Nestled just off Interstate 26 within miles of the historic state capital of Columbia and exciting Lake Marion, Orangeburg, SC is a great place to stop for the night during your interstate travels or spend the weekend exploring the area! There's something for everyone to enjoy in “The Garden City,” from outdoor activities and natural landscapes to small-town university nightlife and local festivals. While planning your stay, check out our top recommended hotels for your time in our beloved city. more 1. Hampton Inn & Suites Orangeburg If you're just driving through Orangeburg and looking for accommodation right off Interstate 26, look no further than the 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites of Orangeburg. With raving reviews from previous guests and rooms that always include a hot breakfast and WIFI in the price, this hotel is hard to beat for those needing a quick place to stay during their travels. You'll find an outdoor pool open during the summer months, as well as a fitness center and 24/7 reception. 2. Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast You can't mention downtown Orangeburg without mentioning Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast. This charming boutique inn features rooms named in honor of the women that have influenced the lives of the owners and the world. The innkeepers, Rachelle and Fred Holmes, are both natives of Lowcountry South Carolina and love sharing their southern hospitality with guests. Fred is the resident chef on-site, and you can't miss his amazing dishes! If you're in town during the week, be sure to pick up some of Rachelle's famous Island Tea, as well as a loaf of Fred's delicious homemade bread pudding! They have a store at the end with all sorts of local treats and delicacies. The Matriarch is located in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of Edisto Memorial Gardens and just a mile away from South Carolina State University. 3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orangeburg A 3-star hotel located off the Interstate 26 exit, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orangeburg is a great choice for travelers looking for suite-style accommodation. Each room features a mini-kitchenette with a microwave, coffeemaker, and a mini-fridge. If you're traveling with the family, there are also suites that can fit up to 6 occupants, and the kids are sure to enjoy the indoor pool onsite! You'll find free parking for your Kia Sorento. Orangeburg might be small, but it's one Lowcountry town with plenty of heart! We wish nothing but the best and safest travels for you and your family while exploring our beautiful state of South Carolina. While you're in the area, stop by Burns Kia to check out this year's inventory of car and truck models. We'd be happy to show you the safest options for your traveling crew! image courtesy of pexels.com
Spring is upon us, and that means the start of event season in Orangeburg. No matter what your interest, you're sure to find a special event in the area to enjoy. Let's talk about some of the upcoming spring events and what they have to offer. St. Patrick's Day Festival The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association invites Orangeburg residents and visitors alike to don their best green apparel and gather in downtown's Memorial Plaza for it's third annual St. Patrick's Day Festival, held on March 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival promises fun for the whole family, with music and dancing provided by Jimmy Joyner and the Main Street Band. The Downtown Leprechaun will be in attendance to hand out a special gift to children under 12 who come dressed in green. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and while you're downtown, make sure to check out the area's unique shops. more Governor's Frog Jump The Governor's Frog Jump has been an Easter weekend tradition since 1969. It all started when the town of Springfield, South Carolina, sent a frog to compete in the famous Calaveras County Frog Jump in 1968. The Springfield frog won the contest so the town decided to host its own frog jumping competition. The competition evolved into a weekend-long event featuring a carnival, food, crafts, a parade, entertainment, games, and, of course, the frog jump. Since the event takes place on the same weekend as Easter, there is also an egg strike competition and Easter egg hunt. Orangeburg Festival of Roses The Orangeburg Festival of Roses is held every year on the weekend before Mother's Day in the historic Edisto Memorial Gardens. It celebrates the start of the rose blooming season. The garden's first rose was planted in 1951, and now the gardens are home to 79 beds of roses. While attending the festival, you'll see thousands of roses, including miniatures and Old Garden Roses, blooming near the Edisto River, the longest black water river in the world. The festival also features food vendors and entertainment. While there\, you'll also want to visit Edisto's wetland park, butterfly garden, serenity garden, and sensory garden. Classic Car Show on the Square The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association is proud to present the 7th Annual Classic Car Show on the Square. Antique car owners are encouraged to register their vehicle for display and competition. In addition to the beautiful cars on display, the show features music, food vendors, door prizes, and activities for the kids. Attendees are also invited to participate in a fan belt toss. The festival takes place on May 4. If you'd like to register your antique car, registration is held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These are just some of the fun events that you can look forward to this spring. No matter which one you choose to attend, stay safe and have a great time! Image by VirtualWolf via CC BY-SA 2.0
Flowers in full bloom mean that warmer days are on the horizon. There are many to keep track of, but you can start with this list of five beautiful flowers to see in Columbia. more Yellow Jasmine This funnel-shaped, bright-yellow flower goes by so many names, but one thing remains the same; it's been South Carolina's official state flower since March 1924. These flowers bloom from evergreen vines in late winter or early spring, and many see it as a sign that the cold days will be over soon. The vines climb trees and fences, so when the flowers are in bloom, you can see them almost everywhere. Magnolias For many, botanic experts or not, magnolias are a symbol of the South. Depending on the species, they may vary in color — pink, red, purple, yellow, or white — but their citrus scent is unmistakable and fills the air when it's in full bloom in the summer. A typical lawn plant, magnolia trees with their large white blossoms are common in Southern home gardens. When in Columbia in the summer, drive down Senate Street to see magnolias in full bloom among other flowers. Hydrangeas The shrub with snowball-like flowers is also a favorite in the South, and it's hard to miss. A typical summer flower, hydrangeas bloom in tones of white, pink, and blue. But there's a twist. In some species, the color of the flower can be manipulated by changing the soil's pH level. Acidic soil turns the flowers a deep shade of blue, neutral soil turns them purple, and alkaline soil results in a reddish hue. You'll often find different colored blooms in the same shrub. Hydrangeas are a popular flower in shady Southern gardens. Common Camellia Although they do very well in the Southern U.S., common camellias originate in Southern and Eastern Asia. Nevertheless, they are one of the most iconic flowers in this part of the country. Camellias grow in different shapes, sizes, and colors — over 3000 of them, to be exact — but the image of the common camellia is the one that pops into everybody's mind when they think of this flower. Also known as Japanese rose for the similarities between both flowers, camellias' most common colors are pink and white. Roses Try looking for a typical Southern garden without roses, and you probably won't find one. They have become a sort of trademarked image of houses in the South during spring and summer. Noisette, a class of "old" roses, was the first rose created and grown in the United States. Because it was first grown in South Carolina, the historical connection between this flower and the state is strong. You can learn more about it on a visit to the Riverbanks' Old Rose Garden. In the spring, sweet fragrances fill the air and pops of color bring trees, bushes, and everything around it to life. In Columbia, these flowers not only add beauty to the city but also carry the promise of summer. Image by T.Kiya, Licensed via CC BY-SA 2.0
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