America’s original grass roots organizations.
Study the local plantations or spend an afternoon on a picnic blanket—it’s easy to go green with the incredible number of sprawling gardens and public parks are sprinkled throughout the Charleston area.
What to See & Do > Parks & Plantations
Magnolia Plantation & GardensThis 17th century-style estate, acquired in 1676 by the Drayton family, whose heirs still own it, features the year-round bloom America’s oldest gardens (c. 1680). Featuring: Guided tours, Barbados Tropical Garden, Biblical Garden, antebellum cabin, observation tower, gift shop, art gallery and more.
Boone Hall PlantationAccording to NBC Daytime television, Boone Hall is a “must see on any trip to Charleston, SC.” Enjoy guided tours of the plantation house, take a guided plantation tram tour and visit the new “Black History In America” exhibit featuring nine original slave cabins.
Middleton PlaceA National Historic Landmark, encompassing 65 acres of America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Tours of the House Museum highlight family collections and the role of the Middleton family in American history. Craftspeople in the Plantation Stableyards demonstrate skills once performed by enslaved Africans.
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, women’s history, and the American Revolution and Civil War.
Charleston Tea Plantation Experience beauty and charm at America’s only tea garden…view acres of breathtaking tea plants, learn how tea is made during an informative factory tour and trolley ride through the tea fields, and drink American Classic Tea while browsing our unique shoppe.
Wannamaker County Park
This 1,015-acre park has two playgrounds, a 20-foot play hill, picnic sites with grills, open meadow, and paved trails. Recreational opportunities include fishing, biking and paddle boats. Whirlin’ Waters Adventure waterpark open seasonally. Gate admission $1 per person.
This 1,015-acre park has two playgrounds, a 20-foot play hill, picnic sites with grills, open meadow, and paved trails. Recreational opportunities include fishing, biking and paddle boats. Whirlin’ Waters Adventure waterpark open seasonally. Gate admission $1 per person.
Beachwalker Park
Beach access park with 450 feet of ocean footage. Amenities include dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, boardwalks, a snack bar and a picnic area. Lifeguards on duty seasonally. Gate admission is $7 per vehicle.
Beach access park with 450 feet of ocean footage. Amenities include dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, boardwalks, a snack bar and a picnic area. Lifeguards on duty seasonally. Gate admission is $7 per vehicle.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
This park is a vast, 654-acre site, rich in natural, cultural, and historical resources. Featuring 7 miles of trails, swamp boardwalks, an Environmental Education Center and Interpretive Center, 18th century rice fields, and wetlands managed for wildlife. Gate admission is $1 per person.
This park is a vast, 654-acre site, rich in natural, cultural, and historical resources. Featuring 7 miles of trails, swamp boardwalks, an Environmental Education Center and Interpretive Center, 18th century rice fields, and wetlands managed for wildlife. Gate admission is $1 per person.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
This 28 acre remnant of Historic Snee Farm interprets the contributions of Founding Fathers Charles Pinckney, s SC delegate to the Constitutional Convention and life on a Lowcountry plantation.
This 28 acre remnant of Historic Snee Farm interprets the contributions of Founding Fathers Charles Pinckney, s SC delegate to the Constitutional Convention and life on a Lowcountry plantation.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina. Experience history through daily "Charles Towne Experience" programs. A natural habitat zoo, animal forest, replica of a 17th century trading vessel, plantation era house tours, breathtaking vistas and gardens, picnic areas and more.
Site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina. Experience history through daily "Charles Towne Experience" programs. A natural habitat zoo, animal forest, replica of a 17th century trading vessel, plantation era house tours, breathtaking vistas and gardens, picnic areas and more.
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 $7 per vehicle.
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 $7 per vehicle.
Fort Moultrie
At Fort Moultrie you can experience 171 years of coastal military history. The fort defended Charleston's harbor from the Revolutionary War through World War II.
At Fort Moultrie you can experience 171 years of coastal military history. The fort defended Charleston's harbor from the Revolutionary War through World War II.
Fort Sumter National Monument
Ruins of historic Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Hours vary throughout the year. Please call Fort Sumter National Monument for departure times, location and ticket prices.
Ruins of historic Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Hours vary throughout the year. Please call Fort Sumter National Monument for departure times, location and ticket prices.
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square
This state-of-the-art facility is the primary departure point for visitors to Fort Sumter, serving as an interpretive education canter for the National Park Service to communicate the significance of Fort Sumter and its history. Exhibits provide an overview of the events leading up to the Civil War.
This state-of-the-art facility is the primary departure point for visitors to Fort Sumter, serving as an interpretive education canter for the National Park Service to communicate the significance of Fort Sumter and its history. Exhibits provide an overview of the events leading up to the Civil War.
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 $7 per vehicle.
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 $7 per vehicle.
James Island County Park
A 643-acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing along tidal creeks and lagoons; biking; paddle boats; and picnic sites with grills. Splash Zone waterpark open seasonally. 50-foot climbing wall. Gate admission $1 per person.
A 643-acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing along tidal creeks and lagoons; biking; paddle boats; and picnic sites with grills. Splash Zone waterpark open seasonally. 50-foot climbing wall. Gate admission $1 per person.
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Parking $0.50/hour, annual parking passes available for purchase. Boasting the longest fishing pier in the southeast, the park also features a snack and gift shop, Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, war Memorial and new Visitors Center. Visit www.timpsc.com to view the calendar of events.
Parking $0.50/hour, annual parking passes available for purchase. Boasting the longest fishing pier in the southeast, the park also features a snack and gift shop, Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, war Memorial and new Visitors Center. Visit www.timpsc.com to view the calendar of events.
Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Pier
Located at the foot of the Ravenel bridge, featuring a new visitor center/reception facility, Sweetgrass cultural Arts Pavilion, the area’s longest fishing/observation pier, a war memorial and state-of-the-art playground.
Located at the foot of the Ravenel bridge, featuring a new visitor center/reception facility, Sweetgrass cultural Arts Pavilion, the area’s longest fishing/observation pier, a war memorial and state-of-the-art playground.
Palmetto Islands County Park
This 943-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing along tidal creeks and lagoons; biking; paddle boats, and picnic sites with grills. Splash Island waterpark open seasonally. Snack bar and grills open year round. Gate admission $1 per person.
This 943-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing along tidal creeks and lagoons; biking; paddle boats, and picnic sites with grills. Splash Island waterpark open seasonally. Snack bar and grills open year round. Gate admission $1 per person.
The Center for Birds of Prey
Power. Beauty. Elegance in Flight. Encounter raptors from around the world during guided walking tours, flight demonstrations, and natural history discussions customized for your group. Onsite and offsite program available. One of the most unique and natural venues in Charleston.
Power. Beauty. Elegance in Flight. Encounter raptors from around the world during guided walking tours, flight demonstrations, and natural history discussions customized for your group. Onsite and offsite program available. One of the most unique and natural venues in Charleston.
