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Located where the Saluda and Broad Rivers converge to form the Congaree River, Columbia is the capital and largest city in South Carolina. Columbia is a modest sized city, but with its long history and riverfront geography, there is no shortage of interesting activities to enjoy. Whether you're a local or just visiting, be sure to check out these four must-see Columbia attractions. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Pay a visit to this remarkable facility and you'll quickly realize why it's a two-time recipient of the Governor's Cup for South Carolina's Most Outstanding Tourist Attraction. Featuring over 2,000 animals and 4,200 native and exotic plant species on a 170-acre site, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is sure to keep visitors enthralled for hours. Don't miss the award-winning Birdhouse at Riverbanks exhibit, which features three varieties of penguins among several other exotic bird species. Admission to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is affordable at $13.95 for adults and $11.50 for children ages 2-12. Discounts are available for military members and senior citizens, and children under two get in free. Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park Take in some scenery and history with a visit to the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park. This park is the original site of Columbia's waterworks and the home of the first-ever electrically operated textile mill. Visitors can stroll along over two miles of scenic riverfront trail while learning about the history of the Columbia Canal, first built in 1824 with the labor of indentured Irish servants. Today, a memorial in the park recognizes the Irish workers who built the canal. The Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park are located just outside of Columbia's downtown business district, providing a convenient escape from the bustle of downtown. The park is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and admission is free. Nickelodeon Theatre Film buffs won't want to miss a chance to visit Columbia's Nickelodeon Theater. Founded in 1979, this nonprofit theater hosts independent films, curated series, and one-off screenings, and is the home of the Indie Grits Film Festival, an annual showcase of area DIY films. Screening attendees can engage in discussions with experts and community members before or after many screenings. The Nickelodeon is also home to the Helen Hill Media Education Center, which offers filmmaking workshops and educational opportunities for adults and children alike. Ticket prices for the Nick vary, but most screenings are $10. If you're a Columbia local, consider becoming a member of the Nickelodeon Theater to enjoy exclusive benefits like free tickets, discounted special screenings, and free popcorn. Congaree National Park When you need an escape to nature, look no further than Congaree National Park. Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Columbia, this national park is home of the largest expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the country. Visitors to the park can camp, fish, canoe, and kayak, or simply hike and take in the scenery of this unique floodplain forest. Admission to Congaree National Park is free, and the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you're interested in nature, history, wildlife, or the arts, Columbia has something for you.

Known as "The Garden City," Orangeburg, South Carolina, offers an unexpected amount of culture despite its small size, thanks to its two local universities. Whether you live in Orangeburg or you're just visiting from nearby Columbia or Charleston, be sure to check out these unique local activities that are sure to please the whole family. Travel Back in Time at Raylrode Daze Festivul Each September, drive about 20 minutes south of Orangeburg to Branchville, South Carolina, home of the annual Raylrode Daze Festivul. Now in its 48th year, this festival celebrates Branchville's railroad junction, which is the oldest railroad junction in the world. The festival offers activities ranging from a cornhole tournament to a gunfight performance hosted by the Branch Junction Gunfighters. Children will enjoy the carnival rides, parade, and arts and crafts activities. The 2016 Raylrode Daze Festivul runs from September 18th through 25th. more Explore the Outdoors at Congaree National Park Outdoorsy families will love a day trip to Congaree National Park, located less than an hour northeast of Orangeburg. Visitors will be mesmerized by the tall trees of the largest expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Congaree National Park offers hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and backcountry camping. In addition to over 20 miles of hiking trails, the park offers a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail that gives hikers close-up views of the delicate wetland ecosystem. Congaree National Park is free and open to the public year-round, but spring and fall are the best times to visit to avoid the hot and humid summer weather. Catch a Show at the BlueBird Theatre Located in the former home of the historic Edisto Theatre, the BlueBird Theatre is the place to be in downtown Orangeburg for live theatre performances. It is the home of the Orangeburg Part-Time Players acting troupe, which has produced both adult and children's theatre shows since 1981. The Part-Time Players 2016 schedule features a number of family-friendly performances, including children's theatre performances of the Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Tickets to performances at the BlueBird Theatre are $19 for adults and $17 for children and seniors. Kick Back at Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile is more than just a barbecue restaurant. Designed by a local business person who wanted to capture the spirit of the Old South, Lone Star is a restaurant, museum, and a front porch pickin' venue all in one. The four buildings that make up Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile date back as far as 1876, and each one is full of antiques and Southern kitsch for visitors to enjoy as they dine on classic barbecue dinners. Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile hosts live bluegrass and country music most Saturday nights, as well as day-long music festivals on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Lone Star is located just outside Orangeburg in Santee, SC. Next time you're in Orangeburg, make a point to slow down and connect with the community by enjoying these four family-friendly activities.

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.