5 Things to Do and See in Darlington, South Carolina

Home of Darlington Raceway

A lot of NASCAR fans tend to get caught up in raceday excitement and forget that there are other things to do around the tracks. Sometimes, race fans don't always want to just hang around the track. I have not been to or visited all of these places but many of these have been suggested by fans or natives of the towns and states or even by folks in the NASCAR industry themselves! Others have come from websites or the chambers of commerce. So sit back and take an armchair road trip with me across the circuit...

Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum- suggested by  Janet Massey Jones (SC Native)

It’s “an automotive museum that focuses on the history of Darlington Raceway and the sport of stock car racing. The museum features the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame about the sport of NASCAR racing- most definitely a must see history lesson of the Southern 500 memories.”

The building was officially dedicated May 2, 1965. Some of the unique exhibits housed here include the 1967 43 Plymouth of Richard Petty, the car that won 10 races that same year and Darrell Waltrip’s 1991 Chevrolet Lumina, which he crashed and barrel rolled eight times in the 1991 Pepsi 400- and walked away.

Adding a different dimension of uniqueness to the museum is the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame includes photos, memorabilia, and even interactive exhibits that give tribute to many of the great personalities in NASCAR.

Admission to the historic museum is only $5 for adults and free for children under 12. It is open 7 days a week. The best part is that it is located right at the racetrack. Find out more on their website.

Williamson Park- suggested by VisitDarlingtonCounty.org

If you’re into wildlife and nature, this is the place for you. Boasting over 300 species of plant and animal life, this park is more like a nature preserve. The preserve itself is 60 acres and even has nature trails that you can walk along to feel a little more in tune with nature.

The park is located a few blocks from historic downtown Darlington and is open from dawn to dusk. You can find directions on their website

Historic Homes Around Darlington County- suggested by VisitDarlingtonCounty.com

If history is your thing, then you might want to visit the historic dwellings and buildings around Darlington county. Several homes, churches, and other buildings in Darlington have been listed in the National Register of Historic places. Take a stroll through the streets of Darlington or Hartsville and view some of the many beautiful, historic buildings. Some of them are open seasonally for tours.

You can view a list of the historic sites on the National Register of Historic Places website.

On a related note, you can also visit the Darlington County Historical Commission.   The building was commissioned in 1937 as a jail by Franklin D Roosevelt. It now serves as a home to county archives and genealogical records. Admission is free and it is open 5 days a week. More information, including the address, can be found on their website.

Myrtle Beach- suggested by Janet Massey Jones and Gavin Robb

In the mood to hit the beach and soak up some sun on your NASCAR vacation? The city of Myrtle Beach is located just about a 2 hour drive from Darlington, SC.

Just like most tourist towns, there are plenty of things to do while you are there. If you’re into recreation, the Myrtle Beach website has a fabulous list of places to visit for swimming, sports, and playgrounds for the kids. If shopping is more your thing, you can visit this website for a guide of the best places to shop. Into tourism? There’s a list of events around the city on the Myrtle Beach website as well.

Don’t forget the beaches! If you want to just go and lay around, enjoying the beach, then you should  visit Huntington Beach State Park.. They house 133 campsites, picnic areas, various activities, and even a castle! Myrtle Beach State Park has 350 campsites, cabins, picnic shelters, a fishing pier, and even hiking trails. To find out more information about visiting either beach, you can go to VisitMyrtleBeach.com or visit the South Carolina state parks website.

Bizarre- Roadside Attractions in South Carolina- suggested by RoadsideAmerica.com

Have you ever seen a lobster race? How about visited a nuclear bomb plant? No? Well, maybe you’ve always wanted to visit the museum of the Button King? If you’re taking a road trip through South Carolina, you can step into the world of oddball roadside attractions.

There’s nothing specifically in Darlington but there are a lot of attractions scattered throughout the state for your viewing pleasure. For instance, Bethune, SC, houses the only bridge in the world that crosses the same river three times and does not fork! In Bishopville, you can view a unique and whimsical topiary garden or enter the interesting world of the Button King. Or step into a completely other world at the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman.

Whatever your whim, if you’re into the offbeat, strange, funny, or just plain weird, Roadside America has something for you wherever you want to go. To view a list, map, and addresses of the roadside attractions, check out the South Carolina map.

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Photo credits: www.DarlingtonRaceway.com