You
will find tree lined streets, beautiful homes, and
breathtaking parks and gardens when you visit Charleston,
South Carolina. Some of the more popular attractions are
White Point Gardens, and the Waterfront Park. Some other
must see attractions include the new South Carolina Aquarium,
Provost Dungeon, Gibbes Museum and the Old Exchange. Visitors
are constantly amazed at the quality and variety of
attractions, restaurants and shopping that can be enjoyed
here We hope you are pleasantly surprised too.
Attractions & Activities
Calhoun Mansion - George Walton Williams, a wealthy merchant
and banker, built this Victorian Baronial Manor House
following the Civil War (circa 1876). The 24,000
square-foot mansion has 14-foot ceilings, ornate plaster and
wood moldings, elaborate chandeliers, a stairwell that
reaches to a 75-foot domed ceiling, as well as a ballroom
with a coved glass skylight that is 45 feet high. Used in the
films, "Scarlett" and "North and South" and featured on
A&E's "American Castles." Guided tours (about 45 minutes).
Behind-the-scenes tours (about two hours), and group rates
are available.
Magnolia Plantation - has, for over three centuries, been the original ancestral home of the Drayton
family, whose many sons have played important roles throughout American history. It is believed
that no other plantation in South Carolina is still under original family ownership from that early
date, thirteen generations of the present-owning family having enjoyed it.
It is the centerpiece of Ashley River history, and played important roles in the early days of
settlement, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. The plantation is directed by its owner at no
compensation. It pays full taxes, accepts no contributions, and distributes its excess revenue to
several animal welfare facilities.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum - Located on historic Charleston Harbor, Patriots Point is home to USS YORKTOWN (CV-10), the
Fighting Lady. The first USS YORKTOWN (CV-5) sank at the battle of Midway on June 7, 1942.
Onboard the decks of this famous World War II aircraft carrier, you can relive a momentous time in
America's history. The Fighting Lady contains all the evidence of her past; one can see, touch, feel
and smell the past, where young Americans fought and died to turn the fortunes of war in the Pacific.
Moored next to her is USS LAFFEY (DD-724), a World War II destroyer. LAFFEY survived the
onslaught of Japanese kamikaze attacks while off Okinawa as Radar Picket Station #1 on April 16,
1945. She became known as "the ship that wouldn't die."
Also moored alongside are the United States Coast Guard cutter INGHAM (WHEC-35), which fought
in the convoy battles of the North Atlantic and sank a German U-boat; and the diesel attack
submarine USS CLAMAGORE (SS-343).
Onboard YORKTOWN are dozens of displays devoted to maritime and naval history, the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society's museum and headquarters, and more than two dozen
historic military aircraft are on exhibit. Ashore is a full-size Navy Advance Tactical Support Base from
the Vietnam era, and our gift shop.
The Charleston Museum - Founded in 1773, the first museum opened in America, the Charleston Museum's
self-stated purpose is to "preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston
and the South Carolina coastal region." Quite a daunting task, but the museum does a
surprisingly good job of handling the combined roles of historical, natural, sociological, and
artistic preservation such that individual museums are not needed for these areas. Located
across from the Charleston
Visitors' Center, the museum is
housed in a newer brick building
best spotted by the scale replica
out front of the famed C.S.S.
Hunley, the Confederate
submarine which was recently
discovered in 30 feet of water off
Sullivan's Island.
No other attraction presents such
a complete portrait of the city
and its people than the
Charleston Museum, and it is
well worth the price of
admission. One of the best sections is the natural history segment which gives a unique
ecological perspective, and well-done exhibits on ironwork and Charleston silver give this
museum a well-rounded appeal. Kids love the interactive experience of the "Discover Me"
room, which teaches them by involving them in the exhibit. Look also for the collection of
personal belongings such as toys, dolls, and furniture which add a distinctly human side to the
history lesson.
The South Carolina Aquarium - Newly constructed
in an amazing riverfront building which extends out over the
water, the South Carolina Aquarium opened in May, 2000. In the
short time it has been open, it has become one of Charleston's
most popular visitor attractions. Visitors walk amongst the
residents of the ocean in a calming and fluid environment (the
inside of the Aquarium is lit using only natural sunlight) that
seamlessly blends the natural underwater world with the man-made
structure. But there's more than just fishes; the aquarium takes
a distinctly ecological approach, with local ecosystems as its
subject. According to their press kit, "The Aquarium will
showcase aquatic life from five major regions of the Southeast
Appalachian Watershed as found in South Carolina: Mountain
Forest, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Coast, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Visitors will explore a journey from the mountains to the sea
witnessing the diversity of plants, animals and habitats and
their interdependence on one another. Along with habitat
re-creations, many exhibits will include text and graphics
panels, video presentations, interactive displays and toddler
exhibits."
The Best Friend Museum - Built next door to the old Camden Depot and across the street from the 1857 South
Carolina Railroad Warehouse (now offices of the Chamber of Commerce), the Best Friend
Museum is a small museum dedicated to the history of locomotives and railroads. It's named
for its crown jewel, an exact reproduction of the Best Friend of Charleston, a locomotive
which ran in the 1830's-50's and brought cotton from the upstate and took rice and indigo
away, making it a workhorse of Charleston's early 19th century economy. The museum also
features lots of model trains and old photographs and a pretty good gift shop. Best of all,
admission is free! It's very near the Visitor's Center and the Charleston Museum, so drop in
and check it out.
Hampton Park
- Rutledge Ave and Cleveland St. Began in 1901 for the
West Indian Exposition, now a picturesque sixty-five acre
public park with a Victorian character. A large lagoon and
fountain pool are surrounded by a formal rosewalk,
outdoor cafe, bandstand, exercise trail and picnic areas.
James Island Country Park
- 871 Riverland Drive. A nature oriented facility on 640 acres
near the Stono River. Picnic areas, shelters, trails, bike
and pedal boat rentals, fishing and crabbing dock. Open
daily 10:00am - 5:00pm. Admission $1.00 per person.
Conference center climate controlled shelter. RV
campground and 10 furnished cabins. (843) 795-7275.
You
will find tree lined streets, beautiful homes, and
breathtaking parks and gardens when you visit Charleston,
South Carolina. Some of the more popular attractions are
White Point Gardens, and the Waterfront Park. Some other
must see attractions include the new South Carolina Aquarium,
Provost Dungeon, Gibbes Museum and the Old Exchange. Visitors
are constantly amazed at the quality and variety of
attractions, restaurants and shopping that can be enjoyed
here We hope you are pleasantly surprised too.