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Fifteen of South Carolina’s interesting, funfilled attractions.
Envisioning a vacation in South Carolina may evoke images of frolicking in the warm sands of the 200 miles of famous beaches, or perhaps sinking a putt on one of the state’s award-winning golf courses. Though its beaches and golf courses are undeniably beautiful, the state also boasts exciting and original attractions sure to please visitors of all ages. Hop on a Jeep for a safari; stare into the eyes of an albino alligator; or meet the “world’s biggest child” at the largest children’s museum in the South. Whether it’s mingling with the wild or reliving the past, South Carolina possesses all of the sites and attractions that will guarantee a fun-filled family vacation. Entertain the whole family with these attractions:
ANDERSON
Split Creek Farm: Located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Split Creek Farm is a Grade A goat dairy farm. Take the kids for a tour of this working farm, and they will be amazed by this animal farm’s herd of more than 300 goats, plus dogs, pigs, chickens and rabbits. The two-hour tour teaches children about life on the farm, and explains the different breeds of dairy goats and how the dogs help guard the goats. Kids are sure to enjoy the tour of the milking parlor. Lucky visitors may even get to see a baby goat arrive that day. End the tour by sampling award-winning goat cheese, fudge and milk. For more information, visit www.splitcreek.com
CHARLESTON
Charles Towne Landing: This 664-acre park is the site where a ship full of British settlers and their servants and slaves arrived from Barbados and established the first permanent European colony in the Carolinas in 1670. The park features many attractions that are sure to enthrall the whole family. Living history demonstrations include cannon andmusket firings and programs on how colonists planted experimental and subsistence crops.
Walk the history trail and learn about ongoing archaeological digs and other points of interest, then stroll through the Animal Forest and see real pumas, bison and bear, all examples of animals that lived in South Carolina at the time of European settlement. The park also includes a full-scale replica trading ship, protective palisades, a walking historic trail and the “digital dig”– a computer-generated dig site.
South Carolina Aquarium: Dedicated to promoting education, the South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor features thousands of aquatic animals including nurse sharks, river otters, loggerhead turtles and eels. This is the perfect place for the whole family to experience marine life at its finest, with more than 50 interactive exhibits where visitors are able to touch the natural world. Discover the amazing “Secrets of the Amazon” exhibit, and see exotic species such as foureyed fish, fluorescent frogs and freshwater stingrays. For more information, visit www.scaquarium.org
COLUMBIA
EdVenture Children’s Museum: The newest exhibition is “From Here to Timbuktu” which takes visitors on a thrilling journey through West Africa. Along the voyage, children will explore various geographic regions and will be introduced to the foods, customs and cultures of each region, ending up in Timbuktu, the ancient center of learning. The museum is also home to Eddie, the “world’s largest child.” At 40 feet and 17.5 tons, Eddie is designed to teach children about the human anatomy. He is large enough for children and adults to climb through and explore his body internally. Whether it is climbing up his vertebrae or sliding through his intestines, Eddie allows children to use their motor skills to discover what’s inside their bodies. For more information visit www.edventure.org
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden: Walk through the African plains and spot a giraffe, or take a trip to Lemur Island and count the lemurs lounging in the trees. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia transports visitors to a variety of different habitats with scenic river views, spectacular valley scenery and significant historic landmarks. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden has been South Carolina’s most-visited single tourist attraction for years. Visit www.riverbanks.org for details.
FORT MILL
Carowinds Theme & Water Park: Located in York County, 75 miles from Columbia, visitors will find one of the most popular family attractions in South Carolina. This 108-acre theme and water-park offers more than 60 state-of-the-art Hollywood-themed rides, attractions, and shows for all ages. Visit Nickelodeon Central, or the courageous can enjoy several fearinstilling thrill rides such as the Carolina Cyclone or the Xtreme Skyflyer featuring a 50-foot free fall at 60 mph. Don’t forget the spectacular shows, and 16-acre Boomerang Bay water-park. For more information, go to www.carowinds.com
GREENWOOD
Emerald Farm: Take a tour of this working goat dairy farm and the kids are sure to be enticed. Emerald Farm near Greenwood produces natural goat milk products including soaps, lotions, shampoo and much more. The farm’s animals include Saanen goats, llamas, peacocks, rabbits, chickens, ducks and honeybees. Visitors can ride the Emerald Farm Express around the farm, pet the animals, feed the fish, help milk the goats and stroll through the Train and Hobby shop. For more information, visit www.emeraldfarm.com
BRATTONSVILLE
Historic Brattonsville: Situated in York County, 80 miles from Columbia, Historic Brattonsville is a 775-acre living history village where visitors can relive the past. The village features a Revolutionary War battlefield site and an awardwinning Heritage Farm program which preserves rare breeds of farm animals. The athletically inclined will take pleasure in the eight miles of paths for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. For more information, visit www.chmuseums.org.
MONETTA
The “Big Mo” Monetta Drive-In Theatre: Located in Aiken County, 45 miles from Columbia, the Big Mo is one of America’s last surviving drive-in theaters. At the “Big Mo” children can experience movies in the same way their parents did as children. Each ticket at the “Big Mo” buys two movie showings. Movie-goers can choose to sit in their car or bring along chairs and set up a space for the family outside. Parents are sure to be nostalgic, while the kids are sure to enjoy. For more information, visit www.thebigmo.com.
MONCKS CORNER
Cypress Gardens: A 45-minute drive from Charleston, visitors can discover 175 acres of beautiful swamps and gardens. Walk through a Butterfly House and see free-flying butterflies, plants, tropical birds and more. Visitors will also find an International Reptile Center filled with a variety of snakes and endangered crocodilians. The swamps and gardens are easily accessible to all members of the family through 4.5 miles of walking paths and the famous flat-bottom boats that lazily glide through the black-water swamp. For more information, visit www.cypressgardens.info.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Boone Hall Farm: Visitors can walk through their own enchanted garden at Boone Hall Farms, situated on Boone Hall Plantation, one of the oldest working and living plantations in America. The farm features a three-acre you-pick area where families can pick seasonal crops such as strawberries, peaches and tomatoes. Stop by the famous Boone Hall Farms market on the way out, and pick up some locally grown South Carolina produce, meats and specialty products. For more information, visit www.boonehallfarms.com.
MYRTLE BEACH
Alligator Adventure: Not for the faint-hearted, Alligator Adventure is home to some of the world’s most dangerous and fascinating reptiles. Crocodilian lovers can walk through striking swamps and marshes and gaze at albino alligators, giant Galapagos tortoises, West African dwarf crocodiles, black and green mambas and much more. Snake through the Serpent House and stare into the eyes of king cobras, pythons, anacondas and boas. For the more daring, live shows are offered every hour which include alligator feedings, snake-holding demonstrations and seasonal musical children’s shows. For more information visit: www.alligatoradventure.com.
For a South Carolina vacation guide, please call the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism at (866) 224-9339. For more information on South Carolina, visit the Web site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.
