South Carolina has tons of popular attractions and sights that are definitely worth the time and effort we spend enjoying and admiring them. When friends and family visit from out of town, they usually arrive with a bucket list, don't they? Some want to go to the beach, others want to hit the outlet malls. Their lists usually involve a lot of the same attractions and sights that everyone else who visits the Palmetto State wants to see and do. Am I right?

This year consider throwing out a few new suggestions. Here are some sights, attractions, venues and restaurants that usually fly under the radar of tourists. You're sure to score big points with your visitors by throwing out some new suggestions. Here are a few for you to consider...

1. The Columbia Marionette Theatre - Columbia, SC

The Columbia Marionette Theatre has the "world on a string." Children and adults alike love these performances. More info about the current season...

2. Wild Blue Ropes - Charleston, SC

Take your guests for an unforgettable day (or evening) at Charleston's high climbing challenge course. You're not afraid of heights, are you? More info

3. Cheraw State Park - Cheraw, SC

Hit the trail for a nice hike, or plan to join a moonlight float at Cheraw State Park. More info

4. Family Kingdom Amusement Park - (front beach) Myrtle Beach, SC

Combine a day at the beach with even more fun for the kids at South Carolina's only front beach amusement park. Out of towners love the beach and kids love amusement parks. This one is a winner!

5. Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery - Greenville, SC

The Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery's collection of sacred art is widely considered the largest collection of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. More info

6. A Greenville Drive baseball game - Greenville, SC

Who wouldn't love a great afternoon or evening at a Greenville Drive game? Aside from cheering on the home team, just seeing the arena itself is worth the time, money and effort. The field, built to mirror the famed Boston Red Sox Fenway Park, even has its own Green Monster! More info

7. Charleston Riverdogs Baseball - Charleston, SC

If you're on the other side of the state then take them out to the ol' ball game at Joe Riley Park to see the Riverdogs play. This park is nothing short of spectacular and the Riverdogs deliver action-packed fun time and again. More info

8. Forty Acre Rock - Kershaw, SC

Take your guests to someplace you've always been curious about, but haven't found the time to visit...like Forty Acre Rock in Kershaw. This massive natural rock that you can walk across has some plants you won't see anywhere else in the state. More info

9. Cowboy Brazillian Steakhouse - Columbia, SC

Pick your day and visit this unique all-you-can-eat Brazillian steakhouse featuring 16 different cuts of beef, pork, chicken and lamb and 7 hot Brazillian dishes, plus a 30-item salad bar. Then go home and sleep it off. More info

10. Tour one of South Carolina's most haunted buildings: The Old City Jail in Charleston.

Paranormal happenings are a daily (and nightly) occurence at the Old City Jail. More info

11. Hunting Island State Park - Hunting Island, SC

Surprisingly, the most visited state park in South Carolina is still under the radar for some local and regional residents. But it's a great place to explore both nature and history at the same time.More info and hours

12. Go for breakfast or lunch at the legendary Ruth's Drive-In - Hartsville, SC

Ruth's has been serving up burgers and dogs and some of the best lunches around for more than 45 years. Surprise your out-of-towners by taking them someplace the locals love. More info

13. Visit Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site - Beech Island, SC

This plantation home is located 1.5 miles to the north of Beech Island, an unicorporated community in Aiken County. This Greek revival plantation home was donated to the people of South Carolina in 1973 by the third-generation descendent to occupy the dwelling, John Shaw Billings. Billings was the editor of Time, Life and Fortune magazines. More info and tour hours

14. Woods Bay State Park - Olanta, SC

Go nature spotting from the safety of a boardwalk that winds through the cypress-tupelo swamp at Woods Bay State Park. More info

Have you been to any of these places? Where is your "go-to" spot to take out-of-town guests? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.