Fun Things to Do in South Carolina with Family

South Carolina, the founding state of the Confederate States of America, is bordered by North Carolina to the north, Georgia to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

It enjoys tropical summers and mild winters. South Carolina has a famous shoreline with numerous beaches, making it the favored destination for family vacations. Given here are the places you can visit and the things you can do there to enjoy that perfect getaway.

The capital of South Carolina, Columbia offers its tourists varied attractions. Take your kids to the famous Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden situated on the banks of Saluda river. Visit EdVenture Children's Museum which is an instant hit with kids, and fosters in them a renewed interest in learning. Want to spend time outdoors?

Time to go to the Dreher Island State Recreation Area - the ideal site for camping, picnics, and hiking. The Congaree National Park is just south of Columbia, and is home to the largest-remaining old-growth hardwood forest in the world. Enjoy the stunning landscapes amidst towering pine and bald cypress trees. If you are a history lover, go to the South Carolina State Museum.

The museum has an exhaustive collection of art and natural and cultural history. Take your family to the Clinton Sease Farm, located in Lexington, close to Columbia, and your kids will love you for it! The farm features a corn maze along with various activities like campfires, hayrides, and overnight camping.

If you are in Charleston, visit the South Carolina Aquarium and marvel at the exotic fish and sharks. Children will take delight in the Turtle Tour provided by the aquarium. Take a walking tour of this charming city, or opt for one of the carriage tours.

The city also offers dolphin cruises, something your family will truly enjoy. Get up close and personal with these genteel ocean animals. Take your family to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War started.

Take a tour of this island fort and enjoy the beauty of Charleston harbor. To satisfy the nature lover in you, visit the Middleton Place. You can see America's oldest landscaped gardens here. Another interesting thing to do here is visit the Plantation Stableyards and get a first-hand experience of how life was in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Stableyards depict how skilled artisans like carpenters and weavers worked and lived in those days.

To seek the true city feel, head to the White Point Gardens (locally known as Battery), which face the Cooper river. Stroll down the boulevards lined with oaks and palmettos and see the old war monuments. Do not forget to visit USS Yorktown, just east of Cooper River Bridge. War history, models of ships and aircraft and other memorabilia are on exhibit in this carrier, which is bound to be a sure-shot hit with kids.

Sheltered at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this vibrant city extends its Southern charm to all who visit it. Take your kids to the Children's Garden for a unique horticultural experience. Learn new facts about Native American history at the Cherokee Indian Interpretive Center. You cannot visit Greenville and not see Campbell's Covered Bridge, the only covered bridge in South Carolina.

Bring out the sports lover in you by paying a visit to the BI-LO center, the ultra-modern sports and entertainment arena. Whether it is music concerts, sport championships, corporate events, or children's shows, BI-LO is the place to be! A guided city tour in horse-drawn carriages is the perfect way to take in the downtown atmosphere.

Visit Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in the state, and view four states (South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia) at once from the summit. Falls Park on the Reedy - featuring the famous long-suspension Liberty Bridge providing clear views of the cascading falls below draws in a lot of visitors.

A vacationer's paradise, Lake Murray offers a diverse range of activities including skiing, boating, fishing, swimming, to name a few. Enjoy family-friendly activities in the recreation areas - from sun-bathing to cookouts.

Rent a boat, take a lake tour, and go fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and white perch. The Lake Murray region is home to purple martins, and if you are around on a summer evening, enjoy watching thousands of martins converging on to the island just before dusk.

The most famous of all South Carolina beaches, Myrtle Beach has sandy white beaches along the vast Atlantic Ocean. It is a coastal resort town, with numerous amusement and water parks that are perfect for adults and children alike.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk is a famous wooden promenade with carnival-like attractions and live music. There are several restaurants to satisfy your taste buds and have you craving for more.

Try the seafood buffets which draw in lots of hungry tourists. Or just laze around on the beach, enjoying the waves, collecting seashells, and building sand castles. Do not forget to visit Barefoot Landing situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, a massive and ultra-luxurious complex that houses several upscale restaurants, and shopping and entertainment centers.

The Hunting Island is a tranquil state park, enjoyed by vacationers and nature lovers alike. It is covered with wide areas of marshes and tidal creeks, a maritime forest, and a lagoon. Head to the lagoon if you are interested in fishing and camping.

Get your kids interested in wildlife by visiting areas that are nesting grounds for loggerhead turtles. Go to the Hunting Island Lighthouse, the star attraction of the area. It holds the distinction of being the only lighthouse in the state accessible to public. Climb to the top to get a classic view of the wetlands and the ocean beyond.

There is a new adventure waiting around every corner in South Carolina. Whether you are a native or a visitor, the state has endless opportunities for a family vacation. Enchanting beaches, museums galore, and exhilarating outdoor recreation facilities are sure to make your stay in South Carolina truly memorable.