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Looking for the perfect way to spend a date night around the Orangeburg, South Carolina area? Whether you are looking for a traditional night of romance, a fun and exciting night out, or a unique and thrilling experience, the Orangeburg area has plenty of places to plan a good date night. Wine and Design If your idea of a great night is relaxing and enjoying some wine with your loved one, why not step it up a notch by trying a wine sampling and painting class at Wine and Design. There are multiple classes to choose from, and you will not only have an amazing night making masterpieces but making unforgettable memories with your loved one as well. The one- to two-hour classes include everything that you would need for the perfect evening of wine sampling and painting, including a painting guide to help you realize your potential. more Nickelodeon Theater Founded in 1979 by students at the University of Columbia, the Nickelodeon Theater was created as a place for enjoyment, enrichment, and education. It serves as a place for film lovers to enjoy everything from independent films in their first run, to curated series, to one-off screenings that have an impact on the community. Not only can you enjoy snuggling up with your loved one to watch a unique film screening, but you also can engage in the banter of community members and speakers as they discuss the film. If you are looking to plan a one-of-a-kind date night in the future, check out the theater during the Indie Grits Film Festival, which showcases the best in Southern do-it-yourself films and culture. Escape Plan Columbia If you are looking for a fun and adventurous date night that takes you a little outside of the box, you can schedule your date at the Escape Plan Columbia. Each room gives you 60 minutes to find clues and solve codes and puzzles to escape the room. These experiences can be great to enjoy as a couple as well as make the perfect double and group date option. There are multiple rooms to choose from including: Mutiny - Your goal is to take over Captain Roberts' ship and raise your flag before you are caught. The perfect choice for action lovers. Espionage - In this room, the CIA will enlist your skills to help stop a spy intent on destroying the city. You will need to first escape the spy's office and work the clues to aid in your plan. Floor 23 - Find out what is behind the strange activity occurring on the elevator to the 23rd floor and how to escape. This game is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic. The Woody If you are looking for a night of dancing, great music, and interesting people-watching, you can take your date down to The Woody. Weekend sets usually include new age and club mixes, but throughout the week other genres are played as well. The cover is only $5, and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. Create the perfect date night in the Orangeburg area by checking out one of the stops listed above. Image by josh.greentree via CC BY-SA 2.0

In today's busy world, sometimes you need to take a break and hit the links. If you happen to be in South Carolina, you couldn't ask for a better selection of world-class golf courses. We've put together this short list of our favorites to help you get started. Harbour Town Golf Links Imagine losing yourself in the game with the sound of the water lapping at the shore just behind you, while a striking red-and-white lighthouse towers over the course. This is the picturesque reality of golfing at Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort. The course has been selected as a favorite by multiple PGA players. The holes reward finesse and subtlety, as opposed to sheer strength, and the careful golfer will find a lot to enjoy in these pleasant surroundings. Interestingly, the course has been recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, adding to its unique appeal. more The Ocean Course Put your skills to the test at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, regularly recognized as one of the toughest courses in the country. The Ocean Course has hosted PGA tournaments, UBS Cups, and Ryder Cup Matches, and it will serve as the home of the 2021 PGA Championship. However, you don't necessarily have to be a pro to golf here. You can reserve a tee time on the course's web site, giving yourself the chance to try your luck at 10 challenging holes situated directly against the Atlantic Ocean, with the remaining eight holes not far from the water. Dunes Golf and Beach Club Visit scenic Myrtle Beach to find the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, an exclusive organization that rewards its members with some of the best golfing in the state. The course has seen occasional renovations since its inception in 1947, but its essential design has withstood the passage of time. Golfing here is traditionally limited to the club's 750 permanent members, but you can also get access to the links by staying at an