Capital City/Lake Murray Country combines big city attractions with waterfront excursions, making it the ideal getaway for the young and young at heart
Dive into a family fun adventure that strikes the perfect balance between big city attractions and waterfront escapes with a trip to Capital City/Lake Murray Country. The beautiful region is conveniently located off Interstates I-77, I-26 and I-20 in the central part of South Carolina. From boat rentals and rapid river excursions, to zip lining at a nationally recognized zoo to scrumptious downtown dining in the heart of Columbia, embark on a memory-making voyage that both the kids and kids at heart will want to re-visit again and again.
First, check out Lake Murray Vacation Rentals for sprawling houses or the perfect quaint bungalow for your family’s stay. Or, check into a cozy cabin on Dreher Island State park–a three-island outdoor wonderland that spans 12 miles of Lake Murray’s shore. LakeMurrayVacation.com, SouthCarolinaParks.com
Once you’ve unloaded the bags at your waterfront pad, head down to Lake Murray Boat Club, Better Boating or California Republic Standup Paddleboard for lake equipment rentals. Whether your crew feels the need for speed or desires to float the day away on a big pontoon, guests will soon discover why Boating Magazine named Lake Murray one of the Country’s “Top 10 Boating Destinations and Places to Live.” Spend the day exploring the 50,000 acres of sparkling waters that make up “The Jewel of South Carolina.” Have a fisher in the family? Lake Murray is home to a variety of species and fishermen have been known to regularly reel in 40-plus pound catfish. www.LakeMurrayBoatClub.com, www.LakeMurrayBoating.com, www.CaliforniaRepublicSup.com
After a long day on gorgeous Lake Murray, refuel with a waterfront dinner. Tie up the boat or park the car at Liberty Tap Room and Grill, where spectacular sunset views, delicious kid- and adult-friendly menu options and live music cap off the evening. Or, try Lake Murray Resort and Marina which offers The Club, with views of the lake and a seasonal menu and The Beach, an open-air dining option with a laid-back vibe–flip flops welcome! If you go to Frayed Knot, be sure to check out the paddleboard, kayak and jet ski rentals for the remainder of your stay. www.Irmo.LibertytTapRoom.com, www.LakeMurrayResort.com
Next, head to downtown Columbia. The Capital City is the largest city in the Palmetto State and is one of the only major metropolitan areas in the country to have three rivers flowing through its limits. No matter where you go, you are likely not far from the Saluda, Broad or Congaree rivers, providing a peaceful sound of free-flowing water among the hustle and bustle. Get up close without diving in by renting bikes at Columbia’s Riverfront Park. Cruise through the 167 acres of spectacular riverfront scenery. Take in the views, eat at the nearby restaurants, learn the history, then park your ride and take a stroll down one of the many hiking trails. Rent bikes at ICRC.net, WestColumbiaSC.gov
Time to get the paddles out. Don’t have a boat of your own? Drop into River Runner Outdoor Center or Palmetto Outdoors to rent kayaks, canoes or even stand up paddleboards. Both shops offer several guided river tours to choose from. Learn about the hidden gems and secrets that lie around every corner. Prefer to ride instead of drive? Rent one of Palmetto Outdoor’s “Cadillac’s of the river.” These deluxe tubes are the perfect way to sit back, relax and float into an aqua adventure. PalmettoOutdoor.com, ShopRiverRunner.com
Slow things down by dropping a line. On the Saluda River, expect to reel in rainbow trout and brown trout beauties. The Broad River boasts a plethora of small mouth bass, catfish and largemouth. The Congaree River is best known for its enormous striper fish. Tip: Stop in at The Lake Murray Country Visitors Center and pick up your copy of The Angler. www.LakeMurrayCountry.com/default.aspx
