Spanning nearly 10 acres and located less than a mile north of The Battery, Waterfront Park has become a beloved Charleston fixture since opening in May 1990. It is home to one of the citys most photographed sites: the pineapple fountain. In Charlestons scorching summer months, visitors (especially children) can be found cooling off in the shallow water of the fountain.
After you get your fix of the famous fruit-shaped water feature, enjoy everything else the park has to offer. Visitors can take in scenic views of the Charleston Harbor and Cooper River, stroll along the pier or a tree-lined path and set up a picnic in the shade of a park gazebo. There are also tons of benches where travelers can take a load off and people-watch while enjoying the calm breeze.

The South Carolina Aquarium is located on the Charleston Harbor at Aquarium Wharf. The aquarium has over 10,000 aquatic animals from across the state of South Carolina, along with 60 displays and exhibits including an interactive touch tank with hermit crabs, whelk, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, and Atlantic stingrays.
Visitors enter the aquarium, and encounter The Great Ocean Tank, which holds over 385,000 gallons of water and 10,000 species of marine life. Now the journey through the aquarium begins by visiting aquatic animals from the mountain forest, Piedmont, coastal plain, salt marsh, the Charleston Coast, and the ocean. The aquarium is fairly small, and all exhibits can be viewed in about an hour. The friendly and helpful volunteers and staff can answer any questions about marine life or exhibits.
The South Carolina Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Final tickets each day are sold at 3:30 p.m. Admission prices follow a dynamic ticket calendar but typically start around $30 per person. Parking is available in a nearby city garage at 24 Calhoun Street or in metered spots along Washington and Concord streets.

Visitors will find one of Charlestons most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. It is said to be the largest live oak east of the Mississippi. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. Its estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet and is between 300 and 400 years old. Visitors in the thousands flock to the tree to pose next to its long limbs.
Its free to visit the park and the tree. You can visit Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, visitors are welcome from 1 to 5 p.m. Donations are welcome. Along with the tree, there is an on-site gift shop. Youll find the Angel Oak tree about 15 miles southwest of downtown Charleston along a dirt road.

Founded in 1681, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens is one of six plantations in the Charleston area. The plantation is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is across the river from downtown Charleston (about 10 miles by car). Considerably larger than Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, this 738-acre property is best known for its Avenue of the Oaks: a lengthy corridor of 1700s-era live oak trees that form a picturesque canopy over the path leading up to the historic mansion. If the grounds look familiar, its probably because theyve been featured in a number of films and TV shows, including The Notebook and the long-running soap opera Days of our Lives.
Guided tours of Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission costs $28 for visitors 13 and older and $12 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children younger than 5 can enter for free, and members of the military and senior citizens receive discounted rates. Admission includes entry onto the grounds and the first floor of the mansion, guided wagon tours (if available), outdoor presentations on slavery and Gullah culture, entry to the slavery exhibits and more.

After a few days exploring Charlestons historic sites, take some time to kick back, relax and enjoy the Southern sun. Overlooking the Atlantic – 12 miles south of downtown Charleston – this massive stretch of coastline makes for a great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Come here for the nature and the surfing, or head to the pier to sit and fish.
Along with the casual beachfront bars and eateries, youll also find a few hotels near the shore, as well as restrooms and foot showers for cleaning off sandy toes. Away from the beach sit several casual eateries, including traveler favorites like Taco Boy and Lost Dog Cafe.
While its free to lounge on the beach, be prepared to fork over a bit of coin to pay for parking. Lots near the beach charge $5 to $20 (depending on the day and season) for all-day parking; street parking is free, but scarce. The beach welcomes visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Lifeguards

The City of Isle of Palms boasts seven miles of wide, pristine beaches great for swimming, lounging, fishing, biking and kayaking. The City of Isle of Palms has been a destination for beach goers for generations.
The Citys Front Beach commercial district is located on Ocean Boulevard from 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue. This area offers public restrooms, plenty of public parking, and great restaurants and shops.

Opened in 1976, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum serves to educate visitors on war history. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier – which was used by the United States Navy in World War II, then again in Vietnam – sits in the harbor as the attractions centerpiece. Other notable artifacts and exhibits at this museum include two historic ships, a Medal of Honor exhibit, almost 30 aircraft and a nearly 3-acre Vietnam Experience, which recreates a Navy base complete with a mess hall, a fire control bunker and a river patrol boat to simulate what it was like for soldiers during the war.
Standard adult admission for visitors ages 12 and older costs $27 per person. Kids ages 6 to 11 can enter for $16, while children younger than 6 can visit for free. Senior citizens, active duty military, veterans, teachers and first responders can all enter for discounted rates – though active members of the military dressed in uniform receive complimentary admission. Visitors can reach the museum by car or by the Charleston Water Taxi. A gift shop, snacks and on-site parking ($5 per car) are available