Orangeburg – Rose Gardens, Museums and History

Orangeburg combines garden landscapes along the Edisto River with museums, local history and various opportunities for active days. Those planning a trip with several interests can combine nature experiences, culture and sports here and choose a vacation rental based on the desired focus of their trip.

Rose Gardens and Wetlands along the Edisto River

One of the city’s defining places is the Edisto Memorial Gardens. The historic botanical garden encompasses wetlands and riverside green spaces along the Edisto River. Around 4,800 rose plants representing more than 120 labeled varieties give the grounds a distinctive character. The garden is therefore interesting not only for rose enthusiasts, but also for anyone who wants to combine a peaceful landscape experience with a specific botanical theme during their trip.

At Horne Wetland Park, a 2,600-foot-long boardwalk leads through a typical tupelo-cypress wetland. The route provides a distinct contrast to the rose garden: instead of cultivated plantings, you experience a wetland landscape here from a designated walkway. The Orangeburg Festival of Roses takes place annually on the weekend before Mother’s Day. Since its founding in 1972, it has been held at the Edisto Memorial Gardens.

Art, Civil Rights History and Historic Places

For cultural discoveries, visit the I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium at South Carolina State University. Built in 1980, the facility combines an art museum with a planetarium on the campus of a historically Black college. The collections include African American and African art and artifacts, as well as fine art and photographs.

The Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is dedicated to events and people who experienced life under racial segregation. Visitors can see, read and explore the content interactively on site and through virtual reality tours. Important for planning your day: The museum receives visitors exclusively by appointment and offers self-guided tours.

The city center contains a Historic District with 44 buildings dating from the late 19th century. Sunnyside Cemetery is also part of Orangeburg’s history: it has existed since 1886 and has been owned by the city since 1938. According to the city’s history, Orangeburg was founded in 1704 by the Native American trader George Sterling. The restored Stevenson Auditorium adds to the cultural picture as a civic events building and venue for various events.

Golf, Tennis and Practical Orientation

Hillcrest Golf Club has an 18-hole course with a par of 72 and a length of 6,722 yards. Next to the club are four illuminated hard-surface tennis courts that are open to public use. This allows you to add golf or tennis to your stay without losing sight of the city’s cultural and scenic character.

For air travel, Orangeburg Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of Orangeburg and is located two miles south of the city center. The airport has two runways for piston-engine and jet aircraft. When searching for a vacation rental, you can therefore first consider whether your days should be devoted primarily to the Edisto Memorial Gardens, the museums, the Historic District or sporting activities. Another city in the same broader selection is Santee.

For the broader travel overview: Orangeburg County.