Family-Friendly Activities in South Carolina

Traveling With Toddlers, Visiting With Teens

There’s enough to worry about when traveling with children. However, visitors of South Carolina won’t have trouble finding kid-friendly activities throughout the Palmetto State. From the fresh-aired coast of the Atlantic Ocean, to the historic streets of Charleston and the beautiful parks of the upcountry, South Carolina has plenty to offer its guests – both young and young at heart.

Whether you’re looking for an animal-loving escape, or an adventurous afternoon for those energetic members of the family, head to South Carolina – the ideal, four-season vacation spot for families.

Animal Lovers:

Tell the kids to leave those stuffed animals at home, and take the family to the town of Wellford. A small city set in northern South Carolina, Wellford is home to the Hollywild Animal Park – a 70-acre safari adventure perfect for the animal lover in your family.

Settle in for the Outback Safari Ride, taking you past free-roaming animals like zebra, emus, and donkeys, many ready to eat right out of your hand. Heading to Hollywild Animal Park during the winter? Check out great features like Winter Park, and the Holiday Lights Safari. Other events in Hollywild include Photography Days and Astronomy Nights – because what’s Hollywild without stars – plus year-round bottle-feeding for baby llama, camel and sheep. Bring your lunch to Hollywild – best enjoyed in one of the shaded picnic areas – and make the short drive to the Best Western hotel in Greenville.

Want to add a little aquatic adventure to your time in South Carolina? Visit Myrtle Beach – a staple of South Carolina’s coast – and check out Ripley's Aquarium in Celebrity Circle. Face your fear of sharks at the Dangerous Reef, or see if you can find that little clown fish at Rainbow Rock. Stick that meaty little paw in the Touch A Ray Bay, and catch a glimpse of the spotted eagle ray during your time in Ripley’s Aquarium at Myrtle Beach.

Check out the restaurants, shops and even IMAX 3D theater of Celebrity Circle, and enjoy a short drive or walk along the coast to one of three Best Western hotels in Myrtle Beach.

History Buffs:

For the little learner in your family, check out the Fort Sumter National Monument – a historic landmark found in Charleston along the South Carolina coast. Fort Sumter is the 150-year-old marking spot for the initial battle of the American Civil War, referred to as the First Battle of Fort Sumter, and reached only by ferry. Enjoy a breezy boat ride to this national monument, and check out other Civil War commemorations in the area like the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, and Fort Moultrie at Sullivan's Island.

If you’ve worked up a thirst for more knowledge after visiting Fort Sumter, head to Historic Charleston for museums, festivals and fascinating points of interest. Stroll through the Spring Festival & Antiques Show during your spring break, or take a tour of Charleston’s famous graveyards when visiting in October. Stroll through antebellum abodes like the Aiken-Rhett House and Nathaniel Russell House during your time in Charleston – and settle in for another day in historic Holy City at one of the Best Western hotels in Charleston.

Gear-heads and museum hoppers alike, head to the South Carolina city of Greer for the BMW Zentrum Museum. Take an hour-long guided factory tour of the BMW plant with the family, and admire the architecture and creativity of the unique Zentrum building. Take a walk through the Zentrum Museum – open Monday through Friday and free to the public – for additional background on the building, and this world-famous car company. Grab something for your desk at the Zentrum gift shop, and unpack your new finds at the Best Western hotel in Greenville.

Action Jacksons:

The family that plays together, stays together – or at least that’s what you could say in South Carolina. Race fans can head to the Darlington Raceway in, you guessed, the city of Darlington near the Best Western hotel in Florence. Outdoor aficionados may choose from a number of state parks – including the Paris Mountain State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, and Santee State Park – or tee off at the legendary True Blue Plantation golf course. But for those staying in northern South Carolina, be sure to check out the treasures of Kings Mountain State Park.

Take a few days to explore Kings Mountain State Park – a scenic South Carolina state park home to multipurpose trails, fishing lakes, and the well-known Living History Farm. Cast out for catfish, bass and crappie at the 65-acre Lake York, or 13-acre Lake Crawford, and perhaps rent a fishing boat, kayak or canoe for a serene glide along the lake's surface. Relax and enjoy up to 15 miles of horseback riding trails, or get intense with the 16-mile Kings Mountain Hiking Trail.

