Earlier in the month, a reader reached out to us wanting to know which businesses – within a day trip of Columbia – offer tours to the public.
We were curious too, so we asked y’all for recommendations on Facebook, Instagram + Twitter and put together a guide with your answers, categorized by drive-time.
~1 hour or less drive
Congaree Single Day Kayaking Trip
Columbia, S.C. | 10-min. drive
○ Take an 11-mile guided trip down the Congaree River with Carolina Outdoor Adventures | Cost: $95
○ Offered June 13, June 27, July 1, July 25 + August 8
○ Book here
Cedar Creek Canoe Tour in Congaree National Park
Gadsden, S.C. | 30-min. drive
○ Explore Congaree National Park from a canoe during a 3-hour tour | Cost: Free
○ Tour dates vary by season
○ Book here
Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden
Bishopville, S.C. | 50-min. drive
○ Explore the garden + take your own photos for free. Guided tours are offered for groups of 10 or more for $3 a person.
○ Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
○ Prior reservations aren’t required for individual tours. Call 803-484-5581 for group tours.
Hickory Hill Milk
Edgefield, S.C. | 1hr. 15-min. drive
○ Pet calves, learn about the milking process + more on a 2 hour guided tour | Cost: $5, must have group of 10 or more
○ 2020 tours only offered September-November
○ Request a tour here
~1.5-3 hour drive
Savannah River Plant
Jackson, S.C. | 1hr. 25-min. drive
○ Driving tour of the Savannah River Site + visit to University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory | Free
○ See tour dates + book here
Emerald Farm
Greenwood, S.C. | 1hr 30-min drive
○ Tour the farm + pet the animals. Take a guided tour to learn how the goat milk soap is made. | Cost: Free for unguided tours
○ Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
○ Call 864-223-2247 to schedule a guided tour.
BMW Factory Tour
Greer, S.C. | 1hr. 40-min. drive from downtown Cola
○ 1-hour factory tour on the power + history of the BMW brand | Cost: $10, $5 ages 12-20
○ 2-hour factory tour to see how the Ultimate Driving Machine is built | Cost: $15, $10 ages 12-20
○ Offered Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
○ Book here
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, N.C. | 1hr. 50-min. drive
○ Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour: Learn the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway + take a ride through two infield tracks | Cost: $12, $10 for under 13 and over 55 | Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Book here
○ Over the Wall Tour: includes Feel the Thrill Speedway tour + entrance into the press box + take a peek inside Performance Racing Network Studios | Cost: $20, $18 for under 13 and over 55 | Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. + 1:30 p.m. | Book here
Ft. Sumter
Charleston, S.C. | 1hr 55-min drive
○ Learn about the Civil War history at Fort Sumter + take a ferry to tour the fort itself | Cost: $24
○ Departs from Liberty Square or Patriots Point
○ Book here
Kazoobie Kazoo Factory
Beaufort, S.C. | 2hr. 10-min. drive
○ See how kazoos are made + make your own | Cost: $7 per adult, $5 ages 4-11
○ Monday-Friday 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
○ Call 843-982-6387 to book
Biltmore Estate
Asheville, N.C. | 2hr 30-min drive
○ Take a self-guided tour of the house and gardens + enjoy wine tastings at the winery | Cost: $59+ depending on day and season
○ Open every day, hours vary by season
○ Book here
Charleston Tea Plantation
Wadmalaw Island, S.C. | 2hr 35-min drive
○ Trolley tour: See acres of tea bushes + stop at the greenhouse | Cost: $14 per adult, $7 ages 4-11
○ Factory tour: Learn how tea is made + see the factory process | Cost: Free
○ Call 843-559-0383 to book
Firefly Distillery
North Charleston, S.C. | 1hr. 45-min. drive
○ Learn about the distilling and bottling process and taste up to six products | Cost: $10
○ Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
○ Book here
~3 hour drive
World of Coca-Cola
Atlanta, Ga. | 3hr. 15-min. drive
○ General admission: explore the World of Coca-Cola on your own | Cost: $17 per adult, $13 ages 3-12 | Book here
○ VIP Guided Tour: learn the history of Coca-Cola with a tour guide | Cost: $32 | Book here
○ Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday + Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
