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With work and family commanding much of our time and brainpower, it can be hard to remember to take some time to have fun. Thankfully, the area around Manning, South Carolina, has several places you can go to have a good time and recharge a little from everyday life. Here are three fun things to do near Manning. more Explore Santee State Park Santee State Park is on the shores of Lake Marion, just about 25 minutes south of Manning. This is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and go for a walk or have a picnic. If you want to get out on the water, there are several options for paddle boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Many different species of birds make their homes around the water, so there's plenty of opportunities for bird watching. For a fun adventure with family or a group of friends, book a Wildlife Swamp Tour. You'll get on board a pontoon boat for a 2-hour trip around the water to see egrets, herons, ducks, turtles, and even some alligators. Tours for 20 or more people can be scheduled at any time of the year. Regular tours run from March through October on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1 p.m. There's also a tour of the historical area of the Santee-Cooper locks available upon request. Tour the Swan Lake Iris Gardens In the city of Sumter, a 25-minute drive north of Manning, the Swan Lake Iris Gardens welcome visitors to see the spectacular flowers and swans that live on and around the lake. Open every day from dawn until dusk, this is an easy place to visit when the weather is nice. Admission is free and there's a visitor's center open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays. From March through November, the Iris Market and Cafe offers visitors a bite to eat on Thursdays, Fridays, and throughout the weekend. Don't miss the Chocolate and Butterfly Gardens during your visit. The Butterfly Garden cares for several species of butterflies, and you can even see some undergoing their transformations during the right season. The Chocolate Garden features several edible plants that look like chocolate but maintain their vegetable or plant tastes. Eight different species of swan make their homes at Swan Lake including the Whistler Swan, the Bewick Swan, and the Coscoroba. Be sure to visit during the annual Iris Festival at the end of May. Party at Savannah Break Savannah Break is a fun spot in Sumpter where adults can go for a great night of drinks, darts, karaoke, and more. Come and belt out your favorite tunes on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Stop in on a Wednesday night to try your hand at some competitive darts. You'll need to become a member before making this your regular spot for drinks, according to South Carolina law, but it's definitely worth the short application time. Keep an eye on their social media sites for regular events and happy hour specials. Next time you're feeling a little worn out, take some time out for fun with people you love and enjoy. Check out these local spots and make great memories. image via pixabay

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