15 days in The Midlands Region of South Carolina Itinerary

A compact capital with stately southern history, Columbia serves as a symbol of the south.

Go for a jaunt from Columbia to Hopkins to see Congaree National Park about 42 minutes away. There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, browse the eclectic array of goods at Soda City Market, brush up on your military savvy at South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, and explore the world behind art at Columbia Museum of Art.

To see other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read our Columbia trip planner.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Columbia. In February, plan for daily highs up to 62°F, and evening lows to 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Aiken.

Founded in 1835, the city of Aiken was named after William Aiken, the president of the South Carolina Railroad. Step out of Aiken with an excursion to God's Acre Healing Springs in Blackville--about 46 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take a peaceful walk through Hitchcock Woods, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Mary Help of Christians, examine the collection at Dupont Planetarium- Aiken South Carolina, and stop by Cyndi's Sweet Shoppe.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Aiken travel route planning website.

You can drive from Columbia to Aiken in an hour. In February, plan for daily highs up to 60°F, and evening lows to 38°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) early enough to go by car to Santee.

Santee is a town in Orangeburg County along the Santee River Valley in central South Carolina of the United States. On the 23rd (Thu), make a trip to Smith's Super Store, admire the majestic nature at Santee State Park, and then take an in-depth tour of Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center.

For ratings, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Santee online travel planner.

Drive from Aiken to Santee in 2 hours. In February, daytime highs in Santee are 61°F, while nighttime lows are 40°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Florence.

Florence is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States, and it is probably best known for the intersection of I-95 and I-20, and the eastern terminus of I-20. Change things up with these side-trips from Florence: South of the Border (in Dillon), Bishopville (The South Carolina Cotton Museum & Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden) and Swan Lake Iris Gardens (in Sumter). There's lots more to do: stroll the grounds of Florence National Cemetery, don't miss a visit to Florence Veterans Park, admire the natural beauty at Kalmia Gardens, and experience rural life at Mcleod Farms Roadside Market and Pumpkin Patch.

For more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Florence road trip planning tool.

You can drive from Santee to Florence in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 61°F in February, and nighttime lows around 39°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to drive to Rock Hill.

Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina, United States and the fifth-largest city in the state. Change things up with a short trip to Bob Doster's Backstreet Studio in Lancaster (about 34 minutes away). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Museum of York County, have fun and explore at Main Street Children's Museum, get engrossed in the history at Historic Rock Hill at the White Home, and walk around Walter Y. Elisha Park.

For ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read our Rock Hill trip planner.

Getting from Florence to Rock Hill by car takes about 2.5 hours. While traveling from Florence, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Rock Hill, ranging from highs of 56°F to lows of 36°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) so you can go by car back home.