associated Member Hotel or purchasing a golf package. Don't miss your chance to try your hand at playing here; you won't regret your time spent swinging your clubs in these peaceful surroundings. Wild Dunes Resort Links Course Oceanside fairways, rolling tussocks of carefully trimmed greenery, and a course studded with palm trees await the traveling golfer who ventures to the Wild Dunes Resort Links Course. This is a well-balanced course in a remarkably beautiful environment, and the 18 holes here will provide a healthy challenge for players of all skill levels. This was the first course designed by Tom Fazio, and it's reputed to still rank among his favorites. In addition to playing on the course itself, practicing golfers can use a driving range, chipping area, and putting green on the premises. These four courses are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to South Carolina's golfing destinations. Almost everywhere you go along the coast, you'll find courses that will beguile your senses and test your skills. Image by danperry.com via CC BY 2.0

There is an all-new all-electric Soul coming in 2020. This popular urban vehicle will get its power from an electric motor and a state of the art lithium-ion battery, and it will feature improved driving dynamics and some tools for the driver to use if they want to customize their driving experience. Here is the new and improved 2020 Soul EV. The Power The electric motor in the 2020 Soul will use a new liquid-cooled lithium ion 64 kWh battery that will need less charging time than the previous version. This new battery along with the Combined Charging System DC fast-charge that comes standard will significantly reduce the charging time. The powertrain in the Soul will now produce 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque, and it will also have a new independent rear suspension to improve the driving dynamics. more New Driving Tools Some of the new driving tools you'll see in the Soul include smart regenerative braking that uses paddle shifters allowing the driver to slow the car down and capture the kinetic energy to add to the range. The four regenerative braking levels range from 0-3. There is also a new brake and hold system that allows the driver to use the regen paddle shifter in order to bring the car to a complete stop. Drivers can also use the new smart eco-pedal display to see their real-time battery usage. The Technology There are a host of new technology features in the 2020 Soul EV. These include a new high-tech rotary shifter, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a new 10.25-inch color touch screen display available, and this will have a rearview monitor and a parking guidance system. Drivers can use the Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition to control the audio while keeping their hands on the wheel, and the upgraded Kia UVO telematics system. The Safety Systems All the Soul EV models will come standard with a rearview camera, and there are several additional safety systems available as part of the Kia Drive Wise group. These systems include forward collision-avoidance assist, forward collision warning, and driver attention warning. You can also get lane departure warning, lane departure assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, and reverse parking distance warning. Blind spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert are also available. The UVO Infotainment System The updated UVO system will provide information that allows the driver to monitor and control several operations. These include notifications of battery strength and charging status, scheduled charging, and real-time charging station update. There are also panic notifications that will send a notification to the server when the panic alarm gets triggered, and it will dial 911, provide information about the location of the car, and open up a microphone so the driver can communicate with emergency workers. The 2020 Kia Soul EV will have excellent range, and the new quick charging system and stronger battery make charging quick and easy.

Tired of the same old attractions? There's only so many times you can stop to see a famous monument or historical building before growing bored. Instead of letting ennui set in, transform your next South Carolina road trip by stopping at one more of these odd and unusual sights you won't find anywhere else. UFO Welcome Center Are you an alien visiting Earth from a foreign planet? If so, feel free to stop at the UFO Welcome Center to get a reprieve from the traffic jams of space. Ordinary humans are welcome to visit the site as well, although don't raise your expectations too much. This strange pit stop is patched together with pieces of metal, scrap wood, and other various parts to create a truly out-of-this-world hodgepodge. more The first thing you'll notice here is the two UFOs stacked on top of one another, surrounded in the front by a wobbly looking metal fence. Spray painted across this fence is the