Vance South CarolinaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Vance, South Carolina.
1. The Serpent Center
VENOMOUS SNAKE EDUCATION
The Serpent Center is a unique destination devoted to the world of venomous snakes located minutes from I-95. Visitors can learn about various snake species and their habitats through interactive exhibits and guided tours. The center offers educational programs for all ages, making it both an entertaining and informative experience for snake enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
2. South Carolina Welcome Center
GATEWAY TO SC
The South Carolina Welcome Center serves as the first stop for many travelers entering the state near Vance. Visitors can gather tourism information, maps, and recommendations for local attractions throughout South Carolina. The center features clean facilities, friendly staff, and occasionally offers free samples of local products to introduce visitors to South Carolina culture.
3. Lake Marion Golf Course
SCENIC LAKESIDE GOLFING
Lake Marion Golf Course offers golfers a picturesque setting with views of South Carolina's largest lake. The well-maintained course features challenging holes suitable for various skill levels, with water hazards and strategic bunkers throughout. Golfers can enjoy reasonable greens fees and a fully stocked pro shop, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
4. Smith's Super Store
LOCAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Smith's Super Store is a popular local establishment serving the Vance community with a wide range of merchandise. The store combines grocery items with hardware, clothing, and unique local products all under one roof. Visitors appreciate the friendly service and the opportunity to shop like a local in this authentic South Carolina country store.
5. Gabi's Attic Antiques & Uniques
VINTAGE TREASURE HUNTING
Gabi's Attic Antiques & Uniques offers a delightful shopping experience for those seeking vintage items and one-of-a-kind treasures in Vance. The shop features an ever-changing inventory of antiques, collectibles, and locally crafted items arranged in thoughtfully designed displays. Visitors often spend hours browsing through the multiple rooms filled with nostalgia and unique finds from various eras.
6. Vance's Ferry Historical Site
TOWN'S HISTORIC ORIGIN
Vance's Ferry Historical Site marks the location of what was once a busy river crossing that gave the town its original name. The site preserves the history of the Native American trail that later became Old Number Six Highway, an important transportation route. Visitors can learn about the area's evolution from ferry crossing to modern town through interpretive displays and historic markers.
7. Edisto Memorial Gardens
BOTANICAL BEAUTY SPOT
Edisto Memorial Gardens offers visitors 175 acres of floral displays, wetlands, and walking paths just a short drive from Vance. The garden is renowned for its extensive rose collection featuring over 79 varieties and thousands of plants that bloom from April through November. Visitors can enjoy the serene Edisto River views, picnic areas, and seasonal events throughout the year.
8. Santee State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION PARADISE
Santee State Park provides outdoor enthusiasts with 2,500 acres of natural beauty situated on Lake Marion near Vance. The park offers camping, cabin rentals, boating, fishing, and hiking trails through pine forests and along the lakeshore. Visitors particularly enjoy the park's sinkhole pond boardwalk and the opportunity to spot wildlife including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species.
9. Lake Marion
SOUTH CAROLINA'S LARGEST LAKE
Lake Marion spans 110,000 acres as South Carolina's largest lake and is easily accessible from Vance. The lake is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for catfish, bass, and striped bass, drawing anglers from across the country. Recreational boaters, water skiers, and swimmers also enjoy the lake's expansive waters and numerous coves and inlets.
10. Santee National Wildlife Refuge
PREMIER BIRD WATCHING
Santee National Wildlife Refuge protects over 13,000 acres of diverse habitats near Vance, providing a critical sanctuary for migratory birds. The refuge features four separate units with observation areas, photography blinds, and hiking trails accessible throughout the year. Visitors can observe hundreds of bird species, including the majestic bald eagle, along with alligators, deer, and other wildlife native to South Carolina.
11. Clark's Restaurant & Inn
SOUTHERN HOME COOKING
Clark's Restaurant & Inn serves authentic Southern cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere a short drive from Vance. The restaurant is famous for its seafood buffet, country cooking, and homemade desserts that have satisfied hungry travelers for decades. Guests particularly enjoy the hush puppies, fried catfish, and friendly service that exemplifies Southern hospitality.
12. Santee Indian Mound
ANCIENT CULTURAL SITE
The Santee Indian Mound is a significant archaeological site dating back to 1200-1500 CE located near Vance. The ceremonial mound and associated burial ground offer insights into the rich cultural history of the Santee tribe who once inhabited the region. Visitors can explore the site along with a British Revolutionary War era fort built atop the mound, creating a unique intersection of Native American and colonial history.
13. Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile
AUTHENTIC BBQ EXPERIENCE
Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile offers visitors a taste of authentic South Carolina barbecue in a converted country store not far from Vance. The restaurant serves slow-cooked pulled pork, ribs, and chicken alongside traditional Southern sides in an all-you-can-eat buffet setting. The unique dining environment features antique-filled rooms and local artifacts that create a nostalgic atmosphere celebrating the region's rural heritage.
14. I-95 Antique Mall
MULTI-VENDOR TREASURE TROVE
I-95 Antique Mall houses dozens of vendors offering antiques, collectibles, and vintage items in a sprawling space convenient to Vance. Shoppers can browse through furniture, glassware, jewelry, military memorabilia, and Southern folk art representing various periods of American history. The mall's strategic location near the interstate makes it a popular stop for travelers seeking unique souvenirs and unexpected treasures.
15. Orangeburg County Historical Society
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVATION
The Orangeburg County Historical Society maintains archives and exhibits documenting the rich history of the region including Vance. Visitors can explore photographs, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of the area's development from Native American settlements through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and into modern times. The society regularly hosts lectures, walking tours, and special events that bring local history to life for residents and visitors alike.