Where to stay: In Columbia, S.C., the 1425 Inn has eight rooms highlighting themes of South Carolina, including the Magnolia. Rates start at $149 (1-803-252-7225; 1425inn.com).
Where to eat: JD's Place, minutes from the park, is an unassuming Southern-food cafe with excellent fried chicken. Entrees start around $10. (Gadsden, S.C.; 1-803-353-0061).
Congaree National Park: Canoe through primeval forests or explore 25 miles of hiking trails in one of our least visited national parks. Ranger-guided canoe tours are available three times a week and must be reserved online at recreation.gov (there is a $1.50 per-person fee). Each tour is limited to 12 people and fills up fast; you can book a spot on the first day of the month before the tour date. Tours generally run from April to November. In 2017, tours will go on hiatus in mid-June and resume from Labor Day until the weekend before Thanksgiving. There also are first-come, first-served afternoon canoe tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through mid-June. Free. More info: 1-803-776-4396; nps.gov/cong.
Christine Dell'Amore
