Explore and Enjoy Some Family Fun: South Carolina Day Trips

Quick Look: Explore the best family-friendly South Carolina Day Trips; from Riverbanks Zoo and EdVenture Museum in Columbia to Diamond Hill Mine, SC Botanical Garden, Sassafras Mountain, and nearby state parks.

Looking for day trips from Greenville, SC? While we love Kidding Around Greenville, we also love kidding around other areas of South Carolina. If you are looking for some South Carolina day trips that are perfect for families, we have you covered! Check out our list of nearby family-friendly destinations for your next day trip.

As awesome as Greenville is (yay, Greenville!), sometimes we want to take our family to a new experience in a different place. Personally, I hate packing for overnight trips, so day trips are a perfect compromise.

After polling Kidding Around Greenville’s Facebook followers and questioning a few long-time natives, we have compiled a list of the most recommended day trip locations, all within easy driving distance of Greenville.

Are you looking for more day-trip ideas? See also:

• The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips near the Upstate, SC
• Day Trips in Western North Carolina
• Summer Day Trips
• Day Trips for Couples
• Our Greenville Travel Page

Please check original sources for the most current information on prices and times.

Day Trip Ideas in Columbia, SC

Eudora Farms

Eudora Farms is a drive-thru animal safari located in Salley, South Carolina, that makes an easy day trip from Columbia. See our Kidding Around review of Eudora Farms.
Check Eudora Farms Facebook for daily updates
Location: 219 Salem Lane, Salley, SC
Phone: 803-564-5358

• Hours:
  10 am – 4 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, but check Facebook for updates as hours change depending on the line size to get into the park, weather, and other factors.
• Admission:
  $21-$59 per car (depending on number of passengers), $5 for a bucket of animal food, $8.50 per extra passenger
• Best for: Families with kids who are not afraid of animals getting close to the car, and parents who aren’t afraid to have large animals close to their car.

Riverbanks Zoo

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia is one of the Midlands’ top family attractions, with more than 2,000 animals, botanical gardens, and exhibits that kids can interact with.
River Banks Zoo Website
Kidding Around review of Riverbanks Zoo

• Riverbanks Zoo Hours:
  9 am – 5 pm daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Admission (online prices):
  Adults (13-61): $27.95 + tax
  Children (2–12): $24.95 + tax
  Under 2: Free
  Military: $25.95 + tax (show military ID)
  Senior Citizens (62+): $25.95 + tax (show photo ID)
• Parking: $5 per vehicle (we recommend buying online for free parking!)
• Best for: Families looking for a full day of activities while visiting Columbia. This is great for all ages.

Note: Riverbanks Zoo is not currently accepting reciprocal memberships.

EdVenture Children’s Museum

EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia is a hands-on museum. Kids can climb, explore, and learn through interactive exhibits designed to be enriching for all ages.
EdVenture Website
Kidding Around review of EdVenture

• Hours:
  Monday, Wednesday-Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
  Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
  Tuesdays: Closed
• Admission:
  Children and Adults: $13
  Under 2: Free
  Members: Free
• Best for: Families looking for fun educational things to do indoors with their kids.

SC State Capitol

The South Carolina State House in Columbia is a historic Capitol building where families can take free tours and explore the monuments, architecture, and history of SC’s government.

• Hours:
  Guided and self-guided tours of the State House are available Monday – Friday at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30.
• Admission:
  Free
• Best for: School-aged children and up. It’s best for families with kids who can understand the significance of the buildings. This is a great option for a day trip for homeschooling families.

South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum in downtown Columbia has four floors of exhibits, a digital planetarium, and immersive theaters that explore the history and science of South Carolina. The first Sunday of each month is only $1 for admission.

• Hours:
  Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
  Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
• Admission:
  Adults (13 and up): $13
  Children (3-12): $10
  Under 2: Free
  (Blockbuster exhibits incur an additional charge)

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Day Trip Ideas in Anderson, SC

Diamond Hill Mine

Diamond Hill Mine offers a huge open space and mining pit where you can bring your digging equipment (shovels and rock hammers work great) and search for quartz, amethyst, and other crystals. It’s best to go right after a good rainstorm to find crystals just lying out in the open.
Diamond Hill Mine Website

• Hours:
  Sign-in is 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; guests may dig until dark
  Open 365 days a year
• Admission:
  Adults (18+): $20
  Teens (13-17): $10
  Children (7-12): $5
  6 and under: Free

Here are some more Places to Mine Gems in the Upstate of SC!

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Day Trip to Aiken, SC

Aiken, SC, is a great place to explore if you’re looking for a state park to explore, along with a mix of historical sites. Check out this full-day trip guide to Aiken, SC, on our sister site, Kidding Around Columbia.
Best for: Outdoor lovers who also love history and horses (Aiken County is considered Thoroughbred country!)