telltale name, "UFO Welcome Center." This location is definitely a spot you can't miss, even if you just want to photograph the wacky construction. Just put 4004 Homestead Road in Bowman on your itinerary. Peachoid Water Tower If you're seeking something a bit more down-to-earth, why not try visiting the Peachoid Water Tower? Fans of the hit show "House of Cards" will recognize this iconic water tower, which is in the shape of a giant peach. The one-of-a-kind water storage tank was crafted in 1980 by artist Peter Freudenberg. He developed the beautifully painted texture of the peach after studying the look and feel of local peaches for untold hours. The reason for crafting the giant peach was not just to create a fun roadside attraction. Rather, the town of Gaffney wanted to make it known that South Carolina is the biggest peach producer in the South, not Georgia. Find this large piece of fruit on Peachoid Road, just off the north side of I-85 between exits 90 and 92. Thelma and Louise While they might not be aliens or giant pieces of fruit, Thelma and Louise are still worth a stop. Named after the famous outlaw duo, these two life-sized elephant statues proudly stand at the entrance of Papa Joe's Fireworks. One is a standard gray color, while the other shines brightly in pale pink. To keep them looking like new, they are regularly repainted, so chances are they'll be photo-worthy for your visit. The elephants were originally from Alabama, but Papa Joe knew they would look good in front of his store, so he bought and shipped them all the way to Hardeeville, South Carolina. If you'd like to check them out for yourself, just type 15966 Whyte Hardee Blvd. into your GPS. It should come as no surprise that South Carolina is filled with odd and fascinating stops. Whether you're taking a road trip to one of South Carolina's fine destinations or just passing through, take some time off the beaten path to explore these curiosities. Image by Bruce Tuten via CC BY 2.0

The Kia Soul will get some significant updates for the 2020 model year. The updated model will still have the same unique look that combines a hatchback with a crossover SUV, but Kia will build in on an all-new platform. Inside, passengers will get a new musical experience, and there is a new engine in the lineup. The 2020 Kia Soul will also get some technology upgrades, and there are some new trim levels. Here are some of its best features. The Exterior Design The 2020 Soul will stay true to its boxy roots, but with some modern updates. Up front, the front headlights will have a new high-tech design and a new configuration that includes a connecting trim piece to make it look wider. There are new slim daytime running lights and turn signal indicators, and it has a new, larger grille with a two-tone look. New for 2020, some Soul models will come with roof rack mounting points, and then around back, boomerang-shaped taillights will wrap around the rear end. more Mood Lighting The updated Soul will arrive with a new mood lighting system to make listening to music even more enjoyable. The new system will tailor the ambiance in the cabin according to the selectable moods. You can choose from Hey! You!, Party Time, Traveling, Romance, Midnight City, and Cafe to set the tone you want while you drive. The Power The two new powertrains include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque and a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder that generates 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission, and the 1.6-liter gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Models The trim levels will now have more traditional names, and there will be six to choose from. The LX. S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and EX Designer Collection will each have a distinct list of features and equipment. The new X-Line will have unique wheels design for rougher terrain, and the GT-Line is a more street-wise model with body-colored rockers, a larger front fascia, and slimmer fog lights. The Infotainment System An upgraded version of Kia's infotainment system will be available in the 2020 Soul. The new system offers the option for a 10.25-inch HD color touch screen with a split-screen function. It will work with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and come with a Bluetooth Multi-Connection system that allows you to connect two separate Bluetooth devices at the same time. The Safety Systems All the Soul models will come standard with a rearview camera, and there is an option for an 8-inch Heads-Up Display. Kia also makes a suite of advanced safety systems available for the new Soul. These include forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane changing assist, driver attention warning, and smart cruise control. You can also add blind-spot collision warning, rear cross collision warning, and high beam assist. The 2020 Kia Soul will have a new look, more technology, and new powertrains making it an excellent choice for any driver.

