3 Day Road Trips From Columbia

Road-trips are one of the best parts of summer. Fortunately, there are many exciting destinations that are worth taking from the Orangeburg, South Carolina, area. Greenville Greenville, South Carolina, is just a short drive from Orangeburg. The city offers an abundance of entertainment including restaurants, parks, and museums. Paris Mountain State Park is a popular area for outdoor entertainment with over 1,540-acres of land. The 13.0-acre Lake Placid is also within the state park and is great for fishing, swimming, and boating. You can also rent one of the campsites within the park for an extended getaway. Fells Park on the Reedy is another great choice. This 32.0-acre park is right in the historic part of Greenville and overlooks a 50.0-foot waterfall. If you are into history, then you will want to check out The Children's Museum of the Upstate or the Greenville County Museum of Art. Complete your trip to Greenville with a meal at Sassafras Southern Bistro or the Trappe Door. more Walhalla You might have to drive a little further to enjoy the beauty of Walhalla, but the sights at the Stumphouse Tunnel and Station Cove Falls are worth it. This city sits at the bottom of the Blue Ridge Mountains, giving you breathtaking views of the waterfalls and natural scenery of South Carolina. Grab a bite to eat at the Mountain View Restaurant where you can enjoy food and exceptional outdoor views. The Kountry Kupboard is also an American-inspired diner with a hometown feel. Camden Camden is one of the oldest cities in all of South Carolina and makes for an educational and entertaining day trip. You can take a stroll around the city and enjoy the historic houses that date back to the 1800s. Make sure you check out the Historic Camden Revolutionary War museum. You can explore the museum's grounds which were once a battlefield in the Revolutionary War. The museum also offers picnic tables, a nature trail, and an on-site gift shop. Grab a bite to eat at some of the best restaurants in Camden including Blackmon's Little Midget and Sam Kendall's. If you want to fuel up before your trip back home, make sure you stop by Books on Broad and Coffee or Candy's at the Granary for a cup of fresh coffee. Atlanta Just a short drive and you will arrive at one of the most hustling and bustling cities in the south. Atlanta, Georgia, is home to the world's largest open ocean tank which is perfect for visitors of all ages. The Atlanta Botanical Garden also features over 30-acres of colorful plants and flowers.  You and your family can enjoy a retro home-cooked dinner at the Home Grown GA Restaurant. If you prefer soul food, try the Busy Bee Cafe. If you have some extra time to spare, visit The Shops at Buckhead for a unique shopping experience. This summer, load the kids in the car and explore the local area with a road trip. Each of these destinations is sure to create lasting summer memories. Image by Jason A G cc by nd-2.0

There are so many great places to explore within a short drive from Columbia, South Carolina. Check out these fun day trips this weekend! more Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge Only two hours southeast of Columbia is the fantastic Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and its beautiful Boneyard Beach. The refuge has an avian sanctuary that spreads over 66,000 acres where you can spot 277 different bird species that call this refuge home. From the beach, you can sometimes see Loggerhead turtles. You can also explore the park's two different lighthouses which offer stunning views along the coastline. The park is only accessible by ferry. Walhalla Drive about two and a half hours northwest of Columbia, and you'll discover the small town of Walhalla, South Carolina. If you want to explore the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, this is where you want to start your day. From Walhalla, you can join hiking or biking trails that will lead you to waterfalls, past gorges, through forests, and along rivers. The mountains are so accessible from here and it's also a wonderful place to head to see the fall foliage in October and November. Parris Island Parris Island is located in Beaufort and is roughly two and a half hours south of Columbia. It is packed with history and beauty that is well worth a day trip. The island itself is best known now as a Marine Corps training facility, but it is open to the public to explore The history of Parris Island is long. It starts with the Native Americans and moves onto the arrival of the French in 1562. The Spanish came to the area for a brief time and the island also played a large role in the Spanish-American war. Be sure to head to the museum to learn all about the island's history and the efforts of the Marines. Camden This historic town is only 45 minutes from downtown Columbia, making it a fantastic spot for a day trip. Camden was founded in 1732 by decree by King George II, making it South Carolina's oldest inland town. While you're in town, check out the Camden Revolutionary War site. It's an open-air museum where you can learn about the American Revolutionary War. The site was a major supply post for the British during the war. You can read different plaques located around the park as well as see some buildings which have been reconstructed to look as they did during the Revolutionary War. While in Camden, you can also have a nice walk through Goodale State Park, which has a historical mill pond and a 140-acre lake where you can go kayaking or canoeing. Horse racing fanatics will love the Steeplechase Museum in Camden with memorabilia and information about the sport's rise in American culture. Whether you're looking for an educational day trip that is packed with history and fascinating sites or you're more interested in getting outside and exploring the natural beauty of South Carolina, you'll find it all within a few hours of downtown Columbia. "Garris Landing, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge" by Todd Van Hoosear, licensed via CC BY-SA 2.0

Taking a long road trip always seems like a good idea since you can save money on travel and you have full control over where you go. A couple hundred miles into the drive, though, people can start to get cranky. This summer, follow these four tips so everyone in the vehicle will enjoy spending time on the road. more Make Several Playlists Before the Trip It's often difficult to find good radio stations as you drive from state to state. Avoid this problem by making several playlists before you leave home. Try making a variety of playlists to match different moods and driving conditions. If you start to feel sleepy behind the wheel, it helps to turn on an energetic playlist that will get your blood pumping. If you start to feel stressed out by traffic, then you may need a calming playlist that helps you stay in control of your emotions. Catch up on Your Favorite TV Shows A road trip is the perfect time to binge watch your favorite TV shows. If you're taking a really long drive, then you'll want to fill a few DVDs with shows that have been on air for several seasons. Some great options include: "Battlestar Galactica" "Seinfeld" "SpongeBob SquarePants" "The Wire" Of course, you can choose any show or movie that you like. Sorry drivers, but this one isn't for you. At least you can use TV shows to keep the kids quiet. Play Games to Pass the Time Long car rides have encouraged children and adults to come up with dozens of inventive games to pass the time. Some popular games you should learn before taking your road trip include: "Cows on My Side" "The Alphabet Game" "The Name Game" "The Counting Game" "Did You Hear That…?" "21 Questions" Most of these games don't require so much as paper and pencil. They're more about having fun than trying to win, but you can keep track of points if your passengers enjoy competition. Take Detours to Quirky Destinations You don't have to stay on the road until you reach your destination. In fact, taking a few detours could make your road trip more fun. Of course, those detours will also give you a chance to stretch your legs and refresh yourself so you can focus on your driving. There are a lot of quirky tourist attractions worth visiting. Some interesting places you can stop before leaving South Carolina include: An odd statue of war hero Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion in Johnsonville Garden City Beach's Spaceship House The atom bomb crater in Mars Bluff Some of these sites are on private property, so make sure you find out whether the owners allow visitors. You don't want to cur your vacation short by getting arrested for trespassing! A road trip can introduce you to parts of the country that you wouldn't otherwise see. If you decide to take a long drive this summer, try using these four tips to make the experience more enjoyable.