I was going to have a page just for the gardens but decided that most of us who love nature love the gardens too, so I included the gardens on this page. Charleston is known for its gardens. Many of which date back to before the civil war. It's sad when we live here and don't experience our own city, so for those of us who are not tourists the city gives us one day a year where we can visit a few of the sites and parks for free. Also.. if you really don't want to pay to get into the parks there is a volunteer program that after so many hours of service they recipricate a yearly park pass.
CHARLESTON AREA GARDENS/ PARKS
- Middleton Place Gardens - Hwy 61 Formal Gardens pre civil war restored. Very historical. Very beautiful in the spring when the azaleas bloom, but also in the winter when the camellias and magnolias bloom. Formal Gardens/ Historical Farm Animals. i.e. Water buffalo.
- Boone Hall Plantation - Mt. Pleasant. This house has been used in various movies through the years. It has many slaves homes still standing and gives a good glimpse of Charleston pre civil war history. Beautiful Gardens and you must see the mile long Oak Tree lined drive.
- Magnolia Gardens - Hwy 61 More romantic gardens along the Ashley River. Boat rides, tram rides, estuaries, views of marsh, river, rice patties and inland lakes. Wildlife is plentiful.
- Azalea Gardens - Summerville - Planted by the Summerville Garden Society many many moons ago this garden lends itself to a walk in the park. It's free and sports a turtle pond, a gazebo, and tennis courts. The many statues throughout the park that straddle both sides of Main street create a quaint and charming atmosphere.
- Cypress Gardens - Monks Corner - Worth the drive for the butterfly house alone, this beautiful garden created in the middle of the Cypress swamp lays claim to the movie "The Patriot" and a few others. The Butterfly house, canoe rides through the swamp, and tall cypress trees take you back into the not so distant past. One of my favorites, but off the beaten path.
- Mepkin Abbey - Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist monastery in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The abbey is located near Moncks Corner, at the junction of the two forks of the Cooper River northwest of Charleston, and is located in the Diocese of Charleston
- FRANCIS BEIDLER - A cypress swamp that is untouched by man. There are many species of birds that make their home here such as the owl, egret, heron, warblers, cardinals, etc. as well as the other wildlife of the swamp. A boardwalk lets you walk over the water and through this great last water purification of nature.
- BIRDS OF PREY - Awendaw - Birds of Prey is really a zoo for large birds of prey. Check the Groupons for coupons and get a good discount. The air show is spectacular and is usually around 1 p.m. You will see many types of Eagles, Owls, Hawks, Kites, etc. Highly recommend all ages.
- AQUARIUM - Not really a park, but educationally it is at the top of the list. You can pet stingray, starfish, turtles and see the sharks get fed, but most of all you come away with an appreciation of our beautiful waterways and oceans.
- CAW CAW INTERPRETIVE CENTER - This beautiful gem is for when you need to get away. It does not allow bikes, pets, or anything but feet on its paths. It is for the bird and nature lover and viewer. Set on an old Tea Plantation that still has its many rice patties, it attracts both fresh and saltwater species of waterfowl throughout the year as well as hundreds of species of songbirds as they fly their migratory paths. Caw Caw is home to the CCPRC Coastal Master Naturalist Course.
- Bulls Island - Did you think the first landing spot in Charleston was Charles Town Landing, think again. The settlers hung out on Bulls Island several months while they scouted out the inlets and waterways of the Charleston harbor. This is a very primitive island but it is filled with breathtaking views and nature scenes. Take a ferry to the island/ Very primitive.
- BOTANY BAY NATURE PRESERVE - Botany Bay is a bit of a drive but well worth the trip. It opened in 2008 when the DNR obtained it as a gift. It has a Boneyard beach that is quickly being taken back by the sea but until it does it gives some of the most spectacular views of the water and land. It also has Jason's Lake which if you have a child under the age of 17 you can take fishing there. It is a wonderful place to get your seasonal dose of natures beauty. Take TP and water. This is a primitive site.
- PIERS - Mt. Pleasant/ Folly Beach/ Isle of Palms/ Charleston downtown near the pineapple.
- County Parks - Great for biking, hiking, water fun, dog parks, paddling, fishing.
- Isle of Palms
- James Island
- Wanamaker
- Palmetto Islands
- BROOKGREEN GARDENS - Murrells Inlet - Botanical Gardens
- PALMETTO TRAIL - This hiking trail begins near Charleston and cuts the state in half. You can hike all or part of it at any time of the year.
- MORRIS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE - Folly Beach. Drive to the east end of folly and you will see the Morris Island Lighthouse. You can park at the end of Ashley and walk the 1/2 mile to the inlet. NO SWIMMING here as the currents are unforgiving. But if you are lucky you will see the dolphin and many sea animals as they navigate and play in the waters. This was once an old Coastguard Station. Also known as the Lighthouse Heritage Preserve
- DUPONT PLANETARIUM - Aiken - The DuPont Planetarium exists to inspire others to explore the majesty of the heavens. Visitors age 4 and up attend public shows presented every Saturday. We encourage our visitors to reserve seats in advance. If you make a reservation, please arrive no later than 20 minutes before the show starts. All unclaimed reservations will be released 10 minutes prior to the show.
STATE PARKS
- Edisto State Park - Edisto Beach. has an educational center and program. Great swimming. showers and camping
- FORT DORCHESTER STATE PARK - Summerville The site of the one of the first settlements outside of Charleston. This is a site for fall reenactments of the Revolutionary War. They are doing archaeological digs here to discover the old town.
- CHARLESTOWN LANDING STATE PARK - Charleston The site of where the first settlers lands, this park is large and beautiful. It has a zoo filled with animals from the time period of the landing.
- HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK - Beaufort - Worth the drive. Go early b/c it fills up and you have to wait in line. Beautiful beach.
- CAESARS HEAD STATE PARK - Upstate so different flora and fauna. Beautiful.
- TABLE ROCK STATE PARK
- KINGS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
- DONNELY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Preserve- Green pond - https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/ManagedLand/58
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Management Preserve-Georgetown
- CONGAREE NATIONAL FOREST- Hopkins SC https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
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