Orangeburg isn't the biggest city in South Carolina, but it's still a thriving community in one of the most fertile parts of the state. In the place known as "the Garden City," you know you won't have to look hard to find a good local restaurant to enjoy a hearty lunch. You'll find Southern-style comfort food, Carolina-style barbecue, and much more if you just have a look around. Fatz Southern Kitchen Fatz Southern Kitchen is a regional franchise with locations throughout the Carolinas and in neighboring states. In Orangeburg, their location is on U.S. Route 601, just south of the Interstate 26 junction. Fatz serves American classics with a Southern twist, so their menu includes fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs, and Cajun firecrackers as well as steaks, baby back ribs, and sirloin burgers. They also have a whole section of Southern favorites that include shrimp and grits and chicken-fried steak. Be sure to check out their 8.88 Specials that are only available on weekdays before 6 p.m. more Thai Orchid For something a little more exotic than Southern cooking, visit Thai Orchid. It's easy to spot on St. Matthews Road next to the Orangeburg Mall. It offers some truly authentic Thai meals along with other Asian fusion menu options like Japanese nigiri and sushi rolls. For Thai food, they offer classics like pad thai, drunken noodles, and lo mein. The restaurant also offers Chinese-style options like sweet and sour chicken and pepper steak. When you walk in, be sure to check their front desk for daily specials. Chestnut Grill The Chestnut Grill is easy to find as it's right on Chestnut Street north of the Orangeburg Mall. The Chestnut Grill might be more popular as a dinner spot, but it's open for lunch every day aside from Sunday. They have a special lunch menu that's only available until 4 p.m. As a grill, the restaurant serves some high-quality steaks and sandwiches for lunch, including a French dip on a toasted hoagie roll, an Angus beef hamburger, and a 9-ounce lunch steak topped with house-made onion rings. Dukes Bar-B-Que No Carolina city is complete without a local spot that sells its own style of Carolina pork barbecue. In Orangeburg, you can visit Dukes Bar-B-Que, a place that's just north of Calhoun Drive on Whitman Street Southeast. Dukes only stays open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but when you get here, you can enjoy a full barbecue buffet packed with pork, chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, hush puppies, cheesy grits, and so much more. You can also order family-sized meals or single plates to go if you don't have the time or appetite to stick around. While there are much bigger cities in South Carolina, Orangeburg has restaurants and flavors you won't find anywhere else. Next time you're in the city to have lunch, you won't have any trouble finding a good spot where you can really dig in. Image by goodiesfirst via CC BY 2.0

It can often be hard to find things to do together with your family, especially in a smaller town like Orangeburg, South Carolina. Still, you don't have to go all the way down to Charleston or north to Columbia to find something to do. Orangeburg has plenty of family-friendly pastimes that kids both young and old can appreciate. See a Play at the BlueBird Theater The BlueBird Theater is an old venue located right along busy Russell Street in downtown Orangeburg. Run by the Orangeburg Part-Time Players, this historic theater is still active and hosts all kinds of plays throughout the year. You can get a season ticket and see all their shows, or you can stop by whenever they have a new play. If your kids are more into acting than they are into watching a show, they can sign up for the group's junior division and take part in a children's play. more Walk Through the Edisto Memorial Gardens The Edisto Memorial Gardens sit right along the Edisto River and have parking available on both Riverside Drive and Seaboard Street. The gardens commemorate a Civil War battle site. However, it's been a hallowed location ever since. Only in the 20th century, people started adding flowers, playgrounds, and greenhouses to the land. A more recent addition is a boardwalk that takes you down by the river so you can admire the natural wetlands environment. Today it's become the perfect place to go for a walk or hold a family picnic, especially during the months when the roses bloom. Go Fishing at Santee State Park Santee State Park is a public access point where anyone can go to visit the vast Lake Marion. The park covers 2,500 acres on the lake's west bank, and it offers two boat launches, two campgrounds with 158 campsites between them, 30 cabins for indoor lodging, and over 10 miles of hiking trails. Park admission costs only $2 for adults and is free for kids 15 and under, although you'll have to pay more to reserve a campsite. However, you won't need reservations if you're from Orangeburg because Santee State Park is just a 40-minute drive away. Read a Good Book at the Orangeburg County Library Located on St. Louis Street, the Orangeburg County Library has books, music, DVDs, Blu-rays, and other media that can keep even a young child occupied for hours. At the same time, it has adult fiction and nonfiction sections where parents can find a gripping story or learn more about a hobby they've always wanted to try. It can be easy to overlook the library as a place where families can have fun, but that's exactly what you can find at the Orangeburg County Library. Orangeburg might not have as much as a bigger city can offer, but you can still find plenty of things that kids and adults can have fun doing in the area. Whether it's going out to the state park for camping or staying indoors at the public library, you can keep your family busy in Orangeburg. Image by SymphonicPoet via CC BY 2.0