For lunch, picnic on the grounds of the stunning South Carolina State House. White columns, marble and a grand staircase make an ideal backdrop for a day on the town. Another option? Make your own pizza at Persona. The chefs will then toss your masterpiece into the wood-fire oven where it takes only 90 seconds to bake to perfection. For a twist on the typical deli spot, head to DiPrato’s Delicatessen, a tried and true favorite, with breads, spreads, toppings and cheeses that will not disappoint. For a sweet ending, head to Kaminsky’s Dessert Café, near the State House, and satisfy the sweet tooth with a Salted Caramel milkshake. Tip: Adults can add Evan Williams Black Bourbon for an extra special treat. PersonaPizzeria.com, www.Dipratos.com, www.Kaminskys.com
Continue the city adventure at EdVenture. This award-winning children’s museum immerses the kids in fun educational exhibits. The Wags and Whiskers area allows your child to become a veterinarian by caring for a cuddly plush animal. Maker Works is a tinkerer’s paradise–chock full of materials and fueled by brainpower. The kids will love getting behind the wheel of a firetruck, stocking the shelves at the grocery store or chugging along on a tractor. Edventure.org
Practically next door, explore the South Carolina State Museum. Discover the natural history exhibit with its shark and dinosaur displays. Peruse fine art, learn the principles of space flight or get up close to a Civil War submarine. Or, step inside the 4-D interactive theatre. If you go in the evening, the planetarium is a must. This 145-seat dome theater provides a completely immersive environment that surrounds viewers with multi-media images and sound. SCMuseum.org
Off the beaten path, explore South Carolina’s only national park–Congaree National Park. Row through the stunning wooded waters on marked canoe paths, which contain some of the tallest trees in eastern North America. Can’t get to it all in one day? Pitch a tent under the stars at one of the park’s many campsites. Make a camping reservation by calling 1-877-444-6777, NPS.gov
Check out one of South Carolina’s finest state parks in the heart of the Midlands–Sesquicentennial State Park. Affectionately known as “Sesqui,” this spacious green getaway is in the Sandhills region. Immerse yourself in the 1,400 acres of pines, explore camping sites, nature trails, a bike loop and, of course, check out options for kayak and canoe rentals. www.SouthCarolinaParks.com
For a cross-continental adventure without leaving the city, head to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Explore Australia’s kangaroos, the Arctic’s penguins and Africa’s elephants and gorillas. You can also take the global tour by sky, zip lining above the 170 acres of beautiful land. Make the day a hole in one at Frankie’s Fun Park. Not only does this place have the best mini-golf in Columbia, but it also has batting cages, a fun house, laser tag, bumper boats, an arcade and a racetrack. RiverbanksZoo.org, FrankiesFunPark.com
Extreme fun-seekers will want to head to the Plex in neighboring Irmo. Break a sweat by jumping on 12,000 square feet of world-class interconnected trampolines. Or burn off some energy by cooling down on the ice skating rink. While in Irmo, stop by Saluda Shoals Park. This premier outdoor space features paved and unpaved trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Explore the waters of the gorgeous Saluda by canoe or kayak or have the kids hit up the playground. PlexHiWire.com
While in Lexington County, make sure you are fueling the fun with some of the area’s tastiest family-friendly spots. You can’t leave the Palmetto State without trying some of its famous barbecue. Shealy’s Barbeque in Batesburg-Leesville is so finger-lickin’ good that it’s officially on the South Carolina Barbecue Trail. Try delicious pulled pork, baby-back ribs, fried chicken and all the fixings. And, with offerings like a Blackened Catfish BLT, Filet Mignon, Shrimp and Grits and a 10-ounce burger topped with bourbon bacon jam, charting the best course to satisfying hunger pangs is the only challenge at The Root Cellar. ShealysBBQ.com, www.TheRootCellarSC.com
After days exploring the big city and extreme excursions, retreat to your waterfront rental home and watch the moonlight bounce off the still waters of Lake Murray or rest easy in one of the family-friendly nearby hotels, complete with suite accommodations and complimentary breakfast. Between fun in the sun and water, world-class family attractions and award-winning eats, Capital City/Lake Murray Country is the perfect recipe for a family vacation that will quickly become a yearly tradition.