Beach weeks are so been there done that.
Myrtle’s no longer exciting (high school, anyone?), Charleston trips happen at least twice a semester, and Hilton Head is a place you associate with your all-white-wearing family. So, consider these five alternative Spring Break day trips that’ll get you out of Columbia and help you discover more of good ol’ South Carolina.
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1. Button King Museum - Free
If you fancy the eccentric, take yourself and a few friends on a day trip to the Button Museum in Bishopville. This isn’t your everyday museum. Here, you’ll find a true oddity of the South. About an hour from campus, this little-known obscurity is run by the Button King, Dalton Stevens. Started as a way to combat his insomnia in the ’80s, the Button King covered everything from a Chevrolet to his clothes and guitar with buttons. It’s ridiculously tacky but hilarious. Check out these wonders firsthand; just be sure to call first.
2. Bowman UFO - $3
For the sci-fi lovers out there, the Bowman UFO Welcome Center is a popular roadside attraction located in Bowman, S.C. The structure, which came to be in 1994, is comprised of a large saucer topped with a smaller saucer. Builder Jody Pendarvis crafted the ship in the event of an alien invasion so that they might take him along. If the Bowman UFO Welcome Center sounds like your cup of tea, an hour drive is all it takes to observe this spectacle because when the world ends next year, you’re going to need a get-away plan.
3. Palmetto Trail - Free
Have you ever wanted to trek across South Carolina in its entirety, making your way on foot from mountains to coast, Forrest Gump style? Well, you can’t do that, but you can get pretty darn close! For the outdoor adventurer in you, explore the Palmetto Trail. While the trail is not yet complete, many parts of it are open to the public. The shortest leg of the trip is the USC Spartanburg Passage at 1.3 miles, but if the great outdoors is your playground, try tackling the 42-mile Swamp Fox Passage over a weekend.
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4. Skydive Walterboro – $200
Consider yourself a thrill-seeker? If yes, put skydiving on your to-do list this Spring Break. Skydiving Walterboro is about 1.5 hours from campus and caters to experienced and first-time divers, with training available on-site. They can help you find lodging during your stay. Plus, if you go with two or more of your fellow Gamecocks, group student discounts are available!
5. Learn to sail/rent a yacht – $80-200+
These aren’t your average trips to the beach. Brush off your nautical-themed pashmina afghans, and get on a boat. Learn to sail at the South Carolina Yacht Club in Hilton Head, or pull out all the stops and throw a party on a yacht in Charleston Harbor.