For 2019, the Kia Optima has received a fresh new look and a few safety features that now come standard on every trim. However, while the safety features are the same, there are several important differences between the four 2019 Optima trims. Each one has a different MSRP and feature list, so it's important to know what their differences are before you decide which one you want. LX As the base trim, the LX doesn't have as many features as the other three, but what you get is impressive enough for a midsize sedan. The LX comes with a basic 2.4-liter I-4 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and an available panoramic sunroof. Like the other models, this trim comes with an 8-inch touch-screen display, and it's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get some serious driver assistance features as standard equipment, including a rear parking sonar, a blind spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and a forward collision warning with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance. more S The S trim comes with the same engine and transmission as the LX, but it adds a few sporty appearance upgrades like a rear spoiler and sporty black side sills. The S trim also comes with the Smart Key along with Smart Welcome door handle lights, the hands-free Smart Trunk, and the keyless push-button engine start. The infotainment system gets a satellite radio upgrade, the climate control gets a dual-zone automatic upgrade, and the seats upgrade to sport cloth with leatherette side bolsters. EX The EX is less sporty than the S, but it gets an upgraded 1.6-liter turbo engine that delivers almost as much horsepower in a much lighter package. It's also the only trim to have a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Aside from that, the EX gets upgrades like leather seats, a heated front row, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance with Pedestrian Detection, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (which can slow down automatically even if it means coming to a full stop). SX The SX is the top trim for the 2019 Optima, and it combines aspects of the S and EX. It also comes with its own engine, a 2.0-liter turbo that offers 60 more horsepower than the LX engine. It also has unique features like LED lights with Dynamic Bending Light that points towards the turn when you spin the steering wheel, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and sport leather trim. The driver's seat in the SX has two memory settings, the front row gets ventilation, and the gauge cluster comes with a larger color LCD display. The 2019 Kia Optima is a midsize vehicle, but once you reach the EX and SX trims you start seeing features you'd normally expect on a full-size car. However, the Optima's price is very reasonable when you look at everything the SX offers, and the LX has more than you'd expect from a base trim. Of course, the best way to know whether the Optima is right for you is still to go out and take it for a test drive.

Whether you've had a big dinner and it's time for dessert, you finished a big game and the kids need a treat to celebrate, or you just feel like satisfying your sweet tooth, everyone loves dessert every now and then. The people of Orangeburg, South Carolina, are no different, which is why this town has plenty of places to get something nice to eat. Thelma's Thelma's is an old-fashioned diner you can find on Russell Street near Broughton. The food here is all Southern-style home cooking with straightforward options like two-piece chicken baskets and sausage with grits. Thelma's desserts aren't the main draw, but they're all worth trying. You might like the red velvet cake, the cheesecake, the key lime pie, or the banana pudding. The desserts might not be available depending on how popular they've been, so be sure to stop by a few times to enjoy all the homemade desserts Thelma's has to offer. more Adrian's Ice Cream Shop Adrian's Ice Cream Shop takes up a small corner of the Prince of Orange Mall on Chestnut Street. There's not much to the place, but you can buy all kinds of sodas, snacks, and frozen treats when you stop by. You can buy ice cream in cups or cones. They have waffle cones along with the standard kind, and the flavors cover all the basics and also include some unusual alternatives. You should also consider getting a slush, which Adrian's makes using real fruit in their syrup. The Ice Cream Bar You'll have to drive over to Santee for this one, but it's worth the trip. The Ice Cream Bar on the