Travel Tips: Family Fun
Embark on a family adventure just a car ride away. Come to South Carolina’s Olde English District for a variety of activities designed for all ages. Whether it’s thrilling amusement park rides or serene picnics in the park, our offerings cater to everyone’s interests.
Rediscover your inner child as you partake in playful activities, traverse scenic biking and walking paths, engage in paddling and kayaking along nearby waterways, delve into intriguing historical insights and savor signature dishes crafted from local produce. Below is a list of just a few of the many family-friendly activities in our region.
Carowinds
This amusement park is filled with so much fun and excitement that it can’t be contained in one state. Only at Carowinds will you find almost 60 world-class rides, the Carolinas’ best waterpark, live entertainment, Camp Snoopy and downhome Carolina cuisine. Family-friendly special events keep you coming back for new ways to play all season long. At the park’s well-appointed on-site hotel and beautiful campground (RV camping and modern cabins), you can turn your Carowinds stay into a fun getaway. Plus, great dining and entertainment options for the whole family.
Lindsay Pettus Greenway
Freely enjoy two miles of nature in the heart of downtown Lancaster on the Lindsay Pettus Greenway. Dotted with public art, the Greenway is a hard-surface recreational trail along Gills Creek that connects visitors to the local identity of Lancaster County, highlights native flora and fauna and offers a creative experience of art and environment. Come take a stroll and immerse yourself in Lancaster’s natural beauty.
Kings Mountain State Park
Within Kings Mountain State Park, you’ll discover an expansive network of hiking and walking trails spanning over 20 miles. Two serene lakes, Lake Crawford and Lake York, await fishing and paddling enthusiasts. Ample stretches of land provide the perfect canvas for a leisurely picnic lunch and designated picnic areas are also conveniently available.
Revolutionary War Visitor Center at Camden
The Revolutionary War Visitor Center makes learning history fun. Kids can sing, play and act like a spy with the interactive experiences at the new center. They can also take photos with lifesize & lifelike soldier figures, decode a secret spy message, listen to popular songs of the Revolution and tune in to audio tours of some exhibits, pose and “pet” South Carolina’s state dog, the Boykin Spaniel, utilize a Rebus Reader, Look and Find and complete exhibit packets.
Historic Brattonsville
Visit this 800-acre property to learn how people farmed the land, cooked and entertained themselves in the 18th and 19th centuries through costumed interpreters. Be sure to visit the Revolutionary War battlefield site with an interpretive trail and a nature preserve with miles of walking trails. These historical activities and others are presented year-round, Tuesday through Saturday.
Goat Daddy’s Farm
Take a drive (Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm) to see goats, alpacas, miniature donkeys and more. Peruse the on-site store for farm-fresh eggs, Grade A Goat Milk and Heritage Woodland Raised Non-GMO Pork Products like sausage and bacon.
Where to Eat
The River’s Edge Restaurant in Cheraw, SC, is a small-town restaurant that has friendly service, delicious mains and desserts, and the occasional hymn sung by the Mennonite staff. Creamy cakes and pies are made in-house. In nearby Pageland, dessert can come before the main course. Polly’s Coffee & Ice Cream Shoppe serves more than 30 flavors of ice cream, and PYG Pizza serves hot traditional and specialty pizzas.
For a more upscale meal, The Pump House Restaurant in Rock Hill overlooks the Catawba River and serves Southern-inspired American cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients. On the other side of the region, The Loopy Lemon Café in Downtown Camden presents a casual, vibrant environment.
Packing a picnic more your style? Cotton Hills Farm (three locations in Lowrys, Chester and Richburg) offers seasonal fruits and vegetables that you can pick yourself. Pack some blankets and have a light picnic at the farm or the nearby Chester State Park. Or grab something from the grab-n-go fridge at Camden’s Three Sisters’ Essentials, a certified roadside market and local goods shop.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. Cakes, cookies, brownies — there are several spots to satisfy any sweet tooth, such as Cake Lady Café in Fort Lawn, MoMo Donuts in Rock Hill and Rainbow Donuts Cafe in York.