Say hello to Columbia’s southern-style food, history, and nightlife, Fort Sumter, nautical museum, and the historic charm of Mt. Pleasant and Charleston.
Start your drive in South Carolina’s state capitol of Columbia, where you’ll find an abundance of history, southern-style food, and even nightlife. The Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens is an amazing place to stroll around and amuse the children. Leaving town, take U.S. 378 and drive straight for the woods of Manchester, off Route 601. On this path, you’ll drive south along the scenic shores of Lake Marion.
Along this meandering stretch, you’ll find a pleasant drive with some relaxing spots, as well as Santee State Park. On this route, towns are sparse, but include Eutawville, Cross, Lone Star, and a gas & grub stop in Moncks Corner. A second lake available for aquatic pastimes is Lake Moultrie. Head north on U.S. ALT 17 for a few miles, and you’ll stumble upon the historic Old Santee Canal State Park. Drive off
the beaten path to Cordesville to discover the entry to Francis Marion National Forest. From the town of Huger, head south to the North Charleston place. In this neck of the woods, two wonderful diversions are the Charles Pickney National Historic and Boone Hall Plantation site.
A short jaunt on U.S. 17 (not ALT 17) will take you into Mt. Pleasant. On this trip, you’ll finally get to view one of those areas you vaguely remember from history class, Fort Sumter. You’ll need to leave the car on shore and ride the ferry from the tip of Charleston to the actual location. Speaking of boats, one of the largest and best nautical museums is the U.S.S. Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. On this trip, Southern hospitality flourishes. There are many wonderful diversions to visit on your way to the ocean. Don’t miss the historic charm of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant.
Starting Point:
Columbia, SC
Distance of Drive:
160 miles
Must Eat:
A.W. Shucks Oysters
70 State Street, Charleston SC 29401
Phone: 843-723-1151
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Best oysters around
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Spring to fall
Points of Interest on Drive:
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
The Confederate Museum
Karpeles Manuscript Museum
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens and Plantation House
Cypress Gardens
Boone Hall Plantation
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Tagged with: museum • South Carolina
Filed under: Best Road Trips