Canoe & Kayak Tours • Bluegrass Concert • SC Sweet ...florenceciviccenter.s3.amazonaws.com/doc/102_Things_to...and view photos of local Civil War soldiers at the War Between the

102Things to do

in and around Florence County

International Festival • Society Hill Catfish Festival • Fall Plant and Flower Show • Greek Festival • Kalmia Gardens • May Fly Air Show

Canoe & Kayak Tours • Bluegrass Concert • SC Sweet Potato Festival • Jeff Gordon Racing School • Pecan Festival • Darlington Raceway

FLORENCE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU3290 West Radio Drive, Florence, SC 29501

www.florencesccvb.com800-325-9005 • 843-664-0330

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“The Belle of Pee Dee Country”

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Fun, fantasies, festivals, friendships, food!

Days end in Florence

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We’ve got 102 ideas for you!

F L O R E N C E S O U T H C A R O L I N A

102Things to Do

1-take a glimpse at the Past!102Things to Do

1 Stroll into the past at the Florence Museum of Art, Science and History. 662.3351 www.florenceweb.com

2 Develop the left side of your brain. Take art classesat the Lynda English Gallery, Hartsville. 673.9144www.lyndaenglishstudio.net and Black Creek Arts Council, 332.6234 • www.blackcreekarts.org

3 Take an afternoon drive without using highways 20, 52, 76, or 95. Becoming lost intentionally can lead to great discoveries!

4 Visit the restored train depot in Lake City. 374.8611 • www.lakecitysc.org, and dine in the Railway Restaurant as trains rumble past. 374.8422

5 Take off your shoes and splash with the kids at the water pad in Lynches River County Park.667.0920 • www.florenceco.org/recreation/lynches.htm

6 Add your family’s history to the ancestors’ wall and view photos of local Civil War soldiers at the War Between the States Museum. 669.1266 • www.florenceweb.com/warmuseum.htm

7 Discover the international flavors in dance, entertainment and food at the Pee Dee International Festival (Oct.). 661.1225 www.fmarion.edu/alumni/international_festival

8 Catch motorcycle drag races at the Darlington Dragway. 383.0008 • www.darlingtondragway.com

9 View the galaxy at the Francis Marion Planetarium on a rainy Sunday afternoon. 661.1381 • www.fmarion.edu

10 Have your fill of souvlaki at the annual Greek Festival (Sept.) 662.5471, and to carry you over ‘til the next year, visit the Town House Restaurant. 669.5083

11 Renew your vows at the Dillon Wedding Chapel. 774.2671 • www.dillonmarriagechapel.com

12 Enjoy organic espresso at the Midnight Rooster inHartsville as you await your free roamer chicken wrap. 857.0640 • www.midnightrooster.com

13 Pick free sunflowers for someone who brightens your life. Highway 52 in Effingham.

Pick sunflowers for free.

All area codes are 843 unless otherwise noted.

21-discover the Florence Youth Orchestra!

14 Bake a South Carolina Pecan Pie. Ask an older resident for her favorite recipe, bake it up, and share a piece with her.

15 Challenge yourself and your friends at the climbing wall in Ebenezer Park. 667.0920

16 Become a member of the Friends of the Florence Stockade, a group dedicated to preserving a heritage site in Florence. [email protected]

17 Try the grilled scallops salad at Michael’s on the Loop. 669.3771

18 Skip a few stones in the still water of Lake Paul Wallace in Bennettsville.

19 Delight in the vocal magic of the Masterworks Choir, 676.0930 and the Hartsville Civic Chorale.332.3622

20 Wander through three acres of topiary gardens organically maintained at Pearl Fryar’s home in Bishopville. Don’t forget to leave a small donation in the box when departing! www.fryarstopiaries.com

21 Discover the Florence Symphony Orchestra, and even more amazing, the Florence Youth Orchestra. 661.2541 • www.florenceweb.com

22 Disappear into the novel you’ve been hoping to read as you relax beside the babbling creek in Timrod Park. 665.3253 • www.cityofflorence.com

23 Visit the newly-developed Florence Veterans Parknear the Civic Center. From there, stretch your legs while following the city’s walking trail system.www.cityofflorence.com

24 Get up close and personal with a giant boll weevilat the South Carolina Cotton Museum in Bishopsville. 803.484.4497 • www.sccotton.org

25 Imagine the 400-mile drive on rough roads in the first automobile in SC—the Locomobile Steam Car can be seen at the Hartsville Museum. 383.3005 • www.hartsvillemuseum.org

26 Explore the hand hewn log slave cabins on the Francis Marion University campus. Imagine Ms. Catherine sweeping her yard and cooking meals for her family. 661.1311

27 Watch the spectacular flying acts at the May Fly Air Show. 665.0515 • www.mayflyairshow.com

28 Pick your own scrumptious peaches at McLeod Farms while you enjoy the peach festival. (July) McBee, 335.8611 • www.macspride.com

Clear the sky for the May Fly Air Show!

