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striped bass fishing, and is the site of the annual TOURISM HOT SPOTS
Big Daddy Fishing event, a free youth tournament Cypress Gardens
for ages 3-12 the first Saturday in August. 3030 Cypress Gardens Road
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Santee Water Park
1761 Bass Drive, Santee, SC 29142 (843) 553-0515 | cypressgardens.info
(803) 391-0017 Since 1931, this attraction has been featured in
santeetourism.com/santee-water-park national magazines, television shows, and motion
Open during the summer, this water park is pictures including The Notebook, The Patriot
a great place to cool off and have fun. The park and Cold Mountain. Embark on a boat ride on
includes a splash pad, a zero-entry pool, and a the natural blackwater cypress swamp. Watch for
water slide. alligators, turtles, birds, lily pads, and other swamp
Beidler Forest life. Enjoy the butterfly house. Stroll along scenic
TOWN PARKS paths, bridges, and 4.5 miles of walking trails.
Francis Folk Park Explore the Swamparium and see native reptiles,
story, rustic, wooden buildings circle the central home of the largest remaining virgin stand of Unity Road, Holly Hill, SC 29059 amphibians, fish, and more. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5
tabernacle, where services are held the last week in cypress-tupelo forest in the world. (803) 496-3330 p.m. with admission. Closed major holidays.
September. During this time, meals are cooked on Glimpse amazing birds and wildlife from Get everyone together for a game of baseball
wood-burning stoves, as in the early 1800s. the elevated boardwalk through the swamp, or softball, or shoot some hoops. The kids can
with ancient trees towering overhead and frolic on the playground, too. Open daily during Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile
Koger-Murray-Carroll-House blackwater streams flowing below. The sanctuary daylight hours. 2212 State Park Road, Santee, SC 29142
119 Sandy Branch Road, St. George, SC 29477 offers kayak tours, night walks, and special (803) 854-2000
(843) 563-2298 | scdchs.com programs. Pre-register by purchasing tickets Gilmore Park Just a stone’s throw from Santee State Park,
Since construction began in the late 1780s, this online at sc.audubon.org/visit/beidler. Check the Park Circle, Holly Hill, SC 29059 this attraction is a museum and restaurant
historic residence is a shining example of Federal Beidler Forest website for days, hours, and (803) 496-3330
and Georgian architecture and design. The home special programs. This park includes a playground, dog park, consisting of four historic buildings that were
and property are now under the purview of the walking trail, three lighted tennis courts, and moved to the site without compromise to their
Dorchester Historical Society, which continues Indian Bluff Park shady spots to relax under the trees. Open daily antiquity, not to mention some of the best
to preserve and restore the site. A Living History 157 Indian Bluff Court, Eutawville, SC 29048 during daylight hours. barbecue and Southern staples in the area.
Weekend is held in November. Indian Bluff Park is a great place to go for a Call for hours.
picnic or to spend a relaxing afternoon on the Bowman Nature Park
The Lourie Theatre shores of Lake Marion. You will find a boat ramp, 6056 Charleston Highway, Bowman, SC 29018 Mepkin Abbey
206 N. Parler Avenue, St. George, SC 29477 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road
(843) 563-3032 a fishing pier, and a short boardwalk through (803) 829-2666
lourietheatre.wixsite.com/lourietheatre the woods with many Cypress trees. There is no The park features tennis courts, swings and Moncks Corner, SC 29461
This refurbished, 300-plus seat theater has admission charge. Open daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. other playground equipment, benches, gazebos, (843) 761-8509 | mepkinabbey.org
been a mainstay of St. George since the 1920s and Santee State Park picnic tables, a covered recreation building, Established in 1949 by Roman Catholic
features a wide array of community entertainment restrooms, and a 0.4-mile walking trail. Open daily Trappist monks, the abbey was developed on the
including stage productions, concerts, workshops, 251 State Park Road, Santee, SC 29142 during daylight hours. site of the historic Mepkin Plantation. Featuring
and more. (803) 854-2408 | southcarolinaparks.com/santee the Nancy Bryan Luce Gardens, visitors can tour
Hike, bike, canoe, or kayak and explore this Harleyville Community Park
OUR GREAT OUTDOORS 2,500-acre park in the heart of Santee Cooper South Railroad Avenue, Harleyville, SC 29448 the grounds and take home some fresh or dried
Audubon’s Francis Beidler Forest Country year-round. Visit its nature center, stay (843) 462-7676 mushrooms grown by the monks, as well as
336 Sanctuary Road, Harleyville, SC 29448 overnight in one of 10 pier-based cabins and 20 This public park features a playground, preserves, and creamed honey produced at other
(843) 487-9988 | sc.audubon.org/visit/beidler lakefront cabins, or sleep under the stars in your ball fields, sheltered picnic areas, and the Trappist monasteries. Check the website for days
Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary, RV or tent in one of two lakefront camping areas. town’s Community Center. Open daily during and times the monastery is open to the public:
is an 18,250-acre bird and wildlife sanctuary and This park is known for its catfish, largemouth and daylight hours. mepkinabbey.org/day-visits.
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