A sunny week in South Carolina

This festival held in Anderson, SC is a fun event hosted by GMC. They have a huge balloon descent at nights. It is really neat to see. Also there is a dog disc competition which is fun to watch. They have a ton of food stands, and carnival rides and games. There are some vendors selling things, and displays including tractors, and vehicles. GMC had a contest to win a credit towards a vehicle, and a simulator where you were in an Envoy going around big hills and thunder storms. They feature some big name concerts at night including Jewel and Rob Thomas. Overall a fun time. Held once a year around Memorial Day Weekend.

What a great zoo and garden area! It isn't the biggest zoo in the world, but it makes up with all the stuff packed into it. The zoo is very clean, and the animals don't appear to be stressed at all. THey have all the normal animals you see at a zoo including lions, tigers, bears, monkeys(all types including chimps), gators, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, etc. They also have areas where you can feed animals. There were giraffe feed stations, petting zoo with feed, and a bird area where you could feed nectar to them. There is a small aquarium area inside as well. The gardens are located a bit away from the zoo area but they do provide a tram if you don't want to walk it. There are lots of fountains and flowers everywhere. Just a nice place. Really enjoyed it.

Might as well check this place out. It is the nicest visitor center I have ever seen. They have brouchures, tickets, coupons for everything. Local artists' work is on display and they have a replica of the city enclosed in glass on the floor. Also there is a parking garage at the center if you want to park and walk around.

This aquarium is small, but nice enough. We spent about an hour here while waiting to go on the boat for Fort Sumter. They have all your standard fish displays as well as a huge tank with rays and bigger fish. There is an amazon exhibit which is neat. A few people had snakes and a baby gator to touch. This is the most visited attraction in South Carolina, or at least they claim. Save a few bucks and get a combo ticket for the aquarium and the fort.

Lots of history to learn here! The only way to get to the fort is by boat. On the way over(30 min) you hear a lot of history about the Civil War. The ride is a breeze, and they serve hot dogs, chips, and soda on the boat. There is no food or drink at the fort so make sure you are all set with that. Once you get to the fort you can explore on your own or listen to a talk from a ranger. We found the 15 minute talk really helpful. You are only at the fort for an hour, but it is smaller then it once was so that is plenty of time. Also there is a small gift shop and bathroom on the premises. On the way back on the boat you hear more history, and you can even see dolphins swimming by. Overall a great experience.

This is a nice little area to just relax. They have lots of fountains that the kids run around in. Cruise ships dock nearby as well. The view at sunrise or sunset is fantastic. Lots of benches and shade will cool you off on a hot day. There are people selling water and sodas in case you need some.

I had to put this place on the list. Right on Meeting Street this place is fun and the ribs are great! The atmosphere is casual. My husband and I got the sampler for 2 which had four types of rib flavors including a dry rub. The portions are big but not out of control. I enjoyed an oreo cake thing as a treat, and they gave us a free peach cobbler which my husband loved. Yeah it is a chain (they have 5 locations total so it is but not) but it was fun and good food. Plus you can get the sauces and take them home with you if you want.

I LOVED this so much! There are many different companies that do carriage rides. I read a lot about this company and found them highly recommended. You can go into the stables and see the horse before you head out. Each carriage holds up to 16 people. There are 6 districts and before you go out you are assigned one district to go to. We ended up with district 1 which took us by Rainbow Row, the Battery, and many histroic homes. Our guide was very knowledgeable, funny, and just overall entertaining. If you come to Charleston you have to take a carriage tour!

Lots of shopping including a large antique district. Lots of different shops.

You can find all kinds of stuff here including sweetgrass baskets. Market is near Anson St where the carriage rides are located

This is a huge shopping entertainment eating place! Lots of different shopping places. Lots of restaurants including Buffet's Marquaritaville. Great food there with live performers singing and people making balloon creatures. The complex is built around a manmade lake. There are stations to feed the fish, and paddle boats you can rent. There is a movie theater as well as a two course mini golf. They have fireworks on Tuesday nights. There is also Magiquest and Ripley's Aquarium.

Fun aquarium. Little pricey but the sharks swimming over your head is worth it. They have a mars exhibit, touch tank, and an area to pet rays. Animals are well cared for.

Another little shopping complex. This place has alligator landing as well as Tigers. Tigers is only open when they feel the tigers are in good condition for the day. We were there for 3 hours and missed seeing them. If they are there I am sure it is fun to have your picture taken with them. Lots of restaurants and more shopping, but a lot of it can be seen at Broadway at the Beach.

Called the "Prettiest Little Town in Dixie" Cheraw is a sweet little town right near the North Carolina border. My parents have a house here, and we just love the quiet atmosphere this town has. It is home of Dizzy Gillespe the jazz legend. There is a nice state park there as well as a golf course that costs very little money.