4 Ways to Enjoy a Long Road Trip

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

Do you have a severe case of wanderlust but no time off? Why not hop in the car and take a long drive? There is so much to discover on the open road and an almost endless number of entertaining attractions along the way. Be spontaneous, enjoy the scenery, and find that perfect destination within a few hours from home. We've put together this list of three nearby cities that are perfect for a daytime road trip from Columbia, South Carolina. Are we there yet? Charleston, South Carolina Just 114 miles south — less than a two-hour drive via Interstate 26 — is the coastal city of Charleston. Immerse yourself in the South's vibrant culture with world-class dining and thrilling nightlife. Take a sunset cruise, splash in the waves at Folly Beach, or relax with a blissful spa experience. Discover the city's vibrant art scene with numerous public exhibits, performance venues, and museums, including Corrigan Gallery, a contemporary, museum-quality fine art hall; and the Halsey Institute on the College of Charleston's campus. You can also explore lush gardens and historic plantations just minutes from downtown Charleston or get an insider's look at the city with the 42nd Annual Fall Tour of Homes, History, and Architecture launching Oct. 4. And don't miss Charleston Beer Week, which begins Sep. 8. more Augusta, Georgia Continue heading south on Interstate 26 to the charming city of Augusta. Plan your day trip to include plenty of outdoor activities such as paddle boarding on the Savannah River or enjoying a peaceful hike through Phinizy Swamp. Take date night downtown for a taste of real southern delicacies. Order a handcrafted cocktail at The Bee's Knees or sample local seafood at Old McDonald Fish Camp. Experience Augusta's diverse and lively city with a calendar full of events, including Market at the River, which runs every Saturday until Nov. 17; or the Candlelight Music Concert Series that takes place at the Augusta Common every Sunday until Sep. 2. To experience Augusta's laid-back way of life, it will take almost three hours to traverse the 160 miles from Columbia — but it's well worth the drive. Charlotte, North Carolina Head north on the highway to explore the Queen City. Discover the energetic uptown, plan some time to play in artsy Noda, and then uncover the vibrant, trendy Southend. Charlotte is famous for Southern comfort food and barbeque, so make sure you stop by City Smoke to curb your craving for chargrilled meat. They even have smoked lamb on the menu. Host a Charlotte family play date at High Sea's miniature golf or ride a six-story slide at the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge. Go outside and explore 40 acres of produce and playgrounds at Wise Acres Organic Farm where you can pick your own strawberries or pumpkins, depending on the season. Plan to spend some time in Charlotte; It's a 109-mile drive up Interstate 78 North that will take you at least three hours. Add some extra road-trip magic and map out a few attractions along the route. Pack up your new Kia with snacks, turn on your UVO infotainment system, and buckle up for an adventure. It's time for a road trip! "The Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina" by Dougtone CC-BY SA 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