Five Ways to Spend a Saturday in Florence, South Carolina
It’s still fairly hot, but fall and cooler temperatures are peeking around the corner. What is there to do around Florence County as the seasons change? Plenty! We have gathered a collection that mixes indoor and outdoor fun, depending on your mood, the weather and whatever interests float your…kayak? Here are five ways to spend a Saturday in Florence County, South Carolina.
1. Lynches River County Park and the SC Revolutionary Rivers National Water Trail
Lynches River County Park is a 676-acre river swamp with towering cypress trees. Known for its canoeing, camping, nature trails (4 main ones), picnicking and geocaching. The Environmental Discovery Center features regular events and the live animals housed in there are always great to visit.
Meanwhile, the SC Revolutionary Rivers National Water Trail is located on the Lynches River, where you can paddle through a wetland forest with cypress and towering tupelos. Experience firsthand how Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion earned the nickname “Swamp Fox” helping turn the tide in the War of Independence vs. the British.
The trail follows 66 miles of the blackwater tributary, passing through Marion’s backcountry battlegrounds and his secret base camp on Snow’s Island.
Area outfitters offer guided kayaking trips on the historic waterway (check out http://www.riverratsc.com/).
2. Woods Bay State Park
Woods Bay State Park in Olanta offers a close-up look at one of the last remaining large Carolina Bays on the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. The 1,590-acre park features a wide range of habitats including marsh, sandhills, oak-hickory forest and shrub bog. It can be explored by taking the nature trail encircling the mill pond or by walking the length of the 1,150 foot boardwalk, which provides views of alligators in the cypress tupelo swamp. The best way to see the park is by following a canoe trail which takes paddlers past the Carolina Bays.
3. Moore Farms Botanical Garden
Located just four miles from historic downtown Lake City is Moore Farms Botanical Garden. Declared by Southern Living Magazine as Paradise Found, the garden consists of 65 acres of cultivated gardens and pastoral fields. More than 5,000 different varieties of plants, you can join classes, workshops and tours offered all year. Visitation by appointment only.
They also have special events.
- This Saturday is their 10th annual Beer Fest, which features many local and regional breweries offering a variety of craft beers and ciders. Food, games and live music.
- On October 28 from 2-5pm is BOOtanical Garden 2023. Gather the whole family together and put on your best costumes for an enchanted Halloween afternoon at Moore Farms Botanical Garden.
4. Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market
The 55-acre Pee Dee State Farmers Market is located on US Highway 52 (between Florence and Darlington) and convenient to Interstates I-95 and I-20. Open year round, the Market showcases some of the state’s freshest and finest produce. The market has also become a prime location for the ornamental horticulture and floriculture industry.
Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at their Facebook page.
They have regular events, including the annual Pee Dee Fall Plant and Flower Festival Friday, Sept. 29 from 8am-6pm. Shop seasonal plants, flowers, decor and more in this free event and open to the public.
5. Florence County Museum
The Florence County Museum reflects the region’s rich artistic, cultural and historic heritage via exhibitions, studios, lectures and family programming and more.
Collection highlights include:
- Cretaceous period reptile material
- Native American and Colonial period artifacts
- Civil War artifacts from the Florence Stockade prison camp
- Confederate Naval Yard at Mars Bluff
- Artifacts related to former FBI agent and Florence County native Melvin Purvis
- Fragments of the atomic bomb that was accidentally dropped on the Mars Bluff community in 1958 (oops?)
Events include the upcoming 5th Annual Florence County Museum Imagination Ball to be held on October 4. This costumed event is fun for the whole family. Enjoy an evening of creative hands-on activities, music, food and more!
The Museum also has Family Days the second Saturday of each month from 1-3pm. No registration required and it’s free of charge.