Featured Image Credit: www.RoadTrippers.com
Summer is nearly here, which means its time to channel your inner explorer. Roll down those windows, turn up the music and head out on a day-long adventure. These are 5 of our favorite day trips, and they are merely suggestions so let the journey dictate your destination!
Edisto Island
Image Credit: www.PierAndSurf.com
This sleepy little beach town is the perfect place to go when you feel like getting away from the hustle bustle of the Holy City. Take a stroll on the beach and you will come across “shell island”, where you are sure to find your fair share of conch shells and pretty much every other kind of seashell you could imagine. Bring a bag so you can take some home! After all that walking, stop at Whaley’s Store, it’s a hole-in-the-wall gas station turned restaurant that has THE best crab cake sandwich. (Voted by Southern Living Magazine!)
Whaley’s Store: 2801 Edisto Island, SC 29438, (843) 869-2161, whaleyseb.com
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Murrells Inlet
Image Credit: www.PawleysIsland.com
Murrells Inlet is home to some of the best seafood in the entire state. Maybe that’s why they call it the “Seafood Capital of the Coast.” But it’s also home to some beautiful attractions, such as Brookgreen Gardens. It’s more than just pretty flowers. There is a zoo, a buttery house, a boating lake, and plenty of sculptures in every direction you turn. We think the best time to visit is in the summer, but after the sun goes down. From Wednesday to Friday, the gardens host live music, children’s activities and dinner in the Pavillion Restaurant. But be sure to check out the Marsh Walk on Murrells Inlet if you’re in the mood to eat elsewhere.
Brookgreen Gardens: 1931 Brookgreen Dr., Murrells Inlet, (843) 235-6000, www.brookgreen.org,
Admission: $14; $12 senior; $7 child ages four-12; free for child under four.
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Georgetown
Image Credit: www.HistoricGeorgetownSC.com
You may have passed this rundown paper mill looking town while driving on Highway 17, but passing by without ever stopping would be a big mistake. Just a turn off Front Street and you will enter a world of maritime heritage. It’s a quaint little town filled with century-old buildings, wooden boats and rice and maritime museums. If you get hungry, be sure to stroll along The Harborwalk and find some fresh seafood with a view.
S.C. Maritime Museum: 729 Front St., Georgetown, (843) 520-0111, www.scmaritimemuseum.org.
Admission: Free.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Rice Museum: 633 Front St., Georgetown, (843) 546-7423, www.ricemuseum.org
Admission: $7; $5 senior; $3 student age six-21; free for child under six
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
McClellanville
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Another hidden gem off of Highway 17 is a lovely little town called McClellanville. It was founded in the late 19th century as a coastal escape from Santee River. Bring your bike and explore at your own pace. Don’t miss the Village Museum, filled with history on the Sewee natives and rice planting days. If you get hungry, stop by T.W. Graham & Co. on Pinckney Street to sample the day’s fresh catch. Don’t forget to try the sweet-potato fries!
Village Museum: 401 Pinckney St., (843) 887-3030, www.villagemuseum.com.
Admission: $3; free for students and children.
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wadmalaw Island
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As if the short, 30 minute scenic drive wasn’t enough to get us out here, Wadmalaw Island is home to the Firefly Distillery and Deep Water Vineyard. For just $6, taste the wine made with local muscadine grapes while learn about the process of how its made. You even get to keep your cute wine glass! Then walk next door to the distillery where you can try everything from their signature sweet tea vodka to something a little more decadent, like their red velvet liqueur. Saturdays at the distillery are called Sippin’ Saturdays! You can always find a food truck parked outside along with live music. Take a stroll around the farm and the vineyards and you’ll forget how much time has passed!
Deep Water Vineyards & Firefly Distillery: 6775 Bears Bluff Rd., (843) 557-1405, www.fireflyvodka.com.
Admission: Free, $6 per tasting
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.