The Aiken Golf Club , an award-winning course that’s been family owned for a century. In the spring, don your best hats or bowties for the annual Aiken Steeplechase —a tradition since 1930. Explore nearby Greenwood County, where you can have a retro family outing at The 25 Drive In Movie Theater , featuring three screens and famous hand-pattied burgers. Boat, fish, swim, hike and see examples of classic Civilian Conservation Corps architecture at Lake Greenwood State Park . Visit the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site to learn about the legendary Morehouse College president who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. synchronous firefly display. Head to Newberry and visit the Enoree River Vineyards & Winery for tastings and live music, or hike part of The Palmetto Trail , a 500-mile foot and bike trail through swamps, forests and small towns. Antique and specialty shops abound in the quaint downtown. ................................................. CHARLESTON: A scenic waterfront, historic preservation, world-class food scene, arts and culture, Lowcountry hospitality and romantic ambience are some of the reasons Darius Rucker’s home ranks as one of the top destinations in the country. For luxury in the European tradition, reserve a room at Hotel Bennett . Meanwhile, mid-century modern aficionados will fall hard for The Dewberry . Dine at nationally acclaimed restaurants like The Grocery and Husk Restaurant , leaders in the country's farm-to-table movement. Lowcountry elegance is always on the menu at S.N.O.B. (Slightly North of Broad), and get your fill of fresh oysters at Delaney Oyster House . Take the wheel for an exciting tour of Charleston Harbor via speedboat, see the oldest landscaped gardens in the nation at Middleton Place , taste American-grown tea at Charleston Tea Garden —the nation’s only major tea farm—and let expert guides from Gullah Tours teach you about the rich culture and contributions of black Charlestonians. Drive across the majestic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to the town of Mount Pleasant. Go to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum to see the World War II aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown . Golfers will gravitate toward Charleston National Golf Club , one of the best non-resort, public golf courses around. Take the kids crabbing at Pickett Park or stroll the boardwalk at Shem Creek Park with its soothing marsh views and bevy of fresh-from-the-dock seafood restaurants. ................................................. COLUMBIA: Home to Darius Rucker’s alma mater, the University of South Carolina, the capital city is a high-energy hub of historical and cultural attractions, to-die-for dining, fine arts and entertainment. Downtown digs don’t get any hipper than Hotel Trundle and its distinctly urban feel. Fill up on locally sourced provisions at Terra . Another culinary icon is Motor Supply Co. Bistro , a farm-to-fork favorite. For fresh, inventive Southern food—think tomato pie mac ‘n’ cheese and deviled eggs with fanciful toppings—stop by Spotted Salamander Cafe and Catering , helmed by 2019 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Jessica Shillato. Delve deep into the city’s roots with an African American history tour from Historic Columbia . Experience the Main Street District , the locale of boutique bowling alley The Grand and the Columbia Museum of Art . On Saturdays, the street transforms into the Soda City Market with food vendors, live music, local produce and crafts. For outdoor adventure, kayak or tube the Broad , Saluda or Congaree rivers , or put in at nearby Lake Murray . Take a short drive to Congaree National Park to view its towering champion trees and annual springtime 5
South Carolina Vacation Guide 2021 SC Vacation Guide: Page 5
