Best Day Trips from Orangeburg

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

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.