Things To Do in Historic Charleston, South Carolina
Woodlands Inn offers luxury hotel accommodations, the finest in casual elegance and Southern Hospitality is the perfect base to explore Charleston, Summerville and surrounding areas.
Take a tour of one of the many plantations and gardens nearby, or enjoy any one of many Charleston SC tours, attractions and historic sites of interest. Our Concierge will be delighted to assist you in planning your visit.
Middleton Place America's oldest landscaped gardens – in Charleston, SC Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. http://www.middletonplace.org/.
Magnolia Plantation Close to Woodlands Inn, this historic 17th century Southern estate, acquired in 1676 by the Drayton Family (whose heirs still own it) features the year-round bloom of America's oldest gardens (c. 1680), boasting one of the largest collections of azaleas and camellias in the country. Open daily 9 a.m. to dusk. http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/.
Drayton Hall The oldest preserved plantation house in America, also open to the public, is located 20 minutes away from Woodlands Inn. This National Historic Landmark remains in nearly original condition. www.draytonhall.org
South Carolina Aquarium Located on historic Charleston harbor, South Carolina aquarium is home to thousands of live plants and animals. Meander through more than 60 exhibits representing areas throughout the South Carolina. This educational and conservation-oriented Aquarium provides a comprehensive view of the power, mystery and beauty of South Carolina's unique aquatic habitats-from the mountains to the sea. Aquarium hours are 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Daily. Website: http://www.scaquarium.org/
Beidler Forest Walk back a thousand years in the world's largest virgin cypress-tupelo swamp forest. This 11,000-acre river sanctuary in the heart of South Carolina’s FourHolesSwamp embraces 1,800 acres of ancient trees that tower over black-water streams, clear pools and 300 species of wildlife. Delight in the forest's wonders from vantage points along a winding, elevated boardwalk (1 ½ miles long) that conveniently starts and ends at the VisitorsCenter. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. http://www.beidlerforest.com/
Cypress Gardens For a true South Carolina Lowcountry adventure, explore one of the Charleston area's most beloved attractions‡CypressGardens! Here you can stroll along four miles of walking trails that wind through the area's most beautiful gardens…paddle a flat bottom boat through a real cypress swamp.
Relax in the unique and exciting Butterfly House, home to a vast array of native butterflies and the plants they thrive on. Explore an Aquarium that offers an up-close look at the amphibians, reptiles and fish indigenous to the cypress swamp. For many visitors, CypressGardens proves to be a Charleston visitor’s favorite experience because it allows one to interact with the area's beauty. http://www.cypressgardens.org/
Beaches Escape to Charleston’s lush Sea Islands of Kiawah, Seabrook and the Isle of Palms where endless sun drenched beaches await. Enjoy the magnificent white, sand beaches and water sports of every kind, including boating and deep-sea fishing.
Mepkin Abbey The monks of Mepkin Abbey welcome visitors to Charletson, SC, who come because they have heard of the beautiful environment, the Monks life of prayer, work, and study, and the quiet and peace they can find here. Get a glimpse in the life and mission of the monks at this Abbey. http://www.mepkinabbey.org/
Fort Sumter America's most tragic conflict ignited at FortSumter on April 12, 1861 when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into Civil War. At the heart of these events was the issue of states rights versus federal authority flowing over the underlying issue of slavery. Fueled by decades of disagreement and confrontation, South Carolina seceded in protest of Lincoln's election and the social and economic changes sure to follow. With FortSumter as an unyielding bastion of Federal authority, the war became inevitable. A powerful symbol to both the South and the North, FortSumter remains a memorial to all that fought to hold it. www.nps.gov/fosu
Other Charleston SC Attractions include:
The Charleston Museum As America’s first museum, founded in 1773, walk through a rich collection of featured objects with different cultural and historical backgrounds.
Confederate Museum Market Hall was built in 1841. Since 1898, the Daughters of the Confederacy have operated the ConfederateMuseum, which contains flags, uniforms, swords and other Confederate memorabilia.
Old Slave Mart Museum This museum tells the story of Charleston SC’s involvement in the slave auction trade.
Gibbes Museum of Art As Charleston’s only visual arts museum, explore, learn and see Charleston’s history come alive through art.
Charleston Postal Museum Charleston’s PostalMuseum explains the area’s postal history. In 1896 the post office moved to the new PostOfficeBuilding, which was erected over the ruins of the old police station, destroyed in the earthquake of 1886. The building at Meeting and Broad streets is the oldest continuously operated post office in the Carolinas.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Designed for children 3 to 12 years of age, get your family involved in interactive exhibits and learn more about Lowcountry.
Aiken-Rhett House Built in 1818 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William-Rhett, visit the most intact townhouse complex, showcasing urban life in antebellum Charleston.
Joseph Manigault House A National Historic Landmark, this Southern architectural structure reflects the lifestyle of both wealthy, rice-planting Charleston families and the slaves who lived there.
Heyward-Washington House House of signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Heyward, experience Charleston’s finest collection of American-made furniture.
Nathaniel Russell House Interpreting the lives of the Russell family, admire the spacious formal gardens, graceful interior and the magnificent free-flying staircase.
Edmondston-Alston House Built in 1825 on Charleston, SC’s High Battery, this house is one of Charleston’s most splendid dwellings and is a repository of family treasures.
Concierge Woodland Inn’s Conciegeis able to assist guests in planning a visit to any of these Charleston attractions during their stay.
Things To Do in Historic Charleston, South Carolina
