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South Carolina is one of the best states for families looking to spend a vacation. The state is rich with history, beauty, and fun activities. If you’re looking for exciting experiences that won’t break the bank, these might be right up your alley. 16 Cheap Family Activities to Do in South Carolina
1. Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
This mouthful of a museum is located in Myrtle Beach. It offers a variety of fun activities for children of all ages, and 11 different rooms have lively artwork on display. Works by Ansel Adams, Norman Rockwell, and Frank Lloyd Wright can be viewed. Best of all, the museum is free!
2. Greenville County Museum of Art
If you find yourself inland in Greenville, you will want to stop by the County Museum of Art. The museum prides itself on being the premier art museum of the South. The facility is home to an extensive collection of African-American art and the famous painter Jasper John. Once again, admission is free and is a great way to immerse you and your family into the rich culture of the American South.
3. Mice on Main
After strolling through the Museum of Art in Greensville, participate in the Mice on Main Scavenger Hunt. Follow the clues to find the nine bronze mice scattered about Main Street. Your kids will love playing detective as they gather the clues and sniff out the secret mice hiding on the streets of Greenville.
4. The Children’s Garden at Linky Stone Park
Your hunt for the nine mice might lead you to the Children’s Garden at Linky Stone Park along the Reedy River in Greenville. The 1.7-acre garden is designed for children and features a Hansel and Gretel cottage, textile garden, and geology wall made of rocks and minerals from around the state. The park usually has hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
5. White Point Gardens & Battery Park
This park is located where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers converge at the southernmost tip of Charleston. The 5.7-acre park has open grass areas perfect for a picnic or tossing around a baseball or frisbee. You can also rent a bike and take in the beautiful scenery as you pedal around the park with your family.
6. Botany Bay
Edisto Island is just about an hour’s drive south of Charleston. It is a charming little reserve perfect for a day trip. On the island, you can take a bike ride on the bike path, search for seashells, go bird watching, or, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of some wildlife.
7. Cowpens National Battlefield
This historic battlefield is located in Gaffney, a small town outside Spartanburg near the North Carolina Border. Before walking the battlefield, you can soak in the history of this Revolutionary War battle site by watching a short film in the interactive visitor center.
8. Kings Mountain National Military Park
Suppose you are a history buff and want to explore more battlefields. In that case, Kings Mountain National Military Park in Blacksburg is a short drive from Gaffney. The park is a remembrance of the only battle Americans fought each other in the Revolutionary War without the aid of other countries. The battle helped sway the victory for the United States and left a mark on the rest of history.
9. The Center for Birds of Prey
If your kids love wildlife and you are in Charleston, drive an hour north to Awendaw to observe some of the most magnificent birds of prey. Visitors can get up close and personal with 50 different types of owls, falcons, eagles, hawks, and vultures. Make sure you get in your seats early to watch the handlers let these raptors fly through the sky and perform dazzling tricks and hunting maneuvers.
10. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Located in Colombia, the Riverbanks Zoo is relatively cheap for a family to explore the various animals that call the zoo home. For around $20 a person, visitors can see over 2,000 animals and over 350 species. One day, you and your family can go on an African Safari with lions, giraffes, and rhinos to the Australian Outback to see koalas and kangaroos. It sounds like a great adventure you and your family will cherish.
11. Colombia Splash Pads
After a day at the zoo, your kids might want to find a spot to cool off. Luckily, Colombia has dozens of public pools and splash pads geared toward young kids. The Maxcy Gregg and Greenview Pools have a small fee, but your kids will love spraying each other with water shooters and splashing in the kiddie pools.
12. Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a 350-acre area in the center of Myrtle Beach that features entertainment, dining, and shopping complexes surrounding a man-made lake. During the summer, the boardwalk is bustling with various street performers like mimes, magicians, musicians, fire dancers, and famous characters. Grab an ice cream cone and take a seat because the facility puts on one of the best fireworks shows in the Southern states.
13. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Another great boardwalk for families to enjoy is the one located in Myrtle Beach. The strip is lined with restaurants, arcades, and souvenir shops. Afterwards, check out the Nightmare Haunted House, the Sling Shot Thrill Ride, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum, Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures, or the SkyWheel, the boardwalk’s famous Ferris wheel.
14. Miniature Golf
Fun fact: Myrtle Beach claims to be the miniature golf capital of the world. There are 35 different themed mini-golf courses in the area. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a friendly tournament between you and your kids.
15. Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Get the adrenaline rush you crave at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park during your next stay at Myrtle Beach. There are over 30 rides, ranging from rollercoasters to slower rides for the youngsters. The park has entertained tourists for 45 years and looks to continue being a mainstay in the heart of Myrtle Beach.
16. Myrtle Waves Water Park
Myrtle Waves is the largest water park in South Carolina. The park offers many different discounts depending on the day, so look for some coupons to get into the park, which has 22 slides to help you cool off in the hot southern summers.
16 Coolest Small Towns in the U.S. You’ve Never Heard Of
One of my favorite things about this country is the differences in each state. A cross-country road trip can take you from the mountains to the desert, coast, and swampland, with each region representing its unique charm and culture.
I’m an avid road tripper and have had the privilege of spending some time in these small towns. They left their mark on me in the best way possible.
17 Items to Cut From Your Budget You Won’t Miss
Are you feeling the pinch in your wallet? You’re not alone – many of us are looking for ways to save money without drastically changing our lifestyles. But what if we told you there are things you’re spending money on right now you wouldn’t even miss if they were gone? Yes, you read it right! This blog post is all about those sneaky budget items that are quietly draining your bank account. We’ve rounded up 17 items you can cut from your budget today. So, let’s dive right in and save more of your hard-earned money!
