleston has kayaking and other outdoor activities nearby. There are nice rental properties on a large beach a few miles outside the city.

I'd skip Savannah and Hilton Head and either go further North to the Outer Banks or further South to Cumberland Island.

I'd skip Savannah and Hilton Head and either go further North to the Outer Banks or further South to Cumberland Island.

Good idea above. If you have time you could visit Beaufort, SC which is an historic town has lovely antebelleum homes and trees dripping with Spanish moss and a fairly lively downtown. There is the Spanish Moss Trail, a rail-trail for bicyclists and walkers, which goes to Yemasee. Eat fresh seafood.

Thanks for your comments, here is a revised schedule. Please critique!!!

We will have 7.5 days total (excluding flight and travel time) with a rental car to travel SC in early October.

• Flying into and out of Myrtle Beach.

• We are younger but travelling with a 2.5 year old so the beach and other children's activities are a must.

• We like outdoor activities, beach, pools, some history (if our 2yr old can handle it,) don't want to spend a lot on hotels if possible, could camp some of the time, enjoy good food, music..

Rough itinerary:

1. Fly into Myrtle Beach get there around 1pm, Drive to Charleston, Charleston, Downtown day

2. Charleston, beach day

3. Charleston, beach day

4. Charleston, plantation day

5. Charleston, tea, angel oak, fort, distillery/vineyard

6. Drive to Beaufort, Beaufort

7. Beaufort, surrounding areas

8. Beaufort, surrounding areas, drive to Myrtle

9. Fly out of Myrtle at noon

Here are some of the areas that we did some research on, but open to other ideas given our interests…

• Charleston 3 days stay downtown + 2 days stay beach?

○ History, food, downtown, The Battery, beaches (Folly Beach, Kiawah, Isle of Palms, Sullivan), aquarium, Children's Museum of Low country, Fort Moultrie (go here first to learn the history), Fort Sumter Monument, plantation [Drayton Hall (about the history, not furnished), Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation (mostly about gardens and swamp, has a petting zoo) tour], Pirates of Charleston (younger kids), Angel Oak (4-500 yr old tree), Charleston Tea Plantation (only tea plantation in North America)]

• Beaufort - 2 nights - see town and explore area islands [Hunting Island (full day or afternoon), Fripp Island (if stay there, watch the tides to pick a place), Edisto Beach (camp on beach?), seafood]

○ Small historic charming town, antebellum mansions, Hunting Island State Park (natural, beach, tent camping), Fripp Island, Harbor Island, Spanish Moss Trail

Anything to critique with schedule? Any major areas we will be near that shouldn't be missed? Too much or too little time in one place?

I would say make Charleston and Savannah the focus of your trip, skipping Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. You can get in beach time/ island time with Edisto island, Tybee island, or even better south of Savannah at Jekyll island or Cumberland Island.

You can drive to Jekyll, and it has a wonderful historic townsite plus beaches/wetlands. Cumberland can only be reached by boat, with an advance reservation. Cumberland is much wilder, with true wilderness beaches, and has the best campground.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. All of the things listed previously were just things we were looking at and not necessarily going to try and do them all. I updated our itinerary based on our preferences and all of your suggestions. Please critique..

1. Arrive in Myrtle Beach around noon, Drive to Charleston (2.25hrs), Historic District, The Battery
2. Historic District, SC Aquarium or Children's Museum
3. Fort Moultie, Boone Hall Plantation (do this over Magnolia?), Isle of Palms beach
4. Fort Sumter, Sullivans or Isle of Palms beach
5. Angel Oak Tree, Tea Plantation, distillery/vineyard, Kiawah or Edisto Beach, Drive to Beaufort (1.5hrs)
6. Beaufort, Hunting Island, Fripp Island
7. Beaufort, Spanish Moss Trail, Fripp Island
8. Beaufort, downtown, drive to Myrtle (3.75hrs)
9. Fly out of Myrtle Beach around noon.

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