Old Number Six Highway serves dozens of Hershey Ice Cream flavors along with all kinds of sweet baked goods. These include cookies, cakes sold whole or by the slice, cinnamon rolls, and more. The Ice Cream Bar is most famous for its pecan pies, so not only do they always have a few ready to sell, but they can also ship their pies directly to their customers. Nelson's Wee Bake Nelson's Wee Bake is a bakery down in Denmark, a town southwest of Orangeburg. Nelson's makes all kinds of pastries and sweet foods, including donuts, eclairs, pound cake, lemon bars, cheesecake, pies, and even chocolate-covered strawberries. Each month they come up with a new specialty treat, so there's always something new whenever you stop by. However, you don't need to wait for the next month to get something good, because everything Nelson's offers is worth the half-hour trip to get to Denmark from Orangeburg. Frozen or still warm from the oven, a sweet dessert is always a welcome taste after a long day and a big dinner. Orangeburg has several places to enjoy some treats in town. If you're willing to drive, you can find some famous dessert spots in the area. Just make sure to take your time eating so you can really enjoy the flavors. Image by Semtrio via CC BY 2.0

New drivers have a few needs that experienced drivers usually don't have to worry about. The vehicles should be inexpensive, both because the budget is probably tight and because teen drivers are more likely to get into accidents. The controls should be responsive and easy to use, and the safety systems should be top-notch. Kia is a good brand when you want plenty of quality at surprisingly low prices, but a few of their vehicles stand out as being exceptional choices for new drivers. more The Sportage The 2019 Kia Sportage has won awards for being an excellent vehicle for teen drivers. This compact crossover is easy to handle, especially for an SUV, and the 2019 model comes with quality materials throughout the passenger cabin. It also has a good reliability rating, and this helps because new drivers often don't service their vehicles or replace oil or parts as often as they should. Most importantly, the middle trim of the Sportage can come with advanced driver assistance features like rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking. The Optima The 2019 Optima is Kia's midsize sedan and a solid member of the company's lineup. Like the Sportage, the Optima comes with an upscale interior design and a smooth ride, but something that's new for the 2019 model is better safety features on more trims. For instance, every trim of the 2019 Kia Optima comes with a rear parking sensor, a blind spot collision warning, and a forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking. While these driver assistance features are still a long ways away from self-driving cars, they can already help prevent accidents from happening. The Rio If a bargain is important, the 2019 Rio is your best choice. This subcompact vehicle went through a complete redesign for the 2018 model year, so the handling, engine, design, and features are still very new. The Rio gets great gas mileage compared to vehicles in larger classes, and while the horsepower is a gentle 130, it feels great to drive. That's a helpful compromise when you're handing the keys to a new driver. The 2019 Rio doesn't have all the driver assistance features of larger cars, but you can get an available forward collision warning. The Soul Like the Rio, the 2019 Kia Soul is a subcompact vehicle that offers buyers a real bargain. As a subcompact crossover, it offers more interior space than the Rio, although it doesn't have the available all-wheel drive of the Sportage. On the other hand, each of its three trims comes with a different engine, letting you choose how much power your new driver should have. For driver assistance, you should choose the Plus trim because its available features include a forward collision warning, smart cruise control, and a lane departure warning. With low prices, fine interiors, good handling, and a surprising number of driver assistance features, all four of these Kia vehicles are good options for new drivers. Choose one that's in your budget and has the best feature list, and you'll see just how good a Kia can be. Image by RL GNZLZ via CC BY-SA 2.0

Sitting in the center of South Carolina, Columbia has no shortage of excellent parks, gardens, and other green spaces where adults, kids, and whole families can go to relax, work out, play sports, or do all the things you have to go outside to enjoy. From one end of the city to the other, you'll find parks and botanical gardens that reveal the real beauty of the American South. more Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden Just west of where the Saluda and Congaree Rivers meet is the Riverbanks Zoo, and just across the river is the city's Botanical Garden. While the Riverbanks Zoo isn't one of the biggest in the nation, it has an animal collection it can be proud of that includes over 2,000 animals representing 350 species from just about every continent in the world. Herbivores like giraffes and zebras roam together in the same enclosure, and the