Cap off your day at the Kings Mountain State Park with a scenic drive back to the Best Western hotel in Fort Mill – where you may rest up for another adventurous day in outdoor South Carolina. Whether you’re packing strollers, or hiking boots for the whole family, you’re South Carolina itinerary can easily accommodate. So have your neighbors check the mail, and pack up the family for a getaway to the Palmetto State.

Best Western Hotels Along the Way:

Charleston Hotels

1

BEST WESTERN King Charles Inn

237 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29401-1609
Phone: (843) 723-7451  |  Fax: (843) 722-4082  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Restaurant and room service breakfast only

Complimentary access to world class fitness facility

Poolside services, afternoon- beverages served poolside

2

BEST WESTERN Sweetgrass Inn

1540 Savannah Highway, Charleston SC 29407-7845
Phone: (843) 571-6100  |  Fax: (843) 766-6261  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary continental breakfast including Danishes, juices, cold cereals, fresh fruits, coffee

Pets may be accepted. Please contact the hotel directly for full details.

Exercise facility, 24 hour

Outdoor pool largest outdoor swimming pool and pool deck in Charleston!

3

BEST WESTERN PLUS Charleston Downtown Hotel

146 Lockwood Drive, Charleston SC 29403-5123
Phone: (843) 722-4000  |  Fax: (843) 723-2573  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Grab & go breakfast includes fresh fruit, packaged bagels, Danishs, breakfast bars etc.

Sweetgrass Gathering Place, on premises, Full Service, American, Open for: breakfast, dinner, featuring good food and good drinks. Offers lowcountry cuisine, daily happy hour specials, and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning.

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $20.00 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Exercise facility, 24 Hour elliptical, treadmill, weight machine

Sunbathing, pool deck

Florence Hotels

4

BEST WESTERN Inn

1808 W Lucas Street, Florence SC 29501-1230
Phone: (843) 678-9292  |  Fax: (843) 678-9990  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary continental breakfast

Outdoor pool

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $15.00 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Fort Mill Hotels

5

BEST WESTERN Carowinds

3675 Foothills Way, Fort Mill SC 29708-9299
Phone: (803) 548-8400  |  Fax: (803) 548-6572  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary continental breakfast which includes: Assorted pastries, breads, hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, juice and coffee

Outdoor pool

Exercise facility, with weight machines

Greenville Hotels

6

BEST WESTERN Greenville Airport Inn

5009 Pelham Road, Greenville SC 29615-5465
Phone: 864-297-5353  |  Fax: 864-297-5353  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Cable or satellite television TV in breakfast area.

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $15 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Exercise facility, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Outdoor pool in season

Myrtle Beach Hotels

7

BEST WESTERN PLUS The Carolinian Beach Resort

2506 N Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach SC 29577-3241
Phone: (843) 448-6861  |  Fax: (843) 626-5072  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Exercise facility

Pool enclosed in winter

8

BEST WESTERN PLUS Grand Strand Inn & Suites

1804 S Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach SC 29577-4634
Phone: (843) 448-1461  |  Fax: 843/448-1461  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, includes hot waffles.

Exercise gym

Indoor pool Heated located in beachfront building available to all guests with showers and changing facility.

9

BEST WESTERN PLUS Myrtle Beach Hotel

9551 N Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach SC 29572-4005
Phone: (843) 213-1440  |  Fax: (843) 213-1446  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast breakfast includes make your own waffles, (egg product, meat product, and or bisc sandwitch menu items change daily) bagles, english muffins, bread, sweet breads ( changes daily) fruits, yogurt, juice, coffee

Outdoor pool

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $20.00 per day with a $100 per week maximum. A refundable cleaning & damage deposit of $50.00 is required upon check-in. If damage occurs or excessive cleaning is needed, the deposit can become non-refundable and the hotel may charge additionally to cover the costs of repair/cleaning.

Exercise facility, 24-hour cycle machine