102Things to Do

29 Choose a youth softball team and cheer them on in the tournaments at Freedom Florence Recreation Complex. 665.3253www.cityofflorence.com

30 Research the incredible life of Mary McLeod Bethune, and take a group of young girls to her memorial park in Lee County to become inspired.803.453.5860 • www.ncnwleesc.org

31 Relax in Victor’s and enjoy a fine bottle of wine with your artichoke filet before a performance at the Florence Little Theatre. 662.6311 • www.victorsbistro.com662.3731 • Florence Little Theatre

32 Grab your cane pole and go fishing in Black Creek! (It runs right through Quinby, north of Florence.)

33 Check out the changing monthly exhibits at the Hartsville Museum. 383.3005 www.hartsvillemuseum.org

34 Spy 150 species of birds through your binoculars at Woods Bay State Park (south of Florence near Olanta)—but be careful not to step on an alligator’s nose while yours is pointed toward the treetops! 659.4445 • www.South Carolina Parks.com

35 Spend Mother’s Day weekend at the Darlington Raceway. Don’t forget to ask Mom to come along.866.459.RACE • www.darlingtonraceway.com

36 Go Antiquing!1551 Antiques Warehouse 292.0508Carolina Collectibles 679.0901C’est Moi 407.7900Classic Antiques 662.9626Fairy Tale Antiques 292.1085Jasmine House 669.7753Never Too Old 679.9966Old South Merchandise 669.6161The Red Brick House 669.4860S & J Antiques 319.3530Vintage Vogue 601.1249William’s Antiques 664.8103

37 Discover the magic of Egyptian Arabian horses at the White Haven Plantation. (10 miles from Bishopville) 803.428.5656 www.whitehavenplantation.com

38 Take the kids roller skating for the afternoon. Try The Cage, 665.3253 • www.cityofflorence.com or Skateland, 669.7655

39 Indulge in Stefano’s cavatelli. 664.9191

Feel the excitement at the Darlington Raceway.

31-relax and enjoy fine dining !102Things to Do

54-experience Stock Car history!

40 Join in educational fun with your kids! Extract DNA from a strawberry or build a solar-powered car at the new Science South facility adjacent to the Freedom Florence Recreation Complex. 629.4019 • www.sciencesouth.org

41 Hop in line with local towns’ Christmas Parades and sing carols at the official Christmas trees.

42 Visit the Russell Stover Candy Outlet in Marion and sample some mouth-watering chocolates. Yum! 423.7408 • www.russellstover.com

43 Make your way through the crowd at the county fair. Don’t forget to have that Blenheim Ginger- ale in hand! www.blenheimshrine.com

44 Feast on the grilled shrimp gyro at Angelo’s Seafood Restaurant. 665.6132

45 Ponder over the source of Carolina Bays—meteorshowers, ancient aquatic animals, or just strong winds? These elliptical shallow ponds are scattered from New Jersey to Florida, with some at Mars Bluff and Woods Bay State Park.

46 Watch border collies at work at Ovis Hill Farm. (west of Florence in Timmonsville) Follow it up by a sheep shearing, wool spinning afternoon. 992.9447 • www.ovishillfarm.com

47 Window shop and walk at Magnolia Mall until opening hours, then stop to shop.669.0725 • www.shopmagnoliamall.com

48 Indulge in baklava at the Sky View Drive-In Restaurant. Often. 669.8051

49 Search for tree frogs as you name the sixty plant and animal species along the Wallace Woods Nature Trail. 661.1382 • www.fmarion.edu

50 Follow the boardwalk through the tree canopy and experience nature at the LEED certified interpretive center in Lynches River County Park.667.0920 • www.florenceco.org/recreation/lynches.htm

51 Have fun at an arena football game at the Civic Center. 679.4525 • www.florenceciviccenter.com

52 Place your bet at Kingstree Trials horse races andenjoy a day of family fun. (Nov. in Kingstree)355.6431 • www.williamsburgsc.com

53 Discover the new kart racing track at the Darlington Raceway. 667.8929www.darlingtonkartway.com

54 Take a walk through stock car racing history at the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum. 395.8499 • www.darlingtonraceway.com.

