Known as “The Garden City,” Orangeburg, South Carolina, offers an unexpected amount of culture despite its small size, thanks to its two local universities. Whether you live in Orangeburg or you’re just visiting from nearby Columbia or Charleston, be sure to check out these unique local activities that are sure to please the whole family.
Travel Back in Time at Raylrode Daze Festivul
Each September, drive about 20 minutes south of Orangeburg to Branchville, South Carolina, home of the annual Raylrode Daze Festivul. Now in its 48th year, this festival celebrates Branchville’s railroad junction, which is the oldest railroad junction in the world. The festival offers activities ranging from a cornhole tournament to a gunfight performance hosted by the Branch Junction Gunfighters. Children will enjoy the carnival rides, parade, and arts and crafts activities.
The 2016 Raylrode Daze Festivul runs from September 18th through 25th.
Explore the Outdoors at Congaree National Park
Outdoorsy families will love a day trip to Congaree National Park, located less than an hour northeast of Orangeburg. Visitors will be mesmerized by the tall trees of the largest expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Congaree National Park offers hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and backcountry camping. In addition to over 20 miles of hiking trails, the park offers a 2.4-mile boardwalk trail that gives hikers close-up views of the delicate wetland ecosystem.
Congaree National Park is free and open to the public year-round, but spring and fall are the best times to visit to avoid the hot and humid summer weather.
Catch a Show at the BlueBird Theatre
Located in the former home of the historic Edisto Theatre, the BlueBird Theatre is the place to be in downtown Orangeburg for live theatre performances. It is the home of the Orangeburg Part-Time Players acting troupe, which has produced both adult and children’s theatre shows since 1981. The Part-Time Players 2016 schedule features a number of family-friendly performances, including children’s theatre performances of the Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.
Tickets to performances at the BlueBird Theatre are $19 for adults and $17 for children and seniors.
Kick Back at Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile
Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile is more than just a barbecue restaurant. Designed by a local business person who wanted to capture the spirit of the Old South, Lone Star is a restaurant, museum, and a front porch pickin’ venue all in one. The four buildings that make up Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile date back as far as 1876, and each one is full of antiques and Southern kitsch for visitors to enjoy as they dine on classic barbecue dinners.
Lone Star BBQ & Mercantile hosts live bluegrass and country music most Saturday nights, as well as day-long music festivals on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Lone Star is located just outside Orangeburg in Santee, SC.
Next time you’re in Orangeburg, make a point to slow down and connect with the community by enjoying these four family-friendly activities.
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