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Day Trip Ideas in Seneca, SC

High Falls Park

Swim, play on the beach, climb on the playground, boat on the lake, or enjoy a picnic. See our Kidding Around review of High Falls Park, so you know what to bring along.
Location: 671 High Falls Road, Seneca, SC

• Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
• Admission: $3 per car
• Best for: Families looking to relax and spend the day playing by or on the lake.

World of Energy

The Duke Energy World of Energy offers free, hands-on exhibits where families can learn how electricity is generated and explore the region’s natural and energy history.
Duke World of Energy Website
Kidding Around Review of Duke World of Energy

• Hours:
  Wednesday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm
  Call in advance to verify hours
• Admission:
  Free
• Best for: A unique experience where you can learn about nuclear energy. This is great for homeschooling families.

South Cove County Park

Read Kidding Around’s Review of South Cove County Park. Hang out on the beach area, swim, shoot some hoops, enjoy the playground or a picnic, and a lot more at South Cove County Park.

• Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
• Admission: $3 per car
• Best for: Families looking for a sandy beach to play at for the day!

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Day Trip Ideas in Clemson, SC

SC Botanical Garden

The SC Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the Upstate (especially when in bloom!) With free entry, you can explore the gardens’ many plants, and kids will love the caboose on-site.
SC Botanical Garden Website
Kidding Around Review of SC Botanical Garden

• Hours:
  Sunday – Saturday: dawn to dusk
• Admission:
  Free
• Best for: Families who love nature, especially spring through summer when things are in bloom. They also offer a lot of family and kid-friendly classes.

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Sunset, SC

Sassafras Mountain

Visit the observation tower at Sassafras Mountain. This is the highest point in South Carolina, and you can get there for fabulous views without any hiking.
Location: 1391 F Van Clayton Memorial Hwy, Sunset, SC 29685

• Admission: Free
• Best for: The entire family. It’s an easy walk, so toddlers and grandparents can join in.

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South Carolina State Parks

Find all of our reviews of nearby State Parks in our complete Guide to South Carolina State Parks in the Upstate.

Devil’s Fork State Park/Lake Jocassee

Devil’s Fork is home to Lake Jocassee, which is regularly featured as one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Carolina.
Devil’s Fork State Park Website
Lake Jocassee Website

• Hours:
  Late spring to mid-fall: 7 am-9 pm, daily
  Late fall to mid-spring: 7 am-6 pm, daily
• Admission:
  Adults: $8
  Children: $4
  5 and under: Free.
• Best for: Nature lovers. There are lots of water sports to participate in. They also have a small, sandy beach (but you have to arrive early in summer to grab a parking spot for the beach).

Table Rock State Park

Table Rock is great for a day trip because it has a large, sandy beach you can hang out on, then head up the Carrock Creek trail to check out the trailside waterfall you can walk underneat.
Table Rock Website

• Hours:
  Sunday-Thursday 7 am-7 pm
  Friday-Saturday 7 am-10 pm
  During Daylight Saving Time: Sunday-Thursday 7 am-9 pm; Friday-Saturday 7 am-10 pm
• Admission:
  Adults: $6
  Children (6-15): $3.50
  5 and under: Free

Keowee-Toxaway State Park/Lake Keowee

Keowee has some great trail systems to check out, and if you want to rent kayaks and go for a adventure on the water, its a great place. There is even a neat zipline place here.
Keowee Toxaway Website

• Hours:
  Saturday-Thursday 9 am-6 pm, Friday 9 am-8 pm
  During Daylight Savings Time: 9 am-9 pm, daily
• Admission:
  Free

Lake Hartwell State Park

Lake Hartwell is one of the areas largest lake systems, and their state park is pretty neat, especially if you enjoy fishing, camping, and watersports.
Lake Hartwell State Park Website

• Hours:
  Sun up to sun down, daily
• Admission:
  Adults: $3
  Children (6-15): $1
  5 and under: Free

Caesar’s Head State Park/Raven Cliff Falls

Caesar’s Head has some pretty fantastic views, and if you head there during the fall, you can catch the annual hawk migration.
Caesars Head Website

• Hours:
  9 am- 6 pm, daily
  during Daylight Saving Time: 9 am-9 pm, daily
  Trails close one hour before dark, year-round
• Admission:
  Adults: $3
  Children (6-15): $1
  5 and under: Free

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Super Lists of Upstate, SC Fun

You can turn almost anything into a day trip. Here’s a few lists with many places to do some of our most favorite things, like creek stomp, kayak, learn some history, and more!

Places to Creek Stomp Near Greenville, SC
Places to Go Tubing Near Upstate, SC
Places to Kayak in Upstate, SC
Historic Textile Mill Sites to Visit in Greenville

What is your family’s favorite day trip in South Carolina?