Riverbanks Farm area lets kids get up close and personal with domesticated alpacas and goats. Then you can cross the river and see another impressive collection. The Riverbanks Botanical Garden covers 70 acres and showcases 7,200 species of flowers, bushes, shrubs, trees, and more. Themed gardens bring together plants from East Asia, wetland-loving grasses and flowers, and drought-tolerant cacti and other succulents. The new Waterfall Junction is a garden just for kids, and the premier Wall Garden demonstrates everything you can grow in South Carolina's humid, subtropical climate. Saluda Shoals Park The Saluda Shoals Park is towards the west end of town near Lake Murray. The park fills up 400 acres of hiking trails, fishing spots, and river access points where you can jump in a canoe or a kayak and explore the water. The park also has plenty of kid-friendly facilities, including an environmental center you can rent out for parties or visit for classroom activities. Then there's Saluda Splash, a zero-depth water park where kids can splash around in waterfalls and fountains - just the thing for a hot Southern summer day. Sesquicentennial State Park The Sesquicentennial State Park, Sesqui for short, is a 1,400-acre park that sits northeast of central Columbia. The park is big enough to have campgrounds both with and without water and electricity hookups, but it's also close enough to Columbia to provide facilities like a dog park, a splash pad, and a picnic area. You can bring a big group up to the park and rent out some dorm-style buildings if you want to go on a retreat during a big family reunion or a company team-building exercise. You can also go hiking, fishing, boating, biking, birdwatching and more. There are plenty more parks where these three came from, and you can find them along the river, over by Lake Murray, and throughout the rest of the city and its suburbs. No matter where you go to Columbia, you won't have any trouble finding a place where you can admire the natural beauty that the state of South Carolina has to offer. Image by mogollon_1 via CC BY 2.0

Columbia, South Carolina, isn't on the Atlantic Coast, but it's just a two-hour drive from Columbia to the port city of Charleston. Thanks to that, you don't have to work hard to find good seafood restaurants in South Carolina's capital city. Whether you're in the mood for shellfish from the ocean or a freshwater catch like catfish, Columbia's restaurants can deliver what you need. more Blue Marlin The Blue Marlin is right in the heart of Columbia, just a few blocks from the capitol building on Lincoln Street. The Blue Marlin proudly serves Low Country food, the uniquely Southern-style cuisine that came from using African cooking techniques with American foods. Their seafood options begin with the appetizers, which include calamari, Charleston crab cakes, and firecracker shrimp. For main courses, they offer Gulf shrimp and oysters, flounder, and the Blue Marlin's award-winning shrimp and grits. The restaurant also shows Japanese and Cajun influences with options like teriyaki salmon and New Orleans gumbo. Pearlz Oyster Bar Pearlz Oyster Bar is a Carolina chain with locations in Columbia, Charleston, and Charlotte. In Columbia, Pearlz is right by the Blue Marlin, just across Gervais Street, and they make a point of selling raw shellfish along with Low Country recipes and local seafood. Their Columbia menu includes mussels, fried oysters, clams, crab cakes, and tuna, and their soups take you from one end of the Atlantic to the other with New England clam chowder and New Orleans gumbo. You can also get your seafood in a sandwich, or you can enjoy their raw bar with oysters, and peel-and-eat shrimp. Oyster Bar Columbia Just a few buildings down from Pearlz on Park Street is Oyster Bar Columbia, a place that can definitely give Pearlz a run for its money. While Pearlz offers an eclectic and new experience, Oyster Bar Columbia prides itself on being an old-fashioned oyster bar where the menu is simple and straight to the point: oysters, shrimp, and scallops served at market price and with your choice of seasoning. That said, you can also get grits with your seafood or try the bar's unique combination of chowder and grits. They also have a wet bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. Garners Ferry Seafood and More Garners Ferry Seafood and More takes its name from the road it sits on. This unassuming restaurant is out on the southeast end of town near the Seafood Academy of Columbia, and it has a surprisingly vast menu. Its basic menu option is a seafood platter served with rice and broccoli or cabbage, and the protein options include whitefish, catfish, flounder, shrimp, snow crabs, scallops, chicken, and more. You can get extra sides if you want, and they offer classic Southern foods like fried okra, hush puppies, and gizzards. Columbia is a great place to find good seafood served raw, Low Country style, or covered in Cajun spices. You can get it from popular restaurants in the middle of the city or from quieter places with an authentic and old-fashioned style. Either way, you'll know you found something great. Image by Chris Gent via CC BY-SA 2.0