Charleston Area Attractions

• Fort Sumter Where the Civil War began.
• Fort Moultrie Important to many historical battles; see how coastal defense has evolved.
• The USS Yorktown The “Fighting Lady” historical battle cruiser.

• Magnolia Plantation Founded in 1676 and noted by Charles Kuralt as his “…greatest Charleston pleasure.”
• Middleton Place This 18th century plantation has survived revolution, civil war and earthquake. A historical landmark.
• Nathaniel Russell House Widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings.
• The Aiken-Rhett House Stands alone as the most intact townhouse complex showcasing urban life in Antebellum Charleston.
• Boone Hall Plantation A former cotton plantation that is still commercially productive.
• Drayton Hall Completed in 1742, it is the oldest preserved plantation house in America that is open to the public.
• Cypress Gardens a freshwater swamp populated with 80 acres of Bald Cypress and Swamp Tupelo, a 4.5 mile trail system, and tons of Lowcountry wildlife.

• The Charleston Museum America’s first museum, founded in 1773.
• The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry 8 interactive exhibits for children 3-12 plus a special toddler play area.
• The Avery Research Center for African Amercian History and Culture Established to collect, preserve, and make public the unique historical and cultural heritage of African American in South Carolina.
• The Citadel Museum A history of the Citadel from 1842 to the present.
• Gibbes Museum of Art Focusing on American art with a Charleston perspective.
• Karpeles Manuscript Museum The world’s largest private holding of important original manuscripts and documents.
• Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum One of the largest museums of its kind in he world.
• The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon One of the three most historically significant colonial buildings in the US.
• Powder Magazine The oldest public building in the Carolinas – now an educational museum with frequent living history presentations.
• The North Charleston & American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center Housing the biggest collection of restored LaFrance apparatus in the country, this museum is filled with hands-on experiences that educate and entertain.

• Bull Dog Tours Charleston Ghost and Dungeon Tour, Haunted Jail Tour
• Old Charleston Tours Ghost Tour, Pirate & Dungeon Tour
• Tour Charleston The Ghosts of Charleston Tour (I & II), The Pirates of Charleston

• Caw Caw Interpretive Center Once part of a rice plantation, these 6 miles of trails through the wetlands and swamp. Lowcountry wildlife galore!
• South Carolina Aquarium Fun for the entire family. Learn about local marine life.
• Charles Towne Landing State Park The site where English settlers landed in 1670, now home to a natural habitat zoo, interpretive trails, a park, and the original settlement area.
• Edisto Island Serpentarium SC’s first serpentarium, this facility is dedicated to the recognition, preservation and study of the world of reptiles.
• Tiedemann Park and Nature Center On the Charleston Peninsula, just behind the Charleston Museum the main focus of this park is environmental education

• Spiritline Cruises Great for a romantic dinner cruise, a private charter, or just to tour the Harbor.
• The Schooner Pride Learn how to sail a tall ship or just relax on a sunset sail.
• Sandlapper Water Tours Cruising the Charleston Harbor and her neighboring creeks year round.
• Fate Sailing Charters Sail the Charleston Harbor in a private, air conditioned, luxury yacht with up to 6 passengers.
• Yacht Innisfail The Innisfail is an impeccably restored Mathis-Trumpy yacht and an unparalleled venue for charters and special events.

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