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Charleston has been ranked as the fourth best city in America, according to Travel & Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2009 readers’ survey. The same slot was granted to the Holy City last year, after moving up from No. 6 in 2007. Charleston is led only by New York, San Francisco and Quebec City in the US/Canada division.
Stand on the site of the first shot in the Civil War. Come face to face with a giant sea turtle. Take a tour of an antebellum mansion. Climb aboard a WWII aircraft carrier. There are so many blossoming gardens, so many photo opportunities and so many reasons to come back to see us again.
Drayton Hall
Drayton Hall, c.1738, is America’s oldest preserved plantation house open to the public. Located in the Ashley River historic district, the 125-acre site is surrounded by aged oak trees. Offering focus tours on architecture, African-American history, preservation, and the American Revolution.
Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall reflects Southern heritage spanning 300 years on one magnificent “still working” plantation. Gardens, slave cabins, plus one of the world’s longest oak-lined avenues. Adults $17.50; children 6-12 $7.50; seniors-military-AAA $15; under 6 yrs of age are free with adult.
Aiken-Rhett House
M-Sa 10am-5pm; Su 2-5pm. The expansive Aiken-Rhett House (c. 1818) stands as the city’s most intact urban villa. A conservation approach has been adopted for this important site, which has survived virtually unaltered since 1858. Many objects can still be found in the rooms for which they were purchased.
The Charleston Museum
M-Sa 9am – 5pm; Su 1-5pm. America’s first museum showcases cultural and natural history of South Carolina’s coastal region. Enjoy the rich variety of exhibited objects ranging from ancient fossils and an enormous whale skeleton to Civil War artifacts and historic Charleston silver. Explore Kidstory, the new hands-on children’s exhibit!$10 adults/$5 children 3-12/under 3 are free.
Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture
Reading room and archives open 10am-5pm M-F and 12-5pmon Saturdays. Walk-in tours open Mon-Sat 12-5pm. Group tours by appointment. (1990 Carolopolis Award). Beautifully restored facility, site of former Avery School built in 1865. Research Center’s purpose is to document, preserve, and make public the unique historical and cultural heritage of South Carolina Lowcountry African-Americans. Tour of building includes exhibits and archives.
Cabbage Row
The section of Church St. used as the inspiration for "Catfish Row" in the Dubose Heyward story, "Porgy." This story was the basis for Gershwin's opera "Porgy and Bess," which is a fictionalized glimpse of black life during the 1920's. The character "Porgy" was based on an actual Charlestonian, Samuel Smalls.
Old Slave Mart Museum
Recounting the story of Charleston's role in this inter-state slave trade by focusing on the history of this particular building and site and the slave sales that occurred here. The Old Slave Mart Museum is currently undergoing exhibit design and installation.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Open year-round. Wed-Fri: 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-5pm, Closed Mon & Tue. This 654-acre park highlights Charleston’s heritage, including the significance of successful rice cultivation technology brought to America by Africans. Environmental education classrooms and eight miles of nature trails - oak forest, and salt and fresh water marsh. Wed and Sat morning bird walks. Gate admission: $1 per person.
South Carolina Aquarium
Fun, wonder, and education come together at the South Carolina Aquarium. Explore Penguin Planet, take a hike through Camp Carolina, get up close and touch an Atlantic Stingray at the touch tank or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.
Palmetto Islands County Park
Daily: May-Labor Day: 8am-8pm; Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct: 8am-sunset; Nov-Feb: 8am-5pm. This 943-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons, biking, pedal boating, and picnicking. Splash Island waterpark is open seasonally. Snack bar open year-round. Gate admission: $1 per person.
James Island County Park
Daily: May-Labor Day: 8am-8pm; Sep & Apr: 8am-sunset; Oct & Mar: 8am-sunset; Nov-Feb: 8am-5pm. A 643-acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons, biking, pedal boats, and picnicing. Splash Zone waterpark open seasonally. 50-foot climbing wall. Vacation cottages available. Gate admission: $1 per person.
North Charleston Wannamaker County Park
Daily: Nov – Feb 8am-5pm, Mar, Apr, Sept, & Oct 8am-sunset, May-Labor Day 8am-8pm. This 1,015-acre park has two playgrounds, a 20-foot play hill, and picnic sites with grills, open meadows, paved trails, meeting facilities, and Park Center, with snack bar, bicycle/pedal boat rentals. Whirlin’ Waters waterpark open seasonally. Gate admission: $1 per person.
Angel Oak
Open daily 9am - 5pm. Owned and operated by the City of Charleston Department of Parks. The Angel Oak is a Live Oak tree, estimated to be 1,400 years old. Live oaks are not particularly tall, but have wide spreading canopies. Only in the very oldest of specimens do you find massive limbs resting on the ground, as do the limbs of the Angel Oak. It stands 65ft. high and provides a 17,000 square foot area of shade. No admission charge.
Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest
The 15,000-acre sanctuary for plant and animal life is located in Four Holes Swamp and contains the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo trees in the world. A mile-and-3 quarters boardwalk begins at the Visitor's Center and sweeps past portions of majestic swamp, where ancient trees, migrating birds, and colorful wildflowers can be quietly oberserved. 35 miles NW of Charleston, Exit 187-SC 187 off I-26. Open 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Tues.-Sun. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Adults/$7.00, 6-18 years/$3.50, Children under 6/free. Audubon members/$6.
Battery Park/Whitepoint Gardens
The Battery, which includes a park known as White Point Gardens, is a landmark promenade in Charleston. Stretching along the shores of the Charleston peninsula and bordered by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Fort Sumter is visible from the Cooper River side and the point, as is Castle Pinckney, the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, Fort Moultrie, and Sullivan's Island.
Beachwalker Park
Daily: May-Labor Day: 9am-7pm; Weekends only: April & Oct: 10am-6pm; Mar 10am-6pm weekends only; Daily: Sep: 10am-6pm; Closed: Nov-Feb. Beach access park with 300 feet of ocean footage. Amenities include dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, boardwalks, a snack bar, and a picnic area. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Parking fee: $7 per standard-sized vehicle.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, closed New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Free admission. The National Park Service preserves a remnant of Founding Father Charles Pinckney’s plantation, Snee Farm. Charles Pinckney was a principal architect and signer of the U.S. Constitution. An 1828 Lowcountry cottage serves as museum and visitor center. Exhibits cover Pinckney’s role in the framing of the U.S. Constitution, archeology at Snee Farm, and life on Lowcountry plantation during the nation’s formative years. 20-minute orientation film & ½ mile walking trail.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Open daily 9am-5pm. Visitor Center and Museum, Adventure ship, a 17th century reproduction trade vessel, view native animal zoo, history trail and audio tour through features of original Charles Towne, gardens, marshes, and more! Learn about the Carolina's first successful English Settlement.
Folly Beach County Park
Daily: May-Labor Day: 9am-7pm; Apr, Sep & Oct: 10am-6pm; Nov-Mar: 10am-6pm. Beach access park with 4,000 feet of ocean frontage. Dressing area, outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic areas, snack bar, and boardwalks. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Parking fee: $7 per standard-sized vehicle.
Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier
The pier is 25 feet wide, 23 feet above sea level and extends 1,045 feet in the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy fishing, walking, and birding. Covered shelter, rod rentals, restrooms, beach access, outdoor showers, and host site. Gate admission is $5 per vehicle.
Francis Marion National Forest
A 250-thousand-acre forest located in the Coastal Plains north of Charleston. The forest offers wide variety of recreation activities including picnicking & camping sites, boat ramps, fishing ponds, rifle ranges, hiking, horse & motorcycle trails.
Hampton Park
A historic park with camellias and azaleas in bloom in spring, roses bloom in the summer; 1-mile nature trail; Charleston's mounted horse patrol stables nearby.
Historic Charleston Battery
No trip to Charleston is complete without a stop at White Point Gardens, known popularly as Battery Park. This peaceful park offers unprecedented views of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter, while a look back across the street promises fantastic images of beautiful Charleston mansions. Enormous oak trees provide serene shade to the park, and a display of weapons and cannons used in the Civil War make for a unique play area for children. You'll see a Columbiad used to shell Fort Sumter in 1861, two seacoast mortars, and more - be sure to bring a camera to snap photos of your family clamoring and playing on the cannons! During the early 18th century, the park was used as the home of the gallows, where Stede Bonnet - the "gentleman pirate" - and dozens of others were hanged. By 1837, the land was in use as a public garden. Weddings and other special events are frequently held at the beautiful, massive white gazebo in the center of the park, but on off-days it makes for a beautiful place to sit and take in the beauty and charm of Charleston!
Isle of Palms County Park
Conveniently located at the foot of the Isle of Palms Connector. 600-feet of ocean frontage. Includes a dunes boardwalk, showers, restrooms, lifeguards and vending. Pets are allowed on leash. Gate admission is $5 per vehicle.
Old Santee Canal Park
Old Santee Canal is a 195 acre park located on the first true canal in America. The park's boardwalks and trails wander through Biggin Creek leading to the last one mile section of the old canal. Visitors can canoe or hike through the park and see an abundance of nature.
Riverfront Park
Open daily. Set on the banks of the beautiful Cooper River among ancient oaks and peaceful river vistas, the park is bordered by tranquil Noisette Creek. Visitors will enjoy 10 acres of paved paths, fishing pier, an oversized sandbox, and children’s play fountain. Home of the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial and is centered in an expanding arts community and the largest urban redevelopment project ever undertaken in the United States. Free parking and admission.
