photo credit: Jayne Baker
Columbia native, Jayne Baker, highlights some wonderful affordable and kid-friendly activities in Lake Murray Country, SC. Thanks Jayne!
EdVenture Children’s Museum
My new favorite spot to take the girls is the EdVenture Children’s Museum in downtown Columbia. The kids love this place! There is a big kid named Eddie that stretches from the floor to the ceiling and the kids slide through his body. It is educational of course showing the insides of Eddie but most of all they enjoy going up and down the slide. Another one of the museum’s highlights is the pretend grocery store. The kids are able to shop for their own groceries and pay at the check out counter. Another great part of the museum is the quiet areas such as the book room where the kids can have quiet time too!
Admission: $6.95 for children 12 and under; adults are $8.95
Lake Murray & Palmetto Falls Water Park
When the summer heat arrives, the best place to escape with the kids is either at the swimming area on Lake Murray or at the Palmetto Falls Water Park. The kids will love both spots! The sandy beach on Lake Murray is perfect for the kids to cool off and the cost is minimal, only $3 a car. Lake Murray is a 650 mile shoreline residential lake and is the largest recreational asset in the area.
The Palmetto Falls Water Park is on the Fort Jackson military base in Columbia, right off I-77. It is open to the public during the weekdays and to the military on the weekends. There are a few big water slides, a lazy river and a great spray park and baby pool.
Admission: $9.50 per person
The Flight Deck
All of the kids will agree this is the place to eat! Every crew loves going to the Flight Deck Restaurant in Lexington, SC, which has a World War II theme and features unique aircraft memorabilia and artwork. The kids will want to borrow quarters and head to the video game arcade. Finally, a place where the adults can enjoy their meal while the kids enjoy playtime. The entrée prices are very reasonable and the food is yummy!
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
The infamous Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in our area is one of the most popular places to take the kids. It is an awesome zoo with national recognition. From elephants and koalas to penguins and sharks, formal gardens to natural woodlands, this is a great place for the kids, the adults and the grandparents. One of our local magazines, Palmetto Parent, voted Riverbanks the best place to take the kids for the afternoon. It is a great escape and no matter what time of year there are lots to see and do.
Admission: Adults, $9.75; Children 3-12, $7.25; Children 3 years and under are free
Jayne Baker is a mother of 2 girls, Isabelle (4) and Sydney (2). She is also the Public Relations Manager for the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Office. She was born and raised in Columbia, SC, and knows the in’s and out’s of the region and the best bargains in town!
boat rental says
June 17, 2010 at 11:23 amIts in South Carolina, USA right.One of my friend in usa visit this place regularly with his family.