Herding sheep at Ovis Hill Farm

102Things to Do

55 Belly up to a real all-you-can-eat southern buffet at the Thunderbird Country Restaurant. Go when you’re hungry! 664.0082

56 Try out your new clubs at 36 golf coursesin the area.

57 Stop in and say hello to one of Florence’s original potters at the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market RedBarn. 665.5154 • www.pdfarmersmarket.com

58 Indulge in the local cuisine from Roger’s Bar-B-Q, 667.9291, Schoolhouse Bar-B-Que in Scranton, 389.2020 and Cousin Carroll’s Bar-B-Que in Lake City, 210.3744. Decide for yourself which barbeque tempts your tastebuds the most!

59 Follow the boardwalk through Kalmia Gardens in Hartsville until you find the Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve. Look for mountain laurel (kalmia) along the way. 383.8145

60 Plan out your yard landscape and find all the shrubs and flowers on your list at the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market flower shows. 665.5154 www.pdfarmersmarket.com

61 Root, root, root for the home team at a RedWolvesbaseball game. 629.0700 www.florenceredwolves.com

62VISIT ALL THE LOCAL FESTIVALS

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:

• Art’s Alive — Francis Marion University, March• Celebrate Bennettsville — May• Celebrate Main Street — Dillon, May• Coker Farms Fall Festival — Coker Farms, October• Egg Scramble Jamboree — Lamar, March• Fall Frenzy — Lynches River County Park, October• Family Fireworks Festival — Hartsville, July• Foxtrot Festival — Marion, May• Garaba Festival — Florence, October• Gator Festival — Olanta, October• Golden Leaf Festival — Mullins, September• Greek Festival — Florence, September• May Fly Air Show — Florence Airport, May• Pecan Festival — Florence downtown, November• Pee Dee International Festival —

Francis Marion University, October• Pig Pickin’ Festival — Kingstree, October• RaceFest — Darlington, May• Renofest Bluegrass Festival — Hartsville, March• SC Barbeque Shag Festival — Hemingway, March• SC Cotton Festival — Bishopville, October• SC Quilt Festival & Show — Bishopville, March• SC Sweet Potato Festival — Darlington, October• SC Tobacco Festival — Lake City, September• Society Hill Catfish Festival — Society Hill, Nov.• Spirit of Florence — Florence, July• Strawberry, Peach & Pumpkin Festivals —

McLeod Farms, McBee, May, July & October

Festivals mean fun in and around Florence.

59-see Kalmia Gardens in the spring!102Things to Do

71-experience SC Civil War history!

63 Trace space history at the Dr. Ronald E. McNair (Challenger astronaut) memorial in Lake City. 374.8611

64 Have a girls’ night out at Wink, and paint the night away! 662.0822 • www.winkpottery.com

65 Tour the Jacob Kelley House Museum in Hartsville where the Yankees camped among the Rebels. 339.9511 • www.darlingtoncounty.org

66 Stroll through Florence National Cemetery in search of the grave of Florena Budwin, first American female interred in a national cemetery.

67 Dig into Fatz Café’s famous calabash salad! 413.9186 • www.fatzcafe.com

68 Watch local performing groups and wander through tents of handcrafted items at Francis Marion University’s Art’s Alive. 661.1225 www.fmarion.edu

69 Sign your kids up for cooking classes at the Old Europe Mediterranean Grill. 413.0558

70 Watch skateboarders at The Cage. 665.3253 • www.cityofflorence.com

71 Step back into the days of the War Between the States with the 23rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. Reenactment held at the The Columns (March), the area’s only working historic planta-tion. www.23rdsc.com

72 Check out the local racers at the Florence Motor Speedway. 346.7711• www.florencemotorspeedway.com

73 Take pleasure in Redbone Alley’s low country shrimp & grits while enjoying the Charleston café atmosphere and live band. 673.0035 www.redbonealley.com

74 Tour the Railroad Museum’s 1917 Vulcan Steam Engine and relive the days of traveling by train. Along the way, stop by the downtown area to see the locomotive murals. 662.3351

75 Jump on a horse and follow the seven-mile trail through Lee State Natural Area. 803.428.5307 www.SouthCarolinaParks.com

76 Trace the influence of cotton throughout the rural south as you wind your way along the South Carolina Cotton Trail ® beginning in Bishopville. 888.427.8710 • www.sccottontrail.org

Spring plantings begin at the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market.

