Amy’s guidebook
Food scene
About 20 minutes from the house. Great food, right on Lake Marion. Indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a boat dock if you prefer to arrive by boat. They can be busy but do take reservations. Look them up online for the current hours.
10 locals recommend
The Lake House
5321 Dingle Pond RdAbout 20 minutes from the house. Great food, right on Lake Marion. Indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a boat dock if you prefer to arrive by boat. They can be busy but do take reservations. Look them up online for the current hours.
Cute place that's within a 5 minute walk. Full bar, decent food menu but think bar food - burgers, wings, sandwiches, etc. indoor and outdoor seating with great lake views. Check them out on Facebook as their hours change at times.
9 locals recommend
Goat Island Restaurant
9645 Washington Davis RdCute place that's within a 5 minute walk. Full bar, decent food menu but think bar food - burgers, wings, sandwiches, etc. indoor and outdoor seating with great lake views. Check them out on Facebook as their hours change at times.
Cute little diner serving breakfast and lunch. At this writing, they were not serving dinner, but call to find out. 10 to 15 minute drive.
13 locals recommend
Summerton Diner
32 S Church StCute little diner serving breakfast and lunch. At this writing, they were not serving dinner, but call to find out. 10 to 15 minute drive.
A favorite by many for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And always fun to browse their store.
6 locals recommend
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
699 Citadel RdA favorite by many for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And always fun to browse their store.
Sightseeing/Activities
Absolutely beautiful park with small lake. A 1 mile walking trail around the lake. Many different types of swans with information placards around the lake describing the different swans. Many different types of flowers and trees. Playground and picnic area. This is about a 45 minute drive but well worth it. Free parking and free admission. Bathrooms onsite also.
20 locals recommend
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
822 W Liberty StAbsolutely beautiful park with small lake. A 1 mile walking trail around the lake. Many different types of swans with information placards around the lake describing the different swans. Many different types of flowers and trees. Playground and picnic area. This is about a 45 minute drive but well worth it. Free parking and free admission. Bathrooms onsite also.
Free boat launches. Playground. Pavillion and picnic area. Fishing docks. About a 10 minute drive from house.
8 locals recommend
Taw Caw Creek Park
Free boat launches. Playground. Pavillion and picnic area. Fishing docks. About a 10 minute drive from house.
Hiking and Biking trails. Boat launch. Fishing spots. Beautiful views of Lake Marion. About 10 miles away.
16 locals recommend
Santee State Park
Ranger WayHiking and Biking trails. Boat launch. Fishing spots. Beautiful views of Lake Marion. About 10 miles away.
Stuckey's is a fun place to visit. Touristy type items, nostalgic candy's, quirky items. There is also a Dairy Queen onsite and on some weekends, there is a fresh produce stand.
Stuckey's
500 Buff BlvdStuckey's is a fun place to visit. Touristy type items, nostalgic candy's, quirky items. There is also a Dairy Queen onsite and on some weekends, there is a fresh produce stand.
We are just a little over an hour away from Darlington Raceway! Which considering the cost of hotels and how quickly they book up when NASCAR races are taking place, that isn't a bad drive.
10 locals recommend
Darlington Raceway LLC
1301 Harry Byrd HwyWe are just a little over an hour away from Darlington Raceway! Which considering the cost of hotels and how quickly they book up when NASCAR races are taking place, that isn't a bad drive.
This is about a 1 1/2 hr drive from the house and looks like a hoot. I have not yet been able to do the safari, but will update once I have.
If you've never done a drive thru animal safari, they are a hoot and usually fun for all involved. According to their website, it's $30 per carload plus the cost of food for the animals. It also looks like if you don't want to drive your own car thru, they offer wagon rides.
Website: https://www.eudorafarms.net/
15 locals recommend
Eudora Farms
219 Salem LnThis is about a 1 1/2 hr drive from the house and looks like a hoot. I have not yet been able to do the safari, but will update once I have.
If you've never done a drive thru animal safari, they are a hoot and usually fun for all involved. According to their website, it's $30 per carload plus the cost of food for the animals. It also looks like if you don't want to drive your own car thru, they offer wagon rides.
Website: https://www.eudorafarms.net/
Shopping
If you're looking for great shopping and lots of restaurants to choose from, Summerville is the place to go. About an hour drive, but mostly highway driving.
35 locals recommend
Summerville
If you're looking for great shopping and lots of restaurants to choose from, Summerville is the place to go. About an hour drive, but mostly highway driving.
This is your closest Walmart in the area. It's about a 25 minute drive.
10 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
2010 Paxville HwyThis is your closest Walmart in the area. It's about a 25 minute drive.
Beach
If you want to visit a beach, Folly Beach is great and near Charleston. About an hour and a half away. Folly Beach has a small boardwalk with some restaurants and shops.
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueIf you want to visit a beach, Folly Beach is great and near Charleston. About an hour and a half away. Folly Beach has a small boardwalk with some restaurants and shops.
Services
Santee Boat Rentals
401 Bass Drhttps://santeeboatrentals.com/
Offers boat rentals and lake tours.
http://www.lakemarionresortmarina.com/marina-and-fishing.html
Boat Rentals
Lake Marion Resort and Marina
510 Ragtime Trailhttp://www.lakemarionresortmarina.com/marina-and-fishing.html
Boat Rentals
Groceries
Closet actual grocery store to the house. About 20-25 minutes from the house.
7 locals recommend
Food Lion
697 Bass DrCloset actual grocery store to the house. About 20-25 minutes from the house.
Convenience Store/Gas
Beer/Liquor/Wine. Bait and 100% gas. Regular gas. They do make sandwiches and pizza there also. Expensive for any actual groceries, reasonable on the other items that I listed above. About a 10 minute drive from our house.
Lakeside Market
6909 Washington Davis RdBeer/Liquor/Wine. Bait and 100% gas. Regular gas. They do make sandwiches and pizza there also. Expensive for any actual groceries, reasonable on the other items that I listed above. About a 10 minute drive from our house.