SC Adventures

March 2025 Issue
by Elizabeth Skenes Millen

Don’t have time to travel the world this weekend? No worries. It’s easy—and close—to find fun and interesting things to do right here in South Carolina. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

 

Race over to the 90th Running of The Carolina Cup
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025 Where: 200 Knights Hill Rd, Camden, SC
Distance: Approximate 3-hour drive
Tickets: starting at $50 per person, general admission
Learn More: www.carolinacup.org 803-432-6513


The Carolina Cup is a long-time South Carolina tradition that has achieved premier social event status in the state. This annual “rite of spring” draws more than 30,000 fans to the riveting sport of steeplechase horse racing. These fans enjoy one of the most colorful, (wear your dress and hat)! vibrant tailgate traditions, with everything from silver platters and bourbon to chicken wings and cold beers. Spectators can also enjoy the paddock shoppes, vendor village, and get an up-close look at some of the finest racehorses, jockeys, and rail-side racing.

 

Experience the Official Throwback
Weekend of NASCAR
When: Saturday & Sunday, April 4-5, 2025 Distance: Approximate 3-hour drive
Where: Darlington Raceway, 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy., Darlington, SC
Tickets: Various packages available
Learn More: www.darlingtonraceway.com 866-459-RACE


Darlington Raceway is NASCAR’s most historic track and known as the first superspeedway. The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR is a celebration of Darlington Raceway’s 75th Anniversary during with the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to the “Track Too Tough to Tame”! Revered for its rich legacy, legendary finishes, and menacing turns, Darlington Raceway making is one of the hardest tracks in the sport and a Must Do at Least Once event. You will NOT believe how fast those race cars are really going! See it in person, and you just might become a fan!

 

All Aboard the USS Yorktown and Museum
When: Any Day You Want to Go (Mon-Sun)
Where: 40 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC
Distance: Approximate 2.5-hour drive
Tickets: Adult 13-61 $28; Senior 62+ $25; Child 6-12 $23
Learn More: www.patriotspoint.org 843-884-2727

Patriots Point Development Authority was established in the 1970s to develop a naval and maritime museum on Charleston Harbor with the World War II aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown as its centerpiece. Since opening in 1976, Patriots Point has become one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions with more than 300,000 visitors each year. Touring the vast aircraft carrier (888 feet long), you will learn what life was like for Navy sailors. You’ll walk among some of the U.S. military’s most notable airplanes, hear stories of heroism, and experience a WWII aircraft carrier like no other.

 

Walk with the Animals at Bee City Zoo
When: Wednesday - Sunday Where: 1066 Holly Ridge Ln., Cottageville, SC
Distance: Approximate 2-hour drive
Tickets: Adult $19 w/safari $24; Senior/Military $17 w/safari $22
Log on: www.beecityzoo.com 843-835-5912

A small, family-owned, one-of-a-kind bee farm and interactive zoo, Bee City Zoo’s focus is educating the public about the importance of honeybees and having a love for animals. This zoo provides unique animal experiences with equally unique animals. Here you can hand-feed monkeys, lemurs, alpacas, goats, sheep, giraffes, zebras, camels, kangaroos and wallabies. See exotic animals such as tigers, antelope, serval cats, and a snow leopard, as well as farm animals, including miniature horses and donkeys, turkeys, pheasant, chickens and much more. Plus, enjoy a beautiful aviary with brightly colored birds alighting as they eat out your hand. Bee City's newest experience­—a safari ride—starts this month. It’s a fun daytrip for the entire family!