102Things to Do

77 See if you have what it takes to be a NASCAR driver on the ‘Track too Tough to Tame,”Darlington Raceway. 800.529.BUCK, www.buckbaker.com OR877.4JEFF24 • www.jeffgordonracingschool.com

78 Become a Master Gardener! 493.0788 www.florencecountymastergardeners.org

79 Delight your ears with traditional folk music at the Southeastern Bluegrass Association’s monthly concert at Lynches River County Park. 669.1988 • www.sebga.org

80 Grab the kids and experience ice skating in the south at the Florence Civic Center. 679.4525 • www.florenceciviccenter.com

81 Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle away the afternoon at Lynches River County Park. 667.0920 • www.florenceco.org/recreation/lynches.htm

82 Trace your ancestral roots with help from the Pee Dee Geneological Society in Marion. 431.5024 www.scgen.org/peedee.htm

Haggle with the best at the Florence Flea Market 83 and take home some treasures. 667.9585

84 Trek into Scape Ore Swamp (near Bishopville) in search of the Lizard Man, last sited in 2005. Remember your camera!

Take the kids on a Playground Parade—spend the 85 entire day hitting the playgrounds in every town in the county.

86 Design your own progressive supper. One suggestion: tapas at Victor’s Bistro, ginger salmon at the Starfire Grill, and finish it off with a slice of St. John’s chocolate pecan pie at Percy & Willie’s. Victor’s Bistro, 662.6311 • www.victorsbistro.comStarfire Grill, 661.7827 Percy & Willie’s, 669.1620

87 Hug “Sassy” the alpaca and her mini llama friends at Emmett Acres Farm in Bishopville. 803.428.2161 • www.alpacas_4_u.com

88 Visit the National Bean Market Museum in Lake City to touch the ancient cypress trees (carbon-dated to 50,000 years ago) unearthed in Johnsonville. 374.1500 www.nationalbeanmarketmuseum.org

89 Race your friends around the go-kart track at Mister Mark’s Fun Park. 669.7373www.mistermarksfunpark.com

Jeff Gordon crosses finish line in Avenger 500.

87-visit Sassy and her mini llama friends!102Things to Do

92-indulge your senses at Cafe Florentine!

90 Get lost! Pim’s nine-acre corn maze in Darlington is a great place to do it! (Open early Sept. thru Nov.) 888.277.7815 www.cornfieldmaze.com

91 Taste the local jams and produce at Willis Produce and Country Store. 661.7561

92 Enjoy dinner at Café Florentine, 669.9621, beforeattending a concert at the Florence Civic Center. 679.4525 • www.florenceciviccenter.com

93 Get ready for some family fun at the Pecan Festival. Don’t miss any of the free kids’ activities! www.fddconline.com/Pecan_Festival_Event_Detail.html

94 Join in the archaeological dig at the JohannesKolb Excavation Site in Mechanicsville. http://38da75.com/

95 Get in the Race! Join in all the 5K runs in the Pee Dee region. Don’t forget the Turkey Trot and the Reindeer Run!

96 Wander through the art exhibits at Francis Marion University. 661.1385 • www.fmarion.edu

97 Quack back at thousands of mallards ducks at Merchants Mill in Bishopville. 803.428.6479

98 Taste test all the scrumptious flavored pecans at Young Pecan Plantations. Choose your favorite, and purchase some for the drive home.(I bet they’ll be double-dipped in chocolate!)662.2452 • www.youngpecanplantations.com

99 Say hello to the Button King while you view his button-covered cars, guitar and casket in Bishopville. 803.428.3841 • www.scbuttonking.com

100 Follow the Rotary Beauty Trail winding through Cherokee Road, Forest Hills and Edisto Drive. Pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce, 665.0515, or simply follow the signs.

10 1 On a crystal clear night, go star gazing by canoe with your guide from Betwixt the Rivers (includes dinner with the outing). 423.1919

102Appreciate life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-ness as you visit the new Florence Veterans Park.

We hope you’ll enjoy your 102 adventures in and around Florence County! As things can change, contact the individual locations to confirm dates and times before making your plans. All locations mentioned are within the city of Florence unless otherwise noted. A complete visitors guide of the Florence area is available by calling 800.325.9005, 843.664.0330, or at www.florencesccvb.com.Some businesses are mentioned herein, but these are not intended advertisements, merely suggestions of how to make the most of your stay.

Solve the mystery of Pim’s Maze.

102Things to Do

© 2008 Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.

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Canoe & Kayak Expeditions

South Carolina Quilt Festival

South Carolina Cotton Museum

Fryar’s Topiary Gardens Great year ‘round Golf !

Feeding baby sheep at Ovis Hill Farm