Families with children will find plenty of fun and educational things to do in the Palmetto State, usually at very reasonable prices. Here are the highlights.

Around Charleston

Observe the many local marine habitats at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Walk the flight deck of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.

Experience history on a restored explorer’s sailing vessel at Charles Towne Landing.

Do some serious shell collecting on Edisto Island.

Myrtle Beach

Frolic amid the statuary at Brookgreen Gardens.

Climb inside the “world’s biggest boy” at Children’s Museum of South Carolina.

Get up close and personal with marine life at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Cater to the gators at Alligator Adventure.

Putt-putt your butt off at 50 miniature golf courses.

And, of course, enjoy the beach itself!

Around Columbia

Learn about Palmetto State history at South Carolina State Museum.

Enjoy kid-friendly exhibits at EdVenture.

Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, one of the country’s best.

Explore the old-growth forest at Congaree National Park.

The Upstate

See living Upstate history at Historic Brattonsville (1444 Brattonsville Rd., 803/684-2327, www.chsmuseums.org).

Enjoy urban outdoor playtime at Falls Park on the Reedy (864/232-2273, www.greatergreenville.com).

Pet the inhabitants of the Greenville Zoo (150 Cleveland Park Dr., 864/467-4300, www.greenvillezoo.com).

Tube the wild and scenic Chattooga River (U.S. 76, www.rivers.gov/wsr-chattooga.html).