The Center for Birds of Prey
Come explore the world of raptors. Through compelling tours and free-flight demonstrations gain insight into the spectacular abilities of eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures. learn how fractured wings are repaired, about critical care that keeps orphaned fledglings alive, or about the astonishing flight stamina of eagles.
Waterfront Park
This park is an eight-acre linear park and pier along the Charleston Harbor entry. The park masterfully combines spectacular fountains, spacious lawns, intimate garden "rooms," walking and jogging path and a long pier with picnic tables and wooden swings.
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Su-M 9am-6pm. Dorchester was settled in 1696 by a small group of Congregationalists on a high bluff on the east bank of the Ashley River. Today, the ruins of Fort Dorchester, old St. George’s Church, and interesting archaeological excavations mark the site if Dorchester.
Fort Moultrie
The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The first American victory over the British Navy on June 28, 1776 at a palmetto log fort on the shores of Charleston Harbor galvanized the patriot’s cause for independence.
Fort Sumter National Monument
Correspondences should be sent to park headquarters at 1214 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482. Open daily except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours vary according to the season. Concessionaire ferries depart from Liberty Square in Charleston and from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant. America’s most tragic conflict ignited at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war. A powerful symbol to both the South and the North, Fort Sumter remains a memorial to all who fought to hold it. The fort may be visited by private boat or by ferry boat.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Visit Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Explore the National Historic Landmark ships; USS YORKTOWN, USS LAFFEY, and USS CLAMAGORE. Tour the Cold War Submarine Memorial, Medial of Honor Museum and the only Vietnam Support Base Camp exhibit in the U.S.
Friends Of The Hunley
Lost at sea for over a century, the H. L. Hunley was the world's first successful combat submarine. Raised in 2000, scientists are at work to conserve the Hunley. Public tours are available on weekends and group tours are now available during the week.
Charleston Tea Plantation
America’s only tea garden is located on Wadmalaw Island, just outside Charleston. Traveling through the tranquil beauty and endless sea of green tea bushes, visitors experience how tea is planted, grown, nurtured and harvested from the leaf to the cup.
Middleton Place
Daily 9am – 5pm (Closed Christmas Day). Admission for Gardens & Stableyards: $25/Adults, $5/Children 7-15. Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark encompassing America's oldest landscaped Gardens, the House Museum, and Plantation Stableyards. African American Focus Tours and carriage Tours available. Restaurant, Outdoor Center, Garden Market & Nursery, Museum Shop and Inn.
Magnolia Plantation & Its Gardens
Since 1676, Magnolia is one of the Lowcountry's premiere plantations and is still owned by the original family. Known for it's renowned and resplendent Romantic gardens created in the early 1800's, Magnolia is one of the areas family-friendly attractions.
Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall reflects Southern heritage spanning 300 years on one magnificent “still working” plantation. Gardens, slave cabins, plus one of the world’s longest oak-lined avenues.
Cypress Gardens
Stroll 4 miles of beautiful garden trails, paddle through cypress swamp, relax in a greenhouse with butterflies and flowers or discover native and exotic reptile exhibits and the freshwater aquarium. It’s a great site for field trips, receptions and meetings.
Drayton Hall
Daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day. More than a house, Drayton Hall offers daily programs; a new, self-paced “Voices” DVD Landscape Tour with fascinating archival images, archaeological artifacts, and family memoirs; self-guided River and Marsh Walks through natural habitats; A Sacred Place: The African-American Cemetery; an artisan-inspired Museum Shop; and more.
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site
Grounds opened daily from 9am - 6pm. Mansion tours: March - October: Tuesday - Sunday 12pm-4pm with guided tours leaving on the hour at 12, 1, 2, & 3; November - February: Thursday - Sunday with guided tours leaving on the hour at 12, 1, 2 & 3. If you are driving Hwy 17 between Charleston and Myrtle Beach stop and see a picturesque plantation. The grounds contain former rice fields, gardens, a mansion and kitchen house.
Irvin House Vineyards
Irvin-House Vineyards, located on Wadmalaw Island, is opened to the public Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free tours are available every Saturday at 2 p.m. Visitors can taste authentic wine, visit the vineyards and stroll through the property.
Mepkin Abbey and Gardens
Guided tours – 11:30 am and 3 pm Tu – Sun. Since 1949 catholic Trappist monks have lived and worked on this 3,000 acre 18th century Cooper River rice plantation. Visitors tour a working monastery and adjacent gardens and shop in Mepkin Abbey Store featuring monastic products and unique handcrafted items.
Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc.
Established in 1991 by the Vestry of St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church to develop and maintain a commemorative garden and preserve the legacy of the master craftsman. The Bell Garden (George Street) and the Heart Garden (topiary garden), entrance from Menotti Street.
Excerpt from http://www.charlestoncvb.com
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