5 Car Maintenance Tips Every Teen Driver Should Know

If you love the outdoors, you probably desire cooler weather. If so, good news! There are some great hikes that get even better in the winter months. Here's a look at some of the most underrated winter hikes in the Manning, South Carolina area. more Congaree National Park This South Carolina gem is one of the oldest bottomland hardwood forests in the state. With most of the park situated at the bottom of a flood plain, there is very little elevation change, making this a great place to hike for novices. There are also eight trails to choose from at Congaree National Park, some as short as 0.3 miles. For the seasoned hiker, the park offers trails over 11 miles long. All trails wind through this beautiful forest starting from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The Boardwalk Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop with a slight elevation change to the bottom of the flood plain. The trail is wheelchair accessible, and has benches along the way. For another fairly easy hike, the Bluff Trail loops north from the visitor center for 1.7-mile hike through young loblolly trees, and pines. If you want a longer hike, check out the Oakridge Trail. This is a 7-mile hike across a ridge of old oaks. The low-lying sloughs across this ridge line offer plenty of shelter to deer and wild turkey. Poinsett State Park Accessed from Poinsett Park Road in Wedgefield, South Carolina, the Poinsett State Park is a great place for hiking in winter. The 10-acre pond offers plenty of winding trails with very little elevation change, making this a great location for casual hikes. The Park is nestled in the High Hills of Santee, and includes a dozen trails of varying length and skill level. The kids will love the quick 0.2-mile Levi's Run. If you want a view, try the Hill Top Trail. This short 0.4-mile trail will take you up quickly. If you plan on spending the day, the Whippoorwill Trail offers 5.4 miles of hiking through the beautiful hills. You can see animals like deer, and birds of all types. The park offers cabins for rent, and a camping area too. There are park offices and restrooms, and plenty of trail signs so you don't get lost. Ann Springs Close Greenway This nature preserve is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and accessed via the Greenway Gateway on Adventure Road. The serious hiker can join their hiking club, which regularly explores this 2,100-acre wonderland. The novice will enjoy guided hikes through the region, while you learn about nature and the local wildlife. History buffs will enjoy hiking a portion of the famous Nation Ford Road. This was once part of the main roadway stretching from Augusta, Georgia all the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There's also the Garrison-Webb Gristmill to visit. Check out this historic 1780 gristmill, which served the local area for over 100 years. You'll hike trails that have been used for nearly 250 years. There are plenty of winter hiking venues in the Manning, South Carolina area. The next time you're looking for a fun day outdoors, you should check out one of these three great places. image via pixabay

As you get into the holiday spirit, local events are a great way to celebrate and enjoy a fun time with family and friends. Manning, South Carolina, and its surrounding areas offer lots of ways to ring in the season. Here are three holiday events just a short drive away that will provide all kinds of holiday fun. more The Charleston Holiday Festival From November 15 through December 31, the Charleston Holiday Festival welcomes visitors every evening to enjoy the lights and celebratory displays at James Island County Park. Open from Sunday through Thursday from 5:30-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., this is a great place to bring family and friends of all ages. Charleston is just an hour and a half from Manning, so this is an easy drive to make on the weekend or after work. You can drive your car through the beautiful display of lights and then park and experience lots of other activities. Visit with Santa Claus and tell him your wish list, then satisfy your sweet tooth at Santa's Sweet Shoppe. Ride the holiday train and the Victorian carousel. You can even head home with an official ornament from this year's celebration. The Fantasy of Lights Display in Sumter Just 30 minutes north of Manning is Sumter, South Carolina. This town offers the largest free display of Christmas lights in the state. At the Swan Lake Iris Gardens, you'll find a collection of more than 1 million lights twinkling in the dark and creating beautiful and fun pictures of holiday themes. Drive out on Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m. for the opening night celebration and to see the lights turn on for the first time. If you can't make it opening night, the lights are open every evening throughout the month of December. Local favorites include the floating Christmas tree out on the lake and Santa's Village. Several displays combine holiday music and lights to create the look of a dancing light display. Since it's only a short drive and admission is free, you can make this a regular stop throughout the season. The Great Christmas Light Show in Myrtle Beach At Myrtle Beach from November 25 through December 30, you can experience the Great Christmas Light Show. This is a two-hour drive from Manning, so it might be best for a weekend holiday adventure, but it's definitely worth the trip. Drive through the light display any night of the week, but on the weekends, Santa's Village is open. Here you can visit with Santa, pet some animals at the petting zoo, climb through a holiday-themed obstacle course, and enjoy a train ride. Guests pay $15 per vehicle. Groups of 16 to 30 people will pay $30 per vehicle. If you're from the Manning area, these holiday events are perfect for a weekend drive to celebrate the season. Head out with your loved ones and create some great holiday memories. image via pixabay

If you're up for a day of walking and learning something new about Manning, South Carolina, there are some great ways to discover the city. Downtown Manning is full of history, local charm, and southern hospitality. Here's how you can spend a day taking in all that this town has to offer. more Tour the Historic District The Manning Historic District consists of 63 different buildings that have played a part in the establishment and evolution of the town since the 1800s. Starting in the Courthouse Square, the center of town when it was laid out in 1856, walk around and through several of the architectural treasures of the city. Keep an eye out for the Clarendon County Courthouse, Alderman's 20 in One Store, the People Bank and Trust Building, and the Levi Building. On North Brooks Street in Downtown Manning, you'll find the Clarendon Chamber building. Don't miss the historic marker outside the building and the Francis Marion statue. Francis Marion was known as the Swamp Fox for his early use of guerilla warfare against the British army during the Revolutionary War. Follow Along the Swamp Fox Murals Trail American history buffs will love to see the Swamp Fox Murals in Manning. Twelve of the murals along the trail are found in the downtown Manning area. The towns of Paxville, Turbeville, and Summerton host the other murals from the collection. The Clarendon County app is available for your phone and will help you find the various murals and tell their stories. Maps are available online to help you follow the story as you see the trail. The Swamp Fox Murals are painted on the sides of various buildings in Clarendon County and depict scenes from the American Revolution and the battles and historic moments that happened along the Santee River. If you have time, consider jumping in the car and visiting the other sites of the Swamp Fox Murals Trail outside of Manning. The newest addition to the murals is in Turbeville. All four towns are within a 25-minute drive of one another, so it won't take much of your day. Enjoy Dinner at Porter Jacks Grill On South Mill Street in the heart of Manning, Porter Jacks Grill is a local favorite spot for dinner and comfort food. Start with some potato skins and crispy, thin onion rings. If you like seafood, be sure to try the deviled eggs and fried oysters. Main course options include a mouth-watering BBQ Pork Rib-Eye and four different cuts of perfectly-prepared steak. For a traditional southern meal, the Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits are a Porter Jack favorite with shrimp, Andouille sausage, and peppers. If your long day of touring the town has taken your energy, consider ordering online and picking up your food to enjoy at home. Their full menu is available, so you won't have to prepare anything yourself. Don't miss out on the rich history of Manning and the surrounding area. You never know what interesting things have taken place around you until you take the time to learn and investigate. image via pixabay