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Whether you live in South Carolina or you're just here for a visit, make sure you take some time to explore the state. South Carolina offers numerous remarkable road trip options. No matter your interests, you're sure to find a trip that suits your needs. From outdoor adventures to amazing shopping, these are some of the best road trips in South Carolina. more The Angel Oak One of the state's most beautiful natural wonders is The Angel Oak. Less than 25 miles outside Charleston, you'll find this 66-foot-tall oak tree. It is estimated to be about 400 years old and is still alive today. The canopy is huge, with shades of 17,000 square feet. The longest branch on this historical beauty is 187 feet. Within a 5-mile drive, there are several great restaurants, allowing you to make a day of your road trip. Wild Olive offers delicious Italian food. If you're in the mood for American cuisine, head to Tomato Shed Café. JBS Smoke Shack offers amazing barbecue. Myrtle Beach The biggest tourist destination in South Carolina is Myrtle Beach. Here you'll find all sorts of themed restaurants, such as Hard Rock Café, Margaritaville, and Planet Hollywood. Head to the beach for some fun in the sun, and bring along a picnic lunch. The city offers several amusement parks and attractions, such as the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, and Myrtle Beach Pavilion. There's something for everyone in Myrtle Beach, making it a fantastic road trip option for individuals, families, or groups. Drayton Hall Check out the history and majesty of South Carolina with a visit to Drayton Hall. This well-preserved plantation home is one of the best-kept historical buildings around. Drayton Hall is one of only three plantation homes on the Ashley River that didn't get destroyed when Union soldiers took over the area during the Civil War. Today, the home has been restored and preserved. It is now part of the National Trust, and there are professional guided tours available for visitors. After your tour of the home and gardens, head to Nigel's Good Food or Middleton Place Restaurant for a meal to end your day. Huntington Beach State Park If you're in the mood for an outdoor adventure, head to Huntington Beach State Park outside of Murrells Inlet. You'll find fishing and boating areas, hiking trails, picnic shelters, and even camping areas throughout the park. In September, Huntington Beach State Park hosts the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival, featuring over 100 artists. Live music, food options, and art vendors all come together in this amazing celebration of beauty. If you don't want to camp, but still plan to spend extra time in the area, there are several hotel options nearby, including the Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort and The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn. Throughout South Carolina, there are several road trip options. When planning your trip, decide what type of attractions you're most interested in. Whether you're planning a single day road trip or something a little longer, you'll find beauty and excitement in South Carolina.

Families with kids have very specific needs when it comes to buying a new car. Children need a roomy interior, storage areas for snacks and toys, and entertainment. Parents want a vehicle that prioritizes safety and integrates technology to make life a little easier. Car manufacturers know what's on the family wish list and do their best to meet or exceed those expectations. Browse the three most kid-friendly models available from Kia. more 1. Savor the Comfort of the Sorento The Kia Sorento seats up to seven passengers, so it's large enough to compete with minivans in terms of capacity. This crossover allows the driver to adjust the entertainment system with voice commands, a true asset when the children are ready to watch a new movie. An available roof rack provides extra space for cargo on extended road trips. Integrated safety features such as traction control, airbags, and blind spot warnings protect families from accidents. Interior comfort is front and center with the Sorento, which offers dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning knobs. Little ones love the sun shades for the second-row seats and the cup holders and other small storage areas throughout the cabin. With stain-resistant cloth seats, mom and dad won't mind letting the kids snack while on the go. 2. Go Road Tripping in the Sedona Packed with features, the 2016 Kia Sedona earns praise from third-party reviewers for value, which is sure to attract budget-conscious families. This minivan offers every member of the family a smooth ride. With the SXL model, passengers in the second row get lounge seats that recline. The second-row middle seat has slide-and-stow ability, so it's quick and easy to reconfigure the seating to accommodate fewer people and more cargo. The front center console has small compartments that are handy for organizing small toys, loose change, and similar items. The passenger areas also have cup holders and more small storage bins. Safety is an important part of the Sedona's design with options like a rearview camera and parking sensors. The Uvo emergency communications system alerts first responders for you if you're involved in an accident. In government crash tests, the Sedona earned the highest rating for protecting passengers, something that gives parents peace of mind. 3. Accommodate Your Kids in the Soul With its boxy shape, the 2016 Kia Soul has a roomier interior than many competitors, a bonus for kids who need space for their backpacks and sports equipment. This design is ideal for small children because the thresholds are low enough that most don't have to step up to get in or jump down to exit. Choose one of the higher trim levels and you get Kia's signature entertainment system to engage kids on long drives. Keyless entry and ignition save parents the hassle of finding their keys at the bottom of the diaper bag. If you have children, you can't go wrong with any of these three vehicles from Kia. All offer family friendly features at a reasonable price.

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.