Charleston, South Carolina — Attractions
Fort Sumter
Situated on a small man-made island in the bay guarding the entrance to Charleston Harbour, Fort Sumter National Monument is one of the most important historic military sites in the country where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861. With the secession of South Carolina, the Confederates demanded the surrender of the fort, and after 34 hours of continuous bombardment the Union forces had no choice but to relinquish their hold. The Union troops became the first prisoners of the Civil War. The Confederates occupied Fort Sumter, which became a symbol of Southern resistance until it was retaken by Union forces in 1865 after nearly four years of almost continual attack, which reduced most of the fort to rubble. Park rangers conduct free tours around the restored structure, which includes a museum with historical displays.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Phone Number
- (843) 883 3123
- Website
- www.nps.gov/fosu
- Transport
- Tour boats leave from the Fort Sumter Visitor Center on Liberty Square, and Patriots Point Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. The Charleston Area Rapid Transit Authority serves all the park sites
- Hours
- Open daily; hours vary according to the ferry schedule. Closed Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving
- Admission
- The museum is free. Boats cost $16 (adults) and $10 (children). Other concessions are available
Plantations
Along the Ashley River are a series of magnificent plantations that can be visited, as well as north along the highway towards Georgetown, where the grounds of Boone Hall Plantation are the main attraction. A majestic oak avenue leads to the estate that has been the model for several films including Gone With the Windand North and South.The original slave quarters and cotton gin house can be visited along with the classic mansion. Closest to Charleston along the Ashley River is Drayton Hall, the oldest preserved plantation house in America, dating from 1742. The Georgian mansion is a National Historic Landmark and the only plantation house on the river to have survived the Civil War intact. Middleton Place was largely destroyed during the Civil War, but the south wing has been restored and houses an impressive collection of silver, historic documents, furniture and paintings. The ornamental lakes are surrounded by the nation's oldest landscaped gardens dating from 1741 and are home to roaming peacocks and other farm animals. The stunning decorative gardens at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens can be viewed by tram tours that cover the grounds.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Phone Number
- Boone Hall Plantation (843) 884 4371, Drayton Hall (843) 769 2600, Middleton Place (843) 556 6020, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (843) 571 1266
- Website
- www.draytonhall.org
- Hours
- Plantation opening times vary. Boone Hall is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 6.30pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm in summer, closing an hour earlier in winter. The others vary from between 9am and 4.30pm. Most are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Admission
- Plantations have differing entrance fees, ranging from $14 to $15
South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston's most visited attraction, features thousands of amazing aquatic animals from river otters and sharks to loggerhead turtles in over 60 exhibits, which represent the rich biodiversity of South Carolina from the mountains to the sea. The Aquarium also presents fabulous views of Charleston harbor like no other found in the historic downtown area. Daily interactive exhibits and programs are offered for visitors of all ages. Every visit to the Aquarium reveals something new - glimpses of new animals in exhibits, budding plants, baby animals and more. Not only that, the institution provides a variety of opportunities to learn about conservation, animal life, endangered species and environmental issues.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- 100 Aquarium Wharf
- Phone Number
- (843) 720 1990
- Website
- www.scaquarium.org
- Transport
- The DASH Shuttle service to the Aquarium is available from the Charleston Visitor Center
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm. Open until 6pm from April to August. Last ticket sold an hour before closing time. Closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Admission
- $17.95 (adults), $10.95 (children 2-11). Discounted combination tickets are also available
Charleston Museum
America's first museum, the Charleston Museum was founded in 1773. Encompassing three historic buildings, the museum aims to preserve the unique culture and natural history of Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry. Exhibitions include cultural, historic and natural history artifacts and alongside are two National Historic Landmark houses, the Heyward-Washington House and Joseph Manigault House, which depict the graceful architecture and wealthy lifestyle of southern life in days gone by.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- 360 Meeting Street
- Phone Number
- (843) 722 2996
- Email Address
- info@charlestonmuseum.org
- Website
- www.charlestonmuseum.org
- Hours
- Year round Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm. The Heyward-Washington House and Joseph Manigault House are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm
- Admission
- Museum only: $10, Museum and both houses: $22. Children aged 3-12 pay $5
Angel Oak
Angel Oak (or Scarlet's Tree) is thought to be the oldest existing entity, either living or man-made, east of the Rocky Mountains. This extraordinary live oak is over 1,400 years old and, while not very tall, it does boast a vast canopy, in excess of 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2). Angel Oak has survived countless hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, including severe damage from Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The tree's forest home may have been one of the islands' many lumber sources for ship-building back in the 18th century.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island
- Phone Number
- (843) 559 3496
- Admission
- Free
Caw Caw Interpretive Center and Charleston County Park
Set in the Caw Caw Swamp, the Caw Caw Interpretive Center is home to vast natural, cultural and historical displays. Dating back to the 18th century, this formerly slave-worked rice paddy exhibits earthen dikes, rice trunks and canals. Many species of plants and animals can be seen in the wildlife sanctuary, from beech-holly forests to bald eagles and otters.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- 5200 Savannah Highway, Highway 17 South Ravenel
- Phone Number
- (843) 889 8898
- Website
- www.ccprc.com
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$1
The Hunley
The Hunley submarine first arrived in Charleston by train in 1863 and is now on display in a conservation tank at Charleston's Old Naval Base. Here, visitors can see facial reconstructions of the Hunley crew, artifacts excavated from the submarine and the legendary gold coin that supposedly saved the captain's life. There is also a life size model of the vessel from The Hunleymovie and a National Geographic documentary for visitors to enjoy.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- Warren Lasch Conservation Center, 1250 Supply Street
- Phone Number
- (843) 743.4865 ext. 10
- Website
- www.hunley.org
- Hours
- Hunley tours from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and 12pm to 5pm on Sundays
- Admission
- Order in advance. (Adult) US$12, (child under 5) free
Provost Dungeon and Old Exchange Building
The British used Provost Dungeon to hold prisoners during the American Revolution, and in 1774 the Old Exchange Building hosted the delegate elections for the First Continental Congress. This site was firmly constructed and has (in part) withstood war, earthquakes and even hurricanes. Part of the Half-Moon Bastion was excavated here and is the only visible section of the old Charles Town fort.
- Region/City Name
- Charleston
- Address
- 122 East Bay Street
- Phone Number
- (843) 727 2165
