Charleston Attractions

Tucked amidst moss-draped trees, get a sense of Old South Plantation life with a visit to the manor and lands of the 18th century plantation of Major John Boone, still in use today. (Its U-Pick fields are open for business in various seasons.) Drive in through the Avenue of Oaks and tour the hose, gardens and butterfly pavilion before embarking on various tours and exhibits offered throughout the year. The plantation grounds also host a number of festivals and events annually, including A Taste of Charleston, Scottish Games and Highlands Gathering, Boone Hall Plantation Christmas and a Battle of Seccessionville reenactment.

Charleston was originally Charles Towne in the 1600s, and this spot marks the birthplace of the South Carolina. Get a glimpse into the settlement's past with a recreation town colony interpreting life at Albemarle Point in 1670. The Animal Forest features animals that lived in the area during the time of the European settlement in 1670, including black bears, bison and bobcats, or set sail aboard the Adventure, a reproduction 17th century cargo ship. The historical park is made up of 80 acres of English-style gardens with walking and biking trails, as well.

While a bustling bridge with eight lanes of traffic, the Arthur Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River features a pedestrian lane that provides a 2.5-mile walk with impressive views of Charleston Harbor. Start just before sunset so you can catch the sky in its pink and purple glory from the longest cable-stay bridge in the country.

A smaller-but-no-less important fort protecting Charleston's harbor, Fort Moultrie was in operation from 1776 through 1947. Self and guided tours are available, as well as a visitor center museum exhibit providing a 20-minute film and look at the fort's history.

When gunfire rang out in 1861 after the Confederate Army attacked the Federal fort, the fort was surrendered after 34 hours and the American Civil War began. Rangers share the fort's history during guided tours, and a museum exhibit illustrates the fort's construction and battles. The fort is accessed by ferry departing from Concord Street or from Mt. Pleasant (40 Patriots Point Road), and is open year-round except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Home of the USS Yorktown, which served in the Pacific during World War II, this maritime museum opened in the U.S. bicentennial and quickly became one of the largest maritime museums in the world. Its historic ships include the Yorktown, USS Laffey, a submarine and Coast Guard Cutter, all available for tour, to the delight of children of all ages (that means dad, too). Warplanes from WWII to Desert Storm can be viewed from Yorktown's massive hangar bay and flight deck. Ferries to Fort Sumter can be accessed from the museum, as well.

Saltmarsh Aviary, Mountain Forest and Camp Carolina are just a few of the exhibits of the 10-year-old aquarium. Showcasing the life across South Carolina'™s waterways, the growing aquarium continues to wow visitors and locals alike with additions like its newest resident, an albino alligator that resides in the Blackwater Swamp exhibit. Kids can up close and touch an Atlantic stingray at the Touch Tank, marvel at the sharks in the Great Ocean Tank or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital. The aquarium also features the state's only 4-D Immersion Theater.