SC Adventures Within 3 Hours or Less!

April 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:

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Airshow
When: April 12-13, 2025 Base Access: 8:30 A.M. Gates Open: 9 A.M.
Where: Hwy. 21/Geiger Blvd., Beaufort, SC
Distance: Approximate 1-hour drive
Tickets: Free general admission, but must get free ticket online
Learn More: www.beaufortairshow.com

One of the United States premier and thrilling airshows, the MCAS Beaufort Airshow is two days of family fun for everyone—from your family historian, military friends and family, flight and aircraft enthusiasts, to anyone who wants to see all the amazing aircraft and the power behind them. This year will feature The Blue Angels, numerous performing and aerobatic pilots, helicopter rides, the Top Gun Experience, static aircraft displays, a precision exotic car driving experience, food vendors, a kids’ zone and so much more. Folding chairs are welcome. No pets, outside food and beverages, drones or coolers are allowed.

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens Wine Tasting
When: April 25, 2025, 7 - 9:30 P.M. (zoo & gardens open daily 9-5)
Where: 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC Distance: Approximate 2.5-hour drive
Tickets: Wine Tasting $100/$150 VIP; Daily Admission $27.99; Save $3 per daily ticket by purchasing online
Learn More:www.riverbanks.org | 803-779-8717

From gorillas, koalas, penguins and sharks, to formal gardens to natural woodlands, Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens promises new discoveries around every corner! Home to more than 3,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens, the lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks, and significant historic landmarks. One of Riverbanks’ signature annual events is the Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Gardens. This elegant gathering is a delightful journey for seasoned wine enthusiasts and newcomers. It sells out quickly, so purchase your tickets now. VIP tickets include a pre-party, a guided tour through the all-new Greenhouse, separate entrance, premium wine selections, specialty food and a private VIP room.

Artfields: Celebrate Southern Art
When: April 25 - May 3, 2025, 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. daily (Sunday: 1 P.M. to 6 P.M.)
Where: Festival Welcome Center, 110 East Main St., Lake City, SC
Distance: Approximate 3-hour drive
Tickets: Free Admission, (some ticketing for various events)
Learn More:www.artfieldssc.org | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Known as the South’s most engaging art competition and festival, Artfields features more than 400 works of art displayed in locally owned venues, from renovated 1920s warehouses and professional art spaces such as Jones-Carter Gallery and TRAX Visual Art Center to the public library, the history museum, the Ronald E. McNair Life History Center, restaurants, boutiques, barber shops, and more. The entire town becomes a walkable live art gallery, offering a slice of small-town life while honoring and sharing the artistic talent of the Southeast. Various events daily—check their website for schedule.

Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
When: May 3, 2025 - Oct. 26, 2025 Distance: Approximate 2.5-hour drive
Where: SC State Museum, 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
Tickets: $33 per person, general admission $29, senior & military
Learn More:www.scmuseum.org | 803-898-4921


Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed showcase features more than 70 costumes from beloved characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and many more, highlighting the innovative ways iconic characters are brought to life through the artistry and imagination of their costumes. Some highlights include costumes worn by the likes of Bette Davis, Glenn Close, and Angelina Jolie; “Cinderella’s Workshop,” a gallery examining how designers have applied their unique style and artistry to different interpretations of the fairy tale heroine; and many iconic costumes of Disney live-action characters, such as Mary Poppins, Queen Narissa, and Jack Sparrow.