South Carolina’s Old 96 District Should Be Your Next Family Road Trip

There’s no way to beat that travel bug quite like a Spring road trip! Planning a getaway with the family in tow can be challenging with so many different interests to account for. Fortunately, a region full of unexpected wonders offers plenty of offerings for adults and kids alike to enjoy. The Old 96 District covers Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick counties, a region gaining attention for its small-town charm, abundant outdoor scene and rich offering of family-friendly farms and historic sites. Here are just a few reasons you should mark it on your map:

The Great Outdoors

The Old 96 District boasts 6 state parks, 3 lakes, and over 250 miles of hiking and biking trails. Hickory Knob State Resort Park, the only South Carolina state park which is also a resort, invites visitors to boat or fish on the lake, shoot archery, or take up clay-shooting with instructions from a park ranger! Take a hike through history at two different Revolutionary War battlegrounds, both active and educational. Afterwards, park the RV or pitch a tent on a lakeside campsite.

Emerald Farm in Greenwood, SC.

Friendly Farms

Whether it’s meeting the animals or picking fresh food from the vine, farms make a classic family experience. When exploring farms in the Old 96 District, visitors can pick strawberries, learn all about pecan farming, pet dairy goats and even meet real-live unicorns!

One-of-a-Kinds

Some of the Old 96 District’s hidden gems are hard– if not impossible– to find elsewhere! The Winchester Museum in Edgefield, SC (National Wild Turkey Federation or NWTF,) is the only museum in the world dedicated to the wild turkey. An odd premise at first, but curious visitors will be delighted with the surprisingly rich history of turkey hunting and their conservation success story. If you don’t appreciate your Thanksgiving turkey now, we believe you will by the end of your visit.

Other attractions include the 25 Drive-In in Greenwood, SC– one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the United States– and Diamond Hill Mine in Abbeville, SC. Bring your best digging tools and enjoy free reign over several acres of land as you hunt for real gems straight from the local mines.

Save Time on the Planning

Planning a road trip has never been so easy. The Family Fun page shares insider tips on some of the best places in the district for traveling families. Travel itineraries can also help save time planning (or deciding where to eat/stay.) Check out the deals and packages for ways to save on lodging and local attractions or visit the calendar of events for tips on local festivals and performances you don’t want to miss.

Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield, SC.

We hope to see you there and wish you a safe and exciting time making memories!