Whether you're going to be in Charleston, South Carolina for a weekend or a week, there are certain places you can't miss out on. These include Folly Beach, the South Carolina Aquarium, Drayton Hall and the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
Middleton Place
Located on the Middleton Place plantation, Middleton Place is the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. It is also a National Historic Landmark. You can take a tour of the house and gardens, or walk the 65-acre grounds. There are also animal exhibits and nature trails.
The mansion was built in the early 1700s and is now a museum. It contains a library of books and a small child's room. Tour guides explain the significance of each room. You can also see portraits hanging in the main room. The house is open for tours on most days of the week, except Christmas.
You can also visit Middleton Place's stable yard, which is the center of activity at the plantation. The stable contains heritage-bred animals, including water buffalo and cats. You can also learn about the animals that used to work the farm. You can also see a collection of portraits of the Middleton family.
The Middleton family was very involved in Charleston politics. Arthur Middleton was one of only two signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina. He was also Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia. He and his son Henry were both in the First Continental Congress.
Waterfront Park
Located on the Cooper River, Charleston Waterfront Park offers amazing views of the Charleston Harbor. The park is the perfect place to relax or enjoy a romantic walk.
The park is also home to two ornate fountains. These fountains are lit up at night. In addition, there are also plenty of park benches to sit on. There are also gardens and walking paths.
The park is open to the public daily. It is located on a half-mile of the Cooper River. It offers great views of the Charleston Harbor, including the Ravenel Bridge. This park also has a pier for visitors to sit and watch the large ships enter the harbor.
Waterfront Park also features several other attractions, including the Pineapple Fountain and the Splash Fountain. The Pineapple Fountain, in particular, is a great Charleston landmark. The fountain is a great symbol of hospitality in early colonial days.
The park also has a large grassy lawn that is great for picnicking. It is also near the Charleston City Market, which is a great place to shop. The market is open from Thursday to Sunday. It features local art and crafts. This market is one of the oldest public markets in the country. It is also home to hundreds of entrepreneurs who sell their wares.
South Carolina Aquarium
Located in historic Charleston Harbor, the South Carolina Aquarium is an exciting attraction that features a dazzling array of animals and plants. It is an educational venue that features over 60 exhibits, ranging from aquatic animals and birds to reptiles and plants.
The aquarium is a good choice for families looking for an educational experience. They can see sharks and rays as well as other types of aquatic life. The aquarium also has an educational display for children called the "Animal Care Exhibit." They can learn about the care and treatment of animals as well as see veterinary equipment in action.
The aquarium also has a "touch tank" where visitors can get up close and personal with stingrays and horseshoe crabs. The aquarium also has a 4-D theater that shows family-friendly movies daily.
Another interesting exhibit is the "Great Ocean Tank," a 385,000-gallon tank with 700 animals. This exhibit includes alligators, sharks, sea horses, and other aquatic animals.
The aquarium has a cool gift shop where visitors can buy toys, stuffed animals, housewares, and other knick knacks. They also have a surprisingly fun and interactive "touch tank" where visitors can interact with horseshoe crabs and stingrays.
Another popular exhibit is the "Saltmarsh Aviary," where visitors can see pelicans, gulls, swamp fish, and other aquatic animals.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. It is one of the oldest public gardens in America. Its grounds have been open to the public since 1870. The gardens include wetlands, marshes, and old rice fields. There are also many unique flowers and plants.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens offers a wide variety of activities to keep you and the family busy. You can choose from nature tours, boat rides, and animal exhibits. The grounds are also a good spot for bird watching.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is located along the Ashley River. Visitors can enjoy the scenic view of the river from the wildlife observation tower. The tower has three stories and offers a beautiful view of the old rice fields.
The Nature Train is another option for touring the grounds. The Nature Train guides explain the history of the estate and the wildlife in the area. They also drive you around the marshes and lakes. You may even be lucky enough to see wild animals. The tour is only 45 minutes long.
There are many unique statues and bridges throughout the garden. You may also want to visit the Peacock Cafe for a cup of coffee and some snacks.
Charles Towne Landing Park
Located off Ashley River, the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site preserves the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas. The site was established in 1670, when English settlers arrived and set up a plantation economy.
The site features a 12-room interactive museum, a zoo, and walking and biking trails. Visitors can also enjoy a self-guided tour of the colonial history of the site. A 17th-century replica sailing ship, called the Adventure, explores the importance of maritime trade to early Carolina colonists.
Visitors can also enjoy a visit to the Animal Forest, a 22-acre natural habitat zoo that features native species of South Carolina. Visitors will see animals like opossums, black bears, alligators, pumas, and bison.
The Animal Forest's Creature Feature is a live animal display that highlights the animal's natural habitat. Visitors can also learn about the unique adaptations of the North American black bear.
The park also features a ranger-guided tour, which takes visitors around the site. Rangers dressed in period clothing will give visitors an overview of the site's history. These tours are offered during specific months.
The park also offers a gift shop, which is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Visitors can also rent bicycles for $8 per hour.
Drayton Hall
Located on the Ashley River, Drayton Hall is an architectural treasure in Charleston, South Carolina. It was built over two hundred and sixty years ago and is one of the oldest preserved plantation houses in the United States. Its architecture is an example of the Georgian Palladian style.
The Drayton Hall plantation has been open to the public since 1977. Visitors can view the beautiful interior and walk the grounds.
This plantation survived both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and is registered as a historic landmark. Visitors can explore the grounds, which include a reflecting pond and a marsh that is home to a number of local birds.
The house is open to the public for tours seven days a week. Tours are 45 minutes long and include a short film, an audio tour and a chance to explore the grounds.
The plantation is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. They operate Drayton Hall with the help of a professional staff of educators. They help visitors learn about the site's history and the Lowcountry culture. They also host events and programs.
Visitors can see the caretaker's house, which was built to protect the main house. The house has been restored and converted to an exhibit space. It contains archaeological artifacts from the Drayton family.
Folly Beach
Located on Folly Island, Folly Beach is one of the best places to visit in Charleston, South Carolina. The beaches are pristine, and the surrounding ocean offers plenty of fun activities. Whether you are looking for an activity-packed vacation or a relaxing weekend getaway, Folly Beach has something for everyone.
Folly Beach is an ideal place for families to spend a vacation. Children will love visiting the South Carolina Aquarium, which features more than 5,000 animals. If you have kids, you can also find a variety of activities at the Folly River Park, which has a covered stage area. There are also shaded lawns for picnics.
Folly Beach is also home to a fishing pier that is the second longest pier on the east coast. There are several fishing charters that offer half-day and full-day tours.
Folly Beach is also known for its surfing and wildlife photography. There are several opportunities to see a variety of birds, such as pelicans, herons, and black skimmers. You can also find dolphins in shallow waters.
Folly Beach is also an ideal location for outdoor activities such as windsurfing, sailing, paragliding, and water skiing. There are also several outfitters that offer quality equipment.
