Charleston Area Attractions
The Charleston Coast is a unique and wonderful area with cultural and historical attractions galore. The wide variety of annual events and everyday attractions make Charleston one of the most popular and inviting destinations in the country.
Historical Points of Interests
- • 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.
Plantations, Homes and Gardens
- • 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.
Museums
- • 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.
Walking Tours
- • 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
Wildlife & Nature
- • 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
Fun on the Water
- • 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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